The four candidates for governor were in Shreveport for a forum today and Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne was the only candidate to come out in support of Common Core. When asked about the education standards, Dardenne said, “Now is not the time for Louisiana to retreat.” UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this may be a good move for Dardenne right now…:

CUT 12 (07) “abandoned it”
Cross predicts that Common Core will be one of the bigger issues during this gubernatorial election.

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued a winter storm warning for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster Parishes as those areas could be looking at close to 4 inches of snow. Areas further east including Monday are under winter weather advisories and watches into tomorrow. The Department of Transportation says they’ve used 2500 gallons of de-icing liquid, over a million pounds of salt and say there is plenty left as crews address affected bridges and roadways.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $2.15 cents, after jumping two cents from the previous day. American Automobile Association fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices have been on the rise for a month and it’s not a surprise…:
CUT 6 (08) “spring time”
The statewide average a month ago was a $1.88.

Governor Bobby Jindal will be in New Orleans today to make an economic development announcement at the Port around 1:30.

If you’re planning to travel to the Shreveport area tonight or tomorrow you may want to rethink your plans as the national weather service says that region could see up to 4 inches of snow…:
CUT 4 (10) “an inch or two”
NWS-Shreveport Meteorologist Mario Valverde says a winter storm warning is in effect for Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, Union and Webster. Parishes south of I-20 and into the Monroe area and Northeast Louisiana are under a winter weather advisory and winter storm watch.

The Livingston Parish Sheriff’s office is investigating an officer involved shooting which claimed the life of a man who was apparently waving a weapon at Denham Springs Police before being shot and killed by cops. The victim is identified as 47-year-old Robert Kohl of Fort Worth, Texas – a truck driver whose mother called police to report she was concerned her son was going to commit suicide.

There is a Governor’s race forum currently being held in Shreveport and only Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne defended Common Core education standards. Dardenne says now is not the time for Louisiana to retreat. Democrat John Bel Edwards says he opposes the current form of Common Core and Republican Scott Angelle says the education standards have no monopoly on high achievement. Senator David Vitter says getting Louisiana out of Common Core would be is top priority.

State Alcohol and Tobacco Control agents have arrested a Campti man for allegedly running an illegal bar out of his home. was arrested and booked into the Nachitoches Parish Detention Center. ATC Commissioner Troy Hebert says the program 42-year-old Robert Williams was running from his personal residence quite simple…
CUT 9 (09) “that’s illegal”
He says they were tipped about “Unc’s place” on Facebook where the page appears to still be up and apparently features Williams promising he’ll be back.

Winter storm advisory remains in effect for North Louisiana today, and it looks like another round of precipitation and cold air is headed this way late tonight through Wednesday afternoon. Mario Valverde with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says lower temperatures look to continue and interact with the moisture in the sky…:
CUT 3 (10) “and snow”
He says snow accumulation of up to 4 inches is possible above the I-20 corridor, and 1-3 inches further south.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Director Kevin Davis says if wintry precipitation has fallen in your area, stay home…:
CUT 12 (06) “better off”
DOTD advises motorists to use the 511 Traveler Information website for up-to-date and accurate road status information at www.511la.org.

State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

The Louisiana Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control says a man from Campti is under arrest for allegedly running an illegal bar out of his home. Agents were tipped by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says 42-year-old Robert Williams was charging people to enter his house then selling beer and hard liquor. He is charged with operating without a high-content alcohol permit and operating without a low-content alcohol permit.

A combination of sleet, freezing rain and snow have closed several roads in Louisiana. Scott Carwile has more from the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness….

cut 2 (25) “reporting”

Although the wintry precipitation is expected to end this morning, State Climatologist Barry Keim says we won’t see temps above 60 until the weekend…

cut 14 (11) “dries out”

Freezing rain advisories will end this morning, while north Louisiana will remain under a Winter Storm Watch through tomorrow afternoon.

