The state health department says one out of ten visits to a health care provider are for flu-like symptoms. Flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch says flu season has peaked just in time for Mardi Gras.
Cut 7 (05) “…go get it.”
The flu causes about 500 deaths and nearly three-thousand hospitalizations every year.

Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens has pre-filed a bill for the legislative session that begins in April that would give teachers a 250 dollar tax deduction for buying school supplies, reviving a temporary deduction that expired in 2008. Hensgens says a similar bill failed two years ago, but is bringing the legislation back after reading a report on teacher spending…
Cut 13 (10) “…should encourage.”

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed said this week the cost of attending a community college is too expensive when compared to what students in other southern states are paying. But Chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan, says their schools only receive state funding and tuition, while other states have three funding sources.
Cut 4 (11) “…oranges.”
Sullivan says their board is constantly looking at keeping costs down for students, while raising the value of the education.

Seven different local governments are using state-appointed administrators to help manage their financial books. Legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says they’ve never had so many state administrators at one time and the goal is to quickly get a town’s finances back in order so control can be handed back to the local elected officials….
Cut 11 (08) “…the situation.”
Purpera says the longest running case of fiscal administration is Madison Parish Hospital, which has been under administration for three years.

With Mardi Gras parades beginning to roll, state health officials warn it’s the perfect opportunity for the flu virus to spread. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barhhart”

The former longtime executive director of the national Delta Kapp Epsilon fraternity told the Advocate it was known for 30 years the LSU chapter had severe hazing problems and the university knew it too. Nine DKEs were arrested last week on hazing charges and LSU has placed multiple administrators on leave for failing to act properly after hearing rumors.

A record seven local governments now have a state-appointed administrator to handle their finances. State legislative auditor Daryl Purpera says the fiscal mess was so bad, these local entities usually welcome the help…
cut 12 (08) “…administrator”
Bogalusa and Sterlington are the latest towns to receive an administrator and Purpera says up to eight more muncipalities are also on the brink of getting one.

Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed said this week the cost to attend one of the state’s community colleges is too high for Louisiana residents, but the leader of the state’s community and technical college system, Monty Sullivan, says a degree from one of their institutions, usually allows a person to double their income compared to the state’s per capita income.
Cut 6 (10) “…partners.”

A record seven local governments in Louisiana are under control of a fiscal administrator appointed by the state, because of budget woes. Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera says the administrators have broad authority to address the fiscal crisis by laying off employees or raising rates….
Cut 10 (10) “…making decisions”
This week the Fiscal Review Committee appointed administrators to handle the finances of Bogalusa and Sterlington.

Increasing teacher pay will be a big initiative in the upcoming legislative session, Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens has also pre-filed a bill that would give teachers a 250-dollar tax deduction for school supplies they purchase for the classroom. Hensgens says there’s been some movement to address the substantial costs of supplies, but not enough…
Cut 14 (09) “…jobs done”

Chancellor of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System Monty Sullivan responds to Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed’s comments on the cost of attending a community college. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

24-7 sports ranks LSU football’s 2020 recruiting class as the best in the country after receiving a commitment from a four-star defensive end in Texas…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Higher Education Commission Kim Hunter Reed says more needs to be done to protect college students from hazing….
cut 5 (11) “…goes wrong”
Reed is disappointed over last week’s arrest of nine LSU students suspected of hazing at fratnerity that’s since been closed.

A Gonzales man has been arrested and charged with his 3rd DWI following an overnight crash in Ascension Parish that left one dead. The head-on collision happened just before 11:30 last night when 28-year-old Greg Rivere was traveling eastbound on Highway 43. State Trooper Tayler Scrantz says for an unknown reason, Rivere crossed the center line, striking an oncoming vehicle.
Cut 6 (08) “…for minor injuries.”
30-year-old Daniel Cox of Prairieville was killed in the accident.

