Multiple people were found dead at a home in suburban New Orleans Wednesday morning. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office captain Jason Rivarde did not provide details on how the individuals were killed or the relationship of the victims. He says there are a lot of questions they would like answered…

Cut 8 (11) “…have information”

There’s another delay in the production of medical marijuana. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is the regulator of the state’s medical marijuana program and he claims LSU and its private grower, GB Sciences, violated law by moving cannabis plants from a temporary pod to the main growing facility. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the Edwards administration may need to get involved in order for the product to get to eligible patients…

Cut 14 (09)  “…in this.”

A one-year-old boy is hospitalized and his mother and her boyfriend face child abuse and hate crime charges. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says they received a report about possible child abuse from the Iberia Police Department, but later learned the abuse took place in St. Martin Parish…

Cut 3 (08) “…victim’s mother.”

Colorectal cancer is the number two cancer killer in the United States and Louisiana ranks 34th in screenings for the disease. Shreveport doctor and Gastrointestinal Specialist James Hobley says digging into family history is imperative to make sure the cancer doesn’t come any sooner…

Cut 10 (10)“…diagnosed.”

American College of Gastroenterology guidelines highlight average-risk adults should begin screenings at 50 years old, and African Americans should begin at 45 years old.

Multiple people were found dead at a home in suburban New Orleans Wednesday morning. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office captain Jason Rivarde says of the three deceased, two are children and the other is an adult. He says they are trying to determine if this was a murder-suicide…

Cut 7 (08) “…the residence”
Rivarde did not provide details on how the individuals were killed or the relationship of the victims.

A one-year-old boy is hospitalized and his mother and her boyfriend face child abuse charges. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Authorities have not released details on how the child was abused. But Major Ginny Higgins says 43-year-old Tony Domingue and 25-year-old girlfriend, Jorretta Carrere are also facing a hate crime charge…

Cut 5 (11)“…that charge”

There’s another delay in the production of medical marijuana. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is the regulator of the state’s medical marijuana program and he claims LSU and its private grower, GB Sciences, violated law by moving cannabis plants from a temporary pod to the main growing facility. LSU questions whether Strain has the authority to stop the move.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s unclear when medical marijuana will be available to the patients who have been waiting for the purchase the drug

Cut 13 (10) “…backwards.” 

Colorectal cancer is the number two cancer killer in the United States and Louisiana ranks 34^th in screenings for the disease. Shreveport doctor and Gastrointestinal Specialist James Hobley says these numbers can stem from misconceptions of who is most affected by the cancer…

Cut 9 (08) “…tested.”

Three people are dead and two others are in critical condition after an incident at a home in Terrytown. The Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating they say the deceased victims are a female adult and two children. Very few other details are known at this time.

There is another delay in the state’s efforts to produce medical marijuana. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is the regulator of the medical marijuana program and he claims LSU and its private grower,GB Sciences. violated law by moving its cannabis plants from a temporary pod to the main growing facility. Political anayst Bernie Pinsonat says a court hearing will be needed to solve this latest dispute…
cut 12 (07) “…progress”
Strain says LSU needed to agree to memorandum of understanding before expanding the operation. LSU questions whether Strain has the authority to stop the move.

A St. Martinville man and his 25-year-old girlfriend from New Iberia have been booked on child abuse and hate crime charges. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgin says Tony Domingue physically abused a one-year-old child and the infant’s mother Jorretta Carrere witnessed it…
cut 4 (11) “…charged with”
Higgins says Domingue and Carrere are also facing a hate crime charge, but she did not go into details of the specifics of the crime.

A public reading of the Bible from cover to cover has started in the town square of St. Martinville. he annual 100 hour Bible Marathon will run through Sunday. Father Michael Champagne (Shom-pine) says the Pope held a similiar event once.
Cut 7 (08) “Evangelicals, Baptists, Episcopalians.”
This event drew over three-thousand people last year.

