State health officials expect to receive 38-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the J-and-J one-shot dose for emergency approval. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines…

Cut 15 (09)“…is great.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. The Workforce Commission has turned over 28,000 suspected cases of attempted unemployment insurance fraud to law enforcement. Secretary Ava Dejoie says those attempts failed.

Cut 4 (04)“…went off.”

Many teachers are scoffing at the Governor’s proposed 400-dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little.  Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the Governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers can find in neighboring states.

Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether the start of the hurricane season should be moved up from June 1st to May 15th. A named storm has formed before June 1st in each of the last six years. State Climatologist Barry Keim questions is it because we detecting storms sooner or is climate responsible for the jumpstart.

Cut 8 (06) “…of it.”

The 2020 season began May 16^th when Arthur formed off the east coast of Florida.

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine arrives in the state this week. Brooke Thorington on what makes this vaccine different from the others…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Today at 5 PM is the deadline for victims who were sexually abused by Catholic clergy to fill compensation claims against the Archdiocese of New Orleans. It was ten months ago today that the Archdiocese filed for chapter eleven bankruptcy protection. Victims are able to file their claims online.

The director of the Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Keith Courville calls Governor Edwards’ proposed 400-dollar teacher salary hike a slap in the face of educators who have made great sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic…
cut 11 (09) “…this year”
The state legislature will have the ability to increase the raise proposal when they meet during the regular session that starts next month.

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether to move up the official start date of the hurricane season from June 1st to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the hurricane season is tied to sea surface temperatures and when they become warm enough, they help produce tropical storms and hurricanes….
cut 9 (07) “…cycle”
Keim says a named tropical storm has formed before June 1st each of the last six years.

Many teachers are scoffing at Governor Edwards’ proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little. Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers receive in neighboring states.
Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”
The state legislature can add to the teacher pay raise proposal when they discuss the budget during the regular session.

The Johnson and Johnson one-dose COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in the state this week. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says the J & J vaccine has a 66-percent efficacy rate and is safe to use…
Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

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 record-breaking 2020 season saw its first named storm on May 16th when tropical storm Arthur formed east of Florida.

We are approaching the one-year anniversary of when COVID restrictions went into place, which resulted in thousands of people out of work. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie told the Joint Legislative Budget Committee that her agency handed out eight billion dollars in federal and state unemployment benefits in 2020…
cut 6 (07) “….2019”
The current modified phase two order expires Wednesday and there’s a chance some of the restrictions will be loosened.

A third COVID-19 vaccine will become available in Louisiana this week as an estimated 38-thousand Johnson and Johnson vaccines will 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 John Bel Edwards has proposed a 400-dollar pay raise for teachers in his budget for next fiscal year. But Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Keith Courville says that’s far too little to help the state hit the southern regional average for teachers’ pay…
cut 12 (09) “….wrong”
The average teacher salary in Louisiana is about four-thousand dollars less than the Southern Regional Average.

Lousiana Senator Bill Cassidy said on C-N-N’s Face the Nation that it’s not a good idea for the Republican party to idolize former President Donald Trump or put one person on a pedestal. Meanwhile, Trump called the seven Republicans who voted to impeach him, grandstanders.

The National Hurricane Center is discussing whether to move the Atlantic hurricane season up by two weeks to May 15th. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

State health officials expect to receive 38-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the J-and-J one-shot dose for emergency approval. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines…
cut 15 (09) “…..is great”

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether the start of the hurricane season should be moved up from June 1st to May 15th. A named storm has formed before June 1st in each of the last six years. State Climatologist Barry Keim says are we detecting storms sooner or is the climate responsible for the earlier start???
cut 8 (06) “….of it”

Governor John Bel 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.”

State lawmakers will have the opportunity to add to the teacher pay increase as they debate the budget during the regular session.

Louisiana State Police are seeking to identify victims in St. Tammany Parish after the arrest of 28-year old Joseph William Haidler of Mandeville was extradited back from the Virgin Islands last July. LSP says Haidler used the social media app Snapchat to lure young girls for sexually explicit content. They are asking victims to come forward, visit LSP’s facebook page for photos of the suspect.

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor John Bel Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to see if you are able to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

The Governor’s 36-billion-dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year is about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. The budget plan will be debated by the Legislature in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion-dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards says the state is in critical need of blood donations after last week’s winter storms caused disruptions.

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

Each state agency is legally obligated to reveal how many sexual harassment complaints it has each year and if those complaints result in disciplinary action, however, Attorney General Jeff Landry chose not to disclose in a report due February 15^th that one of his top deputies Pat Magee received a salary cut and had to undergo mandatory training after a sexual harassment complaint, claiming Magee was reprimanded for inappropriate behavior.

Many parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy, Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

She suggests introducing vegetables and fruits via a smoothie made with low-fat yogurt.

38-year old Martinus Mitchum a Tulane University police officer was killed last night while providing security at a high school basketball playoff game in New Orleans. The man suspected of shooting Mitchem has been identified as 35-year-old John Shallerhorn who was booked with a count of first-degree murder of a police officer.

The Edwards administration has proposed a 36-billion-dollar budget plan for next fiscal year, a 186 million dollar increase over the current year.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access. He says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

Deshotel says the Federal Government has designated $349-million for broadband infrastructure in the state but says it’s going to take another 400 to 500-million to close to the digital divide.

The Governor’s 36 billion dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year was unveiled today. It’s about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. Higher ed will see an 80 million dollar increase and there’s 40 million dollars for a 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise. The plan will be debated by the Legislature in the legislative session that begins in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donation in Louisiana right now due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

One of the biggest challenges for new parents is getting their young children to eat healthy. Pediatrician and Mom, Doctor Candice Jones, says be persistent in your efforts to get kids to eat healthy foods…

cut 14 (11) “…take it”

Jones says introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

The Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise and 200 dollar support staff pay raise will cost the state an estimated 40 million dollars extra per year. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says they would like to do more but extra funds were limited this year.

Cut 7 (09) “…average.”

The pay raise is included in the Governor’s budget proposal and it will be debated in the April legislative session.

Last week’s winter storms delayed and disrupted blood supply to Louisiana hospitals and now healthcare officials are imploring Louisianans to take a trip to a local blood bank to help out. Governor Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment see if you’re able to move it up to today or this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”