A survey by Innovet Pet finds that 34 percent of pet owners in the Bayou State struggle financially to care for their pets. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says the contagious disease can spread through contact with saliva or respiratory droplets…

Cut 3 (09)  “…very seriously” 

A slow-moving cold front is keeping the state in cloudy and wet conditions throughout today and into tomorrow afternoon.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says we also have a tornado watch in effect for a large section of the state until 6pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, Lake Charles, and Baton Rouge…
Cut 13 (08) “…spun up.”
Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area.
The Census will be taken this year and then it will be up to the state legislature to draw up new political maps. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee and he lays out the timeline for when reapportionment discussions will begin. Dwight will join with Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, who chairs Senate House and Governmental Affairs, in the effort. He says they’ll tour the state after the Census is conducted.

Cut 7 (11) “…result”

A large portion of the state is under a tornado watch this afternoon as a slow-moving cold front moves across the state. State Climatologist Barry Keim says by tomorrow afternoon the front should be clear of the state and chilly air will settle in.

Cut 14 (12) “…of Louisiana.”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says you can protect yourself from getting the mumps by receiving two doses of the M-M-R vaccine. He says students should seek treatment if their glands are swollen under their ears or jaw

Cut 5 (09) “…sides.”

The Census is about to get underway and it could decide if Louisiana regains the Congressional seat it lost in the previous census. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee. Dwight says it’ll be interesting to find out if our population has recovered and the state gains another seat.

Cut 8 (07) “…we’ll see.”

A survey by Innovet Pet reveals that 42% pet owners in Louisiana say if they lost their job, they would not have the means necessary to keep their animals. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says some owners have come to her feeling they had no options.

Cut 11 (10) “…can’t afford”

The survey said one in three pet owners in the state struggle financially with owning a pet.

1:30 PM newscast.
Louisiana’s U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are expected to vote today with fellow Republican Senators in acquitting President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment. The Advocate reports the senators have received thousands of emails and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions.
State health officials are responding to a mumps outbreak involving LSU students. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

A slow-moving cold front is keeping the state in cloudy and wet conditions throughout today and into tomorrow afternoon.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says there is a chance for a wintry mix of precipitation in the northwest corner of the state, including the Shreveport area starting with rain tonight.

Cut 12 (12) “…kind of interesting”

A tornado watch is in effect for a large section of the state until 6pm covering Monroe, Alexandria, and Lake Charles.

A survey reveals that one in three Louisiana pet owners struggle financially to care for their animals. The survey by Innovet Pet found that nearly a quarter of those surveyed admit they have a difficult time caring for their pets. Elizabeth Sprang, Director of Southern Animal Foundation, a nonprofit vet clinic in New Orleans, says medical costs continue to increase for pet owners.

Cut 9 (11) “…ultrasound machine”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says they are trying to determine if there’s a connection between the students because they did not live in the same apartment

Cut 4 (12) “…families.”

Welch says you can protect yourself from getting the mumps by receiving two doses of the M-M-R vaccine.

The Census is right around the corner and that’s set to make the House Governmental Affairs Committee a busy place for the next two years. Lake Charles Republican Stephen Dwight was just named chair of the committee. He lays out the timeline for when Louisianans can expect reapportionment to begin.

Cut 6 (10) “…redistricting”

In Louisiana, the death rate for pregnant women is twice the national average and the leading cause of death for expectant mothers is homicide, that’s according to a joint study between Tulane and LSU. These numbers come as no surprise to Mariah Wineski Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Cut 10 (09) “…also preventable”

Of the 119 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana from January 2016 to December 2017, 13-percent were homicides.  You can call Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333 for assistance.

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says the contagious disease can spread through contact with saliva or respiratory droplets…

Cut 3 (09)  “…very seriously” 

Republican lawmakers in the House will chair the financial and redistricting panels, but Democrats have chairmanships over five committees. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is the new chairman of House Criminal Justice Committee and he plans to hold an extensive public hearing on repealing the death penalty…

cut 6 (12) “…crime”
It’s been ten years since Louisiana carried out an execution.

In Louisiana, the leading cause of death is homicide for pregnant women, or women who have just given birth, that’s according to a joint study between Tulane and LSU. Mariah Wineski Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence highly encourages females in a domestic situation that fall into this category, to seek help immediately.

Cut 12 (12) “…unborn child”

The LSU Alexandria Foundation receives a $460,000 contribution from six community partners to fund the expansion of the nursing program.  Foundation director Melinda Anderson says the money will fund scholarships as well as the salary and benefits of an additional faculty member over the next four years.

Cut 14 (07) “…students every year.”

The House Criminal Justice Committee will be headed up by a Baton Rouge Democrat who will take on some of the session’s most controversial topics. Matt Doyle spoke with Ted James…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana’s U-S Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy are expected to vote with fellow Republican Senators in acquitting President Donald Trump on two articles of impeachment. The Advocate reports the senators have received thousands of emails and phone calls from constituents voicing their opinions.

