Louisiana’s suicide prevention coordinator Robyn Thomas at the Louisiana Department of Health says the new 988 national suicide prevention and crisis hotline has seen a 50-percent increase in calls since it replaced a ten-digit number in July. Thomas says counselors can connect callers with additional resources if they are needed…
cut 28 (11) “….confidential”
And again that number is 9-8-8.

Who will run for governor next year is a big topic in Louisiana politics? Slidell Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt is a possible candidate. The chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee says she’s looking at her options…
cut 9 (07) “…in January”
A decision by Senator Bill Cassidy is expected by the end of the week.

Southeastern Louisiana University’s School of nursing has been named the Nursing School of the Year by the Louisiana Nurses Foundation. Ann Carruth is dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Cut 3 (06) “…graduation”
This is the fifth year the school has won the award. The competition is evaluated by a panel of out-of-state judges that look at accreditation status, innovations in education and teaching, and nursing exam passing rates.

If you were hoping Louisiana would get a break from the chilly temps anytime soon, well you’re out of luck. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tonight will be the coldest of the current grip old man winter has on the Bayou State with temps hovering around freezing.
Cut 6 (12) “…next week.”
Most of southern half of the state is under a freeze watch late tonight into tomorrow morning.