State health officials say we are seeing widespread flu cases as we approach the Carnival season. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning residents in south Louisiana about canine distemper, which is a rabies-like disease that veterinarians are seeing in raccoons and other animals. Complaints have been reported from Lafayette to the Florida parishes. L-D-W-F says the disease is spread among susceptible animals through contact with body fluids or droppings from an infected animal.

The LSU School of Veterinary Medicine receives an 11.5 million dollar grant that will go towards the launch of the Center for Lung Biology and Disease. LSU associate Vice President for research and economic development, Gus Kousoulas says the state is swamped with lung disease issues, and further research into the biology of how the body reacts to initial infections and fights them off are crucial to addressing those problems.
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Kousoulas says this type of research will lead to additional federal grants.

Louisiana Republcian Senator John Kennedy has invited a Senate custodian to attend President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address tonight…
cut 15 (11) “…works hard”
It’s the second year in a row Kennedy has invited a custodian who works at his Senate office building to the State of the Union.