Authorities say multiple people were found dead at a home in suburban New Orleans. Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s office captain Jason Rivarde says deputies were called to a home in Terrrytown in reference to needing medical assistance…
cut 6 (08) “…local hospital”
New Orleans media reports the three people who died were children. We’ll have more on this story throughout the day.

A one-year-old boy is hospitalized and his mother and her boyfriend face child abuse and hate crime charges. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says they received a report about possible child abuse from the Iberia Police Department, but later learned the abuse took place in St. Martin Parish…
Cut 3 (08) “…victim’s mother.”
The two people arrested are 43-year-old Tony Domingue of St. Martinville and his girlfriend, 25-year-old Jorretta Carrere of New Iberia.

West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman has filed a bill to raise the legal age to smoke cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old. If approved, the legislation could mean a loss of tax revenue for the state, but Hoffman says the measure will have a long term benefit…
cut 11 (09) “…cost for people”
Six states and over 400 local governments have raised the legal age to smoke to 21.

Switzerland-based helicopter maker Kopter selects the Lafayette Regional Airport to assemble helicopters, creating 120 jobs. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter looked at 38 locations before picking Lafayette…
Cut 13 (08) “…strong workforce.”
Kopter plans to make a four million dollar investment at the Lafayette site.

Developing news out of Jefferson Parish as three people are dead and two others are in critical condition in what appears to be a homicide investigation.  The causes of their deaths are currently under investigation.  Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a home in Terrytown around 7am for medical assistance.  Detectives are still working to figure out who placed the 911 call to report the situation.  No one is in custody at this point.

A West Monroe lawmaker has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would increase the legal age a person can purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products. Brooke Thorington…

Cut 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Sen. John Kennedy and Rep. Ralph Abraham have filed legislation with the intent of combating fraud in government assistance programs.  The Income Verification Act applies to Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and food stamps.  Abraham says he doesn’t foresee the bill getting much resistance in its path.

Cut 6 (11) “…accountability in government.”
Abraham says the act would see programs verifying eligibility with federal tax data, instead of state data.

The town of St. Martinville will be the host of a public reading of the Bible from cover to cover starting today.  The Bible Marathon runs today through Sunday in the town’s square.  Father Michael Champagne (Shome-pine) says the event is intended to re-ignite a love for scripture and says the atmosphere is very festive.

Cut 9 (12) “…word of God.″

In response to a recent state audit that found Louisiana spent millions of dollars on ineligible Medicaid recipients, US Senator John Kennedy and Representative Ralph Abraham file legislation that requires states to use federal tax information to veify income eligiby for government assistance program. Abraham says it’s common sense legislation…
cut 5 (10) “…not accurate”
State health officials says they have improved their ability to check on a Medicaid recipient’s income.

Starting at 12:30 on this Ash Wednesday, the bible will be read from cover-to-cover in the Town Square of St. Martinville. Father Michael Champagne describes it as the Woodstock of Bible reading…
cut 8 (11) “…it’s highly organized”
300 faith leaders from various denominations will read in 20 minute increments. Some sections will be read in different languages.

A Switzerland based company called Kopter announces plans to assemble helicopters at a facility at the Lafayette Regional Airport. Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter plans to reach full production in 2025 and they’ll produce helicopters for a variety of purposes…
cut 14 (13) “….law enforcement”

West Monroe representative Frank Hoffman has filed a bill to raise the legal age to smoke cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old. If approved, the legislation could mean a loss of tax revenue for the state, but Hoffman says the measure will have a long term benefit…
cut 11 (09) “…cost for people”
Six states and over 400 local governments have raised the legal age to smoke to 21.

Sen. John Kennedy and Rep. Ralph Abraham have filed legislation with the intent of combating fraud in government assistance programs. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A Louisiana Navy recruit from Monroe collapsed and died following physical training at Great Lakes, Illinois. The Navy says personnel administered first aid to 20-year-old Kierra Evans, but she died at a hospital several hours later. A cause of death is unknown. Evans was participating in a standard physical fitness evaluation.

