Louisiana receives a failing grade on the American Lung Association’s Tobacco Control Report Card. One of the biggest reasons, Louisiana’s below average cigarette tax that sits at 1.08 cents a pack. Director of Advocacy Ashley Lyerly says if Louisiana were to double that per pack tax, the state would see a notable drop in the number of smokers…
Cut 4 (07) “…to use tobacco.”
The average national cigarette tax is 1.79 per pack.

LSU and football coach Ed Orgeron are reportedly working on a contract extension. Sources say details are still being finalized. Orgeron’s current deal runs through the 2021 season, guaranteeing Coach O $3.5 million a year. Tiger Rag editor James Moran says news of an extension isn’t shocking.
Cut 13 (10) “…weeks to come.”
Orgeron’s annual salary ranks among the bottom half in the SEC.

A Tulane study raises concerns that scientists are underestimating the rate the sea level is rising in low lying coastal zones. Matt Doyle has more.
Voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A Houma teenager was killed last night in a two-vehicle wreck on LA 311 in Terrebonne Parish. State Police say an elderly driver failed to stop at a stop sign and hit 16-year-old Benjamin Chabert’s vehicle. Chabert’s pick-up truck ran off the road and ended up submerged in a bayou. Also, two unrestrained drivers were killed last night in a two-vehicle wreck in Sabine Parish on Highway 1217. 67-year-old Joy Rains of Robeline and 48-year-old Jackie Hardy of Many were killed.

Tulane releases a study that says sea levels are rising faster than thought along coastal Louisiana, because the land is also sinking. Fifth-year P-H-D student and lead author of the study Molly Keogh…
cut 8 (11) fluid withdrawal”
Last week, Governor John Bel Edwards announced plans to spend 350-million dollars on coastal restoration and flood protection projects.

According to the American Gaming Association, 1-in-6 viewers of the Super Bowl will have money on the game. AGA spokesperson Sara Slane….
Cut 10 (13) “…all of 2018.”
Legalizing sports betting is expected to be a hot topic in the upcoming regular session.

The American Lung Association says Louisiana needs to consider a dramatic increase in their cigarette tax….
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Viewership for the Super Bowl is expected to be down in Louisiana, because of the missed pass interference call in the NFC Championship game. But it appears interest is down nationwide. A Monmouth poll finds only 16-percent of respondents are very interested in the Super Bowl, compared to 21-percetn last year. And 50-percent say they have no interest at all, up from 45-percent last year.

Tulane researchers say current models estimating the level of sea level rise in low lying coastal areas are underestimating how quickly we’re sliding into the sea. Wetland scientist and grad student Molly Keogh says the sea level is rising about a half inch every year, but Louisiana’s coast is also sinking, which has profound implications.
cut 7 (09) “…sea level rise”
Keogh says communities in low-lying areas may be more vulnerable to flooding than we realized and that has implications for city and emergency planners.

You can’t bet on the Super Bowl legally in Louisiana, but the American Gaming Association has released a survey that finds eight out of ten people support the legalization of sports betting in their state…
cut 11 (08) “….federal ban”
A bill to legalize sports betting in Louisiana is expected to be debated in the regular session.

The details are apparently still being finalized, but reports say LSU football Coach Ed Orgeron will receivie a contract extension. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

19th ranked LSU won its 10th straight last night as Tremont Waters hit a career-high six three-pointers and finished with 36 points in a 72-57 win over Texas A-and-M.

For the first time since the NFC Title game, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the infamous missed pass interference call. Goodell admitted a penalty should have been called on the play. The commissioner says the competition committee will look at changing the rules to allow recourse for a blatant non-call, but he says previous suggestions that no-calls should be challengeable have been met with resistance…
cut 8 (11) “…no flag”

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that he has spoken with Goodell a couple of times following the NFC title game, but never asked the commissioner to step in and have the game replayed…
cut 5 (11) “…any statement”
And we don’t know for sure, but it appears Payton is wearing a T-shirt depicting Goodell as a clown under his polo shirt at today’s press conference.

Gueydan High School in Vermilion Parish re-opened for classes today after it was closed Monday and Tuesday due to a bat infestation. The initial bat sightings lead school leaders to believe it was a small problem, but Vermilion Schools Superintendent Jerome Puyau says it turns out there were 600 bats inhabiting the school….
Cut 12 (09) “…clusters of hundreds.”
Puyau says many of the bats have since flown out of the school since they were discovered Monday.

I-210 Eastbound lanes in Lake Charles will close tonight so that crews can conduct major work on the highway. State transportation spokesperson Tammy York…
cut 10 (11) “…same thing”
York is asking the public to try to avoid the bridge if at all possible.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been appointed as the Republican Ranking member of a House Subcommittee on Border Security. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
voicer 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell will likely have to break his silence today about the infamous no-call of the pass interference that happened in the final two minutes of regulation of the NFC Championship game. Goodell delivers his state of the NFL address in Atlanta at noon.

Over 14-hundred state educators are in Baton Rouge today learning from national experts on how to handle behavioral challenges in the classroom. Lisa French, with the state department of education says the goal is to see troubled students remaining in the classroom instead of going to alternative schools or being suspended and sent home.
Cut 12 (10) “…their behavior

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says if you are one of the many Louisianians who leave vacation days on the table, he’s urging you to use those days for a staycation in the Bayou State. Nungesser suggests this spot in Beauregard Parish
cut 5 (07) “….of ghosts”
Nungesser says in north Louisiana he recommends visiting the Chennault Aviation and Military museum.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins has been named as the top ranking Republican on a House Border Security Subcommittee. Higgins appointment comes as another federal government shutdown looms, unless President Donald Trump receives funding for a border wall…
cut 9 (12) “….my home”
Higgins says this subcommitte will be a focal point of the border security debate.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is urging Louisiana residents to take a “Staycation” this year. Nungesser says research shows that Louisiana residents do not use 25-pecent of their vacation days and suggests using vacation days to check out a couple of great World War two era historical must-sees…
cut 6 (13) “…to fly”
1400 educators have gathered today at the Raising Canes Baton Rouge River Center to discuss how to respond to children with behavioral issues. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Students at Gueydan High School in Vermilion Parish returned to school today after a bat infestation kept them home on Monday and Tuesday. School officials say most of the bats are gone and the few remaining are contained to one area. Students were given a flyer telling them how to respond if they see a bat.