Concerns are mounting over a US Environmental Protection Agency plan to perform an open tray burn in northwest Louisiana as a way to dispose 15-million pounds of M-6 propellant. Jeff Palermo has more…:
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Governor Bobby Jindal today announced J&M Industries will expand the company’s tarp manufacturing facility at the Ponchatoula Industrial Park. He says it’s a $4.5 million dollar investment and will retain 107 existing jobs and create 30 new direct jobs.

The Bossier City Police Department says a 25-year-old Shreveport woman is booked with negligent homicide in the death of her son who was killed in a crash she was involved in. Spokesman Mark Natale says Quirtisha Allen was arrested Thursday in connection with the September 2014 incident…:
CUT 9 (10) “in the crash”
Natale says they also found out speed was a factor in the crash. Allen is being held on $45,000 bond.

Newsday is reporting Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and his wife Brittany have donated $200,000 through their Dream Foundation to help rebuild homes in New York damaged by Superstorm Sandy. The United Way of Long Island calls Brees a true Saint.

The latest fund raising totals from Republican Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle shows he is a serious candidate for governor. Angelle announced that his campaign has raised over $1.5 million since he announced his candidacy on October 2nd. UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this certainly answers some questions about Angelle’s ability to raise money…:
CUT 6 (12) “to doing that”
Angelle is one of three Republicans seeking the governorship, along with Senator David Vitter and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne.

According to the American Automobile Association, the current statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is now at the predicted $2.00 mark. That’s down over 47 cents from a month ago and we’re paying $1.13 less a gallon from this time last year.

According to a recent study out of Yale University, cold weather can make you sick. Dr. Fred Lopez is an Infectious Diseases specialist at the LSU New Orleans School of Medicine. He says they are finding validity to the fact that the lower the temperature outside, the more likely a cold virus is going to thrive…:
CUT 12 (07) “colder temperatures”
He says staying out of the cold does help, but once the virus enters a chilly nose then it’s more likely to keeping growing.

A Lafayette man is charged with vehicular homicide and third-offense DWI after a two-vehicle fatal crash last night. Lafayette Police say 43-year-old Miguel Reyes of Lafayette ignored a stop sign and collided with a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Jeanne Tatman. Tatman was pronounced dead at the scene. Reyes was treated for injuries at a local hospital and later booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

There’s a growing concern in northwest Louisiana over a plan to burn 15-million pounds of M6 propellant in steel trays at Camp Minden. Minden Mayor Tommy Davis says they’re worried about possible health effects…:
CUT 3 (10) “environmental impact”
The explosive propellant once belonged to Explo Systems, who went bankrupt which is why it’s in bunkers at Camp Minden. It’s deteriorating so there is a worry it could explode if not disposed of soon.

Judge’s in the 5th circuit court of appeals will hear arguments today for three cases involving Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi’s ban on same-sex marriage. A Federal judge upheld the state’s ban on same-sex marriage last year but the ruling was appealed. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the 5th Circuit is one of the most conservative in the nation…:
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He says the ultimate decision will come from the US Supreme Court, possibly this year.

Louisiana public schools receive an overall grade of D-plus from Education Week’s annual report card. Scott Carwile has the story…:
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A 25-year-old Shreveport woman has been charged with negligent homicide after her son was killed in an accident she was involved in. Cops say the 6-year-old child was in the front seat and was not wearing a seat belt when the crash took place. They also believe Quirtish Allen was speeding. her bond was set at $45,000.

A winter weather advisory is in effect until noon today for Catahoula and Concordia Parishes in eastern Louisiana. This advisory means light sleet and light freezing rain will cause travel difficulties, especially on bridges and overpasses. A wintry mix of precipitation, including sleet, is moving through central Louisiana this morning.

The first bill of what’s expected to be many items dealing with cell phone use while driving has been proposed for the 2015 legislative session. Michelle Southern reports…

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The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases today regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In November, the 6th Circuit upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states which created a circuit split on the issue. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the ultimate decision on same-sex marriage will come from the US Supreme Court, perhaps this year…

cut 6 (09) “resolve this issue”

The US Supreme Court will privately discuss same-sex marriage cases from several states today, including Louisiana.

