The Office of the State Fire Marshal is reminding you of the importance of having working smoke alarms in the wake of a pair of deadly house fires this week. The first happened Sunday afternoon near Shreveport, in which a 77-year-old man was killed. The second happened the following evening in Catahoula Parish, in which a 76-year-old woman died. Ashley Rodrigue with the State Fire Marshal’s Office says neither home had a working smoke alarm.

Cut 9 (09)  “…life and death.”

While cold wasn’t a factor in either of those fires, sub-freezing temperatures are expected tonight for Louisiana. National Weather Service meteorologist Ryan Knapp says they are expecting temperatures to get below 32 degrees as far south as Natchitoches and Jena…

Cut 12 (06)“…to Monroe”

Especially with tax season upon us, be extra vigilant for scams. The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says regardless of how legitimate these scammers are starting to sound, there are still a few specific things that should immediately indicate that the communication is not legitimate.

Cut 5 (12) “…would already have.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has signed another quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is a Tiger after spending one season at USC. College and pro football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Longstreet threw for 85-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his high school career in California…

Cut 6 (04) “…biggest strength.”

LSU football coach Lane Kiffin has signed another quarterback out of the transfer portal. Former five-star recruit Husan Longstreet is a Tiger after spending one season at USC. College and pro football analyst Mike Detillier of WWL Radio says Longstreet threw for 85-hundred yards and 83 touchdowns during his high school career in California…

Cut 6 (04) “…biggest strength”

Detillier says Longstreet is also an accurate downfield passer.

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields announced he’ll visit 52 schools this year –kindergarten through college…all in the Sixth District he represents. Fields says he’s using the opportunity to highlight the education initiatives he’s working on in Congress.

Cut 12 (12) “…to address it.”

Especially with tax season upon us, the Better Business Bureau is urging you to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. Andrew Greenstein reports they’re becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The Better Business Bureau says scams in Louisiana are becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says scammers used to mainly target senior citizens; but now, scammers have broadened their potential target base.

Cut 4 (08) “…amount of people”

Several people who have made living a healthier lifestyle a new year’s resolution are participating in Dry January – laying off alcohol for the month. But here in Louisiana, with Carnival in full swing, that’s understandably a tad difficult. That’s where Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge comes in. Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says think of it as a second chance. 

Cut 13 (08)  “…during lent season.”

Louisiana has set an economic performance record with seven consecutive months of more than two-million people employed in the state. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Police in Iberia Parish are looking for a woman who escaped court while being sentenced. Jada Landry had been convicted of aggravated battery. But prior to sentencing, she exited the courthouse and left the area in a vehicle. The vehicle has been located, but Landry has not.

Especially with tax season upon us, be extra vigilant for scams. The Better Business Bureau says scams are becoming more prevalent – and more sophisticated. Carmen Million, the president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana, says before, you could tell which calls and emails were scams, based on improper or broken English – but not anymore.

Cut 3 (10) “…if it’s legitimate.”

Congressman Cleo Fields launches Congress to the Classroom. Fields says through this year-long initiative, he will visit 52 schools from kindergarten through college throughout the Sixth District that he represents.

Cut 10 (06) “…to that interaction.”

Congress to the Classroom is designed to strengthen the students’ understanding of government, highlight the importance of education and encourage civic engagement.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says more than two-million people in Louisiana were employed for a record-extending seventh consecutive month. In 2015, Louisiana had a four-month stretch where the number of people employed exceeded two million, but the number slipped below two-million for a decade. But Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says it appears two-million is now the new normal, and the whole state is seeing higher employment numbers..

Cut 5 (08) “…state right now.”

If you ruined your Dry January, you can try again next month with Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge! Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says among other things, it’s meant to demonstrate that you can actually enjoy yourself without drinking alcohol.

Cut 15 (09) “…society as well.”

According to data from the U-S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of people employed in Louisiana has exceeded two-million people for seven consecutive months, which is a record in Louisiana’s economic history. Adam Knapp, the CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says the next economic record the state can hit is a record for the number of nonfarm jobs, which was set in 2014. Knapp says breaking the all-time jobs record is likely since the state’s economic outlook for this year looks strong.

