02.06.15
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11:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

Mardi Gras season kicks into full swing this weekend with parades scheduled all across Louisiana. Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents will be on the the streets as usual to curb businesses from selling alcohol and tobacco to underage persons. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says his office understands that alcohol and Mardi Gras go hand-in-hand…
CUT 6 (10) “our mission”
He says statistically they have seen a decrease in sales to minors and hopes that trend continues this year.
As of today according to the American Automobile Association, gas prices are now above $2.00 again. AAA says the current statewide average for a gallon of regular is $2.01 and that’s up almost 15 cents from this time last week.
The state fire Marshal’s office believes a space heater is what caused a fire than claimed the life of one person in Tangipahoa Parish this morning. They say a 39-year-old woman perished in the blaze in the residence between Albany and Hammond around 2am. There were several others in the home who were able to escape through windows.
The Council for a Better Louisiana strongly objects to students opting out from taking the standardized assessments that’s tied to the Common Core education standards. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
CUT 1 (31) “reporting”
02.06.15
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10:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

Even though some families are writing opt-out letters indicating their child won’t be taking the assessment test associated with Common Core, many are saying that is not a good idea. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says it only hurts the kids by not letting them take an exam that determines student progress…:
CUT 16 (10) “is performing”
But Common Core opponents say this is a new way they are seeking to upend the state’s use of the education standards.
“Powerball-mania” continues to grow with tomorrow’s worth an estimated $360 million. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says this is the seventh largest jackpot in Powerball history and there’s a good chance it will go up today…:
CUT 3 (07) “a new jackpot”
Saturday’s jackpot has a cash value of $250.5 million.
The nation’s second largest health insurer is the latest to get hit by hackers and some Louisianians could be affected. At risk, the personal information of 80 million customers and employees of Anthem. 130,000 people in Louisiana have coverage under Amerigroup. That plan was breached and so was Unicare.
The City of Pineville is gearing up for their first Mardi Gras parade tonight. Scott Carwile reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”
02.06.15
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09:30 Newscast February 6th, 2015

The Council for a Better Louisiana doesn’t understand why parents would opt their kids out of taking the assessment tests that are part of the Common Core education standards.  So far a handful of parents have told local school systems their children will not take the tests, which will be given next month.  Former teacher and Common Core critic, Lee Barrios, backs Governor Jindal, who is calling on BESE to provide an alternate test…

cut 15 (09)  “instruction”

CABL President Barry Erwin says by allowing a child to opt out from taking an exam, it only hurts the student.

The city of Pineville is making final preparations for its first Mardi Gras.  The “Light the Night” parade will roll at 5:30.  Mayor Clarence Fields’ Chief of Staff, Rich Dupree, says they expect a great turnout…

cut 12 (12)  “at that parade”

Eleven floats and several marching bands will roll down Main Street tonight.

Crowley Police have arrested the man wanted in a Thursday morning deadly shooting.  They say 24-year-old Darius Thomas is accused of killing 24-year-old Daniel Tezeno when Tezeno tried to escape the vehicle they were riding in after Thomas attempted to rob him.  According to family members, Thomas and Tezeno were first cousins.  Thomas is charged with first degree murder.

There will be plenty for Louisiana to be rooting for this Sunday during the 57th annual Grammy Awards.  Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (30)  “reporting”

02.05.15
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AM Newscall February 6th, 2015

The Council for a Better Louisiana strongly objects to students opting out from taking the standardized assessments that’s tied to the Common Core education standards. Jeff Palermo has the story…

CUT 1 (31) “reporting”

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The City of Pineville is gearing up for their first Mardi Gras parade tonight. Scott Carwile reports…

Cut 2 (30) “reporting”

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There will be plenty for Louisiana to be rooting for this Sunday during the 57th annual Grammy awards ceremony. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 3 (30) “reporting”

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There will be plenty for Louisiana to be rooting for this Sunday during the 57th annual Grammy awards ceremony. There are at least a dozen locals who are nominated or who have ties to nominations on Music’s Biggest Night. Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne will be hosting the “Only in Louisiana” luncheon in Los Angeles tomorrow to honor the Bayou State and its nominees

cut 4  (10)  “Louisiana food”

There are several acts scheduled to perform including the Louisiana Grammy nominated Ledisi, Magnolia Sisters, Jo-El Sonnier and Bonsior Catin. Dardenne says Louisiana has had at least one Grammy nominee every year since the inception of the awards show except for 1960 and 1970…:

Cut 5  (09)  “world of music”

The Grammy music awards ceremony will broadcast on CBS at 7pm on Sunday. Dardenne says when they mingle with people from the music industry on Grammy weekend they also use the opportunity to get the world out that Louisiana is a great place to visit…:

Cut 6 (04)  “musicians”

