The yo-yoing of the temperatures is making us more susceptible to sickness according to experts. But James Diaz, the Program Director of Occupational Health Sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, says there things you can do to protect yourself…:
CUT 12 (09) “last fall”
With temperatures for most of the state in the 70s yesterday and 30s today, Diaz says immune systems can weaken so it’s important to do your best to protect against germs.

State Police continue to urge caution on roadways as winter weather conditions remain. Troop F reports they are working a crash involving several 18 wheelers on Highway 165 in Morehouse Parish. Both the north and south bound lanes of traffic are blocked in the area. Several interstate ramps remained closed. Troopers say if you must drive please be safe.

No more elephants at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The company announces the phase out of the act by 2018. Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson it’s about time. Many in the public have voiced concerns regarding how elephants and other animals have been treated by the circus. Dorson says negative reinforcement is often used to train these elephants…:
CUT 14 (07) “public’s wishes”
Horses, dogs, tigers and other animals will continue to be used in the shows.

Governor Bobby Jindal announces Hunting Energy Services is completing a $62 million dollar industrial expansion near Houma. The company is consolidating and expanding its Terrebonne Parish operations with a facility designed to broaden its services to the offshore oil industry. The project creates 20 new direct jobs and retain 103 existing jobs. The company estimates the project will generate 75 construction jobs.

Many people feel like these dramatic changes in the outside temperature fuels a greater opportunity for sickness and there are some healthy measures you can take from experts. High temperatures were in the 70s yesterday and today they are in the 30s and 40s. James Diaz is the Program Director of Occupational Health Sciences at LSU Health New Orleans. He says during seasonal changes you need to make sure air passages are dry.:
CUT 10 (07) “keep well hydrated”
He says if you haven’t done so already, get your flu shot.

Many areas in North Louisiana either reported snow or the mixture of freezing rain and sleet. State Police say crashes are being reported as far south as I-49 and US Highway 190. They urge drivers to use extreme cautions today in these conditions.

It looks like the end of an era is coming for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 2 (30) “reporting”

Gas prices are unchanged from yesterday statewide. The average is $2.24 a gallon.

As we wake up to an extremely cold day in Louisiana, especially compared to yesterday, many areas of the state are dealing with adverse road conditions. From Acadiana to north Louisiana, traveling should be treated with caution as crashes are reported due to heavy sleet and freezing rain reports. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says if you do have to drive please be careful…:
CUT 9 (10) “your house”
Additional troopers have been dispatched to areas of deteriorating weather conditions.

Louisiana Lottery officials are asking residents to spread the word that someone has a Powerball ticket worth $10,000 and it expires in one month. The winning ticket is from the October 8th drawing and the last day to claim the prize is April 6th. It was bought at the Albertson’s on Perkins Road in Baton Rouge.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a mother in Houma dragged her daughter around by her hair, made her drink hot sauce and whipped her with a belt for punishment. Captain Dawn Foret says they got a call from a local junior high where the 13-year-old victim attended school…:
CUT 5 (10) “from her mother”
Detectives confirmed the child had severe bruising on many areas of her body. The mother, 33-year-old Gricelda Mejia (Gra-Sil-Da, Ma-Hee-A) was arrested for one count of cruelty to a juvenile.

It looks like the end of an era is coming for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Feld Entertainment, the circus’ parent company, has announced they are phasing out their fabled elephant acts by 2018. Jeff Dorson, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana, wants to thank Ringling Bros. for finally doing the right thing…:
CUT 13 (09) “for them”

The cold front that began moving through Louisiana last night has produced some dicey driving conditions in the northern half of the state. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says all roads in the area are passable, although some overpasses, bridges, and on-and-off ramps are closed…:
CUT 7 (08) “but passable”
He says if you do have to drive in these conditions, use extreme caution and make smart decisions when you get behind the wheel.

The Alexandria Police Department says they’ve arrested two juveniles in the case the murder of a 21-year-old man who was found dead early Sunday in the City Park Area. Lt. Bruce Fairbanks says solving the case of Kendrick Dewayne Hayes was a top priority…:
CUT 3 (06) “processing evidence”
He says detectives have charged a 15-year-old and a 16-year-old with the offense of first degree murder. No other details are being released at this time.

