Crawfish processors say new federal guidelines regarding legal foreign worker wages, could cause a big hike in the price of crawfish. Eric Gill reports..

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A survey of Louisiana public school teachers finds that 78-percent of them believe the annual standardized tests are excessive. Jeff Palermo has the story

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

===================

Crawfish processors say new federal guidelines regarding guest worker wages, could cause a big hike in the price of crawfish. Louisiana’s crawfish industry depends heavily on guest workers, legal foreign workers, to perform jobs they cannot fill locally. Lafayette restaurant owner and crawfish processor, Frank Randol, says the federal government says those workers now must be paid $12.35 an hour…

CUT 3 (08)  “wholesale level”

Randol says the Department of Labor’s $5 an hour wage hike will result in a $3 per pound increase in the price of crawfish tail meat. There is concern that the price of crawfish could climb higher than what consumers are willing to pay. Since the 90s, guest workers were paid wages based on local surveys done by employers in the market. However, Randol says the Labor Department changed the rules in December…

CUT 4 (07)  “of the country”

Lafayette Representative Charles Boustany and other Gulf Coast Representatives are petitioning the Labor Department to reverse their decision. Randol says the process of obtaining guest workers is a long and tedious process closely regulated by the federal government. He says when they started the process in the fall, they were told everything was fine…

CUT 5 (10)  “changed the game”

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A survey of Louisiana teachers finds 78-percent of them believe state-required standardized tests takes too much time away from classroom instruction. Louisiana Association of Educators president Debbie Meaux says teachers believe there’s an overemphasis on standardized testing in state’s school accountability system

CUT 6 (10)  “burden”

Meaux believes students should only be required to take standardized tests once in elementary school, then again in middle school and one more time on the high school level. She says annual testing does not give teachers enough time to teach the concepts for mastery

CUT 7 (10)  “to learn”

Meaux says current amount of standardized tests is also driving younger teachers away

CUT 8 (06)  “for children”

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The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office says a brother and sister are dead after being shot at the Sugar Shack in New Roads early this morning. Captain Steven Juge says the incident remains under investigation, but witnesses have said there was some type of altercation between the suspects and victims…:

CUT 9 (08)  “parking lot”

Juge says they are currently working to determine if the victims were inside the club when the altercation began…:

cut 10 (09)  “from people”

Juge says the victims are identified as 38-year-old Seneca Williams and 41-year-old Lichelle Williams. The suspect who remains at large is 31-year-old Jamie Croom.  Juge says they were called out in reference to the double homicide at the lounge around 12:30 am..:

cut 11 (06)  “a club”

============================

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Bernice woman is under arrest after leaving her eight-month old son on a relative’s doorstep. Sheriff Dusty Gates says they received a call from the child’s father reporting that the baby was left outside a relative’s residence in Bernice…

cut 12 (12)  “30 degrees”

The infant’s mother, 23-year-old Keondra Ferguson, is charged with criminal child abandonment. The child was reportedly outside the residence for more than 90 minutes, with temperatures in the mid-30s, before being discovered. Gates says the baby was wrapped in warm clothing and in a car seat when found…

cut 13 (08)  “have pneumonia”

Gates says the child was taken to the hospital where they discovered he has pneumonia. He says the infant had apparently been sick before being abandoned. The baby is now in the custody of his father. Gates says when authorities interviewed Ferguson, she admitted to leaving the infant…

cut 14 (05)  “the child”

============================

As people across the state head to their local places of worship to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, a Shreveport church is offering ashes to go. Scott Carwile reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Abita Brewing Company announces their craft-brewed root beer is now available in cans. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

A Baton Rouge company has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 3 (32) “reporting”

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As people across the state head to their local places of worship to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, a Shreveport church is offering ashes to go. Christ United Methodist Church will offer “Drive By Ashes” to accommodate those who’s schedules won’t allow them to make their full church service. Associate Pastor Kelly Berne says this is an event has done well…

cut 4  (10)  “will drive-thru”

The church began offering this service in 2011 and Berne expects over 100 people drive through today. She says there will be tables set up in the church parking lot and all you’ll need to do is drive up…

Cut 5  (11)  “to the church”

