The Louisiana Board of Regents will award grants to ten college campuses in an effort to reduce textbooks for students. Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Communication Meg Casper Sunstrom says they believe this effort could save more than one-million dollars over three years for 15-thousand students and they plan to track the results…

Cut 8 (11) “…the project continues.”

32-year-old Tashonty Taylor remains in jail on a 510-thousand dollar bond after New Orleans Police say he plowed into a group of bicyclists on Saturday night, killing two and injuring seven. Detectives suspect Toney was impaired and he’s facing counts of vehicular homicide and several other charges. Loyola University Law Professor Dane doesn’t expect Toney to receive any favortism just because he’s the son of a New Orleans police officer. Ciolino predicts a sentence of 5 to 30 years…

Cut 14 (08)  “…pay your debt”

Some felons who’ve been out of jail in Louisiana for at least five years have the right to vote as a result of a law that passed last year. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

It’s a cold Lundi Gras and temperatures will fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning with freeze warnings being issued for even more of the state. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde…

Cut 3 (11) “…little colder.”

An estimated 36,000 convicted felons who’ve been out of jail for at least five years can now register to vote thanks to a state law that went into effect March 1st. To register, an eligible felon must get a certification letter from Probation and Parole. Voters Organized to Educate Director Checo Yancy says it took five years of lobbying, but…
Cut 9 (09) “…a veteran”
Yancy served 20 years in Angola.
32-year-old Tashonty Taylor, son of an NOPD officer, remains in jail on a 510-thousand dollar bond after New Orleans Police say he drunkenly plowed into a group of bicyclists on Saturday night, killing two and injuring seven. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino predicts a 5 to 30 year sentence.
Cut 14 (08) “…pay your debt”
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It’s the first week of March, but it feels more like January. Jeff Palermo has more on this artic blast…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
A Greenwood man allegedly murdered his cousin on Sunday and is now in jail facing second degree charges. Police investigators say 76-year-old Jerold Barron was in an argument with his 47-year-old cousin Terry Lee, when Barron shot Lee in the chest sometime around 7 last night. The dispute allegedly centered on living arrangements in the house that was owned by Barron.

32-year-old Tashonty Taylor remains in jail on a 510-thousand dollar bond after New Orleans Police say he plowed into a group of bicyclists on Saturday night, killing two and injuring seven. Detectives suspect Toney was impaired and he’s facing counts of vehicular homicide and several other charges. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Toney faces a lengthy prison sentence…
cut 12 (07) “…each count”
Toney reportedly told police he has a drinking problem.

The Louisiana Board of Regents will award grants to ten college campuses in an effort to reduce textbooks for students. Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Communication Meg Casper Sunstrom says the total amount distributed is $67,500.
Cut 6 (08) “…about 15,000 students.”
Nicholls and Grambling State were two four-year universities to receive the grant money, the rest of the dollars will go towards community college campuses.

Some felons who’ve been out of jail in Louisiana for at least five years have the right to vote as of March 1st as a result of a law that passed last year. Matt Doyle has the story.
voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Temperatures could fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning across the northern parishes. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde says clear skies tonight will allow for the below freezing temperatures for a good portion of the state…
Cut 4 (06) “…of fall″

An estimated 36-thousand convicted felons are now eligible to vote in Louisiana as a result of legislation approved last year that went into effect at the start of the month. Voters Organized to Educate Director Checo Yancy lobbied the legislature for years to give some felons the opportunity to vote…
cut 10 (08) “…represented me”
The new law says convicted felons that have been off probation or parole for five years can now vote.

It’s a cold Lundi Gras and temperatures will fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning across the northern parishes. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde says we could see record low temperatures…
cut 3 (11) “…little colder”
Valverde says forecast lows along I-10 could also dip below freezing on the morning of Fat Tuesday.

17-year-olds accused of nonviolent crimes in Louisiana will now go through the juvenile justice system, instead of being charged as an adult. The change went into effect March 1st and it is the result of legislation passed in 2016. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Doctor James Bueche says the change should lead to better results for these troubled teens…
cut 12 (10) “…services” (2x)
About 80-percent of juveniles jailed in Louisiana are accused of nonviolent crimes.

The Board of Regents has divided a 67-thousand dollar grant among ten college campuses that will go towards reducing the costs of text books. Board of Regents Deputy for Startegic Communication, Meg Casper Sunstrom says they believe this effort could save more than one-million dollars over three years for 15-thousand students and they plan to track the results…
cut 8 (11) “…open resources”

The Louisiana Board of Regents will award grants to ten college campuses in an effort to reduce textbook expenses for students.  Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Communication Meg Casper Sunstrom says textbook costs can sometimes be a factor in whether a student is successful in a course.

Cut 7 (12) “…for electronic textbooks.”

It’s a cold Lundi Gras and temperatures will fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning across the northern parishes. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde says the cold weather is the result of an arctic airmass that’s brought heavy snow to the Midwest and now into the northeast. He says this polar vortex is a reminder Spring officially doesn’t start for another two weeks…

Cut 5 (11)“…cold air”

Office of Juvenile Justice says they’re ready to start taking in 17-year-olds, who, starting this month, if arrested will be sent to the Juvenile Justice System.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

It’s the first week of March, but it feels more like the middle of January. Jeff Palermo has more on this cold blast…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
The weekend may be in the rear view mirror, but the celebration of Mardi Gras continues. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser says there are many ways to celebrate in each part of the state. It’s not always all about catching plastic beads.
Cut 13 (12) “…of the state.”
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The Louisiana Board of Regents will be awarding grants to ten schools in an effort to find ways to make textbooks more affordable. Board of Regents Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Communication Meg Casper Sunstrom says the total amount distributed is $67,500.
Cut 6 (08) “…about 15,000 students.”
Non-violent 17-year-olds who are arrested, starting this month, will no longer be treated as an adult, but put through he juvenile justice system. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says while they don’t expect to get any new arrivals until mid-month, it’ll be a smooth process because they won’t be treated any differently.
Cut 10 (08) “…the population.”
Louisiana was previously part of a small minority of states to prosecute minors as adults in all cases.

