A two year old child choked and died while at the Early Learning Center at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in Gentily.  Seminary Spokesman Gary Meyers says the child was eating lunch when she chocked on food. Isabella Magee’s cause of death is under investigation.  The New Orleans Times Picayune says the school has been inspected at least twice last year due to reported health concerns when children were observed with bumps and scratches.

Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects.  One of those involves the very congested I-10/12 split in Baton Rouge.  He says drivers are tired of sitting in traffic and it’s time to address this problem…

Cut 11 (10) “in the state.”

The financing plans for this project and several others will need to be approved by state lawmakers and the bond commission.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the committee is investigating an online sexual harassment course that legislators are required to take to see if it’s enough to protect them and others they work with…

Cut 9 (08) “as well.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Broussard and Lafayette Police say murders in their cities are possibly related.  Broussard Police say the body of 23-year-old Skyler Barry of Lake Arthur was found lying face down under a home undergoing renovations Friday.  Lafayette Police say earlier, they found the body of 28-year-old Justin Zeno of Lafayette lying beside a burning vehicle.  Police say both people sustained gunshot wounds.  Both departments are assisting one another in the investigation.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says the current policies are antiquated and need to be changed. She hopes if persons are found guilty of sexual harassment allegations, they’ll be held accountable…

Cut 8 (08) “this manner.”

26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison after plowing into a crowd of parade goers while intoxicated during last year’s Endymion parade in New Orleans.  He pled guilty to 11 felony counts of vehicular negligent injuring and 13 misdemeanor counts.  Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto’s sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place…

Cut 16  (11)  “a third.”

Broussard and Lafayette Police say murders in their cities are possibly related.  Broussard Police say the body of 23-year-old Skyler Barry of Lake Arthur was found lying face down under a home undergoing renovations Friday.  Lafayette police say earlier, they found the body of 28-year-old Justin Zeno of Lafayette lying beside a burning vehicle.  Police say both people sustained gunshot wounds.  Both police departments are assisting one another in the investigation.

Louisiana is getting another round of freezing temperatures this weekend. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will seek 600 million dollars in loans to pay for major highway projects.  If accepted, the bonds will finance a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner, and construction of an interchange into Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City. Edwards says the state will use federal highway money to pay back the loans…

Cut 10 (09) “12 years.”

26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was sentenced to five years in prison after plowing into a crowd of parade goers during a Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans last year.  The crash injured 32 people and police said Rizzuto had a .232 blood alcohol level.  The court also is ordering him to attend AA and MADD meetings.  Legal analyst Tim Meche says Rizzoto should be thankful he gets another chance…

Cut 15 (12) “other people.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Louisiana has ruled in favor of LSU, dismissing claims made by Teresa Buchanan in a lawsuit against the university. Buchanan filed the suit after she was fired for allegedly making inappropriate comments during classes.   The court ruled her comments were not protected by the First Amendment and that the university’s policies are constitutional, and received due process.

Another cold air mass is bringing Canadian air into Louisiana, dropping temperatures well below normal.  The freezing temps will remain through this weekend and into the work week.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says the brutal north winds will make it feel much colder than it actually is…

Cut 4  (10) “wind chill.” 

Entergy says peak demand of smaller utility operators are rivaling the 2014 cold snap.  They remind people to seal air leaks and adjust the thermostat to 68 degrees to help conserve energy.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus is investigating to see if it is necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees.  Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno finds it disturbing even though policies are in place, it’s hard to hold legislators accountable if they were accused of sexual harassment…

Cut 7 (11)  “the legislature.”

The Saints started their season in Minnesota and the goal is to make sure it doesn’t end there. New Orleans and the Vikings face each other on Sunday afternoon in the NFC Divisional Round. Minnesota won that first meeting 29-19. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s an X-factor for the Saints this time around…

Cut 14 (11) “….running back situation”

The Vikings are only allowing 84 yards a game on the ground. New Orleans needs to get its running game going. They’ve only rushed for over 100 yards once in their last five games. Kick-off is at 3:40.

Former Saints Special Teams coordinator Greg McMahon has been officially named as the new special teams coordinator for the LSU Tigers. McMahon served this past season on LSU’s staff as an analyst.

And Center Will Clapp has announced he will turn pro. He’s the sixth underclassmen for the Tigers who has made the decision not to return for his senior season.

