The National Weather Service is calling on a marginal threat of severe weather this afternoon for some parts of the state as a cold front moves in — but nothing like what brought the 13 confirmed tornadoes that struck the south last week. Governor John Bel Edwards declares this week: Severe Weather Awareness week. GOHSEP spokesman Chris Guilbeau says encourages family to get a game plan:
CUT 10 (10) “their family”

Louisiana is the 5th worst state for retirement, according to a new report from Bankrate-dot-com. Claes (Claus) Bell, a senior analyst at Bankrate, says they examined several key factors to determine the quality of life in retirement, including cost of living, taxes, healthcare, crime, and residents’ overall well-being…:
CUT 3 (06) “healthcare”
He says Louisiana retirement highlights in their report include low tax rate and low cost of living.

More potential budget cuts to higher education could mean lower enrollment numbers at LSU. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Halen Doughty”

A bill has been filed for the regular session calling for a freeze on the state voucher program for students in low performing schools. Baton Rouge Representative Pat Smith says in these tough budget times, the program needs to be reevaluated…:
CUT 15 (05) “voucher program”
There are currently just over seven thousand students with vouchers in Louisiana.

Republican Presidential candidates Donald Trump and US Senator Marco Rubio will hold campaign rallies in Louisiana on Friday, a day before Louisiana’s Presidential primary. Analysts say Trump has the momentum heading into tonight’s Super Tuesday primary, but pollster John Couvillion says Trump is not a lock to win in Louisiana, because only republicans can vote in the Republican primary…
cut 9 (07) “…Cruz some”

At the state capitol, there’s eight days left in the special session and there’s been little progress in coming together on a plan to fill a 900-million dollar shortfall for this fiscal year. LSU President F King Alexander says the talk about deep cuts to higher education is hurting enrollment efforts….
cut 4 (06) “….other universities”
The special session must conclude on March 9th.

There’s about seven-thousand low-income students who receive a state-funded voucher to attend a private school, but Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith has filed legislation that would prohibit any additional students from getting a voucher. Smith says legislators need to resolve the budget crisis before expanding the program…
cut 14 (06) “….new vouchers”
Smith says the program also needs to be reevaluated after a Tulane study showed voucher students are not performing well in the area of math.

The Storm Prediction Center says there’s a marginal threat of severe weather today for northeast Louisiana. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says keep an ear out for potential weather warnings today…
cut 11 (10) “…for them”
The governor has declared this week….Severe Weather Awareness Week.

LSU President F. King Alexander says even though it’s not a popular suggestion that Tiger football could be in jeopardy this fall because of potential cuts to higher ed, he says it’s very real.The TOPS Scholarship Program is only funded at 25% for the next school year and some students may have to rethink their education plans. Alexander says LSU ranks 46th in the nation for how much they invest in each student…:
Cut 6 (09) “selling point”
Meanwhile lawmakers are still working out ways to compromise on ways to close the current year shortfall as 8 days remain in the special session.

It’s Super Tuesday and some analysts say that Louisiana’s March 5th Presidential Primary could have an impact on the nominations, especially on the Republican side. There’s certainly a lot of interest as the Secretary of State’s Office reports nearly 100,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period.

A Baton Rouge lawmaker has filed a bill for the regular session that will prevent new students from participating in the state’s voucher program. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

This is Severe Weather Awareness Week — an effort to encourage Louisiana families to prepare now for an emergency, even though danger is not imminent. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says it’s a good idea to down the app Alert FM…:
CUT 12 (09) “that app”

Today is Super Tuesday which means several states will be voting for their party’s favorite candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Louisiana’s primary is March 5th and many voters here are wondering if our ballots will even matter. Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says Louisiana will absolutely be getting attention after today…:
CUT 8 (06) “March 5th”
He says Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz are still strong contenders for the GOP nomination, but it’s possible the Democratic candidate will be locked in after tonight.

The state House put on hold the alcohol and cigarette tax bills until today saying they want to see what the Senate does with the measure that calls for more than $100 million dollars in cuts to the current year budget. On cuts to higher ed, LSU President F King Alexander says even though some brush the notion off as ridiculous, football is most certainly feeling the impacts of all this…:
CUT 5 (07) “to LSU”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces this week is Severe Weather Awareness Week to get the public to create a game plan for emergencies. Emelie Gunn has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

DNA from a Baton Rouge man who was arrested in December on an unrelated matter ended up facing second-degree rape charges after it matched that of a teenage girl’s rape kit taken 20 years ago. Authorities say 59-year-old Jerry Williams denied the crime in 1996, but the DNA taken last year told a different story, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department. An arrest warrant was issued for Williams who was booked into Parish Prison on $80,000 bond.

