Dr. Frank Welch with the Department of Health says the number of flu cases is up about 1.5% over the past week or so. He says public health officials are also watching for potential outbreaks of other illnesses like the mumps where there’s been a large outbreak in norther Arkansas…:
CUT 5 (09) “going around”
He says wash your hands frequently, cover your cough, and if you are sick, try to stay away from family gatherings.

A chemical plant in LaPlace has agreed to try to cut its emissions by 85% by the end of next year after the Environmental Protection Agency said the facility regularly discharges a chemical that is likely to cause cancer. Denka Performance Elastomer said they will spend millions on technology that will reduce the amount of the chemical that’s released into the air. The company estimates residents should start to see reduced emissions within six months.

The year-end holiday travel period, as defined by AAA, begins today and this year is expected to reach the highest level on record. Spokesman Don Redman says more than 103 million Americans are forecast to travel today through January 2nd…:
CUT 7 (10) “smashed that”
He feels that’s driven in part by the second cheapest New Year’s gas prices in nearly a decade.

It’s game day for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs as they are set to kickoff against Navy this afternoon in the Armed Forces Bowl. The contest features Tech’s Trent Taylor who has caught 124 passes for 15-hundred yards and ten touchdowns and is one of the top wide receivers in the game. Voice of the Bulldogs, Dave Nitz…:
CUT 11 (12) “gets open”
The game will be televised by ESPN.