Authorities in Bastrop say two children died in a house fire and they believe their mother was getting her hair done away from the home at the time. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says criminal charges are anticipated if they find out the children were home alone…:
CUT 4 (12) “require supervision”
He says they believe a gas space heater could have started the fire.

It’s a bad flu season and the numbers prove it. Doctor Frank Welch, medical director for the state’s immunization program, says nearly an estimated 400-thousand people have come down with the flu during this season and it’s sent up to four-thousand people to the hospital…:
CUT 6 (11) “as well”
Welch says this year’s flu vaccine is not perfect but it’s still important to get a flu shot.

Louisiana State Police say they are looking for a 30 percent pay raise for many of its troopers. Col Mike Edmonson says the raise would apply to rank-and-file troopers under the rank of major. The Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget is scheduled to vote Friday on the increases Friday.

Officials in northwest Louisiana plan to meet with the EPA today over plans to conduct an open burn of the 15 million pounds of M6 propellant at Camp Minden. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (29) “reporting”