The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi today. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says supporters will argue that the state has to have a legitimate reason in denying two adults who want to marry, the right to do so. He says opponents will argue on the strength of state’s rights…

cut 5 (09) “their state”

In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit.

D-plus is the grade for Louisiana public schools from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings, because historically the Bayou State has ranked 48th or 49th when it comes to public education…

cut 14 (06) “to accomplish”

He says a series of reforms passed in 2012 will lead to better grades in the future.

Representative Tim Burns of Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. He says people who drive the Causeway seem more prone to be on their phones while behind the wheel which is a major problem…

cut 8 (11) “electronic device”

The bill would require people who drive The Causeway to use wireless technology if they want to talk on the phone.

A Calcasieu Parish grand jury did not indict a former LSU and NFL player Brandon Winey on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot once in the stomach by Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Winey’s attorney, Walt Sanchez, says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense…:

cut 11 (07) “right result”

Winey played at LSU from 1998-2000 and spent two seasons playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Today the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the 5th Circuit is one of the most conservative circuit courts in the nation…

cut 4 (06) “same-sex marriage”

In November, the 6th Circuit upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states.

A state lawmaker from Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Representative Tim Burns says the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging off the side of the bridge has gone from one every 5 years to three a year now…

cut 7 (09) “distracted driving”

Burns supports a statewide ban on hand held cell phone use while driving.

Louisiana’s public schools receive a grade of D-plus from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th, up five spots from their previous report. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says a series of reforms passed in 2012, including one that allows educators who perform well to get paid more, will lead to a better grade in the future…

cut 13 (09) “good principal”

Carter says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings.

A grand jury in Calcasieu Parish did not indict a former LSU and NFL player on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot by Brandon Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Walt Sanchez is the defense attorney for Winey. He says this case is far more complicated than was originally reported…

cut 10 (12) “appropriate resolution”

Sanchez says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense.

Louisiana public schools receive an overall grade of D-plus from Education Week’s annual report card. Scott Carwile has the story…
cut 3 (31) “…reporting”

The National Weather Service says there’s a slight chance we’ll see a light mix of wintry precipitation tomorrow morning for a portion of southeast Louisiana from Baton Rouge heading west along I-12 into St. Tammany and Washington Parishes. But any impacts on the roads should be minimal.

The freezing temperatures we saw this morning has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Eric Gill reports…:
cut 1 (30) “…reporting”

Governor Bobby Jindal, Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret will lead a Louisiana delegation to Europe for a ten-day economic development trip. Moret says says it’s an opportunity to meet with European companies who are considering investing in Louisiana…
CUT 8 (10) “in Europe”
The group leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

It was a very cold morning across Louisiana. Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, says the same low temperature in Baton Rouge and Slidell tied a record set on this very date last year…
CUT 9 (09) “interesting thing”

The freezing temperatures we had has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage on their crops here in the state. Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says sub freezing temps can have disasterous effects on the strawberry harvest.
CUT 3 (09) “a few berries”
But Bracy adds that strawberry plants can take the cold, and she suspects that freezing weather will just delay the start of the Louisiana strawbery season.

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Governor Bobby Jindal is about to take off for Germany, Great Britain and Switizlerland, seeking foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says all of the companies they’ll be meeting with are considering major projects in Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (08) Q: “services firms”
Jindal leaves on Sunday.

A Thibodaux man is under arrest after he told cops he stole a vehicle because his phone said it was OK. Thibodaux Police Spokesman David Melancon says, says after further questioning, 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux admitted that he knew the car was not his…:
CUT 15 (09) Q: “no one was injured”
The charges include theft of a motor vehicle, and DWI.

On his continued quest to bring more business to Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they want to go global…:
CUT 6 (10) “in our state”

Alabama linebackers coach Kevin Steele and Oregon defensive coordinator Don Pellum are a couple of more names mentioned as possible candidates for the LSU Defensive Coordinator position, after Bob Shoop from Penn State has withdrawn.
cut 12 (09) “at the moment”
That’s Gannett LSU beat writer Glenn Guilbeau.

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With the coldest weather of the winter season last night, Louisiana Strawberry Farmers are assessing the potential damage it may have caused. But Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says -even if the current plants have been damaged- strawberries will continue produce more blooms and fruit…
CUT 4 (11) Q: “ripe berries”

Thibodaux Police says a man is under arrest after cops say he stole a vehicle then told officers his phone made him do it. Spokesman David Melancon says shortly after they got the report of a stolen vehicle, they found it, along with 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux…:
cut 14 (11) “that was his vehicle”
The charges including motor vehicle theft and DWI.

Extremely cold this morning across the state, with record-tying readings of 20 degrees set in Baton Rouge and Slidell. Tonight will be cold, but not as bad…
CUT 10 (08) Q: “mid 20’s”
That’s Phil Grigsby, with the National Weather Service in New Orleans, who says extreme southeast Louisiana should be slightly above freezing.

