The LDWF is reporting a resurgence of Avian flu. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Not the avian flu, but this year’s flu among people is rampant across the country, especially here in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says emergency rooms throughout the state are seeing more people sick with the flu.

Cut 10 (07) “…illness criteria.”

Flu activity tends to increase this is the time of year, so handwashing is especially important.

People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last-minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

A gift many would like to receive is winning numbers, especially since the Powerball jackpot for tonight’s drawing is estimated to be 1.7 billion dollars. Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the jackpot has been rolling over for months as no one has matched all the numbers since September 6th.

Cut 8 (11) “…Mega and Powerball.”

The LDWF is reporting a resurgence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the state’s wild bird population. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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As you drive to your Christmas destination, you can do so without giving too much money to the gasoline companies. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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With the jackpot skyrocketing, Powerball fever is gripping Louisiana. Andre Champagne reports.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is causing mortality in wild birds, especially in Southwest Louisiana. State Wildlife Veterinarian Jonathan Roberts says the virus affects various species differently.

Cut 4 (09) “…disease in geese.”

The virus can also occasionally transfer to mammals, including domestic cats and dogs, and in rare cases, humans. Health officials consider this strain of the virus to be a minimal threat to humans, but Roberts says if you find sick or dead wild birds, contact the LDWF to remove them safely.

Cut 5 (09) “…to wash that.”

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People hitting the road for the Christmas holiday road can fill their gas tanks and have money left over for some last minute gifts. Don Redman with Triple-A Louisiana says gas prices are the lowest they’ve been since 2020.

Cut 6 (13) “…and a quarter.”

Redman says one thing keeping prices low is OPEC not adjusting production when the U.S. increased its production of refined gasoline.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars a barrel.”

Redman says the holiday season is typically the time of year when gas prices are at their lowest.

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Things that are expanding this holiday season – credit card balances from buying presents, waistlines due to overindulging in fruitcake, and the Powerball jackpot because no one can match the five white balls and the Powerball. The jackpot has rolled over every drawing since September 6th, and Chrislyn Maher (“mayor”) with the Louisiana Lottery says the estimated jackpot for tonight’s drawing is 1.7-billion dollars.

Cut 8 (11) “…Mega and Powerball.”

While no one has won the big prize, almost 100 people across the country have come agonizingly close. Maher says they still came away with huge paydays.

Cut 9 (09)  “…for two million.”

Of course, you have a much better chance of being struck by lightning or being cast in the lead role of a major motion picture than you have of winning Powerball. But in any event, good luck!

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This will certainly put a damper on a festive holiday season – flu activity is rampant across the country, especially in Louisiana. Dr. David Janese (juh-NEESE) with Ochsner (Ox-ner) LSU Health says emergency rooms throughout the state are seeing more and more people sick with the flu.

Cut 10 (07) “…illness criteria.”

Dr. Janese says the number of people testing positive for the flu is staggering.

Cut 11 (05) “…only trending upward.”

Janese says this is the time of year when flu activity tends to increase.

Cut 12 (08) “…home for Christmas.”

Nationwide, the CDC says about 4.6-million people across the country have become sick with the flu, including almost 50-thousand hospitalizations and about two-thousand deaths.

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The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy that streamlines the process for large projects like data centers to access the energy they need is clearing up some misconceptions about the new policy. The policy states that utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those projects no longer have to prove that the generation is the cheapest and most reliable on the market. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says residential customers will see their utility bills skyrocket as a result, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

Coussan says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

Coussan says the new policy is not a rubber stamp for utility companies to charge what they want to charge in order to expedite these big projects.

Cut 15 (10) “…of this project.”

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Yahoo Sports’ Caroline Fenton reviewed the start of the Lane Kiffin era at LSU on Tiger Rag Radio. She says it was always a home run hire, but she’s still been impressed by his enthusiasm to embrace the program and the all-star coaching staff he’s put together.

Cut 16 (16) “…could be better.”

One of Kiffin’s claims to fame is how effectively he’s used the transfer portal to build his roster in Oxford. Fenton says finding players in the portal and bringing in former players from Ole Miss can be a recipe for instant success.

Cut 17 (19)  “…why not?”

Two Rebels Kiffin is sure to target are quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy. Fenton says with Harlem Berry and Caden Durham already on the roster and a nearly two-million-dollar NIL offer in Oxford, Kiffin may not be able to persuade Lacy despite their connection.

Cut 18 (20)  “…room already.”

A LaPlace woman was arrested for allegedly setting fire to a home with a child still inside.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

Ken Pastorick with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says because there was a working smoke detector in the house, the child was able to get out unharmed.

Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says this case has weighed on the community ever since that late October day that year.

Cut 3 (09) “…to its conclusion.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder; his bond has been set at two-million dollars.

With Governor Landry also serving as special envoy to Greenland, how does that affect his job at home? LaPolitics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the state time, those refer to state positions. Thus, a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

There’s a new policy that streamlines the process for data centers and other large projects to access the energy they need, and the public service commissioner who spearheaded it is clearing up some misconceptions about it. Commissioner J.P. Coussan says it’s not a rubber stamp for utility companies to charge what they want to charge in order to expedite these big projects.

Cut 15 (10) “…of this project.”

Now that Governor Landry has been named special envoy to Greenland, questions about how those duties will impact his gubernatorial duties have arisen. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, but distance may not be the only issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

The Alliance for Affordable Energy says a new policy that no longer requires utilities providing energy for large data center projects to prove the generation is the cheapest and most reliable, will cause residential customers’ utility bills to skyrocket. Public Service Commissioner J.P. Coussan who spearheaded the new policy says there are still safeguards in place to keep utility costs from spiraling out of control.

