Ochsner Health System had to cancel and will have to reschedule 21,400 COVID vaccine appointments after discovering they’d be getting less vaccine supply than expected. CEO Warner Thomas says they will begin rescheduling people for their first dose as they receive new supply, but…

Cut 6 (12) “…dose”

LSU Head coach Ed Orgeron says they are close to hiring Minnesota Vikings Defensive Back coach Daronte Jones, Orgeron was on “Off The Bench with T-Bob Hebert on 104.5 ESPN” this morning and says even though former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda is now at Baylor, they still talk and Aranda recommended Jones.

Cut 4 (14) “…outstanding job for us.” 

A report from the Legislative Auditor finds the state’s air quality has improved since 2008 but the Department of Environmental Quality has problems cracking down on air quality violators in a timely manner. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in the state have dropped to the lowest level since late December, that’s prior to the post-holiday season surge we experienced when the state hit a record high. On Monday the health department reported 1,638 hospitalized with COVID, that’s a decline of 431 since the peak of 2,069 on Jan. 7.

Only 49 percent of Ochsner system staff have been vaccinated despite being eligible to be vaccinated for several weeks. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says one of the most common concerns they’re hearing is coming from younger workers who are concerned the vaccine will impact their fertility.

Cut 11 (12) “…about that.”

LSU is surveying students and staff to gauge interest in a potential campus COVID-19 vaccination program. LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard and so far, it appears that vaccine compliance rates might be pretty good at LSU: Ballard says the sentinel mandatory and random COVID testing program is seeing high levels of compliance.

Cut 6 (09) “…living in.

Enrollment at Louisiana Public Schools is down two percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the decline in enrollment is on par with other states.

Cut 7 (16) “…season.”

The two-percent decline equates to 17-thousand students and at least half of those students are pre-k and kindergarten ages.

There are reports that LSU will hire Minnesota Vikings Defensive Backs coach Daronte Jones as the team’s next defensive coordinator.  Head coach Ed Orgeron joined Off The Bench with T-Bob Hebert on 104.5 ESPN and he says that although nothing is finalized, he likes where they’re at in the process.

Cut 3 (12)  “…tolerate it.”

Enrollment at Louisiana Public Schools is down two percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says many fail to understand the importance of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten to prepare students for elementary education, he’s worried the decline in enrollment will put them further behind.
Cut 9 (11) “…ready”
Brumley says he is confident that more families will have their children return to the classroom when all systems can safely resume face-to-face instruction.
Only 49 percent of Ochsner system staff have been vaccinated despite being eligible to be vaccinated for several weeks. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says some staff are concerned about how quickly the vaccine was developed. He says they’re trying to teach the staff the speed was in part due to how easy it was to find test subjects.
Cut 12 (10) “…work”

A Legislative Auditors report on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality shows the state making progress in the fight against pollution but raises concerns about regulatory enforcement.
DEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says one complaint in the report is the amount of time it takes to issue enforcement actions against air quality violators has more than doubled since 2008, and DEQ doesn’t keep up with whether pollution fines are being paid once issued. Langley disagrees with many of those conclusions…
Cut 15 (10)“…arm”

The report concludes that a large part of the department’s problem is due to low staffing, including a 15 percent decline in air quality monitoring positions since 2008, high workloads, and frequent staff turnover.

There are reports that LSU has finally found a defensive coordinator Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones is expected to become the Tigers new defensive coordinator.

Enrollment is down by 17,000 at Louisiana Public Schools half of those are pre-K and Kindergarten students. Brooke Thorington has more on why school officials are worried.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Only 49 percent of Ochsner system staff have been vaccinated despite being eligible to be vaccinated for several weeks.
Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says one of the most common concerns they are hearing is coming from younger workers who are concerned the vaccine will impact their fertility.
Cut 11 (12) “….about that”

A Legislative Auditors report on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality shows the state making progress in the fight against pollution but raises concerns about regulatory enforcement.
The report raises concerns with how long it takes DEQ to process self-monitoring reports from state polluters and staying on top of industries to submit those reports. Spokesperson Greg Langley.
Cut 14 (10) “…risk.”

LSU is surveying students and staff to gauge interest in a potential campus COVID-19 vaccination program.
LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says they’ve emailed all 32,000 students and 5,500 employees…
Cut 4 (06) “…campus.”

Just over half of all Ochsner system staff have not taken the vaccine yet. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There are reports that LSU has finally found a defensive coordinator. Bruce Feldman with the Athletic reports that Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach Daronte Jones is expected to become the Tigers new defensive coordinator. He’s spent the last five seasons coaching defensive backs with the Vikings, Bengals and Dolphins.

