A survey of Louisiana teachers finds 78-percent of them believe state-required standardized tests takes too much time away from classroom instruction. Louisiana Association of Educators president Debbie Meaux says teachers believe there’s an overemphasis on standardized testing in state’s school accountability system…:
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She believes students should only be required to take standardized tests once in elementary school, then again in middle school and one more time on the high school level.

The victims and suspects in the Pointe Coupee Parish shootings have been identified. Deputies say Jamie Croom is accused in the murders and currently remains at large but should be considered armed and dangerous. The victims are Seneca and Lischelle Williams who were murdered at the Sugar Shack over night in New Roads.

The Lafayette Police Department believes the person responsible for a fiery three car wreck yesterday was driving drunk. They say 23-year-old Bryce Champman slammed into a vehicle which was stopped to turn and upon impact engulfed in flames killing the driver. Champman is charged with 2nd offense OWI and Vehicular homicide.

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Bernice woman is under arrest after leaving her eight-month old son on a relative’s doorstep. Sheriff Dusty Gates says they received a call from the child’s father reporting that the baby was left outside a relative’s residence in Bernice…:
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The infant’s mother, 23-year-old Keondra Ferguson, is charged with criminal child abandonment.

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office says a brother and sister are dead after being shot at the a bar called Sugar Shack in New Roads early this morning. They say there was some sort of fight that started inside the club and spilled outside, but not much else is known at this point and the names of the victims and potential suspects are not being released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.

Today is the start of the Lenten season which is a really big 40 days for the seafood industry as many people give up meat. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says we need things to warm up to grow supply…:
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He says fish are in great supply right now and this is the best time of year to get the best big juicy Louisiana oysters.

The Union Parish Sheriff’s office says a 23-year-old mother is behind bars accused of abandoning her 8 month old son on a doorstep in mid-30 degree temperatures. They say Keondra Ferguson of Bernice allegedly left the baby outside strapped in a car-seat covered with a blanket at the home of the paternal grandfather who made the discovery 90 minutes later. The mother is charged with criminal child abandonment.

Today a church in Shreveport is offering drive-thru Ash Wednesday ashes. Scott Carwile reports…:
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Baton Rouge based Marucci BodiTrak has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. President Curtis Cruz says when an impact or collection of impacts registers hard enough into the fabric, a team official will automatically be notified via a mobile device…

cut 15 (07) “this level”

He says to truly help prevent concussions there needs to be a better way to detect injuries and provide care.

Today in Shreveport, Christ United Methodist Church will offer “Drive By Ashes” to accommodate those who’s schedules won’t allow them to make their full Ash Wednesday church service. Associate Pastor Kelly Berne says this is just another way to minister amid today’s hectic lifestyles…

cut 6 (06) “their busy schedule”

She says they will be set up in the church parking lot from 11 – 4 and you can receive your ashes without leaving your car.

The Union Parish Sheriff’s Office says a Bernice woman is charged with criminal child abandonment after leaving her eight-month old son on his grandfather’s doorstep, wrapped in a blanket and fastened in a car seat. They say the child was outside, with temperatures in the mid-30s, for over 90 minutes before being discovered. 23-year-old Keondra Ferguson admitted to authorities that she left the child because she was depressed and there was no one to help her. The father is now taking care of the baby.

Abita Brewing Company announces their craft-brewed root beer is now available in cans. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 2 (30) “reporting”

A Baton Rouge company has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (32) “reporting”

Falling temperatures has prompted the National Weather Service to issued freeze warnings for portions Louisiana. Assumption, Lafourche, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, Orleans, and Terrebonne Parishes are under a freeze warning. A hard freeze warning has been issued for Tangipahoa, Washington, St. Tammany, and St. Helena Parishes. The warnings will be in effect until Thursday morning.

With the beginning of Lent, many people will be totally giving up meat for the next 40 days or at least eating seafood only on Fridays. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says once we have a good warm front roll through we should see quality seafood at the market for a good price…

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Pearce says fish is in excellent supply right now.

