There is a huge $500 million jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing. Some residents we talked with have specific ideas on what that would mean if they won a half billion dollars…
CUT 8 (07) Q: ‘with the military’
The odds of winning? About 175 million to one.

Five hundred million dollars would come in handy for the state, since Governor Bobby Jindal and state lawmakers are trying to figure out how to prevent a $400 million dollar cut in state funding for higher education. One idea being kicked around in dealing with a one-point-six billion dollar shortfall, is limiting the size of tax credits in certain cases…
CUT 14 (11) Q: ‘for the difference’
That’s State Senate President John Alario.
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Tragedy strikes in Calcasieu Parish, as a three year-old accidentally shoots herself with one the family’s guns. Authorities say the father was cleaning his guns and suddenly had to depart for work, leaving the weapons out. The dad did call the mom to tell her to put them away, but by the time she got home, it was too late. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says, for now, no charges have been filed.
CUT 11 (07) Q: “and we’ll see”
The little girl was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Serious charges are facing a Houma man, after 4 new born puppies were found dead in a home, including one with a severed head. Police Chief Todd Duplantis says the live-in boyfriend of the woman who owned the puppies got into an argument with her, and when she left the residence to calm down, she returned, made the discovery, and called police…
CUT 5 (05) Q: “years on this”
Fifty-two year-old Richie Kiffe (KEEF)was arrested on four counts of aggrevated cruety to animals.

The Jindal administration and lawmakers are talking in earnest about how to prevent a 400 million budget cut to higher education. Some that discussion is centered around limiting the size of tax credits…
CUT 13 (10) Q: ‘taking in’
That’s Senate President John Alario, who says he understands those restrictions could affect Louisiana’s film industry.

It’s the third largest Powerball ever, and the drawing happens tonight for a gigantic $500 million dollars. The odds of getting a winning ticket are pretty slim, but that’s not stopping many Louisianians from trying to strike it really rich…
CUT 7 (09) “take a chance”
Tickets for tonight’s drawing must be purchased before 9PM.
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The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a three year old child is dead after she accidentally shot herself with one of the family’s guns. Here’s Michelle Southern with more…
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

A businessman whose testimony helped put former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin in prison has been sentenced to a year and a day in prison after pleading guilty to fraud related to Nagin’s corruption case. Frank Fradella was sentenced today for making a $50,000 payoff to Nagin in exchange for favorable treatment of his business interests. Nagin is serving a 10-year prison sentence.

A Houma man is under arrest after four new born puppies were found dead in a home, one with a severed head. Police Chief Todd Duplantis says 52-year-old Richie Kiffe (KEEF) denied knowledge of why his girlfriend found the deceased animal but did admit he was passed out drunk. Duplantis says the woman continued to search for the other puppies…:
CUT 4 (11) “missing head”
Kiffe (KEEF) was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

As we approach the February 15th deadline, the US Department of Health and Human Services announces since open enrollment began on November 15th, 157,900 people in Louisiana have selected plans or were re-enrolled through HealthCare.gov. With only four days left, officials are urging uninsured citizens to get signed up for coverage if you haven’t already.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to a gigantic $500 million for tonight’s drawing. Have you thought about what you’d do if you win? Eric Gill has more…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Amazing atmosphere, amazing game, but the end result wasn’t great for the LSU Tigers basketball team who lost to number one ranked Kentucky 71-69 last night. LSU’s Keith Hornsby had a chance to win at the buzzer with a three-pointer, but his shot bounced off the rim. LSU’s Jarrell Martin led all scorers with 21 points as the Tigers fall to six and five in the SEC.

Discussions continue between the Jindal administration and legislative leaders on how to prevent a 400-million cut in state funding for higher education. Senate President John Alario says one option would be to limit the size of tax credits, especially when the credit is more than what the person or business pays in taxes…:

CUT 12 (05) “counting on before”
The state faces a one-point-six billion dollar revenue shortfall for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which could also mean large cuts for health care.

There’s been a tragedy in Lake Charles. Cops say a three year old child go a hold of a family weapon and shot and killed herself by mistake. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the guns were left out in a hurry, and three children encountered them when the tragedy took place. He says this is a valuable lesson for parents in that we have to be aware of our children at all times…:
CUT 10 (05) “buy gun locks”
He says no charges have been filed in this case but it’s in the hands of the DA.

The Powerball jackpot has grown to a half a billion dollars for tonight’s drawing. This one has been building since November 29th and has really shot up in the past couple of weeks. These Louisiana residents have a good idea of what they’ll do if they wind up with all six winning numbers…:
CUT 6 (07) “start living”
The ticket sale cutoff time is 9pm.

