On this date last year, the Louisiana Health Department confirmed its first coronavirus case. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Julio Figueroa says a short time later, the state was experiencing its first surge in cases, testing hospital capacity in southeast Louisiana…
cut 6 (11) “….locally”
Five days later after the first case was confirmed, the state reported its first death from the virus, a 58-year-old man in Orleans Parish.

Sixty-seven-year-old Les Miles has likely coached his last game as he’s been fired as the head football coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, three days after he was placed on administrative leave after accusations became public that he acted inappropriately towards female students while coaching at LSU.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry’s handling of alleged sexual harassment and sexist behavior by one of his top aides could damage his rumored future run for Governor…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The NBA and its players’ association have donated three million dollars to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Grambling State President Rick Gallot credits Vice President Kamala Harris for putting H-B-C-U’s in the spotlight…
cut 12 (08) “….previously”

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Louisiana, Brooke Thorington talks with a physician about the early days of COVID.
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

According to an email sent to pharmacies, Governor John Bel Edwards will expand the eligibility for the COVID-19 vaccine allowing individuals from 16 years old and up to get the vaccine if they also have certain health conditions. Edwards has called for a noon press conference.

The Attorney General’s Office has released to the Advocate the sexual harassment complaint filed against a top aide for A-G Jeff Landry. The complaint alleges Pat Magee made sexist comments about women in the office, there are also accusations of inappropriate touching and emails. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says this could hurt Landry’s chances if he runs for governor in 2023. He says Governor Edwards faced similar criticism about one of his aides who resigned as a result of sexual harassment allegations…
cut 14 (09) “….explaining it”
Magee still works in the A-G’s office but he was suspended for 38 days.

Lt Governor Billy Nungesser is holding a virtual grammy celebration tonight at 7 PM across Louisiana Travel’s social channels…
cut 7 (05) “….artists”
The show will feature performances by Bobby Rush, the New Orleans Nightcrawlers, Sweet Cecilia, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd with Buddy Flett.

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroa says looking back, COVID was likely spreading in February…
Cut 4 (10)“…COVID.”
Governor John Bel Edwards will mark the one-year anniversary of the first COVID case by expanding vaccine eligibility to anyone over 16 who suffer from certain health conditions. A press conference is set for noon.

The Attorney General’s Office releases the sexual harassment complaint filed against top aide Pat Magee that resulted in his 38-day suspension and the 20,000 dollar docking of his salary. The complaint includes numerous allegations of harassment and sexist comments by Magee, who still works for the office. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the report may be costly for AG Jeff Landry.
Cut 13 (09) “…official.”

Kansas has fired former LSU football coach Les Miles. Miles has been let go after allegations surfaced last week that the coach acted inappropriately with female student workers while working in Baton Rouge.

Sunday’s NBA All-Star game helped raise three million dollars for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. And Grambling State President Rick Gallot says Major League Baseball is hosting an event this weekend focusing on Grambling and Florida A&M.
Cut 10 (08) “…universities.”

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Louisiana, Brooke Thorington talks with a physician about the early days of COVID.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Louisiana’s pre-GRAMMY celebration is going all virtual this year and you can stream it live tonight starting at 7 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry’s handling of alleged sexual harassment and sexist behavior by one of his top aides could damage his rumored future run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Today is the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroa says looking back most likely COVID was already spreading in February, well before testing was available.

Cut 4 (10)“…COVID-19.”

Figueroa says unlike other viruses, COVID-19 is unique in that some people are asymptomatic but are still able to spread the virus.

Cut 5 (07)“…of time.”

Now that we know the main route of transmission is through respiratory droplets that spread when you are in close contact with a carrier, carnival season only enabled the virus to circulate faster in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…locally.”

Five days later after the first case was confirmed, the state reported its first death from the virus a 58-year-old man in Orleans Parish.

________________________

This year Louisiana’s pre-GRAMMY celebration is going all-virtual and will be streamed live online tonight starting at 7 PM.

Louisiana artists account for more than a dozen nominations this year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ll have a few of those artists like Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepard, and Sweet Cecilia playing tonight’s show…

Cut 7 (05)  “…artists.”

The show will be streamed live on Louisiana Travels’ social media pages.

