4:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

A Shreveport woman has been arrested for failure to report her son missing. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office says 41-year-old Stephanie Horache waited three days to report her teenage son missing. The child was found Monday and she was issued a summons to appear in court. Louisiana law requires that a child under the age of thirteen is presumed missing if there’s been no contact for 24 hours.

Congressman Troy Carter has been elected Regional Whip by the Democratic Caucus for the 118th Congress that will convene in January. His leadership role along with key roles Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation will play next year, Carter says gives the state extra clout in DC.

Cut 5 (10) “…good place.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says the bird flu has spread into more parishes. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Jim LcCour says he expects it to keep spreading until it reaches a peak in the Spring and then subsides.

Cut 11 (06)  “…last time.”

Birds in Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Morehouse, Ouachita, and Richland parishes have tested positive so far.

State Police Troop C says two Good Samaritans are to thank for saving a family of four after their vehicle went off the road and into a canal. Trooper 1st Class Ross Brennan says the Toyota sedan went off Highway 182 in Assumption Parish and could not get their doors open. Two men – Jeff Lapeyrouse (LAP-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre witnessed the crash and jumped to action…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to safety.”

Brennan says Troop C will nominate the men for the LSP’s annual Lifesaver Award.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off tonight in the Cesar’s Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. This year’s Prep Classic features some familiar teams like Oak Grove, Ouachita Christian, Lafayette Christian, St. Charles Catholic, and Union Parish. But Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back in the Dome for the first time since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…

Cut 16

The Pelicans extended their win streak to five with a 104-98 win over the Pistons last night. Behind a 29-point 10-rebound performance from Zion Williamson, the Pels improve to 16-8 on the season. With the Suns blowout loss to the Celtics, New Orleans is now alone atop the West half a game ahead of Phoenix and Memphis. The Pelicans will host the Suns Friday and Sunday in a playoff rematch double-header to control the West. Tip-off tomorrow night is set for 7:30.

LSU senior safety Jay Ward has announced he will be entering this year’s NFL Draft. Ward says he still plans to play in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue. Purdue Head Coach Jeff Brohm announced he will be leaving the Boilermakers to take the head coach job at Louisville, his home town, meaning the Tigers will be facing an interim head coach in Orlando. Three more Tigers have announced they’ll be joining Wide receiver Jack Beche and Cornerback Damarius McGhee in the transfer portal. Cornerback Raydarious Jones, Defensive End Desmond Little, and Tight End Kole Taylor have all announced they will be seeking transfers from LSU. Cornerback Mekhi Garner has accepted his invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl and will be declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.

Saints running back Mark Ingram will likely miss the rest of the season with a slight MCL tear suffered in Monday Night’s loss to the Buccaneers. Coach Dennis Allen says the injury occurred on a critical 2nd and 8 late in the game in which Ingram pulled up one yard short of the first down with the injury. The Bucs went on to get the stop on 3rd and one and make the rest of their two-touchdown comeback.  Ingram will not require surgery, but will almost certainly miss the rest of the season with only 5 weeks left.

3:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

Last night the US House approved the National Defense Authorization Act and New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says there’s funding included in the act that will directly impact Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13)  “…Orleans parish” 

Carter has also been elected to serve as Regional Whip by the Democratic Caucus, he’ll assume that role in January.

State Wildlife and Fisheries say the bird flu has spread into more parishes in Louisiana. Wildlife veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says hunters who are exposed to areas, like flooded fields where they could come into contact with contaminated birds should be especially careful to limit the spread.

Cut 10 (09) “…kill the poultry.” 

Two Good Samaritans saved a family of four after their vehicle went off the road and into a canal. Trooper Ross Brennan says two men – Jeff Lapeyrouse (LAP-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre witnessed the crash and saved them. Brennan says his division will nominate them for the State Police’s annual Lifesaver Award…:

Cut 14 (12)   “…in saving lives.”

Health experts are urging the public to be up to date on their COVID boosters and flu shot before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. LSU Health Sciences Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says it’s not just seniors that need to be vaccinated but children as well.

Cut 8 (09)  “…five years old.“

PM LRN Newscall Dec 8

Health experts are urging the public to get their flu shot and boosted for COVID as soon as possible. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1(33)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

______________________________________

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries experts say bird flu is spreading in Louisiana.  Marsanne Golsby reports the agency is keeping track of the spread by sampling birds.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

______________________________________

Congressman Troy Carter has been elected to Regional Whip by the Democratic Caucus. The Region includes Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Carter says he wants more focus on a multitude of issues critical to the region like…

Cut 3 (09) “…infrastructure.” 

Last night the House approved the National Defense Authorization Act and Carter says there’s funding included in the act that will directly impact Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13)  “…Orleans Parish.” 

