According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the flu is on the rise as almost 6% of doctor visits are for flu-like symptoms. LDH flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch says the strain that seems to be going around is a very serious strain known as H1N1 that has been going around for the past decade.
Cut 4 (04) “…more serious type.″
Welch adds while there are a number of preventative measures that can be taken to reduce the risk of catching the flu, the best protection is to get the flu shot.

Valerio, the jaguar who chewed through a fence in his enclosure back in July of 2017 at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans and killed nine other animals last summer is back on display after a half-year hiatus.  He’s been kept out of public view for some time, but Jaguar Jungle Curator Liz Wilson says they redesigned the exhibit and it is perfect for the big cat.
Cut 7 (10) “…welfare”

A Louisiana law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges will be heard in front of the US Supreme Court.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The jaguar that escaped his cage at the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans and killed nine other animals in July is back on display after a half-year hiatus. Vice president of the Zoo Joel Hamilton says after the tragic breakout, they redesigned the exhibit to make it safer, and more appealing.

Cut 6, 11 seconds, next step

Valerio was born in San Diego in 2015, and moved to New Orleans in 2017.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the flu is on the rise as almost 6% of doctor visits are for flu-like symptoms. LDH flu bug expert Dr. Frank Welch says the state has seen several small outbreaks in schools and nursing homes.

Cut 3 (07) “…as last year.”

Welch says the strain that seems to be going around is a very serious strain known as H1N1.

Governor John Bel Edwards has new campaign ads he attempts to keep his spot in the governor’s mansion.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The President will speak to the country tonight at 8PM for his annual State of the Union address. It comes sandwiched in between a controversial government shutdown, and the looming threat of another later this month, but Senator John Kennedy says he expects the President will pitch the public on his economic policy…

Cut 14 (11) “…government”

President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tonight. It comes after a contentious government shutdown centered on his demands for border wall funding. Senator John Kennedy expects the President will touch on three major issues.
Cut 13 (12) “…Jong Un.”
The speech will take place in the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has released new digital ads with a message that the state is better off now compared to four years ago. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Edwards must start campaigning now, before his opponents begin to target him.
Cut 4 (10) “…to raise taxes.”
Edwards’ two announced Republican challengers are Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone.

A 2014 state law that puts another restriction on abortions in Louisiana will be a test case on where the new U-S Supreme court stands on abortion. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court will determine whether the state’s admitting privilege law should have a full blown hearing. Ciolino says the Supreme Court previously rejected Texas’ admitting privilege law…
cut 8 (09) “…effect”
The nation’s highest court has yet to rule on any abortion cases since President Trump appointed two new conservative judges to the bench.

An Arnaudville woman is accused of stealing graveside flowers from a Cecilia cemetery and then selling them online. Major Ginny Higgins with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office says 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange is in police custody…
cut 11 (10) “….make and sell things”
Investigators searched LaGrange’s home and found several silk flowers, floral arrangements, religious statues and vases.

The U-S Supreme court is considering an emergency appeal regarding a state law is set to go into effect that would require abortion doctors to have admitting privleges at a local hospital. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is the first time the nation’s highest court has considered an abortion case, since President Trump appointed two conservative judges to the bench…
cut 9 (09) “….is possible”
Three years ago, the Supreme Court struck down a similar law from Texas.

John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has produced new digital ads that has the governor talking about how the state is better off than it was before he took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this is just the tip of the iceberg in campaign advertising befor the October primary…
cut 6 (09) “….in negative tone”

An Arnaudville woman has been accused of stealing flowers from a cemetery in Ceclia and then selling the items on the internet. St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s office Major Ginny Higgins says 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange faces one count of simple burglary, but they suspect Lagrange has stolen graveside flowers on multiple occassions over the last three months…
cut 12 (09) “…reported it”
Further charges are pending on Lagrange.

Louisiana’s Congressional delegation will file into the chambers of the U-S House of Representatives to hear President Donald Trump’s state of the union address tonight. Each member of Congress can invite a guest, Senator John Kennedy on who he invited…
cut 15 (11) “…works hard”
Kennedy expects the President to touch on immigration, the economy, trade relations and North Korea.

President Trump will deliver his State of the Union address tonight. It comes after a contentious government shutdown centered on his demands for border wall funding. Senator John Kennedy expects the President will touch on three major topics.
Cut 13 (12) “…Jong Un.”
The speech will take place in the democratic-controlled House of Representatives.

The US Supreme Court is expected this week to consider whether Louisiana can enforce a state law requiring abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a ruling in favor could signal a major shift in the court’s views on abortion related issues….
cut 7 (12) “….precedent”
Supporters of the law say admitting privileges are a necessary requirement, while opponents argue it’s an onerous burden.

Governor Edwards’ re-election campaign has released two new digital ads and the message is one voters will hear a lot…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office arrests an Arnaudville woman accused of stealing graveside flowers from a Cecilia cemetery and then selling them online. Following a complaint, deputies identified and located 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange. Major Ginny Higgins says a warrant allowed deputies to search the suspect’s home…
cut 10 (08) “…she’s taken”
Higgins says previous Facebook posts gave investigators the knowledge Lagrange sold the items she stole.

President Trump delivers his State of the Union address tonight as a February 15th deadline looms on border wall funding. But Senator John Kennedy expects the president will also address his economic policies…
cut 14 (11) “…government”

But Governor John Bel Edwards’ re-election campaign has released two new digitals ads with the message being the state is better off now compared to how it was when he took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s an absolute must for Edwards to start campaigning now, before his opponents begin to target him.
Cut 4 (10) “…to raise taxes.”
Edwards’ two announced Republican challengers are Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone.