She says this is an opportunity for people to connect with God and the church without having to leave their car. The “Drive By Ashes” will be offered from 11AM to 1PM and then from 2PM to 4PM. Berne says this is just another way to minister amid today’s hectic lifestyles…

Cut 6 (06)  “their busy schedule”

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Today is the start of the Lenton season and many people will be totally giving up meat for the next 40 days or at least eating seafood only on Fridays. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says the warmer things get, the better the supply will be of our Louisiana favorites…:

CUT 7 (09)  “out there”

Pearce says fish is in excellent supply right now and this is the time of year that oysters are at their best…:

Cut 8  (08)  “of items” 

Pearce says the crab will be in good supply as the temperatures rise and, in all, once we have a good warm front roll through we should see quality seafood at the market for a good price…:

Cut 9 (10)  “Lenten season”

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Abita Brewing Company announces their craft-brewed root beer is now available in cans. Abita President David Blossman says ever since they launched Abita beer in cans, people have been asking for their root beer to be in cans too including his own family…:

Cut 10 (08) “of events”

Blossman says it’s the same great old-fashioned root beer they’ve been making for years, but now you can get it in portable, recyclable 12-pack aluminum cans. He says their root beer is unique in that it’s made with pure Louisiana cane sugar…:

cut 11 (10) “and our root beer”

Blossman says their popular root beer will also continue to be sold in six-pack glass bottles. He says people love the drink which is made with herbs, vanilla and pure Louisiana cane sugar that is hot brewed rather than cold mixed…:(Blossman says now you can bring it along to the next picnic, soccer game, tailgate or put it in your lunch box.)

cut 12 (10)  “calorie count”

______________________________________

A Baton Rouge company has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. Marucci (Mai-Roo-Chi) BodiTrack’s President Curtis Cruz says they place this pressure-mapping fabric inside helmets and it registers each hit taken in real-time…:

Cut 13 (10)  “as well”

Cruz says knowing exactly where a player took a hit and how hard the impact was is important later on down the road when you’re actually providing care and treatment. He says to truly help prevent concussions there needs to be a better way to detect injuries and provide care…:

Cut 14 (12) “what to do”

Cruz says this technology will makes its debut during LSU spring football and then there will be pilot programs with several youth football organizations in the fall. He says when an impact or collection of impacts registers hard enough into the fabric, a team official will automatically benotified via a mobile device…:

Cut 15  (07)  “this level”

______________________________________

The fourth ranked LSU baseball team looks to improve to 4-0 tonight when they host Nicholls State at 6:30. Tigers Coach Paul Mainieri is impressed that the Colonels took two of three from Stony Brook last weekend. Mainieri says they could have used a couple of wins against Stony Brook in the 2012 Super Regionals

Cut 16  (12)  “good players”

Freshman right-hander Doug Norman will start on the mound for the Tigers, while the Colonels will counter with a senior. Chalmette’s Ryan Deemes will start tonight after making a dozen starts last season. Mainieri says tonight’s game should be a good challenge for his team

Cut 17 (19)  “or form”

Mainieri used three different line-ups during the weekend sweep of Kansas and the head coach plans on shuffling players in and out of the line-up to find out who he can count on…

Cut 18 (10) “right guys’

____________________________________________________

Everywhere else it’s just Tuesday, and these Mardi Gras revelers aren’t letting the cold get them down. Michelle Southern…:

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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A recent report by the Schott (shot) Foundation for Public Education shows the black male high school graduation rates in Louisiana trails whites’ by 16 points. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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Folks in Louisiana are enjoying Mardi Gras Festivities, despite the bone chilling temps. These revelers in New Orleans we spoke with say they aren’t going to let a little cold stop them from enjoying Fat Tuesday celebrations and parades…:

CUT 3 (08)  “don’t hurt”

It’s not raining but many folks we spoke with say this is the coldest Mardi Gras they can remember. Still these revelers in New Orleans say they came prepared…:

CUT 4 (08)  “day progresses”

The popular Courir de Mardi Gras got off to an early start this morning in Mamou. Mayor Ricky Fontenot says revelers aren’t letting the cold get them down one bit…:

