Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced a major transportation plan that could offer relief for motorists statewide. He says a $600 million dollar initiative includes projects such as widening I-10 in Baton Rouge from the Mississippi River Bridge to the 10/12 split, and new access from I-20 directly into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, among others.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus wants to take a look at sexual harassment policies within state agencies and the Capitol itself. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says they also want to explore the idea of making online sexual harassment courses a requirement…:
Cut 9 (08) “as well”
She says current policies are antiquated and need updating.

The Saints face their toughest matchup of the season as they roll into Minnesota. New Orleans is a five point underdog against a Vikings team that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points at home. Saints analyst Mike Detillier on how to beat a defense like that…:
Cut 13 (08) “ball over”
Kickoff is at 3:40 on Fox.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces a transportation and infrastructure investment for major projects in three different parts of the state. One of the problems he says it’s time to address is I-10 in Baton Rouge from the Mississippi River Bridge to the 10/12 split…:
Cut 11 (10) “in the state”
Edwards says they will request $600 million in bonds, which the state can repay with federal highway funds Louisiana gets each year.

The Senate Select Committee on Women and Children met at the Capitol today to discuss updating sexual harassment policies within state agencies and among lawmakers. Testimony included an official from DCFS who claimed a legislator exposed himself to him in the bathroom in the 1980s, and also three female faculty from UL-Lafayette who say they face sexual harassment all the time at work and not much is ever done.

Another cold air mass is bringing Canadian air into Louisiana, dropping temperatures well below normal. Temps are expected to fall throughout the day, then the coldest air of the weekend will settle in with overnight temperatures below freezing statewide. State climatologist Barry Keim..:
Cut 3 (13) “on Sunday”
Last time we saw an arctic outbreak, there were several house fires resulting in over a dozen fatalities. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says some of those homes didn’t have a working smoke alarm and were using other dangerous means to heat their homes…:
Cut 5 (09) “some fires”
He says it’s important to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, when these cold blasts take over.

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects. If accepted, the bonds will finance a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner, and an interchange into Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City. Edwards says the state will use federal highway money to pay back the loans…:
Cut 10 (09) “12 years”
The financing plans will need to be approved by state lawmakers and the bond commission.

Temperatures will struggle only into the mid 40s for highs today as a cold front has moved over the state, and State Climatologst Barry Keim says the brutal winds are coming in from the north…:
Cut 4 (10) “wind chill”
A hard freeze is forecast for North Louisiana tomorrow, and light freeze down to the coast.

26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison today after plowing into a crowd of parade goers during last year’s Endymion parade in New Orleans. The crash injured 32 people and police said Rizzuto was drunk. He also has to attend AA and MADD meetings. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto should be thankful he gets another chance.:
Cut 15 (12) “other people”
He says the sentence is an example of new criminal justice reforms.

A police department in Ohio is trying to spread the word that they are not the Vermilion where a teacher was removed from a school board meeting this week for questioning the superintendent. Cops in Vermilion, Ohio say they have received angry and profane messages from people reacting to the controversial arrest of Deyshia Hargrave which actually happened in Vermilion Parish. The Ohio department said to please stop sending hate mail.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Another round of frigid weather is settling over the state this weekend, and the last time this happened there were several fatal house fires. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages you to check on older heating systems…:
CUT 6 (10) “the weekend”
A hard freeze is forecast for North Louisiana tomorrow, and light freeze down to the coast.

It’s going to be tough for the Saints to beat the Vikings on Sunday, but they certainly have a chance. The game is a rematch of the season opener that New Orleans lost, but NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s a new X-factor for the Saints this time around…:
Cut 14 (11) “running back situation”
The game kicks off at 3:40 Sunday on FOX.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says if anyone is found guilty of sexual harassment, they need to be held accountable…:
Cut 8 (08) “this manner”
She believes the current policies are out of date.

Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints face their toughest match up of the season as they roll into Minnesota. New Orleans is a five point underdog against a Vikings team that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points at home. Saints analyst Mike Detillier on how to beat a defense like that…:
Cut 13 (08) “ball over”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced a major transportation plan that could offer relief for motorists statewide. He says a $600 million dollar initiative includes projects such as widening I-10 in Baton Rouge from the Mississippi River Bridge to the 10/12 split, and new access from I-20 directly into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, among others.

The man who crashed into a crowd of people at last year’s Endymion parade while driving drunk, will spend five years in prison and have to attend AA. 26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was facing a 55 year sentence. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place last year…:
Cut 16 (11) “a third”
The crash injured 32 people.

Another cold air mass is bringing Canadian air into Louisiana, dropping temperatures well below normal. Temps are expected to fall throughout the day, then the coldest air of the weekend will settle in with overnight temperatures below freezing statewide. State climatologist Barry Keim..:
Cut 3 (13) “on Sunday”
Last time we saw an arctic outbreak, there were several house fires resulting in over a dozen fatalities. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says some of those homes didn’t have a working smoke alarm and were using other dangerous means to heat their homes…:
Cut 5 (09) “some fires”
He says it’s important to check on neighbors, especially the elderly, when these cold blasts take over.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for lawmakers and state government employees. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno finds it disturbing that even though harassment policies are in place for the state, it’s hard to hold legislators accountable…:
Cut 7 (11) “the legislature”
She feels the current rules are antiquated and need to be brought up to date.

The Louisiana Property Assistance Agency will resume its monthly state surplus property auctions in Baton Rouge this weekend. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says all of the proceeds will go back to the state to take care of a portion of transportation needs…:
Cut 25 (03) “fleet”
He says there is something for everyone at the auction including exercise equipment, cars, boats, RVs and more.

A state lawmaker is proposing to change the amounts that TOPS students receive. Kelley Ray has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray”

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Vermilion Parish teachers held a rally for Deyshia Hargrave, to protest her treatment at a recent schoolboard meeting. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A series of social media posts has experts reminding teens not to eat Tide Pods. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The Louisiana Property Assistance Agency will resume its monthly state surplus property auctions in Baton Rouge this weekend.  The auction will feature a wide variety of items once used by state agencies.  Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry says there’s something for everyone…

Cut 4  (11) “boats, trailers.” 

Berry says the state holds an auction every second Saturday of the month on Brickyard Lane near the Mississippi River Bridge. He says you might be surprised at the quality of goods you will find…

Cut 5  (10)  “repurpose them.”

Berry says the proceeds from the auction, go back to the state to take care of a large portion of their transportation needs…

Cut 6 (09)  “like that.”

The auction will start Saturday at 8am.

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A state lawmaker is proposing to change TOPS scholarship amounts. Students who  meet the minimum eligibility would receive a four-thousand-dollar payment for the year, but students who achieve a very high ACT and GPA get a full scholarship, plus a stipend.  Jennings Senator Blade Morrish says four-thousand-dollars may seem low, but it’s still the most lucrative college tuition program in the U-S…

Cut 7 (09)  “state universities.”

Morrish says a new structured plan would still benefit students with lower GPAs, but encourage very smart students to continue their education in Louisiana.  His proposal would create a new “Honors Plus” program that would give out the best incentives to students…

Cut 8 (11) “2500 dollars.”

Morrish is leading a task force that’s been examining the taxpayer funded program, which has become more difficult for the state to afford because of a variety of factors including higher tuition.  He says his plan would save the state 20-million-dollars annually and modernize how the scholarship money should be doled out…

Cut 9 (08)  “old model.”

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Vermilion Parish teachers held a rally in support of Deyshia Hargrave in the wake of an incident where Hargrave was forcefully removed from a school board meeting after questioning the superintendent’s pay raise. The altercation has gained national coverage, Hargrave says she was just sticking to her principles…

Cut 10 (11) “that myself.”

