Officials in New Orleans want people who are heading to The Big Easy for Mardi Gras over the next few days to know that the city is safer than ever. Michelle Southern reports…:
CUT 1 (26) “reporting”
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People go out to eat to celebrate Valentine’s Day more than any other Holiday behind Mother’s Day. Michelle Southern reports.
Cut 2 (31) “reporting”
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The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act comes to an end Sunday. Jeff Palermo reports…
Cut 3 (29) “reporting”
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Officials in New Orleans want people who are heading to The Big Easy for Mardi Gras over the next few days to know that the city is safer than ever. Convention and Visitors Bureau President Stephen Perry says State Police is bringing in 150 extra troopers into the city to help keep the Carnival crowd under control…:
cut 4 (09) “the NOPD”
Perry says they are trying to spread the word that Mardi Gras season is typically one of the most protected times of the year in New Orleans…:
Cut 5 (10) “for visitors”
Perry says with the increased presence of state police combining forces with the NOPD, they are expecting this to be one of the safest Mardi Gras season’s in history…:
Cut 6 (10) “around the world”
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Love is in the air. Valentine’s night is the 2nd most popular Holiday to eat out as couples rush to dine romantically by candle light. Erica Burns with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says one quarter of Americans go out on February 14th which is about 70 million people…:
CUT 7 (09) “in Louisiana”
Burns says if you haven’t made a reservation yet then it’s probably too late to do so and you definitely shouldn’t go to a fancy spot if you’re not on the list. But she says because Valentine’s Day falls on a Saturday, many establishments are expanding their sweet specials…:
Cut 8 (09) “on Saturday”
Burns says there are a lot of parades happening throughout the state this weekend and many restaurants find themselves working in Mardi Gras traffic as well. She says the day of love butts up with Fat Tuesday every few years and establishments typically see it as an opportunity to extend Valentine’s Day promotions…:
Cut 9 (10) “of days”
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The open enrollment period to purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act comes to an end Sunday. Kara James, with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services, says over 157,000 Louisianians have signed up for insurance this year through the federal marketplace. She says if you have yet to enroll, this would be a good day to take care of that…
Cut 10 (07) “take less time”
This year’s enrollment figures are a nearly 55-percent increase from last year. James says individuals who are not covered may have to pay a fee when they file their taxes. She says there have been several improvements to the HealthCare-dot-gov website to make it easier and faster for people to enroll…
cut 11 (07) “up for coverage”
Although premiums in the marketplace have risen since last year’s open enrollment, James says financial assistance is available that can help many lower their monthly payment. She says nine out of ten Louisianians, who have selected coverage, were determined eligible for assistance to lower their monthly premium…
cut 12 (08) “those tax credits”
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A member of the “Angola 3” is indicted for a third time in the 1972 murder of an Angola prison guard. Albert Woodfox’s case went before a West Feliciana Parish grand jury, because a federal appeals court overturned his last conviction on grad jury selection issues. Tony Clayton is prosecuting the case for the Louisiana Attorney General’s office…:
Cut 13 (10) “horrible murder”
Woodfox originally went to Angola on an armed robbery conviction and is currently being held in solitary confinement, since the stabbing death of Brent Miller. Woodfox was one of three people convicted but Woodfox has argued he’s an innocent man. Clayton says evidence shows otherwise…:
Cut 14 (10) “security guard”
Woodfox is the last imprisoned member of the Angola Three. Amnesty International has been actively trying to free Woodfox from prison. Spokeswoman Jasmine Heiss says they believe the AG’s office is pursuing a campaign of vengeance against Woodfox…:
Cut 15 (10) “tainted with flaws”
Heiss says there is no physical evidence that ties Woodfox to the crime and the state’s eyewitnesses were given serious favors in exchange for their testimony. She says they also believe the state mysteriously lost a piece of evidence that would have exonerated Woodfox…:
Cut 16 (10) “four decades”
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The 2015 college baseball season begins tonight with the second ranked LSU Tigers hosting the Kansas Jayhawks at Alex Box Stadium. Tigers shortstop Alex Bregman believes this team has what it takes to get back to the College World Series…
Cut 17 (11) “be more excited”
LSU begins the season against a team that won 35 games a season ago and reached the NCAA Tournament. And Coach Paul Mainieri says Kansas has won five of the last six games played two teams
Cut 18 (11) “Texas’
The Ragin Cajuns were in the Super Regionals last year and they begin this season at Texas San Antonio. Sophomore right-hander Chris Charpentier will get the start on the mound tonight. He only made one start last season for the Cajuns, but Coach Tony Robichaux says he’s earned the opportunity to start on opening night…
Cut 19 (11) “strike zone”
Southeastern Louisiana is coming off an NCAA Regional appearance as they open the 2015 campaign by hosting Louisiana Tech. Head Coach Matt Riser says he wants to take the Lions program to another level this season
Cut 20 (15) “damage”