16:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

The family of the man who died on New Years after being run over in New Orleans and dragged through the French Quarter for 6 miles, is desperate to find out who is responsible. Josh Woodruff was hailing an Uber around 3am January 1st when he was struck by a four door black sedan and dragged away, according to investigators. Karen Woodruff is Josh’s mom…:
cut 12 (09) “please” 3x
At this time the vehicle has not been found and no arrests have been made. There is a $10,000 reward.

LSU President F King Alexander says they are expecting another round of cuts, but that Governor John Bel Edwards remains committed to prioritizing higher education. Alexander says, in the face of a $750 million dollar budget shortfall in the current fiscal year, LSU will take a $65 million dollar cut out of the $131 million for higher ed across the board, without legislative intervention.

The subject of who makes the best King cake comes up every Mardi Gras season, and now there’s a platform which allows enthusiasts to review and rate their favorite. Erica Sweeny is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says a fun, healthy rivalry goes on among bakeries, and Louisiana residents swearing by their favorite King Cake…:
CUT 3 (10) “King Cakes”

The good news keeps rolling in for the LSU football team as another major player commits to becoming a Tiger. Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School says he plans to attend LSU. He is ranked by ESPN as the nation’s sixth best defensive tackle in the country. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the LSU coaches have done an excellent job this year of keeping in-state talent in Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (12) “down in Rummel”

 

15:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

The 68th D.C Mardi Gras takes place this weekend in our nation’s capital and a “Who’s Who” of Louisiana politics will be in attendance, weather permitting. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

LSU President F. King Alexander says the cuts coming to higher ed will be catastrophic. It’s in reaction to a letter from the Edwards Administration indicating $131 million dollars could be taken from Louisiana’s colleges and universities, including $65 million from LSU, if the legislature doesn’t’ come up with other ways to plug the $750 million dollar mid-year deficit.

The family of Josh Woodruff, who was struck and dragged by a hit & run vehicle a suspected 30 minutes on New Years in New Orleans, is pleading for the public to come forward with information on the driver. A $10,000 reward is on the table. Karen Woodruff is Josh’s mom. During a Friday news conference she read a text they got from Josh New Years night…:
CUT 14 (10) “for 2016
A $10,000 reward is being offered for information on this hit and run.

The Shreveport Police Department says a $5,000 reward is now being offered for information in the search for the two endangered boys taken by force by their mother and a man wanted in connection with a pair of bank robberies. They say 2-year-old Elijah Wong and 7-year-old Donnie Simmons are believed to be in imminent danger. They are seeking to apprehend Keith Rogers and the boy’s mother, Antionette Wong. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of these four is urged to contact authorities.

 

14:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

Louisianians are representing in our nation’s capital this week as the 68th annual Washington D.C. Mardi Gras is underway. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a lot of talk about the budget, but the snow is a major topic…:
Cut 11 (10) “fly out early”
He says for the first time in three years, Louisiana’s governor is attending.

The family of the man dragged by a hit & run car for 6 miles in the French Quarter on New Years is pleading for answers. Josh Woodruff’s dad, Mark, says somebody must have seen something…:
CUT 13 (12) “you need help”
There is a $10,000 reward for information.

The good recruiting news keeps rolling in for LSU as they get another major commitment. Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville chose to be a Tiger today, a day after LSU got a commitment from John Curtis offensive lineman Willie Allen. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Tigers are now in excellent position to have the number one recruiting class in the nation…:
CUT 8 (10) “lose anybody”
February 3rd is signing day.

Do you have a favorite king cake that you swear by? Now there’s a website where you can rate and judge yours against other bakeries. Erica Sweeney is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says you vote on a variety of characteristics of the king cake and the results are updated as each user submits a review…:
CUT 5 (10) “the best looking king cake”

13:30 Newscast January 22, 2016

The 68th D.C Mardi Gras is taking place this weekend in Washington, D.C. LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says this year’s event will give political pundits the opportunity to begin handicapping Louisiana’s upcoming US Senate election…

cut 10 (08) “up here”

Alford says speculation as to who will run in the Senate race will ratchet up after D.C Mardi Gras.

