LSU says the number of students infected with the mumps has increased to 12, so the university is offering free MMR vaccines to any student who falls under a high-risk group. The high-risk groups include the LSU tennis team, fraternity and sorority members, and musicians in the Tiger Band. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the vaccine is crucial because on rare occasions the mumps can lead to severe complications.
Cut 13 (10) “…deficits.”

Louisiana has a new health secretary. Louisiana native Courtney Phillips, who is currently the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Phillips previously worked at the Louisiana Health Department during the Jindal administration. Her new job begins in April.

The DeSoto Parish Sheriff’s Office is mourning the death of one of their deputies who died in a two-vehicle crash on US Highway 84. State Trooper Brent Hardy says L-S-P responded yesterday to a collision between a 2008 Jeep Cherokee and an unmarked Ford Crown Victoria…
Cut 10 (10) “…of the crash.”
The other driver in the crash suffered moderate injuries.

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow so heads up procrastinators you are running out of time to buy your loved one flowers. Before you sign up for some express delivery or pick up the standard dozen red roses, President of the Louisiana Florists Association Samantha Bates says consider mixing things up.
Cut 4 (11) “…dozen.”

Valentine’s Day procrastinators are running out of time to get their loved one some roses. Matt Doyle has the lowdown on how much time you have left…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Boudin, coffee, and cane syrup help make up the latest craft beer offering from Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

 Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana State Police troopers arrest one of their own in a child porn investigation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart. 

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You’ve got less than 24 hours until Valentine’s day so heads up procrastinators you are running out of time to buy your loved one some roses.

Before you sign up for some express delivery, or fly by and pick up the standard dozen red roses, President of the Louisiana Florists Association Samantha Bates says consider mixing things up a bit.

Cut 4 (11) “…dozen.”

She says this year the industry has seen a lot of interest in pinks, purples, and reds mixed together.

And love doesn’t come cheap, so what’s it going to cost to pick up the standard twelve rose bouquet this year from a Louisiana florist?

Cut 5 (05)  “…thirty.”

Bates says don’t wait until the day of to buy roses as most florists will be out of stock by 12-2 PM tomorrow. Also, if you’re planning on having them delivered to a loved one’s office, do it now.

Cut 6 (09) “…frequent”

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Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing is releasing a limited edition beer called Cajun Breakfast Stout.  Brewery founder Karlos Knott says breakfast stouts that capture the flavors of bacon, maple syrup, and donuts are a growing trend among breweries, but Bayou Teche is for a different vibe.

Cut 7 (05) “…in the beer.”

Knott says brewers utilize Steen’s cane syrup, boudin made with ground pork, rice, onion, green peppers, and Cajun spices and seasoning, as well as organic coffee from Art’s Coffee Roasters.

Cut 8 (13) “…with some sweetness.”

The beer will be available first at a launch party this weekend at the brewery, followed by a launch across the state.  Bayou Teche is no stranger to unique flavors and Knott says the consumers’ demand for new flavors never stops.

Cut 9 (12) “…add to them.″

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A DeSoto Parish deputy is killed in a two-vehicle crash on US Highway 84.  Just before 8 AM on Wednesday, troopers responded to the collision between a 2008 Jeep Cherokee and an unmarked Ford Crown Victoria.  Trooper Brent Hardy…

Cut 10 (10) “…of the crash.”

The crash happened west of LA Highway 3248.  Toxicology samples were obtained and submitted for analysis.  Hardy says the Jeep driven by 33-year-old Richard Wimer of Stonewall was entering a curve while traveling east on US Highway 84 while at the same time, the unmarked patrol unit was traveling westbound.

Cut 11 (11) “…and Mr. Wimer’s.”

Deputy Richardson-Below was properly restrained and was pronounced dead on the scene.  Wimer, who was unrestrained, received moderate injuries and was transported to a local hospital.

Hardy says seeing an officer killed on Louisiana roadways adds an extra layer of tragedy to the situation for first responders.

Cut 12 (11) “…to DeSoto Parish”

Hardy reminds drivers to use caution when driving in inclement weather and says state law allows law enforcement to ticket those driving too fast for road conditions.  Deputy Richardson-Below was 43 years old.

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LSU is now offering free MMR vaccines to those considered to be at high risk of contracting mumps, including tennis players, fraternity and sorority members, the Tiger Band, and others.

LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the vaccine is crucial because on rare occasions infections can lead to the development of severe complications.

Cut 13 (10) “…deficits.”

“High risk” groups also include students who have been in contact with an infected person and students who have not had both of their MMR shots.

Unlike some shots, it takes two rounds for the MMR vaccine to be fully effective. Lopez says getting the vaccines isn’t fool-proof, but it’s close.

Cut 14 (10) “…protective”

He adds being vaccinated can also reduce the severity of the virus.

One student has already been quarantined in their on-campus apartment. Lopez says if you feel you’re coming down with flu-like symptoms and are an LSU student, stay away from others, and…

Cut 15 (12) “provider.”

The university is reporting 12 confirmed cases so far.

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball looks to end its first two-game losing streak of the season tonight when the Bulldogs host F-I-U at the Thomas Assembly Center at 6:30 PM. Coach Eric Konkol’s team dropped two games on the road last week to Western Kentucky on Thursday and Marshall on Saturday

Cut 16  (16)  …next time”  

Tech’s record in Conference USA play fell to 8-and-4 after the two losses. They are in a three-way tie for third place and one of the teams they are tied with is F-I-U. Konkol says his players understand the importance of tonight’s game…

Cut 17  (15) “of the year” 

The Panthers have won three in a row heading into tonight’s game in Ruston. Konkol says FIU head coach Jeremy Ballard has the Panthers playing well on both ends of the court…

cut 18  (17) ” nice job”   

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cut 19 (09)  do it”  

cut 20 (12) “ playing great”    

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone sat down with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana this morning in a rare public interview where he opined about his quest to unseat Governor Edwards.  Rispone’s connection to GOP mega-donor Lane Grigsby was the basis of many Edwards attacks, with the Governor even calling Rispone Grigsby’s “puppet”. Rispone called Grigbys’ influence a media exaggeration.
Cut 14 (09) “…personally”

Rispone has ruled out any further attempts to run for office.

