A Houma man is under arrest after four new born puppies were found dead in a home, one with a severed head. Police Chief Todd Duplantis says 52-year-old Richie Kiffe (KEEF) denied knowledge of why his girlfriend found the deceased animal but did admit he was passed out drunk. Duplantis says the woman continued to search for the other puppies…:
CUT 4 (11) “missing head”
Kiffe (KEEF) was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

As we approach the February 15th deadline, the US Department of Health and Human Services announces since open enrollment began on November 15th, 157,900 people in Louisiana have selected plans or were re-enrolled through HealthCare.gov. With only four days left, officials are urging uninsured citizens to get signed up for coverage if you haven’t already.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to a gigantic $500 million for tonight’s drawing. Have you thought about what you’d do if you win? Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Amazing atmosphere, amazing game, but the end result wasn’t great for the LSU Tigers basketball team who lost to number one ranked Kentucky 71-69 last night. LSU’s Keith Hornsby had a chance to win at the buzzer with a three-pointer, but his shot bounced off the rim. LSU’s Jarrell Martin led all scorers with 21 points as the Tigers fall to six and five in the SEC.

Discussions continue between the Jindal administration and legislative leaders on how to prevent a 400-million cut in state funding for higher education. Senate President John Alario says one option would be to limit the size of tax credits, especially when the credit is more than what the person or business pays in taxes…:

CUT 12 (05) “counting on before”
The state faces a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which could also mean large cuts for health care.

There’s been a tragedy in Lake Charles. Cops say a three year old child go a hold of a family weapon and shot and killed herself by mistake. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the guns were left out in a hurry, and three children encountered them when the tragedy took place. He says this is a valuable lesson for parents in that we have to be aware of our children at all times…:
CUT 10 (05) “buy gun locks”
He says no charges have been filed in this case but it’s in the hands of the DA.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to a half a billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. This one has been building since November 29th and has really shot up in the past couple of weeks. These Louisiana residents have a good idea of what they’ll do if they wind up with all six winning numbers…:
CUT 6 (07) “start living”
The ticket sale cutoff time is 9pm.

The American Automobile Association says the price of gas in Louisiana is shooting up faster than the national average, but that’s because the pump price here was so low to begin with. We’re up 2 cents from yesterday to $2.06 according to AAA.

A Houma man is under arrest after four new born puppies were found dead in a home, one with a severed head. Police Chief Todd Duplantis says 52-year-old Richie Kiffe (KEEF) is the live-in boyfriend of the woman who owned the puppies. He says the woman and Kiffe got into an argument and the woman left the home to calm down…:
CUT 3 (05) “severed”
The woman called the cops who found the suspect drunk on the couch. There were also three other dead puppies found. Kiffe was arrested, charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a three year old child is dead after she accidently shot herself with one of the family’s guns. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the father was cleaning his guns and suddenly had to leave the house for work. He says the dad called the mom and told her to put the guns away when she got home…:
CUT 9 (09) “it’s horrible”
He says they are turning the matter over to the DA and it’s likely the case will go before a grand jury but for now no charges are filed.

At least 14 school districts have passed a resolution that asks the state not to punish them for students who decide not to take the Common Core standardized test. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

Today Governor Bobby Jindal is back in Baton Rouge to attend the ground breaking ceremony for The Water Campus. The event is taking place this afternoon at 1:30.

The Powerball prize for tonight’s drawing is now $500 million dollars. The Louisiana Lottery announced the jackpot grew once again just this morning. The deadline to purchase a ticket is 9pm.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions that ask the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says as it stands now, school systems will receive a “zero” for every student who opts out…:
CUT 13 (09) “not to test”
BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, is not calling a special meeting, but “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting.

This morning Powerball raised tonight’s big jackpot to $500 million dollars according to the Louisiana Lottery. You have to get your tickets by nine tonight and if you’re going in with a group, the Lottery reminds you that in Louisiana only one entity or person can claim a prize. The odds of winning the big jackpot are one in 175 million.

Research from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a man who was fleeing Amite police Tuesday afternoon is dead after crashing into a house during the chase. They say 30-year-old Benjamin Zanders of Independence began running from cops on LA 16 in Tangipahoa Parish. Apparently the suspect traveled about 300 feet off a road and crashed into a residence in St. Helena Parish. Troopers suspect he was impaired and not buckled up. Zanders was pronounced dead at the scene.

A minimum of 14 Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions asking the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, says “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting. But Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says the uncertainty is not good for anyone…

cut 15 (09) “bubble over”

Students will take the Common Core exams the week of March 16th.

Now that a federal ruling has been issued in Alabama clearing the way for Clerk of Court offices to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples, what does this mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says all eyes right now are on the US Supreme court which is currently considering four cases…

cut 7 (10) “14th Amendment”

State Police say a motorcyclist is dead after crashing his bike on the Des Allemands Bridge last night in St. Charles Parish. They say 32-year-old Wesley Price of Des Allemands was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the right curb of the bridge, ejecting him from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached $485 million which is the third largest prize in the game’s history. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

At least 14 school districts have passed a resolution that asks the state not to punish them for students who decide not to take the Common Core standardized test. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a fatal accident in Union Parish has claimed the life of a Farmerville woman. Authorities say 80-year-old Martha Reichert crossed the center line of Highway 2 and hit a car driven by 59-year-old Sherry Acree head on. Acree was pronouned dead at the scene. Reichert was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

A federal ruling has cleared the way for Clerk of Court offices in Alabama to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples. So, what does this mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the final decision on same sex marriage will likely happen in Washington D.C….

cut 9 (05) “in June”

Same sex marriages are against state law in Louisiana and a recent federal ruling upholding that ban is currently under appeal.

An LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans research team finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says this research has shown that psychedelic drugs produce powerful anti-inflammatory activity and that could potentially help with other health issues as well. Nichols says testing on mice will continue and hopefully a clinical human trial will begin sometime in the future…

cut 6 (08) “it might help”

There are over 25 million people in the US known to have asthma.

Now that a federal ruling has been issued in Alabama clearing the way for Clerk of Court offices to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples, what does it mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the fact that the US Supreme Court has allowed same sex couples to get a marriage license in Alabama is likely a signal of the court’s intended resolution…

cut 8 (10) “same sex marriage”

The US Supreme court is currently considering four cases that will soon be argued.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions asking the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says they are pushing BESE to have a special meeting…

cut 14 (09) “school districts”

BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, is not calling a special meeting, but “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting.

A research study from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. There are over 25 million people in the US known to have asthma. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says the next step in their research is to see if the drug has a positive effect on mice who already have asthma…

cut 5 (05) “their symptoms”

Nichols says testing on mice will continue and hopefully a clinical human trial will begin sometime in the future.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a whopping $485 million. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says when the jackpot gets this high, many people pool their tickets together. She reminds players that in Louisiana only one person or legal entity can claim a prize…

cut 11 (11) “the funds”

Tonight’s jackpot is the third largest prize in the game’s history.

The LSU Tigers battled the top ranked team in the country last night, but came up a little short as Kentucky left Baton Rouge with a 71-69 victory. The Tigers had a chance to win in the final seconds and here’s the call on ESPN from Brad Nessler and Dick Vitale…

cut 30 (12) “to Baton Rouge”

LSU went on a 21-2 run in he second half to take the lead in the final minutes, but the Wildcats finished on an 11-3 run to win the game. Jarrell Martin had 21 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort. Kentucky remains undefeated on the season at 24-0, while the Tigers fall to 17-7.

According to the NFL Network, Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is reportedly working out in New Orleans. A determination on whether he’ll play in 2015 is expected soon.

In Southland Conference basketball action last night, Incarnate Word got past Nicholls State 73-64. T.J. Carpenter lead the way for the Colonels with 20 points and Ja’Dante’ Frye and Sam McBeath each added 13. Nicholls falls to 4-7 in league play and will next host Southeastern Louisiana Saturday afternoon.

Speaking of Southeastern, they’ll be coming off a 83-58 win over Central Arkansas. Five Lions scored in double figures last night, with Devonte Upson’s 17 points leading the way. The Lions now have a 4-6 record in the Southland Conference.

In the ongoing Benson family legal feud, New Orleans Judge Kern Reese has ordered that Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson undergo an examination. Benson will face three exams performed by three different doctors in what is called a standard assessment. In a statement, Benson says he respects Judge Reese’s decision and looks forward to taking the test. The exams must be completed by March 15.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions that ask the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says as it stands now, school systems will receive a “zero” for every student who opts out…

cut 13 (09) “not to test”

Richard says if a school or school system has a large number of opt-outs, it will result in a lower school performance score or letter grade, as part of the state’s accountability system.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached a massive $485 million which is the third largest prize in the game’s history. Kimberly Chopin with the Louisiana Lottery says the odds of winning any prize on Powerball are one in 32, the odds of winning the jackpot are one in 175 million..

cut 10 (06) “smaller prizes”

The cash value of tonight’s jackpot is $327 million.

Research from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says currently asthma is treated with inhalers and steroids. He says the result of this research is a real breakthrough…

cut 4 (12) “in the mice”

He says the psychedelic drug, (R)-DOI, prevented the development of asthma in mice allergic to the condition. Although the drug is a psychedelic, the doses administered to the mice were lower than what would produce any type of behavioral effect.

Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson says he’s looking forward to undergoing a mental evaluation as a soon as possible. Benson issued that statement after a judge ruled he must be examined by March 13th. Legal analyst Tim Meche says three medical experts will examine Benson and the results will help the judge determine if the 87-year-old is mentally competent to make sound business decisions…
cut 13 (09) “…someone else”
Benson also said today that he’s disappointed in the lawsuits by his relatives who are trying to prevent his wife from having future control of the professional franchises.

Halliburton announces plans to lay-off at least five-thousand of its workers as a result of falling oil prices. The Houston-based oil field services company the cuts will impact all areas of Halliburton’s operations.

A bill will once again be taken up by Louisiana lawmakers this legislative session that considers whether or not the use of medical marijuana should be authorized. The measure is by Baton Rouge Representative Dalton Honore, who says this is not an attempt to legalize marijuana for recreational use…
CUT 7 (11) “any of this”
He says his proposed law contains strict regulations on which doctors are allowed to prescribe the drug.

Caddo Parish authorities arrest 46-year-old Allen Wray of Bossier City after his estranged wife was critically injured when she fell from the bed of a truck he was driving….
cut 11 (09) “…reckless operation’
Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says Wray slammed his breaks several times and then gassed his truck, causing his the victim to fall.