Enrollment at Louisiana Public Schools is down two percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the two-percent decline equates to 17-thousand students and at least half of those students are pre-kindergarten and kindergarten ages. Brumley says he’s worried having those students, in particular, out of the classroom is going to hurt literacy rates.
Cut 8 (12) “…do better.”

A Legislative Auditors report on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality shows the state making progress in the fight against pollution but raises concerns about regulatory enforcement.
Since 2008 the report notes we have seen a 75 percent decline in poor air quality days a year, down to 3.6. DEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says we have also met other benchmarks.
Cut 13 (11) “….parishes”

Enrollment at Louisiana Public Schools is down two percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the decline in enrollment is on par with other states.
Cut 7 (12) “…season.”

Only 49 percent of Ochsner system staff have been vaccinated despite being eligible to be vaccinated for several weeks.
Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says that’s problematic because the vaccine was more readily available for workers several weeks ago than it is today now that members of the public are eligible.
Cut 10 (08) “…folks.”

A report from the Legislative Auditor finds the state’s air quality has improved since 2008 but the Department of Environmental Quality has problems cracking down on air quality violators in a timely manner. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Enrollment is down by 17,000 at Louisiana Public Schools half of those are pre-K and Kindergarten students. Brooke Thorington has more on why school officials are worried.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

_______________________________

Just over half of all Ochsner system staff have not taken the vaccine yet. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

A report from the Legislative Auditor finds the state’s air quality has improved since 2008 but the Department of Environmental Quality has problems cracking down on air quality violators in a timely manner. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________

LSU is surveying students and staff to gauge interest in a potential campus COVID-19 vaccination program.

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says they’ve emailed all 32,000 students and 5,500 employees…

Cut 4 (06) “…campus.”

Part of the questionnaire asks staff if they have already received the vaccine due.

Ballard says they’ve got a good start on it but need the rest of the campus population to answer their email.

Cut 5 (06) “.campus.”

There’s an early sign that vaccine compliance rates might be pretty good at LSU: Ballard says the sentinel mandatory and random COVID testing program is seeing high levels of compliance.

Cut 6 (09) “.living in.

________________________

Enrollment at Louisiana Public Schools is down two percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the decline in enrollment is on par with other states.

Cut 7 (12)  “…season.”

The two-percent decline equates to 17-thousand students and at least half of those students are pre-kindergarten and kindergarten ages. Brumley says he’s worried having those students in particular out of the classroom is going to hurt literacy rates.

Cut 8 (12) “…do better.”

Brumley says many fail to understand the importance of pre-kindergarten and kindergarten to prepare students for elementary education, he’s worried the decline in enrollment will put them further behind.

Cut 9 (11) “…ready”

Brumley says he’s confident that more families will have their children return to the classroom when all systems can safely resume face-to-face instruction.

_______________________________________________

Only 49 percent of Ochsner system staff have been vaccinated despite being eligible to be vaccinated for several weeks.

Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says that’s problematic because the vaccine was more readily available for workers several weeks ago than it is today now that members of the public are eligible.

Cut 10 (08) “…folks.”

Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says one of the most common concerns they’re hearing is coming from younger workers who are concerned the vaccine will impact their fertility.

Cut 11 (12) “….about that”

There’s also indecision from some staff about which vaccine to take. Ochsner Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the best vaccine to take is the one you are offered.

Hart says some staff are also concerned about how quickly the vaccine was developed. He says they’re trying to teach the staff the speed was in part due to how easy it was to find test subjects.

Cut 12 (10) “…work”

_____________________________

A Legislative Auditors report on the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality shows the state making progress in the fight against pollution, but raises concerns about regulatory enforcement.

Since 2008 the report notes we’ve seen a 75 percent decline in poor air quality days a year, down to 3.6. DEQ spokesperson Greg Langley says we’ve also met other benchmarks.

Cut 13 (11) “….parishes”

Since 2008 we’ve seen a 21 percent increase in good quality air days.

The report raises concerns with how long it takes DEQ to process self-monitoring reports from state polluters and staying on top of industries to submit those reports. Langley says…

Cut 14 (10) “…risk.” 

Another complaint in the report: the amount of time it takes to issue enforcement actions against air quality violators has more than doubled since 2008, and DEQ doesn’t keep up with whether pollution fines are being paid once issued. Langley says disagreed with many of those conclusions…

Cut 15 (10)“…arm”

The report concludes that a large part of the department’s problem is due to low staffing, including a 15 percent decline in air quality monitoring positions since 2008, high workloads, and frequent staff turnover.

