Health officials thought we’d be seeing fewer flu cases by now, but it’s actually gotten worse in Louisiana. Dr. Frank Welch with the state department of health says we’re seeing almost double the number of cases as our neighboring states…:
CUT 12 (10) “like-illness”
He says Louisiana is leading the nation in the number of flu cases this year.

It’s likely not to get better anytime soon as flu spreads easier when we’re indoors, and State Climatologist Barry Keim says if you think it’s cold now, just wait for New Years Eve…:
Cut 10 (10) “next few days”
He says on Monday, New Years Day and into Tuesday, the state is expected to see the coldest temperatures so far this season.

The US Department of Ag will begin testing a new method for controlling the rampant feral hog population. Texas and Alabama were chosen for a pilot program involving a new poison bait that officials hope will target the swine, without damaging local ecosystems. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the Sodium Nitrite targets red blood cells to incapacitate the pigs…:
Cut 3 (06) “ninety minutes”
Testing is set to begin early 2018.

State Police is investigating a deputy-involved shooting in Ouachita Parish. They say preliminary findings suggest an officer was stopping to assist a stalled vehicle, when at some point shots were fired and the suspect struck. They suffered non-life threatening injuries and the investigation is ongoing.

Louisiana is experiencing another very cold day, and it looks to stay this way and get even chillier into the New Year. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the polar vortex has arrived with a vengeance and it’s going to affect us for at least the next week and perhaps even longer…:
CUT 9 (10) “for Friday”
He says extremely nasty & cold weather is forecast for New Years night, and even a chance for freezing rain in northern parishes.

A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours. Traffic Engineer Laurence Lambert of Vectura Consulting says the study shows that tailgating actually causes previously non-existent traffic jams…:
Cut 30 (04) “nothing there”
Researchers suggest the best course of action is to maintain an equal distance from both the car in front of you and the car behind you.

Louisiana is one of eight states that saw a population drop from last year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between July 2016 and July 2017, the state’s population decreased by fewer than 2,000. About 27,000 relocated to other states. Demographer Greg Rigamer says a lot of the decrease has to do with the current job market…:
Cut 6 (09) “other states”
Louisiana remains the 25th-largest state with an estimated 4.68 million residents.

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl is kicking off at this hour at Independence Stadium in Shreveport with Florida State and Southern Miss playing. I-Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says There are quite a few local fans excited to see a team of the caliber of the Seminoles…:
Cut 15 (08) “State here”

Louisiana casino operators would like to build bigger entertainment venues, but for that to happen there needs to be a change in the legislation so they can build over land and not just water. Executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association Wade Duty….
cut 5 (08) “…the water”
Legislation could be filed this year that would allow the 15 licensed “Riverboat Casinos” to move their gambling operations to land.

The state has entered negotiations to purchase land near Thibodaux to relocate residents from an island that’s disappearaning as result of the rising sea level. The residents who live there are members of the Biloxi-Chitmacha-Choctaw tribe. Division of Administration spokesperson Jacques Berry….
cut 9 (10) “…themselves”
Berry says there are about 100 residents left on the island.
A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours…:
Cut 3 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting”

As the LSU football team continues preparations for the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame on New Years Day, players had a special visitor attend practice on Tuesday afternoon. Governor John Bel Edwards talked to The Tigers prior to workouts, and even joined in on a few plays…:
CUT 25 (03) “Tigers”
LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge before heading to Orlando. The Fighting Irish arrived in Florida yesterday.

Should Louisiana riverboat casinos be allowed to move onto land? Kelley Ray chats with Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty..:
Cut 1 (30) “Kelley Ray”

A teenager and man were shot in Baton Rouge during a family brawl stemming from a domestic dispute. 24-year-old James McManus Jr. was arrested on charges of attempted second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon and aggravated criminal damage to property in connection with the Sunday night shooting. A 14-year-old boy and a 22-year-old man were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

If you’ve ever encountered a “phantom traffic jam,” or traffic slowdown that doesn’t seem to have an apparent cause, it was probably caused by someone tailgating. Researchers at MIT found tailgating does not get you anywhere faster, and it actually causes traffic jams for no reason. Traffic Engineer Laurence Lambert of Vectura Consulting says adding features to future vehicles can fix the problem…:
Cut 12 (07) “their study”
He says you should always give yourself plenty of space between you and the car ahead.