A Shreveport church has found a unique way to distribute ashes on Ash Wednesday. Christ United Methodist Church has been offering “Drive By Ashes” since 2011 and Associate Pastor Kelly Berne expects over 100 people will drive through today. She says there will be tables set up in the church parking lot and all you’ll need to do is drive up…

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And you never have to leave your car. The service will be offered from 11AM til 4PM today.

The Lenten season begins today which means many people will be totally giving up meat for the next 40 days or at least eating seafood only on Fridays. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says fish is in excellent supply right now and this is the time of year that oysters are at their best…

cut 8 (08) “of items”

He says as temperatures warm up, crawfish and crab will be in good supply.

As people across the state head to their local places of worship to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, a Shreveport church is offering ashes to go. Christ United Methodist Church will offer “Drive By Ashes” to accommodate those who’s schedules won’t allow them to make their full church service. Associate Pastor Kelly Berne says this is an event that has done well…

cut 4 (10) “will drive-thru”

She says there will be tables set up in the church parking lot and all you’ll need to do is drive up to receive your ashes.

Marucci BodiTrack of Baton Rouge has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. President Curtis Cruz says to truly help prevent concussions there needs to be a better way to detect injuries and provide care…

cut 14 (12) “what to do”

Cruz says this technology will makes its debut during LSU spring football and then there will be pilot programs with several youth football organizations in the fall.

Abita Brewing Company now offers their craft-brewed root beer in cans. Abita President David Blossman says their root beer is unique in that it’s made with pure Louisiana cane sugar…

cut 11 (10) “and our root beer”

He says it’s the same great old-fashioned root beer they’ve been making for years, but now in a recyclable aluminum can.

Today is the start of the Lenten season and many people will be totally giving up meat for the next 40 days or at least eating seafood only on Fridays. Gulf Seafood Institute chairman Harlon Pearce says the warmer things get, the better the supply will be of our Louisiana favorites…

cut 7 (09) “out there”

Pearce says fish is in excellent supply right now and this is the time of year that oysters are at their best.

Abita Brewing Company announces their craft-brewed root beer is now available in cans. Abita President David Blossman says ever since they launched Abita beer in cans, people have been asking for their root beer to be in cans too including his own family…

cut 10 (08) “of events”

Blossman says their popular root beer will also continue to be sold in six-pack glass bottles.

A Baton Rouge company has developed what they call a smart fabric to help diagnose head injuries to football players during games. Marucci BodiTrack’s President Curtis Cruz says they place this pressure-mapping fabric inside helmets and it registers each hit taken in real-time…

cut 13 (10) “as well”

Cruz says knowing exactly where a player took a hit and how hard the impact was is important later on down the road when you’re actually providing care and treatment. He says this technology will makes its debut during LSU spring football.

Folks in Louisiana have enjoyed Fat Tuesday festivities, despite some cold temperatures. At the Courir de Mardi Gras in Mamou, Mayor Ricky Fontentot says the riders and runners were out in their costumes and ready to roll through the countryside as they do every year…
cut 6 (10) “…enjoying themselves”

A report by the Schott Foundation for Public Education shows the black male high school graduation rates in Louisiana trails whites’ by 16 points. For the 2012-13 school year, only 53-percent of black male students graduated compared to 69-percent of white males. Foundation President John Jackson says these numbers are reason for concern…:
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He says the results of this study indicate a climate that doesn’t foster health living and learning environments for black males.

State Police say a third person has died from Monday’s truck versus train collision in DeSoto Parish. Trooper Matt Harris says the driver and the two passengers in the truck were the ones killed in the wreck. Harris says truck attempted to cross over a set of tracks that didn’t have a warning gate or lights…
cut 9 (09) “…proceed forward”
Harris says they believe the driver stopped, but began moving forward when it was already too late and they were hit.

Union Parish authorities have arrested a 23-year-old mother who allegedly left her eight-month-old son on his grandfather’s droopstep wrapped in a blanket and in a car seat. Detectives say Keondra Kenshun Ferguson left the child there, because she was depressed and there was no one to help her. Deputies believe the child was outside in mid-30 temperatures for an hour and a half. Ferguson was charged with child abandonment and the father is now taking care of the baby.