Louisiana is one of 36 states reporting widespread flu activity. Doctor Frank Welch, with the Louisiana Department of Health, says there are four influenza strains making the rounds, but there is one that is particulary troublesome…
cut 6 (12) “….for longer”
Welch says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot. He says if you still get the flu, the vaccine can lessen the length of your illness.

LSU and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda have reportedly agreed to a new four-year contract that will pay him on average 2.5 million dollars a year. LSU was forced to raise Aranda’s salary, which was already the biggest in college football for an assistant, because Texas A-and-M came after him with an agressive offer. Also, LSU edge rusher Arden Key has declared for the NFL draft. He’s a likely first round pick.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has been celebrating record breaking tourism numbers over the last couple of years, but he says that could change due to potential state budget cuts and growing crime probems in the state’s top tourist destination spot, New Orleans. Nungesser says Louisiana’s litter problem also does not help and there are some things residents can do…
cut 12 (08) “…the highway”
Nungesser says they are working with the Keep Louisiana Beautiful organiziation to reduce litter.

Lafayette Police says a teenager is dead after a stabbing Wednesday night. Corporal Bridgette Dugas says they found a 17-year-old male victim shortly after arriving at a home and arrested the alleged suspect after obtaining information from him…
Cut 3 (07) “LPCC currently.”
Dugas says the investigation is continuing but they believe there was an argument that escalated into murder.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is worried a possible budget shortfall will hurt the state’s tourism industry. Kelley Ray has more on his concerns.
Voicer 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Money shouldn’t be a problem for LSU Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda. He’s reportedly set to sign a new four-year contract that will pay him around 2.5 million dollars a year. Aranda is already the highest paid defensive coordinator in the country, but LSU had to up his salary to keep him, after receiving a strong offer from Texas A-and-M.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.27 that’s up nearly a nickel from a week ago and it’s the highest new year gas prices since 2014. But AAA fuel analyst Don Redman believes the price at the pump will drop at least 10-cents as we move closer to February….
cut 14 (07) “…into February”
Redman says demand of gas is on the decline, because of the winter weather that’s griping much of the country.

A new component of driver’s education is a section on how to respond to being pulled over by a police officer. The additional curriculum is the result of a law that went into effect January 1st, aimed at decreasing fatalities resulting from police interactions during traffic stops. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says he received a lot of support for the legislation…
Cut 7 (06) “the law.”
Gatti said the idea first came to him from former Dallas Cowboy and Haynesville native Demetric Evans.

After a strong offer by Texas A&M, defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will stay at LSU. Head Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed the news on Twitter last night. Aranda, who was already the highest paid defensive coordinator in college football, is expected to become the first assistant to make two million dollars a year. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says the Aggies really wanted Aranda…

Cut 16    (09) “…blank checks”

In his social media post, Orgeron thanked the LSU administration and the Board of Supervisors for their support to make sure Aranda remains a Tiger for years to come.

The news not as good for the LSU men’s basketball team, who battled 17^th ranked Kentucky in front of an excited Maravich Center crowd, but still lost to the Wildcats 74-71 in the SEC opener for the Tigers. LSU is at 11^th ranked Texas A-and-M on Saturday.

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NFC South division rivals will meet in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday afternoon as the Saints host the Carolina Panthers. New Orleans won the two regular season meetings and Quarterback Drew Brees says he has the utmost respect for Carolina…

Cut 18 (14) “…opportunities”

For the Panthers to win, they’ll need a good performance from Cam Newton. The NFL’s 2015 league MVP is 3-3 all-time in the postseason and has only thrown 8 touchdowns and has been intercepted seven times.

In basketball…Anthony Davis had 29 points and 15 rebounds as the Pelicans picked up a road win in Utah as they quieted the Jazz 108-98.

U-N-O improved to 3-0 in the Southland, with a 72-62 win over Lamar, but Northwestern, Nicholls and McNeese all lost. Grambling fell to Alabama State.

A bad flu season in Louisiana is only getting worse.  Don Molino has more on how to cope.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Don Molino.”

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Starting this year, drivers ed courses have mandatory police interaction training. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is worried that a budget shortfall will hurt the state’s tourism industry.  Kelley Ray has a look at his concerns.

Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

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Louisiana remains one of the states with the most confirmed cases of influenza during the early half of the flu season.  Department of Health’s Dr. Frank Welch says he is very concerned at the early aggressiveness the flu is showing this year…

Cut 4  (11) “in Louisiana” 

Louisiana sees on average about 8,000 hospitalizations and 700 deaths per year as a result of the flu.  Welch says not all flu cases are serious enough to go to the hospital, so stay away from people if you are sick.  Welch says it’s easy to know when you are not a threat to pass on the flu to someone else…

Cut 5  (07)  “contagious anymore.”

So why is Louisiana being hit so hard this flu season?  Welch says there are four strains but there is one that is particularly troublesome…

Cut 6 (12)  “for longer.”

He says it’s still not too late to get a flu shot.  Even if you get sick with the flu after getting the shot, it will lessen the length and severity of the bug.

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A new component of driver’s education is a section on how to respond to being pulled over by a police officer. The additional curriculum is the result of a new law that went into effect January 1^st, aimed at decreasing fatalities resulting from police interactions during traffic stops. Bossier City Senator Ryan Gatti says he has received a lot of support for the legislation…

Cut 7 (06)  “the law.”

