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.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for parishes along the I-20 corridor as a significant snowfall is expected. Traveling along I-20 has not been easy the last couple of days, and Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says the situation will only get worse with more sleet and snow…

cut 8 (08) “still there”

Several parishes to the south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory. There are reports of snow and freezing rain in northwest Louisiana.

The Board of Regents approved a plan which would create a uniform policy for Louisiana’s colleges in how they deal with sexual assault claims. Higher education commissioner Joe Wallo says they are all about letting the students know leaders are there to help and to listen…

cut 11 (08) “be recourse”

He says higher ed institutions have to develop a protocol to follow when someone comes forward with a sexual assault allegation.

The three physician team that will perform the court ordered psychiatric examination of Saints and Pelicans owner Tom Benson must be assembled today. Legal analyst Tim Meche says says these examinations are meant to determine whether Benson is capable of making reasonable decisions concerning his care of his person and his property…

cut 5 (12) “he trusts”

The physician team must report their findings by March 13.

Viking Cruises announces they’ll begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans. The plan is to have the operation going by 2017. Port of New Orleans President Gary LaGrange:

cut 13 (11) “our restaurants”

The move means hundreds of jobs and a boost to the state’s tourism industry according to Governor Bobby Jindal.

The parishes along the Louisiana-Arkansas border are under a winter storm warning today as a significant snowfall is expected. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says they are expecting more than a light dusting…

cut 7 (09) “we can expect”

Several parishes along I-20 and to the south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory.

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 in the legal fight involving his former heirs. Legal analyst Tim Meche says doctors will first sit down with Benson and ask him questions to test his memory…

cut 4 (10) “ruled that out”

The physician team has until March 13 to report their findings.

The Board of Regents approved a plan which would create a uniform policy for Louisiana’s colleges in how they deal with sexual assault claims. Higher education commissioner Joe Wallo says higher ed institutions have to develop a protocol to follow when someone comes forward with a sexual assault allegation…

cut 10 (08) “fair treatment”

Wallo says all of their campuses are engaging in some type of education and prevention programs with their students when it comes to sexual assault, but they wanted to work to create a common expectation.

The parishes along the Louisiana-Arkansas border are under a winter storm warning thru most of tomorrow as a significant snowfall is expected. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says they are expecting more than a light dusting…:
CUT 7 (09) “we can expect”
Several parishes along I-20 and to the south of the interstate are under a winter weather advisory. Mayeaux says the road conditions along I-20 will be even worse that it has been the last couple of days.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $2.15 cents, a two cent jump from the day before. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices have been on the rise for a month and it’s not a surprise…:
CUT 6 (08) “spring time”
The statewide average a month ago was a $1.88.

The Board of Regents approved a plan which would create a uniform policy for Louisiana’s colleges in how they deal with sexual assault claims. Higher education commissioner Joe Wallo says higher ed institutions have to develop a protocol to follow when someone comes forward with a sexual assault allegation…:
CUT 10 (08) “fair treatment”
Wallo 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 a major venture to begin offering trips along the Mississippi River from the Port of New Orleans. The plan is to have the operation going by 2017 when two boats launch per year which take passengers on a journey upriver from The Big Easy to St. James, East Baton Rouge, West Feliciana Parish and on up to Memphis, Tennessee and Minnesota. The move means hundreds of jobs and a boost to the state’s tourism industry according to Governor Bobby Jindal.

A winter storm warning is in effect for parishes in Louisiana along the Arkansas border until 6pm Wednesday. The National Weather Service in Shreveport says snow accumulations could be as much as 4 inches. Winter weather advisories are also posted throughout the I-20 corridor to central Louisiana.

Gas prices keep going up as analysts projected as the statewide average is 2 cents higher than the day before at $2.15 a gallon. Don Redman with the American Automobile Association says we pay more at the pump when refineries make the switch from the winter blend of gasoline to the summer blend. He says union strikes at two Louisiana refineries are also factoring into the price, but it shouldn’t lead to large increases…:
CUT 8 (07) “this spring”
The statewide average a month ago was a $1.88.

The four candidates for governor were in Shreveport for a forum today and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne was the only candidate to come out in support of Common Core. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Dardenne’s stance on Common Core is not something that he took lightly..:
CUT 14 (09) “might occur”
Dardenne said, “Now is not the time for Louisiana to retreat.”

A Campti man was busted by ATC agents accused of operating an illegal bar out of his home. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says 42-year-old Robert Williams was caught selling beer and mixed drinks to people in his house. He says this type of illegal bar is called a good house..:
CUT 11 (07) “can go”
Williams faces two charges of operating without alcohol permits.

Gas prices are going up the closer we get to spring. Don Redman with the American Automobile Association says we’re paying $2.15 cents a gallon which is up from $1.88 a month ago, but a return to $3.00 a gallon is not expected…:
CUT 7 (08) “coming months”
He says pump prices go up as refineries switch from the winter to summer blend gas.

Governor Bobby Jindal today along with Viking Cruises announce New Orleans would be the home-port for the cruse line’s first North American river cruise itineraries. The Mississippi River cruises will operate from from docking facilities near the French Quarter in New Orleans. Vikins new service will result in the creation of 416 new director jobs for Louisiana-based operations and vessel crews.

Winter storm advisories remain in effect for North Louisiana today, as the National Weather Service says there’s the potential for 4 inches of snow to fall in Northwest Louisiana after midnight. NWS-Shreveport meteorologist Mario Valverde says lower temperatures look to continue and interact with the moisture in the sky…:
CUT 3 (10) “and snow”
DOTD is urging people to stay off the roadways in frozen precipitation areas.

Congress today sent President Barack Obama legislation that would have approved the building of the controversial Keystone XL pipeline. The White House sent a message that Mr. Obama vetoed the Republican bill. Lawmakers may try to override the veto but it’s not likely they have the 2/3rds majority votes to do so.

Gas prices have been on the rise for one month now. Jeff Palermo on the reasons why you are paying more at the pump…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

Northwest Louisiana is bracing for yet another round of severe winter weather. There are 5 parishes in northwest Louisiana under a winter storm warning from midnight tonight through 6pm tomorrow for now up to 4 inches. Northeast Louisiana parishes could also see some snow and are under winter storm watches and advisories. State officials say if you must travel keep an extra flashlight in your vehicle and water in your vehicle in case of emergency.

Four gubernatorial candidates got together today in Shreveport and on the issue of Common Core, Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne is the only one who says he supports it. UL-Lafayette Political Science professor Pearson Cross says there are many leaders who do support the controversial education standards and Dardenne is likely keeping his mind and ears open on the issue…:
CUT 13 (08) “right now”
Cross says this clearly separates Dardenne from the other candidates.

A man from Campti is in trouble because he was busted on social media bragging about charging people to enter his home where he was providing alcohol. State Alcohol and Tobacco Control Commissioner Troy Hebert says under cover agents went to 42-year-old Robert Williams house and paid to get in…:
CUT 10 (09) “wind of it”
Hebert says you can’t charge people money to enter your house and sell beer.