Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed raising some taxes in efforts to help with the state’s fiscal issues. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross believes lawmakers might approve these tax hikes but it depends on what they are and who they impact. He says if republican lawmakers agree to the increase, it likely won’t affect their reelection.

cut 10 (10) “most sense”

Cross says Governor Edwards has made many proposals for raising revenue and will likely continue to make the point that Louisiana is in dire budget straights.

Make sure you grab a coat before leaving the house today as the temperatures are much colder than what we experienced yesterday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a strong cold front has brought us some of the coldest temperatures of the winter…

cut 13 (04) “extremely cold”

Keim says to expect the maximum temperature statewide today to be in the 40s.

The mother of the victim in the case that put Derrick Todd Lee on death row says the world is a better place now that the serial killer is dead. Lee died at the age of 47 in a Baton Rouge hospital on Thursday. Ann Pace said on the Jim Engster Show that Lee got off far easier than her daughter, Charlotte Murray Pace, and the, at least, 6 other victims…

cut 4 (14) “deaths”

Charlotte Murray Pace was just 22 when Lee stabbed her 81 times and bludgeoned her with an iron at her Baton Rouge home in 2002.

We have tornado watches posted in south Louisiana and winter weather advisories for the northern parishes as a strong cold front will bring the bayou state a little bit of everything over the next 12 to 16 hours. Jason Hansford, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says most parishes north of I-20 won’t see much snow…
cut 6 (09) “….of accumulation”
But East Carroll, Morehouse and West Carroll parishes are under a winter storm warning, because of the potential of one to three inches of sleet and snow.

South Louisiana Serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died today at a hospital in Baton Rouge. Lee has been hospitalized for the last several days and his cause of death is unknown at this time. John Sinquefield prosecuted his capital murder case in Baton Rouge…
cut 30 (03) “….no sadness”
Lee was 47-years-old and the main suspect in seven murder cases.

The LSU Professor who was fired for allegedly creating a hostile learning environment by cussing and making sex jokes says she’s suing the university. Teresa Buchanan feels she was wrongfully fired for what she calls “expressing academic freedom.” She says it’s a professor’s job to stimulate students thinking and to get them to question assumptions…:
Cut 11 (08) “some success”
LSU says it will defend students’ rights to a harassment-free learning environment.

Leaders of the state’s public univerisities and colleges have told Governor John Bel Edwards that they can not sustain anymore cuts. The Edwards administration is developing solutions to deal with a 750-million dollar budget shortfall this fiscal year and Higher Ed Commissioner Joseph Rallo says they are bracing for what might happen…
cut 16 (07) “….February 13th”

Serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died this morning at a Baton Rouge hospital. The 47-year-old, who was convicted of murdering two women and linked by DNA to at least five others, had been in the hospital since Saturday. The state Department of Corrections did not release why Lee was receiving medical attention, but he reportedly died of heart failure.

Tornado watches are posted throughout most of state until 10 tonight as a cold front moves in bringing. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The LSU Professor who was fired for allegedly creating a hostile learning environment held a press conference today to announce she’s suing the university. Teresa Buchanan taught teacher education classes for 20 years and was dismissed in the summer after accusations of using vulgar language in the classroom. She says she’s filing this lawsuit to protect our most cherished value of freedom….:
cut 13 (10) “forever LSU”
LSU says the university takes the responsibility to protect their students’ from abusive behavior very seriously.

A Ponchatoula man has been sentenced to 27 years in prison for having what federal authorities have called one of the largest collections of child pornography ever discovered in Louisiana. Authorities say 53-year-old Robert Swan had at least 15 devices in his home containing over 500,000 sexually explicit pictures and videos of children. Swan pleaded guilty in December 2014.

South Louisiana serial killer & death row inmate Derrick Todd Lee died this morning while receiving medical care at a Baton Rouge Hospital. The 47-year-old received the death sentence for the brutal murder of 22-year-old Charlotte Murray Pace. The lead prosecutor, John Sinquefield, hopes the death of Lee provides closure and relief to victims and their families…:
CUT 9 (15) “is closed”
The Department of Corrections did not say why Lee was in the hospital but media reports indicated he was having complications with a pace maker.