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There’s been a surprise development in the ongoing Benson family feud as a judge in Texas has apparently decided to place a trust set up for Tom’s daughter Renee into the hands of the former San Antonio mayor, Phil Hardberger, and an attorney. Judge Tom Rickhoff is expected to make the official order on Monday. Legal analyst Tim Meche says this is a huge victory for Renee…:

CUT 7 (11)  “of her benefit”

Meche says now it’ll be up to Hardberger to make the decision on what will happen to some of Benson’s properties and it’s assumed that he won’t do what Tom Benson wanted…:

Cut 8  (10)  “rest of the businesses” 

Meche says Tom wanted Renee fired from various boards of companies owned by the trust, but now that probably won’t happen. He says the fact that Benson didn’t take the stand in the Texas hearing likely hurt his case…:

Cut 9 (09)  “Tom Benson”

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The City of Pineville is gearing up for their first Mardi Gras parade. Eleven floats and several marching bands will make their way down Main Street tonight. Mayor Clarence Field’s Chief of Staff, Rich Dupree, says this is something the citizens of Pineville have been wanting for many years and things fell into place for the city to put on their own parade this year…

Cut 10 (09)  “more memorable” 

Dupree says their sister city, Alexandria, has put on Mardi Gras parades for more than 20 years and many Krewe members in those parades are from Pineville. He says there are a couple of distinctions that will make Pineville’s parade stand out. First of all this will be one of the few night parades in central Louisiana…

cut 11 (10) “Taste of Mardi Gras”

Secondly, the parade will cross the Jackson Street bridge into Alexandria and end in time for the “Taste of Mardi Gras” event. The “Light the Night” parade will roll at 5:30PM. Dupree says they expect a great turnout for Pineville’s inaugural Mardi Gras celebration…

cut 12 (12)  “at that parade”

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The Council for a Better Louisiana says it doesn’t make sense for kids to opt out from taking the assessment tests that are part of the Common Core education standards. CABL president Barry Erwin says the tests measure a student’s progress and that’s important considering the state spends over three billion dollars on public schools..

Cut 13 (08)  “kids are doing”

But retired St. Tammany parish teacher and Common Core critic, Lee Barrios, says parents are frustrated with how and what their children are being taught because of the new education standards and opting out is there only option

Cut 14 (10)  “only control”

So far a handful of parents have told their local school systems their children will not take the Common Core test, which will be given next month. Barrios backs Governor Jindal, who is calling on BESE to provide an alternate test….

Cut 15  (09)  “instruction”

But Erwin says it only hurts the child, by allowing him or her to opt out from taking an exam that helps determine student progress…

Cut 16  (10)  “is performing”

 

 

02.05.15
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17:30 Newscast February 5, 2015

In an effort to reduce employee payroll in the face of budget cuts, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is offering employees an early retirement incentive rather than lay off employees. This early retirement incentive is an effort to comply with budget cuts required to balance the state budget. Strain says his department has already seen two mid-year budget cuts…

CUT 12 (06) “second cut”

Strain says a third budget cut is making the early retirement offers necessary.

With 10 days before open enrollment ends, nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Billy Justice, with Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe, says almost all of the carriers increased their premiums this year and the biggest challenge facing returning consumers is going back to recalculate their subsidy…

cut 4 (08) “paying each month”

Justice encourages people who are in need of health insurance to check out the marketplace.

Noranda Alumina in St. James Parish is asking the state department of environmental quality for permission to release mercury into the air, after learning they may have been doing so without a permit since they began operations in 1959. D-E-Q spokesperson Greg Langley says the refinery could be fined for releasing mercury without a permit…

cut 9 (09) “near future”

He says Norando didn’t know they were releasing mercury into the air so now they are seeking a permit so they can operate legally.

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs. The Budweiser commercial says “let them sip their pumpkin peach ale” and Abita President David Blossman responded to that with a video on YouTube bragging about making just such a beer once on a small scale…

cut 7 (09) “to point that out”

Blossman says Abita is proud to fuss over their beer which is a huge part of the culture in Louisiana.

02.05.15
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16:45 Sportscast February 5, 2015

The agent for Saints backup quarterback Luke McCown announced that his client is returning to the Black and Gold next season. He’s reportedly signed a one-year deal that will pay him 970-thousand dollars next year. The former Louisiana Tech QB has been with the Saints since the 2013 season.

Based on what football recruiting experts say, LSU’s 2015 class is ranked anywhere between the fifth best class in the nation to the 13th. While fans like focusing on the four and five star prospects, LSU Coach Les Miles says Jesuit tight end Foster Moreau is a three-star prospect to keep an eye on
cut 18 (16) “…off the field”
Acadiana’s Bry’Kiethon Mouton is another three-star tight end that’s part of LSU’s 2015 signing class.

Bossier Parish Community College makes history as they sign a female player to a baseball scholarship. Michelle Southern reports…
cut 2 (30) “….reporting”

Former Southeastern Louisiana star Wade Miley has signed a three-year contract extension with the Boston Red Sox. Miley will reportedly receive 19-million dollars over the course of the deal and there is an option for fourth year. Miley spent his first four seasons with Arizona, last year with the D-Backs he was 8-and-12 with a 4.34 ERA.