Heavy rainfall came down in north Louisiana this morning and Michael Berry with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says more downpours are expected today and in the overnight hours…
cut 12 (10) “…east in the morning”
Berry says forecasters are also keeping their eye on the potential of severe weather on Saturday, a day full of Mardi Gras parades across the state

Louisiana’s Higher Ed Commissioner says additional anti-hazing reforms could be needed after the criminal investigation into the latest hazing case at LSU is completed. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A 41-year-old Prairieville woman is lucky to be alive after State Police say a suspected drunk driver hit her vehicle in Garyville on Monday morning causing it to erupt in flames. Cell phone video shows four good Samaritans dragging her out as flames shot out of the back of the car. Police say 22-year-old Richard Preston hit her vehicle and he’s been arrested.

LSU football’s 2020 recruiting class is rated number one by 247Sports. The Tigers have eleven verbal pledges, nine four-star commitments and the number one cornerback in high school, California’s Elias Ricks. 247Sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says the class features seven players from outside of Louisiana…
Cut 9 (10) “…the way.”
The state’s latest commitment is four-star Texas defensive end Alec Bryant.

The state health department urges doctors to look out for measles cases in Louisiana. The C-D-C reports 101 cases of measles in 10 states, including Georgia and Texas. Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says most people are vaccinated against the highly contagious infection, but the small population of people who are not, are at risk…
cut 12 (08) “…horrible complications”
Any suspected cases should be reported to the state’s Infectious Disease Hotline.

There are currently two Republican challengers to Governor John Bel Edwards in this year’s governor’s race, but state GOP operative Scott Wilfong hopes there’s just one main GOP opponent facing Edwards when qualifying takes place in early August….
cut 15 (10) “…one candidate”
Wilfong appeared as a guest on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster and he says there’s also a movement to get another candidate in the race as Eddie Rispone and Ralph Abraham’s fundraising lags behind Edwards.

It’s one of those weeks you don’t want to be caught without an umbrella as a wet weather pattern begins today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says heavy rainfall is possible today as the result of a front that has stalled along the coast.
Cut 7 (08) “…of weather really.”
A couple of inches of rain could fall in parts of the state through Wednesday, with as much as three inches possible in northeast Louisiana.

The state health department is urging doctors to be on the look out for measles cases in Louisiana. The C-D-C reports 101 cases of measles in 10 states, including Georgia and Texas. Assistant state health officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says most people are vaccinated against the highly contagious infection, but the small population of people who are not, are at risk…
cut 12 (08) “…horrible complications”
Any suspected cases should be reported to the state’s Infectious Disease Hotline.

There’s less than 72 hours until a one million dollar Powerball ticket bought at the Ideal Mart in New Orleans expires, becoming one of the highest jackpots to go unclaimed in Louisiana. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says if you have the winning ticket from the August 25th drawing, high tail it to the capital city.
Cut 4 (06) “…Baton Rouge.”
Lotto players have a 180-day deadline to claim their prizes if they hold a winning ticket.

A state GOP operative is raising concerns about Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham’s fundraising performance as he challenges Democratic Incumbent John Bel Edwards in the 2019 governor’s race. Abraham report having 350-thousand dollars in the bank and Scott Wilfong said on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster that will not get the job done…
cut 14 (07) “…is huge”
Edwards reports having eight-point-four million dollars in the bank. A spokesperson for the Abraham campaign says they will have enough money to run a strong race.

Heavy rainfall is falling in parts of north Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says some parts of the state could see as much two inches of rain through Wednesday afternoon and there’s the potential for three inches in northeast Louisiana…
cut 8 (11) “…need to watch”

While the state hasn’t seen a case this year, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging doctors to be on the lookout for the measles. Assistant State Health Officer, Dr. Joseph Kanter, says measles cases have been reported in areas as close as Georgia and Houston
`Cut 10 (10) “…the surrounding cases.”
He says over 96% of Louisiana kindergartners are up to date on their shots.

An unclaimed one-million dollar Powerball ticket sold in New Orleans is set to expire on Thursday. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says big winners usually don’t wait until the 180-day deadline before cashing in, but they had a similar case last year…
cut 5 (09) “…Thanksgiving company”
The unclaimed one-million dollar Powerball ticket is from the August 25th drawing and sold at the Ideal Mart in New Orleans.