Health officials say while the Zika virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. Eric Gill reports…:
CUT 1 (31) “I’m Eric Gill”

Louisianians are starting to get on board with getting insurance through the federal marketplace. There are 198,551 registered now, an increase of about 12,000 from last year’s total. The final deadline for individuals to enroll in an Affordable Care Act plan is Sunday.

Alleged child predator and former Monroe TV kids host says he’s not “Mr. Wonder.” 76-year-old Frank Selas was arrested this week in San Diego on a 37-year-old cold case where he’s accused of sexually abusing children on a camping trip in Louisiana. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, based in San Diego, says it’s not uncommon for suspects to contest identity, but they have pictures where the two look exactly alike, and Selas also told cops he changed his name and social security number…:
cut 10 (06) “identity goes”
An identity hearing is scheduled for February 11th.

An 89-year-old New Orleans man who left high school to join the military and fight in World War II has finally received his high school diploma. Trace Senior Living Community Executive Director Richard Totorico says Michael Decker hasn’t taken his Letterman’s jacket off since it was presented to him by surprise….:
cut 13 (09) “the trace”

The Louisiana Supreme Court has overturned a constitutional amendment that bans convicted felons for running for a state office. The state’s highest court ruled the language on the ballot did not match what was enacted by the state legislature in 1997. Legal analyst Tim Meche…
cut 5 (07) “…right way”

Authorities are wondering if the former Monroe TV personality known as “Mr Wonder” is involved in any child sexual abuse cases in California. Eric Gill has more…
voicer 2 (30) “I’m Eric Gill”

The World Health Organization says the Zika virus is now spreading explosively in the Americas. There have been no reported cases in Louisiana as LSU Health shreveport infectious disease expert, Doctor Joseph Bocchini says mosquitoes are spreading the virus in the Caribbean and South America. He says there will be a greater threat in Louisiana when the weather gets warmer and mosquitoes are more active…
cut 8 (06) “….or summer’
Bocchini says pregnant should avoid travel to South America or the Caribbean.

An 89-year-old New Orleans man who left high school to join the military and fight in World War Two has finally received his high school diploma. Trace Senior Living Community Executive Director Richard Totorico says they surprised Michael Decker with a diploma and letterman’s jacket…
cut 12 (10) “…as well”
Totorico says Decker has not taken his letterman’s jacket off since it was presented to him.

The Louisiana Supreme Court throws out a constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for political office for 15 years after the end of their sentence. Voters approved the 1997 amendment, but the ballot version omitted an exemption passed by the legislature. Meche says this is an example of inexcusable sloppiness in the state legislature…

cut 4 (06) “foul up occurred”

Meche says lawmakers will likely bring this issue up with voters again.

Health officials say there’s no cause for alarm about the Zika virus in Louisiana, as of now. The virus has been associated with babies being born with serious birth defects in Brazil. There is one confirmed case of the Zika virus in Arkansas, but infectious disease expert at LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Joseph Bocchini, says that should not raise concern…

cut 7 (08) “is spreading”

Bocchini says, as of now, there is no spread of the virus in the United States.

The alleged child predator who was a popular north Louisiana television host in the 70s, claims he is not the “Mr. Wonder” that authorities have been seeking for 37 years. Officials in San Diego identify the man as Frank Selas, who is accused of engaging in sex acts with children during a camping trip in 1979. Deputy US Marshal Steve Jurman, who is based in San Diego, says it’s disturbing to know how much access to children Selas had in California…

cut 9 (08) “cub scounts”

Jurman says there is concern that there could be more victims in San Diego.

A Livingston Parish Sheriff’s deputy is under arrest accused of beating an inmate. They say 35-year-old Karleen Leglue grabbed inmate 41-year-old Londi Lafleur, who was handcuffed, and slammed her body into a concrete wall. The impact caused a large knot on the left side of Lafleur’s face. Leglue is charged with second degree battery and malfeasance in office. Leglue was also terminated from her position with the sheriff’s office.

Health officials say while the Zika (ZEEKA) virus is a threat, it’s not a cause for alarm in Louisiana, just yet. The relatively new mosquito-borne virus has been linked to birth defects in pregnant women. Dr. Joseph Bocchini (bow-cheeny), infectious disease expert at LSU Health Shreveport, says the Zika virus could lead to congenital infection in pregnant women…:
CUT 6 (08) “and development”
He says, as of now, there is no spread of the virus in the United States.

The alleged child predator who was a popular north Louisiana television host in the 70s, claims he is not the “Mr. Wonder” that authorities have been seeking for 37 years. Officials in Sandiego had taken into custody a man they identify as Frank Selas III — who is accused of engaging in sex acts with children during a camping trip in 1979. An identity hearing is scheduled for February 11th.

A Monroe man has been sentenced to life in prison after shooting a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent. 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says last May Hust shot Sgt. Scott Bullitt during a basic vehicle stop after suspecting drugs or alcohol…:
Cut 10 (10) “that night”
He says they’re very happy that the judge and the prosecutors were able to get Hust locked up for the maximum time possible.