A cold front is moving through Louisiana and nasty weather along with it. Tornado watches are in effect for most of the state. Forecasters say conditions are favorable for the development of storms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging winds, hail, and frequent lightning through this evening.

Education leaders from throughout the state met with Governor John Bel Edwards to learn about what the state’s $750 million dollar midyear budget deficit could mean for Louisiana’s colleges and universities. State Commissioner of Higher Education, Joe Rallo, says Governor Edwards assured them that if there are cuts to higher ed, they would be part of sweeping budget cuts across the board…:
cut 15 (08) “all of us”
In the past eight years, higher ed has been cut more than $700 million.

Mackenzie Bourg of Lafayette is going to Hollywood after advancing on American Idol. The 23-year-old received three yes votes from judges Keith Urban, Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. This is the farewell season of American Idol. Mackenzie also made a name for himself in 2012 for his stellar performances on The Voice.

Serial killer Derrick Todd Lee, who terrorized south Louisiana in the early 2000s, died today. Department of Corrections spokeswoman Pam LaBorde…:
CUT 7 (11) “area hospital”
She says an autopsy is being performed to determine exact cause of death. Lee was convicted for two murders and is linked by DNA to five others. He received the death sentence in 2004.

Louisiana is bracing for severe weather as a cold front passes through — very north Louisiana may even get snow. Tornado watches are posted in many areas through this evening. Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says you can expect heavy rains as the storms pass, but it shouldn’t last very long…
CUT 4 (07) “of the area”
The storms could bring tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.

A woman is suing LSU claiming she was wrongfully terminated. Teresa Buchanan was released from the university amid allegations she was cussing in her teachings and saying inappropriate things. Buchanan denies that her teaching methods resulted in sexual harassment and she says she would never do anything to hurt LSU…:
cut 12 (11) “love LSU”
LSU stands by the firing saying its their responsibility to protect students from abusive behavior.

LSU has added another four-star prospect to its 2016 football recruiting class. John Curtis offensive lineman Willie Allen announced his decision this morning to attend LSU. He’s listed at six-foot-seven, 300 pounds. ESPN has him as the second ranked prospect at his position and 16th overall. Allen also visited Georgia and TCU.

South Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died. Jeff Palermo reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

An LSU professor who was fired from her job held a news conference this morning to announce she’s suing the university. Dr. Teresa Buchanan says her right to free speech was violated when she was terminated allegedly for creating a hostile environment by cussing and telling sexual jokes. LSU says they are confident they did the right thing in firing Buchanan and stands committed to protecting students from harassment.

Severe weather and even snow is possible in some parts of the state as a cold front moves through. Much of Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 7 tonight. Jason Hansford, with the NWS in Shreveport, says there is a strong chance for snow and a rain/snow mix tonight in north Louisiana. He says the wintry precipitation is expected in the extreme northern part of the state:
CUT 5 (06) “and Tallulah”
Severe storms passing through south Louisiana could bring the possibility of tornadoes, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.

Higher education leaders from across the state met with Governor John Bel Edwards to plead their case against further cuts as Louisiana deals with an estimated $750 million dollar mid-year budget shortfall. State Commissioner of Higher Ed, Joe Rallo, says the Edwards told their leaders that he fully supports them, but has a very stark reality in terms of the state budget…:
cut 14 (09) “dramatic numbers”

South Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee died in a Baton Rouge hospital this morning. Lee, who is linked by DNA in at least 7 murders, received the death sentence for killing 22-year-old LSU graduate student Charlotte Murray Pace. John Sinquefield was the lead prosecutor and says Lee deserved the death penalty:
cut 10 (08) “no sadness”

The LSU Professor who was fired for allegedly creating a hostile learning environment by cussing and making sex jokes says she’s suing the university. Teresa Buchanan feels she was wrongfully fired for what she calls “expressing academic freedom.” She says it’s a professor’s job to stimulate students thinking and to get them to question assumptions…:
Cut 11 (08) “some success”
LSU says it will defend students’ rights to a harassment-free learning environment.

