It’s been a snowy day across northern Louisiana. State Police troooper Matt Harris says it may look pretty, but it doesn’t mix well with cold pavement and drivers who are NOT used to driving on slippery, slushy roads…
cut 8 (08) “…in crash”
While some of the snow that fell in the morning, started melting in the afternoon, Harris says there’s a concern some of that what will re-freeze on the roads tonight.

Eleven school children were injured in a school bus crash in Rapides Parish this morning. Troopers say the bus was traveling on Highway 121 and there was a large amount of mud on it, when the bus driver lost control, causing the buse to leave the roadway and overturn on its side. The injuries to the children are considered minor to moderate, and the children’s ages range from five to 15. The driver is not expected to face any citations, as the mud is considered a factor in the crash.

The Legislative Black Caucus calls on Governor Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. Monday, Jindal spoke against President Obama at a press conference outside the White House. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the governor needs to concentrate on problems facing Louisiana…:
CUT 12 (10) “budget crisis”

If you plan to take a drivers ed course, the Department of Motor Vehicles says make sure the course is certified. State Police Sgt Nick Manale says there is an online web source which provides information on state licensed driver education providers…:
CUT 10 (09) “criteria too”
The website is expresslane.org.

As the snow begins to move out of north Louisiana, State Police are reminding everyone that many roads will remain icy through tomorrow morning. State Tropper Matt Harris says to be extremely cautious…
CUT 7 (10) Q: “of control”
And remember that any melted snow will likely re-freeze overnight.

Members of the Legislative Black Caucus are calling on Governor Bobby Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says Louisiana is in the governor’s rearview mirror…
CUT 14 (10) Q: “last session”
It’s reported that Jindal spent 45-percent of his time outside of Louisiana in 2014.
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The chance of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller.
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

In Rapides Parish, 11 children were injured in a school bus crash on LA Highway 121 south of Highway 496 around 6:15 this morning. State Police discovered a large amount of mud on the road, which is considered to be a factor in the accident. The children and the driver received minor to moderate injuries. The children’s ages ranged from 5 to 15.

The snow that arrived in north Louisiana today made it extremely tough to get around, with icy conditions causing dozens of accidents. State Trooper Matt Harris says if you do have to drive somewhere in areas where snow has already fallen, you need to take it easy…
CUT 6 (09) “destination”
And remember that any ice that melted on the roads today will likely re-freeze tonight.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is urging everyone to be sure their local driver education program is properly certified through the state — and now there’s a way you can check online through expresslane.org…
cut 10 (09) “criteria too”
That’s State Police Sgt Nick Manale, who adds you must to go through a properly licensed education provider to legally receive a learner’s permit or new license.
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The chances of getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller, as the audit rate dropped to its lowest level in at least ten years last year and is expected to drop further this year. John Theriot, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says one reason for the drop is money…
CUT 3 (10) “qualified people”
Which is why Theriot believes the audit rates will go even lower in the years to come.

A former Calcasieu Parish first district attorney pleaded guilty today to felony malfeasance in office and misdemenaor simple battery. Judge H. Ward Fontenot sentenced Ronald Rossitto to a two year suspended prison sentence with two years of active supervision. The charges stem from a January 2013 incident where Rossitto inappropriately groped a man in his office after offering to get his driver’s license reinstated. He was accused of a similar incident in Orleans Parish, where he served as assitant DA.

The snow made a guest appearance in North and north central Louisiana, and the National Weather Service says the white stuff was expected to leave the state around 4 PM. The amounts of the white stuff are still being measured in the northern parishes, but as for the Shreveport area…
cut 16 (09) “around there”
That’s Travis Washington from the National Weathwer Service Office in Shreveport.

The audit rates of the IRS are getting lower, and experts blame the reduction on IRS funding. John Theriot from the Louisiana CPA Society says this will probably have a bigger effect on the IRS and their ability to collect taxes from people they do audit…
CUT 5 (07) “more aggressive”
Since 2010, the number of audits has dropped 20 percent.
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The Legislative Black Caucus calls on Governor Bobby Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. Eric Gill has more…
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The internal LSU audit of Dr. Bill Cassidy and his LSU teaching work has been completed, and the conclusions are that the newly elected Senator did not do anything improper. The report concluded that Cassidy -quote- “provided services equal to at least that of his compensation for his part-time educational work.” The audit was prompted by accusations raised in the recent Senate race.

The Legislative Black Caucus calls on Governor Bobby Jindal to stay in Louisiana and deal with the state’s budget crisis. Monday, Jindal spoke against President Obama at a press conference outside the White House. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson says the governor needs to set aside his presidential aspirations and concentrate on problems facing Louisiana…:
CUT 12 (10) “budget crisis”
A Newspaper in New Hamshire is reporting Governor Bobby Jindal will be speaking at an event there at the end of the first week of the Louisiana Legislative Session which begins April 13th.

Snow is falling all over North Louisiana. The National Weather Service’s Winter Storm Warning covers parishes along the I-20 corridor and they say the snow should be gone at 4pm. Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect until early this evening for parishes south of the I-20 corridor.

If you’ve got plans to take a drivers ed course anytime soon the Department of Motor Vehicles wants you to make sure that course is certified by the state. State Police Sgt Nick Manale says there is an online web source which provides information on state licensed driver education providers so new drivers can verify theirs has met all applicable standards and certifications…:
CUT 10 (09) “criteria too”
The website is expresslane.org.