After missing Wednesday’s loss with an ankle injury, Anthony Davis returned last night to help the Pelicans get past Portland 119 to 113. Davis had 36 points and showed no signs of his twisted ankle. DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 19 rebounds as New Orleans moved one game over the .500 mark.

LSU goes after its third win in a row tonight as they host Alabama. Coach Will Wade knows his team will not be able to sneak up on the Crimson Tide after pulling off road wins over Arkansas and Texas A-and-M. Wade is also hoping the PMAC will be sold out. Tip-off is at 7:30.

UL-Lafayette hosts ULM tonight at the Cajundome. The Cajuns are 4-0 in the Sun Belt and going back to last season, they’ve won 10 straight conference games. The Warhawks are 1-3 in league action.

In Conference USA, Louisiana Tech is at UAB. The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four.

In the Southland…Southeastern Louisiana, who is off to a 4-0 start in league play, hosts McNeese State. Nicholls and UNO are both 4-1 in the Southland. The Colonels host Central Arkansas, while the Privateers take on Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi in New Orleans. Northwestern State goes after its first win in conference play as they host Abilene Christian.

Louisiana leaders have announced four major projects aimed at getting traffic moving across the state. One of them connecting Barksdale Airforce Base in Bossier City to I-20 which Governor John Bel Edwards says will help the state avoid losing facility…:
Cut 12 (11) “into that base”
The state is seeking bonds and if accepted, also financed would be a major expansion of I-10 in Baton Rouge, and the I-10 Loyola interchange in Kenner.

Southeast Louisiana is under a freeze warnings or hard freeze watches through Sunday morning. Temperatures are slated to be in the 20s for at least 2 to 7 hours at night, which could cause significant damage to sensitive plants and freezing of pipes. Officials are urging residents to make frequent checks on the elderly to make sure their house is being heated properly.

Female lawmakers in Louisiana met today to discuss whether it’s necessary to overhaul sexual harassment policies for the legislature and state government employees. New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says if anyone is found guilty of sexual harassment, they need to be held accountable…:
Cut 8 (08) “this manner”
Testimony today included three female faculty from UL-Lafayette who say they face sexual harassment all the time at work and not much is ever done.

Saints wide receiver Brandon Coleman has been ruled out of Sunday’s divisional playoff battle with Vikings due to a neck injury. The game is a rematch of the season opener that New Orleans lost, but NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says there’s a new X-factor for the Saints this time around…:
Cut 14 (11) “running back situation”
The game kicks off at 3:40 Sunday on FOX.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced that the state is seeking funding for three major infrastructure projects. Matt Doyle has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Another round of frigid weather is settling over the state this weekend, and the last time this happened there were several fatal house fires. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages you to check on older heating systems…:
CUT 6 (10) “the weekend”
A hard freeze is forecast for North Louisiana tomorrow, and light freeze down to the coast.

The man who crashed into a crowd of people at last year’s Endymion parade while driving drunk, will spend five years in prison and have to attend AA. 26-year-old Neilson Rizzoto was facing a 55 year sentence. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this sentence is an example of the new criminal justice reform measures put in place last year…:
Cut 16 (11) “a third”
The crash injured 32 people.

A police department in Ohio is trying to spread the word that they are not the Vermilion where a teacher was removed from a school board meeting this week for questioning the superintendent. Cops in Vermilion, Ohio say they have received angry and profane messages from people reacting to the controversial arrest of Deyshia Hargrave which actually happened in Vermilion Parish. The Ohio department said to please stop sending hate mail.

Louisiana will receive another round of freezing temperatures this weekend:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced a major transportation plan that could offer relief for motorists statewide. He says a $600 million dollar initiative includes projects such as widening I-10 in Baton Rouge from the Mississippi River Bridge to the 10/12 split, and new access from I-20 directly into Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier City, among others.

The Legislative Women’s Caucus wants to take a look at sexual harassment policies within state agencies and the Capitol itself. Chairman and New Orleans Representative Helena Moreno says they also want to explore the idea of making online sexual harassment courses a requirement…:
Cut 9 (08) “as well”
She says current policies are antiquated and need updating.

The Saints face their toughest matchup of the season as they roll into Minnesota. New Orleans is a five point underdog against a Vikings team that hasn’t allowed more than 20 points at home. Saints analyst Mike Detillier on how to beat a defense like that…:
Cut 13 (08) “ball over”
Kickoff is at 3:40 on Fox.