Cut 14 (08) “…the best cost.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A home with a child inside was intentionally set on fire Friday night and a LaPlace woman has been arrested says the State Fire Marshal’s office. Spokesperson, Ken Pastorick says the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive where they learned a child had been in the home when the blaze was set and fortunately…

Cut 8 (04) “..out unharmed.”

43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested and charged with aggravated arson and cruelty to juveniles.

The Public Service Commissioner who spearheaded a new policy for large projects like data centers to access the energy is clearing up some misconceptions about the policy. The policy states that utilities looking to build infrastructure to power those projects no longer have to prove that its generation is the cheapest and most reliable. The Alliance for Affordable Energy says residential customers will see their utility bills skyrocket as a result, but Commissioner J.P. Coussan says that’s not true.

Cut 13 (09)  “…on this deal.”

Since Governor Jeff Landry has been named envoy to Greenland, some in Louisiana are wondering how he will handle his job as governor. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says as the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, Landry’s new side hustle may be a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a juvenile still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Eight after the murder of 40-year-old mother of three, Donna Arceneaux, police have made an arrest. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says deputies arrested Scott Jordan for her murder in a case has weighed on the community since October 2017. State Police took over the investigation in 2019. Smith says after he became sheriff, he took the case back and investigators quickly zeroed in on Jordan.

Cut 5 (09) “…to think otherwise.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder.

A home with a child inside was intentionally set on fire Friday night and a LaPlace woman has been arrested says the State Fire Marshal’s office. Spokesperson, Ken Pastorick says the St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive; and while on the scene, they discovered a child had been in the home when the blaze was set.

Cut 7 (04) “…to juveniles.”

43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested. Thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

An arrest has finally been made eight years after the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says while there had been talk back then about Arceneaux’s death being a suicide, but law enforcement never reached that conclusion.

Cut 4 (11) “…an unsolved murder.”

Smith says Jordan has been a person of interest from the beginning.

Community leaders gather in Baton Rouge to demand an end to Operation Catahoula Crunch. Here’s Andrew Greenstein.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry was tapped by President Trump to serve as envoy to Greenland this week, and some are asking how that impacts his job as governor. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the same time, those refer to state position and a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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A 43-year-old LaPlace woman was arrested after allegedly setting fire to a home with a child still inside. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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Eight years later, an arrest is made in the murder of a Washington Parish mother of three. Deputies arrested Scott Jordan in connection with the 2017 deadly shooting of 40-year-old Donna Arceneaux inside her home. Washington Parish Sheriff Jason Smith says this case has weighed on the community ever since that late October day that year.

Cut 3 (09) “…to its conclusion.”

Sheriff Smith says while there had been talk back then about Arceneaux’s death being a suicide, law enforcement never officially reached that conclusion – the case simply went unsolved.

Cut 4 (11) “…an unsolved murder.”

Smith says after he became sheriff, he took the case back from State Police, and investigators quickly zeroed in on Jordan.

Cut 5 (09) “…to think otherwise.”

Jordan is in the Washington Parish Jail on one count of second-degree murder; no bond has been set as of yet.

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A LaPlace woman was arrested for setting fire to a home with a child still inside last Friday night. State Fire Marshal spokesman Ken Pastorick says investigators determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

(43-year-old Brandi Frank was arrested and is charged with one count each of arson and cruelty to a juvenile.) The St. John the Baptist Fire Department responded to the house fire on West Frisco Drive; and while on the scene, Pastorick says they discovered a child had been in the home when it was set ablaze.

Cut 7 (04) “…to juveniles.”

Thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

Cut 8 (04) “..out unharmed.”

He says smoke alarms save lives and encourages Louisiana residents to test their alarms regularly or get one if they don’t have one.

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With Governor Landry serving as special envoy to Greenland, how does that affect his job at home? LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says being that the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, that will make Landry’s new side hustle a little challenging.

Cut 9 (07)  “…away from Louisiana.”

Alford says logistics could also be an issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

Alford says while there are state laws that prohibit people from holding two offices at the state time, those refer to state positions. Thus, a volunteer role as a special envoy would not fall into that category.

Cut 11 (07) “…regard to that.”

After eight years, an arrest is made in the killing of a Washington Parish mother of three. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A LaPlace woman was arrested for setting fire to a home with a minor still inside Friday night. State Fire Marshal spokesman Ken Pastorick says investigators determined that the blaze was intentionally set.

Cut 6 (08) “…intentionally set.”

Many details of the incident have not been made public but thanks to a working smoke alarm, Pastorick says no one was hurt.

Now that Governor Landry has been named special envoy to Greenland, questions about how those duties will impact his gubernatorial duties have arisen. LaPolitics-dot-com editor Jeremy Alford says the capital of Greenland is almost three-thousand miles from Baton Rouge, but distance may not be the only issue.

Cut 10 (09) “…would be receiving.”

Last year Louisiana lawmakers passed a legislative package aimed at improving the insurance market for Louisiana homeowners and a year into the changes only one company has taken advantage of the repeal of the “three-year rule” that had prohibited insurance companies from dropping policyholders who had been with them for at least three years. Representative Gabe Firment, who authored the 2024 bill, says one of the goals of his bill was to help stabilize the market.

Cut 26 (06) “…or two carriers.”