Louisiana is now without a member of the Long dynasty in public office, the end of a near 100-year tradition. Matt Doyle spoke with the last Long to serve…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________

Below freezing temps are expected in the Bayou State tomorrow morning. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

___________________________

A new Legislative class was sworn in last week and for the first time in nearly a century, Louisiana finds itself without a member of the Long family serving in public office.

The political dynasty began with Governor Huey Long the firecracker leftwing populist who pushed a massive public works program, built Tiger Stadium, but was also impeached. Former Senator Gerald Long…

Cut 3 (11)  “…the bar” 

Huey Long was assassinated in 1935 in the midst of a presidential challenge to FDR, who’s “New Deal” according to Long didn’t go far enough in redistributing wealth.

After Huey a series of Longs, joined state politics at all levels. Gerald Long says the family has a gift for keeping the pulse of state politics…

Cut 4 (09) “…needs.”

Some prominent members of the dynasty include three-term Governor Earl Long, US Senator Earl B Long, US Representatives Speedy, Gillis, and Catherine Long, and State Representative Jimmy Long.

Gerald Long served as a Republican Senator for Natchitoches during his time at the Capitol and says the Longs will be best known for their consistency.

Cut 5 (09) “…others”

_______________________

While it is no secret Louisiana residents love King Cake, KingCakeSnob.com, a website dedicated to ranking the tasty seasonal treat, breaks down some of the surprising statistics. Website spokesperson Andrew Alexander says of those polled, people aren’t just satisfied with one serving.

Cut 6 (06) “… a mass number.”

Alexander says people are willing to be patient in long lines to get their hands onto a King Cake.

Cut 7 (10) “…to all year.”

Each King Cake has a plastic baby inside and tradition states that the person getting the slice with the baby buys the next King Cake. Alexander says people have no issue making that purchase.

Cut 8 (07) “…honor the tradition.”

Last year, KingCakeSnob.com received over 3,500 King Cake reviews on 633 different cakes from more than 160 bakeries. Rankings and data collection for this year’s season wraps up February 18.

_________________________________

A Comeaux High football player is fighting for his life after an alleged attempted car robbery ended with him being shot by two juveniles.

17-year-old Matthew Carter was found unresponsive in his vehicle early Saturday morning when police arrived. Lafayette Police Corporal Bridgette Dugas on what they know so far…

Cut 9 (12) “shoot him”

The 13 and 14-year-old suspects were arrested for Attempted First Degree Murder, Armed Robbery, and Conspiracy to Commit Armed Robbery.

Dugas says they believe teens attempted to steal the victim’s car, but it may not have been your usual carjacking.

Cut 10 (08) “…victim” 

Dugas says the location of the crime was shocking, as so was the ages of all of the children involved…

Cut 11 (10) “so young”    (2x)

______________________

Winter temperatures have returned to Louisiana. High temps today are in the low 50’s statewide, which is about ten degrees below normal.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says tomorrow morning, expect a freeze north of the I-10/I-12 corridor.

Cut 12 (09) “…this current wave.”

A slight warmup should come Wednesday, but another front will drop temps again and bring rain Thursday. Keim says climatically, this is the coldest part of the year.

Cut 13 (07) “…in late January.”

This week’s cold weather comes on the heels of warm weather last week. Keim says this week is a reminder that winter is not over yet and it won’t be for another few weeks…

Cut 14 (07) “…of cold weather.”

Volunteer Louisiana wants to you make MLK Day a “day-on” instead of a “day-off”. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________________

A CDC report shows Louisianans are twice as likely to be sedintary as the rest of the country…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________________________

Could Louisiana residents soon be able to purchase lottery tickets online? Kevin Barnhart has the story?

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________________________

It’s Martin Luther King Junior Day, a day off for some and for others a “day on” dedicated to community service. Volunteer Louisiana spokesperson Kori Chisham says volunteers in Louisiana create a billion dollars of economic impact annually, and that number continues to grow.

Cut 4 (09) “…someday.”

If you’re looking for a way to contribute today, Chisham recommends visiting www.volunteerlouisiana.gov or www.mlkday.gov for advice, or just head to the Capital City.

Cut 5 (12) “…projects.”

It’s the 25^th anniversary of the designation of Martin Luther King Day as an official federal holiday, and Chisham says volunteering is the best way to honor this American legend’s life.

Cut 6 (11) “service.”

King would have been 91 today, and was assassinated 51 years ago.

_____________________________

CDC numbers show 30 percent of Louisianans are considered “inactive”, twice the national average. LSU AgCenter nutrition specialist Denise Holston says inactivity is defined by not meeting the recommended 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity and can be the result of a number of impediments.

Cut 7 (12) “…schedule”

Louisiana also sports one of the highest obesity rates in the nation at 35 percent.

Holston says states with low inactivity rates like Colorado have made an aggressive statewide push to make cities more inviting for physical activity, but those population-dense states have an advantage…

Cut 8 (09) “…cars”

She adds Baton Rouge, in particular, has done a good job of beginning to emulate the more walk and bike-friendly city planning of more active states.

If you are one of those inactive adults, Holston recommends starting slow if you’re first getting into exercise, and find little ways to work it into your busy schedule.

Cut 9 (12) “…spot”

____________________

The Louisiana Lottery is looking into expanding ticket sales by allowing players to make purchases of games over the internet. Louisiana Lottery CEO Rose Hudson says in order to start online sales, the legislature needs to change a state statute that prohibits gambling by computer.

Cut 10 (13) “…meeting that mission.”

Hudson says eleven other state lotteries allow for the purchase of tickets online and with the launch of the Louisiana Lottery app, it’s a great time to explore adding Louisiana to that list.

Cut 11 (09) “…using that app.”

Hudson says with more shoppers making purchases online that that in a line at a brick and mortar store, they need to be able to purchase Louisiana Lottery there as well.

Cut 12 (10) “…growing our business.”

_____________________________________

Senator John Kennedy has co-introduced legislation aimed at combatting the global trade in bear parts along with New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Animal Wellness Action founder Wayne Pacelle says legislative action is needed to protect bears that are being killed for their gallbladders.

Cut 13 (12) “…for Chinese medicine.”

The subspecies known as the Louisiana Black Bear was at one time on the federal endangered species list, but with a bit of growth in the population, but Pacelle says that protection has been taken away.

Cut 14 (10) “…or so in Louisiana.”

Pacelle says the bears are slow to reproduce and cannot keep up with the large scale poaching cases throughout the US.

Cut 15 (13) “…back very quickly.”