Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…
Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke today at the 2017 Fall commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette. It was Blanco’s first public appearance since announcing she was battling an incurable form of liver cancer. She told the crowd at the Cajundome that she hopes this was not her last public appearance, but is leaving everything up to God.
US Senator John Kennedy says he was just doing his job when he kept stumping one of President Trump’s judicial nominees with basic legal questions….
cut 8 (12) “….in court”
The video that shows the exchange between Kennedy and nominee, Matthew Peterson, has gone viral. The Senate Judiciary committee has yet to vote on his confirmation.

Today is the final day to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act. The State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says if you waited until the last minute to purchase a policy through the federal exchange, get ready to wait a while…
Cut 5 (11) “the phone.”
The deadline is 10:59pm tonight.

Louisiana is one of the hardest hit states for flu cases. State health department flu bug expert, Doctor Frank Welch, says the Influenza A strain is very strong and making people extremely sick and it can even be fatal, as we’ve seen in previous flu seasons in the Bayou State…
cut 13 (08) “…taken lightly”
Health officials say the flu vaccine is only 30-percent effective against the Influenza A strain, but doctors still recommend you getting it, because the shot protects you from other strains.

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 Fall commencement ceremony of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer diagnosed six years ago had spread to her liver. She spoke about her difficult battle to today.:
CUT 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”
Blanco, who served as governor during Hurricane Katrina, urged graduates to persevere even in the face of hopeless adversity.

If you don’t have health insurance, you have until 11 tonight to sign up on the federal exchange, or face paying a penalty. State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says there are some 66-thousand Louisianians who qualify for coverage through the Affordable Care Act, but don’t use it…:
Cut 4 (09) “the assistance”
The website is healthcare.gov.

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week. Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned. Guidroz says they know that Murray kidnapped Kazan in a parking lot of an Alexandria motel and her vehicle ended up in the lake…
cut 10 (06) “….don’t know”
Guidroz says the investigation continues and they are waiting for the toxicology reports.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is featured in a viral video that shows him stumping one of President Trump’s judgeship nominees. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

______________________________________

Flu cases in the Deep South are on the rise with the highest numbers in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina. Emelie Gunn has more…

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

________________________________________________________

Today is the deadline to sign up for health care through the Affordable Care Act.  If persons do not have health insurance for 2018, they have until 10:59pm tonight or pay a penalty.  The State Director of Navigators for a Healthy Louisiana Brian Burton says premiums have increased, but the government subsides are also up…

Cut 3 (07) “buying power.”

Burton says 144-thousand Louisianans have purchased a health care plan at health care dot gov, which is about a 20-percent increase of persons from 2017.  Burton says there are some 66-thousand in the state who qualify but don’t use it…

Cut 4  (09) “the assistance.” 

Burton says if you haven’t secured health insurance yet and plan on using health care dot gov, get ready to wait a while…

Cut 5  (11)  “the phone.”

___________________________________________________

U.S. Senator John Kennedy is making headlines for his questioning of a President Donald Trump judgeship nominee. In the viral video, Matthew Spencer Peterson struggles to answer Kennedy’s legal questions while before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Here’s a snippet…

Cut 6 (09)  “okay”

Kennedy proceeds to ask Peterson about his experience with certain laws that would be necessary to understand if granted the position of federal judge.

Cut 7 (11)  “my disposal”

Kennedy says it was never his intention to bring this kind of attention to the situation but it’s his job to ask tough questions of those who could serve as a federal judge. He says the FBI vets all nominees but they don’t vet them on their knowledge of the laws.

Cut 8 (12) “in court.”

Kennedy says Trump’s advisers were wrong by allowing him to nominate Peterson. He says if Peterson became a federal district court judge…..

Cut 9 (12)  “the toughest”

A vote has not been taken yet on Peterson’s confirmation.

___________________________________________

Questions remain surrounding the death of two people found in a St. Landry Parish lake this week.  Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says the initial autopsy finds that 21-year-old Lia Ali Kazan of Shreveport and 30-year-old Anthony Michael Murray of Rapides Parish drowned.  Guidroz says they know that Murray kidnapped Kazan in a parking lot of an Alexandria motel and her vehicle ended up in the lake…

Cut 12 (09) “high number”

Welch says Louisiana has already hit the CDCs highest criteria of widespread for flu activity. He says the Influenza A strain is very strong making people extremely sick and can even be fatal as we’ve seen in previous flu seasons in the Bayou State.

Cut 13 (08)  “taken lightly”

Welch says the active flu season can be blamed on the Influenza A strain and the flu vaccine is only 30% effective against it. But he still strongly suggests getting the flu shot because it helps protect against four different strains of the virus.