02.05.15
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LRN Newscast 16:30 02-05-15

The US Department of Health and Human Services reports, nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act…
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

A judge in Texas has appointed someone to assist in the Tom Benson feud. At the same time, the judge kept the order preventing Benson from banning his heirs from assests tied to the car dealerships, and other property. Former San Antonio Mayor Phil Hardberger is a lawyer and former chief justice for the Texas 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

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Noranda Alumina in St. James Parish is asking the D-E-Q for permission to release mercury into the air, after they recently discovered they may have been doing it already without a permit since they began operations in 1959. D-E-Q spokesperson Greg Langley says now the company is seeking a permit, so they can operate legally…
CUT 11 (10) Q: “all those are factor”
Noranda could be facing some fines as a result.

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs. The beer giant’s commercial shows people sniffing beer and saying brews shouldn’t be fussed over. Abita President David Blossman says they are proud to fuss over beer…
CUT 6 (11) “in a certain way”

02.05.15
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LRN Newscast 15:30 02-05-15

With 10 days before open enrollment ends, nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Billy Justice, Director of Marketing for Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe, feels people are getting more knowledgeable…
CUT 3 (07) “that are offered”
The deadline to enroll is Febrary 15th.

With Budweiser’s Super bowl ad attacking the so-called craft beers, The Abita Brewing Company in Abita Springs is firing back with their own video message, saying – quote- “we’re no dog and pony show,” with a jab at the puppy and horses, and reminding beer drinkers of the differences between the two brews…
CUT 8 (10) Q: “brewing is fun”
That’s Abita President David Blossman.
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In St. James Parish, Noranda Alumina is asking the State Department of Environmental Quality for permission to release mercury into the air, after learning they may have been doing so without a permit since they opened. D-E-Q spokesperson Greg Langley says they need to determine how much mercury has been released, and for how long, first before they fine…
CUT 10 (10) Q; “how soon”

Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says they are offering employees an early retirement incentive rather than layoffs, in an effort to reduce employee payroll in the face of budget cuts. He says the workforce has been almost cut in half since 2007, but despite their fourth layoff avoidance plan, they have worked hard to fufill their mission…
CUT 14 (08) Q: ’12 billion dollars’

02.05.15
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LRN Newscast 14:30 02-05-15

With only a week and a half left in open enrollment for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, officials say it’s time to get it done. Billy Justice, who is the Director of Marketing for Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe says people need of health insurance have plenty of options for residents…
CUT 5 (07) “for themselves”

In an effort to reduce employee payroll in the face of budget cuts, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is offering employees an early retirement incentive rather than layoff employees. Strain says a third budget cut is making the early retirement offers necessary. This plan is expected to result in continuing payroll savings and lessen layoffs next budget year. Strain says any further reduction in staff will make it difficult for his department to perform
CUT 13 (06) Q: ‘is critical’
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Police in Crowley are searching for a suspect who allegedly shot and killed another man during an overnight robbery. The two men were reportedly in the same vehicle where a struggle took place, and 24 year-old Darius Thomas allegedly shot 24 year-old Daniel Tezeno as he tried to escape from the vehicle. Tezeno was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs…:
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

02.05.15
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13:30 Newscast February 5th, 2015

We’re 10 days away before open enrollment ends and so far nearly 150,000 Louisianians have signed up through the Affordable Care Act. That’s according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Billy Justice, with Vantage HealthPlan in Monroe, says almost all of the carriers increased their premiums this year and the biggest challenge facing returning consumers is going back to recalculate their subsidy…:
CUT 4 (08) “paying each month”
Justice encourages people who are in need of health insurance to check out the marketplace.

In an effort to reduce employee payroll in the face of budget cuts, Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain is offering employees an early retirement incentive rather than lay off employees. This early retirement incentive is an effort to comply with budget cuts required to balance the state budget. Strain says his department has already seen two mid-year budget cuts…:
CUT 12 (06) “second cut”

Abita Brewing Co. in Abita Springs has fired back at Budweiser’s Super Bowl commercial which essentially says craft beer is for snobs. The Budweiser commercial says “let them sip their pumpkin peach ale” and Abita President David Blossman responded to that with a video on YouTube bragging about making just such a beer once on a small scale…:
CUT 7 (09) “to point that out”
Blossman says Abita is proud to fuss over their beer which is a huge part of the culture in Louisiana.

Saints Owner Tom Benson will not testify in a Texas courtroom at a hearing over his car dealerships, ranch and other assets in and around San Antonio. Benson’s attorneys say he has left Texas and returned to Louisiana. Analysts say it’s not good for the 87-year-old to not speak in the case where his daughter and grandchildren are fighting to try and force Benson to keep paying them trust fund money.