CUT 5 (07)  “it’s still on”

Fontenot says the riders and runners were out in their costumes and ready to roll through the countryside just as they do every year — rain, shine or cold…:

CUT 6 (10)  “enjoying themselves”

============================

State Police say a train-truck crash in Desoto Parish has killed three men. Trooper Matt Harris says a group of oil field vehicles were traveling on a private road yesterday afternoon when a truck, driven by 23-year-old John Watson of Centerville, approached some railroad tracks…

CUT 7 (10)  “was too late”

Watson stopped at the tracks, then proceeded forward and was struck by the train. Watson and one passenger, 24-year-old Michael Ryder II of Goldonna, were pronounced dead at the scene. Another passenger, 35-year-old Herbert Barras III of Charenton died later at an area hospital. Harris says this is just a terrible tragedy all the way around…

CUT 8 (11)  “on that end”

Harris says this particular crossing has passive warning signals, a stop sign and a railroad crossing sign. He says this particular signal type is common for private and low traffic roads. Harris says it’s important for motorists to heed these warnings because the train always has the right-of-way…

CUT 9 (09)  “proceeding forward”

============================

The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office is asking for help in the case of a 2008 murder of a Lafourche Parish resident. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 46-year-old Larkie Toups was killed on January 1, 2008 and after a year long investigation the case went cold. He says they opened it back up in 2013 and arrested an eyewitness to the crime…:

cut 10 (10)  “located”

Haley says Toups was taken to the Budget Inn by a deputy before he was killed and was highly intoxicated after drinking at a friends house. He says they have strong evidence that substance abusers loitering the the hotel could be responsible for the brutal murder but the investigation is hindered because they have no body…:

cut 11 (10)  “for his murder”

Haley says the woman that they did arrest in connection with the crime who refuses to name the killers and location of the body is serving 10 years for obstruction of justice. He says they hope someone with information on this murder will come forward and claim a $1000 reward…:

cut 12 (10)  “LaFourche Parish”

============================

A recent report by the Schott (shot) Foundation for Public Education shows the black male high school graduation rates in Louisiana trails whites’ by 16 points. For the 2012-13 school year, only 53-percent of black male students graduated compared to 69-percent of white males. Foundation President John Jackson says these numbers are reason for concern…

cut 13 (12)  “to succeed”

The disparity between black and white males in Louisiana is smaller than the national gap of 21-percent. The report also shows eighth grade proficiency rates are another reason for alarm. Jackson says 29-percent of white males in the state were proficient in eighth grade reading and math compared to just nine-percent of black males…

cut 14 (07)  “to learn”

Jackson says the results of this study indicate a climate that doesn’t foster health living and learning environments for black males. He says it is possible to turn these numbers around, if the state makes the commitment to do it…

cut 15 (11) “in New Jersey”

============================

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is up for debate again this Fat Tuesday. Michelle Southern reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

______________________________________

IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

The question over which city “started” Mardi Gras, New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama, is coming up again this Fat Tuesday. Mobile Mayor Sandy Simpson is bragging that the Alabama destination is where the pre-Lenten celebrations originally began in the United States. The Big Easy Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says the first New Orleans Mardi Gras parade was held in 1857…:

cut 4  (10)  “New Years Eve”

Hardy says Mobile’s parades on Fat Tuesday did not begin until 1868 — after the Civil War. He says their Mardi-Gras-like parades, which featured floats followed by a tableaux ball were staged on New Years Eve…:

Cut 5  (11)  “I’m not sure”

Hardy says the style of parade — floats and costumes and masks — did in fact start in Mobile, but they didn’t roll on Mardi Gras day until 11 years after New Orleans did. He says Mobile enjoys the second largest and longest running parade season in America, but New Orleans has the biggest celebration in the world…:

Cut 6 (08)  “that’s indisputable”

______________________________________

One of the state’s more unique Mardi Gras traditions happens in the Calcasieu Parish town of Iowa. The Iowa Chicken Run is an all day celebration that begins and ends at the Knights of Columbus Hall. Organizer, Rodney Victorian, says his grandfather started this event 36 years ago…

CUT 7 (11)  “for the community”

The parade will begin at 10AM and will stop at participating homes to collect ingredients for a gumbo that will be served later in the day. Victorian says kids can try to catch something other than beads and toys in Iowa…

Cut 8  (06)  “stuff like that” 

When a donation to the gumbo is made, a chicken is thrown in the air for the children to catch. Victorian says the Iowa Chicken Run attracts visitors from all over to partake in the festivities… (The chickens are not harmed and not used to make the gumbo.)