Carter’s Democratic leadership position for the 118th Congress in January along with key roles Republican members of Louisiana’s congressional delegation will play, Carter says the state is in good hands.

Cut 5 (10) “…good place.”

___________________________________________________

Health experts are urging the public to be up to date on their COVID boosters and flu shot before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. LSU Health Sciences Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says as we age the body’s memory of the last vaccine wanes sooner so it’s important to get boosted.

Cut 6 (11)  “…get it today.”

Gatherings tend to place individuals in close proximity to one another and it’s a breeding ground for viruses. O’Neal says it’s proven that viral seasons are spearheaded by the holidays.

Cut 7 (05)  “…holiday season.”

Both COVID and the flu tend to be much harder on older adults and this year families want to make up for gatherings that were limited the last two. O’Neal says it’s not just seniors that need to be vaccinated but children as well.

Cut 8 (08)  “…five years old.“

_______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says Avian Influenza or bird flu has spread into more parishes in Louisiana. Dr. Jim LaCour, Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wildlife veterinarian, says the virus travels with infected birds.

Cut 9 (07) “….a year.” 

He says his staff is sampling birds throughout Louisiana to keep track of the virus. He says birds from Avoyelles, Calcasieu, Morehouse, Ouachita, and Richland parishes have tested positive. He says geese, pelicans, eagles, hawks, and vultures, have tested positive—and domestic poultry is highly vulnerable.

LaCour says the CDC considers the virus to be low risk to humans, but hunters who are exposed to areas, such as flooded fields, where they could come into contact with contaminated birds ought to be especially careful.

Cut 10 (09) “…kill the poultry.” 

LaCour says hunters should keep their hunting clothes away from their other clothes until they get a chance to wash them in extremely hot water because the virus thrives in cold water. He says he expects it to keep spreading until it reaches a peak in the Spring and then subsides.

Cut 11 (06)  “…last time.”

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State Police Troop C says two Good Samaritans are to thank for saving a family of four after their vehicle went off the road and into a canal. Trooper 1st Class Ross Brennan says the Toyota sedan off Highway 182 in Assumption Parish and could not get their doors open. Two men – Jeff Lapeyrouse (LAP-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre witnessed the crash and jumped to action…:

Cut 12 (07) “…to safety.” 

Trooper Brennan says the men waded into the chilly water and mud mix and were able to open a door from the outside and get the family out before the Toyota sedan was completely submerged…:

Cut 13 (09) “…right before Christmas.”  

Thanks to the fast action of Lapeyrouse (who is from Bourg) and Dupre (from Chauvin), the two adults and two children were safely removed from a dangerous situation. Brennan says LSP Troop C will nominate them for the State Police’s annual Lifesaver Award…:

Cut 14 (11)   “…in saving lives.”

___________________________________________

 

Cut 15 (09) “…situation.”

 

Cut  16 (07)  “…coroners office.”

2:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

Health experts are urging the public to be up to date on their COVID boosters and flu shot before gathering with loved ones for the holidays. LSU Health Sciences Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says it’s proven that viral seasons are spearheaded by the holidays.

Cut 7 (05)  “…holiday season.”

Congressman Troy Carter has been elected to Regional Whip by the Democratic Caucus. The Region includes Louisiana, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Carter says he wants more focus on a multitude of issues critical to the region like…

Cut 3 (10) “…infrastructure.” 

Carter says he’s honored to take on the role and lend Louisiana’s vice to the Democratic leadership.

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries experts say bird flu is spreading in Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby on how the department is tracking it.

Cut 2 (28)  “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A Baton Rouge TV station reports that Charles Lee, the father of J’ahrei Paul, who died of a fentanyl overdose in October remains at large.  The J’ahrei was the infant that the Department of Children and Family Services was alerted about that he might be in danger just before his death. Secretary Marketa Garner Walters resigned shortly after.

1:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

As flu cases continue to rise, Louisiana health officials are urging us to get flu shots…and COVID boosters – as soon as possible. LSU health’s Dr. Catherine O’Neal says, with the holidays coming, you want to avoid getting or spreading the viruses. She says, as we age, the body’s memory of the last vaccine wanes sooner so it’s important to get boosted…:

CUT 06(11)      “…get it today.”

Dr. O’Neal says the same also applies to your small kids.

State Wildlife & Fisheries says bird flu is turning up in wild birds in numerous parishes. LWF’s Dr. Jim LaCour says the virus spreads easily from bird-to-bird…:

CUT 09(07)      “…better part of a year.”

Bird flu poses little risk to you or I.