Cut 14 (11) “gather together”

_________________________________________________________

Former Governor Kathleen Blanco spoke at the 2017 commencement of her alma mater, UL-Lafayette, Friday morning. Earlier this week, Blanco announced a rare form of eye cancer she faced six years ago had returned and spread to her liver. She addressed her diagnoses as she spoke to UL-Lafayette grads.:

Cut 15 (08) “but I’m hoping not”

Blanco, who served as governor during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, urged graduates to persevere in the face of adversity. She says even though there are no known treatments to cure the type of melanoma she has, her hope remains alive…:

Cut 16  (09)  “in God’s hands”

The state legislative auditor has released a report that details improper use of taxpayer dollars by former state police superintendent Mike Edmonson. The audit suggests Edmonson may have violated state laws. Edmonson says he’ll respond to the audit by January 15th and he’s confident Louisiana residents will not prematururely reach conclusions.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign is underway to keep Louisiana’s roadways safe over the holiday season. Emelie Gunn has the story…
Voicer 2 (30) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

A grand jury met for the first time today to determine if 10 LSU fraternity members should be charged in connection with Maxwell Gruver’s suspected hazing death. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the accused individuals have the opportunity to testify and tell their story…
Cut 3 (11) “….telling him to drink”
All ten are facing a charge of hazing and one of the defendants has also been charged with negligent homicide.

Iberville Parish authorities are trying to find out who added threatening words to a Snapchat photo of an eighth grader who took a photo of himself with his dad’s guns. The original picture didn’t have threatening words to it, but someone added “Don’t got to school tomorrow.” Sheriff Brett Stassi….
cut 7 (11) “…school board”

The state Legislative Auditor’s office lists allegations in a report released this afternoon that provide evidence of possible illegal use of taxpayer dollars by retired State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson. The audit found that Edmonson’s family lived in a state-owned home without paying rent, had troopers running personal errands and used the Governor’s mansion dry cleaning service for free.

A grand jury began meeting today to look at the evidence collected in the suspected hazing death of LSU freshman Maxwell Gruver who died from alcohol poisioning. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says prosecutors may use a grand jury to get more information on a case….
cut 5 (07) “…of something”
Ten frat members are facing a charge of hazing and one of the accused is also charged with negligent homicide.

A prank that went awry in Iberville Parish caused a scare at the Math, Science and Arts Academy-West campus in Plaquemine when a snap chat picture of a student holding a semi-automatic rifle was altered to say kids should not to go to school. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the original photo shows a student wearing a bandana holding a rifle.
cut 6 (10) “…terrorism”
Stassi says they took the guns away from the student in the photo, but no charges have been filed.

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over law enforcement campaign is underway. Doctor Katara Williams with the Lousiaina Highway Safety Commission says grant money is used so more law enforcement can be on the roads to conduct D-W-I checkpoints….
cut 14 (11) “…our roadways’

A grand jury began hearing evidence today in the suspected hazing death of 18-year-old Maxwell Gruver. He’s the LSU freshman who based on toxicology reports drank himself to death in September at the Phil Delta Theta house. Ten fraternity members face a charge of hazing and one of them has also been charged with negligent homicide. Loyola Univeristy Law Professor Dane Ciolino on why the District Attorney assembled a grand jury…
cut 4 (10) “…that decision”

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign is underway. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Katara Williams says there are ways to celebrate the holidays responsibly.
Cut 12 (10) “and celebrate

The Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office has confiscated an eighth-grader’s guns as a result of a threatening Instagram post. Sheriff Brett Stassi says the student admits to taking the picture, but did not write the text that had parents and law enforcement concerned. Stassi says the Math, Science and Arts Academy campus was open today, once they realized there was not a threat…
cut 8 (09) “…the school”
Stassi says this appears to be a prank that went awry.

Today is the last day to ship those Christmas packages using the U-S Post Office’s Ground service, if you want that present to get their by December 25th. U-S Poastal Service spokesperson Twana Barber says when you ship your gift, make sure it is sturdy…
cut 11 (12) “…doing so”

U-S Senator John Kennedy believes the Louisiana Department of Revenue should collect taxes from former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson for “fringe benefts” he received while serving as a cabinet secretary. Kennedy says a yet to be released state audit has found Edmonson received taxpayer funded perks that include housing, cable TV, dry cleaning and meals.

Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (10) “…some degree”
The governor’s office also says why is Kennedy speaking up now about Colonel Edmonson’s benefits. Kennedy could have done so when he served as a state treasurer.

A parole hearing takes place today for a 71-year-old inmate who was convicted of fatally shooting a sheriff’s deputy when he was 17-years-old. A Supreme Court ruling paved the way for Henry Montgomery of Baton Rouge chance at freedom.

Louisiana ranks 49th in the United Health Foundation’s health rankings. Only Mississippi is worse. But United Health Care of Louisiana CEO Joe Ochipinti says obesity and premature death rates have decreased over the last year. Ochipinti says another good factor is the number of uninsured in Louisiana has seen a substantial decrease…
cut 5 (08) “….people coverage”
But he says Louisiana has seen an increase in cardiovascular deaths, with smoking a main factor.

A “Report Card on Efforts to Improve Financial Literacy in High Schools” gives Louisiana a “D”, down from a “B” grade two years ago. Minden Representative Gene Reynolds authored a 2016 law that requires financial literacy to be taught in high schools, but it appears some schools only teach personal finance as another existing course of study…
Cut 14 (04) “gets taught.”
Reynolds plans to discuss the issue with BESE.