This Sunday high school seniors have the opportunity to receive professional assistance in filling out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA. It’s called College Goal Sunday and it’s free and open to the public. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Spokesperson Gus Wales says any soon to be high school graduate can get help at 15 locations around the state…:
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Students are encouraged to pre-register at www.osfa.la.gov.

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office says they’ve made what’s being called the largest arrest in gas pump skimming ever in Louisiana. They said 5 skimmers were found by deputies during a routine traffic stop. The Secret Service handles skimming investigations and said with the seizure of 5 skimmers, that’s equal to $2 million dollars.

A UNO survey finds most Louisiana residents blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s current budget problems. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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More and more couples are moving away from traditional Valentine’s Day gifts, to more experience related ones. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice..:
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The National Retail Federation finds this Valentine’s Day consumers are expected to spend 18.2 billion dollars.

A UNO statewide poll finds six-out-of-10 Louisiana residents blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget problems. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says the state’s fiscal troubles started early in Jindal’s term…:
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The telephone survey interviewed about nine-hundred Louisiana residents.

Valentine’s Day sales are expected to be about 18.2 billion dollars this year, compared to 19.7 billion dollars last year. Emelie Gunn has more…
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U.S. Representative Clay Higgins urges new Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to use social media as a way to vet immigrants. The Republican from St. Landry Parish says the Obama administration failed to use this publicly available data…:
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Higgins, who became famous himself on social media with his no-nonsense crime videos while captain, made the comments during a Homeland Security Committee meeting.

A survey from insurance quotes dot com finds many drivers never look to see if they can find a cheaper auto insurance policy. The survey also finds over half of drivers haven’t switched auto insurance companies in at least eight years and 6-percent of motorists have stuck with the same provider for over 30 years. Insurance Commissioner Donelon says there is a comparison rate guide on the department of insurance’s website….
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Lawmakers are slated to begin a special session on Monday to discuss how best to close a $304 million dollar budget shortfall; and a recent survey shows Louisianians surveyed blame the fiscal mess on former Governor Bobby Jindal. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says Governor John Bel Edwards continues to be popular with a 49 percent approval rating…:
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The telephone survey interviewed about nine-hundred Louisiana residents earlier this week.

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins urges new Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to use social media as a way to vet immigrants. He says this can be accomplished by requiring a visa applicant to provide their social media usernames and passwords…:
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The Republican from St. Landry Parish made the comments during a Homeland Security Committee meeting.

39-percent of drivers in the U.S. have never shopped around to find cheaper auto insurance. That’s according to InsuranceQuotes.com. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says an easy way for drivers to save money on auto insurance is to increase your deductible or lower your coverage limits. He says this is considered self-insuring and taking as much risk as a motorist can reasonably afford…:
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He says there is a comparison rate guide on the department of insurance’s website to view different policies.

One worker is still missing and two others injured after an explosion and fire at the Phillips 66 pipeline in Paradis, according to the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office. They said the fire could burn for hours or even days in the area about 30 miles west of New Orleans. The cause of the blast is under investigation.

Are the state’s budget woes the fault of the Jindal Administration? A telephone poll of 900 Louisiana residents conducted by UNO finds 60% of those asked blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the current fiscal mess. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says two-thirds of respondents say there is a need for a special legislative session:
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A recent survey by insurance Quotes finds 39-percent of motorists have never looked around for a cheaper policy. Don Molino has more…:
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A suggestion to use social media as a way to vet immigrants is being brought by Louisiana US Representative Clay Higgins. The Republican from St. Landry Parish said at a Homeland Security meeting that one way to prevent a possible terrorist from entering the US is to check out their Facebook Page…:
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Higgins says he is encouraged with the direction of the Homeland Security Department after hearing Secretary John Kelly speak.

Are you planning on getting your sweetheart anything for Valentine’s Day? The National Retail Federation says the number of couples who plan to celebrate Tuesday’s romantic holiday is down 10-percent from 2007, to just over half of us. But LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says it’s still a big day for retailers..:
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The NRF says consumers are expected to spend 18.2 billion dollars for Valentines this year.

A UNO survey finds most Louisiana residents blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s current budget problems. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
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The St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office says a large explosion at the Phillips 66 pipeline in Paradis left three workers injured, and one still missing. They say the fire could possibly burn for a couple of days, and it’s still an active scene. The Sheriff said the blaze is like a loud blow torch that’s 30-40 feet wide and at least that high into the air. Sixty homes in the area were evacuated.

U.S. Representative Clay Higgins urges new Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly to use social media as a way to vet immigrants. The Republican from St. Landry Parish says the Obama administration failed to use this publicly available data…:
Cut 10 (09) “social media”
Higgins, who became famous himself on social media with his no-nonsense crime videos while captain, made the comments during a Homeland Security Committee meeting.

The National Retail Federation finds this Valentine’s Day consumers are expected to spend 18.2 billion dollars. That’s down from 19.7 billion dollars last year. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says we might be seeing a shift in how people celebrate this romantic holiday as couples are doing more things for each other year round…:
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The report also finds the number of people who celebrate the holiday has dropped by nearly 10-percent from 2007.

