LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center receives a grant of more than $13 million to find the best way to help childhood obesity in minority and rural communities.

Cut 1 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Drivers who travel across the Jimmie Davis Bridge in Shreveport connecting Caddo and Bossier Parishes will notice activity at the base of the bridge. Teiko Foxx explains….

Cut 2 (34)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center has received a more than $13 million grant to help fight childhood obesity among minorities and those in rural communities. Associate Professor Amanda Staiano says the grant will allow them to find the best approach to deliver their 26-hour evidence-based obesity program.

Cut 3 (09) “…time period.”

Staiano says participants will be under the guidance of their physician and have access to a nutritionist. And while they recognize the program isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach, a social worker is also assigned to the family…

Cut 4 (11) “…they need.”

The outreach study among minority children and those in rural backgrounds is in conjunction with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Staiano says both Louisiana and Tennessee have similar obesity rates, especially among minorities and children in rural areas.

Cut 5 (11) “ …of families.”  

In the US about 22 percent of Hispanic and 20 percent of Black children have obesity compared to 14 percent of white children. In rural areas, the childhood obesity rate increases to 22 percent.

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The Louisiana Department of Transportation has started preliminary site work for the new $361 million dollar Jimmie Davis Bridge connecting Bossier and Caddo Parishes. Spokesperson Erin Buchanan says drivers may notice workers clearing debris and vegetation near the foot of the bridge.

Cut 6 (08) “…extensive.”

Buchanan says major construction on the four-lane bridge is still about a year away as design work continues. She says the design phase also includes transforming the existing structure into a linear park.

Cut 7 (10) “…each side.” 

Buchanan says crews are assembling a trestle bridge to be used during construction on the new bridge. She says it’s a design-build project so larger parts of the development may not be seen for some time…

Cut 8 (08) “…great sign.” 

The entire project is expected to be completed in around five years.

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State Police have arrested a teenager driver involved in a fatal hit and run crash that occurred last week involving a bicyclist in Lafourche Parish. Trooper Ross Brennan says 19-year-old Isabelle Nguyen was traveling north on LA Highway one when she struck 66-year-old Henry Savoie of Larose

Cut 9 (10) “…that vehicle” 

Savoie died over the weekend from his injuries. Brennan says Nguyen was arrested yesterday and charged with hit and run driving with serious injury or death…

Cut 10 (06) “…of the crash”  

According to the police report, while Troopers were at the scene of the crash, Nguyen went to a sub station of the sheriff’s department. That’s when she was interviewed about her involvement in the crash. Brennan says Nguyen should have contacted authorities immediately

Cut 11 (07) “…here”

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Three people have died in three separate house fires in Louisiana over the last two days. Two of the fatal fires were in Avoyelles Parish. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the first fatal fire that occurred in Avoyelles occurred in the southern part of the parish…

Cut 12 (08)  “…inside”  

Rodrigue says there was second fatal fire in Avoyelles Parish this morning…

Cut 13 (09) “…man inside”

Rodrigue says they are also investigating a fatal fire that took place in St. Tammany Parish…

Cut  14 (11) “…accident there”

The Ragin Cajuns will once again make a short drive to compete in a bowl game as they’ll face Jacksonville State in the New Orleans Bowl. Teiko Foxx has more with the bowl director…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Teiko Foxx.”

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Outgoing BESE President Holly Boffy (bow-fee) defends her initiative to allow students to appeal their scores on the state’s standardized graduation exam. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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It’s official! Jayden Daniels is a Heisman finalist. Colleen Crain has the story

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

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The Ragin Cajuns will make their seventh R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl appearance against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks on December 16. Bowl director Billy Ferrante says this matchup is considered one of the more compeitive bowl games

Cut 4 (12) “…Rich Rodriguez.”

The Ragin Cajuns are six-and-six overall, while Jacksonville State is 8-4.

This is the 23rd annual R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl and everytime, U-L Lafayette is in the game, there’s more interest locally…

Cut 5 (12) “…0f market.”

The Cajuns are 5-and-1 in the New Orleans Bowl. Ferrante says the coaches, players and fans will enjoy this year’s experience.

Cut 6 (12) “…as well.”

The game will air on ESPN at 1:15 pm on December 16.

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Seven people have been arrested in a home invasion, false imprisonment, and second-degree battery of a female in Vidalia last week. Deputies are still looking for one more person who allegedly participated. Brandy Spears with Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office says Friday,  a woman walked into a Vidalia pharmacy asking for help.

Cut 7 (08) “…night before..”

Spears says the female was inside a residence when eight individuals entered without permission. During the home invasion, she says the suspects then assaulted the victim.

Cut 8 (08) “…pepper spray.” 

The woman escaped the next day and was able to identify eight people ranging in age from 23 to 43 involved in the home invasion.

Although the investigation is ongoing, Spears says during a search warrant narcotics were found. She says deputies are working to arrest two other persons involved.

Cut 9 (08)  “…black male.”

Anyone with leads should contact the Concordia Sheriff or call 911.

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BESE President Holly Boffy continues to defend her efforts to allow students who fail the state’s standardized graduation exam to file an appeal. Boffy filed an emergency rule for the process to be implemented sooner but after political pushback, it will go into effect on December 20^th.

Cut 10 (11) “…a distraction.”

Boffy says it was never her intent for the issue to become a political distraction, but the December 20^th date still allows for December graduates.

