State Immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the flu outbreak isn’t as bad as it was.  He says people getting their flu shots have helped.  And those that are sick are heeding the advice to stay away from others. He says even if you have recovered from the flu, you are not out of danger with three different strains reported in Louisiana…

Cut 4  (09) “flu shot.” 

The state flu rate sits at 8.5-percent.

One man died and another hospitalized after a Mardi Gras parade route shooting in Jeanerette Sunday. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Wendell Raborn says deputies arrived soon after the shooting happened…

Cut 9 (08) “is related.”

The victim died on route to the hospital.  Police say witnesses haven’t come forward with any information.

Louisiana’s number of work related fatalities decrease in 2016.  The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows there were 95 fatalities, down from 112 in 2015.  Injury rates also saw a decline from 5.8 per 100,000 full time workers in 2015 to 5.0 in 2016.   Most of the fatalities occurred in trade, transportation and utilities.

They may be New York Giant teammates, but Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning will be remembered for their Dirty Dancing commercial during the Super Bowl.  Both grew up in uptown New Orleans, attending the same high school where Peyton Manning rose to prominence. The school is known for its rigorous academic program, and head coach Nelson Stewart says that played a big part in developing their talents on and off the field.

Cut 15 (10) “next level.”

The number of reported flu cases in Louisiana has dropped.  Jeff Palermo spoke with flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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Two Isidore Newman grads, Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr, stole the show last night with a beautiful dance routine during a Super Bowl commercial. Matt Doyle investigates the duo’s history of dirty dancing.

Cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Many people are still reporting flu like symptoms in Louisiana, but the state health department sees a glimmer of hope.  After peaking toward the end of last year, flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch says they are seeing fewer people at doctor offices suffering from the flu…

Cut 3 (08) “of flu.”

Dr. Welch says there several things that have helped to ease the flu somewhat.  He says people getting their flu shots have helped.  And those that are sick are heeding the advice to stay away from others. He says even if you have recovered from the flu, you are not out of danger with three different strains reported in Louisiana…

Cut 4  (09) “flu shot.” 

Last Wednesday, 3,000 people received free flu shots at parish health clinics and health department officials says they be available though next Monday.  Even though reported flu cases have dropped some, there is a concern the flu bug may spread rapidly after Mardi Gras. Dr. Welch has a few simple tips to follow…

Cut 5  (11)  “or glasses.”

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State Police arrest a 20-year-old Kaplan man for a hit and run crash that killed two high school students. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says Tyler Meaux was driving a Ford F-150 and heading the wrong way on U-S 167 last night when he slammed into a Honda Civic, carrying four teenagers

Cut 6 (10)  “we believe”

The two girls killed in the wreck are identified as 16-year-old Alana Duhon of Abbeville and 15-year-old Sydney Colomb of Maurice. They attended North Vermilion High School and grief counselors have been brought in. Two teenage male passengers suffered moderate injuries. Sandifer says Meaux attempted to flee on foot after the fatal crash…

Cut 7 (09)  “was impaired”

Meaux was booked into the Vermilion Parish Jail on several charges including two counts of vehicular homicide and hit and run driving. Sandifer says they believe Meaux was drunk while behind the wheel…

Cut 8 (08) “of that”

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One man died and another hospitalized after a Mardi Gras parade route shooting in Jeanerette on Sunday. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesman Major Wendell Raborn says the shooting happened around 4PM and deputies responded shortly after.

Cut 9 (08) “is related.”

The victim died on route to the hospital.

The shooting occurred at the intersection of Monnot Road and Martin Luther King Drive during the Krewe of Ezana parade. Raborn says there are a lot of potential witnesses, but no one has come forward with any information

Cut 10 (07) “saw anything”

There is no word on the condition of the second person shot. We do know he was shot in the leg.

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Former Louisiana high school football coach and ex-ULM quarterback Doug Pederson is a Super Bowl champion today after guiding the Eagles to an upset win over the Patriots. Pederson made a gutsy decision when he called for a trick play right before halftime, it worked as quarterback Nick Foles caught a touchdown pass giving Philadelphia a 10 point lead

Cut 11 (11) “yourself aggressive”

Philadelphia won its first ever Super Bowl championship. They were not given much of a chance at winning after star quarterback Carson Wentz went down with a season ending injury. But Pederson says he had faith good things can still happen…

Cut 12 (12) “of these”

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Two New Orleans natives, Odell Beckham Jr. and Eli Manning stole the show last night with one of the best Super Bowl ads in years. The two Isidore Newman grads recreated an iconic moment from the classic Dirty Dancing film, high lift and all. Newman head coach Nelson Stewart says his phone blew up seconds after it aired…

Cut 13 (09) “years ago.”

