Louisianans ages 12 and up can now receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as a result of the CDC approving the use of the vaccine for 12 to 15 year-olds. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says vaccine hesitancy is a major issue but hopes expansion of the Pfizer vaccine can help show this vaccine is proven to be safe and effective in reducing cases, hospitalizations, and deaths…

Cut 14 (08) “..to be” 

Governor Edwards asked the Biden Administration to lift the moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and also wants the federal government to increase the tax revenue Louisiana receives for offshore production. Edwards told the Senate Energy Committee the oil royalties are used on coastal restoration…

Cut 3 (12)  “…single year” 

A House committee approves legislation that would allow either chamber to fully terminate or modify an emergency declaration by the Governor on a majority vote. Abita Springs Representative Larry Freimen says the legislation is not an attack on Governor Edwards’ current powers but sets the stage for future pandemic responses…

Cut 6 (12) “…we’ve had”

The second Louisiana-themed episode of “Restaurant” Recovery is now airing on Discovery Plus. It’s the brainchild of Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves who assisted ten eateries with the pandemic downturn. Graves along with Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas lend a helping hand at New Orleans’s legendary Domilise’s Po-Boys.

Cut 9 (09) “…same thing”

The series will begin airing on Tuesday nights on the Cooking Channel in June.

Governor Edwards tells the Senate Energy Committee that he wants the Biden Administration this summer to lift the moratorium on new lease sales for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The CDC releases new recommendations saying those who are fully vaccinated do not need to wear a mask or social distance indoors in most situations. That does not include tightly packed indoor areas, hospitals, assisted living facilities, and on airplanes.

Louisianans ages 12 and up can now receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as a result of the CDC approving the use of the vaccine in 12 to 15 year-olds. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says parents questioning whether or not their child should receive the vaccine, should seek professional advice.

Cut 13 (08)“…than later”

For a person younger than 18, parental consent is needed to get the shot. 

Beginning today the second Louisiana-themed episode of Restaurant Recovery airs on Discovery Plus. It’s the brainchild of Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves who assisted ten eateries impacted by the pandemic downturn. Graves says an important part of the show is teaching owners about the need for advertising. He says reminding existing and potentially new customers of your business is vital to keeping the door opens.

Cut 11 (09) “…go eat”

Graves says the series has also been picked up by the Cooking Channel.

The state health department says as a result of new CDC guidance, anyone 12 years of age and up can receive Pfizer’s Covid vaccine. Taylor Sharp has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’mTaylor Sharp.”  

In New Iberia, there’s now a historical marker honoring the late Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco. The marker to honor the state’s first female governor in her hometown was unveiled Wednesday. Blanco died in 2019 after a lengthy bout with cancer. She was 76.

A House committee approves legislation that would allow either chamber of the Legislature to fully terminate or modify an emergency declaration by the Governor on a majority vote. New Orleans Representative Candace Newell opposed the bill. She says the Legislature is not equipped to respond to disasters in the same way the Governor is.

Cut 8 (11) “…here”

The final vote was 7-5, if passed the legislation would take effect in 2024.

The second Louisiana-themed episode of Restaurant Recovery airs on Discovery Plus today The show is the brainchild of Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves who assisted ten eateries impacted by the pandemic. Graves helps Domilise’s in New Orleans and Baton Rouge staple Poor Boy Lloyd’s, who’s owners went into credit card debt to pay their own employees.

Cut 10 (09) “…felt good.” 

Governor Edwards is in D.C. today lobbying the Biden Administration to end the moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico. The governor requests that the pause be lifted in the third quarter to help an industry that employs 250-thousand Louisiana…

Cut 4 (10) “…and their families 

Edwards made the comments to the Senate Energy Committee.

A bill by Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman is headed to the House floor that would allow either chamber of the Legislature to end or modify a governor’s emergency declaration. Opponents took issue with the fact that only one chamber would have these sweeping powers during an emergency. Frieman says requiring both chambers would make the bill pointless.

