Louisiana aims to make sure all high school freshmen in the class of 2025 will have at least one dual enrollment credit or industry-relevant credential by graduation. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

________________________________________

Hurricane Betsy has been upgraded to a Category 4 storm, 54 years after landfall. Kevin Barnhart talked to State Climatologist Barry Keim to find out why.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

____________________________________________

Fans back in Joe Burrow’s hometown of Athens, Ohio say they couldn’t be prouder of the LSU gunslinger’s imminent Heisman Trophy. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle.”

__________________________________________________

The Board of Regents and BESE sets a goal of ensuring that every high school freshman by 2025 will graduate with at least one college credit or job skill credential. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says making sure all high school grads have post-secondary credits will inspire more of them to attend college.

Cut 4 (10) “…college”

The state has set the goal of doubling the number of post-secondary credentials by 2030.

Dual enrollment credits can be an out of pocket expense in some school districts, but Reed says a task force has been created to find a way to make sure no student has to pay for the opportunity.

Cut 5 (10) “…income”

Reed says the policy is another example of the state sending a clear signal to students that a high school diploma will not be enough in the future knowledge economy.

Cut 6 (09) “…economy”

Half of students in the 2018 class obtained a college credit, or industry credential.

__________________________________________________

Fifty-four years after the storm’s landfall on southeast Louisiana, Hurricane Betsy is upgraded to the Category 4 storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the reclassification comes as weather researchers are reanalyzing Atlantic hurricane seasons and are having a better interpretation of historic data.

Cut 7 (11) “…to more current periods.”

Hurricane Betsy was blamed for about 75 deaths and was the first storm to surpass a billion dollars in US damage.  Keim says the latest report of the reanalysis of 1961 to 1965 also located more storms.

Cut 8 (09) “…just weren’t detected.”

Keim says the review of historical data is going to help broaden the understanding of storms and hopefully make forecasting better in the future.

Cut 9 (07) “…actually making landfall.”

__________________________________________________

The people of Athens, Ohio have been cheering on hometown hero Joe Burrow all throughout the LSU QB’s record-breaking season, and can’t wait to watch him take home the Heisman on Saturday.

Burrow frequented Gigi’s Country Kitchen during his high school quarterbacking days and owner Travis Brand said he was beaming last season as Burrow was asked about GiGi’s by ESPN after a game…

Cut 10 (06) “Burrow”

The official Heisman ceremony will be held Saturday night in New York at 7PM.

Brand says the community rallied around the QB during his years leading Athens High. Brand was at one of the games with his daughter who was a cheerleader…

Cut 11 (10) “fan”

Burrow led the team to three straight playoff appearances and threw for over 11,000 yards and 157 passing touchdowns.

Brand says Athens is Ohio State country, but this year you could find of Purple and Gold peppered throughout the community.

Cut  12 (10) “…town” 

Today is LSU day at Athens City School where students are encouraged to wear Purple and Gold.

__________________________________________________

The 2019 LHSAA Prep Classic kicks-off today in the Superdome. Six championship games over the next two days. The Class 2A title game between Many and Ferriday is the only one featuring a one versus two seed. Many Coach Jess Curtis says his team lost its first three games, but since then they’ve won 11 in a row…

Cut 13 (08) “…plateau”

Two teams will try to complete undefeated seasons. At 7 PM tonight, St. James will face Jennings for the 3A title. The Wildcats are trying to win their first state championship since 1979. Robert Valdez says the St. James community has felt this has been the year since the summertime…

Cut 14 (13) “…wow”

Acadiana can also finish the season 15-0 if they beat Destrehan in the 5A championship game on Saturday night. Wrecking Rams Head Coach Matt McCullough says his players have been dialed in since the preseason…

Cut 15 (12) “…ready to go.”

Most of Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation and state Ag Commissioner Mike Strain are touting a new compromise Mexico Canada trade deal that’s now backed by both House Democrats and the President, but Senator John Kennedy and other conservatives in the upper chamber are still unsure of the legislation…

Cut 11 (09) “…for it.”

The state Office of Public Health says only 25-percent of healthy adults have received a flu shot this year. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch, says Louisiana is already close to matching the peak of last year’s flu season and that was one of the worst in years. He says the B strain of flu is going around Louisiana, while the rest of the country is getting sick from the more severe A-strain…

Cut 13 (09) “…flu shot”

During the 2018-19 flu season, 15-hundred Louisians died from the virus.

Downtown Alexandria is the focal point of holiday spirit this weekend in Rapides Parish with the Alex Winter Fete. Interim Director of Community Services TJ Nash, Sr. says it’s got a gumbo cookoff, an ugly sweater 5K, and more, but no Louisiana celebration would be complete without live music and a parade.

Cut 5 (10) “…approximately 2pm.”

Festivities kick off today and run through Sunday. 

Louisiana Public Broadcasting takes a deep dive into the world and history of Bayou State duck hunting with In the Blind, which airs tonight at 7 and 1130PM. The program interviews hunters from around the state, and was created by New Orleans based producer Emma Lou Reid who says the show traces the evolution of duck hunting from a do or die way of life to the now highly popular, and highly regulated sport.

