10:30 LRN Newscast December 19

The US Justice Department is drawing up the paperwork to ban bump stocks, which can turn a legal weapon into an illegal machine gun. Bump stocks were used in the Las Vegas shooting that killed 58 people at a country music concert. Earlier this year, New Orleans Senator Troy Carter pushed the Louisiana legislature to pass a state law to ban bump stocks…
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The Justice Department estimates 520,000 bump stocks have been sold in the US since 2010.

47 states including Louisiaana are involved in a lawsuit that claims 18 generic drug manufactures colluded to inflate prices that hurts patients and insurance companies. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry…
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Landry hopes any settlement money that comes Louisiana’s way can be used to reduce health costs in this state.

State health officials declare an outbreak of hepatitis A, with 24 known cases of the highly contagious liver disease. Several states have experienced an outbreak since 2016 and LDH Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch says it seems like its Louisiana’s turn…
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Welch says people who are most at-risk need to get vaccinated. Risk groups include illegal drug users, the homeless, and those in transient housing.

The state department of transportation announces plans to begin construction on the I-210 Prien Lake Bridge in Lake Charles. The work will entail replacing the main span concrete block, installing guardrails and lighting. DOTD spokesperson Tammy York says significant delays are expected when work begins…
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The Department will announce a start date later this month.