Much of the state is dealing with severe weather today as a warm-humid air mass has the potential to produce flash flooding, damaging winds, hail and tornadoes. West Carroll, Richland, Morehouse, Madison, Franklin and East Carrol Parishes are under a tornado watch until this evening. Forcasters urge people to be vigilant as they run around today taking care of that last minute holiday shopping.

A gift card might be an appropriate option if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of stores in this nasty weather. The National Retail Federation says gift cards are the most-requested gift for the 8th year in a row. LSU Assistant Professor of Marketing Dan Rice says gift cards let the giver feel like they’ve put some effort into which one to select that would fit their friends and relatives passions…:
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More consumers than ever before will purchase gift cards this holiday season, according to the NRF.

Three people are dead and three others injured after a train collided with a car in New Iberia. Eric Gill reports…:
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The CDC says the flu bug has been quiet in Louisiana so far this season, but eventually will start to spread. South Carolina is the only state showing significant flu activity. CDC medical officer Fiona Havers says the slow start to influenza activity gives people more time to get a flu shot, if they haven’t received one already…:
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