Cut 8 (10) “…hunting.”

Only a quarter of healthy Louisiana adults have received a flu vaccine this year despite the more active than usual flu season we’re experiencing. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch…

Cut 14 (08) “flu shot”

The White House is scrambling today to sure up Senate support for a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada amid growing concerns by conservatives over the House-backed bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Democratic House support for the USMCA earlier this week after a compromise was reached, but Senator John Kennedy says the new changes may have gone too far…

Cut 9 (09) “…weakended.”

Louisiana Delegation members Senator Bill Cassidy, and Congressmen Ralph Abraham and Garret Graves have announced their support for the USMCA deal, along with Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

At 7PM tonight Louisiana Public Broadcasting takes a deep dive into the world and history of Bayou State duck hunting with In the Blind. The program takes a look at just what makes a good duck hunter, and New Orleans based producer and Minnesota native Emma Lou Reid says having good aim is just one small part of the package…

Cut 7 (10) “…natural landscape.”

The program will reair at 11:30 tonight, and 6:30 Sunday.

Downtown Alexandria is the focal point of holiday spirit this weekend in Rapides Parish with the Alex Winter Fete.  There is no shortage of arts and craft vendors for holiday shopping, a gumbo cook-off, and Interim Director of Community Services TJ Nash, Sr. says for those feeling they need to burn holiday calories, an ugly sweater 5k.

Cut 3 (08) “…their ugly sweaters.”

Festivities kick off today and run through Sunday.  More details can be found at alexwinterfete.com.

Conservatives in the US Senate are signaling they may not support a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada that is backed by Democrats in the House and President Trump. The US Trade Representative is briefing Senate Republicans today, hoping to allay concerns that the deal is too liberal after it won the backing of a major labor union, and Senator John Kennedy says the bill is now stuffed.

Cut 10 (08) “…Mexico.”

Most of the rest of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation and Ag Commissioner Mike Strain support the USMCA deal.

Only a quarter of healthy adults in Louisiana have received a flu vaccine this year. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch, says that’s dangerous considering how much flu activity the state is currently seeing…

Cut 12 (06) “the flu” 

Welch says Louisiana is already close to matching the peak of last year’s flu season and that was one of the worst in years. 

Swing by Alexandria this weekend for Alex Winter Fete, a huge festival celebrating the holidays with craft vendors, gumbo cook-off, ugly sweater 5K, and more.  Interim Director of Community Services TJ Nash, Sr. says several popular attractions are returning this year adding visitors are coming from as far away as the North Pole for the festivities.

Cut 4 (08) “…for our youngsters.”

Festivities kick off today and run through Sunday. 

At 7PM tonight Louisiana Public Broadcasting takes a deep dive into the world and history of Bayou State duck hunting with In the Blind. The program interviews hunters from around the state, and was created by New Orleans based producer Emma Lou Reid who went on her first duck hunt in Caplan three years ago.

Cut 6 (11) “…be told”

The state Office of Public Health is concerned that only 25-percent of healthy adults have received a flu shot. Immunization Medical Director Doctor Frank Welch says Louisiana is already close to matching the peak of last year’s flu season and that was one of the worst in years. He says the B strain of flu is going around Louisiana, while the rest of the country is getting sick from the more severe A-strain…
Cut 13 (09) “…flu shot”
During the 2018-19 flu season, 15-thousand Louisiana residents were hospitalized by the flu, while 15-hundred died from the virus.

If you are a duck hunter then you’ll need to check out tonight’s documentary on L-P-B called In the Blind. Producer Emma Lou Reid of New Orleans says the show traces the evolution of duck hunting from a do or die way of life to a highly popular, and highly regulated sport.
Cut 8 (10) “…hunting.”
The program airs at 7 PM and 11:30 tonight and will re-air 6:30 Sunday.

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow has been named Associated Press College Football Player of the Year. Burrow received 50 of 53 first-place votes. On Saturday, Burrow is expected to win the Heisman Trophy and Governor John Bel Edwards will be on hand in person to see it. The governor’s office says Edwards will leave for New York tomorrow.

The award-winning Alex Winter Fete kicks off today in Downtown Alexandria. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 1(27) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

With the holidays coming up, the state Office of Public Health is concerned only 25-percent of healthy adults in the state have received a flu shot.
cut 2 (31) “.Jeff Palermo.”

Former Saints wide receiver Joe Horn is among a group of NFL retired players involved in an alleged scheme to defraud an NFL health care benefit program. Prosecutors say these former players submitted false claims to the plan and received money for expensive medical equipment never purchased. Horn could be charged with fraud.

Most of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation supports a new North American trade deal that the President and Democrats have agreed on and still needs approval from Congress. But Republican Senator John Kennedy is reserving judgement…
cut 11 (09) “…for it”
Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Strain says the U-S-M-C-A will bring unparalleled growth to the ag economy.