Cut 9 (10)  “all over”

______________________________________

Now that a strong cold front has moved through, Canadian air has settled over Louisiana leaving us with another chilly Mardi Gras day. State Climatologist Barry Keim says southeast Louisiana should brace for temperatures today in the upper 30s this morning, then high temperatues this afternoon only in the upper 40s…:

Cut 10 (09) “bundle up”

Keim says if you’re headed to parades today anywhere in the state, it might be a good idea to bring an umbrella just in case but you probably won’t need it. He says it’s going to be a very cold Fat Tuesday pretty much throughout The Bayou State…:

cut 11 (09) “miserable day”

Keim says for revelers who plan to be outside all day, make sure you bring a lot heavy coats, gloves and blankets…:

cut 12 (08)  “kinda windy”

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IBM technology announces plans for a 400-job application development and innovation center in Monroe. Officials say IBM will provide software technology services to clients across the nation and partner with CenturyLink on research and product innovation initiatives. Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says this is huge for Northeast Louisiana…:

Cut 13 (10)  “here in Monroe”

Governor Bobby Jindal says $4.5 million dollars will be provided to ULM, Louisiana Tech and Grambling for additional computer science programs to help meet IBM’s workforce needs and keep Louisiana graduates in the state. Mayo says big companies are attracted to CenturyLink which has corporate headquarters in Monroe…:

Cut 14 (09) “to come here”

Mayo says this announcement is in addition to the 800+ jobs coming to the CenturyLink technology center which will open in March….:

Cut 15  (08)  “to be huge”

______________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team is at Texas A-and-M looking to pick up another win on the road tonight. About a month ago, the Tigers hosted the Aggies and blew a double-digit lead and lost by three points to A-and-M. Sophomore guard Tim Quarterman they learned a tough lesson that day

Cut 16  (12)  “care of the ball”

LSU has played well on the road. They are 4-2 in league games away from the PMAC and 6-2 in true road games overall. Quarterman says they have the mindset they can win on any team’s floor

Cut 17 (14)  “get the win”

The Tigers have won two of their last three. Last week they lost top ranked Kentucky by two points and beat Tennessee by 18 on the Volunteers home floor. LSU’s Jarell Martin says the team’s confidence is high

Cut 18 (14) “end of the year’

It’s a dreary and wet Lundi Gras for much of Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has more on our Mardi Gras forecast..

CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

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State Police has increased its numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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An accused rapist is back behind bars after slipping out of his shackles and running from Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies early Saturday Morning. Chief Deputy Mike Haley says 39-year-old Kaundra Magee was recaptured just before noon on Sunday when a deputy heard some movement in a large drain that goes under Highway 10 in Franklinton…

CUT 3 (07)  “any incident”

Haley says Magee escaped while being transported back to the jail after treatment for pain in his shoulder. He says Magee was able to free himself from his leg shackles and escape the police car. Haley says Magee is now facing additional charges of simple escape…

CUT 4 (06)  “against him”

Magee required medical attention after his capture to treat swollen wrists due to wearing handcuffs for nearly 36 hours. Haley says they are taking steps to thwart any further escape attempts by Magee…

CUT 5 (09)  “be housed”

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A strong cold front moves through the state bringing rain and colder temperatures to the Bayou State. Donald Jones, with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles, says it will result in a cold Fat Tuesday

CUT 6 (09)  “40s”

Jones says there is a chance for a few ice pellets or freezing rain between midnight and 8 A-M tomorrow morning in central Louisiana

CUT 7 (08)  “Monroe area”

Jones says if you plan on attending parades tomorrow, bundle up, because high temperatures will struggle to get out of the 40s

CUT 8 (09)  “be outdoors”

