State Attorney General Jeff Landry was at the U.S. Supreme Court in D.C. today for oral arguments against White House coronavirus vaccine mandates. Lower courts have granted injunctions to block the orders that all health workers get the jab, and that companies with 100 or more employees also require they get vaccinated. Louisiana’s Solicitor General Liz Murrill asks justices to uphold those rulings, as the mandates will create negative consequences…:

CUT 10  (10)        “millions of people.”

Speaking for the Biden Administration and federal authorities, Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher, who says health Secretary Xavier Becerra weighed those possibilities heavily before agreeing to the mandates…:

CUT 12  (15)        “…a deadly pandemic.”

The Justices’ decision will be forthcoming.

The state Supreme Court rules that Ochsner Health HAS the right to fire employees who do not comply with COVID vaccination requirements. The decision reinstates the mandate that employees get the shots and boosters or submit to regular testing … or find work elsewhere. Ochsner is one of the state’s largest health care providers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Louisiana argues its case against Biden Administration vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Dozens of Ochsner employees filed the lawsuit after Ochsner Health announced its workers must get vaccinated or face possible termination.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they found no evidence of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes and the baiting ban for those parishes has been lifted. LDWF Biologist Director Scott Durham encourages hunters statewide to continue submitting samples because CWD is an issue they consistently monitor.

Cut 5 (10) “…looking for.”

CWD has been detected in the bordering states of Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi.

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire for more than three years.

 Cut 6 (10) “…until renewal.” 

Louisiana went before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandates for bigger businesses and health care workers. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the White House orders are a clear overreach…:

CUT 09  (15)        “…a COVID shot.”

She calls the mandate an un-precedented “bureaucratic power move.” But federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are wholly appropriate…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…and Medicaid patients.”

Louisiana and other states are asking the High Court to uphold injunctions against enforcing the mandates.

A large building in historic downtown Lake Providence has been destroyed by an overnight fire. Police in the East Carroll Parish town say the fire started somewhere around 1 a.m. and was not extinguished until after 8. The building housed several businesses, including a Capital One Bank. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.

The Department of Wildlife & Fisheries lifts a field-baiting ban for Union and Morehouse parishes, after becoming satisfied that deer in that area do not have Chronic Wasting Disease. LDWF biologist Scott Durham credits the help of hunters, who voluntarily gave up their deer taken for testing…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…help us in that.”

Because CWD has been detected in deer in four neighbor states, Durham encourages hunters statewide to keep bringing their deer kill in for further testing.

Attorney General Jeff Landry will make his case against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for most healthcare workers. Erik Piccoli has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Piccoli.”

The New Orleans City Council has voted to rename Robert E. Lee Boulevard in the city’s Lakeview area after local musical legend Allen Toussaint. The vote was unanimous, and the street officially becomes “Allen Toussaint Boulevard” on February 1^st. Toussaint passed away in 2015.

State health officials are struggling for coronavirus test demand to keep up with the high number of cases reported. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are PCR tests available, but at-home tests are VERY hard to come by…:

CUT 14  (07)        “…private market.”

If you want to find a free testing location near you, visit “ldh.la.gov” and click the “coronavirus” tab.

…and now today’s markets….

The Saints need a “perfect storm” to make the NFL playoffs this year. They must beat Atlanta Sunday, but they also need the Rams to beat San Francisco as well. Both those games kickoff at 3:25 Sunday.

As daily COVID case numbers continue to break records, the governor continues to encourage residents to wear masks indoors. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Calcasieu Parish has recorded its first homicide of the New Year. Police in Iowa say a woman and her daughter were both shot by Sheron Lewis. The mother was killed. The daughter is in the hospital in serious condition. Their names are withheld for now. Lewis is charged with murder and attempted murder.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they found no evidence of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. A baiting ban was issued in those parishes after cases were found in Arkansas. LDWF Biologist Scott Durham says the ban is now lifted…:

CUT 03(11)      “…not detected.”

Durham thanks hunters who gave up their deer for testing for helping is getting the ban lifted.

Commercials are all over Louisiana TV and radio about online sports betting “Coming Soon”, but HOW soon? State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says – first – he’d like to dispel a few rumors…:

CUT 10(08)      “…not the case.”

Johns says once regulators are satisfied the apps will be bug and problem-free, he’ll approve their use … but he declines to set a date for that.

As new COVID infections reach another single-day high and hospitalizations continue to mount, many are questioning if a statewide indoor mask mandate will be reinstated. At Thursday’s briefing, Governor John Bel Edwards stopped short of requiring face masks again.

Cut 4 (09) “… activities.” 