Cut 6 (10) “…and job expansion”

On Capitol Hill this morning, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is holding a hearing on chemical abortion drugs. The hearing is focusing on mifepristone, one of two abortion pills approved by the F-D-A. Cassidy is advocating for stronger restrictions to prevent the mail order of mifepristone…

Cut 9 (12) “….associated with it”

Democrats argue mifepristone is a safe, effective and essential form of healthcare.

Ochsner is urging people looking to live a healthier lifestyle to participate in their Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge. Nutrition specialist Allie Foreman says the challenge starts Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on February 18th, and runs through Easter. She says people who have participated in previous years have really seen the results.

Cut 14 (13) “…the better sleep.”

If you’d like to participate, it only costs 59 dollars, and you get metrics and support valued at more than 450. For more information, go to alcoholfreefor40.com.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill will be testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today on mail-order abortion drugs. Murrill says they’re dangerous and committee chair Dr. Bill Cassidy agrees.  Senator Cassidy there are essential things that doctors cannot determine about a patient when prescribing an abortion drug through mail-order.

Cut 8 (12) “…by someone else.”

New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno has launched a new initiative to repair damaged streetlights in the Crescent City.  “Operation Lights On” aims to make people in higher crime neighborhoods feel safer by making sure streetlights are in working order.  City officials have said they’re hiring more electricians to make it happen…despite recent layoffs…to help improve public safety. “Operation Lights On” is just one of 13 Executive Orders the new mayor signed in her first day in office.

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If you’ve already broken your new year’s resolution for Dry January, Ochsner Health offers a second chance.  Andrew Greenstein has details.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana Congressman Cleo Fields announced he’ll visit 52 schools this year –kindergarten through college this year…all in the Sixth District he represents. Fields says he’s using the opportunity to highlight the education initiatives he’s working on in Congress.

Cut 12 (12) “…to address it.”

A hearing is happening on Capitol Hill today on mail-order abortion drugs. Here’s Andre Champagne.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Andre Champagne.”

Louisiana residents received more than 50 million scam calls in December. That’s according to new stats from the spam blocking app TrueCaller.  That’s an alarming increase.  Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South Central Louisiana says new technology and artificial intelligence make it easier for scammers to contact us.  She advises consumers to be skeptical of any unsolicited calls.

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Louisiana’s employment numbers have exceeded two-million people for a record-setting seventh consecutive month.  That’s a record.  Adam Knapp, CEO of Leaders for a Better Louisiana, says with the building of a new A-I data center in Richland Parish, and large industrial construction projects in south Louisiana, there are simply more jobs.

Cut 4 (04) “…boosted overall employment.”

Congressman Cleo Fields has launched a series of visits to 52 schools K-college in district six .  He calls it Congress to the Classroom and says it’s designed to strengthen students’ understanding of government, highlight the importance of education, and encourage civic engagement

Cut 11 (05) “…rival any college.”

Louisiana sets an economic performance record with seven straight months of more than two-million people employed.  Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Congressman Cleo Fields launches Congress to the Classroom saying he will visit 52 schools from kindergarten through college throughout the Sixth District that he represents this year.

Cut 10 (06) “…to that interaction.”

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Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill will be testifying before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee today on mail-order abortion drugs. Murrill will testify that they’re dangerous – a viewpoint shared by the committee chairman, Bill Cassidy.

Cut 7 (10) “…a doctor’s visit.”

Many of those who’ve made living a healthier lifestyle a new year’s resolution are participating in Dry January – laying off alcohol for the month. Here in Louisiana, with Carnival in full swing, that can be hard to do…which is where  Ochsner Health’s Alcohol Free for 40 Days Challenge comes in. Allie Foreman, a nutrition specialist with Ochsner Eat Fit Baton Rouge, says think of it as a second chance.

Cut 13 (08)  “…during lent season.”

For more information, go to alcoholfreefor40.com