The town of St. Martinville will be the host of a public reading of the Bible from cover to cover starting today. The annual 100 hour Bible Marathon will run through Sunday in the town’s square. Father Michael Champagne says the Pope held a similiar event once.
Cut 7 (08) “Evangelicals, Baptists, Episcopalians.”
The event drew over three-thousand people last year.

West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman has filed legislation for the upcoming legislative session to raise the legal age to smoke from 18 to 21-years-old. The legislation is expected to face opposition in the regular session. But Hoffman says not everyone in the tobacco industry is opposed to raising the sale age…
Cut 12 (09) “…some of that ”
Six states have raised the legal age to smoke to 21.

A West Monroe lawmaker has filed legislation for the upcoming session that would increase the legal age a person can purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products. Brooke Thorington…
Voicer 3 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Mississippi authorities say a Tulane student was killed in a freak accident at an Interstate 10 rest stop in Gautier. Authorities say 21-year-old Margaret Maurer was walking back to her car when she was struck by a tire that came loose from a passing 18-wheeler. Maurer was a Minnesota native.

Senator John Kennedy and Representative Ralph Abraham have filed legislation that would require states to verify eligibility for government assistance programs, before the benefits go out. The Income Verification Act would apply to Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and food stamps. Abraham says the legislation is in response to a legislative auditor’s report that found Louisiana spent as much as 85-million dollars on ineligible Medicaid recipients…
Cut 4 (10) “…really need help.”
Kennedy says taxpayer money should never be spent willy-nilly.

Switzerland-based helicopter maker Kopter selects the Lafayette Regional Airport to assemble helicopters, creating 120 jobs. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter looked at 38 locations before picking Lafayette…
Cut 13 (08) “…strong workforce.”
Kopter plans to make a four million dollar investment in new equipment and building additions to the Lafayette site.

There will be an effort in the upcoming legislative session to raise the age from 18 to 21-years-old to legally purchase or possess tobacco and vaping products. West Monroe Representative Frank Hoffman says six states and over 400 cities have raised the tobacco age to 21 and the goal is to produce better health outcomes…
Cut 10 (09) “…18 to 21.”
Hoffman’s proposed legislation will be House Bill 38 in the legislative session that begins next month.

A Switzerland company that makes helicopters has decided to build helicopters at an 84-thousand square facility at the Lafayette Regional airport. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Kopter plans to reach full production in 2025, producing about 100 helicopters every year…
cut 15 (12) “…with them”

The party is over in New Orleans…
cut 30 police siren”
Despite cold temperatures, thousands came out to catch throws along parade routes in New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles and other cities on Fat Tuesday. But when the clock struck midnight on Bourbon Street the party goers were told to go home for the observance of Ash Wednesday.

Starting today in St. Martinville, there will be a continous reading of the bible in celebration of the Lenten season. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
voicer 2 (25) “….Kevin Barnhart”

State Climatologist Barry Keim is in New Orleans today and says the weather isn’t slowing things down for those ready to celebrate Mardi Gras.

Cut 4 (11) “…despite the cold″
He says the rain is behind us but it’s been a cold Fat Tuesday for revelers along the parade routes with a wind chill in some areas around 30.

It’s also a big day of parades across the state. Mardi Gras is also known for its satire. There are several people dressed up as blind referees in reference to the blown call in the NFC Championship game…

Cut 8 (10) “…in our pockets.”

When disaster strikes, the Cajun Navy is there to help.  The Cajun Navy 2016 has responded to the devastation left from tornadoes in south Alabama that killed at least 23.  Vice President of Cajun Navy 2016 Billy Bringear says they’ve got boots on the ground with chainsaws rescuing survivors from the mangled homes.

Cut 9 (07) “…destruction it did.”

Cajun Navy 2016 responders from Baton Rouge are in Lee County, which saw the heaviest impact from the tornado outbreak.

Tax season is in full swing and that can mean tax refunds are on the way too. IRS Spokesperson Raphael Tulino says anyone curious about their return status, can check online, rather than calling the IRS…

Cut 12 (12)   “…different information.”

Taxpayers can expect their refund within 21 days after filing, but if three weeks pass, Tulino says feel free to call the federal agency…