The price at the pump continues to fall all across Louisiana. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (31)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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State health officials say the worst of the current flu season is still to come and they’re encouraging everyone to make sure they are vaccinated. Eric Gill has more…

CUT 2 (27)  “I’m Eric Gill”

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Gas prices continue to fall all across Louisiana. GasBuddy-dot-com reports that the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped six cents in the past week. Spokesperson Gregg Laskoski says Louisiana’s average price per gallon has fallen to $1.67…

CUT 3 (08)  “the gas pump”

He says the lowest gas price in the state is $1.41 a gallon reported at a location in Kenner. Laskoski says falling gas prices is becoming a nationwide trend…

CUT 4 (09)  “crude oil prices”

He says falling gas prices are a direct result of the rapid drop in crude oil prices. The price of West Texas Intermediate crude has plunged below $30 a barrel as a result of the lifting of sanctions against Iran, which will add more oil to an already glutted market. Laskoski says oil prices could drop even further…

CUT 5 (07)  “25 dollars”

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The Department of Health and Hospitals says the worst of the current influenza season is still to come and they encourage everyone to get a flu shot. Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says it’s fortunate that flu season has been very slow, to date, in Louisiana. Welch thinks there’s one big reason for the slow start…

CUT 6 (09) “around the country”

He says doctor visits for flu-like symptoms in the state are down around 50-percent from this time last year. Welch says flu activity is increasing in other parts of the country and it’s only a matter of time before it hits Louisiana…

CUT 7 (06) “in activity”

He says they expect flu activity to increase in the state over the next couple of weeks. With the heart of flu season coming, Welch says it’s not too late to get that flu shot…

CUT 8 (08) “it gets here”

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The artists performing at the 2016 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Pearl Jam, Neil Young, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Van Morrison, Snoop Dog and many more. Festival producer Quint Davis says each year they strive to book acts that offer a little something for everyone..:

CUT 9 (11)  “gonna like” (2x)

The lineup at nojazzfest.com, announced this morning, includes the individual days each artist will perform the 7 dates between, April 22nd through May 1st. Davis says, of course, the Louisiana and New Orleans staple musicians, who have now become big names in their own right, can be heard at Jazzfest this year as well.

cut 10 (12)  “Big Freedia”

This is the 47th edition of the annual festival. Time slots will be released closer to the festival. Davis says the “food festival” itself is considered one of the best in the nation even without the music….:

Cut 11 (12) “under $10”

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The ex-mayor of Sorrento has pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography and animal cruelty charges. Spokesperson for the 23^rd District Attorney’s Office Charlotte Guedry says under the plea deal Wilson Longanecker, Jr. will spend 40 years in jail.  She says the D-A’s office was ready to go to trial with a forensic veterinarian that testified in the Michael Vick case.

cut 12 (10) “to trial”

Guedry says Longnecker is charged with 40 counts of child porn and seven counts of animal cruelty. She says the videos found at Longanecker’s Sorrento home involved minor girls, some as young as three years old.

cut 13 (02)  “to watch”

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A Lamborghini was found completely burned outside of H and O Investments in Baton Rouge this morning. H & O Investments pulled out of a contract last week to remove Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Attorney Roy Maughan, Jr. says in recent weeks, the company owner, David Mahler, received personal death threats at home and work.

cut 14 (09)  “is one”

Maughan says authorities are working to determine if the fire is related to the removal of the monuments. He says Mahler believes the story isn’t about him but about what the city council of New Orleans voted to do.

cut 15 (10)  “the threat”

Maughan says Mahler is concerned that because his Lamborghini was set on fire, the death threats he received might not be idle. He says Mahler is trying to handle it the best way he can by reporting the incident…

cut 16 (08)  “a relationship”

Today, the Louisiana Department of Education begins accepting applications for the Louisiana Scholarship Program for the 2016-2017 school year. Eric Gill reports…

CUT 1 (28) “I’m Eric Gill”

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Visitation is today for a former leader in the legislature, a mayor and businessman. Jeff Palermo has more on the passing of Raymond LaBorde…

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue begins accepting your 2015 tax returns today. Michelle Southern has more….

