It’s one of the first things you’re taught in driver’s ed – the left lane is for passing only. A new state law reinforces that, with fines of 150 dollars for first-time offenders. Under the new law spearheaded by Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau, a ticket can now be issued if a driver is not going at least the speed limit in the left lane while not passing another vehicle.

Cut 8 (07) “…get ticketed.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says wild-caught crawfishermen are currently not eligible for fishery disaster assistance under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and he says that’s not right.

Cut 4 (10) “…frankly years ago.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry.

The Superdome will celebrate 50 years as the iconic center of downtown New Orleans Sunday. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Among the many new laws that went into effect today is one that will save honorably discharged military veterans quite a bit of money on their hunting and fishing licenses. Starting today, they can obtain a combination hunting and fishing license for the low price of just 20 dollars. They can apply on LDWF’s website.

Starting today, you’d better not be hogging the left lane – otherwise, be prepared to pay a 150-dollar ticket for your first offense. Under the previous law, you would have been subject to a ticket by going at least ten miles under the posted speed limit in the left lane. Now, the standard is one mile under and riding abreast with a vehicle in the next lane over. Alexandria Democratic Senator Jay Luneau says the public got squarely behind his measure.

Cut 7 (09) “…move over.”

Congressmen Cleo Fields and Clay Higgins are teaming up on the Fisheries Modernization Act. Fields says it would expand fishery disaster relief programs.

Cut 3 (05) “…and other crawfish.”

Fields says the USDA has helped other industries affected by droughts; he says it’s time to include the crawfish industry, which is vital to Louisiana’s economy.

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of a growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. It’s a bacteria that naturally lives in coastal waters; it does not live in freshwater. The bacteria can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 23 (12) “…in those temperatures.”

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio, and four of them have died.

Dozens of new state laws went into effect today including a measure that could result in a motorist receiving a ticket for traveling below the speed limit in the left lane on a highway. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau hopes his legislation will reduce road rage and accidents…

Cut 6 (07) “…injury to the people.”

Luneau’s legislation was approved in this year’s legislative session, receiving overwhelming support in the House and Senate.

Beginning today, it’s illegal to have your cell phone in your hand while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says you could face an extra hundred dollars added to fines for other moving violations and in certain areas violators will be stopped solely for holding their phone and fined up to 250 dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “…active work zones.”

Another new law that went into effect today, allows for darker window tinting on cars.

A warning from the Department of Health about a potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital is treating an increasing number of Mississippi kites that have been shot with air rifles. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says air rifles don’t typically kill the bird but if they are shot and do not receive treatment, their chances of surviving are slim.

Cut 12 (11) “…anymore.”

Hold the phone! But not if you’re driving – that’s now illegal in Louisiana. Triple-A Louisiana had been pushing for a ban on handling cell phones while driving for years. Don Redman with Triple-A says a ban on texting while driving simply didn’t go far enough.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

There’s an elevated presence of the bacteria Vibrio vulnificus in coastal waters this year, and it has proven deadly. So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected, and four have died. State Epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms, time is of the essence – contact your doctor or get to an emergency room.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

The Louisiana Independent Party is now no more. Registered independents are now registered as “No Party.” John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says with this change, they can now participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

There are closed primaries only in U-S Senate, U-S House, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE contests, starting with the federal elections in April.

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds. It’s a specific bird that is being shot at it, called the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated just two Mississippi kite birds for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

Beginning today, it’s illegal to hold your phone while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says under the new law, in most cases police won’t pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving.

Cut 8 (08) “…traffic infraction first.”

And that would lead to up to 100 dollars tacked onto your fine. In school zones and areas of road work, police WILL pull you over just for handling your cell phone while driving and those fines can be up to 250 dollars.

If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation automatically changes to “No Party” in the state’s voter registration system. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning you of the growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus, a potentially serious illness causing bacterium that naturally lives in warm coastal waters. A potentially deadly rapidly progressing illness can occur through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says you’ll want to take extra precautions.

Cut 6 (10) “…a waterproof bandage.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital is treating an increasing number of Mississippi kites that have been shot with air rifles. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says it’s illegal to shoot these small birds of prey that are important in controlling the insect population. She says air rifles don’t typically kill the bird but if they are shot and not brought to the LSU vet school, their chances of surviving are slim.

Cut 12 (11) “…anymore.”

The Mississippi kite migrates from the Gulf Coast and Brazil.

So far this year, 17 people have been hospitalized after becoming infected with Vibrio vulnificus, and four of them have died. Vibrio lives in warm salt and brackish water and is on the rise in Louisiana waters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you start experiencing symptoms seek treatment right away.

Cut 5 (15) “…to two days.”

A small bird of prey that plays an important role in controlling the insect population seems to be a target of some and Dr. Kimberly Boykin with the LSU Veterinary School says they’ve seen an increase in the number of Mississippi Kites with wounds from air powered rifles and it’s a violation of Federal Law to shoot a Mississippi Kite.

Cut 11 (10) “…kills them.”

A new cell phone law is now in effect. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

LSU fall camp is fully underway and one name in particular has stood out. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley came to Baton Rouge as a five-star last year and bulked up to 308 pounds for this upcoming season. His strength has put head coach Brian Kelly on notice.

Cut 18 (16) “…every single day.”

A warning from the Department of Health about potentially deadly bacteria. Kace Kieschnick reports.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Another kind of warning if you use your cell phone while driving. Beginning today, it’s illegal to have your cell phone in hand while driving. Don Redman with Triple A says you could face an extra hundred dollars added to fines for other moving violations and in certain areas violators will be stopped solely for holding their phone and fined up to 250 dollars.

Cut 9 (10)  “…active work zones.”

The LSU Veterinary School’s Wildlife Hospital has seen an increase in birds with gunshot wounds, specifically, the Mississippi kite. Dr. Kimberly Boykin says last year they treated two just Mississippi kites for bullet fragments, this year they’ve treated eleven.

Cut 10 (09) “…hunting purposes.”

She says these small birds of pretty play an important role in controlling insect populations.

Register Independents are now registered “no party” in Louisiana. The state is doing away with the independent party as it moves to a party primary system for US House and Senate, Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and BESE elections. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics says no party voters are now able to and participate in either the Republican or Democratic party primary.

Cut 14 (08) “…they can.”

Starting today, if you’re driving, keep your hands off your cell phone. That’s because handling your cell phone while driving is now illegal in Louisiana. This is something that Triple-A Louisiana has been recommending. Don Redman with Triple-A says while it’s already illegal to be texting while driving in Louisiana but that law was unenforceable, and people were doing many other crazy things with their phones.

Cut 7 (08) “…on the phone.”

If you were registered as an Independent, your party affiliation is automatically changing to “No Party”. That’s the result of a new law that went into effect today. John Couvillon with JMC Analytics and Polling says lawmakers eliminated the Independent Party, so they could vote in the upcoming party primaries.

Cut 13 (12)  “…of luck.”

The LSU Veterinary School has seen an increase in Mississippi kites with bullet fragments. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is warning of the growing presence of Vibrio vulnificus. These bacteria live in coastal waters but not freshwater. It can cause illness or death through contact with an open wound or through consumption of raw seafood, especially oysters. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says the danger becomes greater when the water gets warm.

Cut 4 (12) “…in those temperatures.”