The yo-yoing of the temperatures makes us more susceptible to sickness according to experts. But James Diaz, the Program Director of Occupational Health Sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, says there are things you can do to protect yourself…:
CUT 12 (09) “last fall”
Diaz says immune systems can weaken when temperatures swing from hot to cold.

No more elephants at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The company announces the phase out of the act by 2018. Humane Society of Louisiana Executive Director Jeff Dorson says it’s about time as negative reinforcement is often used to train these elephants…:
CUT 14 (07) “public’s wishes”
Horses, dogs, tigers and other animals will continue to be used in the shows.

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s office says a mother in Houma dragged her daughter around by her hair, made her drink hot sauce and whipped her with a belt for punishment. Captain Dawn Foret says they got a call from a local junior high where the 13-year-old victim attended school…:
CUT 5 (10) “from her mother”
Detectives confirmed the child had severe bruising on many areas of her body. The mother, 33-year-old Gricelda Mejia (Gra-Sil-Da, Ma-Hee-A) was arrested for one count of cruelty to a juvenile.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has cited a New Iberia man for allegedly killing a Louisiana Black bear in St. Mary Parish. Agents say 52-year-old Richard Picard Junior was hog hunting and Picard claims he mistakenly identified the black bear as a wild hog. Picard faces hundreds of dollars in fines and possible jail time as well.