A UNO statewide poll finds six-out-of-10 Louisiana residents blame former Governor Bobby Jindal for the state’s budget problems. The Louisiana legislature is set to begin a third special session to correct a budget deficit since Jindal left office. UNO political scientist Ed Chervenak says the state’s fiscal troubles started early in Jindal’s term…:
Cut 13 (08) “institutional”
The telephone survey interviewed about nine-hundred Louisiana residents earlier this week.

A survey by insuranceQuotes finds 39-percent of drivers in the U.S. have never shopped around to find cheaper auto insurance. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says looking for the best policies and rates is a great idea given that auto insurance prices are on the rise…:
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He suggests increasing your deductible or lower your coverage limits.

Valentine’s Day sales are expected to be about 18.2 billion dollars this year, compared to 19.7 billion dollars last year. Emelie Gunn has more:
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State Senator Dan Claitor said he plans to introduce a resolution Monday to expel Senator Troy Brown from his post at the Capitol. The Baton Rouge lawmaker said he has heard from constituents who are “appalled” by the allegations against Brown, who recently pleaded no contest to two charges of domestic abuse.

Flu season is in full swing. Jeff Palermo has more…
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Marvel is shooting a TV series in New Orleans. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says television productions last longer and employ more people than movies and there’s the potential a series can be picked up year after year…
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Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger will air on the Freeform channel.

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board said today that Wednesday’s deadly explosion at Packaging Corporation America in Beauregard Parish occurred as contractors were welding near a tank during a facility shutdown. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says they have an idea what was inside that tank…
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Three people were killed and one person remains hospitalized.

A Baton Rouge contractor has been arrested amid allegations he defrauded more than dozen homeowners who flooded in August. That’s according to Ascension Sheriff Jeff Wiley who says 39-year-old Matthew Morris would complicate agreements to rack up thousands in claims:
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Morris faces a number of charges and his bond has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

State health officials say we have reached the peak of the influenza season as every five out of 100 doctor visits are for flu-like symptoms. Doctor Frank Welch with the Louisiana Department of Health says they are also seeing other illnesses that first started as the flu…
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Welch says the H-3-N-2 strain is making people very sick.

Filming is underway in Louisiana for a new TV series from Marvel. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says they’re very excited to have the Marvel brand in Louisiana. He says the new show is a spin off from a Marvel classic, The Spectacular Spider-Man…:
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He says they’ll be filming in New Orleans and likely in other areas of the state as well.

There’s more encouraging news about state Wildlife and Fisheries agent Tyler Wheeler. They anticipate he’ll leave a rehab facility in Mississippi and return to his home by the weekend. Wheeler was shot five times during a traffic stop in Monroe last month. LDWF Colonel Joey Broussard says there’s been an outpouring of support for Wheeler across the nation…
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Two people have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

Ascension Parish Sheriff deputies have arrested a Baton Rouge business owner for allegedly defrauding over a dozen homeowners who were victims of the August flood. Sheriff Jeff Wiley says any other contractors who are doing the same thing need to take heed…
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Wiley says 39-year-old Matthew Morris faces several charges.

Filming is underway in Louisiana for a new TV series from Marvel. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says it’s based on a comic book called Cloak & Dagger. He hopes this encourages more production crews to choose Hollywood South…:
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Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger will air on the Freeform channel after production is completed.

The flu season in Louisiana is ramping up as we’ve surpassed other states with the number of cases. Dr. Frank Welch with LDH says five out of 100 visits to the doctor are for flu like symptoms, and a nasty strain is going around this year…:
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He says this bad flu season will likely last six to eight weeks.

The names of the three victims killed in Wednesday’s explosion at a packaging plant near DeRidder have been released. 32-year-old William Rolls, 40-year-old Sedrick Stallworth and 40-year-old Jody Goch were working at the plant when two tanks burst into flames. State Police Sergeant James Anderson says they do have a preliminary cause…:
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Seven other workers were injured, but only one is still in the hospital.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises tornado victims not to wait to file a claim. He says while it’s important for consumers to know what their coverage is, there won’t be any flood versus wind controversy with this event…:
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The National Weather Service has confirmed that six tornadoes hit Louisiana on Tuesday damaging hundreds of residences.

If you think the flu bug is making the rounds, you’re right. Doctor Frank Welch with the Louisiana Department of Health says five out of every 100 doctor visits results in the patient diagnosed with the flu. Welch says the peak of a flu season can last two months, so it’s not too late to protect yourself…
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Welch says the H-3-N-2 is strain that’s making many very sick.

Here’s a good sign for the state’s movie industry. Marvel is shooting a TV series in New Orleans. Louisiana Entertainment Executive Director Chris Stelly says television productions last longer and employ more people than movies and there’s the potential a series can be picked up year after year…
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Marvel’s Cloak and Dagger will air on the Freeform channel.

A Baton Rouge contractor has been arrested on numerous charges after he allegedly defrauded over dozen homeowners who flooded in August. Ascension Parish Sheriff Jeff Wiley says it’s disgusting someone would take advantage of people who lost everything…
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39-year-old Matthew Morris’ bond has been set at a half-a-million dollars.

Early estimates from the state department of homeland security find that about 700 structures suffered severe damage from Tuesday’s tornadoes. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon advises victims not to hesitate to file a claim. He says some policyholders worry that their premiums would go up or they would be non-renewed by their insurer..:
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He encourages residents to document their loss with pictures of the damage.