Louisiana native Dr. Courtney Phillips has been chosen as Louisiana’s new health secretary. She’s been the head of the Texas health department since October 2018.  Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement of the appointment via a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.   The position became vacant with the retirement of Dr. Rebekah Gee.

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette is accused of firing at least four shots at a group of 15.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child’s uncle, who was among the group, had a connection to the suspect that may have been the motive behind the shooting.
Cut 4 (08) “…long ongoing dispute.”
The suspect was arrested with 30 minutes.
Three teens have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says their investigation began Monday night when an officer patrolling a neighborhood saw gunfire coming from a vehicle

Cut 6 (09) “…into custody”

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, were arrested.

The 2018 Louisiana Trooper of the Year has been arrested by State Police.  As part of an FBI investigation, 41-year-old Jason Boyet of Troop L is charged with one count of production and distribution of pornography involving juveniles.  Boyet was placed on administrative leave following the arrest.

Eddie Rispone had a rare public interview this morning where he spoke with Jim Engster about his run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. On Monday, police arrested two teens, 18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City and a 15-year-old female who was the driver.  Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, was arrested yesterday.

Cut 7 (11) “…himself in.”

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. The Bayou State has never ranked higher than 46th in the Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count report. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says reducing the child poverty rate would be a huge step forward…

Cut 9 (10) “…deep south.″

Falgoust hopes the report will encourage lawmakers and other policymakers along with nonprofit groups to focus on how they can help improve child wellness in the state.

With the mumps outbreak on the LSU campus up to 12 cases the university is stepping up efforts to prevent further spread by offering free MMR vaccines to those considered to be in high risk groups. Students receiving the vaccine need to get both doses of it in order for it be fully effective. The Louisiana Department of Health is still advising that all LSU students receive the vaccine.

The latest Kids Count report has Louisiana ranked 49th again for child well-being, but Agenda for Children releases a roadmap on how the state can improve its ranking…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Eddie Rispone made a rare public appearance today to speak with Talk Louisiana’s Jim Engster about his near successful effort to unseat Governor Edwards in last year’s run-off. Rispone received some flack for running a blitz of attack ads against Republican Ralph Abraham late in the primary. Rispone was asked if that soured his relationship with some Abraham supporters…

Cut 13 (10) “…different.”

Abraham struggled to raise funds during the campaign, while Rispone sunk a reported 14 million of his own money into the race.

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City, a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a Bossier High basketball star, have all been arrested in connection to the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City. This is the third homicide in Bossier City this year after reporting six homicides in 2019. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry…

Cut 8 (10) “…Bossier City.”

Former Republican gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone sat down with Jim Engster on Talk Louisiana this morning in a rare public interview where he opined about his quest to unseat Governor Edwards. Rispone was the first Republican to challenge Edwards, announcing his bid back in late 2018. When asked if he still has a taste for the campaign trail…

Cut 12 (05) “was it”

He says he plans to remain active in Louisiana politics through support for candidates who share his views on education.

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says Louisiana’s high rate of child poverty is 28-percent, but there is a positive sign, just over half of three and four years are enrolled in schools with the help of federal and state resources.

Cut 11 (12) “…universal access.”

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child was among 15 people standing outside when the suspect, 26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette rolled up on the scene.

Cut 3 (11)  “…to the hospital. 

Hawk was booked on 15 counts of first-degree murder.

Three teenagers have been arrested for the murder of 20-year-old Adrian Carradine of Bossier City, including a high school basketball star. Bossier City Police spokesperson Traci Landry says their investigation began Monday night when an officer patrolling a neighborhood saw gunfire coming from a vehicle

Cut 6 (09) “…into custody”

18-year-old Raymond Henry of Bossier City a 15-year-old female and 19-year-old Otis Smith, a senior on the Bossier High basketball team, were arrested.

Eddie Rispone had a rare public interview this morning where he spoke with Jim Engster about his run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The suspect within 30 minutes and he is now in the Iberia Parish Jail, booked on 15 counts of attempted first degree murder.

Ascension Parish Sheriff Bobby Webre says one of two individuals who jumped from a moving party bus early Saturday morning has died. 21-year-old Austin Jenkins has passed away from his injuries, while his 19-year-old brother remains in critical condition. Sheriff Webre calls the incident a tragic accident.

A drive-by shooting in Iberia Parish leaves an 8-year-old child in critical condition in a Baton Rouge hospital.  Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendall Raborn says the child was among 15 people standing outside when the suspect, 26-year-old Jonas Hawk of Jeanerette rolled up on the scene and fired at least four shots.  Raborn says the child’s uncle, who was among the group, had a connection to the suspect that may have been the motive behind the shooting.
Cut 4 (08) “…long ongoing dispute.”
Raborn says officials were able to find the suspect within 30 minutes.

The Agenda for Children releases its first-ever road map to improving Child Well-Being in Louisiana. The Bayou State has never ranked higher than 46th in the Annie E Casey Foundation Kids Count report. Researcher Theresa Falgoust (Fal-goo) says the report also shows that if every parish could prevent four infants from being born at low birth weight then Louisiana would improve by a ranking.
Cut 10 (07) “…five rankings.”