Federal workers are missing a second two-week payday today as the federal government remains shutdown. A proposal to fund paychecks for active duty and retired Coast Guard members failed yesterday. Senator Bill Cassidy says if the deadlock continues, pursuing piecemeal legislative efforts to get federal workers paid may be necessary…
cut 15 (08) “…that end”

St. Francisville fifth grade teacher Stephanie Whetstone got one heck of a surprise yesterday, as she received the 25,000 dollar Milken Award for her work in the classroom at Bains Elementary. Whetstone was recognized for her commitment to making sure students understand not just the STEM curriculum, but why they need those vital math skills.
Cut 7 (09) “…life skills.”
The 25,000 is a no strings attached cash prize.

The Sunshine Bridge in St. James Parish will be shut down from Saturday morning until Monday morning as some major repair work is set to begin on the structure that was struck by a crane barge back in October. The bridge has been partially open since December. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says it’s impressive work.
Cut 4 (08) “in place.”
Mallet estimates this will be the last time the bridge is shut off to traffic through the end of scheduled repairs.

A Sulphur woman has been charged with negligent homicide and faces numerous drug charges in the death of her eight-month-old son. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says his deputies went to the home after receiving a call about an infant not breathing and when officers were trying to save the child’s life, 26-year-old Lacey Blount was allegedly hiding her drugs. And Mancuso gave this disturbing detail on how investigators believe the baby stopped breathing….
cut 12 (07) “….and a nightstand”

Two competing Senate bills to re-open the government both failed to obtain the 60 votes needed to pass, and now we’re into day 35 of the historically long shutdown. Federal workers are nearing a full month without pay, and with rent coming due, many of their lives are getting precarious. Senator Bill Cassidy….
Cut 13 (12) “…Pelosi”

A Calcasieu Parish mother is in jail, charged with negligent homicide in the death of her eight-month-old child. Deputies responded to a home in Sulphur in reference to a baby boy that was not breathing. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says upon arrival, the first deputy on the scene began performing CPR on the child.
Cut 10 (07) “actual baby’s room.”
26-year-old Lacey Blount was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and the infant died at a local hospital.

Stephanie Whetstone, a fifth grade math and science teacher at St. Francisville’s Bains Elementary School has received a 25-thousand dollar award from the Milken Family Foundation, which gives out unrestricted financial awards to the top educators in the country. Whetstone says she not only strives to make sure her students know the subject matter, but that they are also learning the tools needed to become a successful adult…
cut 8 (07) “….other students”
Milken Senior Vice President Dr. Jane Foley says “Stephanie’s students will know how to meet the demands of today’s global economy.”

Two Senate bills aimed at ending the government shutdown crashed and burned today as the historically long government shutdown drags on, and now Food banks are facing a possible hunger crisis in part because of it. Jay Vise, spokesman for Second Harvest Food Bank, who serves hundreds of food pantries across south Louisiana, says they’ve seen an increased demand for help during the shutdown.

Cut 9 (07) “by the shutdown.″

The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport, Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C.  Perkins was sworn in on December 29th. One of his first tasks has been working to improve police and community relations.

Cut 13 (12) “…in Shreveport”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says nearly 300-million is federal dollars from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act.  The rest comes from state surplus money. Frederick says the previous administration took away money for designated coastal projects and spent it elsewhere…

Cut 7 (12) “…wetlands”

Two are dead following a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the Lady Cajuns head softball coach. A Houston man and 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also a volunteer softball coach at UL-Lafayette, were pronounced dead at the scene. The area has several hot spots of active construction and State Trooper Thomas Gossen encourages drivers to practice patience and vigilance when behind the wheel.

Cut 5 (07) “…in those zones.”

Two Senate bills aimed at ending the government shutdown crashed and burned today as the historically long government shutdown drags on, and now Food banks are facing a possible hunger crisis in part because of it. Jay Vise, spokesman for Second Harvest Food Bank, who serves hundreds of food pantries across south Louisiana, encourages donations beyond just food as people are in need of many different supplies at this time.

Cut 11 (13) “appreciated as well.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says nearly 300-million is federal dollars from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act….

Cut 6 (09) “…desperately needed.”

The other 55-million dollars for coastal work comes from state surplus money.

Two are dead following a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the Lady Cajuns head softball coach. A Houston man and 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also a volunteer softball coach at UL-Lafayette, were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says Glasco and 45-year-old Kenneth McNeil died at the scene and alcohol tests on all of the drivers involved are pending.

Cut 4 (07) “…no alcohol present.″

Gossen says 67-year-old William Rawlings of Killeen, Texas, was behind the wheel of the of the semi that caused the accident. Charges are pending.

The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C. Perkins says gathering with other mayors will help him as he tackles some of Shreveport’s infrastructure problems

Cut 12 (11)   “…correct em.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. About 300 million of if it comes from the feds, and another 55 million comes from budget surplus money, some of which will go towards the long-delayed West Shore Lake Pontchartrain hurricane protection project.  Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick.

Cut 8 (10) “…flooding.”

Food banks are facing a possible hunger crisis as the partial government shutdown continues.  Jay Vise, spokesman for Second Harvest Food Bank, who serves hundreds of food pantries across south Louisiana, says they are currently getting ready to face a serious challenge in the coming weeks if SNAP hits a snag.

Cut 10 (10) “…so generously provide.

The Senate did not pass either of the government funding bills proposed today.

Two are dead following a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the Lady Cajuns head softball coach. A Houston man and 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also a volunteer softball coach at UL-Lafayette, were pronounced dead at the scene. State Trooper Thomas Gossen says the chain reaction crash started with an 18-wheeler traveling too fast in an active construction zone.

