Louisiana receives a green light in the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report for having nine critical traffic laws on the books. Tara Gill, the Director of State Programs, praises Louisiana’s efforts in enforcing no texting while driving legislation, but still more can be done…:
Cut 5 (09) “while driving”
Another reason we scored high is the ignition interlock offender law for convicted drunk drivers.

Special contract crews have been working in New Orleans to flush out 15,000 clogged catch basins in the city; and say there have been 93,000 pounds of Mardi Gras beads sucked up from the storm drains. That’s 46 tons and they were all pulled from St. Charles between Poydras Street and Lee Circle. The project was in response to the August flooding that wreaked havoc on neighborhoods.

The Audubon Insectarium is offering a unique twist on king cakes this year. Matt Doyle has the scoop…:
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Health will be offering free flu shots to anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet this season, on Wednesday January 31st. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says get the shot before Wednesday if you can…:
Cut 7 (07) “that vaccine”
He says they are trying to get everyone protected before Mardi Gras.

The State Department of Health announces that flu shots will be offered at no cost at 55 Parish Health Units across the state on January 31st. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the flu is rampant this year, and you should know the signs if you suddenly get sick…:
Cut 8 (10) “freight train”
He says they want everyone to get vaccinated in time for Mardi Gras visitors.

The jury is expected to get the Ronald Gasser case today. He’s the man who fatally shot former NFL player Joe McKnight in Jefferson Parish in 2016, and prosecutors reconstructed the scene for jurors on Thursday. The defense, who didn’t call a single witness, argues McKnight tried to lunge at Gasser through a car window in a fit of road rage. The prosecution is attempting to demonstrate the vehicle would not have allowed for that.

The Audubon Insectarium has created a cricket King Cake. Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says their invention is very filling…:
Cut 14 (11) “in them”
The cricket King Cakes are baked from scratch at the insectarium.

A former Monroe children’s TV show host will now have to register as a sex offender for inappropriate conduct with a child in 1979…:
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Louisiana receives a green light in a report for nine critical traffic traffic safety laws…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray”

The state will be offering free flu shots next Wednesday for anyone who hasn’t had one yet this season. Dr. Frank Welch says we’ve got a lot of visitors coming in soon for a fat holiday, so protect yourself beforehand:
Cut 9 (10) “Mardi Gras”

A former Monroe children’s TV show host known as “Mr. Wonder” will now have to register as a sex offender as part of a plea deal for inappropriate conduct with a child back in 1979. 78-year-old Frank Selas pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile earlier this month, but was not required to register as a sex offender. Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office spokesman Lt. Tommy Carnline says they are happy Selas will now have to register:
Cut 12 (07) “victory today”

There’s a nearly limitless variety of king cakes available, reflecting the hundreds of years bakers have been cooking up that classic Mardi Gras desert. There’s traditional, fruit fillings, cream cheeses, almond, and now, cricket. Audubon Insectarium Curator of Animal Programs Zack Lemann says their clever chefs cooked up quite a concoction…:
Cut 13 (08) “to it.”
The cakes are baked from scratch at the insectarium.

The Louisiana Department of Health will be offering free flu shots to anyone who hasn’t been vaccinated yet this season, on Wednesday January 31st. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the flu season is so bad this year, and there’s a fear that the Mardi Gras rush will aggravate the spread of the virus. He says get the shot before Wednesday if you can..
Cut 7 (07) “that vaccine”
The no-cost flu shots will be administered at 55 Parish Health units across the state.

Iberia Parish Superintendent Dale Henderson announces that a longtime New Iberia kindergarten teacher died this week from suspected flu and pneumonia complications. 56-year-old Robin Dressel, who’d taught at Magnolia Elementary for more than 30 years, will be laid to rest today. She was a graduate of Loreauville High School and UL-Lafayette.

Special contract crews have been working in New Orleans to flush out 15,000 clogged catch basins in the city; and say there have been 93,000 pounds of Mardi Gras beads sucked up from the storm drains. That’s 46 tons and they were all pulled from St. Charles between Poydras Street and Lee Circle.

Louisiana receives a green light for having nine critical traffic safety laws on the books. The Bayou State is listed as a “best state” in the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report. Tara Gill, the Director of State Programs, says the ignition interlock offender law for convicted drunk drivers is one reason Louisiana scored high…:
Cut 4 (07) “are sober”
Gill also praises the efforts of the state in enforcing no texting while driving legislation.

Louisiana receives a green light in a report for nine critical traffic safety laws it has on the books.  Kelley Ray has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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A former Monroe children’s TV show host will now have to register as a sex offender for his inappropriate conduct with a child during a 1979 camping trip. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Audubon Insectarium is offering a unique twist on king cakes this year. Matt Doyle has the scoop…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Louisiana receives a green light for having nine critical traffic safety laws on the books.  The Bayou State is one of seven listed as a “best state” in the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety report.  Tara Gill, the Director of State Programs, says the ignition interlock offender law for convicted drunk drivers is one reason Louisiana scored high…

Cut 4  (07) “are sober.” 

