Louisiana is one of nine states reporting a high activity level for flu-like illnesses. That’s according to CDC’s latest U-S Influenza Surveillance report. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Diseases specialist, Doctor Fred Lopez, encourages Louisiana residents to get the flu shot now

Cut 6 (09) “…be protected.″

The US 11 bridge between Slidell and New Orleans will be shut down to traffic starting today, running through April 18^th. Department of Transportation Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the nearly 100 year old structure is facing new age electrical problems, and often puts commuters on their way to and from the Northshore and New Orleans East in a bit of a bind…

Cut 5 (10) “…kind of unreliable.”

The repairs will cost 28 million dollars.

A 68-year-old man is arrested and charged with terrorizing after threatening to shoot up a store.   The Thibodaux Police Department says Louis Albarado became irate after he claims someone took his shopping cart while he was not looking.  Police Lt. Clint Dempster says the man had accused several different customers of taking the cart during his time in the store.
Cut 11 (08) “…he found out.”
Albarado later told police his intention was to go grab his .44 magnum and return to the store to shoot the person responsible for the missing buggy.

The shooting deaths of five horses at Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area is currently being investigated by Ft. Polk personnel.  Spokesperson for the Pegasus Equine Guardian Association Amy Hanchey says she believes the killings were no accident and is glad to know the base is investigating the matter.
Cut 13 (08) “…things like that.”
Hanchey say historical documentation shows the wild horses have roamed the area dating back to the 14^th century

A new Congress begins its work today as Louisiana’s five U-S House Republican members now find themselves in the minority party. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says with Democrats in control of the House, expect climate change legislation to come up…
cut 8 (10) “….those lines”
But Hogan says with Republicans still in control of the Senate, gridlock is likely for the next two years.

State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Monre. There’s been heavy police presence at a Super 8 Motel on Highway 165. Very few details are available at this time.

Bastrop police are looking for a missing child. He’s been identified as 13-year-old Skyler Colston. He’s five-foot-three, 100 pounds and has brown hair and eys. Colston was last seen in the West Hickory area.

A 68-year-old Thibodaux man has posted bond after he was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot up store during the holidays, after someone took his shopping cart. Thibodaux Police Lt. Clint Dempster says store management did a good job of calming down Louis Albarado, but a 44 magnum was found in his car…
cut 12 (04) “…his vehicle”
Dempster says Albarado told detectives that his plan was to retireve a weapon from his vehicle and shoot the person who took his buggy.

Fort Polk officials have launched an investigation into the fatal shooting of five horses found dead on the training grounds of the military base. The social media group called the Pegasus Equine Guardian Association first made public of the incident. Spokesperson Amy Hanchey says genetic testing indicates these horses have strong Colonial Spanish ties…
cut 14 (11) “…biological isolation”
Hanchey says it appears the horses were shot with a high powered rifle.

Five out of six Louisiana U.S. House members find themselves out of power as Democrats take control of the lower chamber today as a new Congress is sworn in. LSU Political Science Professor Doctor Robert Hogan says this could make it harder to get funding for Louisiana specific flood protection projects…
cut 7 (12) “…any power”
The first order of business for the new Congress is to end the partial government shutdown which has reached 13 days.

Another day of rainy weather in Louisiana. Most of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch today as heavy rains are possible, which may lead to flash flooding. The National Weather Service says the rain is expected to gradually end from west to east this afternoon and tonight. We can look forward to a dry and mild weekend.

A 68-year-old man faces terrorizing charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot shoppers at a store after someone took his shopping cart…
voicer 3 (29) “….Kevin Barnhart”

The U-S 11 bridge between Slidell and New Orleans will be shut down to traffic starting today, running through April 18th. State transportation department spokesperson Rodney Mallett…
cut 4 (06) “….system installed”
The repairs will cost 28-million dollars.

Congress begins its 116th session today with Democrats taking over the House, while Republicans maintain control of the Senate. Matt Doyle has more on what this means for Louisiana’s five republican members of the US House…
voicer 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch. Forecasters say it’s possible those in the watch area can see to two to four inches and some localized areas could see five inches of rain. The weekend will be dry and mild.

The U-S 11 Bridge which connects New Orleans to Slidell over Lake Ponchatrain is closed today for repairs and it’s not expected to re-open until April. State Department of Transportation spokesperson Rodney Mallett says the 28-million dollar project includes concrete and structural repairs, a new fender system and electrical rehabilitation…
cut 5 (10) “…kind of unreliable”
Mallett says about six-thousand motorists use U-S 11 on a daily basis.

