State Police have dropped the hammer on a Ponchatoula man and set his bond at $25 million for allegedly possessing child porn. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish has been closed after two boy scouts were hospitalized with histoplasmosis. It’s a flu-like illness that comes from soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says histoplasmois is a fungus and you can get sick after breathing in the spores from the fungus
Cut 4 (08) “…those spores.″

The high school state football championships kick-off today at the Superdome, as nine teams will be crowned champions before the prep classic concludes on Saturday night. Today at noon, Oak Grove goes after its first state title since 2001, when it takes on Kentwood. Oak Grove Coach Ryan Gregory was a team captain the last time the Tigers brought home a trophy back to West Carroll Parish
Cut 7 (09) “…all year.”

It’s that time of year when businesses start planning their holiday parties, parties which have the potential to go horrifically wrong if things get out of hand, or the company does a poor job planning and preparing. National Federation of Small Business State Director Dawn Starns says harassment awareness is at an all-time-high,
And, she says make sure the event is voluntary, just in case someone at your business isn’t interested in some afterhours fraternizing.
Cut 14 (09) “…in one.”

Starns says you can help keep workers from going too hard by employing professional bartenders who refuse to serve folks who are a little over-served.

It was a fun night at the Smoothie King Center as the Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 132-106. Anthony Davis had 27 points and a career-high nine assists. Julius Randle also had 27 points and grabbed 18 rebounds as New Orleans improved to 13-and-13 on the season. The Pels will be back at home tomorrow against the Grizzlies.

The Saints are 7.5 point favorites this Sunday as they’ll visit the Tampa Bay Bucs. Tampa beat New Orleans in the season opener and they have won two in a row. Saints wide out Michael Thomas did not practice yesterday. But offensive tackle Terron Armstead was back at practice after missing the last three games.

Three state championship football games will be played today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome. At noon, Oak Grove goes for its first state title since 2001 when they face Kentwood. At 3:30…it’s Lafayette Christian versus Ascension Catholic. At 7 PM, it’s Notre Dame versus Catholic of New Iberia. All of the games can be seen on CST or streamed on the N-F-H-S Network.

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McNeese has named Sterlin Gilbert as its new football coach. The past two seasons, Gilbert was the offensive coordinator at South Florida. The Bulls averaged 444 yards of total offense and 32 points a game this past season en route to a 7-5 record. He’ll be introduced to the Lake Charles media on Friday.

Grambling State and its athletics director Paul Bryant have decided to go their separate ways. Bryant will leave the school at the end of the month and President Rick Gallot says the vice president for student affairs, David Ponton, will take over as A-D. Gallot says Bryant wants to explore other opportunities.

Louisiana Tech’s Jaylon Ferguson has been named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year. The St. Francisville native set a school record with 15 sacks this year and is two sacks away from becoming the alltime sack leader in NCAA Football history.

On the hardwood, the Ragin Cajuns defeated Loyola University of New Orleans 97-84 as JaKeenan Gant had 21 points. Also, UNO over South Alabama 71-60 and Tulane topped Tennessee-Martin 87-74.

The state football championships begin today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as 18 teams will battle it over the next three days. Jeff Palermo has a preview…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

A $25 million dollar bond has been set for a Ponchatoula man accused of possession of child pornography. The FBI New Orleans Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes State Police, arrested 59-year-old Edd Scafidel Jr. Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says authorities received the information on the suspect last month.
Cut 10 (06) “…pornography involving juveniles.”

It’s that time of year when businesses start planning their holiday parties, parties which have the potential to go horrifically wrong if things get out of hand, or the company does a poor job planning and preparing. National Federation of Small Business State Director Dawn Starns says harassment awareness is at an all-time-high, so don’t promote inappropriate behavior.
Cut 13 (09) “…decoration.”
Starns says you can help keep workers from going too hard by employing professional bartenders who refuse to serve folks who look too drunk.

The state football championships begin today in the Mercedes Benz Superdome as 18 teams will battle it over the next three days. Jeff Palermo has a preview…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

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State Police have thrown the fence on a Ponchatoula man and set his bond at $25 million for allegedly possessing child porn.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The National Federation of Small Businesses has some suggestions for business owners thinking of throwing a holiday party…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m  Matt Doyle”

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The Avondale Scout Reservation in East Feliciana Parish has been closed after two boy scouts were hospitalized with histoplasmosis. It’s a flu-like illness that comes from soil contaminated with bat or bird droppings. State Epidemiologist Raoult Ratard says histoplasmois is a fungus and you can sick after breathing in the spores from the fungus

Cut 4 (08) “…those spores.″

At least 15 campers were reportedly exposed to histoplasmosis. Ratard says symptoms can develop three to 17 days after exposure, but usually infected individuals recover quickly…

Cut 5 (08) “…goes away.”

Ratard says he doesn’t see histoplasmosis as a major health risk, as there are very few reported cases. But when outdoors, he says do not disturb large piles of leaves and stay away from holes in trees where there might a lot of animal droppings

Cut 6 (07) “…get infected.”

