Louisiana ranks last in the United Health Foundation’s annual ranking of healthiest states in America. Doctor Rhonda Randall says Lousiana has a high percentage of children in poverty and a high prevalence of frequent mental distress…
cut 5 (08) “…for that measure”
Lousiaina also ranks 49th for the percentage of low birthweight babies.

Former Congressman Charles Boustany says since the new tariffs were imposed, Louisiana businesses have paid an additional 85-million dollars. Boustany, who is a spokesman for Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, says the effects of steel and soybean tariffs have begun to work their way down the economic supply chain from agriculture to the shipping industry…
cut 11 (05) “…retaliation”
Supporters of the tariffs say the economic conflict with China is the best way to force the global superpower to renegotiate a new trade deal.

Despite a reputation as a food Mecca, a report out of Loyola University of New Orleans shows 783-thousand Louisiana residents have trouble accessing, or affording good, healthy food. Matt Doyle reports there are food desert areas in Louisiana
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

An 83-year-old Vietnam vet will get a doctorate from LSU today. Johnnie Jones received a Master’s of Social work from LSU in 1975 and then worked for the Department of Corrections for 25 years. He’s now planning to go to law school so he can gain more knowledge.

A non-partisan campaign called Tariffs Hurt the Heartland claims Louisiana businesses have paid an extra 85-million dollars in import tariffs since President Donald Trump started a trade war with China. Supporters say the tariffs will force China to renegotiate a new trade deal. But former Congressman Charles Boustany, a spokesman for Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, says the tariffs are backfiring…
cut 12 (11) “…escalated”
Boustany proposes a new approach to the Chinese trade deficit, built around assembling a trade coalition to generate better leverage on China.

The Louisiana Board of Commerce and Industry votes today on whether Driftwood LNG should receive a tax exemption that could top two-billion dollars. Louisiana Economic Development says the nearly 16-billion dollar liquefied natural gas export facility in Calcasieu Parish would see a tax break of 283-million dollars in the first year alone.

Louisiana ranks last in the United Health Foundation’s annual rankings for healthiest states in America. A High percentage of children in poverty and a high prevalence of frequent mental distress are among the challenges the state faces. Doctor Rhonda Randall says the percentage of adults smoking has also increased 5-percent over the past two years…
cut 6 (10) “…48TH”
Randall says the percentage of cardiovascular deaths also increased four-percent over the last three years.

A Loyola University New Orleans Jesuit Social Research Institute report finds Louisiana has the second highest rate of food insecurity in the nation. J-S-R-I Executive Director, Father Fred Kammer, says Louisiana is known as a foodie destination, but many areas of the state do not have a full-service grocery store that have healthy and affordable food options…
cut 8 (09) “….their family”
Kammer says Louisiana needs to make food policy a higher priority.

A report out of Loyola University in New Orleans says Louisiana has the second highest rate of food insecurity in the country, a result of the state’s substantial poverty rate, and proliferation of food deserts where residents don’t have access to, or can’t afford healthy food. Jesuit Social Research Institute Director Father Fred Kammer says food deserts can be found in urban and rural areas.
Cut 7 (12) “…our cities.”
The report concludes that food insecurity in Louisiana must be understood as a social injustice issue of the highest priority, requiring attention from all levels of government.

According to the Associated Press, the Secretary of State’s office could not spend 90-thousand dollars to upgrade software for businesses registrations and other computer systems, because that money went towards settling the sexual misconduct settlement involving former Secretary Tom Schedler.

Louisiana drops one spot to dead last in America’s health rankings. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Former Congressman Charles Boustany says the trade war with China is failing, and Louisiana taxpayers have paid so far an additional 85-million dollars in additional tariffs, 19-million dollars in October alone. Boustany says the trade war is a hurricane, and we’re starting to feel the first bands of bad economic weather…
Cut 10 (10) “…get hurt”
Boustany is a spokesman for Tariffs Hurt the Heartland. The World Trade Center of New Orleans says the biggest impact they’ve noticed is in the energy sector, which relies on imported steel and aluminum.

Former Congressman Charles Boustany says since the new tariffs were imposed, Louisiana businesses have paid an additional 85-million dollars. Boustany, who is a spokesman for Tariffs Hurt the Heartland, says the effects of steel and soybean tariffs have begun to work their way down the economic supply chain from agriculture to the shipping industries…
cut 11 (05) “…retaliation”
Supporters of the tariffs say the economic conflict with China is the best way to force the global superpower to renegotiate a new trade deal.

