A major bridge replacement project in Ruston is now underway. Joe Gallinaro reports.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Joe Gallinaro.”
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If you bought your auto insurance policy from Flo, your premium will likely go down at renewal time. Andrew Greenstein reports.
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We’re getting reaction to the new federal nutrition guidelines released yesterday. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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Work is underway to replace the L-A 544 bridge over I-20 in Ruston. The bridge was originally built in 1963 and has outlived its usefulness. Erin Buchanan with DOTD says the overpass replacement is not the only component of this four-year, 39-million-dollar project.
Cut 4 (05) “…traffic flow, too.”
There will be two roundabouts north of I-20 and one south of I-20, and they will replace the traffic lights that are currently at those intersections. Buchanan says those who normally take the 544 bridge will still be able to do so during construction.
Buchanan says they will try to keep traffic disruptions to a minimum during the project.
Cut 6 (09) “…it typically does.”
The lane closures on I-20 are to ensure the safety of both workers and travelers, since work cannot be done over live traffic.
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The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports 16 Louisiana black bears were harvested during the legal bear hunting season that ran from December 6th to the 21st. LDWF’s Large Carnivore Program manager, John Hanks, says there were three different areas where hunters were could legally hunt black bears.
Twenty-six tags were issued for the lottery hunt. Hanks says it’s the second straight year Louisiana had a black bear hunting season after not having one for 35 years because the animal was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act.
The largest bear harvested was 565 pounds. Hanks says a bear that is well over 300 pounds is going to supply 200 plates of food for that family, and he says bear fat is also useful.
Cut 9 (06) “…waterproof their boots.”
Hanks expects guidelines for the next bear hunting season will be finalized during the spring.
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The number of Chronic Wasting Disease detections in wild deer is up to 49. The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says lab results came back positive for CWD on a buck harvested in the Richard K. Yancey Wildlife Management Area in Concordia Parish. Deer Program Manager Johnathan Bordelon says CWD has been detected in three parishes.
Cut 10 (12) “…detection in Concordia.”
Due to the confirmed detection during the ongoing deer season, hunters are encouraged to submit additional hunter-harvest samples for testing. Bordelon says a CWD sample drop-off site is located along Highway 15 near the Richard K Yancey WMA.
Cut 11 (09) “…to diagnostic testing.”
CWD was first detected in Louisiana in 2022. In Mississippi, it was first detected in 2018; and Bordelon says cases of neurodegenerative disease of White-tailed deer in Louisiana have been confined to the Delta Parishes.
Cut 12 (10) “…north-south pattern.”
CWD is 100-percent fatal in affected deer. CWD has not been shown to be contagious to humans, but it’s recommended not to eat deer meat from deer known to be infected with CWD.
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We’re getting reaction to the new dietary guidelines released by the departments of Health and Agriculture. Among other things, the new guidelines urge Americans to prioritize proteins and healthy fats, like fats found in red meat and whole milk, and limit ultra-processed foods and added sugar. Cathy Champagne, a professor of nutrition at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, applauds the call to limit processed foods and added sugars.
Cut 13 (10) “…metabolic risk factors.”
Champagne, however, is concerned about the guidance regarding whole fat dairy and red meat. She says while whole fat dairy may be good for some people, it may cause complications in others.
Cut 14 (07) “…advantageous to you.”
The new guidance also does not place any limitations on red meat. Champagne says the fat in red meat is saturated fat, and that is very unhealthy. She says eating red meat in moderation is okay, and she urges you to choose the cut of meat wisely.
Cut 15 (10) “…for cardiovascular disease.”
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Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis spoke to the media following the team’s 6-and-11 season. Rookie quarterback Tyler Shough finished the year 5-and-4 as a starter. Loomis says the organization knew Shough could end up becoming the quarterback for the future.
Cut 16 (18) “…embraced his opportunity (2x).”
Loomis says winning a division title is one of the organization’s biggest goals for next season, but he expects the team to do even more.
The Saints hold the eighth pick in this year’s draft. After drafting a talented 2025 rookie class, Loomis believes the front office will be able to take a different approach in the draft than they did last year.
Cut 18 (18) “…excited about that.”