Louisiana is one of eight states that require passage of the graduation exam but is the only state without an appeal. In just over two weeks, Boffy if a student is unable to pass a portion of LEAP, they can appeal to local educators to determine if they should be allowed to graduate….

Cut 11 (12) “…at students.” 

Boffy says it involves several steps and the students’ grades are also considered along with any hurdles they might be facing. She gave examples of students who are undergoing chemotherapy, or who have severe test anxiety.

She says an appeal is not the same as a waiver, which was used during the pandemic when they were unable to administer LEAP tests.

After serving 12 years on BESE, Boffy feels her initiative to allow for the appeals process in Louisiana will be among her proudest achievements. She’s optimistic a new board won’t reverse the appeals option, but if they do…

Cut 12 (08) “…state law.” 

Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley and Governor-elect Jeff Landry have been outspoken opponents of the appeal process.

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The list of Heisman finalists is out and Jayden Daniels is one of four players’ up for the award. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says the oddsmakers believe Daniels will be LSU’s third Heisman Trophy winner…

Cut 13 (09) “…overwhelming favorite.”

Daniels leads college football in most offensive categories including yards per rush at 8.4 yards a carry. Horne says that sets Daniels apart from the other two quarterbacks up for the award….

Cut 14 (11) “…at quarterback.”

Some have mentioned LSU’s 9-3 record and its potential to hurt Daniels’ chances win the Heisman but Horne says, that shouldn’t matter…

Cut 15 (09) “…out there.”

The other finalists are Oregon quarterback Bo Nix, Washington quarterback Michael Penix Jr and Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The Heisman Trophy winner will be announced Saturday night.

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Saints quarterback Derek Carr has suffered another concussion from a hard hit he took in Sunday’s loss to the Lions. It’s the second head injury for the 32-year-old in a month. He also sustained a concussion on November 12th in a loss to the Vikings. Coach Dennis Allen says the concussion is not the only injury Carr has…

Cut 16 (15) “…will be.”

The Saints season is slipping away as they’ve lost three in a row and they are 5-5 on the season. Atlanta is in first place in the NFC South with a 6-6 record and they own the tiebreaker over New Orleans. Allen says they need a win this Sunday against Carolina…

Cut 17 (13) “…we can control.”

Kick-off between New Orleans and the Panthers in the Superdome on Sunday is at noon.

One of the largest private owners of timberland in the world, Weyerhaeuser, will invest 96 million dollars in its Dobson lumber mill in Winn Parish to reduce carbon emissions. Teiko Foxx has more…

Cut 1 (33)  “…I’m Teiko Foxx.” 

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16 high school football teams are left standing and they will play in the Prep Classic that begins Thursday in the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Weyerhaeuser, one of the largest private owners of timberland, will spend 96 million dollars to modernize and decarbonize its Winn Parish lumber mill. Spokesperson Deano Orr says the upgrade will increase safety, productivity, and reliability.

Cut 3 (12) “….dry kilns.”

Governor John Bel Edwards set a goal to reduce GHG emissions to net zero by 2050.

Orr says the Dodson facility will add a new trimmer, sorter, and stacker to improve mill efficiencies and help reach production targets. He says the technology will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and waste, in addition to…

Cut 4 (11) “…as well.”

Weyerhaeuser has eight locations in Louisiana including Hammond, Ruston, and Winnfield. The investment for facility and equipment upgrades in Winn Parish will continue to make an economic impact and retain nearly one hundred sixty jobs.

Orr says the company is committed to rural communities in the Bayou State. He says earlier this month the company announced the Thrive project…

Cut 5 (13) “ …first beneficiary.”  

The first two CDKs are expected to be installed by the end of next year.

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California will face off against Texas Tech in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl in Shreveport on December 16^th.  Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s their first power-five match-up since 2016 and the game will be a three-hour commercial for Shreveport-Bossier City.

Cut 6 (12) “…the game.”

Both teams are six and six for the season. Cal has a big win over UCLA and Evenson says they have a dynamic running back with Jaydn Ott. Texas Tech has big wins over Kansas and UCF and a leading running back with Tahj Brooks. Evenson says it will be a great match-up…

Cut 7 (10) “…play too.” 

The game is usually held closer to Christmas which made it difficult for fans to travel but this year it will be primetime and on a Saturday. Evenson says it’s a win-win for visiting fans and locals to enjoy the festivities leading up to kickoff.

Cut 8 (10) “…on Monday.” 

The Pac-12 Golden Bears will play the Big 12 Conference Red Raiders on Saturday, December 16^th at 8:15 on ESPN. For tickets and more information visit RadianceTechnologiesIndependenceBowl.com

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Sixteen teams are getting ready to play in the state high school football championships. Opelousas will play in its first state title game since 1956 and coach Jimmy Zachery says there’s a big buzz inside the St. Landry Parish town…

Cut 9 (09) “…all the time” 

Opelousas will play Cecilia in the Division two non-select state title game on Friday at noon in the Caesars Superdome. Cecilia Coach Dennis Skains has the Bulldogs playing for its first state title game since 1995…

Cut 10 (10) “…with that”  

Union Parish will make their fourth straight state championship game appearance when they face St. James on Friday afternoon. Farmers Head Coach Joe Spatafora says they want to win it all this year after finishing as a runner-up the last three seasons…

Cut 11 (11) “…last three”

The Prep Classic gets underway with Division Four state title games….Riverside versus Southern Lab and Haynesville against Oak Grove.