Nungesser says they’ll be live from the Mint in the French Quarter but the program will highlight attractions, history, and artists from all over the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…COVID.”

Nungesser says they’re excited to put on a great program but it is hopefully the first, and last time they have to do the show all virtually.

Cut 9 (11) “….this year.”

The GRAMMYs kicks off Sunday at 7 PM.

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It might have LeBron James’s team that scored the most points in Sunday’s NBA All-Star game, but the real winner is Historically Black Colleges and Universities that’s receiving three million dollars from the game. President of Grambling State University, Rick Gallot says even Major League Baseball is hosting an event this weekend focusing on Grambling and Florida A&M.

Cut 10 (08) “…universities.”

Gallot says 90-percent of students at Grambling receive some type of financial aid and their portion of the NBA’s donation will go directly towards students.

Cut 11 (06) “…schholarships”

There’s been a lot of attention on HBCU’s recently and Gallot credits Kamala Harris for being the first graduate of an HBCU to become Vice President for putting them in the spotlight.

Cut 12 (08) “…previously. ”

_____________________________

The Attorney General’s Office releases the sexual harassment complaint filed against top aide Pat Magee that resulted in his 38-day suspension and the 20,000 dollar docking of his salary.

The complaint includes numerous allegations of harassment and sexist comments by Magee, who still works for the office. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the report may be costly for AG Jeff Landry.

Cut 13 (09) “…official.”

The complaint was filed on November 20^th. Among other things, the report alleges a number of times when Magee discussed women’s appearance in relation to situations that impacted their career advancement. An internal investigation conducted by an outside law firm into the matter reported Magee’s comments were “joking in nature” and “there were no allegations nor findings of any requests for sexual favors; inappropriate workplace touching; nor sexual overtures.”

Pinsonat says like the Johnny Anderson scandal that plagued Governor Edwards’ run for reelection Landry will be haunted by this situation should be run for Governor in 2023.

Cut 14 (09) “…explaining it.” 

Anderson, a one-time aide to the Governor, resigned following the accusations by a staffer.

Pinsonat says the fact that Magee continues to work for the AG despite the allegations could prove to be a problem down the road.

Cut 15 (09)“….the public.”

______________________________________

After losing a weekend series to Oral Roberts, the 15th ranked LSU Baseball team returns to the diamond tonight to begin a five-game week as they will host Texas Southern. After scoring one run in a loss on Sunday, Coach Paul Mainieri is eager for Cade Doughty to return to the starting line-up after missing the weekend series with a left shoulder injury…

Cut 16 (12) “…(x2)yesterday.”

Mainieri is also looking for more consistency from the bullpen. He says Blake Money has looked good and so have a couple of the other new relievers…

Cut 17 (15) “…bit more.”

The Tigers enter tonight’s game with a 9-3 record. Mainieri says despite the series loss to Oral Roberts, starting pitchers A-J Labas and Landon Marceaux pitched well

Cut  18 (16) “…shutout starts.”

About 100 students staged a sit-in in front of the LSU Football Operations building earlier today protesting the schools handling of sexual misconduct cases and calling for the firing of athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report…

Cut 12 (12) “ …responsible.” 

LSU interim president Thomas Galligan suspended Ausberry for 30 days and Segar for 21-days without pay.

In more fallout linked to the athletic program’s handling of those cases Kansas placed former Tigers and current Jayhawks head coach Les Miles on Administrative leave after reports that Miles acted inappropriately with female student workers while at LSU. Legal analyst Tim Meche wonders if K-U officials will use this opportunity to fire Miles…

Cut 5  (07)  “…his buyout.” 

A 29-year-old New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Jefferson Parish after meeting someone through an online marketplace app to sell his dirt bike. JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto says since the start of last year they’ve seen two armed robberies, one simple robbery, two thefts, and now a homicide connected with these marketplace sales.

Cut 11 (10) “..it to”

Authorities are seeking 1^st Degree Murder charges against the alleged gunman 20-year-old Jalen Harvey.

The convention industry is holding out for a big bounce back once the pandemic clears. Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon says they surveyed convention clients and found 8 out of 10 say they would like to attend in-person conferences in the near future again and the survey also revealed that digital meetings are losing popularity…

Cut 8 (10) “…its feet.”

About 100 students held a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault.

