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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.