LRN AM Newscall January 4th ###Sports cuts changed because of the Aranda news###

A bad flu season in Louisiana is only getting worse.  Don Molino has more on how to cope.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

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Starting this year, drivers ed courses have mandatory police interaction training. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is worried that a budget shortfall will hurt the state’s tourism industry.  Kelley Ray has a look at his concerns.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Louisiana remains one of the states with the most confirmed cases of influenza during the early half of the flu season.  Department of Health’s Dr. Frank Welch says he is very concerned at the early aggressiveness the flu is showing this year…

Cut 4  (11) “in Louisiana” 

Louisiana sees on average about 8,000 hospitalizations and 700 deaths per year as a result of the flu.  Welch says not all flu cases are serious enough to go to the hospital, so stay away from people if you are sick.  Welch says it’s easy to know when you are not a threat to pass on the flu to someone else…

Cut 5  (07)  “contagious anymore.”

So why is Louisiana being hit so hard this flu season?  Welch says there are four strains but there is one that is particularly troublesome…

Cut 6 (12)  “for longer.”

He says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot.  Even if you get sick with the flu after getting the shot, it will lessen the length and severity of the bug.

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A new component of driver’s education is a section on how to respond to being pulled over by a police officer. The additional curriculum is the result of a new law that went into effect January 1st, aimed at decreasing fatalities resulting from police interactions during traffic stops. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says he has received a lot of support for the legislation…

Cut 7 (06)  “the law.”

Along with educating new drivers on how to talk to police, the new program will emphasize how to be prepared if you get pulled over. Gatti says there’s some suggestions that even experienced drivers might not know…

Cut 8 (06) “their sun visor.”

Gatti hopes the new education will reduce the tension that sometimes occurs during a traffic stop…

Cut 9 (10)  “its worth it.”

Gatti said the idea first came to him from former Dallas Cowboy and Haynesville raised Demetric Evans.

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As Louisiana tourism enters 2018, there are some glaring concerns as to how to encourage more visitors to come to the Bayou State.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state’s tourism budget is facing a ten percent cut if legislators are unable to resolve the fiscal cliff issues.  Plus Nungesser is worried about some of the chronic problems that’s impacting the state’s biggest tourism draw, New Orleans…

Cut 10 (10) “going up.”

Nungesser says the Lt. Governor’s office has seen massive cuts the last several years and is afraid further cuts will reduce the ability to keep the state park system operating…

Cut 11 (09) “and maintained.”

Nungesser says he’s also concerned about the state’s littering and the image that is projected to potential visitors.  He says Louisiana residents can do some small things that will make a big impact…

Cut 12 (08) “the highway.”

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The national price at the pump is at its highest in nearly five years after the busiest holiday travel season on record. The average here in Louisiana is 2.26 a gallon for regular gas, up nearly four cents over last week, but AAA spokesperson Don Redman says he doesn’t expect the price to hold…

Cut 13 (10)  “come down.”

Redman says he believes gas will come down at least ten cents in the next month…

Cut 14 (07) “into February.”

The polar vortex is grinding travel to a halt across the country, shutting down portions of highways across the southeast. Redman says the cold weather will help bring prices down…

Cut 15 (09) “moving around.”

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After a strong offer from Texas A&M, Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda will stay at LSU. Head Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed the news on Twitter last night. Aranda, who was already the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football, will reportedly receive on average 2.5 million dollars over the next four years. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Aggies offer was also really attractive…

Cut 16 (09) “blank check.”

In his social media post, Orgeron thanked the LSU administration and the Board of Supervisors for their support. Moran says it would have been a huge loss if Aranda left for another SEC West school….

Cut 17 (09) “program functions”

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NFC South division rivals will meet in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday afternoon as the Saints host the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans won the two regular season meetings and Quarterback Drew Brees says he has the utmost respect for Carolina…

Cut 18 (14) “opportunities”

Second-year safety Vonn Bell is looking forward to his first playoff game…

Cut 19 (16)   “prove it”