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Today, the Louisiana Department of Education begins accepting applications for the Louisiana Scholarship Program for the 2016-2017 school year. Louisiana Federation for Children President Ann Duplesis says about 7,100 students are currently participating and they expect the demand to remain high…

cut 4  (11)  “those options”

The program provides vouchers to low-income families to send their child to a participating private school, if the student is in a low performing public school. The state is facing monumental budget issues, but Duplessis says the program should continue to grow, because the voucher program actually saves the state money…

Cut 5  (10)  “in MFP dollars”

She’s hopeful Governor John Bel Edwards, a critic of the voucher program, will look at this as a priority for both the state and parents. The deadline to apply is February 26th. Duplessis says this is a great opportunity for parents to give their children access to a better education…

Cut 6 (09)  “works best” 

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Visitation is today for former state legislator and ex-mayor of Marksville, Raymond Laborde, who passed away Sunday at the age of 88. Former governor Edwin Edwards grew up with Laborde in Marksville and says Laborde was an influential lawmaker during his 20 years in the state legislature

CUT 7 (08)  “he was”

Laborde was in the state legislature from 1972 to 1992. He was the mayor of Marskville from 1958 to 1970 and also served as Commissioner of Adminstration during Edwards final term in office, which was in the 90s. Edwards says Laborde was a successful politician because he was a people person

Cut 8  (07)  “I did”

Laborde also owned and operated Raymond’s Department Store in Marksville. Edwards says Laborde was still heavily involved with the store in his final days…

(Funeral services are Wednesday at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Marksville.)

Cut 9 (12)  “been my life”

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The Louisiana Department of Revenue, along with the I-R-S, start accepting income tax returns today. Federal returns are due April 15^th. L-D-R spokesperson Kizzy Payton says you’ll have until May 16^th  to file your state returns. She says this year, they’ve implemented enhanced security measures to protect taxpayers against fraud, which is something they started focusing on a couple of years ago

Cut 10 (10) “initiative” 

Payton says the Department of Revenue suggests taxpayers filed their returns electronically to ensure quick processing. She also advises taxpayers choose a reputable tax preparer.

cut 11 (10) “for references”

Payton says if you decide to have a tax preparer work on your taxes, the taxpayer is the one ultimately responsible.

Cut 12 (10) “tax preparer”

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A recent study finds Louisiana drivers don’t save much money on their car insurance for choosing larger deductibles. According to InsuranceQuotes.com, Louisiana is ranked third last in offering the biggest car insurance savings when deductibles are increased from $500-$1000. Senior analyst Laura Adams says it amounts to a savings of about 6%, on average…:

Cut 13 (10)  “how little it is”

Adams says it amounts to about a $60-65 dollar a year savings for Louisiana motorists. She says this is important information for someone who lives paycheck-to-paycheck and couldn’t afford to pay a $1000 deductible out of pocket…:

Cut 14 (09) “$65″

Adams says Louisiana already has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country, so it may be tempting to do whatever it takes to reduce your premium….:

Cut 15  (10) “Louisiana drivers”

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Two starters on LSU’s defense this past season decided they can wait another year before they start making money in the NFL. Linebacker Kendell Beckwith and cornerback Tre’davious White announced they will return for their senior seasons. Draft analyst Mike Detillier says Beckwith still needs another season in college, before he’s ready for the NFL and Beckwith’s return bodes well for the Tigers

Cut 16  (10)  “linebacker position”

Detillier says he’s surprised White is returning, because he had a chance to be selected in the first round…

Cut 17 (11) “football team”

In years past, LSU has seen multiple juniors skip their senior season and enter the NFL draft. This year, the Tigers will likely lose only one player and that’s offensive lineman Jerald Hawkins. Detillier gives credit to head coach Les Miles for retaining his draft eligible juniors

Cut 18 (15) “done by Les”

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The LSU Tigers face a big test on the road tonight when they visit 10th ranked Texas A-and-M. The Aggies are a pefect 5-0 in the SEC and feature one of the top players in the SEC in Jalen Jones, who is averaging 17 points and seven rebounds a game. LSU basketball analyst Ricky Blanton says the Tigers can counter with freshman sensation Ben Simmons

Cut 19 (15) “guarding Ben”

Blanton says the Tigers will have to keep an eye on Danuel House, who is averaging almost 16 points a game….