The family of the man who died on New Years after being run over in New Orleans and dragged through the French Quarter for 6 miles, is desperate to find out who is responsible. Josh Woodruff was hailing an Uber around 3am January 1st when he was struck by a four door black sedan and dragged away, according to investigators. Karen Woodruff is Josh’s mom…

cut 12 (09) “please” 3x

At this time the vehicle has not been found and no arrests have been made. There is a $10,000 reward.

There’s now a platform for King Cake enthusiasts to review and rate their favorites. KingCakeSnob-dot-com spokesperson Erica Sweeney says users can grade different area king cakes on characteristics such as decoration, freshness, flavor, sweetness, style, and texture. She says you can give an overall rating as well on a scale of 1-5…

cut 4 (06) “in the area”

She says everyone who rates cakes on KingCakeSnob-dot-com is entered to win a semi-weekly drawing for a free king cake.

It’s another big day on the recruiting front for the Fighting Tigers as five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School announced he plans to attend LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Monroe product is six-foot-three, 309-pounds and looks like a can’t miss prospect…

cut 7 (12) “rush the quarterback”

Lawrence chose LSU over Ohio State.

12:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

The 68th D.C. Mardi Gras is underway in our nation’s capital. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford is there, and he says, for the first time in three years, Louisiana’s governor is attending. He says Governor John Bel Edwards is using this opportunity to gt a lot of work done…:
CUT 9 (11) “health care policy”

Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence of Neville High School announced he plans to attend LSU. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the LSU coaches have done an excellent job this year of making sure in-state talent stays in Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (12) “down in Rummel”
He says the Tigers are now in excellent position to have the number one recruiting class in the nation.

There’s now a website that seeks to settle the score once and for all, to find out who makes the best king cake. Emelie Gunn reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Public colleges in Louisiana have been told that they could be facing a $131 million dollar cut across the board in the remaining 5 months of the current fiscal year. The Edwards Administration says its making tough choices in filling the state’s $750 million dollar budget shortfall.

 

11:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

Hopefully you brought a coat with you today as the temperatures in Louisiana are far colder than they were yesterday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a strong cold front has brought us some of the lowest temperatures this winter…:
Cut 13 (04) “extremely cold”
He says the maximum temperatures today will be in the 40s.

Gov. John Bel Edwards’s administration has notified universities across Louisiana of severe potential cuts to higher education. LSU President F. King Alexander sent a letter to students Friday morning indicating the university is looking at cuts due to Louisiana’s budget shortfall. Alexander stated LSU officials were notified by Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne late Thursday that the state’s $750 million dollar budget deficit would require $131 million in cuts to higher education, with the LSU system bearing about $65 million of that total.

The subject of who makes the best King cake comes up every Mardi Gras season, and now there’s a platform which allows enthusiasts to review and rate their favorite. Erica Sweeny is the spokesperson for the site, KingCakeSnob.com. She says a fun, healthy rivalry goes on among bakeries, and Louisiana residents swearing by their favorite King Cake…:
CUT 3 (10) “King Cakes”
She says on KingCakeSnob.com, you can rate your favorite king cake on a variety of characteristics which will develop a score for that bakery.

Five-star defensive tackle Rashard Lawrence from Neville commits to LSU, a day after the Tigers got a commitment from John Curtis offensive lineman Willie Allen. That’s 22 commitments for the Tigers. According to 247Sports, LSU currently holds the No. 1 recruiting class ahead of Ohio State. National Signing Day for high school recruits is set for Wednesday, Feb. 3.

 

10:30 Newscast, January 22nd, 2016

Cold temperatures have arrived for the end of the work week. Jeff Palermo has a look at a big change in our weather.
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

LSU President F King Alexander says they are expecting another round of cuts, but that Governor John Bel Edwards remains committed to prioritizing higher education. Alexander says, in the face of a $750 million dollar budget shortfall in the current fiscal year, LSU will take a $65 million dollar cut out of the $131 million for higher ed across the board.

