Legislation that would remove restrictions that eliminate or reduce Social Security benefits for thousands of teachers, first responders and other public workers is nearing final approval in the U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy says the  bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset,  which he says unfairly costs public sector employees a good portion of their Social Security benefits. Cassidy says a retired school teacher urged him to pass this legislation…

Cut 8 (14) “….was being punished”

A final vote on the Social Security Fairness Act is expected before the weekend.

The FTC is cracking down on so-called “junk fees.” Starting in April, entities like hotels, ticket brokers and rental car companies will need to disclose all extraneous fees up front. Don Redman with Triple-A says consumers have been screaming about those fees for years.

Cut 13 (12)  “…weren’t aware of.”

Louisiana leads the nation in early-season flu activity. The CDC says the state has a flu positivity rate exceeding 11-percent, far above the national average of 3.5-percent.  Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says cases this early are concerning.

Cut 4 (11) “…winter yet.”

Kemmerly says getting the flu vaccine can limit your chances of getting the flu and if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce your symptoms.

If you are considering a pet as a gift this holiday season, the Humane Society says think twice before you do it. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to President Biden’s desk. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s booming hemp industry faces new regulations on January first which limits where you can find gummies or seltzers that contain THC or CBD. Gas stations will longer be able to sell THC products and also starting on January 1^st you must be 21, instead of 18, to purchase hemp-THC products. The new rules also changes the serving sizes for THC products.

Louisiana is leading the country for flu activity. According to the latest data, 11-percent of flu tests are coming back positive, which is more than double the national average. R-S-V is also on the rise. Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly is urging the public to get vaccinated, practice good hygiene and stay home when sick…

Cut 6 (08) “…can affect others.”

About 28-percent of adults are vaccinated for the flu and 45-percent of kids are vaccinated.

The F-T-C is banning junk fees on tickets and hotels. AAA’s Don Redman says consumers will see the total price, including the fees for tickets to live events or lodging…

Cut 14 (08) “…or concert”

The new rule is set to go into effect in April.

Louisiana tops the nation in flu activity for the second year in a row. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Federal health officials say a southwest Louisiana resident in critical condition is the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the United States. The C-D-C says the patient is over 65 and has underlying medical problems. It’s believed the person got the bird flu after being in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to making it onto President Biden’s desk. The Senate advanced the bill in a procedural vote of 73-27. Senator Bill Cassidy took to the floor yesterday to urge his colleagues to support it.

Cut 7 (15) “…fulfill this promise.”

A final vote on the legislation is expected by the end of the week.

The Humane Society is asking the public not to surprise a person by buying them a pet as a Christmas gift. Jeff Dorson is the director of the Humane Society of Louisiana and says there are many factors to consider before giving a pet as a gift. The first one is cost and secondly many pets are social animals and require time and attention…

Cut 12 (08) “….get those calls”

Dorson says stick to a traditional gift for the holidays and let the individual that wants to adopt, adopt.

Louisiana tops the nation in flu activity for the second year in a row. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to President Biden’s desk. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Many are considering gifting pets as presents this holiday season, but the Humane Society says don’t do it. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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Louisiana leads the nation in early-season flu activity. The CDC says the state has a flu positivity rate exceeding 11-percent, far above the national average of 3.5-percent.  Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says cases this early are concerning.

Cut 4 (11) “…winter yet.”

Louisiana’s mild winters facilitate virus spread, while health disparities and low vaccination rates worsen flu vulnerability. Kemmerly stresses the importance of flu vaccination, as it remains the most effective tool to prevent severe illness and reduce strain on healthcare systems.

Cut 5 (13) “…get vaccinated.”

Kemmerly says to protect themselves and others, people are urged to get vaccinated, practice good hygiene, stay home when sick, and safeguard vulnerable groups like children and older adults.

Cut 6 (08) “…can affect others.”

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The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to making it onto President Biden’s desk. The Senate advanced the bill in a procedural vote of 73-27 yesterday. Senator Bill Cassidy has sponsored the Senate version of the bill. He took to the floor yesterday to urge his colleagues to support it.

Cut 7 (15) “…fulfill this promise.”

The bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset, which Cassidy says have been unfairly costing public sector employees a good portion of their Social Security benefits, including a retired schoolteacher who he met with in his office.

Cut 8 (14) “…was being punished.”

Cassidy says he understands concerns about the costs of eliminating WEP and GPO.

Cut 9 (13)  “…WEP and GPO.”

The Senate will take a final vote on the bill later this week.

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This holiday season, many consider gifting animals to loved ones. However, pets come with significant responsibilities, so it’s important to carefully evaluate whether this is the right choice. Louisiana Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says animals should only be given to those who have expressed sustained interest and are ready to care for them.

Cut 10 (11) “…ready for it.”

When gifting a pet, consider the recipient’s lifestyle. For instance, an elderly person may prefer a calm, older dog or cat rather than an energetic puppy or kitten. Similarly, Dorson says breed, age and temperament need to be considered.

Cut 11 (06) “…small apartment.”

Dorson says all animals are social beings and want to be around their own species or with owners that comfort and care for them.

Cut 12 (08) “…get those calls”

Dorson says stick to a traditional gift for the holidays and let the individual that wants to adopt, adopt.

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The FTC is cracking down on so-called “junk fees.” Starting in April, entities like hotels, ticket brokers and rental car companies will need to disclose all extraneous fees up front. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says consumers have been screaming about those fees for years.

Cut 13 (12)  “…weren’t aware of.”

Redman says those entities can still charge those fees – however, they will no longer be able to hide those fees.

Cut 14 (08) “…or that concert.”

Redman says with those entities now having to either disclose those fees or roll them into their advertised prices, that will have a profound effect on prices to the consumer’s benefit.