Along with educating new drivers on how to talk to police, the new program will emphasize how to be prepared if you get pulled over. Gatti says there’s some suggestions that even experienced drivers might not know…

Cut 8 (06) “their sun visor.”

Gatti hopes the new education will reduce the tension that sometimes occurs during a traffic stop…

Cut 9 (10)  “its worth it.”

Gatti said the idea first came to him from former Dallas Cowboy and Haynesville raised Demetric Evans.

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As Louisiana tourism enters 2018, there are some glaring concerns as to how to encourage more visitors to come to the Bayou State.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state’s tourism budget is facing a ten percent cut if legislators are unable to resolve the fiscal cliff issues.  Plus Nungesser is worried about some of the chronic problems that’s impacting the state’s biggest tourism draw, New Orleans…

Cut 10 (10) “going up.”

Nungesser says the Lt. Governor’s office has seen massive cuts the last several years and is afraid further cuts will reduce the ability to keep the state park system operating…

Compared to the last couple of days, it doesn’t feel too bad outside with the sun shining and temperatures in the lows 40s…
cut 4 (07) “..night, tonight”
That’s Alek Krautman, with the National Weather Service, who says most of the state will be under a hard freeze warning tonight into tomorrow morning.

With temperatures dropping below freezing, the Louisiana SPCA strongly encourges pet owners to bring their pets inside tonight. Spokesperson Alicia Haefele says those who do not, could lose their pets…
cut 10 (12) “…as well”
Haefele says if you see a pet left outside in the cold, don’t assume someone else has reported it, call the S-P-C-A or local authorities. Also, if you leave your vehicle outside, check for stray cats when you start your car tomorrow morning.

The freezing temperatures are creating plumbing problems. Wrapping your pipes is recommended, but many are letting the water run overnight to keep their pipes from freezing over. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning advises against this…
cut 8 (08) “…from freezing”
Several towns and cities in Louisiana are dealing with low water pressure, because too many residents are running their faucets.

Former Grambling State University President Doctor Joseph Johnson has passed away after a lengty illness. Johnson was instrumental in a 1981 consent decree that led to an increase in funding for the school, facilitating the creation of the Grambling School of Nursing, and the university’s first doctoral program. Author Mildred Gallot says Johnson persevered, in the face of institutional discrimination…
Cut 13 (11) “for him.”
Johnson was Grambling’s president from 1977 until 1991, during that time the school’s enrollment nearly tripped.

The polar vortex is wreaking havoc across Louisiana, and is suspected as the reason behind a Baton Rouge house fire that resulted in the death of an elderly couple Tuesday morning. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his office has seen a substantial uptick in the number of fires…
Cut 6 (10) “related to weather.”
Investigators are attributing many of the fires to people taking big risks to keep their homes warm, so be cautious with portable space heaters.

Alek Krautman, with the National Weather Service in Slidell, says there’s another hard freeze warning is in effect for tonight into tomorrow morning…
cut 5 (12) “…north Louisiana”
Warmer weather is expected this weekend.

Multiple media reports say Texas A-and-M is making a strong push to hire LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. There was a report on Monday that said Aranda declined the Aggies original offer, but now the reports indicate A-and-M is offering even more money and giving him the freedom to hire his own staff. Aranda is currently the highest paid defensive coordinator in the country making 1.8 million dollars.

The third president in Grambling State’s history has passed away. Doctor Joseph Johnson was the leader of the north Louisiana school from 1977 to 1991 and enrollment nearly tripled during that time. Milda Gallot, who wrote a book on Grambling’s history, says the school also saw new construction, employee raises and new academic programs with Johnson at the helm…
cut 14 (12) “…motivated students”

The Louisiana SPCA says they are getting numerous reports of pets left outside in this extremely cold weather. Some pets are being seized by authorities and owners are being charged with animal cruelty. SPCA spokesperson Alicia Haefele says their officers are responding to all calls concerning outdoor animals left alone…
Cut 9 (11) “them properly.”
Haefele says several parishes require owners to take their pets indoors when temperatures get below freezing.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his office has been called to investigate nearly 25 fires of commercial and residential structures since the cold snap started. Browning has a few safety tips…
Cut 7 (12) “if you are cooking.”

So what can we expect in state politics for 2018. Kelley Ray spoke with a political analyst….
voicer 5 (31) “…I’m Kelley Ray”

Grambling State is mourning the death of former President Doctor Joseph Johnson. He was a favorite of faculty, students and alumni and served from 1977 to 1991. Mildred Gallot wrote a book about Grambling’s history and remembers Doctor Johnson fondly…
cut 12 (06) “…meant business”
Johnson led student enrollment growth from 26-hundred to a record-setting seven-thousand.

There was snow on the ground in Grand Isle today. Jeff Palermo has more on our frigid weather…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The freezing temperatures are a big threat to plumbing. Wrapping your pipes is recommended, but many are letting the water run overnight to keep their pipes from freezing over. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning advises against this…
cut 8 (08) “…from freezing”

State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere says the governor’s appetite for spending is out of control by only calling a special session if legislative leaders agree to tax increases to deal with a one-billion dollar budget deficit. But Governor Edwards says he’s proposing a revenue neutral plan…
cut 12 (13) “…over time”
Edwards has asked for an agreement in principle with House Republican leaders by January 19th before calling a special session.