It’s day two of the LHSAA’s annual convention and there are big votes on the agenda tomorrow regarding the split football championships. There’s also a proposal to go back to a five-class system, another proposal to split playoff teams into metro and rural divisions and there’s also a proposal that would only have Classes 1A through 3A with a split playoff format.

The Louisiana Supreme Court overturns a constitutional amendment that prohibits convicted felons from running for political office. In their ruling, the Court says what residents voted on in 1997 did not match what was enacted by the state legislature. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the justices put a lot of thought into this opinion…:
CUT 3 (10) “the right way”
He believes lawmakers will likely bring this issue up to voters again.

Another lawsuit has been filed by those wanting to block the removal of four Confederate monuments in New Orleans. This time the preservationists are taking their case to state court, after US District Judge Carl Barbier rejected their challenge Tuesday. The New Orleans City Council in December voted to declare the statues a public nuisance, clearing the way for them to be taken down.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’s taking over the appeal of a ruling that blocked Louisiana’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. The case is left over from the Jindal administration. Landry says the cancellation of Medicaid contracts for Planned Parenthood was put into place by DHH because of the appalling acts in which the organization was allegedly involved…:
Cut 13 (09) “going to”
Planned Parenthood denies accusations put forth in videos by an anti-abortion group that show its system leaders illegally selling fetal tissue.

A New Iberia man who won $1 million dollars from the record $1.58 billion dollar Powerball drawing has come forward and claimed his prize. The Louisiana Lottery says 30-year-old Gregory Guardia matched all 5 numbers and received $700,000 after taxes were withheld. The winning ticket was purchase at Food N Fun in New Iberia and they get a $10,000 bonus, 1% of the prize.

The Department of Health and Hospitals submits two plans that outline how $131 million in cuts would be spread across the Medicaid program to address the current budget shortfall. DHH Undersecretary Jeff Reynolds says one scenario would eliminate funding for certain Medicaid programs..:
CUT 8 (08) “aging population”
He says if legislature does not go along with Governor Edwards solutions, then these are the types of reductions they are facing.

Another hat has officially been throw into the ring in this year’s US Senate race for the seat being vacated by Senator David Vitter. Retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness, a Republican, says he should be elected for the position because, in order to change things in Washington, people need to start voting for someone who hasn’t been a part of the system…:
CUT 6 (11) “Mike Lee did”

The Monroe man who shot a Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent has been sentenced to life in prison. Emelie Gunn has more on the sentencing…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Emelie Gunn”

The New Orleans Fire Department arrests a man in connection with Wednesday’s six-alarm fire on Canal Street. They say 25-year-old Darren Denly was taken into custody. Officials believe Denley lit a fire in the building in an effort to keep warm. He faces municipal charges of setting fires and crossing police lines.

Republican Retired Air Force Colonel Rob Maness officially announces his bid for Louisiana’s soon to be vacant US Senate seat. Jeff Palermo reports…

cut 1 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The man arrested in San Diego, wanted for sexually abusing children in Louisiana nearly 40 years ago, claims that he is not the former Monroe children’s TV show host who went by the name “Mr. Wonder.” Authorities identify the man as Frank Selas III, but the man arrested Monday spells his name slightly differently. Officials say the 76-year-old fugitive changed his name. A hearing has been scheduled for February 11th to establish the man’s identity.

A Monroe man has been sentenced to life in prison after shooting a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent last May. 29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust shot Sgt. Scott Bullitt during a vehicle stop. Ouachita Parish District Attorney Jerry Jones says Hust showed no remorse…

cut 12 (11) “wheelchair”

Sgt. Bullitt hasn’t returned to duty and is still undergoing rehab.

The Department of Health and Hospitals they’ll have to cut payments to hospitals or eliminate certain Medicaid programs if forced to take a 131-million dollar cut in state funding this fiscal year. Undersecretary Jeff Reynolds says they’ll have to wait and see what happens in next month’s special session…

cut 9 (08) “without a deficit”

He says these options are worst-case scenarios and hope that they will not have to be implemented.

The state health department provides two different scenarios on what could happen if additional revenue is not found to fill the state’s 750-million dollar budget shortfall this year…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern”

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive committee voted to ratify the public-private school football playoff split that was approved by principals in 2013. That means for now the split is back on after LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine said earlier this month that the procedure used to change the format was unconstitutional.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says he’ll handle the appeal of a ruling that blocked Louisiana’s efforts to defund Planned Parenthood. He says it’s in the best interest of taxpayers to protect the integrity of our Medicaid program by pursuing this appeal…

cut 15 (08) “that we took”

Then-Governor Bobby Jindal announced plans to defund Planned Parenthood after controversial secretly taped videos showed organization officials talking about selling aborted fetus parts for medical research.

29-year-old Luke Jarrod Hust of Monroe has been sentenced to life in prison after shooting a Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Agent. Hust was convicted of two counts of attempted first degree murder. LDWF Spokesperson Adam Einck says they’re very happy that the judge and the prosecutors were able to get Hust locked up for the maximum time possible…

cut 11 (08) innocent people”

Einck says Hust has been a lifelong criminal and he doesn’t need to be on the streets.