LRN AM NEWSCALL DECEMBER 29

If you use the asthma inhaler Flovent, you need to know that beginning January 1st it won’t be on the shelves. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana’s float will be on display to the world on Monday in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Louisiana rings in a new year this weekend. Jeff Palermo reviews the top stories for 2023…

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If you have asthma and use the inhaler Flovent made by GSK, listen up. LSU Health New Orleans Pulmonologist Dr. Kyle Happel says they just learned it’s being removed from the shelves beginning Monday. And while there are other options…

Cut 4 (11) “…called fluticasone.”

Happel unfortunately says many insurance companies do not cover the alternatives for Flovent so he’s encouraging users to be proactive about refilling their maintenance medication…

Cut 5 (08) “…their asthma.”

GSK is reportedly discontinuing Flovent due to Medicaid rate changes that would force the company to pay larger penalties for hiking prices. Happel says you might want to get in touch with your doctor now so a prescription for an alternative is ready to go…

Cut 6 (12) “…January 1st.”

Happel says ironically the generic fluticasone, which is also made by GSK, works just as well as Flovent.

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The Bayou State’s Mardi Gras-inspired float will cruise the streets of Pasadena on Monday in the 135th Rose Parade. This year’s theme is “Celebrating a World of Music: Universal Language.” Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says this is an opportunity to put Louisiana on the front line and drive tourism.

Cut 7 (12) “…every year.”

The float will feature a larger-than-life Mardi Gras jester, second-line inspired umbrellas, fleur de lis, and lots of purple, green, and gold. More than 90 volunteers from Louisiana and across the country will decorate the massive float.

Second-year rider, Assistant Vice President of Communications for the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Kaylie LeBlanc…

Cut 8 (12) “…anything else.” 

Grammy-nominated zydeco musician Sean Ardoin, Cajun fiddler Amanda Shaw, and legendary guitarist James Burton will render a musical performance along the parade route. And Lafayette musician Sydney “Sid” Williams will be representing Lafayette Parish on this year’s float.

Nungesser says this year’s riders highlight the celebratory spirit of great musicians from Louisiana. He hopes this will be another award-winning float that exposes all that the Bayou State has to offer.

Cut 9 (09)  “…and this year.”

View photos and videos of the decorating process at explorelouisiana.com. The parade will broadcast at 10 am on ABC New Year’s Day.

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According to Gas Buddy’s annual fuel outlook, the national average for gas and diesel will drop from 3.51 this year to 3.38 in 2024. After gas prices surged to nearly six dollars a gallon in 2022, Head of Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the global refining picture has continued to improve.

Cut 10 (10) “…price relief.”

The average yearly spending per household will fall to an estimated $2407, down two percent from this year and over 12 percent from last year.

DeHaan says there’s also been continued improvement in the balance of supply and demand. He says several factors contribute to less of a pinch at the pump for consumers including…

Cut 11 (13) “…year ahead.” 

DeHaan says gas prices still could fall below a national average of three dollars per gallon this winter before rising again. He says gas prices may peak to around four dollars a gallon around Memorial Day but it’s still uncertain.

Cut 12 (12) “…avoid that.” 

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2023 is coming to a close and the biggest story in Louisiana was the election of Republican Jeff Landry as the state’s 57th governor. Landry’s victory was predicted, but for him to win in October, without the need for a November run-off was a surprise…

Cut 13 (09) “…(cheering).”

A year ago, no one could have predicted that Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson would be elected as Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Republican from northwest Louisiana won the powerful seat after Kevin McCarthy was ousted and Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan failed to get majority support…

Cut 14 (14) “…in business.” 

It was a busy summer and early fall for firefighters as record-breaking hit and drought led to wildfires that destroyed 62-thousand acres statewide. Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain says in August alone, there were 550 wildfires…

Cut 15 (14) “…in the archives.”

The most controversial bill during the 2023 legislative session was a bill that makes it illegal for doctors to perform certain procedures to alter the sex of transgender minors. Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed the legislation because it said it was unnecessary…

Cut 16 (09) “…have to do.” 

But lawmakers overrode the governor’s veto and the legislation goes into effect on New Year’s Day.

2023 saw LSU athletic programs win not one, but two national championships, the Lady Tigers basketball team won in April, and LSU baseball won the College World Series in June….

Cut 17 (16) “…walk it off.” 

(Sound courtesy of the LSU Sports Radio Network.)

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The LSU Tigers will take the field on New Year’s Day with a new quarterback as Garrett Nussmeier will get the start. Nussmeier replaces Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels who opted out. Nussmeier will have the opportunity to throw to star receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas…

Cut 18 (21)  “…been awesome.” 

Monday’s game against Wisconsin will mark Nussmeier’s first start at quarterback since December 4, 2020. He can’t wait…

Cut 19 (19) “…playing good” 

Nussmeier and the Tigers will try to rack up points against a Wisconsin defense that’s only allowing 19 points a game. He says it will be a challenge…

Cut 20 (19) “…excited for it”