The state football championships begin today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as 18 teams will battle it over the next three days. Jeff Palermo has a preview…
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State Police have thrown the fence on a Ponchatoula man and set his bond at $25 million for allegedly possessing child porn. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The National Federation of Small Businesses has some suggestions for business owners thinking of throwing a holiday party…
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The Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish has been closed after two boy scouts were hospitalized with histoplasmosis. It’s a flu-like illness that comes from soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says histoplasmois is a fungus and you can sick after breathing in the spores from the fungus
At least 15 campers were reportedly exposed to histoplasmosis. Ratard says symptoms can develop three to 17 days after exposure, but usually infected individuals recover quickly…
Ratard says he doesn’t see histoplasmosis as a major health risk, as there are very few reported cases. But when outdoors, he says do not disturb large piles of leaves and stay away from holes in trees where there might a lot of animal droppings
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The high school state football championships kick-off today at the Superdome, as nine teams will be crowned champions before the prep classic concludes on Saturday night. Today at noon, Oak Grove goes after its first state title since 2001, when it takes on Kentwood. Oak Grove Coach Ryan Gregory was a team captain the last time the Tigers brought home a trophy back to West Carroll Parish
Oak Grove is 13-0 on the year, while Kentwood is 11-and-2 and has won eight state titles in football. Gregory says his big concern is the Kangaroos team speed…
Gregory says he likes the character of his team…
Cut 9 (08) “…mentally tough team.”
The Division four and Division 3 championship games are also today and they are rematches of last year’s championship games. At 3:30 it’s Lafayette versus Ascension Catholic and at 7 PM its Catholic of New Iberia versus Notre Dame.
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A $25 million dollar bond has been set for a Ponchatoula man accused of possession of child pornography. The FBI New Orleans Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes State Police, arrested 59-year-old Edd Scafidel Jr. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says authorities received the information on the suspect last month.
Cut 10 (06) “…pornography involving juveniles.”
Matey says the investigation is continuing as authorities seized more electronic devices. Depending on what those devices may contain, the suspect’s already high bond may increase.
Matey says the public plays an important role in these types of cases.
Cut 12 (10) “…other electronic devices.”
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It’s that time of year when businesses start planning their holiday parties, parties which have the potential to go horrifically wrong if things get out of hand, or the company does a poor job planning and preparing. National Federation of Small Business State Director Dawn Starns says harassment awareness is at an all-time-high, so don’t incentivize inappropriate behavior.
She says you can help keep workers from going too hard by employing professional bartenders who refuse to serve folks who look too drunk.
And, make sure the event is voluntary, just in case someone at your business isn’t interested in some after-hours fraternizing.
And before any party takes place, make sure your harassment policy is up to date, and if you don’t have one, you should get on that right now.
She also recommends hiring Ubers for your employees if alcohol will be involved.