COVID hospitalizations have reached 14 hundred, a 700-percent increase from three weeks ago.

Amidst the fifth COVID surge, the ability to find a rapid test is proving to be extremely difficult. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says supply is not able to keep up with demand but if you are showing symptoms or have a known exposure you can receive a PCR test.

Cut 13 (11) “…of those.“

Call 2-1-1 for the nearest testing site.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is in D.C. presenting oral arguments to the Supreme Court against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID vaccines for healthcare workers at facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. Arguments began at 10.

With football playoffs and the Super Bowl coming in the next few weeks, many want to know when the state will approve online sports betting apps. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Governor Edwards hasn’t reinstated a statewide mask mandate as cases reach an all-time high but he fully supports guidance for masks in schools for two reasons, because they are indoors for an extended period of time and a large majority of school-aged children are not vaccinated.

Cut 5 (12) “…mask mandate.”

The State Department of Education is allowing each school system to set their own mask rules.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is in D.C. about to present oral arguments to the Supreme Court against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID vaccines for healthcare workers at facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. Landry says this rule could be harmful to medical staff…

Cut 8 (11) “…of the hospital.” 

Arguments begin at 10 am.

Amidst the fifth COVID surge, the ability to find a rapid test is proving to be extremely difficult. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you need testing call 2-1-1. He says there are approximately 400 sites in the state where you can be tested for COVID, but if you’re looking for a home test…

Cut 15 (09)  “…isolate accordingly.”

The NFL playoffs begin next weekend, and many are wondering if online sports betting will be up and running. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says no, but they are getting close…

Cut 12 (14) “…that’s very, very soon.”
The Saints are 3.5 point favorite to beat Atlanta on Sunday.

Louisiana set another record again on Thursday for single-day COVID-19 cases as just over 14-thousand people were diagnosed with the virus. Governor Edwards is holding off on issuing another statewide mask mandate, but he encourages school districts to require children to be masked up in the classroom…
cut 6 (13) “….go to class”
Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is leaving it up to local school systems to decide on a mask mandate.

Many people are finding it difficult to find a rapid COVID test and at-home tests are also hard to come by. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter…
cut 14 (07) “…..private market”
If you are looking for a place to get tested, call 2-1-1.

The Louisiana A-G’s office will argue before the U-S Supreme Court today against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for most healthcare workers. Erik Piccoli has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Due to rising COVID cases, the Avoyelles Parish courthouse has postponed all jury trials.

Lafayette Consolidated Government says suspended interim Lafayette Police Chief Wayne Griffin was demoted to Sergeant as a result of a sexual harassment complaint against him. Griffin remains on administrative leave.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is in Washington D.C. today to deliver oral arguments to the Supreme Court against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for select healthcare workers. Landry says it’s a big day for the country…
Cut 7 (08) “…for the next century.”
The Louisiana A-G’s office will tell the nation’s highest court that the vaccine mandate is a government overreach.

Louisiana reported another single-day high for new COVID infections as the state health department reported 14-thousand cases on Thursday. Governor John Bel Edwards continues to encourage residents to get vaccinated and mask up…
cut 4 (09) “…activities”
COVID hospitalizations have reached 14-hundred, a 700-percent increase from three weeks ago.

Amidst the fifth COVID surge, the ability to find a rapid test is proving to be extremely difficult. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says supply is not able to keep up with demand but if you are showing symptoms or have a known exposure you can receive a PCR test.
Cut 13 (07) “…of those.“
If you need to find a place to get tested call 2-1-1..

Commercials are all over Louisiana TV and radio about online sports betting “Coming Soon”, but HOW soon? State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says – first – he’d like to dispel a few rumors…:
Cut 10 (08) “…not the case.”
Johns says there’s still more work to do before they can green light online sports betting that includes the geofencing component so that online sports bets can’t happen in the nine parishes that voted against it.

The U-S Supreme Court will hear oral arguments from the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office this morning as the state is the lead plaintiffs in a lawsuit that seeks to stop President Biden’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers. Louisiana A-G Jeff Landry says he’s worried that if the President’s mandate is held in place it could create a healthcare shortage…
cut 9 (07) “….this America”
Oral arguments begin at 10 AM.

When will online sports betting get underway in Louisiana? Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says work is proceeding to make that happen with all due haste…
cut 11 (11) “…as soon as possible”
There are nine parishes that voted against legal sports betting, so Johns says the geofencing needs to be established to prevent sports betting in those parishes.

As daily COVID case numbers continue to break records, the governor continues to encourage residents to wear masks indoors. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Cold start to today, but it will warm up for the weekend, but rain is in the forecast.