 

State Police credit two Good Samaritans with saving the lives of a family whose car went off an Assumption Parish road Wednesday and plunged into deep muddy water. Trooper 1st Class Ross Brennan says Jeff Lapeyrouse, of Bourg, and Chase Dupre, of Chauvin, were in another vehicle, witnessed the crash and stopped to help. He says they waded into the chilly water and mud mix, and were able to open a door from the outside and get the family out before the Toyota sedan was completely submerged…:

CUT 13(09)      “…right before Christmas.”

Yet another property insurance company announces it is leaving Louisiana. This time, it’s Florida-based UPC – United Property & Casualty – who cover about 36-thousand homes in the state. The state Department of Insurance says UPC is the 10th property insurer to exit the state due to high cost of the settling hurricane claims. They advise UPC customers to watch for mail from the company and call them if you have un-resolved claims.

12:30 LRN Newscast Dec 08

State Police Troop C says two Good Samaritans are to thank for saving a family of four after their vehicle went off the road and into a canal. Trooper 1st Class Ross Brennan says the Toyota sedan went off Highway 182 in Assumption Parish and could not get their doors open. Two men – Jeff Lapeyrouse (LAP-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre witnessed the crash and jumped to action…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to safety.”

Brennan says Troop C will nominate the men for the LSP’s annual Lifesaver Award.

Wild birds in Calcasieu Parish have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza; more commonly known as bird flu. It was first found in blue wing teal. State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say it poses a relatively low risk for people, but can and has killed thousands of wild birds in the Gulf South. It’s also linked to the deaths or forced destruction of millions of livestock birds in other states.

 

Health experts are urging the public to get their flu shot and boosted for COVID as soon as possible. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets…

11:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

Students are mourning the tragic death of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members; Whitney Thomas has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Whitney Thomas.”

Funeral services were held in Covington yesterday for retired priest Father Otis Young. Young was murdered a week ago and his body was found along with his assistant, Ruth Prats burned beyond recognition. Services for Prats will be held Saturday. The man accused of their murders is being held at Angola.

AlexWinterFete kicks off at 5 PM today in Alexandria. It begins tonight and continues for four days. Event manager Liz Lowery says she’s expecting approximately 40,000 people will attend this year’s festival.

Cut 10 (09) “…interest in.” 

The annual event features local food vendors, booths for holiday shopping, music, parade, ice skating rink and the big guy himself Santa Claus.

 

The 2022 LHSAA Prep Football Classic kicks off today in the Superdome as eight champions will be crowned over the next three days. Earlier in the football season, the LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine says it’s led to more competitive games

Cut 14 (10)  “…all belong.”

10:30 LRN Newscast Dec 8

Students are mourning the tragic deaths of three Southern University Human Jukebox band members killed while changing a tire near Natchitoches on Tuesday night. The school is offering grief counseling and student, Issah Clay, says the three band members were well-thought-of.

Cut 7 (09) “..honor their names.”

The Pelican Institute for Public Policy has compiled crime data in the state to see what works and what doesn’t. Vice President for Policy and Strategy with the Institute Erin Bendily (ben-dah-lee) says programs designed to rehabilitate nonviolent criminals, for example, drug offenders, are keeping the recidivism rate down.

Cut 13 (08) “…with employment.”

In Lafayette qualifying for the mayoral race is still months away but two residents say they are launching their campaigns next week. Attorney Jan Swift and incumbent Mayor Josh Guillory have scheduled announcements on December 15th.  Both candidates are Republicans.

The 2022 state football championships kick off later today in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has more on high school football’s premier event…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

 

09:30 LRN Newscast, December 8th

Southern University has identified 3 Human Jukebox band members who were killed in a crash Tuesday night. They are 19-year-old Tyran Williams, 21-year-old Dylan Young, and 19-year-old Broderick Moore, all of Texas. Keymonte Avery is a former band member…:
Cut 5 (08) “to Sunday”

Data compiled by the Pelican Institute for Public Policy shows property crime is down, but violent crime is up.
Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The High School Football Championships get underway today at the Superdome in New Orleans. Brother Martin is making its first appearance since 1989, Ruston’s is back for the first since 1998 and North DeSoto is making its first-ever appearance. The LHSAA Executive Committee approved a new postseason format and association executive director Eddie Bonine is excited to see new teams in the Classic…:
Cut 16 (13) “to get here”
The first game kicks off at 3:30 between Homer and Oak Grove.

This coming weekend is a big one for Christmas Festivals in Louisiana and there’s a big one in Alexandria that kicks off today: AlexWinterFete. Santa will be there, a Polar Express, crafts and vendors and live music. Festival spokesperson Liz Lowery on their key attraction…:
Cut 9 (09) “we’ve brought in”
The Festival runs through Sunday and you can get the details at AlexWinterFete.com.