Cut 14 (13) “…transferring” 

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. K-U made this move after reports that Miles acted inappropriately with female student workers while at LSU. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Miles’ attorney is upset because a Husch Blackwell investigation never spoke with Miles or other key witnesses.

Cut 3 (11)  “…right now.”  

A New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Harvey Sunday after meeting someone through an online marketplace to sell a dirt bike. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they’re seeking a 1st-degree murder charge against Jalen Harvey in the killing of 29-year-old Joseph Vindel. Lopinto says meeting strangers online can be dangerous, but while the victim could’ve chosen a safer location like a police station parking lot or outside of a grocery…

Cut 10 (11) “…outside.” 

Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon believes we’ll see a big increase in in-person meetings and conventions during the second half of this year. Dixon says healthcare professionals, teachers, and attorneys are required to receive annual training and online classes are not always preferred…
cut 7 (09) “….New Orleans”

About 100 students are holding a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on LSU officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault. Protesters say the suspensions of only two athletic officials are not enough.

Cut 13 (10)“…cover-ups”

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. Attorney Peter Ginsberg says when LSU investigated Miles in 2013, they found no evidence he kissed a student worker or offered to take her to a hotel. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Miles’s 3-and-18 record at Kansas is likely a factor in being placed on administrative leave…

Cut 4 (08) “…winning record.” 

A 29-year-old New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Jefferson Parish after meeting someone through an online marketplace to sell his dirt bike. JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they arrested Jalen Harvey after discovering messages between him and the victim, Joseph Vindel…

Cut 9 (09) “…itself”

Vindel’s dirt bike was discovered outside of Harvey’s apartment.

The pandemic has crippled the convention industry which is responsible for almost five-thousand jobs in Louisiana. Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon says the industry has been trained on how to re-open safely once the pandemic passes and most convention attendees say they’ll be there.

Cut 6 (11) “…the future.”

A sit-in of about 100 students formed this morning outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (36) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

A few hours later the protesters were approached by a few football players who asked them to move the protest to the administrative building across the street because the protest was blocking in their cars. 

The pandemic has crippled the convention industry which is responsible for almost five-thousand jobs in Louisiana. Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon says they surveyed convention clients and found 8 out of 10 say they would like to attend in person conferences in the near future again and the survey also revealed that convention attendees are able to form better relationships and build trust in communications at in-person meetings.

Cut 8 (10) “…its feet.”

A 29-year-old New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Jefferson Parish after meeting someone through an online marketplace app to sell his dirt bike. JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto says since the start of last year they’ve seen two armed robberies, one simple robbery, two thefts, and now a homicide connected with these marketplace sales.

Cut 11 (10) “..it to”

About 100 students are holding a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on LSU officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault.
Cut 12 (12) “ …responsible.”
LSU has only suspended Ausberry for 30 days and Segar for 21-days without pay.

Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon believes we’ll see a big increase in in-person meetings and conventions during the second half of this year. Dixon says healthcare professionals, teachers and attorneys are required to receive annual training and online classes are not always preferred…
cut 7 (09) “….New Orleans”

Police are seeking a 1st Degree Murder charge against a man they say murdered and robbed a 29-year-old New Orleanian at a meetup to sell a 2,800 dollar dirt bike. Matt Doyle has the story….
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department says nearly 415-thousand people in Louisiana have completed their two-dose series vaccinations. There are 618 vaccine providers providing shots this week. L-D-H also reporting 515 new coronavirus cases and ten new deaths.

A New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Harvey Sunday after meeting someone through an online marketplace to sell a dirt bike. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they’re seeking a 1st-degree murder charge against Jalen Harvey in the killing of 29-year-old Joseph Vindel. Lopinto says meeting strangers online can be dangerous, but while the victim could’ve chosen a safer location like a police station parking lot or outside of a grocery…

Cut 10 (11) “…outside.” 

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. K-U made this move after reports that Miles acted inappropriately with female student workers while at LSU. Legal analyst Tim Meche wonders if K-U officials will use this opportunity to fire Miles

Cut 5  (07)  “…his buyout.” 

Miles would reportedly be owed eight million dollars if he’s fired without cause.

Funds are now available to help tenants and landlords who’ve experienced financial hardship from the pandemic. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”