One candidate for the empty LSU Defensive Coordinator position has withdrawn his name from consideration. Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop reportedly interviewed, but decided to remain with the Nittany Lions. Gannett LSU sportswriter Glenn Guilbeau says Shoop was the best candidate so far…
CUT 13 (08) Q: ‘coach Chavis’
No front runner has emerged; at least not yet.

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Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment…
CUT 2 (27) “reporting”

The plea is not guilty on the charge of aggrevated rape from the former “Sons of Guns” reality TV star Will Hayden. He is accused of raping a young girl in East Baton Rouge Parish on multiple occasions in the span between March 2013 and August 2014. He is also to plead in the forcible rape of a Livingston Parish woman next week.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says Jindal visited Asia last year in January and the relationships they were able to build there will result in expected additional economic development announcements for Louisiana within the next couple of months. He says more jobs for citizens here has always been a major priority for the Governor’s Administration:
CUT 8 (10) “in Europe”
Jindal leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

It’s like it’s January 2014 all over again as the National Weather Service is forecasting a chance of a wintry mix for the Baton Rouge and Lafayette areas Friday morning. Today they say there is a 30-40 percent chance of rain, freezing rain and sleet before 9am in the morning. Transportation officials say they have one million pounds of salt ready to go in case highways start to ice over.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. William Fletcher, a strawberry farmer in Ponchatoula, says his crop did sustain some damage from the freezing temperatures but does not think it’s catastrophic…:
CUT 5 (09) “last night”
Experts think the spring harvest may be a little delayed due to damage to the crop from the winter weather.

The search for a new LSU defensive coordinator doesn’t appear to be going so well. Coach Les Miles has reportedly interviewed or spoke with several candidates, but a front-runner has yet to emerge. LSU beat reporter for Gannett Newspapers, Glen Guilbeau, says Miles may have to promote defensive line coach Brick Haley to replace the departed John Chavis…:
CUT 11 (07) “look good”
Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop reportedly interviewed, but decided to remain with the Nittany Lions.

Governor Bobby Jindal is taking a 10-day business trip to Europe starting Sunday. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they’ll have meetings in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland with corporate executives of manufacturing and services industries. He says major companies are considering projects in Louisiana…:
CUT 7 (08) “services firms”
Jindal returns January 20th.

The Thibodaux Police Department says a man is under arrest on DWI and other charges after he allegedly stole a vehicle and claimed an application on his smart phone told him it was his. They say 46-year-old Lionel Adams Jr of Thibodaux was located with the stolen vehicle and appeared to be intoxicated. He admitted there was no app on his phone tell him the car belonged to him. He is being held at the Lafourche Parish Detention Center.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (30) “reporting”

The former star of the reality TV show Sons of Guns pleaded not guilty to rape charges today in Baton Rouge. Will Hayden entered his plea to two counts of aggravated rape and one count of forcible rape.

On his continued quest to bring more business to Louisiana, Governor Bobby Jindal announces he’s planned a trip to Europe seeking new foreign trade and investment. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret says they want to go global in efforts to attract new jobs to Louisiana…:
CUT 6 (10) “in our state”
He says they’ll be going to Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. Jindal leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

The Ouachita Parish Fire Department says a woman died in a house blaze early this morning in Monroe. They say the call came in around 330am and they were unable to get the flames out in time to save the woman. Investigators are currently working the scene to determine the cause of the blaze. No other details about the victim are being released at this time.

The freezing temperatures that have descended on the state has strawberry farmers working to minimize the damage the weather could have on their crops. Regina Bracy, with the LSU AgCenter, says sub freezing temps can have disastrous effects on the strawberry harvest. But Bracy adds that strawberry plants can take the cold…:
CUT 3 (09) “a few berries”
She says the spring harvest may be a little delayed due to damage to the crop from the winter weather.

Meanwhile Louisianians are bundled up on this extremely chilly day. The National Weather Service in New Orleans says the low temperature in Baton Rouge and Slidell tied a record of 20-degrees…:
CUT 9 (09) “interesting thing”
Meteorologist Phil Grisby says it will be cold all afternoon and again tonight with wind chill readings in the low 30s.

It’s what most everybody is talking about today, it’s cold outside. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’re getting another blast of that polar vortex…:
CUT 8 (12) “Gulf coast”
He says we should see things get back to normal over the weekend.

Today Governor Bobby Jindal announced he’ll be taking an economic development mission to Europe to cultivate more foreign-direct investment opportunities and increased trade between Louisiana and the European region. Jindal says he has meetings in Germany, the United Kingdom and Switzerland with corporate executives of manufacturing and services industries. He leaves Sunday and will be back January 20th.

We’re almost to that predicted $2 mark. The American Automobile Association says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now $2.01.

Festivities begin today to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (28) “reporting”

Scratch another name off the list of potential defensive coordinators for LSU. Penn State’s Bob Shoop interviewed with head coach Les Miles but has decided to stay in Happy Valley and has signed a new 3 year contract with the Nittany Lions.

The Louisiana Lottery says there were no big winners in last night’s big drawings. The Powerball prize goes to an estimated $162 million dollars for Saturday.