Researchers from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working with the Lancet Commission in developing new criteria to determine whether a person is obese. Sean Richardson has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

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With temperatures getting ready to dive to new depths early next week, the Louisiana Department of Health is urging you to start preparing now. Colleen Crain reports.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Colleen Crain”

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The Sugar Bowl makes a sizeable donation following the New Year’s Day Bourbon Street tragedy. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Researchers at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center are working with the Lancet Commission on Clinical Obesity, to come up with new guidelines to determine if a person is obese. Dr. Philip Schauer, the director of the Metamor Institute, says a person’s body mass index is the main tool used to determine if a person is obese, but the updated definition should also look at excess body fat and other health impairments.

Cut 4 (12) “…below the skin.”

The commission, comprising 56 global experts, aims to reframe obesity as a chronic disease requiring serious management. Schauer says as a physician, it’s crucial to understand exactly what the disease is.

Cut 5 (05) “…and overtreat obesity.”

The commission defines clinical obesity as excess fat causing reduced organ function or impaired daily activities, while pre-clinical obesity involves excess fat without current organ dysfunction but increased risk for future diseases like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular issues. Schauer says this model differentiates care strategies, promoting evidence-based treatments for those affected.

Cut 6 (13) “…extend their lives.”

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As Old Man Winter gets set to pay Louisiana an unwelcome visit, the Louisiana Department of Health has a few tips for you to stay safe. Deputy Secretary Dr. Pete Croughan (CROW-ghin) says even with temperatures getting into the 70s in some areas this weekend, now is the time to prepare for the brutal cold.

Cut 7 (16) “…compromise our infrastructure.”

Croughan says if you need to run any important errands, do them soon before temperatures start to plummet.

Cut 8 (08) “…tomorrow or Monday.”

Croughan says whatever you do, do not use your stove or oven to heat your home.

Cut 9 (07)  “…carbon monoxide poisoning.”

And Croughan says if you must use a space heater, plug it directly into the wall and not into a power strip or extension cord. They will not be able to handle the electricity needed to run it. Also, make sure you don’t have anything flammable within three to five feet of the space heater.

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An Arctic cold front will hit Louisiana next week, bringing temperatures in the 20’s all the way to the coastal parishes.  State Climatologist Jay Grymes says the cold weather will roll into North Louisiana tomorrow.

Cut 10 (14) “…for the afternoon.”

Grymes says the first half of next week north Louisiana will be flirting with single digit wind chills and some possible snowfall of one to two inches.

Cut 11 (14) “…over to Slidell.”

Grymes says if the state gets snowfall, it should be coming to an end Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning; but compared to last week there’s a good chance of some snow next week.

Cut 12 (13) “…first go around.”

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The Sugar Bowl is donating a half-million dollars to the Greater New Orleans Foundation in the wake of the tragedy on Bourbon Street the morning of the day when the game was originally scheduled to be played. Sugar Bowl President Walter Becker says the money will be evenly split two ways.

Cut 13 (09) “…the French Quarter.”

Becker says a steering committee at the foundation will determine exactly how the money earmarked for safety initiatives will be spent.

Cut 14 (08) “…EMS and fire.”

Becker says this donation shows exactly what the people of New Orleans are all about.

Cut 15 (11) “…and move on.”

This year’s Sugar Bowl was delayed until January 2nd, in which Notre Dame beat Georgia to advance to the semifinals. The postponement led to more than 11-thousand no-shows inside the Superdome.

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Former LSU Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels will be playing in the biggest game of his life tomorrow night as the Washington Commanders take on the Lions in Detroit. The Lions are the top seed in the NFC and tied for the best record in the NFL. Daniels says he and his office have their work cut out for them.

Cut 16 (11) “…challenge for us.”

The Commanders have won a lot of close games this season, including a memorable game in late October when they beat the Bears, 18-15, when Daniels connected with Noah Brown on a 52-yard Hail Mary with no time left. Daniels says that resiliency is what makes this Commanders team so special.

Cut 17 (15)  “…for those moments.”

Last week’s win over the Buccaneers was the Washington franchise’s first playoff win in 20 years, and it has fans in the nation’s capital buzzing with excitement. Daniels says he tunes out all the hype and focuses on the task at hand.

Cut 18 (10)   “…stay at home.”

Kickoff tomorrow night from Ford Field is seven p-m Central time.

Louisiana is preparing for an unusual winter weather event next week, bringing conditions the state rarely faces. Residents of Lafayette and Acadiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow.  National Weather Service Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says temperatures are expected to drop sharply, with highs in the 30s and lows in the 20s.

Cut 6 (05) “…Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Congressman Clay Higgins and other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline

Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”

Higgins called the helpline during the hearing and was on hold for an hour and a half without speaking with an employee.

The state is one step closer to building a statewide broadband network after securing final approval for federal funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says the state awarded contracts to many companies, several of which based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.

Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”

Iyengar says the state should be connected by the end of summer.