Cut 20 (08) “of him”

10 years ago today the New Orleans Saints announced Sean Payton as their new head coach. Eric Gill has more on Payton’s impact to the team…

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Warning labels on sugary beverages may keep parents from buying them for their kids, according to recent research published in the Journal of Pediatrics. Jeff Palermo reports…:

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Baton Rouge Police have arrested a teenager after he accidentally fired a round from a shotgun killing his friend. Cpl. Don Coppola says 17-year-old Ahmad Antoine is charged with negligent homicide in the death of 17-year-old Devin Anderson. Coppola says the shooting happened at a home on Birch Street…

CUT 3 (10)  “of the friends”

Anderson was pronounced dead at the scene. Antoine turned himself in to police shortly after the shooting. Coppola says the investigation is ongoing, but they do have a good idea of what happened with the shotgun…

CUT 4 (09)  “injured Anderson”

He says detectives are still working to determine how the teens came in possession of the shotgun. Authorities say Antoine insists there was no altercation between him and Anderson and the shooting was an accident. Coppola says this is truly an unfortunate incident…

CUT 5 (08)  “it was not”

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It was 10 years ago today the New Orleans Saints announced Sean Payton as their new head coach. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Payton has led the Saints to unprecedented success during his tenure. He says Payton has proven that the Black & Gold can do more than just make the playoffs…

CUT 6 (10) “organization, totally”

Payton has led the Saints to three division titles and a Super Bowl championship. Detillier says Payton’s hiring, which came months after Hurricane Katrina, not only rejuvenated the team, but the city as well. He says there was a lot of uncertainty in whether the Saints would stay in New Orleans when Payton was hired…

CUT 7 (10) “high moments”

One of Payton’s first moves as head coach was to sign free agent quarterback Drew Brees. The Black & Gold are coming off their second straight losing season. Detillier says fixing the team’s defense will determine how long Payton will remain with the Saints…

CUT 8 (11) “is 2016”

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Warning labels on sugary beverages may keep parents from buying them for their kids, according to recent research published in the Journal of Pediatrics. LSU Health Clinical Psychologist Michelle Moore says this study proves that parents should be more informed about what their children are eating and drinking…:

CUT 9 (10)  “sugar high”

The online study asked moms and dads to choose drinks from a vending machine, and 60 percent selected the sugar beverage without the label, while just 40 percent picked the sweetened drink with a stamp reminding of associated health risks. Moore says parents may not know that seemingly innocent looking drinks contain so much sugar…:

cut 10 (06)  “to them”

Moore says extra sugary drink consumption could become a public health issue, particularly with children. California is proposing legislation that would put text warning labels on sweetened nonalcoholic drinks with added sweeteners with 75 or more calories per 12 ounces. Moore hopes Louisiana would eventually see the benefit of such a measure…:

Cut 11 (04) “at the store”

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How much should average investors worry about the continuous slide in stock prices? So far, 2016 is being called Wall Street’s worst start to a year ever. Helen Graf, executive investment manager at Graf Financial, says the tide will turn and if your portfolio is built well, you will be able to withstand these down times…:

cut 12 (07) “so critical”

Graf says if your affairs are out of balance, now is not the time to start making changes…:

cut 13 (09)  “buying opportunity”

Graf says the best thing to do right now is to avoid looking at your statements. She says in 2007-2008, during the worst crash since the Great Depression, the market evened back out a few years later…:

cut 14 (07)  “you should be fine”

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