A cold front moving across Louisiana is bringing the possibility of severe weather and even the chance of snow for some areas of the state. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “I’m Eric Gill”

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch which is in effect for 18 parishes in central to southwest Louisiana until 7pm this evening.

South Louisiana serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died, according to the state Department of Corrections. Lee was convicted in the slayings of two women, linked by DNA in the killings of several others and sentenced to death for the murder of 22-year-old Charlotte Murray Pace. John Sinquefield was the lead prosecutor on that case. He hopes the death of Lee provides closure and relief to the surviving victims and family members of the deceased victims:
CUT 9 (15) “is closed”
The Department of Corrections spokeswoman Pam Laborde said the 47-year-old serial killer was taken to a Baton Rouge hospital emergency room on Saturday…:
CUT 10 (05) “when appropriate”
She says Derrick Todd Lee died shortly before 9am this morning.

A cold front moving across Louisiana is bringing the possibility of severe weather and even the chance of snow for some areas of the state. Alek Krautmann, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says the chance of severe weather in south Louisiana will begin this afternoon and continue into the night…:
CUT 3 (09) “wind gusts”
The NWS in Shreveport, says there is a strong chance for snow and a rain/snow mix tonight in north Louisiana.

Dr. Teresa Buchanan is expected to announce her filing of a federal civil rights lawsuit against LSU as a result of her firing last year. It’s reported that the lawsuit claims LSU violated her right to free speech and due process. Buchanan was fired over claims that her use of vulgar language and sexually themed jokes created a hostile learning environment. Buchanan was dismissed even after a faculty member committee recommended she keep her job.

The State Department of Corrections confirms that serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died. Spokeswoman Pam Laborde…:
CUT 1 (11) “area hospital”
Lee was 47. He was convicted in the murders of two women and suspected in the deaths of five other women and sentenced to death in 2004 and has been on death row at Angola since then. Lee was taken to the hospital due to a medical condition earlier this week. Officials could not confirm any additional details on the death of Lee other than to say that an autopsy would be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Multiple sources reported this week that Lee was suffering complications with a pace maker. Once again, serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died.

Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected today across Louisiana as a cold front moves across the state. Jeff Palermo reports…:
Cut 2 (25) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Senate President John Alario says lawmakers are still evaluating the governor’s proposals for fixing Louisiana’s massive budget shortfall. An increase to the state’s sales tax is one suggestion. Alario appreciates that the governor has given lawmakers some options…:
cut 4 (09) “to take”

Our breaking news story at this hour: serial killer Derrick Todd Lee has died.

Legislation filed for the upcoming regular session would prohibit the use of drones from conducting surveillance of correctional facilities and public and private schools. Author of the measure, Lake Charles Representative Stephen Dwight, says drones are so common now that they just want to protect the people of Louisiana…

cut 9 (10) “drafted”

Dwight proposed the legislation after the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff requested a law to stop the use of drones from flying over his jail.

Rain and the possibility of severe weather is expected statewide today as a cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the threat of damaging winds, hail, and tornadoes will persist throughout the day. He says the front should move out of the state by Friday, leaving us with a nice, chilly weekend ahead…

Cut 12 (10) “and plants”

Up to a 100% chance of snow is expected late tonight in north Louisiana.

An officer involved shooting in St. Landry Parish, following a four-hour hostage standoff, has left a Scott man dead. St. Landry Sheriff’s officials say 40-year-old Timothy Albert was holding his girlfriend hostage inside a home outside of Port Barre. Albert was shot and killed by officers after he reportedly pointed a high-powered rifle at them as they entered the home. The woman was unharmed, as was the couple’s 3-year-old daughter who was removed from the home by police early in the situation.

An app developed in Lake Charles providing delivery from local restaurants is starting to launch in new areas throughout the state. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”