LRN AM NEWSCALL JAN 4

Healthcare and immigration are expected to be big issues for Louisiana’s congressional delegation in the 115th US Congress. Halen Doughty has more…

CUT 1 (30) “I’m Halen Doughty”

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While December sees the most engagements of the year, psychologists say more couples get divorced in January than any other month. Don Molino has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Don Molino”

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Another cold snap is heading our way and it has a potential to bring us some snow. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

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Louisiana’s congressional delegation is gearing up to tackle some big issues in the 115th United States Congress. Congressman Ralph Abraham was sworn in Monday for his second term representing northeast and central Louisiana. He says a big priority for his district will be creating and protecting jobs in agriculture.

cut 4  (07) “so many people”

Abraham says while national issues like Obamacare and securing the borders will dominate many conversations in Washington, he’s also focused on Louisianans’ concerns. He says an important issue for the Bayou State will be rebuilding energy resources.

Cut 5  (11)  “expound exponentially”

Congressman Mike Johnson took his first congressional oath of office, as the former-state representative now represents the 4th District. Johnson says he’s looking forward to rolling back regulations on businesses.

Cut 6 (11) “free market again”

Johnson says rebuilding and strengthening the military is a key issue. He says bolstering our military bases is important for the nation as a whole, and especially for people in the 4th Congressional District.

CUT 7 (10)  “the state”

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The holidays aren’t always the most wonderful time of the year, which is why more couples get divorced in January than any other month of the year. That’s according to New Orleans marriage and family therapist Dr. Eileen Palace, who says the holidays can put added strain on relationships.

Cut 8 (10) “in January”

Palace says people’s expectations of what holidays should be can set them up for disappointment. She says that coupled with lack of sleep and increased alcohol can create problems in a relationship. But she says sometimes there are more serious issues that have been going on for years.

Cut 9 (09)  “old issues”

Palace says people are also dealing with personal issues during the holidays because it can remind them of lost loved ones or their children being grown. She says this can lead to depression in women and irritability in men. She says it’s important to be tolerant of other people’s issues and not take it personally.

Cut 10 (10) “deal with it”

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Another cold snap is coming our way, and state climatologist Barry Keim says it will be the coldest one yet. He says a cold front is moving into the state today, which will drastically cool things off in the Bayou State.

cut 11 (12) “the weekend”

Keim says it will get progressively colder every day until Sunday. He says a storm forming in the Gulf will increase the chance for wintery precipitation in north and central Louisiana on Friday.

cut 12 (11) “central Louisiana”

Keim says it won’t be cold enough for snow in south Louisiana, which means more rain. He says the entire state should keep an eye on this system because things could change quickly.

Cut 13 (09) “the precipitation”

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Workers compensation rates are continuing a downward trajectory in Louisiana, as the Louisiana Department of Insurance announces a statewide rate decrease of nearly 10-percent. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is good news for Louisiana businesses because it makes competing for jobs easier.

cut 14 (08) “going forward”

Donelon says rates have seen a cumulative drop of 34-percent over the last 10 years and 50-percent over the last 20 years. He says workplace safety is the biggest reason Louisiana’s workers compensation rates continue to decline.

Cut 15 (11) “26-thousand”

Donelon says not only could this lower rate bring new businesses to Louisiana, it could also help existing companies create more jobs in the Bayou State.

Cut 16 (07) “even cheaper”