Cut 7 (06) “…anything.”

The bill would take effect in 2024.

Louisianans ages 12 and up can now receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as a result of the CDC approving the use of the vaccine in 12 to 15 year-olds. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this is a step in the right direction.

Cut 12 (12)   “…semester” 

For a person younger than 18, parental consent is needed to get the shot.

Legislation requiring all kids who turn five years old on or before Sept. 30th to attend kindergarten clears the Senate on a 34-1 vote. Gonzales Senator Edward Price spoke in support of the bill by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields. He says there’s ample evidence showing just how beneficial kindergarten is to educational development.

Cut 15 (10)“…state.”

Governor Edwards asked the Biden Administration to lift the moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and also wants the federal government to increase the tax revenue Louisiana receives for offshore production. Edwards told the Senate Energy Committee the oil royalties are used on coastal restoration…

Cut 3 (12)  “…single year” 

A House committee approves legislation that would allow either chamber to fully terminate or modify an emergency declaration by the Governor on a majority vote. Abita Springs Representative Larry Freimen says the legislation is not an attack on Governor Edwards’ current powers but sets the stage for future pandemic responses…

Cut 6 (12) “…we’ve had”

The legislation would take effect in 2024.

Legislation requiring all kids who turn five years old on or before Sept. 30th to attend kindergarten clears the Senate on a 34-1 vote. Gonzales Senator Edward Price spoke in support of the bill by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields.

Cut 14 (09) “…been here.”

The bill also requires students to take a readiness assessment prior to entering first grade.

Beginning today the second Louisiana-themed episode of “Restaurant” Recovery airs on Discovery Plus. It’s the brainchild of Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves who assisted ten eateries with the pandemic downturn. Graves along with Saints Wide Receiver Michael Thomas lend a helping hand at New Orleans’s legendary Domilise’s Po-Boys.

Cut 9 (09) “…same thing”

Archie Manning, a regular at the restaurant, also appears.

Governor Edwards is testifying before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy about federal offshore oil and gas developments. Edwards is addressing the state’s ongoing work on climate initiatives. Senator Bill Cassidy says that investing in Louisiana and other domestic oil producers will not only create jobs but help in the fight to decrease global greenhouse gas emissions.

Cut 5 (07)”…there will be.”

Colonial Pipeline restarted operations last night after a hacking incident forced a shutdown, which sparked several Americans to panic buy gasoline. But, Executive Director of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association Natalie Isaacks says there is no need for hoarding gas, especially in the Bayou State.

Cut 7 (06)  “…out of fuel.”

According to GasBuddy less than one percent of Louisiana gas stations had outages.

House Education advances Senate-approved legislation barring trans athletes from participating in K-12 and college girls’ sports, a reversal from the committee’s earlier rejection of a similar bill.

Former LSU championship-winning Decathlonist Claston Bernard spoke in favor of the bill. He says trans athletes have a competitive advantage in women’s sports.

Cut 10 (09) “….happen.”

Coalition for Louisiana Progress Chair Melissa Flourney says the legislation is discriminatory and not needed…

Cut 12 (12) “…association.”

The NCAA has threatened to move events out of states that enact such laws.

If the bill reaches the governor’s desk, it’s expected he will veto it.

The state House will have the opportunity to debate whether transgender athletes should be barred from competing on girls’ athletics teams at public schools. The Senate approved measure has received approval from House Education. Supporters say it’s unfair for a biological female to compete against someone who was born as a boy. But Forum for Equality Executive Director Sarah Jane Guidry says after 12 months of testosterone suppression trans athletes fall under the usual variance in athletic ability from woman to woman.
Cut 13 (04) “…pelican state.”
The NCAA has threatened to move events out of states that enact such laws.

The Senate has passed a bill that makes kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana. Gonzales Senator Ed Price says kindergarten is beneficial to educational development….
cut 15 (10) “…state”
The measure is heading to the House after receiving only one “No” vote in the Senate by Turkey Creek Senator Heather Cloud.

