The severe flu season is easing up in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo found out by how much…
Cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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US Senator John Kennedy is calling on the pardon board today to reject convicted murderer Clyde Giddens’ appeal for a medical furlough. Matt Doyle spoke to the senator.
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler will not seek reelection, but will not resign despite being named in a lawsuit alleging sexual harassment. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”
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The severe flu season in Louisiana has relented, as health officials report fewer cases, than in late December and January. Over one in ten doctor visits were flu related at one point. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s now down to 3.5 percent. He credits an aggressive flu shot drive for the decrease…
Cut 4 (10) “less flu.”
The CDC says the flu season can last as late as May. Welch says if you have so far avoided the flu, don’t count yourself out just yet…
Cut 5 (05) “get vaccinated.”
Louisiana seems to have been hard hit with the flu bug this year, but Welch says the state is faring better than other areas…
Cut 6 (11) “flu cases.”
He adds if you are sick with the flu, stay at home and isolate yourself while contagious.
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Public Service Commission staffer Hunter Coleman is being hailed as a hero, after he dove into cold water in Shreveport to pull a motorist out of vehicle that crashed into a pond on Monday night. Four people, including three children, were saved, but the driver died at nearby hospital. Coleman says he doesn’t remember much, from heroic effort.
Cut 7 (12) “the pond”
Coleman says the vehicle wrecked 30 yards from the shore, in water that was nearly 15 feet deep. He says he and a few other good Samaritans swam out and immediately began retrieving people from the car. Coleman grabbed 64-year-old Kathy Brown.
Cut 8 (09) “I could.”
Coleman says the rescue was a reminder about the power of community in the face of disaster.
Cut 9 (11) “in need.”
Coleman serves as an enforcement agent in the office of PSC member Foster Campbell. The woman who died has been identified as 40-year-old Megan Victoria Brown of Shreveport.
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US Senator John Kennedy is urging the pardon board not to grant a medical furlough today to convicted killer Clyde Giddens, who was convicted in the brutal murder of Urline Bamburg in Red River. Giddens was sentenced to life in prison in 1964 after pleading guilty. Kennedy says the crime is so grotesque that Giddens does not deserve a second chance.
Cut 10 (12) “stray dog.”
Giddens has a chance at freedom as part of the 2017 Louisiana criminal justice reform package that allows for inmates with “limited mobility” to apply for a medical furlough that would set them free if approved. While Giddens’ case has not been decided, Kennedy blames Governor John Bel Edwards for the murderer’s chance at freedom.
Cut 11 (08) “free program”
Kennedy says this case shows the governor’s criminal justice program is flawed.
Cut 12 (06) “be revamped”
Gidden’s parole hearing will be held today.
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Embattled Secretary of State Tom Schedler spoke publicly for the first time Wednesday about sexual harassment allegations made against him. An employee filed a lawsuit claiming Schedler made unwanted advances to her, and even sent her a sex tape. Schedler admits to an affiar with the accuser, but denies the claim of stalking or harassment. The state’s election chief intends to fight the allegations and not step down…
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Governor John Bel Edwards and even some in his own party have asked Schedler to resign immediately. Schedler says since this suit is in litigation, he can’t comment, but assures the public the truth will eventually come out…
Cut 14 (07) “gossip columns.”
The Republican says this is not a good time to leave, with the state in the process of buying new voting machines and there’s also a new commissioner of elections. In closing, Schedler said he knows he has disappointed his family and the people of Louisiana…
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Schedler says he will not seek reelection in 2019.
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The LSU Tigers basketball team advanced in the NIT with an emotionally charged 84-76 victory over the Ragin Cajuns inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center. UL Lafayette Coach Bob Marlin said they should have been the home team, but LSU Coach Will Wade fired back in the postgame press conference and said the Tigers played a much tougher schedule and in the end they were the better team…
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Marlin also said on Monday the Cajundome was a better basketball venue and complained about not having a chance to play LSU more often. Wade says the SEC demands that its schools play a tough non-conference schedule
Cut 17 (17) “see fit”
Wade called a timeout with 12 seconds left in the game and he got into a shouting match with Marlin. Each coach received a technical foul. LSU’s first year head coach wouldn’t say what was said…
Cut 18 (13) “said though”