__________________________________________________

The high school state football championships kick-off today at the Superdome, as nine teams will be crowned champions before the prep classic concludes on Saturday night. Today at noon, Oak Grove goes after its first state title since 2001, when it takes on Kentwood. Oak Grove Coach Ryan Gregory was a team captain the last time the Tigers brought home a trophy back to West Carroll Parish

Cut 7 (09) “…all year.”

Oak Grove is 13-0 on the year, while Kentwood is 11-and-2 and has won eight state titles in football. Gregory says his big concern is the Kangaroos team speed…

Cut 8 (11) “…turn it over”

Gregory says he likes the character of his team…

Cut 9 (08) “…mentally tough team.”

The Division four and Division 3 championship games are also today and they are rematches of last year’s championship games. At 3:30 it’s Lafayette versus Ascension Catholic and at 7 PM its Catholic of New Iberia versus Notre Dame.

_______________________

A $25 million dollar bond has been set for a Ponchatoula man accused of possession of child pornography.  The FBI New Orleans Child Exploitation Task Force, which includes State Police, arrested 59-year-old Edd Scafidel Jr.  Senior Trooper Melissa Matey says authorities received the information on the suspect last month.

Cut 10 (06)   “…pornography involving juveniles.”

Matey says the investigation is continuing as authorities seized more electronic devices.  Depending on what those devices may contain, the suspect’s already high bond may increase.

Cut 11 (11) “…on this case.”

Matey says the public plays an important role in these types of cases.

Cut 12 (10)   “…other electronic devices.”

_____________________________________________

It’s that time of year when businesses start planning their holiday parties, parties which have the potential to go horrifically wrong if things get out of hand, or the company does a poor job planning and preparing. National Federation of Small Business State Director Dawn Starns says harassment awareness is at an all-time-high, so don’t incentivize inappropriate behavior.

Cut 13 (09) “…decoration.”

She says you can help keep workers from going too hard by employing professional bartenders who refuse to serve folks who look too drunk.

And, make sure the event is voluntary, just in case someone at your business isn’t interested in some after-hours fraternizing.

Cut 14 (09) “…in one.”

And before any party takes place, make sure your harassment policy is up to date, and if you don’t have one, you should get on that right now.

Cut 15 (06) “…handle that”

She also recommends hiring Ubers for your employees if alcohol will be involved.

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. Bush, who lived most of his adult life in Texas, had a close connection to Louisiana. In 2001, he gave this advice to LSU graduates while delivering a commencement speech…

Cut 6 (12) “…your country”

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge that despite the great year for the Tigers, it’s not time to talk about a contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it’s Alleva’s style to wait after the final game is played

Cut 11 (11) “…of the team”

Orgeron is currently getting paid 3.5 million dollars a year.

A Report from Hunger Free America says Louisiana has the third highest rate of food insecure children in the nation. About 25 percent of kids in the state live in households where their parents do not make enough money, and CEO Joel Berg says that doesn’t mean the state is of third world status, but it does mean many families are having to make tough choices between absolute necessities despite living in such a wealthy country.

Cut 9 (12) “much poverty”

With the holiday season in effect, the state has seen an uptick in flu cases.  This news comes after a horrible flu season last year, with triple the number of hospitalizations and deaths than normal.  Flu Bug expert for Louisiana Department of Health Frank Welch says getting the flu shot only doesn’t guarantee someone won’t get the flu, but if they do get the flu after getting the flu shot, it won’t be so severe.

Cut 5 (10)  “…amount of protection.” 

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. The Bush family made several trips to LSU, Laura Bush, before she was the First Lady, was a commencement speaker at LSU in 1992 and former President George W. Bush spoke at LSU’s commencement in May of 2004. When George H-W Bush spoke in 2001 he told the graduates to be bold.

Cut 7 (14) “it good”

With the holiday season in effect, the state has seen an uptick in flu cases.  Flu Bug expert for Louisiana Department of Health Frank Welch says After seeing such a rapid spread of the illness last year, Welch says this year’s swell in cases seems normal.

Cut 4 (09) “…the normal uptick.″

his news comes after a horrible flu season last year, with triple the number of hospitalizations and deaths than normal.

A Report from Hunger Free America says Louisiana has the third highest rate of food insecure children in the nation. About 25 percent of kids in the state live in households where their parents do not make enough money, and CEO Joel Berg puts much of the blame on the state’s low minimum wage.

Cut 8 (10) “…enough food”

Arkansas and New Mexico led the list.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge that despite the great year for the Tigers, it’s not time to talk about a contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says that being said, this year’s strong, 9-3 campaign could end up getting the man a pay raise.

Cut 13 (11) “…the winter”

Orgeron is currently getting paid 3.5 million dollars a year.

