It’s a new year and for 21 states a higher minimum wage for low-paid workers goes into effect. Critics of a higher minimum wage say it forces some businesses to reduce their work force in order to compensate for the higher wages. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says government can minimize the impact, by raising the wage rate slightly or index it to inflation….
cut 7 (09) “…50 percent”

The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has now reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says it will get worse before it gets better. Medical director for the immunization program, Dr. Frank Welch, says the flu situation in the Bayou State is absolutely terrible…
Cut 3 (06) “influenza-like symptoms”

A cold and rainy start to the New Year in north Louisiana and Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, says rain chances will increase across south Louisiana over the next couple of days…
cut 14 (05) “…to be wet”
Dry conditions for the entire state will not return until Sunday.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is now accepting applications to become a wildlife and fisheries field agent. Emelie Gunn has more…
cut 2 (27) “….reporting”

The C-D-C continues to report widespread flu cases across Louisiana. Doctor Frank Welch, with the state department of health and hospitals, is urging residents to get the flu shot, even though it doesn’t match up completely with the strain of flu going around. He says it can prevent a severe illness and he knows from personal experience…
cut 5 (11) “….three days later”
Welch says almost seven out of every 100 doctor visits are for flu-like symptoms.

State Police say three people were killed in a two-vehicle crash in Livingston Parish last night. Authorities say one of the vehicles ended up flipping and it led to the closure of a heavily traveled roadway for several hours. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Rainy conditions for much of Louisiana today, especially for the northern half of the state. And Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service, expects the rain to keep falling in Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria through Saturday…
cut 13 (09) “…Saturday afternoon”
It’s raining in southwest Louisiana this morning and rain chances will increase across the southern half of the state on Friday and Saturday.

The minimum wage goes up in 21 states today, including Arkansas. Voters approved a minimum wage of $8.05 an hour. Tulane Business Professor, Doctor Mark Rosa, says it will be interesting to see how this impacts Arkansas’ economy…
cut 8 (08) “…large percentages”
Rosa also expects Congress will continue the discussion over whether to raise the federal minimum wage.

The Centers for Disease Control says the flu has reached the epidemic level in the United States and the state Department of Health and Hospitals says it will get worse before it gets better in Louisiana.…
cut 1 (29) “…reporting”

It will be a dreary day in north Louisiana. Marty Mayeaux, with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, says we expect cold and rainy conditions…
cut 12 (06) “….of rainfall’
We’re also seeing showers in southwest Louisiana. The high temperature today in Lake Charles will be in the upper 40s.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is accepting applications from individuals who are interested in becoming an enforcement agent. L-D-W-F spokesperson Adam Einck says they are seeking 24 cadets, who will begin six months of intensive training in May…
cut 10 (09) “….enforcement personnel”
Applicants can apply online through the Department of Civil Service website.

With the start of a new year, the minimum wage is going up in 21 states. Here in Louisiana the minimum wage stays at $7.25. But Tulane Business Professor Mark Rosa says with nearly half of the states acting on their own, it wil spur more talk about raising the federal minimum wage…
cut 6 (10) “….has been changed”
Critics of a higher minimum wage say it forces businesses to reduce the size of their work force.

New Year’s celebrations will take place across the state today. Lt. Colonel John Leblanc, director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, is reminding residents law enforcement will be out in force tonight, putting extra effort to remove impaired drivers from the road…
cut 5 (06) “….night too”
Highway Safety officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday.

Ohio State and Alabama fans are packing the French Quarter tonight as they are in town for tomorrow night’s college football semi-final game. New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau spokesperson Lauren Cason says having two teams with huge fan bases is great for the economy…
cut 10 (11) “…great business”
Cason adds that New Orleans has been named one of the best places to celebrate New Year’s Eve in the nation.

More than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of open enrollment under what is commonly called “Obamacare.” Doctor Karen DeSalvo, with the US Department of Health and Human Services, says the 2015 open enrollment period will last until February 15th, and she urges people to get covered…

cut 8 (11) “take for granted”

Nearly 102-thousand people in Louisiana purchased health insurance through the federal marketplace in 2014.

National media outlets are reporting LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is leaving Baton Rouge for the same job at Texas A&M. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says it’s a big loss for a program that’s won a lot of football games over the last several years, because of their defense

cut 12 (06) “to be filled”

Chavis has been LSU’s defensive coordinator the last six seasons.

State Police will be out in force tonight putting in extra effort to keep impaired drivers off the roads for New Year’s Eve. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director, Lt. Col. John LeBlanc says…
CUT 4 (10) Q: “an impaired driver”
Last year, there were eight Louisiana road fatalities that were alcohol-related.

Between tonight’s New Year’s Eve countdown party in New Orleans, and tomorrow’s New Year’s Day matchup between Alabama and Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl, it’s going to be a huge boost for tourism in the Crescent City….
CUT 11 (10) Q: “great business”
That’s New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Lauren Cason.

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Federal Health officials report almost 102-thousand people in Louisiana purchased health insurance through the federal marketplace in 2014. Doctor Karen DeSalvo says the 2015 open enrollment period will last until February 15th, and so far, sign-up has been brisk…
CUT 7 (09) Q: “health insurance”
More than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of enrollment.

There are reports that indicate LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis has agreed to a three-year deal with Texas A-and-M, which will pay him nearly one-point-seven million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says one possible candidate to replace Chavis is former Ole Miss head coach and Louisiana native Ed Orgeron…
CUT 14 (06) “defensive line coach”
Still, Moran says losing Chavis is a big loss.

Over 56-thousand people in Louisiana have selected a health insurance plan during the first month of enrollment “Obamacare.”
CUT 2 (32) “reporting”

A Chackbay (shack bay) man has died after being shot in his home yesterday. The Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office says 22 year-old Raushaud Gasery was struck by a single round that traveled through his arm and into his chest. The shooting is being ruled an accident; however police are still investigating.
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Highway Safety officials are hoping to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday, which historically is one of the deadliest times to be out there…
CUT 3 (09) “over these holidays”
That’s Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director, Lt. Col. John LeBlanc, who says police will be out in force tonight.

New Orleans has their famous New Year’s Eve celebration this evening, and a huge national stage tomorrow for the Sugar Bowl featuring the Alabama-Ohio State match-up. Tourism-wise, it’s huge, and there’s more coming in 2015…
CUT 11 (10) Q “annual one”
That’s New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Lauren Cason.

Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director, Lt. Col. John LeBlanc hopes to avoid a repeat of last year where eight people were killed on Louisiana roadways during the New Year’s holiday…
CUT 1 (27) “reporting”

A Denham Springs motorcycle police officer who was struck by a car on Monday, has died. Officer James Foster Jr. was responding to an accident on I-12, when he was thrown after he was hit by a 78 year-old woman who turned into his path. He is survived by his wife and two older teen-agers.
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The current numbers show more than 56-thousand Louisiana residents have selected health insurance plans during the first month of enrollment under “Obamacare.” Doctor Karen DeSalvo, with the US Department of Health and Human Services, says it’s encouraging…
CUT 6 (11) “this year”
The 2015 open enrollment period will last until February 15th.

It’s being reported that LSU Defensive Coordinator John Chavis is leaving to take the same gig at Texas A & M. Only this time, it will mean more money than LSU’s latest offer to keep “the chief”…
CUT 13 (08) Q: “over the top”
That’s Tiger Rag editor James Moran, who says it’s a big loss for the program. Chavis made one-point-three million dollars last season, and reportedly going to receive a three year deal with the Aggies for nearly 1.7 million.