It’s January first, and today 21 states have officially raised the minimum wage, but Louisiana is not one of them. Critics of a higher wage say it forces some businesses to reduce their work force, But Tulane Business professor Mark Rosa says government can minimize the impact, by raising it slightly, or index it to inflation.
CUT 7 (09) “50 percent”

The CDC is reporting the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the U.S. and the State Department of Health and Hospitals says its going to get worse before it gets better here in the Bayou State.
Cut 3 (06) “influenza-like symptoms”
Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, who says get a flu shot.

——————————–

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications to become a wildlife and fisheries field agent. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (27) “reporting”

New Year’s Day has turned out to be a wet, dreary and chilly one for most of north and central Louisiana, keeping most people inside. For the rest of the state…
CUT 14 (05) Q: “to be wet”
That’s Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service Office in Shreveport.

Even though the minimum wage is going up in 21 states today, here in Louisiana the minimum hourly wage stays at $7.25. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says with nearly half of the states acting on their own, it will spur more talk about raising the federal minimum wage
Cut 6 (10) “has been changed”
Arkansas is one of the few states in the south that has raised the minimum wage.

If you’re looking for a new job in 2015, and you love the outdoors, the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has some new openings for enforcement officials…
CUT 11 (08) Q: ‘to apply’
That’s LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck.

————————————–

The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and here in Louisiana, DHH says its going to get worse before it gets better….
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”

Shreveport Police are asking for your help in locating a missing teen-ager who who reportedly ran away from home. Fifteen year-old Daigerria Morrow (who is 5 foot 4, and 110 pounds) has been missing since Christmas Day. If you have any information, call CrimeStoppers.

No winner last night for the $120 million Powerball jackpot, which means the prize goes to an estimated $131 million for Saturday’s drawing.

There were several crashes reported from New Years Eve, including a deadly two-car accident in Livingston Parish that killed the driver of one vehicle and two passengers in the other on Louisiana 447 South of I-12. State Police say one driver, 24 year-old Trinity Kiger of Satsuma died after striking another car in the opposite lane, driven my Ronald Chisolm of Denham Springs. His 37 year-old wife Shannon died, along with his 11 year-old daughter Hannah.

Health officials are saying the flu has now reached epidemic levels in the U.S. and DHH says its getting bad in Louisiana. Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, says this year’s flu shot is not perfect, but it’s your best protection…
CUT 4 (11) Q: ‘dies from it’
He says right now, seven out of every 100 doctor visits in the state are for flu-like symptoms.
———————-
2015 is off to a dreary start weather-wise in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says cold and rainy conditions will keep people inside….
cut 12 (06) “of rainfall”
There’s also a good chance of rain in southwest Louisiana today and those rain chances increase across most of South Louisiana over the weekend.

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to get a new job, The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications from those who are interested in becoming an enforcement agent.
Cut 9 (11) “of the week”
That’s LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says more information can be found on the state’s civil service website. He adds this is a great job if you love the outdoors.

It’s a new year and for 21 states a higher minimum wage for low-paid workers goes into effect. Critics of a higher minimum wage say it forces some businesses to reduce their work force in order to compensate for the higher wages. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says government can minimize the impact, by raising the wage rate slightly or index it to inflation….
cut 7 (09) “…50 percent”

The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says it will get worse before it gets better. Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, says the flu situation in the Bayou State is absolutely terrible…
Cut 3 (06) “influenza-like symptoms”

A cold and rainy start to the New Year in north Louisiana and Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says rain chances will increase across south Louisiana over the next couple of days…
cut 14 (05) “…to be wet”
Dry conditions for the entire state will not return until Sunday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications to become a wildlife and fisheries field agent. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (27) “….reporting”

The C-D-C continues to report widespread flu cases across Louisiana. Doctor Frank Welch, with the state department of health and hospitals, is urging residents to get the flu shot, even though it doesn’t match up completely with the strain of flu going around. He says it can prevent a severe illness and he knows from personal experience…
cut 5 (11) “….three days later”
Welch says almost seven out of every 100 doctor visits are for flu-like symptoms.

State Police say three people were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Livingston Parish last night. Authorities say one of the vehicles ended up flipping and it led to the closure of a heavily traveled roadway for several hours. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Rainy conditions for much of Louisiana today, especially for the northern half of the state. And Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, expects the rain to keep falling in Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria through Saturday…
cut 13 (09) “…Saturday afternoon”
It’s raining in southwest Louisiana this morning and rain chances will increase across the southern half of the state on Friday and Saturday.

The minimum wage goes up in 21 states today, including Arkansas. Voters approved a minimum wage of $8.05 an hour. Tulane Business Professor, Doctor Mark Rosa, says it will be interesting to see how this impacts Arkansas’ economy…
cut 8 (08) “…large percentages”
Rosa also expects Congress will continue the discussion over whether to raise the federal minimum wage.

The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says it will get worse before it gets better in Louisiana.…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

It will be a dreary day in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we expect cold and rainy conditions…
cut 12 (06) “….of rainfall’
We’re also seeing showers in southwest Louisiana. The high temperature today in Lake Charles will be in the upper 40s.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is accepting applications from individuals who are interested in becoming an enforcement agent. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says they are seeking 24 cadets, who will begin six months of intensive training in May…
cut 10 (09) “….enforcement personnel”
Applicants can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website.

With the start of a new year, the minimum wage is going up in 21 states. Here in Louisiana the minimum wage stays at $7.25. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says with nearly half of the states acting on their own, it wil spur more talk about raising the federal minimum wage…
cut 6 (10) “….has been changed”
Critics of a higher minimum wage say it forces businesses to reduce the size of their work force.

New Year’s celebrations will take place across the state today. Lt. Colonel John Leblanc, director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, is reminding residents law enforcement will be out in force tonight, putting extra effort to remove impaired drivers from the road…
cut 5 (06) “….night too”
Highway Safety officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday.

Ohio State and Alabama fans are packing the French Quarter tonight as they are in town for tomorrow night’s college football semi-final game. New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Lauren Cason says having two teams with huge fan bases is great for the economy…
cut 10 (11) “…great business”
Cason adds that New Orleans has been named one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the nation.

More than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of open enrollment under what is commonly called “Obamacare.” Doctor Karen DeSalvo, with the US Department of Health and Human Services, says the 2015 open enrollment period will last until February 15th, and she urges people to get covered…

cut 8 (11) “take for granted”

Nearly 102-thousand people in Louisiana purchased health insurance through the federal marketplace in 2014.

National media outlets are reporting LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is leaving Baton Rouge for the same job at Texas A&M. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says it’s a big loss for a program that’s won a lot of football games over the last several years, because of their defense

cut 12 (06) “to be filled”

Chavis has been LSU’s defensive coordinator the last six seasons.