The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to President Biden’s desk. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Residents in Caddo and Bossier Parishes felt their house shake this morning because of a 3-point-three earthquake. The epicenter was near the Texas-Louisiana line and the U-S Geological Survey registered the quake at 6:15 this morning. The earthquake lasted a few seconds and there’s no reports of any damage or injuries.

The CDC says Louisiana has a flu positivity rate exceeding 11-percent, far above the national average of 3.5-percent.  Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says cases this early are concerning.

Cut 4 (11) “…winter yet.”

Kemmerly says getting the flu vaccine can limit your chances of getting the flu and if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce your symptoms.

Don’t you hate when you buy a ticket to a concert or sporting event, or book a hotel, you end paying more than you thought because of fees. The Federal Trade Commission says starting in April, businesses will have to include all mandatory fees when listing a price. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says this is a pro-consumer change…

Cut 15 (09) “…fees potentially eliminated”

The Social Security Act is nearing final passage in the U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy took to the Senate Floor yesterday to describe how this legislation would fix a broken system as there are thousands of former teachers, police officers, firefighters and other public workers who can not receive their full Social Security benefits, because of two federal policies called the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset. Cassidy says he understands concerns about the costs of eliminating WEP and GPO.

Cut 9 (13)  “…WEP and GPO.”

The Senate will take a final vote on the bill by the end of the week

Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says fewer people are vaccinated against the flu this year…

Cut 5 (13) “….get vaccinated”

Kemmerly says Louisiana currently leads the country for the percentage of flu tests that come back positive.

This holiday season, many consider gifting animals to loved ones. However, pets come with significant responsibilities, so it’s important to carefully evaluate whether this is the right choice. Louisiana Humane Society Director Jeff Dorson says animals should only be given to those who have expressed sustained interest and are ready to care for them.

Cut 10 (11) “…ready for it.”

When gifting a pet, consider the recipient’s lifestyle. For instance, an elderly person may prefer a calm, older dog or cat rather than an energetic puppy or kitten.

A new study finds that congestion costs the trucking industry 108-billion dollars. Executive Director of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, Renee Amar, says the findings clearly highlight the severe economic burden that traffic congestion places on the trucking industry, both nationally and in Louisiana…

Cut 26 (13) “….billion dollars”

Amar says addressing traffic congestion should remain a top priority for government.

Legislation that would remove restrictions that eliminate or reduce Social Security benefits for thousands of teachers, first responders and other public workers is nearing final approval in the U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy says the  bill would eliminate the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset,  which he says unfairly costs public sector employees a good portion of their Social Security benefits. Cassidy says a retired school teacher urged him to pass this legislation…

Cut 8 (14) “….was being punished”

A final vote on the Social Security Fairness Act is expected before the weekend.

The FTC is cracking down on so-called “junk fees.” Starting in April, entities like hotels, ticket brokers and rental car companies will need to disclose all extraneous fees up front. Don Redman with Triple-A says consumers have been screaming about those fees for years.

Cut 13 (12)  “…weren’t aware of.”

Louisiana leads the nation in early-season flu activity. The CDC says the state has a flu positivity rate exceeding 11-percent, far above the national average of 3.5-percent.  Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly says cases this early are concerning.

Cut 4 (11) “…winter yet.”

Kemmerly says getting the flu vaccine can limit your chances of getting the flu and if you do get the flu, the vaccine can reduce your symptoms.

If you are considering a pet as a gift this holiday season, the Humane Society says think twice before you do it. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to President Biden’s desk. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Louisiana’s booming hemp industry faces new regulations on January first which limits where you can find gummies or seltzers that contain THC or CBD. Gas stations will longer be able to sell THC products and also starting on January 1^st you must be 21, instead of 18, to purchase hemp-THC products. The new rules also changes the serving sizes for THC products.

Louisiana is leading the country for flu activity. According to the latest data, 11-percent of flu tests are coming back positive, which is more than double the national average. R-S-V is also on the rise. Ochsner Medical Center of New Orleans Director Sandra Kemmerly is urging the public to get vaccinated, practice good hygiene and stay home when sick…

Cut 6 (08) “…can affect others.”

About 28-percent of adults are vaccinated for the flu and 45-percent of kids are vaccinated.

The F-T-C is banning junk fees on tickets and hotels. AAA’s Don Redman says consumers will see the total price, including the fees for tickets to live events or lodging…

Cut 14 (08) “…or concert”

The new rule is set to go into effect in April.

Louisiana tops the nation in flu activity for the second year in a row. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

Federal health officials say a southwest Louisiana resident in critical condition is the first severe illness caused by bird flu in the United States. The C-D-C says the patient is over 65 and has underlying medical problems. It’s believed the person got the bird flu after being in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

The Social Security Fairness Act is one step closer to making it onto President Biden’s desk. The Senate advanced the bill in a procedural vote of 73-27. Senator Bill Cassidy took to the floor yesterday to urge his colleagues to support it.

Cut 7 (15) “…fulfill this promise.”

A final vote on the legislation is expected by the end of the week.

The Humane Society is asking the public not to surprise a person by buying them a pet as a Christmas gift. Jeff Dorson is the director of the Humane Society of Louisiana and says there are many factors to consider before giving a pet as a gift. The first one is cost and secondly many pets are social animals and require time and attention…

Cut 12 (08) “….get those calls”

Dorson says stick to a traditional gift for the holidays and let the individual that wants to adopt, adopt.

Big rig trucks sitting in traffic is costing the trucking industry billions and billions of dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

The St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office has announced a second former St. Mary School Board Employee has been arrested on theft charges. 65-year-old Lisa Ann Powell of Morgan City was taken into custody after it was determined more than 205-thousand dollars was missing from Patterson High School’s bank account. Powell was a bookkeeper. Dinah Dru Richard has also been arrested.

Christmas Day is one week from today, but the warm weather does not make it feel like Christmas is approaching. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim says that will change as a cold front moves through the state today. Keim says it will bring a little bit of rain and much cooler weather

Cut 12 (12) “…environment.”

Keim says the coldest day of the week will be Saturday, morning lows that day could dip below freezing in north Louisiana.

Congress has approved the HEARTS Act which would provide federal aid to improve cardiac arrest preparedness in schools nationwide. Kristen Simpson is a board member at the American Heart Association…

Cut 10 (10) “….emergency response plans”

The legislation was inspired by Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin. His life was saved by an automated external defibrillator nearly two years ago.

Big rig trucks sitting in traffic is costing the trucking industry billions and billions of dollars. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

A cold front is moving through the northern half of the state at this hour. LSU Public Health Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 12 (12) “…environment”

Highs tomorrow in the 60s and we could see below freezing temperatures in north Louisiana on Saturday.

Soon, schools will have some important tools to help save people experiencing cardiac arrest thanks to the HEARTS Act, which passed unanimously in both houses of Congress. Kristen Simpson, a board member at the American Heart Association, says this bill, which is currently awaiting a signature from President Biden, will create a uniform standard for schools.

Cut 9 (08)  “…have any AEDs,”

According to statistics, only about one in ten children who experience cardiac arrest outside a hospital survive. Simpson says with an AED on hand, those odds improve exponentially.

Fifty-two men and women have begun training to become Louisiana State Police Troopers. They are part of Cadet Class 106 and Trooper Shelby Mayfield says cadets are paid while they go through the academy and equipment is provided…

Cut 7 (13) “….while you’re training”

Mayfield says Cadet Class 107 will start in June, and applications remain open for aspiring troopers.