The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana is seeking answers into an alleged police brutality case in Winnfield. ACLU’s Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White has lost sight in her right eye after she was hit with a taser during an encounter with Winnfield police on November 5th. Hamilton says they have filed an open records request with the police department to see what kind of policies they have regarding the use of force, de-escalation and racially-biased policing have been unanswered…
cut 13 (10) “…to other races”
Police allegedly told the family that White was resisting arrest and fell, hitting her face on the ground. State Police is investigating.

Sad story out of Baton Rouge as a piano teacher was killed in Mississippi while helping out a motorist who was involved in a crash. Mississippi Highway Patrol says 52-year-old Leslie Wood was killed on I-55 in Copiah County when a semi hit Wood’s vehicle on the side of the road and hit her too. Wood taught at Baton Rouge Magnet High School.

Much of the state is under a freeze warning as the temperature is expected to drop below freezing during the overnight hours and into tomorrow morning in Shreveport, Monroe, Alexandria and Lake Charles. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says if you plan on using a space heater, make sure it’s at least five feet away from anything combustible and don’t overload wall outlets. Browning says do not plug space heaters into extension cords. He says those with central heating should also take precautions…
cut 7 (07) “…to be used”
Snowflakes were falling this morning in Shreveport, but Aaron Davis with the National Weather Service says the snow didn’t stick…
cut 4 (04) “…maintain snow”
Davis it might get even colder Wednesday night into Thursday morning and then we’ll see a warm up.

A Winnfield woman has lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser, and now the ACLU wants answers.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “Im Kevin Barnhart.”  

When temperatures go below freezing in Louisiana, the fire risk increases. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the first priority to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

Cut 6 (08) “…time and escape.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says its solid progress for programs vital to student’s pre-kindergarten educational preparation.

Cut 9 (07) “…their ratings.”

Six percent of programs were rated excellent, up from 3 percent last year.

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped. Davis says the state’s coldest temperatures of the week are still to come.

Cut 5 (04)  “…the lowest temperatures.” 

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning, and those Cold temps are raising concerns for State Fire Marshal Butch Browning.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year, but 23 percent of child care providers did not make the cut this year, according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says state shouldn’t have any non-proficient providers, something that can only be accomplished with better funding.

Cut 10 (08)   “…quality care“

Six percent of programs were rated excellent, up from 3 percent last year.

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says often tasers are used in ways that they should not be, and the goal is to make sure this type of incident doesn’t happen again.

Cut 14 (08) “…have severe consequences.”

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the Shreveport area this morning.  National Weather Service meteorologist Aaron Davis says even forecasters were surprised at how quickly the temperature dropped.The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.  Davis says the snow didn’t stick…

Cut 4 (04) “…maintain the snow.″

The cold temps predicted to be impacting Louisiana this week are significant and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is remind people to stay warm in a safe manner.  Browning insists that no one use a kitchen stove top or oven in an attempt to warm their home.

Cut 8 (10) “…cause a fire.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says the state is seriously lacking in support for working class families early childcare needs.

Cut 11 (08) “…a slot.”

The ACLU of Louisiana is looking for answers from authorities after a Winnfield woman lost sight in her right eye due to a police taser.  ACLU spokesperson Bruce Hamilton says Tanisha White had gone to a private residence to speak with someone, and called the Winnfield Police to ask for a ride and upon their arrival she was eventually tased.
Cut 12 (06)   “in the eye”
Hamilton says the open request for policies regarding the use of force have been unanswered.  The department has not yet commented on the case.

Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that started airing last week.  Ward says The bridge doesn’t have a solidified location yet, but eh estimated cost is about $1 billion, and says they are looking into several avenues to get that funded.

Cut 15 (11) “…of that sort.”

Ward says the ads are running to let the public know they’ll have the opportunity to vote on the matter, possibly in 2019.

The cold temps predicted to be impacting Louisiana this week are significant and State Fire Marshal Butch Browning is remind people to stay warm in a safe manner.  Browning says the first priority to keep your family safe is to make sure your home has working smoke alarms.

Cut 6 (08) “…time and escape.”

71 percent of early education programs in the state were rated proficient, up five percent from last year according to the Louisiana Department of Education. Policy Institute for Children Executive Director Melanie Bronfin says its solid progress for programs vital to student’s pre-kindergarten educational preparation.

Cut 9 (07) “…their ratings.”

Bronfin says a lack of funding is holding the state’s ratings back, and financially hampering working class families. She says their numbers show that two thirds of kids come from single parent households, or households where both parents work, but only seven percent of kids qualify for childcare financial assistance.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says if the legislature stalls on a teacher pay raise, you could see a mass walk out by the end of the school year. A recent survey found 61 percent of educators would support a strike. Carter says L-F-T leadership is waiting to see the revenue forecast for next year, but some are ready to make an immediate statement.

Cut 7 (07) “…out today”

The average pay in 2015-1016 for a teacher in Louisiana was 49,900 dollars, over 1,700 dollars lower than the regional average. The national average is 58,000.

Cold weather has resulted in snow flurries being spotted in the northern portion of the Bayou State this morning.  National Weather Service Shreveport meteorologist Aaron Davis says the rapid drop in temperature surprised forecasters.

Cut 3 (06) “…turn into snow.”

The air temp at surface level was 34 this morning.

Republican Senator Rick Ward of Port Allen is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that started airing last week.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Hammond Magnet High has been searched and the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says the building is clear of any threats to students and faculty after the school was shut down for the second day in a row after authorities identified a potential safety threat. An increased law enforcement presence will be on hand as classes are set to resume tomorrow.

Light snow fell in the Shreveport this morning and southeast Louisiana is feeling the effects of a cold rain. State climatologist Barry Keim says dryer conditions are on the way, but so is cold air.
Cut 10 (08) “…over Louisiana’s weather.“
Freeze watches and warnings for the northern half of the state and into southwest Louisiana.

It’s possible we could see a statewide teacher strike or walk out if the state legislature fails to provide educators and support staff with a pay raise. That’s according to Louisiana Federation of Teachers president Larry Carter. The average salary for Louisiana teachers is below the Southern Regional Average. Carter says the issue of teacher pay is creating problems for some school systems….
cut 9 (10) “…compete”
Governor Edwards has said he’ll push for teachers to get at least a one-thousand dollar pay raise.

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says over 54-thousand rural homes and businesses in north Louisiana will gain access to high-speed internet service as a result of a 22-million dollars in federal funding. Campbell says this is great news for businesses and students…
cut 5 (07) “…good for”
AT&T, CenturyLink and California-based ViaSat will provide the broadband service.

Republican Port Allen Senator Rick Ward is attempting to build awareness and public support for a new bridge crossing the Mississippi River with a TV ad that’s airing. Ward says the new bridge would help alleviate the congested roadway issues for Baton Rouge and outlying areas.
Cut 13 (09) “…the conversation forward.”
A new Mississippi River bridge in the Baton Rouge area would cost one-billion dollars and Ward says it will take voter approval to fund the project, possibly through tolls.