So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio vulnificus, and four of them have died. Vibrio lives in warm salt and brackish water and is on the rise in Louisiana waters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms seek treatment right away.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

A small bird of prey that plays an important role in controlling the insect population seems to be a target of some and Dr. Kimberly Boykin with the LSU Veterinary School says they’ve seen an increase in the number of Mississippi Kites with wounds from air powered rifles and it’s a violation of Federal Law to shoot a Mississippi Kite.

Cut 11 (10) “…kills them.”

A new cell phone law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU fall camp is fully underway and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley came to Baton Rouge as a five-star last year and bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season. His strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice.

Cut 18 (16) “…every single day.”

A warning from the Department of Health about potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Another kind of warning if you use your cell phone while driving. Beginning today, it’s illegal to have your cell phone in hand while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says you could face an extra hundred dollars added to fines for other moving violations and in certain areas violators will be stopped solely for holding their phone and fined up to 250 dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “…active work zones.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds, specifically, the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated two just Mississippi kites for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

She says these small birds of pretty play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Register Independents are now registered “no party” in Louisiana. The state is doing away with the independent party as it moves to a party primary system for US House and Senate, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE elections. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says no party voters are now able to and participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

Starting today, if you’re driving, keep your hands off your cell phone. That’s because handling your cell phone while driving is now illegal in Louisiana. This is something that Triple-A Louisiana has been recommending. Don Redman with Triple-A says while it’s already illegal to be texting while driving in Louisiana but that law was unenforceable, and people were doing many other crazy things with their phones.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation is automatically changing to “No Party”. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The LSU Veterinary School has seen an increase in Mississippi kites with bullet fragments. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning of the growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. These bacteria live in coastal waters but not freshwater. It can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 4 (12) “…in those temperatures.”