Video from the incident shows Marshal Reggie Hilts dragging Hargrave out of the room. Reports say Hilts has previously been sued for excessive force. Hargrave says the removal infringed on her civil rights…

The Louisiana Association of Educators holds a rally this afternoon to show their support for Rene Rost middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave.  President Debbie Meaux says the LAE understands the board president keeps order during a board meeting, but feels nothing occurred to demand the treatment Hargrave received from the Abbeville City Marshal Reginald “Reggie” Hilts after she was escorted out of the meeting…

Cut 8 (05) “it got.”

Video shows Hargrave was pinned to the floor and handcuffed.  No charges are expected.

Groundbreaking ceremonies were held for a six mile stretch of Interstate-10 in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes.  DOTD will be expanding the four lane interstate to six lanes over the next two years.  The 72-million-dollar expansion comes from some repurposed earmarked funds from projects that either never happened or from leftover funds.  DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the majority of the money is due to the farsightedness of the Edwards Administration…

Cut 11 (08) “this administration.”

WalMart announces a minimum wage increase to 11 dollars but also announces the closings of 63 Sams Clubs in 10 states.  One of those stores is in Louisiana.  The Sam’s Club near Cortana Mall in Baton Rouge is closed and has displaced about 175 workers.

Steve Ensminger held his first press conference as LSU’s offensive coordinator. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Many gathered in Abbeville today to show their support of middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave after she was arrested for speaking out about a raise for the superintendent of Vermillion Parish Schools.  In a video shown on NBC’s Today show this morning, it is clearly seen that Hargrave is being shut up by board President Anthony Fontana.  Louisiana Association of Educators President Debbie Meaux says Fontana’s actions were completely out of line…

Cut 7 (11)  “our citizens.”

A bear was killed that was a part of the Louisiana Black Bear Management and Research project. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 28-year-old Ronald Kimble of Pointe Coupee Parish was frequently observed by agents passing through the area with a .270 rifle…

Cut 4  (09) “that bear.” 

If Kimble is found guilty, he faces a fine of 1000 dollars and up to 120 days in jail…

A major road construction project on I-10 that will take two years to complete will affect travelers between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. 95-thousand drivers pass over a six and a half mile section between Baton Rouge and Prairieville that will be expanded to six lanes.  DOTD’s Shawn Wilson says they want the flow of traffic continue through the construction zone as smoothly as possible…

Cut 10 (08) “one lane.”

Steve Ensminger is the LSU new offensive coordinator.  He replaces Matt Canada who left LSU on Tuesday.  Ensminger says he’s not worried about what social media and other others have to say about his appointment…

Cut 14 (13) “I’ll do it”

The Louisiana Association of Educators holds a rally this afternoon to show their support for middle school teacher Deyshia Hargrave. LAE President Debbie Meaux says they understand the role of board president Anthony Fontana was to keep order during the meeting, but feels nothing occurred to demand the treatment Hargrave received from the Abbeville City Marshal as she was escorted out of the meeting Monday night…

Cut 8 (05) “it got.”

The rally begins at 3:45 in downtown Abbeville.

Ground breaking ceremonies were held today on a 72-million-dollar six and a half mile expansion of I-10 between near Baton Rouge and Prairieville.  DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says the majority of the money is from the farsightedness of the Edwards Administration…

Cut 11 (08) “this administration.”

Wilson says they expect the project to take two years to complete.

Wildlife and Fisheries agents have arrested a Point Coupee Parish man for allegedly killing a protected black bear.  28-year-old Ronald Kimble was seen in the area with a rifle repeated times.  LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says the charges facing Kimble carry a severe punishment…

Cut 5  (07)  “days in jail”

Louisiana black bears have been a threatened species since 1992.

LSU head coach Ed Orgeron introduced his new offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger today.  It’s a controversial move, especially since the Tigers went from a nationally respected offensive mind in Matt Canada to the team’s former tight ends coach.  Ensminger says he doesn’t let the chatter get to him…

Cut 14 (13) “I’ll do it”