Victim Charlotte Murray Pace’s mother says the death of serial killer Derrick Todd Lee does not offer closure. Pace’s case was the one that sent Lee to death row in 2004. Ann Pace said on The Jim Engster Show that the only thing she will never be able to remove from her mind about Lee, is the question of why he chose the women he did…:
Cut 6 (12) “in any way”
Lee received a second murder conviction and is linked by DNA to 5 other brutal slayings. He died yesterday in Baton Rouge.

State Police say Louisiana’s 15 riverboats, four racetrack slot casinos and Harrah’s New Orleans saw a 7.5 percent drop last month from December of 2014. Winnings in New Orleans fell by 13.5 percent in December, Louisiana gambling market’s biggest year-to-year decrease in revenue.

 

09:30 Newscast January 22, 2016

The mother of one of serial killer Derrick Todd Lee’s victims said on the Jim Engster Show that the world is a better place now that the serial killer is dead…

cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

A three judge panel of the state 4th Circuit Court of Appeals heard closed-door arguments yesterday regarding the mental competency of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Last year, a New Orleans judge ruled the 88-year-old billionaire competent to run his business empire, but his estranged heirs appealed that decision. It’s reported that the panel will rule in about a month. This is part of a dispute between Benson and his heirs about ownership of the sports franchises.

Will lawmakers go along with Governor John Bel Edwards proposal of raising some taxes in an effort to help with the state’s budget deficit? UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he doesn’t expect much push back from legislators right now given the dismal budget situation the state faces…

cut 12 (09) “about it”

It will take a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate to pass any tax increase.

Louisiana State Police is offering a motorcycle training program in an effort to reduce motorcycle injuries and fatalities. Trooper Bryan Lee says they have courses available for basic, intermediate and experienced riders…

cut 8 (10) “motorcycle safety”

Locations and class dates can be found at www-dot-lsp-dot-org-slash-motorcycle-dot-html.

08:30 Newscast January 22, 2016

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed raising taxes as a way to fix the current budget deficit, will lawmakers go along with this? Emelie Gunn has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

New Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson will tour the state over the next two weeks meeting with local economic development groups. The tour begins Monday with stops in Tallulah, Delhi, and Alexandria. Pierson will make stops in six cities before wrapping up February 5th in Baton Rouge. The meetings will focus on the importance of collaboration between LED and local area chambers of commerce to draw new business to their areas.

In an effort to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries, Louisiana State Police is getting the word out about a motorcycle training program. The training program is offered statewide in 10 locations. Lee says locations and class dates can be found at www-dot-lsp-dot-org-slash-motorcycle-dot-html…

cut 9 (08) “on riding”

There are courses available for basic, intermediate and experienced riders.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says a strong cold front has brought us some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen this winter. He says high temperatures today will only be in the 40s statewide. Keim says it also will be breezy causing a wind chill….

cut 15 (09) “these air temperatures”

He says Sunday morning in north Louisiana lows could dip in the mid-20s, which could pose a risk to pipes.

07:30 Newscast January 22, 2016

The mother of one of Derrick Todd Lee’s victims says the world is a better place now that the serial killer is dead. Ann Pace, mother of Charlotte Murray Pace, said on the Jim Engster Show that Lee’s death does not offer her closure, but she is glad that the case is stopped…

cut 5 (08) “go on from there”

Lee died at the age of 47 in a Baton Rouge hospital on Thursday.

In an effort to reduce motorcycle fatalities and injuries, Louisiana State Police is getting the word out about a motorcycle training program that’s offered at 10 different locations around the state. Trooper Bryan Lee says this training course helps to build mental and physical skills to safely operate a motorcycle…

cut 7 (09) “these crashes”

During 2015 there were nearly two thousand motorcycle related crashes across Louisiana and 80 resulted in death.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed some tax hikes as a way to help with the state’s fiscal issues. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the governor is looking into how much support there is for raising taxes in different areas…

cut 11 (10) “70 votes”

He believes lawmakers may approve these tax hikes depending on what they are and who they impact.

You may want a coat before leaving the house today as temperatures are much colder than yesterday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says to expect the maximum temperature statewide today to be in the 40s, with the warmest part of the day in the morning…

cut 14 (10) “the daylight hours”

He says a strong cold front has brought us some of the coldest temperatures we’ve seen this winter.