A 2014 Louisiana law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges will be a test case on how the newly constituted US Supreme Court will rule on abortion cases…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A North Carolina man suffering from A-L-S died in a freak car fire after receiving tickets to the Super Bowl from the New Orleans’ Team Gleason Foundation. Ed Cushman was heading to the game, when his brother noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. When he got out, the minivan burst into flames and the brother could not rescue Cushman.

Governor Edwards is telling voters the state is better off since he took office three years ago and the economy is growing. That’s the message released by his re-election campaign in digital ads. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says expect to see return fire from the GOP candidates…
cut 5 (08) “…of accomplishments”
Congressman Ralph Abraham and businessman Eddie Rispone are the two Republican announced candidates.

A 2014 state law that puts another restriction on abortions in Louisiana will be a test case on where the new U-S Supreme court stands on abortion. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the nation’s highest court will determine whether the state’s admitting privilege law should have a full blown hearing. Ciolino says the Supreme Court previously rejected Texas’ admitting privilege law…
cut 8 (09) “…effect”

The President will give his State of the Union tonight at 8PM. Matt Doyle talked to Senator John Kennedy about the speech…
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A dense fog advisory is in effect until 10 AM from Alexandria down to the coast.

Governor John Bel Edwards has new campaign ads he attempts to keep his spot in the governor’s mansion.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

____________________________

 A Louisiana law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges will be heard in front of the US Supreme Court.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

The President will give his State of the Union tonight at 8PM. Matt Doyle talked to Senator John Kennedy about the speech…

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

__________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards has released a couple of new digitals ads with the message being the state is better off now compared to how it was when he took office. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s an absolute must for Edwards to start campaigning now, before opposing campaigns begin to target him.

Cut 4 (10) “…to raise taxes.”

Pinsonat expects return fire from GOP candidates highlighting the shortcomings of Edwards first term.

Cut 5 (08) “…record of accomplishments.”

Pinsonat says the digital ads are just the tip of the iceberg in advertising for the November governor’s race.

Cut 6 (09) “…in a negative tone.”

___________________________________________________

The US Supreme Court will take up a challenge to a Louisiana law requiring abortion clinics to have admitting privileges at a local hospital. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says a ruling in favor of the law could signal a major shift in the court’s treatment of abortion related issues.

Cut 7 (12) “…president.”

Supporters of the law say it’s a necessary requirement for a healthcare facility, and opponents argue it’s an onerous burden that will shut down clinics.

The law, authored by Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson, was approved in 2014, but the Supreme Court’s rejection of a similar law in Texas three years ago, put the Louisiana effort on ice until a federal appeals court revived the regulation last month. Ciolino says the Supreme Court will determine how similar the Louisiana law is to Texas’s.

Cut 8 (09) “…effect”

The law has been put on hold until at least Thursday while the court considers an appeal from Louisiana abortion providers.

Abortion restrictions have not fared well at the Supreme Court in recent decades, but Ciolino says the introduction of two new conservative Justices could tip the scales and lessen the influence of Supreme Court precedent.

Cut 9 (09) “…is possible.″

_________________________________

St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies have made the arrest of an Arnaudville woman accused of the theft of flowers and other items from a Cecilia cemetery.  Following a complaint, deputies were able to identify and locate 42-year-old Rhonda Lagrange.  Major Ginny Higgins says a search warrant was obtained of the suspect’s home during the investigation.

Cut 10 (08) “…she had taken.”

Higgins says it appears Lagrange would flip the stolen goods on social media.

Cut 11 (10) “….make and sell things.”

Higgins says the investigation continues into the case as their agency had received reports of thefts dating back to December.  She adds that investigators are asking anyone who may have experienced things missing from a cemetery to step forward and notify authorities.

Cut 12 (09) “…reported it.”

_____________________________

The President will speak to the country tonight at 8PM for his annual State of the Union address. It comes just after a contentious government shutdown centered on his demands for funding for additional physical border wall, a demand that ultimately was not met. Senator John Kennedy says he expects the President will touch on these three major questions.

Cut 13 (12) “…Jong Un.”

The speech will be made in the House of Representatives, a chamber that flipped to the Democrats in the midterm elections.

Kennedy says the speech won’t just be about struggles like immigration and trade, he anticipates the Commander in Chief will also highlight his economic policies.

Cut 14 (11) “…government”

And all Senators and Representatives get a plus one to bring to the big speech, so the Senator says he’s bringing a federal employee to thank them for their help.

Cut 15 (11) “…works hard”

_______________________

21st ranked LSU looks to bounce back from its first SEC loss of the season on Saturday to Arkansas when they travel to Starkville to face Mississippi State on Wednesday night. Tigers Coach Will Wade says the Bulldogs do a lot of stuff well…

Cut 16 (20) “…games.″

The Tigers gave up 13 3-pointers and turned it over 21 times on Saturday in the 90-89 defeat to Arkansas. Tremont Waters committed a critical turn over in the final minute, with LSU up by one point. Wade says the Tigers have to play smart in order to win close games…

 cut 17 (13)   “especially at home” 

LSU is entering a tough stretch of its schedule. After tomorrow night’s road game against Mississippi State, they host Auburn and then travel to Kentucky. Wade says they’ve been able to beat teams with their talent, length and athleticsm, but they need to do more to beat these teams

Cut 18 (15)  ourselves”