During the State of the Union, President Trump endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would allow parents in the private workforce to have an extended absence from work through the help of tax credits. The president also says he wants to put an end to surprise medical billing. Cassidy says legislation like this can help sooth the bitter partisan divide…
cut 9 (10) “…start”

The LSU-Alexandria Foundation has received a 460-thousand dollar financial gift from six community partners that will be used to admit an additional 40 nursing students per year at L-S-U-A. Foundation director Melinda Anderson says the positive impact will reach beyond the students, it will lead to an increased number of registered nurses in cenLa…
cut 15 (10) “….public-private partnerships”

In last night’s State of the Union, President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan bill supported by Senator Bill Cassidy that would allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their child’s first year after birth or adoption. He says it’s a favorite of the President’s daughter…
Cut 7 (08) “…mandates.”
The legislation would be paid for by drawing from a parent’s future child tax credits.

Baton Rouge Democrat Ted James has been named House Criminal Justice Committee Chairman and he hopes to build on the bipartisan criminal justice reform legislation approved in 2017 which significantly reduced the state’s prison population…
Cut 4 (12) “…crimes.”
Louisiana retook the title of the nation’s highest per capita incarcerator last year after briefly dropping to 49th.

Homicide is the leading cause of death for pregnant women in Louisiana according to a joint study from Tulane and LSU. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has confirmed five students living off-campus have come down with the mumps. LSU officials advise students to seek treatment if they have swollen and tender glands under their ears or jaw.

The Louisiana Health Department is looking into dozens of reported stomach-related illness from individuals who attended a Mardi Gras Ball at L’auberge Casino in Lake Charles. State health officials want to make sure there is not a further threat to the public.

In Louisiana, the death rate for pregnant women is twice the national average and the leading cause of death for expectant mothers is homicide, that’s according to a joint study between Tulane and LSU. These numbers come as no surprise to Mariah Wineski Executive Director of the Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Cut 10 (09) “…also preventable”
Of the 119 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana from January 2016 to December 2017, 13-percent were homicides.

During the State of the Union, President Trump endorsed Senator Bill Cassidy’s legislation that would allow parents in the private workforce to have an extended absence from work through the help of tax credits. The president also says he wants to put an end to surprise medical billing. Cassidy says legislation like this can help sooth the bitter partisan divide…
cut 9 (10) “…start”

The LSU Alexandria Foundation receives a $460,000 contribution to fund the expansion of its nursing program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today is national signing day and LSU has the ability to add six more players to a 2020 recruiting class that’s ranked by Rivals and 24-7 sports as the fourth-best int he country. The Tigers are hoping to sign five-star defensive tackle Jordan Burch, who is committed to South Carolina but has shown a lot of interest in LSU.

LSU and Tulane researchers have found that out of the 119 pregnancy-related deaths in Louisiana from January 2016 to December 2017, 13-percent were the result of a homicide. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence executive director Mariah Wineski says more needs to be done to protect pregnant women who are in a dangerous situation…
cut 11 (11) “….can play”
Domestic violence victims can seek help by calling the Louisiana Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-888-411-1333.

In last night’s State of the Union, President Trump said patients should never be blindsided by medical bills. Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy has been pushing legislation to end surprise medical billing…
cut 8 (13) “…network”
The president also called on Congress to pass a plan to lower prescription drug prices.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is one of five Democrats that will serve as a chairman in the Louisiana Legislature this year. James says he plans to file a marijuana decriminalization bill …
cut 5 (09) “…areas”
Possession of marijuana has been decriminalized in New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

The LSU Alexandria Foundation receives a $460,000 contribution from six community partners to fund the expansion of its nursing program. Foundation director Melinda Anderson says this helps combat the nursing shortage in Central Louisiana.
Cut 13 (10) “…some more nurses.”
The 460-thousand dollar commitment will allow them to admit an additional 40 nursing students per year.

In last night’s State of the Union, President Donald Trump endorsed a bipartisan bill supported by Senator Bill Cassidy that would allow parents to receive a larger child tax credit in their child’s first year after birth or adoption. He says it’s a favorite of the President’s daughter…
Cut 7 (08) “…mandates.”
The legislation would be paid for by drawing from a parent’s future child tax credits.

The LSU-Alexandria Foundation receives a 460-thousand dollar gift that would allow them to train more registered nurses that could be added to the central Louisiana workforce. LSU-A foundation director Melinda Anderson says the money will fund scholarships as well as the salary and benefits of an additional faculty member…
cut 14 (07) “….students every year”

Republican lawmakers in the House will chair the financial and redistricting panels, but Democrats have chairmanships over five committees. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is the new chairman of House Criminal Justice Committee and he plans to hold an extensive public hearing on repealing the death penalty…
cut 6 (12) “…crime”
It’s been ten years since Louisiana carried out an execution.

A good portion of the state is under a slight risk for severe weather. The heightened severe weather threat stretches from northeast Louisiana through most of central Louisiana and most of south Louisiana. Damaging winds and flooding are possible.