The Colonial Pipeline which runs through Louisiana has restarted after it was shut down for six days following a ransomware attack. It has led to gasoline shortages, especially along the East Coast. Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association Director Natalie Isaacks says it will take some time for distributors to catch up…
cut 9 (06) “…Memorial Day”

Governor Edwards is before the U-S Senate Energy Committee at this hour discussing on how the moratorium on new lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico is impacting the state’s economy. Edwards is also expected to talk about the state’s ongoing work on climate initiatives. The governor believes the state can still be a major energy producer, but at the same time reducing emissions. Congressman Garret Graves supports the effort…
cut 6 (10) “….clean energy technologies”

In a reversal, the House Education Committee approves legislation that would bar transgender athletes from participating in girls’ sports. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces that Louisianans ages 12 and up can now receive Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as a result of the CDC approving the use of the vaccine in 12 to 15 year-olds. There are about 15-hundred locations in Louisiana that offer the COVID vaccine.

Legislation requiring all kids who turn five years old on or before Sept. 30th to attend kindergarten clears the Senate on a 34-1 vote. Gonzales Senator Edward Price…
Cut 14 (09) “…been here.”
The bill heading to the House also requires students to take a readiness assessment prior to entering first grade.

Panic gasoline buying is a real issue on the East Coast because of the shutdown of the Colonial Pipeline, which delivers gasoline and other fuels from Gulf Coast refineries to states like Georgia, Virginia, and South and North Carolina. Photos of long lines at gas stations and people pumping gasoline in whatever kind of container they can get their hands on are circulating on social media. Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association Director Natalie Isaacks says a photo of a woman putting gas in an open container is especially concerning.
Cut 8 (10) “…routine.”
Isaaks says they only a handful of reports of gas stations running out of fuel in Louisiana.

Colonial Pipeline restarted operations yesterday after a shutdown caused several Americans to panic buy gasoline. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state health department is expected to provide formal notice this morning to vaccine providers that they can administer the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to kids between the ages of 12 and 15 years old. There are over 15-hundred clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies in Louisiana that have the Pfizer vaccine.

A Senate-approved bill that would prevent transgender athletes from competing on girls’ sports teams in schools heads to the House floor. Supporters say it will protect biological female athletes from unfair competition, but Coalition for Louisiana Progress Chair Melissa Flourney says the legislation is discriminatory and not needed…
cut 12 (12) “…association”
If the bill reaches the governor’s desk, it’s expected he will veto it.

Governor Edwards will testify this morning before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee, where he’ll discuss federal offshore oil and gas exploration. Baton Rouge Congressman Garrett Graves says while he doesn’t agree with all of Edwards’s energy policies, he believes the governor has a better perspective on offshore energy.
Cut 4 (10)“…zero energy production.”
Edwards is expected to express his concerns with the current moratorium on new offshore lease sales.

Colonial Pipeline restarted operations last night after a hacking incident forced a shutdown, which sparked several Americans to panic buy gasoline. But, Executive Director of the Louisiana Oil Marketers and Convenience Store Association Natalie Isaacks says there is no need for hoarding gas, especially in the Bayou State.
Cut 7 (06) “…out of fuel.”
According to GasBuddy less than one percent of Louisiana gas stations had outages.

Louisiana’s House Education Committee approves legislation that would prohibit transgender athletes from participating on girls’ sports teams at public K-through-12 schools. The controversial proposal passed on a 10-to-4 vote. Franklin Representative Vincent St. Blanc says he and his constituents are concerned long-standing records would be shattered if this bill doesn’t pass.
Cut 11 (03) “….broke.”
Governor Edwards has threatened to veto this bill if it reaches his desk.

Governor Edwards testifies today before the U-S Senate Energy Committee. Eric Piccolli reports he’s expected to discuss oil and gas exploration and climate control…
Cut 1 (31) “…out of jobs.”

Today’s meeting starts at 9 AM.