Beckham Jr is known for his elaborate post touchdown routines, and as one of the best wide receivers in football, he gets a lot of opportunities to show his moves. Stewart says one time he even danced his way out of a penalty.

Cut 14 (11) “his skills.”

Beckham and Manning grew up in uptown New Orleans, attending the same high school where Peyton Manning rose to prominence. The school is known for its rigorous academic program, and Stewart says that played a big part in developing their talents.

Louisiana Radio Network

The number of reported flu cases in Louisiana has dropped.  Jeff Palermo spoke with flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo.”

A Port Allen high school volunteer has been accused of having sex with a 15-year-old-student. Reports say the 30-year-old Ronald Barbier has been charged with one count of felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and five counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. The reports say Barbier worked as an athletics volunteer. Barbier is being accused of communicating with the minor through social media.

LRN

State Police arrest a 20-year-old Kaplan man for a hit and run crash that killed two high school students. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says Tyler Meaux was driving a Ford F-150 and heading the wrong way on U-S 167 last night when he slammed into a Honda Civic, carrying four teenagers. Sandifer says they believe Meaux was drunk while behind the wheel.

Cut 8 (08) “of that”

The two girls killed in the wreck are identified as 16-year-old Alana Duhon of Abbeville and 15-year-old Sydney Colomb of Maurice.

Former Louisiana high school football coach and ex-ULM quarterback Doug Pederson is a Super Bowl champion today after guiding the Eagles to an upset win over the Patriots.  They were not given much of a chance at winning, but Pederson kept faith.

Cut 12 (12) “of these”

Louisiana Radio Network

A highway traffic safety enforcement program that resulted in some state troopers receiving overtime pay when they were at home has been reinstated after new rules were put in place. The investigation by WVUE-TV in New Orleans led to the suspension of three troopers. State Police Major Doug Cain says changes have been made to prevent payroll fraud…

Cut 4  (12) “those improvements” 

State Police arrest a 20-year-old Kaplan man for a hit and run crash that killed two high school students. Sergeant Jared Sandifer says Tyler Meaux was driving a Ford F-150 and heading the wrong way on U-S 167 last night when he slammed into a Honda Civic, carrying four teenagers…

Cut 6 (10)  “we believe”

3rd District Congressman Clay Higgins has only 50-thousand-dollars in the bank for a re-election bid and still needs to repay seven-thousand-dollars in debt from his 2016 campaign.  Political analyst Bernie Pinosnat says even though Higgins is well liked in southwest Louisiana, he needs money to make sure he gets re-elected…

Cut 10 (09) “work hard.”

Two others are raising money to explore running against Higgins.

An athletics volunteer at Port Allen High School has been arrested after he had consensual sex with a 15-year-old student.   30-year-old Donald Barbier befriended the girl in early January and communicated via social media.    Police says Barbier met with the girl several times after an initial January 19^th meeting.  Barbier is charged with felony carnal knowledge of a juvenile and five counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Festivities surrounding Mardi Gras are happening across the state starting this weekend. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

Employees of the DeSoto Parish School System will soon receive a one-time salary supplement for a job well done.  In recognition of the district earning an “A” rating from the Louisiana Department of Education, the School Board authorized a $2,000 bonus for all full-time employees.  The DeSoto Parish School System was ranked 49th in Louisiana in 2010, but is now ranked 9^th.

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Big game parties will be raging across the state. Spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state and there’s another category the Bayou State paces the nation in…

Cut 12 (06) “have fun.”

Louisiana’s nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux says spring is coming early as he didn’t see his shadow in New Iberia Friday.  LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be close on the mark. He says most everyone is happy with Shadeaux’s prognostication since January was a very harsh month in Louisiana, but Groundhog Day is more about tradition…

Cut 14 (08) “of salt.”

Louisiana Radio Network News, I’m Matt Doyle

Many folks think that Mardi Gras is a celebration that only takes place in Southeast Louisiana, but festivities surrounding Carnival are happening across the state. The Acadiana region celebrates with events that draw over 200,000 people every season. That’s according to Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, Ben Berthelot. He says there’s a lot to see down there…:

Cut 5  (08)  “twenty or thirty minutes”

Monroe-based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area. A job fair will be held later this month in Monroe to help fill the new jobs. CenturyLink spokesperson Anne Marie Sartor Sartor says there will be a couple of ways people can apply for the jobs…

Cut 8 (11) “Garden Inn.”

LRN

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An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state, and Forget gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish, Yarborough says Louisiana has a fairly standard go to for Super Bowl snacks.