For the 13th time since 1990, Louisiana is ranked 50th in America’s health rankings. Thirty-five different areas of health determine the overall ranking. Dr. Rhonda Randall with the United Health Foundation says among the areas of concern, child poverty, where Louisiana ranks last.
Cut 4 (08) “…the nation, it improved.″
Randall says they’ve also found there’s a high prevalence of frequent mental distress and a high prevalence of low birthweight.

New research from the Loyola University New Orleans Jesuit Social Research Institute finds Louisiana has the second highest rate of food insecurity in the nation and its rising faster than the rest of the country. An estimated 784-thousand residents struggle with hunger and contributing to the problem is what is known food deserts, the lack of grocery stores in low income, minority neighborhoods. Father Fred Kammer..
cut 9 (08) “…national trend”
The report concludes the state of Louisiana needs to make food policy a higher priority and offer incentives for grocery stores to open in underserved communities.

From two to 6:30 this afternoon, the Louisiana Health Department will make flu shots available at their parish health clinics…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

It’s a rainy dreary day across Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim on how much rain we can expect…
cut 12 (06) “….across the state”

The LSU men’s basketball team fell to 7-3 last night after losing to 24th ranked Houston 82-76.

Louisiana has three of the top 30 cities most in need of charity donations this holiday season according to the personal finance website Wallethub.com. New Orleans is ranked 10th, Shreveport 21st and Baton Rouge 26th. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says one category in particular stood out…
cut 7 (10) “…pretty huge”
The report also took into account unemployment, homelessness, the high school drop out rate and economic security.

According to Google, the World Cup and LSU’s football schedule ranked at the top when it came to google searches in Louisiana during 2018. Google Technology Expert Molly Vandenburg says Louisianians also were concerned about the two major hurricanes that hit the US coastline this year….
cut 6 (10) “…they can”

Free flu shots are available from two to 6:30 PM at parish health clinics across the state. Louisiana health officials have seen an uptick in flu cases. Immunization Director Doctor Frank Welch says its the best way to avoid the flu is to get vaccinated…
cut 15 (10) “…cover their cough”
And if you are sick, do not kiss babies, pregnant women, grandparents and others who may be at a higher risk of getting sick.

There’s the potential for an inch to two inches of rain today and into tonight as a result of a cluster of storms moving through the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim….
cut 11 (07) “…isolated areas”
So far today, the heaviest rainfall can be found in south Louisiana.

Louisiana has three cities in Wallethub’s ranking of top 30 cities who are in most of need in charity donations. New Orleans ranks 10th, Shreveport 21st and Baton Rouge 26th. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales hopes this will inspire Louisianians seek out reputable non-profits who can brighten the holidays for the less fortunate…
cut 9 (11) “…of giving”
The report took in account child poverty, homelessness, economic security and safety ratings.

So what were the top Google searches in Louisiana during 2018? Google technology expert Molly Vandenburg says many in the Bayou State were trying to find out when their favorite team was playing…
cut 5 (10) “….on there”
And Vandenburg says Louisiana residents also showed great interest in finding out about Hurricane Florence and Michael, which hit the Carolinas and Florida respectively.

The state health department offers free flu shots today from 2 to 6:30 PM at parish health units. Immunization director for L-D-H, Doctor Frank Welch, says Louisiana is among the states with the highest levels of flu activity so far this season…
cut 14 (07) “….climb up”
And Welch says if you have cold symptoms or have a fever greater than 100.3 degrees, stay away from others until you have not had a fever for 24 hours.

Three Louisiana cities come in the top 30 cities for most in need of charity donations. New Orleans ranks 10th, Shreveport 21st and Baton Rouge 26th. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says the state’s higher than the national unemployment rate is one reason why…
cut 8 (10) “…average”
All three cities scored above average for the number of consumer bankruptcies.

There are reports federal and local investigators are looking allegations former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain sexually abused at least four teenagers. According to WWL-TV, the investigation is over a year long and the abuse may have occurred over decades. No arrests have been made and no charges have been filed in the case.

Google’s annual Year in Search report has been released and shows Louisianans tend to google the most for sports information. Connor Ferrill has the story…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Connor Ferrill”