===================

State Police has increased its numbers in New Orleans for Mardi Gras and they’re making their presence known. Over 150 additional troopers are patrolling the French Quarter and the metro area. Spokesperson Melissa Matey says, so far, troopers have made over 140 arrests…

CUT 9 (08)  “of the streets”

Matey says over fifty of their arrests are for felonies. Of the over 300 criminal charges filed in these arrests, nearly 100 were for narcotics and Matey says state police have taken over $376,000 worth of the illegal drugs off of the streets. She also says troopers have seized 14 illegally possessed weapons…

cut 10 (10)  “those guns out”

Matey says State Police is committed to protect revelers this Mardi Gras season…

cut 11 (10)  “Carnival 2015”

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The energy industry applauds a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a controversial lawsuit against oil and gas companies alleging they should pay billions of dollars for damage to Louisiana’s coast. Legal Analyst Chick Foret says US District Nanette Jolivette Brown gave a detailed 49-page explanation for her decision

cut 12 (09)  “of appeal”

The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority-East filed the lawsuit in 2013 claiming oil and gas companies made Louisiana more vulnerable to hurricanes, because of drilling, pipelines  and other exploration efforts.  Foret says the plantiffs highlighted six different claims on why the oil industry should be found liable

cut 13 (08)  “viable claim”

Foret says while environmentalists supported the efforts of the levee authority in their attempt to get oil and gas companies to pay for damages to Louisiana’s coast, the lawsuit did not get much support from state government…

cut 14 (09)  “not worth it”

===================

####Cuts 16 and 17 removed from earlier version of newscall, because of change in forecast.###

A new Facebook option allows users to designate a friend or family member to oversee their account upon their death. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

State health officials say the flu bug is starting to slow down. Scott Carwile has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “reporting”

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CC’s and Raising Cane’s, two prominent Louisiana-born businesses, made the 2014 Top 10 Excellent Fast-Food Chains list. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (29) “reporting”

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A new Facebook option allows users to designate a friend or family member to oversee their account upon their death. Facebook’s Legacy Contact feature lets users choose someone to manage their account after they die. Jensen Moore, with LSU’s Manship School of Mass Communication says she can’t believe it’s taken them this long to come up with this policy…

cut 4  (08)  “deal with it”

If you don’t want your Facebook page to continue on, you can opt for it to be deleted upon your death. Moore says this Legacy Contact feature can alleviate a lot potential conflict…

Cut 5  (08)  “last few years”

You can set your Legacy Contact in the Security Settings page on your Facebook account. Moore says you may want to go through your Facebook pics because those photos will become an eternal remembrance of you. Moore says there are limitations on what your Legacy Contact can do to your page after you die…

Cut 6 (08)  “delete the account”

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It appears the peak of the flu season is behind us, but health officials say we can’t let our guard down. Doctor Frank Welch, with the state department of health and hospitals, says during the height of the flu season, about eight out of every 100 doctor or hospital visit was for the flu, now that ratio is down to five out of every 100

CUT 7 (07)  “going on”

Welch says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot and also practice proper hygiene…

Cut 8  (09)  “someone else” 

Welch estimates over 500-thousand Louisiana residents were hit with the flu bug during this influenza season. He says the elderly have been hit especially hard by the flu….

Cut 9 (10)  “worse”

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CC’s and Raising Cane’s, two prominent Louisiana-born businesses, made the 2014 Top 10 Excellent Fast-Food Chains list. The California based research firm Sandelman & Associates ranked Raising Cane’s number four and CC’s Coffee House number six in the Quick-Track Awards of Excellence for quick service chains. Celton Hayden is the President of CC’s…:

Cut 10 (10) “in everything we do”

The study asked customers during their most recent visit to quick service chains to rate overall satisfaction on a 5 point scale. Other categories included taste of food, quality of ingredients, variety of menu items and speed of service. Hayden says they know they have the best coffee and the best food, but keeping the brand’s promise is the most important thing…:

cut 11 (06) “than that”

Hayden says they train their employees to be real and passionate about the business. He also says operational excellence has always been their goal and in the 20 years they’ve been in business the bar has continually been set higher and higher…:

cut 12 (09)  “every day”

