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.
Cut 11 (09) “…disease.”
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.

President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tonight. It comes after a contentious government shutdown centered on his demands for border wall funding. Senator John Kennedy expects the President will touch on three major issues.
Cut 13 (12) “…Jong Un.”
The speech will take place in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has released new digital ads with a message that the state is better off now compared to four years ago. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards must start campaigning now, before his opponents begin to target him.
Cut 4 (10) “…to raise taxes.”
Edwards’ two announced Republican challengers are Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone.

A 2014 state law that puts another restriction on abortions in Louisiana will be a test case on where the new U-S Supreme court stands on abortion. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court will determine whether the state’s admitting privilege law should have a full blown hearing. Ciolino says the Supreme Court previously rejected Texas’ admitting privilege law…
cut 8 (09) “…effect”
The nation’s highest court has yet to rule on any abortion cases since President Trump appointed two new conservative judges to the bench.

An Arnaudville woman is accused of stealing graveside flowers from a Cecilia cemetery and then selling them online. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange is in police custody…
cut 11 (10) “….make and sell things”
Investigators searched LaGrange’s home and found several silk flowers, floral arrangements, religious statues and vases.

The U-S Supreme court is considering an emergency appeal regarding a state law is set to go into effect that would require abortion doctors to have admitting privleges at a local hospital. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is the first time the nation’s highest court has considered an abortion case, since President Trump appointed two conservative judges to the bench…
cut 9 (09) “….is possible”
Three years ago, the Supreme Court struck down a similar law from Texas.

John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has produced new digital ads that has the governor talking about how the state is better off than it was before he took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is just the tip of the iceberg in campaign advertising befor the October primary…
cut 6 (09) “….in negative tone”

An Arnaudville woman has been accused of stealing flowers from a cemetery in Ceclia and then selling the items on the internet. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange faces one count of simple burglary, but they suspect Lagrange has stolen graveside flowers on multiple occassions over the last three months…
cut 12 (09) “…reported it”
Further charges are pending on Lagrange.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation will file into the chambers of the U-S House of Representatives to hear President Donald Trump’s state of the union address tonight. Each member of Congress can invite a guest, Senator John Kennedy on who he invited…
cut 15 (11) “…works hard”
Kennedy expects the President to touch on immigration, the economy, trade relations and North Korea.

President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tonight. It comes after a contentious government shutdown centered on his demands for border wall funding. Senator John Kennedy expects the President will touch on three major topics.
Cut 13 (12) “…Jong Un.”
The speech will take place in the democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

The US Supreme Court is expected this week to consider whether Louisiana can enforce a state law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a ruling in favor could signal a major shift in the court’s views on abortion related issues….
cut 7 (12) “….precedent”
Supporters of the law say admitting privileges are a necessary requirement, while opponents argue it’s an onerous burden.

Governor Edwards’ re-election campaign has released two new digital ads and the message is one voters will hear a lot…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests an Arnaudville woman accused of stealing graveside flowers from a Cecilia cemetery and then selling them online. Following a complaint, deputies identified and located 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange. Major Ginny Higgins says a warrant allowed deputies to search the suspect’s home…
cut 10 (08) “…she’s taken”
Higgins says previous Facebook posts gave investigators the knowledge Lagrange sold the items she stole.

President Trump delivers his State of the Union address tonight as a February 15th deadline looms on border wall funding. But Senator John Kennedy expects the president will also address his economic policies…
cut 14 (11) “…government”

But Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has released two new digitals ads with the message being the state is better off now compared to how it was when he took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s an absolute must for Edwards to start campaigning now, before his opponents begin to target him.
Cut 4 (10) “…to raise taxes.”
Edwards’ two announced Republican challengers are Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone.

A 2014 Louisiana law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges will be a test case on how the newly constituted US Supreme Court will rule on abortion cases…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A North Carolina man suffering from A-L-S died in a freak car fire after receiving tickets to the Super Bowl from the New Orleans’ Team Gleason Foundation. Ed Cushman was heading to the game, when his brother noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. When he got out, the minivan burst into flames and the brother could not rescue Cushman.

Governor Edwards is telling voters the state is better off since he took office three years ago and the economy is growing. That’s the message released by his re-election campaign in digital ads. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says expect to see return fire from the GOP candidates…
cut 5 (08) “…of accomplishments”
Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone are the two Republican announced candidates.

A 2014 state law that puts another restriction on abortions in Louisiana will be a test case on where the new U-S Supreme court stands on abortion. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court will determine whether the state’s admitting privilege law should have a full blown hearing. Ciolino says the Supreme Court previously rejected Texas’ admitting privilege law…
cut 8 (09) “…effect”

The President will give his State of the Union tonight at 8PM. Matt Doyle talked to Senator John Kennedy about the speech…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A dense fog advisory is in effect until 10 AM from Alexandria down to the coast.