It’s a cold Lundi Gras and temperatures will fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning across the northern parishes. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde says forecast lows along I-10 could also dip below freezing on the morning of Fat Tuesday. He says the wind will die down and the clouds will move out, which will allow for the below freezing temperatures for a good portion of the state…
Cut 4 (06) “…of fall″
Non-violent 17-year-old offenders will now be sent through the juvenile justice system. Critics of raising the age have pointed out that the juvenile system spends more money on programs to help young offenders than would be spent on a 17-year-old in adult jail. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Dr. James Bueche says he hopes the state can provide them the funding to keep the program effective.
Cut 11 (11) “…moving forward”
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the LSU AgCenter has rejected a proposal by the Department of Agriculture that would allow GB Sciences and LSU to begin growing medical marijuana in a large scale, permanent facility. LSU cited their concern that the Department of Ag was exceeding their authority in the agreement, and thus rejected it. Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain says he believed the grower who works with the AgCenter, GB Sciences, was ready to advance to the next phase.
Cut 7 (11) “to do.”
Multiple people are injured after a suspected impaired driver crashed his vehcile into the back of another on highway 167 at highway 696 in Vermillion Parish over the weekend. 67-year-old John Greene of Kaplan has been arrested as a result. The force of the impact pushed 39-year-old Andrew Reed’s car into the ditch, where it hit an embankment. After the incident, Greene blew a .115 BAC, which is above the legal limit.

Bond has been set at 510-thousand dollars for 32-year-old Tashonty Toney, who is a son of a New Orleans police officer. N-O-P-D says Toney was impaired when he plowed his vehicle at a high rate of speed into a bicyclists in New Orleans on Saturday night, killing two and injuring seven.

Louisiana officials say they are ready to start taking in 17 year old nonviolent offenders, as starting this month they will no longer go through the adult criminal justice system
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s a cold Lundi Gras and temperatures will fall into the low-to-mid 20s tomorrow morning across the northern parishes. National Weather Service forecaster Mario Valverde says we could see record low temperatures…
cut 3 (11) “…little colder”
Valverde says forecast lows along I-10 could also dip below freezing on the morning of Fat Tuesday. At least, Louisiana avoided the severe weather yesterday. A tornado killed 23 people in Alabama.

It was a big weekend for Mardi Gras parades. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he’s amazed by the unique throws that different krewes toss out along the parade route…
cut 15 (13) “…think of next”

Louisiana is receiving one more blast of cold air. But state climatologist Barry Keim says there is at least one piece of good news after that strong front moved through the state yesterday….
cut 5 (04) “….Tuesday”
Overnight lows could reach the low 20s in north Louisiana.

After numerous delays, there’s a sign that medical marijuana will soon be available to Louisiana patients. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain has given permission to one of the contracted growers, G-B Sciences, to move into a permanent facility in Baton Rouge. GB will grow a final product, package it, and label it, and Strain says there will be one more test, and then it will be available for patients who have a prescription for the treatment.
Cut 9 (09) “…of thing”

The Caddo Parish Coroner’s office has identified the two people who died, when their private airplane crashed into the Red River on Thursday. 61-year-old Ricky Lennard of Shreveport piloted the aircraft that was recovered on Saturday. The deceased passenger has been identified as 56-year-old Michael Hollis of Bossier City.

The celebration of Mardi Gras continues throughout the state. Kevin Barnhart talked with Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser to find out what to expect.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

17-year-olds accused of nonviolent crimes in Louisiana will now go through the juvenile justice system, instead of being charged as an adult. The change went into effect March 1st and it is the result of legislation passed in 2016. Office of Juvenile Justice Deputy Secretary Doctor James Bueche says the change should lead to better results for these troubled teens…
cut 12 (10) “…services” (2x)
About 80-percent of juveniles jailed in Louisiana are accused of nonviolent crimes.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain has given GB Sciences permission to move into a permanent facility to grow medical marijuana for use by Lousiaina patients. But Strain says certain conditions that’s part of the regulatory process still have to be met…
cut 8 (08) “…begin”
Unknown if LSU and GB Sciences have agreed to the terms of the deal.

The National Weather Service has issued a freeze warning for Northeast Louisiana tonight into tomorrow morning. CenLa parishes are under a freeze watch as low temperatures are expected to reach the mid 20s for the much of the state. Temperatures could also get below freeezing just above I-10. State Climatologist Barry Keim says prepare for a cold Fat Tuesday…
cut 4 (06) “…53”
High temperatures will not get back into the 60s until Thursday.

Many Louisiana residents took in a parade this past weekend. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the final weekend of the Carnival season brings a little bit of everything…
cut 13 (12) “….of the state”

Disappointing weekend for the number one ranked LSU baseball team. The Tigers were swept in Austin by Texas. The Longhorns scored three runs in the ninth inning yesterday to win seven to six.