______________________________________

The Bossier Sheriff’s Office is trying to figure out who is creating elaborate websites for schools purporting to be in the parish — but that actually don’t exist. Lt. Bill Davis says there are three websites with pictures of people, biographies of principals and teachers, enrollment information for schools listing Bossier City addresses..:

Cut 13 (07)  “exists”

Davis says they want to find out who is behind these fake school sites to be sure that nothing illegal is going on. He says they are working with the Louisiana Department of Education to see if the people behind the sites are trying to defraud the federal government or the state via grant dollars…:

Cut 14 (07) “to the school”

According to its website, Hudson Heights Laboratory Magnet High School is located on Sawgrass Parkway in Bossier City — but there is no such school. Davis says they also found fake websites for East Lockwood New Tech High School and Walker J Marshall Performing Arts Academy all saying they are in Bossier Parish…:

Cut 15  (08)  “a project”

Law enforcement are patrolling throughout the Mardi Gras season to discourage impaired driving and help reduce the number of crashes on Louisiana roadways. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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Statewide elected officials are claiming the mid-year budget cuts to their departments proposed by Governor Bobby Jindal are unfair. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (31) “reporting”

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Law enforcement are on patrol throughout the Mardi Gras season to discourage impaired driving and help reduce the number of crashes on Louisiana roadways. State Police spokeswoman, Melissa Matey, says Thursday there were six fatal crashes between Lake Charles and New Orleans. She says these crashes were preventable if people had made smart decisions before getting behind the wheel…

CUT 3 (12)  “across the state”

During last year’s five-day Mardi Gras holiday, there were 599 crashes which resulted in 13 deaths statewide. Over half of those deaths involved alcohol. Matey says you can expect to see law enforcement out in force through Fat Tuesday…

CUT 4 (12)  “those impaired drivers”

Matey says expect to see various checkpoints and saturation patrols all across Louisiana. She says if you partake in Mardi Gras revelry, do it responsibly…

CUT 5 (06)  “Mardi Gras festivities”

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The shooting Thursday night during a parade in New Orleans which left two dead appears to be the responsibility of a 19-year-old man. NOPD Superintendent Michael Harrison said they believe there was some sort of altercation that took place between two males while the Muses Krewe was rolling down St. Charles…:

CUT 6 (08)  “at the intersection”

Harssion says the suspect is identified as 19-year-old John Hicks and he’s charged with two counts of second degree murder and illegal carrying of a firearm on the parade route. Harrison says there were cops on the scene at the intersection where the shooting took place…:

CUT 7 (06)  “in this incident”

One of the victims of the shooting died during surgery and the other succumbed to his injuries Friday morning. Harrison says this situation is frustrating, but NOPD remains committed to keeping revelers safe during Mardi Gras…:

CUT 8 (10)  “great work”

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Statewide elected officials claim the mid-year budget cuts proposed by Governor Bobby Jindal are unfair. Departments managed by statewide elected officials are receiving much larger cuts than than almost all other state departments. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne says these cuts are clearly disproportionate…

CUT 9 (11)  “state government”

Dardenne says offices controlled by statewide elected officials, excluding the governor, represent less than one percent of the budget. However those agencies represent 16-percent of the budget cuts. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says these cuts aren’t fair across the board…

cut 10 (10)  “340 thousand dollars”

The Department of Ag received mid-year cuts equivalent to $2.6 million dollars and the Tourism Department took a $3.6 million hit, while the governor’s office had a $10,000 cut to its budget. Jindal spokesman Mike Reed says the governor’s office reduction is in line with other offices. Strain says it’s obvious statewide elected officials are taking the brunt of the cuts…

cut 11 (07) “other agencies”

===================

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol Tobacco Control says they’ve conducted over 600 alcohol and tobacco compliance checks across the state since February 2nd. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says of the businesses checked, 83 sold alcohol and/or tobacco to underage operatives which is about a 13% non-compliance rate…:

cut 12 (11)  “underage”

Hebert says agents will continue to work throughout the Mardi Gras weekend to make sure illegal sales of alcohol and tobacco do not dampen the Carnival season…:

cut 13 (11)  “that did that”

Hebert says the majority of their undercover operatives are 16 and 17 years old and with the legal age to purchase alcohol being 21 there is no excuse for these irresponsible sales…:

cut 14 (09)  “not worth it”

Officials in New Orleans want people who are heading to The Big Easy for Mardi Gras over the next few days to know that the city is safer than ever. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 1 (26) “reporting”

______________________________________

People go out to eat to celebrate Valentine’s Day more than any other Holiday behind Mother’s Day. Michelle Southern reports.