The American Automobile Association says the price of gas in Louisiana is shooting up faster than the national average, but that’s because the pump price here was so low to begin with. We’re up 2 cents from yesterday to $2.06 according to AAA.

A Houma man is under arrest after four new born puppies were found dead in a home, one with a severed head. Police Chief Todd Duplantis says 52-year-old Richie Kiffe (KEEF) is the live-in boyfriend of the woman who owned the puppies. He says the woman and Kiffe got into an argument and the woman left the home to calm down…:
CUT 3 (05) “severed”
The woman called the cops who found the suspect drunk on the couch. There were also three other dead puppies found. Kiffe was arrested, charged with four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office says a three year old child is dead after she accidently shot herself with one of the family’s guns. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the father was cleaning his guns and suddenly had to leave the house for work. He says the dad called the mom and told her to put the guns away when she got home…:
CUT 9 (09) “it’s horrible”
He says they are turning the matter over to the DA and it’s likely the case will go before a grand jury but for now no charges are filed.

At least 14 school districts have passed a resolution that asks the state not to punish them for students who decide not to take the Common Core standardized test. Jeff Palermo has the story..:
CUT 3 (30) “reporting”

Today Governor Bobby Jindal is back in Baton Rouge to attend the ground breaking ceremony for The Water Campus. The event is taking place this afternoon at 1:30.

The Powerball prize for tonight’s drawing is now $500 million dollars. The Louisiana Lottery announced the jackpot grew once again just this morning. The deadline to purchase a ticket is 9pm.

Over a dozen Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions that ask the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says as it stands now, school systems will receive a “zero” for every student who opts out…:
CUT 13 (09) “not to test”
BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, is not calling a special meeting, but “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting.

This morning Powerball raised tonight’s big jackpot to $500 million dollars according to the Louisiana Lottery. You have to get your tickets by nine tonight and if you’re going in with a group, the Lottery reminds you that in Louisiana only one entity or person can claim a prize. The odds of winning the big jackpot are one in 175 million.

Research from LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

State Police say a man who was fleeing Amite police Tuesday afternoon is dead after crashing into a house during the chase. They say 30-year-old Benjamin Zanders of Independence began running from cops on LA 16 in Tangipahoa Parish. Apparently the suspect traveled about 300 feet off a road and crashed into a residence in St. Helena Parish. Troopers suspect he was impaired and not buckled up. Zanders was pronounced dead at the scene.

A minimum of 14 Louisiana public school districts have passed resolutions asking the state not to enforce penalties for students who decide not take to the Common Core standardized tests. BESE President Chas Roemer, a supporter of Common Core, says “opt-outs” could be discussed at the board’s March 5th meeting. But Louisiana School Boards Association executive director Scott Richard says the uncertainty is not good for anyone…

cut 15 (09) “bubble over”

Students will take the Common Core exams the week of March 16th.

Now that a federal ruling has been issued in Alabama clearing the way for Clerk of Court offices to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples, what does this mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says all eyes right now are on the US Supreme court which is currently considering four cases…

cut 7 (10) “14th Amendment”

State Police say a motorcyclist is dead after crashing his bike on the Des Allemands Bridge last night in St. Charles Parish. They say 32-year-old Wesley Price of Des Allemands was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the right curb of the bridge, ejecting him from his motorcycle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities continue to investigate the crash.

Tonight’s Powerball jackpot has reached $485 million which is the third largest prize in the game’s history. Michelle Southern reports.

cut 2 (32) “reporting”

At least 14 school districts have passed a resolution that asks the state not to punish them for students who decide not to take the Common Core standardized test. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

State Police say a fatal accident in Union Parish has claimed the life of a Farmerville woman. Authorities say 80-year-old Martha Reichert crossed the center line of Highway 2 and hit a car driven by 59-year-old Sherry Acree head on. Acree was pronouned dead at the scene. Reichert was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

A federal ruling has cleared the way for Clerk of Court offices in Alabama to begin distributing marriage licenses for same sex couples. So, what does this mean for Louisiana? Loyola law professor Dane Ciolino says the final decision on same sex marriage will likely happen in Washington D.C….

cut 9 (05) “in June”

Same sex marriages are against state law in Louisiana and a recent federal ruling upholding that ban is currently under appeal.

An LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans research team finds that a psychedelic drug prevents the development of allergic asthma in mice. Lead researcher Dr. Charles Nichols says this research has shown that psychedelic drugs produce powerful anti-inflammatory activity and that could potentially help with other health issues as well. Nichols says testing on mice will continue and hopefully a clinical human trial will begin sometime in the future…

cut 6 (08) “it might help”

There are over 25 million people in the US known to have asthma.