Fort Polk says it’s investigating the shooting of five wild horses in the Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area, which is part of the Kisastchie National Forest. Spokesperson for the Pegasus Equine Guardian Association, Amy Hanchey, says the first report she received of the shooting was on December 29th, but the act could have taken place as early as the 27th…
cut 15 (05) “…within the week”
Hanchey says this was not an accidental shooting as someone with a good shot had to have targeted the horses, since they were all shot in the same area of the body.

A new Congress is sworn in today on Capitol Hill as Democrats officially take control of the House, while Republicans increase their majority in the Senate. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says get ready for two years of hardcore gridlock…
cut 9 (10) “…things done”
The first order of business is to end the partial government shutdown. President Donald Trump says the shutdown could last a long time as he’s seeking billions of dollars for a border wall.

A 68-year-old man faces terrorizing charges after he allegedly threatened to shoot up a store, after someone took his shopping cart. Thibodaux Police Lt. Clint Dempster says store management handled the situation well.
Cut 10 (10) “…police got there.”
Officiers obtained a search warrant for Louis Albarado’s vehicle and located a 44 magnum handgun.

Fort Polk personnel are investigating what appears to be a deliberate killing of five wild horses gunned down in the Peason Ridge Wildlife Management Area, which is part of the Kisatchie National Forest. Kevin Barnhart has more…
Voicer 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Hospitals are now required to post a list of prices for their services on their website. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Much of Louisiana is under a flash flood watch as several inches of rain are expected to fall between today and Friday morning. Kent Kuyper with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles says heavy downpours are possible today and tonight and again during the day tomorrow

Cut 15 (10) “…the home”

Gasoline prices continue to fall. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.95. That’s about 20-cents cheaper than a month ago. Low gas prices are a double edge sword for Louisiana. Low oil prices means less revenue for state government. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says says the current cost for a barrel of crude oil is 50-dollars and he says if that keeps going down it can cause real problems.

Cut 8 (10) “…mineral oil”

The Louisiana Legislature is seeing a high turnover rate as the AP reports 22 state lawmakers, roughly 15%, have left office without completing their terms since January 2016.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says he doesn’t foresee the trend being reversed, as there are many more attractive jobs in government worth pursuing.

Cut 11 (12) “…in politics”

He says low pay, longer than expected hours, and no benefits also add to the disinterest.

The Saints do not have a playoff game to prepare for this weekend, but that doesn’t mean they are just relaxing. Coach Sean Payton says they will be busy cleaning up things that they need to improve on…
Cut 29 (14) “…ample rest”
The Saints will play either Dallas, Seattle or Philadelphia in the NFC Divisional round.

The week off allows Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell to interview for head coaching vacancies. Campbell will reportedly speak with the Browns, Packers and Cardinals later this week.

And the Packers reportedly want to also talk with longtime Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael.

Tonight in basketball….the Pelicans visit the Brooklyn Nets, Northwestern State hosts Nicholls in the Southland opener.

LSU has its first ten-win season since 2013 after beating UCF 40-32 in the Fiesta Bowl. There were some who projected that the Tigers would only win seven games, but Coach Ed Orgeron says they never listened to the doubters…
cut 30 (21) “….our players”
LSU will likely be ranked in the Top 10 when the final polls come out next week.

Texas could also be in the Top 10. The Longhorns, who open next season by hosting Louisiana Tech and LSU, upset Georgia 28-21 in last night’s Sugar Bowl.

With one more game left to be played, the SEC is 6-5 in bowl games. Conference USA finished with the best winning percentage as their teams went 4-and-2.

The Louisiana Legislature is seeing a high turnover rate as the AP reports 22 state lawmakers, roughly 15%, have left office without completing their terms since January 2016. The state has held ten legislative sessions in three years, and Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says low pay and no bennies make public service an unappealing career option.

Cut 10 (12) “…statewide elected official”

The new 116^th Congress begins tomorrow, and they do so in the shadow of a partial federal government shutdown. Republicans and Democrats are divided over border security funding. President Donald Trump is seeking five-billion dollars to build a wall between Mexico and the US. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson says there are some in Congress who do not want to give President Trump a win.

Cut 12 (06)   “…of the people.” 

Johnson says it’s the worst partisanship since the Civil War.

Gasoline prices continue to fall. According to Triple-A, the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is a $1.95. Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman says gas prices should remain below two-dollars until March, when refineries begin the switch to summer grade gasoline. He says until then, the supply of gasoline on the market is strong.

Cut 7 (06) “…the country”

Gas is 20 cents lower than it was last month.

Hospitals are now required to put a master price list online for all of their services. It’s a mandate from the 2010 Affordable Care Act that aims to get consumers more involved in their healthcare, but Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles cautions if you have insurance, those prices won’t be your final bill.

Cut 3 (11) “…rules.”

The prices are also referred to as “charges”, or “standard charges”.