The chances of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller every year. John Theriot, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says one of the reasons is that more individuals are having their taxes professionally done…:
CUT 4 (11) “better returns”

Snow has blanketed several parishes in north Louisiana as far south as Jonesboro. Forecasters predicted as much as four inches. Travis Washington, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says cold air was already in place and it mixed with the right amount of precipitation to create the snow…:
CUT 15 (10) “what happened”
He says at noon today there were two inches of snow already reported in Shreveport and they expect it will leave the state around 4pm.

State Police Trooper Matt Harris says the snow may be exciting, but it does not mix well with pavement and drivers who aren’t used to snow…:
CUT 8 (08) “in a crash”

The chance of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Just prices jumped another two cents from yesterday. The American Automobile Association reports the price for a gallon of regular is $2.16.

Residents in north Louisiana are truly getting a snow day. But State Police is urging you to stay home and enjoy the powder instead of hitting the roads. Trooper Matt Harris says there have already been a number of weather related accidents on the highways because of the snow…:
CUT 7 (10) “of control”
He says the snow may look pretty, but it doesn’t mix well with cold pavement and drivers who are NOT used to the snow.

Parishes along the I-20 corridor remain under a winter storm warning today until 6pm as significant snowfall is expected. Several parishes south of the interstate remain under a winter weather advisory, including Catahoula, Franklin, Grant, La Salle, Madison, Natchitoches, Sabine and
Tensas.

The chance of you getting audited by the IRS is getting smaller. The rate dropped to its lowest level in at least 10 years in 2014 and is expected to be even lower this year. John Theriot, with the Louisiana CPA Society, says one reason is money…:
CUT 3 (10) “qualified people”
Since 2010, the number of IRS audits have fallen by over 20-percent.

The Department of Motor Vehicles is urging citizens to be sure their local driver education program is properly certified through the state — and now there’s a way you can check online. State Police Sgt Nick Manale says the OMV regulates drivers ed programs throughout Louisiana to make sure education is up to par and that they have a license to operate…:
CUT 9 (12) “that’s required”
You can check online at expresslane.org.

The snow has arrived in north Louisiana and State Police is urging residents to stay home and don’t travel unless absolutely necessary. Trooper Matt Harris says if you do have to drive somewhere today in areas where snow has fallen, then be extremely careful…:
CUT 6 (09) “destination”
Harris says there’s already been dozes of weather related accidents but so far thankfully there have been no major injuries.

National Weather Service Winter Storm Warning extends the entire I-20 corridor. They say snow amounts should range between 1 inch south of the interstate to near 4 inches north of the corridor. The winter precipitation is ongoing and should leave the region late this afternoon or early this evening according to NWS meteorologists.

Today is the deadline for the three physician team to be assembled that will perform the court ordered psychiatric examination of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Viking Cruises is going to start journeys up the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans starting in 2017 if all goes according to plan. Port President Gary LaGrange says the river carries a powerful history…:
CUT 15 (12) “and maybe Asia”

Parishes along the I-20 corridor remain under a winter storm warning today as significant snowfall is expected. Several parishes south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory, including Franklin, Natchitoches, and LaSalle. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says these areas could also see snow…

cut 9 (04) “north Louisiana”

There are reports of snow and freezing rain in the Shreveport area this morning.

Today is the deadline to name the three physician team that will perform the court ordered psychiatric examination of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson. Legal analyst Tim Meche says when doctors know other doctors are looking over their shoulder, it’s rare for one to diverge from the group…

cut 6 (12) “differing opinions”

The team will consist of one doctor chosen by Benson, one by his former heirs, and one agreed upon by those two doctors.

Viking Cruises announces they’ll begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (31) “reporting”

The Thibodaux Police Department has arrested a woman for allegedly threatening a South Thibodaux Elementary School teacher. They say 32-year-old Floria Ward is the mother of a student placed under in-school suspension. During a confrontation with the child’s teacher at the school, Ward began yelling and cursing and purportedly threatened to beat the teacher up. Ward is charged with assault on a school teacher and disturbing the peace.

North Louisiana could get multiple inches of snow today. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (26) “reporting”

A winter storm warning remains in effect for parishes along the I-20 corridor and several parishes to the south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory.

Yesterday, President Obama vetoed the bill authorizing construction of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. The president, on several occasions, stated that he would veto the bill if it passed both houses of Congress. A two-thirds majority of both the Republican controlled House and Senate is needed to override the veto. It appears an override attempt will fall short.

A plan which would create a uniform policy for Louisiana’s colleges in how they deal with sexual assault claims has been approved by the Board of Regents. Higher education commissioner Joe Wallo says the policy is a process that first starts with evaluating the complaint…

cut 12 (07) “by campus”

He says colleges must work with local law enforcement on response efforts and also ban retaliation against someone who files a sexual misconduct complaint.

Viking Cruises announces they’ll begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans beginning in 2017. The specialty-built riverboats will have a full complement of luxury amenities and host up to 300 passengers. Port of New Orleans President Gary LaGrange says there will be amazing itineraries planned…

cut 14 (07) “that they can reach”

Viking’s new service will result in the creation of 417 new direct jobs for Louisiana-based operations and vessel crews with an average salary of $40,000.