Cut 2 (31) “reporting”

______________________________________

The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act comes to an end Sunday. Jeff Palermo reports…

Cut 3 (29) “reporting”

______________________________________

Officials in New Orleans want people who are heading to The Big Easy for Mardi Gras over the next few days to know that the city is safer than ever. Convention and Visitors Bureau President Stephen Perry says State Police is bringing in 150 extra troopers into the city to help keep the Carnival crowd under control…:

cut 4  (09)  “the NOPD”

Perry says they are trying to spread the word that Mardi Gras season is typically one of the most protected times of the year in New Orleans…:

Cut 5  (10)  “for visitors”

Perry says with the increased presence of state police combining forces with the NOPD, they are expecting this to be one of the safest Mardi Gras season’s in history…:

Cut 6 (10)  “around the world”

______________________________________

Love is in the air. Valentine’s night is the 2nd most popular Holiday to eat out as couples rush to dine romantically by candle light. Erica Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says one quarter of Americans go out on February 14th which is about 70 million people…:

CUT 7 (09)  “in Louisiana”

Burns says if you haven’t made a reservation yet then it’s probably too late to do so and you definitely shouldn’t go to a fancy spot if you’re not on the list. But she says because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, many establishments are expanding their sweet specials…:

Cut 8  (09)  “on Saturday” 

Burns says there are a lot of parades happening throughout the state this weekend and many restaurants find themselves working in Mardi Gras traffic as well. She says the day of love butts up with Fat Tuesday every few years and establishments typically see it as an opportunity to extend Valentine’s Day promotions…:

Cut 9 (10)  “of days”

______________________________________

The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act comes to an end Sunday. Kara James, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, says over 157,000 Louisianians have signed up for insurance this year through the federal marketplace. She says if you have yet to enroll, this would be a good day to take care of that…

Cut 10 (07) “take less time”

This year’s enrollment figures are a nearly 55-percent increase from last year. James says individuals who are not covered may have to pay a fee when they file their taxes. She says there have been several improvements to the HealthCare-dot-gov website to make it easier and faster for people to enroll…

cut 11 (07) “up for coverage”

Although premiums in the marketplace have risen since last year’s open enrollment, James says financial assistance is available that can help many lower their monthly payment. She says nine out of ten Louisianians, who have selected coverage, were determined eligible for assistance to lower their monthly premium…

cut 12 (08)  “those tax credits”

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A member of the “Angola 3” is indicted for a third time in the 1972 murder of an Angola prison guard. Albert Woodfox’s case went before a West Feliciana Parish grand jury, because a federal appeals court overturned his last conviction on grad jury selection issues. Tony Clayton is prosecuting the case for the Louisiana Attorney General’s office…:

Cut 13 (10)  “horrible murder”

Woodfox originally went to Angola on an armed robbery conviction and is currently being held in solitary confinement, since the stabbing death of Brent Miller. Woodfox was one of three people convicted but Woodfox has argued he’s an innocent man. Clayton says evidence shows otherwise…:

Cut 14 (10)  “security guard”

Woodfox is the last imprisoned member of the Angola Three. Amnesty International has been actively trying to free Woodfox from prison. Spokeswoman Jasmine Heiss says they believe the AG’s office is pursuing a campaign of vengeance against Woodfox…:

Cut 15  (10)  “tainted with flaws”

Heiss says there is no physical evidence that ties Woodfox to the crime and the state’s eyewitnesses were given serious favors in exchange for their testimony. She says they also believe the state mysteriously lost a piece of evidence that would have exonerated Woodfox…:

Cut 16  (10)  “four decades”

