18:30 LRN Newscast December 15

The flu season is ramping up in the Deep South with the highest number of cases in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. State Health Department Flu Bug Expert Dr. Frank Welch says it’s rare to see this many flu cases in December.

Cut 12 (09) “high number”

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned in Lake Dubbusion. Kazan was reported missing while visiting friends in Alexandria.  Guidroz says the investigation continues and they are waiting for the toxicology reports…

Cut 11 (06) “six weeks.”

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is featured in a viral video that shows him stumping one of President Trump’s nominees for a federal judgeship. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette, Friday morning. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer she faced six years ago had returned and spread to her liver. She addressed her diagnoses as she spoke to UL-Lafayette grads.:

Cut 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”