Distracted driving has been the cause of many fatalities and Gill praises the efforts of the state in enforcing no texting while driving legislation.  She says there’s more that can be done to discourage cell phone use while driving…

Cut 5  (09)  “while driving.”

757 traffic fatalities were reported in Louisiana in 2016, many of those were young children.   Gill says while the state ranks well in many areas, it’s critical Louisiana enforce better child restraint laws…

Cut 6 (11)  “age 2.”

It’s estimated the annual economic cost due to motor vehicle crashes in Louisiana is nearly 5.7-billion-dollars.

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Due to the increasingly critical flu season, the state Health Department has announced no cost flu vaccines will be held at 55 Parish Health units across the state January 31^st.   The walk-in clinics will administer flu shots to anyone who has not done so yet.  State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says get the shot earlier if you can…

Cut 7 (07)  “that vaccine.”

There are marked differences between a regular cold and influenza.  Dr. Welch says it will be very apparent if you are getting sick with the flu bug…

Cut 8 (10) “freight train.”

He says one huge reason they are sponsoring the free clinics if the influx of people coming to the state to celebrate Mardi Gras next month…

Cut 9 (10)  “Mardi Gras.”

Reported flu cases are at 10-percent in Louisiana, one of the highest in the nation and causes around 700 deaths per year in the state.

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A former Monroe children’s TV show host known as “Mr. Wonder” will now have to register as a sex offender as part of a plea deal for inappropriate conduct with a child back in 1979. 78-year-old Frank Selas pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile earlier this month, but was not required to register as a sex offender. Mr. Wonder’s attorney Mike Small…

Cut 10 (11) “was imposed”

After his initial sentencing, Selas was not required to be listed on the national sexual offender registry. Small says it was a misunderstanding of the law…

A new study out of Tulane finds that Louisiana is making slow progress in electing minorities and women to judgeships. Professor of Political Science Sally Kenney says racial minorities are 36% of the state’s population, but non-white judges were only at 22 percent. She says women judges comprised less than 32 percent of all state and federal judges in Louisiana…:

Cut 6 (03)  “as women”

Kenney adds it’s up to citizens to commit to equal justice under the law and stay vigilant to see any progress is not reversed.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says drug traffickers can pay for the proposed U-S Mexico border wall. Cassidy says billions of dollars in drug money crosses the border each year and he says the US is only intercepting a fraction of it…

cut 13 (11) “…going back”

A former Monroe children’s TV show host will now have to register as a sex offender for his inappropriate conduct with a child during a 1979 camping trip. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The water is running in Talluah again, but the city is under a boil order.  The city has seen it’s share of rough times in trying to get water running again.  Last night, a homeland security vehicle bringing water to the city had a blowout and was delayed in arriving.    The Mayor plans to address the water issues in a press conference Saturday.

Negotiations are underway to find a resolution to the impending expiration of the Dream Act, a law that provides legal status to people brought to the US as children. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

A former Vermilion Parish middle school teacher is sentenced to 70 years in prison for making and possession child pornography.  33-year-old James Harber of Abbeville contacted a woman in 2010 and began having an online video sexual relationship which later included her three children.  He later moved to Louisiana and sexually abused the children.

A former Monroe children’s TV show host known as “Mr. Wonder” will now have to register as a sex offender as part of a plea deal for inappropriate conduct with a child back in 1979. 78-year-old Frank Selas pleaded guilty to indecent behavior with a juvenile earlier this month, but was not required to register as a sex offender. Mr. Wonder’s attorney Mike Small…

Cut 10 (11) “was imposed”

New Orleans Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has been with the team now for 12 seasons.  His contract will expire in March as NFL free agency approaches. Saints GM Mickey Loomis says there’s no worry about getting Brees resigned in the Saints camp…

Cut 9 (07) “continue that.”

Brees is the second oldest starting quarterback in the league.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says drug traffickers can pay for the proposed U-S Mexico border wall. Cassidy says billions of dollars in drug money crosses the border each year and he says the US is only intercepting a fraction of it…
cut 13 (11) “…going back”
One estimate says it will cost 18-billion dollars to build the border wall.

LSU’s all-time leading rusher and three time Super Bowl Champion Kevin Faulk has been named as the Director of Player Development for the LSU football program. Faulk says he will help the players not only on the field, but away from the game as well…
Cut 3 (09) “long time.”
Head Coach Ed Orgeron says their mission is to develop every aspect of a young man’s life while they are a part of the program and Faulk will be instrumental in this process.

A new Tulane study finds Louisiana is making slow progress in electing minorities and women to judgeships. Political Science Professor Sally Kenney says another concern is that most of Louisiana’s minorities and women judges are serving in certain areas, like Orleans…:
Cut 7 (09) “would show”
She says minorities are 36% of the state’s population, but non-white judges were only at 22 percent. Women judges comprised less than 32 percent of all state and federal judges in Louisiana. But 51% of the state is female.
Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis is confident they’ll be able to sign Quarterback Drew Brees to a new contract. The 39-year-old’s contract is set to expire in March, but Loomis doesn’t have a time line on when a new deal may get done…
cut 11 (11) “…Drew Brees”
Brees is one of seven Saints players that will play in Sunday’s Pro Bowl.