A backup quarterback at LSU is hospitalized following a car crash near the campus. LSU Police say 17-year-old Colin Hurley crashed into a tree near the south gates shortly before three this morning. While the cause of the crash is still under investigation, investigators do not believe Hurley was impaired. Hurley was found unresponsive, and emergency personnel removed him from the car and took him to a hospital. Hurley is third on LSU’s depth chart, behind starter Garrett Nussmeier and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren.

Lockport basted Bollinger Shipyard has agreed to pay over a million dollars to resolve allegations that they knowingly billed the U.S. Coast Guard for vessels built using illegal workers. The Coast Guard paid Bollinger for their Fast Response Cutters built from 2015 to 2020 without confirming employee’s legal status to work in the U.S. resulting in several ineligible employees working on the contract that provided the vessels say authorities. Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari with the Department of Homeland Security says, “Today’s settlement sends a clear message that contractors providing services to DHS programs will be held accountable for breaking the law.”

Louisiana is expected to have nice warm temperatures before brutal cold moves in. National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Slaughter says it’s still too early to determine whether any area will have wintry precipitation.

Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”

The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana are merging. CABL president Barry Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 can do great things for the state under the new moniker of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Cut 11 (07) “…so to speak.”

Louisiana U-S Representative Clay Higgins blasted the former head of Social Security Administration, Martin O’ Malley for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees saying it caused extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline. O’Malley blamed Congress for reducing staffing levels to 50-year lows. Higgins wants to reverse the current telework union agreement that runs through October 2029…

Cut 14 (10) “…watch us do it.”

17-year-old LSU backup quarterback Colin Hurley was found in his Dodge Charger unresponsive but breathing around 2:45 this morning after LSU Police say he crashed into a tree near the south gates of LSU. The cause of the crash has not been released and may be unknown, but investigators say they do not believe Hurley was impaired. Emergency personnel removed Hurley from the vehicle and transported him to an area hospital. Hurley is the third string QB behind Garrett Nussmeier and Mississippi State transfer Michael Van Buren.

Louisiana is bracing for brutally cold temperatures next week.   National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Cut 7 (08) “…single digits.”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customers service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says Louisiana is the first state in the country to secure federal approval of broadband funds.

Cut 3 (08) “…our federal funds.”

During a Congressional hearing, Louisiana U-S Representative Clay Higgins blasted the former head of the Social Security Administration, Martin O’ Malley, for agreeing to a telework arrangement with the Social Security Administration union, blaming a telework agreement for slow service. He called the SSA helpline during the hearing and was on hold for an hour and a half without speaking to an employee.

Cut 13 (12) “…nobody (phone thrown down).”

O’Malley blamed Congress for reducing staffing levels to 50-year lows.

The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana are merging to become Leaders for a Better Louisiana. CABL president Barry Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.

Cut 10 (12) “…state as well.”

He says they can do great things for the state under the new moniker of Leaders for a Better Louisiana.

Louisiana takes a huge step towards launching broadband internet statewide. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Much of Louisiana could experience freezing rain, sleet, icy roads, and possibly even snow, starting Monday night and into Tuesday. National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says artic air will move in on Sunday and it will get very cold a couple of days later.

Cut 6 (05) “…Tuesday and Wednesday.”

He says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night

As the old saying goes – what goes up must come down. That will certainly be the case here in Louisiana in terms of the weather. This weekend, temperatures will be very pleasant, but that will quickly give way to brutal cold that would make Minnesota jealous. National Weather Service meteorologist Nick Slaughter says it’s still too early to determine whether any area will have wintry precipitation.

Cut 8 (10) “…still up in the air”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins and other Republicans used a Congressional hearing to blast the former head of Social Security for agreeing to a telework agreement with SSA union employees. Higgins says it’s resulted in extremely long wait times when calling the Social Security helpline

Cut 12 (12) “…Social Security.”

The federal government gives the final okay for the state to receive funding for the deployment of broadband statewide. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says construction will begin very soon, and that people across the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Cut 5 (10) “…of this year.”

A pair of government advocacy groups are joining forces. The Committee of 100 for Economic Development and the Council for A Better Louisiana, or CABL, have announced that they’re merging to form Leaders for a Better Louisiana. Barry Erwin, who was the president of CABL, says this merger was a long time in the making.

Cut 9 (09)  “…way, we hope.”

Erwin says CABL and the Committee of 100 have unique things to bring to a merged organization.

Louisiana is bracing for brutally cold temperatures next week – at least brutally cold in Louisiana standards.   National Weather Service in Lake Charles Meteorologist Nick Slaughter says freezing temperatures are expected to impact the region from Sunday night through at least Wednesday night, bringing extended subfreezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills.

Cut 7 (07) “…till at least Wednesday.”

The state is one step closer to building a statewide broadband network after securing final approval for federal funding. Veneeth Iyengar, the executive director of Connect L-A, says the state awarded contracts to many companies, several of which based in Louisiana, to build the broadband infrastructure in a robust way.

Cut 4 (13) “…and north Louisiana.”

Iyengar says the state should be connected by the end of summer.

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins expresses his frustration with the customer service Americans are receiving when they call the Social Security Administration’s helpline. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”