A grand jury in Calcasieu Parish decided not to indict former LSU and NFL player, Brandon Winey, on a charge of attempted second degree murder. Authorities believe Winey arrived at a woman’s apartment while Tahj Jones was there and an argument between the two men lead to a fight where Winey shot Jones in the stomach. Winey’s attorney, Walt Sanchez, says Winey is very pleased the grand jury did not send down an indictment…

cut 12 (05) “his life”

Sanchez says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense.

Today the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals will hear three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Jeff Palermo reports…

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A Lafayette man is charged with vehicular homicide and third-offense DWI after a two-vehicle fatal crash last night. Lafayette Police say 43-year-old Miguel Reyes of Lafayette ignored a stop sign and collided with a vehicle driven by 50-year-old Jeanne Tatman. Tatman was pronounced dead at the scene. Reyes was treated for injuries at a local hospital and later booked into the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center.

Education Week’s annual report gives Louisiana’s public schools a grade of D-plus. Louisiana received a grade of D-Minus for K-through-12 Achievement, but received a grade of B-minus for its early-education programs. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says they could do even better with pre-K, if they had more dollars going towards it…

cut 15 (08) “these programs”

The state’s public education system is ranked 44th, up five spots from their previous report.

State Representative Tim Burns of Mandeville will introduce a bill in the upcoming legislative session restricting the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Burns says this is a reasonable request as eyes should remain on roadways…

cut 9 (10) “to their ear”

He says the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging off the side of the bridge has gone from one every 5 years to three a year now.

The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi today. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says supporters will argue that the state has to have a legitimate reason in denying two adults who want to marry, the right to do so. He says opponents will argue on the strength of state’s rights…

cut 5 (09) “their state”

In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit.

D-plus is the grade for Louisiana public schools from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings, because historically the Bayou State has ranked 48th or 49th when it comes to public education…

cut 14 (06) “to accomplish”

He says a series of reforms passed in 2012 will lead to better grades in the future.

Representative Tim Burns of Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. He says people who drive the Causeway seem more prone to be on their phones while behind the wheel which is a major problem…

cut 8 (11) “electronic device”

The bill would require people who drive The Causeway to use wireless technology if they want to talk on the phone.

A Calcasieu Parish grand jury did not indict a former LSU and NFL player Brandon Winey on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot once in the stomach by Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Winey’s attorney, Walt Sanchez, says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense…:

cut 11 (07) “right result”

Winey played at LSU from 1998-2000 and spent two seasons playing for the Miami Dolphins.

Today the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals hears three cases regarding same-sex marriage bans in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. In September, Federal Judge Martin Feldman upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage, but the ruling was appealed to the 5th Circuit. Tulane Constitutional Law Professor Keith Werhan says the 5th Circuit is one of the most conservative circuit courts in the nation…

cut 4 (06) “same-sex marriage”

In November, the 6th Circuit upheld same-sex marriage bans in four states.

A state lawmaker from Mandeville is introducing a bill in the upcoming legislative session that would restrict the use of cell phones to “hands-free” only on the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Representative Tim Burns says the number of fatal accidents involving vehicles plunging off the side of the bridge has gone from one every 5 years to three a year now…

cut 7 (09) “distracted driving”

Burns supports a statewide ban on hand held cell phone use while driving.

Louisiana’s public schools receive a grade of D-plus from Education Week as part of their annual report. The state’s public education system is also ranked 44th, up five spots from their previous report. House Education Chairman, Steve Carter of Baton Rouge, says a series of reforms passed in 2012, including one that allows educators who perform well to get paid more, will lead to a better grade in the future…

cut 13 (09) “good principal”

Carter says it’s encouraging to see Louisiana move up in the rankings.

A grand jury in Calcasieu Parish did not indict a former LSU and NFL player on an attempted second degree murder charge. According to authorities, Tahj Jones was shot by Brandon Winey during an altercation in April of last year. Walt Sanchez is the defense attorney for Winey. He says this case is far more complicated than was originally reported…

cut 10 (12) “appropriate resolution”

Sanchez says he’s glad the grand jury agreed that the gun was fired in self defense.