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. Bush, who lived most of his adult life in Texas, had a close connection to Louisiana. In 2001, he gave this advice to LSU graduates while delivering a commencement speech…

Cut 6 (12) “…your country”

Laura Bush, before she was the First Lady, was a commencement speaker at LSU in 1992 and former President George W. Bush spoke at LSU’s commencement in May of 2004.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge he’s not ready to discuss an extension for coach O, who’s currently making 3.5 million a year through 2021. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says he can see Orgeron getting a raise in the offseason

Cut 12 (04)   “…salary.”

According to USA Today, Orgeron’s salary is the 37th highest among college football coaches.

A Report from Hunger Free America says Louisiana has the third highest rate of food insecure children in the nation. Minimum wage increases have been passed in a majority of states over the past few years, but Louisiana remains one of the few left that utilize the federal minimum of 7.25 an hour.  CEO Joel Berg says raising that wage would go a long way…

Cut 10 (08)   “…in Louisiana”

About 25 percent of kids in the state live in households where their parents do not make enough money for food.

With the holiday season in effect, the state has seen an uptick in flu cases.  This news comes after a horrible flu season last year, with triple the number of hospitalizations and deaths than normal.  Flu Bug expert for Louisiana Department of Health Frank Welch says if you have not received a flu shot yet, you need to.

Cut 3 (10) “…get that flu shot.”

A Report from Hunger Free America says Louisiana has the third highest rate of food insecure children in the nation. About 25 percent of kids in the state live in households where their parents do not make enough money.  CEO Joel Berg says that doesn’t mean the state is a third world country, but says the state’s abnormally low minimum wage forces families into tough situations.

Cut 9 (12) “much poverty”

The report estimates food insecure homes would need an additional 441 million dollars in purchasing power a year to meet their basic needs.

LSU Athletic Director Joe Alleva told ESPN Radio in Baton Rouge that despite the great year for the Tigers, it’s not time to talk about a contract extension for Coach Ed Orgeron. Tiger Rag Editor James Moran says it’s Alleva’s style to wait after the final game is played

Cut 11 (11) “…of the team”

Over the last week, the Louisiana Department of Health has seen a rise in reported flu cases.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson has provided a gift to some 400 WalMart shoppers in New Orleans. Mrs Benson paid off nearly 100-thousand dollars in gifts that were on layaway for the holiday season, which came as a complete shock to those consumers who learned of the nice gesture. The Saints owner will be looking for more holiday cheer this weekend as the Black and Gold try to get even with the Bucs this Sunday.

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. Laura Bush, before she was the First Lady, was a commencement speaker at LSU in 1992 and former President George W. Bush spoke at LSU’s commencement in May of 2004. When George H-W Bush spoke in 2001 he told the graduates to be bold

Cut 7 (14) “it good”

A Report from Hunger Free America says Louisiana has the third highest rate of food insecure children in the nation. About 25 percent of kids in the state live in households where their parents do not make enough money, and CEO Joel Berg puts much of the blame on the state’s low minimum wage.

Cut 8 (10) “…enough food”

With the holiday season in effect, the state has seen an uptick in flu cases.  This news comes after a horrible flu season last year, with triple the number of hospitalizations and deaths than normal.  Flu Bug expert for Louisiana Department of Health Frank Welch says getting the flu shot only doesn’t guarantee someone won’t get the flu, but if they do get the flu after getting the flu shot, it won’t be so severe.

Cut 5 (10)  “…amount of protection.” 

The State Fire Marshal’s Office mourns the loss of one of its K-9 officers.  A 10-year- old black lab, named Barry, was with the agency since 2012.  Barry came to the State Fire Marshal from the US Marine Corp where he served two tours of duty overseas. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Barry died following a surgery to remove a large mass in his stomach.

Cut 13 (07) “…those surgical complications.”

The nation is bidding farewell to the 41st President of the United States, George H-W Bush, who had his funeral service today at the Washington National Cathedral in D-C. Bush, who lived most of his adult life in Texas, had a close connection to Louisiana. In 2001, he gave this advice to LSU graduates while delivering a commencement speech…
cut 6 (12) “..your country”
Bush was known for his congenial demeanor and his willing to compromise. Former Louisiana Congressman Henson Moore served as the White House Deputy Chief of Staff during Bush’s final year in office and he says the former president’s bipartianship was one of his best qualities…
cut 12 (12) “…work together”
Bush died Friday at the age of 94.

The state’s flu bug expert for the Louisiana Health Department, Doctor Frank Welch, says we are starting to see an uptick in the number of flu cases. Welch says last year’s flu season went down as one of the worst in recent memory, but this year’s swell in cases seems normal…
cut 4 (09) “….the normal uptick
Welch says with Christmas coming up, he advises residents to get their flu shot.

Natchitoches Parish Sheriff deputies say a man wanted for shooting his father in the hip, fatally shot himself during a standoff with authorities near Chopin this morning. Deputies began a manhunt for Joseph Dauzat last night after he reportedly shot his dad at a residence.