Cut 3 (11) “…five car crash.”

Gossen says 67-year-old William Rawlings of Killeen, Texas, was behind the wheel of the of the semi that caused the accident.

The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C. Perkins says the conference of mayors came at a good time for him…

Cut 14 (13) “…technology.”

A volunteer softball coach and daughter of the head coach of the Lady Cajuns was one of two people killed in an overnight five-vehicle crash in Lafayette on Interstate 10. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Bossier Parish Deputy sustained serious injuries after being hit by a car while directing traffic in a school zone earlier this morning. The incident occurred just before 7am when a vehicle traveling in the east bound lane of highway 80 struck the deputy. 37 year old Daniel Golden, a 10-year veteran, sustained a broken leg, injuries to his other leg, along with damage to his head, and a concussion.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. About 300 million of it comes from the feds, and the other 55-million dollars from state surplus money.  Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says it’s about time.

Cut 7 (12) “…wetlands”

The West Shore Lake Pontchartrain hurricane protection project will receive some of the funds.

The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C. Perkins was sworn in on December 29th. He says one of his first tasks has been working to improve police and community relations…

Cut 13 (12) “…in Shreveport”

A possible hunger crisis may be in Louisiana’s future as the government shutdown continues.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Governor John Bel Edwards office says the criminal justice reforms approved by the legislature in 2017 has helped crime rates drop in Caddo Parish. Caddo Sheriff Steve Prator says overall crime has dropped 54-percent in 20 years, with a 14-percent decline last year. Prator credits public involvement and hard work by his deputies.

UL-Lafayette is mourning the loss of volunteer softball coach Geri Glasco, who was one of two people killed in a five vehicle wreck on I-10 in Lafayette during the overnight hours. Glasco is the daughter of the head softball coach for the Lady Cajuns. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the chain reaction crash occurred in a construction zone and it appears a semi didn’t slow down and hit another vehicle from behind. He says motorists need to slow down in a construction zone…
cut 5 (07) “…in those zone”

The recently sworn in mayor of Shreveport Adrian Perkins is attending the US Conference of Mayors Annual winter meeting in Washington D-C. Perkins believes attending this conference can help him as he tackles some of Shreveport’s infrastructure problems…
cut 12 (11) “./.correct em

Two are dead following a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the head softball coach of the Lady Cajuns. The overnight crash claimed the lives of a Houston man and 24-year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was an assistant softball coach at UL-Lafayette.  State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the two that were killed died at the scene of the crash and he adds alcohol tests on all of the drivers involved are pending.

Cut 4 (07) “…no alcohol present.″

Gossen says 67-year-old William Rawlings of Killeen, Texas, was behind the wheel of the the semi that caused the accident. Charges are pending.

Food banks are facing a possible hunger crisis as the partial government shutdown continues.  Jay Vise, spokesman for Second Harvest Food Bank, who serves hundreds of food pantries across south Louisiana, says they’ve seen an increased demand for help during the shutdown.

Cut 9 (07) “by the shutdown.″

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on competing proposals to reopen the government.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Congressman Cedric Richmond says he wants NFL Commish Rodger Goodell to answer questions on the no-call in front of the House of Representatives.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects. Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana spokesperson Jimmy Frederick says nearly 300-million is federal dollars from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act….
cut 6 (09) “…desperately needed”
The other 55-million dollars comes from surplus state dollars.

Louisiana ranks seventh for its quality of highway safety traffic laws. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Kathy Chase says Louisiana ranks high because of its seat belt laws and mandatory motorcycle helmet law, but there’s room for improvement…
cut 11 (07) “…our report”
The report notes the annual economic cost of US crashes is 242-billion dollars.

Two people are dead from a five-vehicle crash on I-10 in Lafayette, including the daughter of the head softball coach of the Lady Cajuns. Twenty-four year-old Geri Glasco of Arnaudville, who was also an assistant softball coach at the school was pronounced dead at the scene and so was a man from Houston. State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says the chain reaction wreck started when an 18-wheeler encountered slower moving traffic in an active construction zone.
Cut 3 (11) “…five car crash.”
Gossen says charges are pending.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who is a Republican, has drawn a GOP challenger, as he seeks re-election later this year. His name is Tim Temple of DeRidder and the insurance industry veteran wants to work towards lowering the state’s high auto insurance rates…
cut 9 (07) “….business industry”
A state task force was formed last year charged with looking at ways to lower auto insurance rates.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote today on dueling proposals that would open the federal government, but they are not expected to get the 60 votes needed for approval. Republican Louisiana Senator John Kennedy blames Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the stalemate…
cut 5 (09) “….not middle ground”
One of the proposals up for vote today is the President’s plan for border wall funding, the other measure supported by Democrats, would re-open the government through February 8th.

Saints fans continue to mourn over Sunday’s heart breaking loss in the NFC Championship game, but General Manager Mickey Loomis says the franchise is moving forward…
Cut 13 (12) “…win the game.” (2x)

Republican State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has drawn a GOP challenger in his re-election bid. Tim Temple of DeRidder describes himself as an insurance industry veteran…
cut 8 (09) “….different hats”
Temple wants to address the state’s high auto insurance rates.

Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety ranks Louisiana’s traffic safety laws as the seventh best in the country. But the president of that group, Kathy Chase, says the state receives a high ranking because it has a both a primary enforcement seat belt law and an all-rider motorcyle helmet law, but they would like to see Louisiana ban the use of a cell phone, even hands free devices, if the state wants the safest possible roads…
cut 12 (11) “…the problem”