A big winter festival gets underway this afternoon. It’s known as Alex Winter Fete and one of the big attractions is an ice skating rink. There will also be an ugly sweater Five-K run on Saturday, a cookie eating contest, food vendors and of course live music….
cut 5 (10) “….approximately 2 PM.
That’s Interim Director of Community Services T-J Nash Senior who says more details can be found at alex-winter-fete-dot-com.

The White House is scrambling today to sure up Senate support for a new trade agreement with Mexico and Canada amid growing concerns by conservatives over the House-backed bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced Democratic House support for the USMCA earlier this week after a compromise was reached, but Senator John Kennedy says the new changes may have gone too far…

Cut 9 (09) “…weakended.”

Louisiana Delegation members Senator Bill Cassidy, and Congressmen Ralph Abraham and Garret Graves have announced their support for the USMCA deal, along with Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

Only a quarter of healthy Louisiana adults have received a flu vaccine this year despite the more active than usual flu season we’re experiencing. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch…

Cut 14 (08) “flu shot”

At 7PM tonight Louisiana Public Broadcasting takes a deep dive into the world and history of Bayou State duck hunting with In the Blind. The program takes a look at just what makes a good duck hunter, and New Orleans based producer and Minnesota native Emma Lou Reid says having good aim is just one small part of the package…

Cut 7 (10) “…natural landscape.”

The program will reair at 11:30 tonight, and 6:30 Sunday.

The state Office of Public Health says only 25-percent of healthy adults have received a flu shot this year. Immunization medical director, Doctor Frank Welch, says that percentage needs to increase since flu activity is widespread in the state, with almost three times as much activity as the regional baseline

Cut 12 (06) “the flu” 

Welch says Louisiana is already close to matching the peak of last year’s flu season and that was one of the worst in years.

At 7PM tonight Louisiana Public Broadcasting takes a deep dive into the world and history of Bayou State duck hunting with In the Blind. The program interviews hunters from around the state, and was created by New Orleans based producer Emma Lou Reid who went on her first duck hunt in Caplan three years ago.

Cut 6 (11) “…be told”

The AP reports nearly all of Louisiana’s legislators are utilizing perk of the job that allows them to buy rare Tigers postseason tickets at face value. The LSU policy is paying off big this year, with lawmakers saving nearly a grand for end zone tickets relative to the secondary market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a long-standing tradition.

Cut 10 (10) “request”

Lawmakers are offered a range of tickets reportedly running 425 dollars a pop to 875 dollars for end zone tickets to the national championship in New Orleans.

Downtown Alexandria is the focal point of holiday spirit this weekend in Rapides Parish with the Alex Winter Fete.  There is no shortage of arts and craft vendors for holiday shopping, a gumbo cook-off, and Interim Director of Community Services TJ Nash, Sr. says for those feeling they need to burn holiday calories, an ugly sweater 5k.

Cut 3 (08) “…their ugly sweaters.”

Festivities kick off today and run through Sunday.

Louisiana’s three largest cities all feature in the top 25 of Wallethub’s cities most in need of charity for the holidays. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

China Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Grambling has been destroyed by an overnight fire. The church has been considered a historical landmark in the community. Firefighting crews and authorities with the State Fire Marshal’s office are still on the scene. The cause of the blaze is unclear.

State Treasurer John Schroder is backing federal legislation that would raise the age individuals can participate in the ABLE program, which enables people with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. The current age limit is 26, but Schroder says data has emerged showing where improvements can be made to reach more participants by raising the age to 46.

Cut 8 (08) “…to do that.”

Schroder says if they raise the age, more disabled vets can participate.

The AP reports nearly all of Louisiana’s legislators are utilizing perk of the job that allows them to buy rare Tigers postseason tickets at face value. The LSU policy is paying off big this year, with lawmakers saving nearly 1,000 dollars for end zone tickets relative to the secondary market. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the obvious attempt by LSU to buy Legislative influence using taxpayer money shouldn’t be allowed, but somehow continues to survive.

Cut 11 (10) “home”

Louisiana is preparing a lawsuit to block the implementation of a California law passed 50 years ago that will finally go into effect January first banning the sale of alligator products. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “ I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A state DOTD worker died when the amphibious vehicle he was riding in, overturned in Bayou Ramos in St. Mary Parish. Two other workers were able to swim to safety, but divers recovered 22-year-old Jeffrey Curry of Arnaudville’s body about three hours later. The U-S Coast Guard is investigating the incident.

Three Louisiana cities are listed in Wallethub’s Top 25 ranking for cities most in need of charitable giving this holiday season. New Orleans is third, Shreveport 19th and Baton Rouge is ranked 21st. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says New Orleans ranks high for food insecurity, while Shreveport has a lot of people sleeping on the streets…
cut 6 (08) “…people”

State Treasurer John Schroder is backing federal legislation that would raise the age individuals can participate in the ABLE program, which enables people with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. The current age limit is 26, but Schroder says there’s an effort in Congress to increase the age to 46…
cut 9 (10) “….100,000”
Schroder says if they raise the age, more disabled vets can participate.