Cut 15 (09) “…fees potentially eliminated.”

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LSU has signed nine players out of the transfer portal and according to 24-7 sports, the Tigers have the second best transfer portal class in the nation. Tiger Rag Executive Editor Todd Horne says head coach Brian Kelly has delivered on a promise that LSU would be aggressive in the transfer portal…

Cut 16 (20) “…big help.”

Horne says LSU still needs more help along the offensive and defensive lines…

Cut 17 (16)  “…linemen as well.” 

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At this time last week, the Louisiana Tech football team’s season was over, but now they are preparing for a bowl game. The Bulldogs are getting ready to battle Army in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl on December 28^th in Shreveport. Tech received a bowl invite after Marshall opted out. Coach Sonny Cumbie is pleased with his team’s first bowl practice…

Cut 18 (18)   “…football games.”

Marshall could not play in the Independence Bowl, because of a lack of players as there’s been a mass exodus with the Thundering Herd because of a coaching change. Cumbie says they are missing some players, but certainly have enough to take on the Black Knights….

Cut 19 (19) “…coming back.”

Cumbie has also hired a new offensive coordinator since the regular season finale. Tony Franklin is back as O-C and quarterbacks coach. When Franklin was the offensive coordinator between 2010 and 2012, Tech had high scoring offenses. Cumbie says Franklin is an experienced play caller that this program needs…

Cut 20 (17) “…came about.”

Tech will take on 19th ranked Army on Saturday December 28th.

Cooler temperatures are on the way. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 60s tomorrow and Friday, which is a big difference from what we saw today. He says cool air will continue to flow down into Louisiana and temperatures will drop even further.

Cut 13 (15)  “…Saturday morning.”

A new study highlights the massive cost of congestion in the trucking industry. The American Transport Research Institute’s Cost of Congestion study shows that congestion is adding almost 110-billion dollars to the industry’s costs. Renee Amar (AY-mar), the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says the problem is very prevalent in Louisiana.

Cut 3 (12) “…3.6 billion dollars.” 

Soon, it will be a lot easier for schools to have the tools needed to save people experiencing cardiac arrest. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Fifty-two recruits of Cadet Class 106 began their journey as Louisiana State Police Troopers in Baton Rouge. Trooper Shelby Mayfield says recruits can start with no experience whatsoever.

Cut 6 (11) “…from the ground up.”

Big rig trucks sitting in traffic is costing the trucking industry billions and billions of dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a second former St. Mary School Board Employee has been arrested on theft charges. 65-year-old Lisa Ann Powell of Morgan City was taken into custody after it was determined more than 205-thousand dollars was missing from Patterson High School’s bank account. Powell was a bookkeeper. Dinah Dru Richard has also been arrested.

Christmas Day is one week from today, but the warm weather does not make it feel like Christmas is approaching. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that will change as a cold front moves through the state today. Keim says it will bring a little bit of rain and much cooler weather

Cut 12 (12) “…environment.”

Keim says the coldest day of the week will be Saturday, morning lows that day could dip below freezing in north Louisiana.

Congress has approved the HEARTS Act which would provide federal aid to improve cardiac arrest preparedness in schools nationwide. Kristen Simpson is a board member at the American Heart Association…

Cut 10 (10) “….emergency response plans”

The legislation was inspired by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. His life was saved by an automated external defibrillator nearly two years ago.

A new study highlights the massive cost of congestion in the trucking industry. The American Transport Research Institute’s Cost of Congestion study shows that congestion is adding almost 110-billion dollars to the industry’s costs. Renee Amar (AY-mar) says many factors contribute to the costs of congestion.

Cut 4 (12) “…middle of congestion.”

Christmas Day is one week from today, but the warm weather does not make it feel like Christmas is approaching. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says high temperatures will only be in the 60s tomorrow and Friday, which is a big difference from what we are seeing today. He says cool air will continue flow down into Louisiana and temperatures will drop some for Saturday…

Cut 13 (15)  “…Saturday morning.”

Soon, it will be a lot easier for schools to have the tools needed to save people experiencing cardiac arrest. Jeff Palermo reports.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A patient in Louisiana was hospitalized with H5N1 bird flu, marking the first severe U.S. case. The CDC confirmed the D1.1 genotype, linked to wild birds and backyard flocks. Exposure to sick birds caused the infection. The risk to public health remains low, but precautions are advised for high-risk groups.

A new study highlights the massive cost of congestion in the trucking industry. The American Transport Research Institute’s Cost of Congestion study shows that congestion is adding almost 110-billion dollars to the industry’s costs. Renee Amar (AY-mar), the executive director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says in the Baton Rouge area, a big cause for congestion is poorly-designed roadways, and she gives an example that is currently being rectified.

Cut 5 (13) “…delay and congestion.”

Fifty-two recruits of Cadet Class 106 began their journey as Louisiana State Police Troopers in Baton Rouge. LSP offers competitive pay, benefits, a take-home vehicle, overtime opportunities, and an excellent retirement plan.  Trooper Shelby Mayfield says Cadet Class 107 will start in June, and applications remain open for aspiring troopers

Cut 8 (09) “…www-dot-lsp-dot-org.”

Graduation from the LSP Academy for class 106 is set for May 30th.

Soon, schools will have some important tools to help save people experiencing cardiac arrest thanks to the HEARTS Act, which passed unanimously in both houses of Congress.  According to statistics, only about one in ten children who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive.  Americn Heart Association Boardmember Kristen Simpson says with an AED on hand, those odds improve exponentially.

Cut 11 (09) “…to 70 percent.”

It’s forecast to be a cold Saturday, but with Christmas only a week away mild temperatures will return for Christmas Day. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says we are also looking at the possibility of rain on Christmas Day…

Cut 14 (09) “…or more.”