11:30 LRN Newscast

There’s a heavy police presence at Lake Charles Memorial Hospital after authorities say a man with a gun walked into the hospital and made his way up to the sixth floor. A SWAT team has detained that man and no shots were fired. The sixth floor of the hospital has been evacuated.

The FDA has approved a new flu drug that can reduce the severity of the flu, and it can work against drug-resistant strains. Studies indicate Xofluza, which is an oral pill, can reduce symptoms if the patient has been sick with the flu for less than 48 hours. LSU Health New Orleans Professor and Infectious Disease Specialist Fred Lopez says it compares favorably to TamiFlu.
Cut 9 (12) “two days.”
But Lopez stressed it’s still no replacement for getting a flu shot and flu shots are now available.

The Board of Regents will will ask for a $172 million increase in state funding for public colleges next year. The request would push state funding for higher ed to $1.2 billion for the 2019-20 budget year that begins July 1. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the additional funding will help students who are struggling with the rising cost of education.
Cut 3 (11) “…students to participate”
Reed says Louisiana students have seen their costs to attend college increase 107-percent over the last 11 years.

The State Fair of Louisiana gets underway today. General gate admission is 12-dollars, with discounts on the weekdays. Fair spokesperson Russell Adams says if live music is what you are looking for, the fair has you covered….
cut 11 (06) “…your gate admission”
Adams says the live entertainment is a good mix of country and rock.