Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…
Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the height of the lockdown, traffic was down 60-65 percent..
Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….
cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce at one o’ clock whether Louisiana will remain in the modified version of the Phase two coronavirus restrictions or ease the restrictions. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Doctor Steven Procopio says the current COVID numbers are similar to what we saw when the state was in Phase 3…
cut 14 (10) “…interact”
The state has surpassed one-million vaccines administered and nearly 38-thousand one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines will arrive this week. Johnson and Johnson researchers believe the vaccine limits asymptomatic disease by 74 percent. Ochsner Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Katherine Baumgarten…
cut 8 (09) “…confirm that”

Crawfish season is beginning to gather steam and one state agency reminds you what to do after enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to discuss the state’s reopening plan at a briefing Tuesday at 1 pm. The Governor will also discuss the coronavirus pandemic and the state’s current phase two order which expires Wednesday, March 3^rd.

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a 35-year old John Shallerhorn who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. It’s been reported the suspect became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School game, but Ferguson cannot confirm…

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

At AARP Louisiana’s Tele-Town Hall, New Orleans physician Eric Griggs says when it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated, you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks because of variants of the virus. As for travel and visiting outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball recorded two blowout victories over the weekend beating Rice 101-57 and 79-58. Kalob Ledoux had a season-high 25 on Friday and followed that up with a 17-point performance on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol says he’s proud of Ledoux

Cut 16 (16) “to the basket”

The Bulldogs will have have one more tune up game before postseason play as they will host Our Lady of the Lake on Wednesday, tipoff is at 7.

The LSU men’s basketball team will take on Vanderbilt at home tomorrow night.  The Tigers will look to rebound at home after two straight road losses.

The 2021 Sun Belt men’s basketball tournament is scheduled for later this week from March 5to 8 at the Pensacola Bay Center.  ULM will play South Alabama in the first round on Friday, March 5^th at 5:30.

On Saturday, the Pels fell to the Spurs 117 to 114 to drop their record to 14-19. Forward Zion Williamson says his teammates are determined to keep fighting, which is why he believes this team is close to turning the season around…

Cut 30 (16) “figure it out”

The LSU baseball team is 6-1 on the season after sweeping the weekend tournament against Youngstown State and Nicholls.

It will not be an easy go of things once the Tigers get into conference play as four SEC teams are at the top of the latest D1 Baseball poll as Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss make up the top four spots.

ULL and ULM’s 2021 football schedules have been released.  The Cajuns will open the season on September 11^th when they host Nicholls and the Warhawks will host Jackson State on September 18^th.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a man who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. Ferguson says Mitchum was working as a security guard and tried to escort the gunman out of the building after he hit an employee working at the door.

Cut 9 (10) “…the chest”

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful.”  

The Louisiana Health Department says it expects to receive this week nearly 38-thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says clinical trials on the J & J vaccine show its 100-percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

Cut 14 (12) “…zero deaths.” 

During an AARP Tele-town hall meeting, New Orleans physician Doctor Eric Griggs says it’s important not to take anything like Tylenol before you are vaccinated to dull your immune response to the vaccine however you can take pain relief after your injection.

Cut 7 (11) “…after.”

A Tulane University Police Officer was fatally shot Friday outside a high school basketball game, reportedly over a dispute involving the shooter’s refusal to wear a mask inside the gym. 35-year-old John Shallerhorn allegedly fatally shot officer Martinus Mitchum, who was a security guard at the event, after Mitchum was attempting to remove Shallerhorn from the area. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson Mitchum a hero…

Cut 10 (11) “…negligence.” 

The AARP supports seniors taking the newly approved Johnson and Johnson vaccine. New Orleans physician Dr. Eric Griggs spoke to members on a conference call today and said the J&J vaccine had 30-thousand trial participants.

Cut 6 (12) “…the trial.”

The state has hit another milestone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Brook Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Central pastor Tony Spell has been offered a plea deal by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. Moore has informed Spell’s legal team that the court would drop all charges against Spell, if the pastor would plead “no contest” to one of the six charges he faces. Spell was arrested and accused of six counts of violating the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions by having too many gathered at his church.

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Central pastor Tony Spell has been offered a plea deal by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. Moore has informed Spell’s legal team that the court would drop all charges against Spell, if the pastor would plead “no contest” to one of the six charges he faces. Spell was arrested and accused of six counts of violating the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions by having too many gathered at his church.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a 35-year old John Shallerhorn who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. It’s been reported the suspect became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School game, but Ferguson cannot confirm…

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

AARP Louisiana held a Tele-Town Hall meeting today with New Orleans physician Eric Griggs answering COVID and vaccine-related questions. When it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated Griggs says because of variants of the virus you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks. As for travel and visiting with others outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

The Louisiana Health Department says it expects to receive this week nearly 38-thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says this is a single dose vaccine which could be especially beneficial for people who have difficulty taking time off of work
Cut 12 (10) “ …vaccines now.
During an AARP Tele-town hall meeting, New Orleans physician Doctor Eric Griggs says it’s important not to take anything like Tylenol before you are vaccinated to dull your immune response to the vaccine however you can take pain relief after your injection.
Cut 7 (11) “…after.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a man who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. Ferguson says Mitchum was working as a security guard and tried to escort the gunman out of the building after he hit an employee working at the door
Cut 9 (10) “…the chest”
Officer Mithum was rushed to University Medical Center where he died and 35-year-old John Shallerhorn was quickly arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder of a police officer.

Legislative leaders say tax reform is on the top of their agenda to pass when the legislative session begins on April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says the highest priority is to create a centralized state and local sales tax collection. He says Louisiana is one of three states not to have one, which makes it more difficult on businesses when it comes to paying taxes.
Cut 4 (12) “…right now”

During an AARP Tele-Town Hall meeting, this morning New Orleans physician and health educator Dr. Eric Griggs answered questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Griggs says the current three vaccines underwent thorough testing, Johnson and Johnson had 30-thousand clinical trial participants and 75-thousand people in the Pfizer and Moderna trials.

Cut 6 (12) “…the trial.”

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be available in Louisiana this week as an estimated 38-thousand doses are scheduled to arrive. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine has an efficacy rate of 66-percent, which is not as high as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines….

Cut 14 (11) “…deaths.” 

Governor Edwards’ proposed 400-dollar K-12 teacher pay raise has some teacher advocates crying foul. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state reports 408 new COVID-19 cases and 20 fatalities.

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful”  

The Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. 28,000 suspected cases of attempted fraud have been turned over to law enforcement. And it’s suspected an additional 60,000 could be fraud attempts. Assistant Secretary of Unemployment Insurance Robert Wooley says these applications have incomplete information, and…

Cut 5 (10)“…fraud.”

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.

Cut 7 (11)  “…six seasons.”

The Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization and doses should arrive in the state this week.  Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says data shows the J & J vaccine doesn’t have any of the severe allergic reactions shown with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

The J & J vaccine also doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for rural transport.