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl will kick off at 12:30 p.m. today at Independence Stadium in Shreveport featuring Florida State and Southern Miss playing. I-Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says there is a lot to do prior to the game…:
Cut 14 (11) “gonna have”
The game will air on ESPN.

Should Louisiana riverboat casinos be allowed to move onto land? A taskforce is currently studying if the 15 licensed boats should be permitted to move their gambling operations into structures off the water. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says this doesn’t mean they’re trying to add more casinos to Louisiana…:
Cut 6 (10) “still 15″
He says the taskforce will report back to the legislature.

The state has entered into negotiations to purchase a 515 acre sugar cane farm near Thibodaux where it hopes to relocate residents of an island that is disappearing in extreme coastal Terrebonne Parish. Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry says there are about 100 people still living in Isle de Jean Charles…:
Cut 8 (09) “the new location”
Most of the people who live there are members of the Biloxi-Chitimacha-Choctaw tribe.

The Walk On’s Independence Bowl kicks off at 12:30 today in Shreveport; featuring Southern Miss and Florida State. I-Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says Walk On’s is excited about being the title sponsor of the game for the first time, as the Baton Rouge-based sports bar is planning expansion in several states in the coming years…:
Cut 13 (10) “their demographic”
The game will air on ESPN.

A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours. Traffic Engineer Laurence Lambert of Vectura Consulting says the study shows that tailgating actually causes previously non-existent traffic jams…:
Cut 11 (04) “nothing there”
Researchers suggest the best course of action is to maintain an equal distance from both the car in front of you and the car behind you.

A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours…:
Cut 3 (30) “Matt Doyle reporting”

As the LSU football team continues preparations for the Citrus Bowl against Notre Dame on New Years Day, players had a special visitor attend practice on Tuesday afternoon. Governor John Bel Edwards talked to The Tigers prior to workouts, and even joined in on a few plays…:
CUT 25 (03) “Tigers”
LSU has two more practices in Baton Rouge before heading to Orlando. The Fighting Irish arrived in Florida yesterday.

The state has entered into negotiations to purchase a 515 acre sugar cane farm near Thibodaux where it hopes to relocate residents of an island that is disappearing in extreme coastal Terrebonne Parish. Division of Administration spokesman Jacques Berry says Isle de Jean (ill-de-shaun) Charles has been slowly sinking into the Gulf for a long time…:
CUT 7 (10) “area”
He is optimistic the deal to purchase this land will close soon so they can begin construction on the tribe’s new home.

The Walk-On’s Independence Bowl will kick off at 12:30 p.m. today at Independence Stadium in Shreveport with Florida State and Southern Miss playing. I-Bowl spokesman Stefan Nolet says There are quite a few local fans excited to see a team of the caliber of the Seminoles…:
Cut 15 (08) “State here”
The game will be televised on ESPN.

The Louisiana Casino Association hopes they can help riverboat casinos get more solid footing if a task force recommends they are allowed to move to nearby land. The casinos have been on riverboats since they were approved in 1991. Executive Director Wade Duty says gamblers will not need to worry if their favorite casino is moving..:
cut 4 (12) “presently are”
He says the task force is not looking at adding more casinos to Louisiana.

A study out of MIT shows that drivers who tailgate are actually causing traffic delays and lengthening commutes during peak hours. Traffic Engineer Laurence Lambert of Vectura Consulting says the closer you drive, the more erratic your reactions become…:
Cut 10 (08) “process is”
Researchers suggest the best course of action is to maintain an equal distance from both the car in front of you and the car behind you.

The state has entered into negotiations to purchase a 515 acre sugar cane farm near Thibodaux where it hopes to relocate residents of an island that is disappearing in extreme coastal Terrebonne Parish. Don Molino reports..:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Don Molino”