There are just 8 days left in the special legislative session and things still appear to be moving along at a slow crawl. The debate over cuts vs. revenue is ongoing. Discussions about deep budget cuts to higher education could mean fewer students at LSU according to President F King Alexander…:
CUT 4 (07) “other universities”
Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk.

Two LSU student protesters were escorted out of the state Capitol on Monday after releasing a bright orange banner that read, “Save Our Schools” over the rail of the Senate floor. They were immediately removed as demonstrations are prohibited in chambers.

The Secretary of State’s Office says nearly 100,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period for the March 5th Louisiana presidential primary. They say that’s more than twice than early voting numbers from 2012.

A bill has been filed for the regular session calling for a freeze on the state voucher program, which allows students in public schools with a C, D or F rating to attend private schools at the state’s expense. Baton Rouge Representative Patricia Smith says not awarding first time vouchers would save the state badly needed cash…:
Cut 13 (09) “ones out”
There are currently just over seven thousand students with vouchers in Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards declares this week as Severe Weather Awareness Week in an effort to get families to create a game plan in the event of an emergency. Chris Guilbeau, Deputy Director with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says this comes at a good time as 13 confirmed tornadoes touched down last week…:
Cut 10 (10) “their family”

More potential budget cuts to higher education could mean lower enrollment numbers at LSU. Halen Doughty reports…:
CUT 1 (32) “I’m Halen Doughty”

The National Weather Service says parts of Louisiana could be in for some severe weather this afternoon into this evening as a cold front heads this way. They say the chance for bad storms is 5 per percent, compared to 45 percent last Tuesday when tornadoes ripped through south Louisiana. Daytime temperatures today are expected in the mid 70s, and Wednesday’s highs around 65 once the front settles in.

Today is Super Tuesday, so will Louisiana’s presidential primary still matter on Saturday, March 5th? Pollster John Couvillon of JMC Analytics says Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton are in a strong position to receive their party’s nomination as people in 12 states will vote today. Couvillon says it’s possible the democratic nomination will be sewn up after tonight…:
CUT 7 (06) “Super Tuesday”
Trump’s campaign announces the GOP candidate will hold another rally in Louisiana. They say Trump will be at Landmark Aviation in New Orleans on Friday. US Senator Marco Rubio is expected to rally in Baton Rouge on Friday.

Captain Clay Higgins, the man made internationally famous for his “no nonsense” viral Crime Stoppers videos, announces he’s resigning from the St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s Office. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 2 (30)  “I’m Michelle Southern”

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says if Higgins cannot agree with his words thoughts and message, then he is correct in resigning his position.

Discussion about deep budget cuts to higher education could mean fewer students at LSU. The TOPS Scholarship Program is only funded at 25% for the next school year. Without TOPS, many students may have to rethink their education plans. LSU President F. King Alexander stands by comments that LSU football is at risk. He says unless enough revenue is raised, they may have to close summer school and only about half of the athletes will be eligible to play in the fall.  He says unfortunately LSU’s budget problems is impacting recruiting…

Cut 6 (10)  “to LSU”

This flu season got off to a slow start, but doctors say it may start to ramp up soon. Influenza expert Dr. Frank Welch with the State Office of Public Health Welch says this year the flu vaccine is very well matched to the virus, making it more effective, and flu shots are the best way to avoid getting sick.

CUT 5 (04)  “to get it”

Welch says most insurance covers flu shots and people without insurance should call a public health unit. He also advises people to wash their hands, stay home if they’re sick and avoid sick people.

Former state lawmaker and ex Klu Klux Klansman David Duke is part of the storyline in the Republican presidential race. Duke supports Donald Trump and Trump’s opponents are bashing him for declining to disavow Duke’s endorsement during a CNN interview. Duke says political observers said his support of Trump would hurt the republican front-runner for the republican nomination, but that hasn’t been the case at all…

cut 14 (09)  “combined”