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The 2015 college baseball season begins tonight with the second ranked LSU Tigers hosting the Kansas Jayhawks at Alex Box Stadium. Tigers shortstop Alex Bregman believes this team has what it takes to get back to the College World Series…

Cut 17 (11)  “be more excited”

LSU begins the season against a team that won 35 games a season ago and reached the NCAA Tournament. And Coach Paul Mainieri says Kansas has won five of the last six games played two teams

Cut 18 (11) “Texas’

The Ragin Cajuns were  in the Super Regionals last year and they begin this season at Texas San Antonio. Sophomore right-hander Chris Charpentier will get the start on the mound tonight. He only made one start last season for the Cajuns, but Coach Tony Robichaux says he’s earned the opportunity to start on opening night…

Cut 19 (11)   “strike zone”

Southeastern Louisiana is coming off an NCAA Regional appearance as they open the 2015 campaign by hosting Louisiana Tech. Head Coach Matt Riser says he wants to take the Lions program to another level this season

Cut 20 (15)  “damage”

The National Highway Safety Administration reports that fewer drunk drivers are on the road, but drug use while driving is rising. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

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The now-former 2015 Houma Mardi Gras Krewe King has been arrested for a second time this week for allegedly violating sex offender laws again. Michelle Southern reports.

CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

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The National Highway Safety Administration reports that fewer drunk drivers are on the road, but drug use while driving is rising. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Col. John Leblanc says there have been an exceptional number of Louisiana drivers found to be under the influence of drugs…

CUT 3 (10)  “was three”

Leblanc says, over the last three years, half of the toxicology cases done in the state related to traffic came back with drugs. He says synthetic drugs have become a particular problem. Leblanc says his office is funding special equipment for the LSP crime lab to be able to test for synthetic drugs…

CUT 4 (08)  “and bath salts”

In 2014, there were over 2,200 toxicology reports released related to traffic and nearly 1,500 of those showed drug use. Leblanc says there is a long way to go in the battle on drunk driving and when you add drugs to the mixture, it only worsens the problem. He says driving under the influence of drugs is just as dangerous as driving drunk…

CUT 5 (07)  “injury accident”

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The candidates for running governor must report by Wednesday how much they raised during 2014. It’s expected Senator David Vitter will report the most at around four-million dollars, and Lt Governor Jay Dardenne said on the Jim Engster Show he’s raised about half of that

CUT 6 (06)  “the bank”

Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle previously said he raised one-half-million dollars in 2014, while the lone democrat in the race, state representative John Bel Edwards said he raised one-million dollars. Dardenne says he knows Vitter will have the most money available, but that shouldn’t decide the election…

CUT 7 (08)  “competitive race”

The former state senator and Secretary of State also announced on the Jim Engster show that his run for governor will be the last office he runs for….

CUT 8 (12)  “of Louisiana”

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State Police arrest two drug traffickers in Alexandria that were preparing to sell drugs to Mardi Gras revelers. Master Trooper Scott Moreau says authorities were alerted to suspicious activity of an aircraft at Alexandria International Airport. He says during their investigation, a K-9 alerted officers of possible drugs on the aircraft and a search began…

CUT 9 (12)  “85-hundred dollars”

He says troopers seized over 34 pounds of marijuana and over 550 grams of hashish. 37-year-old George Marshall of Gulf Shores, AL and 40-year-old John Marshall of Grass Valley, CA were taken into custody. Moreau says officials determined that these drugs had a definite destination…

cut 10 (10)  “in Mardi Gras”

He says information obtained during interviews with the suspects indicated the narcotics were to be sold during Mardi Gras. Moreau says both men were booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center…

cut 11 (05) “to distribute”

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Law enforcement have arrested a 15-year-old who threatened to use a gun on the principal at Port Barre High School. Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux says the student brought a bullet with him to school and he was showing it off to fellow classmates

cut 12 (08)  “with that”

Boudreaux says the troubled teenager also had a fake gun on his possession, but his detectives believe that the child thought it was real and intended to use…

cut 13 (10)  “model Remington”

Boudreaux says the 15-year-old remains in police custody and he hopes that he gets some psychological help

cut 14 (10)  “use it”

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