State Education Superintendent John White is worried Governor Jindal will not provide funding for standardized tests tied to Common Core. White says he’s heard rumors the governor will take away money that would go towards paying for standardized testing…

cut 9 (12) “federal funding”

Jindal opposes the use of any test that’s tied to Common Core.

State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate in this year’s governors race. The Amite Democrat says the state doesn’t need a third Jindal term, which is what his opponents in the race are offering…

cut 4 (12) “we’ve been doing”

Edwards made the statement during an interview on the Jim Engster Show.

State Superintendent of Education John White is concerned the Jindal administration will cut funds used to pay for standardized testing. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 3 (30) “reporting”

In Denham Springs yesterday, an officer involved shooting has left one man dead. Authorities say when police encountered 47-year-old Robert Kohl of Fort Worth, Texas, they were forced to take cover when Kohl was waving a gun. When they asked him to show his hands, Kohl pointed the gun at the officers. One officer then shot Kohl. He was taken to a local hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation is ongoing.

Several roads remain closed in north Louisiana as a result of a winter storm that has slammed the area. Kevin Davis, director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, says says the National Weather Service reports temperatures should start rising after lunch time…

cut 11 (07) “roadways open”

Freezing rain advisories should end by mid-morning today, but north Louisiana remains under a Winter Storm Watch through tomorrow afternoon.

State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate as he tries to court voters who are looking for a change in state government leadership. Edwards is the lone Democrat in this year’s governor’s race, although a big question is if Democratic New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will throw his hat in the ring. Edwards says Landrieu can run, but if he does, he violates a pledge he made to New Orleans before he was re-elected…

cut 6 (07) “to do that”

Edwards made the statement during an appearance on the Jim Engster Show.

It’s a winter wonderland along I-20 as a result of a winter storm that slammed the northern parishes. Kevin Davis, director of the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness, says numerous roads are closed despite the department of transportation’s best efforts…

cut 10 (10) “cleared”

Davis says if wintry precipitation has fallen in your area, stay home, if there’s no need to travel.

Although the wintry precipitation that’s impacted a large portion of the state is expected to end this morning, chilly temperatures will remain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is the first winter storm Louisiana has experienced this season and hopefully the last….

cut 15 (09) “can happen”

North Louisiana does remains under a Winter Storm Watch through tomorrow afternoon.

State Education Superintendent John White is concerned the governor will not provide funding for standardized tests tied to Common Core. A Jindal administration spokesperson says there are no plans to cut student testing, but all state agencies will face strategic reductions to contracts. White says if the state doesn’t provide dollars for student testing, it could lead to big problems…

cut 8 (10) “our state”

Jindal opposes the use of any test that’s tied to Common Core.

As he tries to woo voters who are looking for a change in state government leadership, State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate. He says it’s critically important to have the money necessary to deliver your message and he’s working on that…

cut 5 (10) “competitive campaign”

Edwards made the statement during an appearance on the Jim Engster Show.

The wintry precipitation that’s impacted a large portion of the state is expected to end this morning, but chilly temperatures will remain. State Climatologist Barry Keim says any freezing rain advisories that are still posted, will likely expire at 12:00 or earlier

cut 13 (09) “the forecast”

State Offices in 42 Parishes are closed today due to the winter weather conditions.

State Education Superintendent John White is concerned the governor will not provide funding for standardized tests tied to Common Core. The Jindal administration will present a proposed budget for next fiscal year on Friday. White says it’s a state law to give out a standardized test…

cut 7 (08) “in the budget”

A Jindal administration spokesperson says there are no plans to cut student testing, but all state agencies will face strategic reductions to contracts.

State Representative and gubernatorial candidate John Bel Edwards calls himself the anti-Jindal candidate as he tries to woo voters who are looking for a change in state government leadership. Edwards made the statement during an appearance on the Jim Engster Show. The Amite Democrat says the state doesn’t need a third Jindal term, which is what his opponents in the race are offering…

cut 4 (12) “we’ve been doing”

Edwards is the lone Democrat in this year’s governor’s race.