A report released this week by Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera suggests that Louisiana can increase revenues by increasing oyster lease rates during efforts to address the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit…:
CUT 2 (29) “reporting”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a mother in Houma dragged her daughter around by her hair, made her drink hot sauce and whipped her with a belt for punishment. Detectives confirmed the 13-year-old had severe bruising on several areas of her body. The mother, 33-year-old Gricelda Mejia was arrested for one count of cruelty to a juvenile.

At today’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting, one question that will be addressed is what to do about Common Core Opt-Outs. BESE member Jane Smith says BESE needs a least a year to figure out a compromise when it comes to Common Core because clearly there are issues as students opt-out of the tests because their parents don’t think it’s appropriate…

cut 12 (10) “and teachers”

Smith says, as it stands now, the school would get a zero for any student who opts-out towards its performance score.

The New Orleans Saints have released running back Pierre Thomas from the team. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says, although the fans love him, this is about winning games…

cut 15 (13) “they’re paying you”

Thomas complied 3,745 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns on 187 carries in his eight seasons with the Saints.

There are reports of snow in the Shreveport-Bossier City area and a wintry mix falling in Monroe as a result of a cold front that began moving through Louisiana last night. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for north Louisiana and central Louisiana is under a Winter Weather Advisory. Both alerts expire at noon today. State highway officials have closed a portion of I-49 and I-220 in the Shreveport area as a precaution.

Sleep experts have tips on how to prepare your children for the springing forward this Sunday with the time change. Emelie Gunn has more….

cut 1 (28) “reporting”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will meet today and one of the items on the agenda is the question of what to do about Common Core Opt-Outs. Michelle Southern reports…

cut 3 (28) “reporting”

The cold front that began moving through the state last night has caused another round of wintry precipitation in north Louisiana. There are reports of snow in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, as well as a wintry mix in Monroe. State highway officials have closed a portion of I-49 and I-220 in the Shreveport area as a precaution. A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until noon in north Louisiana. Central Louisiana is under a Winter Weather Advisory until noon, as well.

In an effort to address the state’s $1.6 billion budget deficit, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera suggests that Louisiana increase its oyster lease rates. The audit report recommends more than doubling the lease rate, from $2 an acre to $5.20. Sal Sunseri, with P&J Oysters in New Orleans, says this proposed rate increase will effect more than just the consumer…

cut 9 (06) “lose farmers”

He says a reasonable rate increase would be acceptable, but what is proposed is just too great.

Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend and sleep experts have some tips for parents on ways to prepare their children for losing an hour of sleep. Laura Swartz with Healthy Happy Sleep says the change will be easy for naturally early risers but most parents will know if they’re children are sensitive to changes in their routine.

cut 6 (15) “certain activities”

Swartz says give yourself permission to relax about this change since parents tend to over think the process.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meets today and one item on the agenda is the question of what to do about Common Core Opt-Outs. BESE member Jane Smith says parents not letting their kids take the PARCC test is a variable that punishes the school that they can’t control…

cut 11 (09) “accountability policy”

Smith says students who opt-out of taking the Common Core test won’t be punished but it’s the school that would get a zero for that student towards its performance score.

With Daylight Saving Time beginning this weekend, sleep experts have tips for preparing your children for losing an hour of sleep. Laura Swartz with Healthy Happy Sleep says you should start waking your kids up 15 minutes earlier than usual.

cut 5 (11) “of seven”

She also suggests keeping sleep patterns the same after the time has changed.

A report released this week by Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera suggests that increasing oyster lease rates can increase revenues for the state in light of the $1.6 billion budget shortfall. But Sal Sunseri, with P&J Oysters in New Orleans, points out the oyster industry is not a subsidized farming industry like many industries in agriculture…

cut 8 (12) “get subsidized”

The audit report recommends raising the lease rate from $2 and acre to $5.20, which Sunseri says is just too great.

In a move to save over $1.7 million against the salary cap, the New Orleans Saints have released running back Pierre Thomas from the team. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the move is really not a surprise, but the Saints will really miss is his pass protection skills…

cut 14 (07) “with one team”

Detillier says Thomas, who’s spent all of his 8 seasons with the team, gave New Orleans the screen game back like no one since Dalton Hilliard.