Cut 11 (09) “this Sunday”

Respected forecasters Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog and Louisiana’s own Pierre C. Shadeaux the nutria are at odds in their predictions this year.  Phil predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux says spring is coming soon.  LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be closer on the mark…

Cut 13 (10) “telling us.”

Keim says while the longterm weather might be unpredictable, he’s comfortable saying it’s going to rain this weekend.

Louisiana Radio Network

Louisiana Radio Network, I’m Matt Doyle

Monroe-based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area.  Kelley Ray has more…

Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray.”

Peninsula Pacific is evaluating the prospect of moving it’s Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier City to Tangipahoa Parish. The company is looking at moving the casino to the Tangipahoa River at the Robert exit. The move would require a difficult series of local and state requirements to be met and approved before the project could be initiated, but Tangipahoa Parish President Robby Miller says it’s a great opportunity for the parish. The project could cost north of 100 million dollars.

Forecaster Punxsutawney Phil and Louisiana’s own nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux are at odds in their predictions this year.  Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux didn’t see his in New Iberia today and says we will see a longer spring, delaying summertime heat longer.

While the spring forecast might be up in the air, LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says one things for sure, it’s going to rain this weekend for carnival.

Cut 15 (12) “out there.”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state. Offers.com spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state.

Cut 10 (11) “national average”

The Super Bowl kicks off at 5:30PM Sunday.

Louisiana Radio Network

Festivities surrounding Mardi Gras are happening across the state starting this weekend. Michelle Southern reports…:

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Krewe of Muses is asking that Forever Lee Circle beads or any other Confederate-themed parade throws not be thrown this year.  The Advocate is reporting it’s a safety issue.  The krewe is concerned people will throw those beads back at them or the person throwing them could be harmed by angry paradegoers.

Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter while Louisiana’s own forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux didn’t see his in New Iberia today and says we will see a longer spring.  LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s understandable everyone wants to see spring come sooner since January was a very harsh month in Louisiana…

Cut 14 (08) “of salt.”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties.  Forget gumbo, jambalaya or crawfish.  Spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana has a fairly standard go to for Super Bowl snacks.

Cut 11 (09) “this Sunday”

And we like to spend money for Super Bowl parties, nearly 40 percent more than other states.

Mardi Gras celebrations are taking place throughout the state the next two weekends. Executive Director of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission Ben Berthelot says the city of Lafayette holds big parades, and rural communities do Mardi Gras their own special way…:
Cut 5 (08) “twenty or thirty minutes”
Central Louisiana’s Mardi Gras gets bigger and bigger every year.

Punxsutawney Phil and Louisiana’s own nutria forecaster Pierre C. Shadeaux are at odds in their predictions this year. Phil saw his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter, while Shadeaux didn’t in New Iberia today saying expect more spring. LSU Climatologist Barry Keim says Shadeaux’s prediction may be closer on the mark…:
Cut 13 (10) “telling us”

An Offers.com survey says Louisianans are the top spenders this year for Super Bowl parties. Even though the Black and Gold missed the Super Bowl by a hair, big game parties will still be raging across the state. Offers.com spokesperson Carson Yarborough says Louisiana spends nearly 40 percent more per party than the average state…:
Cut 10 (11) “national average”
The Eagles and Patriots will battle on Sunday at 5:30pm on NBC.

The LSU Board of Supervisors is expected to approve today new contracts for LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag Associate Editor James Moran says Ensminger’s contract is 800-thousand dollars a year…:
Cut 16 (05) “would be”
He says Aranda’s annual salary will go up to 2.5 million dollars.

Many folks think that Mardi Gras is a celebration that only takes place in Southeast Louisiana, but festivities surrounding Carnival are happening across the state. They do it big in Alexandria with two weekends packed with fun events. Kelli West with the Convention and Visitors Bureau says tonight Pineville will roll with their massive 4th Annual Light the Night Parade:
CUT 3 (11) “two cities”
West says once the parade is over tonight, the Light the Night After-Party kicks off at 8pm in downtown Alexandria.

The iconic Voice of the Saints Jim Henderson is retiring. He says it wasn’t an easy decision, but the hectic football season can take a toll on your family…:
Cut 25 (12) “of sacrifice”
Henderson says most of all, he’s looking forward to just being a fan again.

A 74-year-old man and 10-year-old boy died in a fire this morning in West Baton Rouge Parish. Officials say a woman and girl were also injured in the blaze. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Monroe based CenturyLink is opening a new outbound sales center bringing 150 jobs to the area…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kelley Ray”