___________________________________________-

The LSU men’s basketball team will look to stop a two-game losing streak tonight when they visit Texas A-and-M. The Tigers topped the Aggies earlier this season 77-54, but Coach Will Wade still looks at A-and-M has a tough matchup because of their height and physical play…

Cut 16 (20) “us the most”

The Tigers are coming off an 82-69 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. Before that game, the Bayou Bengals were bounced by Alabama 105-75. Wade on what the Tigers need to improve on…

Cut 17 (12) “..same old story”

Javonte Smart and Cam Thomas are two guys who didn’t shoot the ball well in losses to Alabama and Kentucky. Wade expects they will bounce back soon…

Cut  18 (18) “…be fine”

Smart was held to six points versus Kentucky.

Four girls have been charged in connection with the stabbing death of a 15-year-old girl at a Walmart in Lake Charles. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Baton Rouge Judge rules against Central Pastor Tony Spell’s attempt to throw out his charges on 1^st Amendment grounds. Spell faces six charges of breaking public gathering capacity during the pandemic. Spell did not attend the hearing because he refuses to wear a mask in the courtroom when he learned of the ruling he said quote “You just ruled against God, so you get ready for the judgment of God.”

State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting death of an alleged stabbing suspect at a Slidell gas station Sunday night. Trooper Jeremey Price says Slidell Police and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the initial call of a stabbing, the shooting involving officer happened in the parking lot.

Cut 7 (11) “…the scene.”

43-year-old Caleb McCree is the name of the shooting victim.

LSU will be well represented at Super Bowl 55. Six former Tigers are playing, three on each of the Chiefs and Buccaneers. One of them is LSU star running back Leonard Fournette who’s been a big piece of the puzzle that’s landed Buc’s QB Tom Brady in his 10^th Super Bowl. The New Orleans native is appreciative of the opportunity he’s had…

Cut 11 (09) “…has changed.”

Starting today we’ll have another round of drive-thru vaccinations by LSU Health Shreveport at the Shreveport Fairgrounds.

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Matt Doyle”  

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is running for chair of the Louisiana Republican Party. Harris most recently ran for the 5^th Congressional district seat and lost the December runoff to Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who died weeks later from COVID. Harris said the party needs a “culture change” and that he wants to bring “consistency and stability” to the leadership. He’s challenging incumbent chair Louis Gurvich.

A 15-year-old girl was stabbed in the Lake Charles Walmart Saturday and four girls, ranging in ages 12 to 14 have been arrested. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this is the third homicide in six months in Calcasieu Parish that involved juveniles. He says it will take more than law enforcement to end this cycle of children committing violent crimes…

Cut 5  (08) “..to do that.” 

The incident played out on social media.

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has gone from being cut by the Jaguars to one win away from being a Super Bowl champion. Fournette had a rocky three-year run in Jacksonville that included injuries, a one-game suspension, and getting arrested in 2019 for driving on a suspended driver’s license. While the rest of his Tampa Bay teammates were celebrating Sunday, Fournette called his parents…

Cut 10 (12) “…in the playoff.”

Four girls ranging from the ages of 12 to 14 are under arrest in connection with the fatal stabbing of a 15-year-old girl inside a Walmart in Lake Charles on Saturday night. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says one of the juveniles is charged with second-degree murder and the three other girls are charged with principal to second-degree murder. The sheriff is pleading with parents to monitor what their children are doing over their phone…

Cut 4 (05) “…or not” 

Mancuso says the incident played out on social media.

State Police are investigating the officer-involved shooting death 43-year old Caleb McCree, an alleged stabbing suspect at a Slidell gas station Sunday night. Trooper Jeremey Price says Slidell Police and St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to the call.

Cut 6 (12) “…effect”

McCree was declared dead on the scene.

LSU Health Shreveport is doing another round of drive-thru vaccinations at the Shreveport Fairgrounds for those 70 and over and who have appointments. Director of Vaccine Distribution Dr. John Vanchiere says there’s still only enough vaccine for those most at risk right now, which is why only those born before this date in 1951 are eligible

Cut 14 (11) “…push.” 

Former LSU running back Leonard Fournette has gone from being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars to one win away from being a Super Bowl champion. Fournette has helped the Buccaneers reach Super Bowl 55. He was picked up by Tampa Bay after the Jaguars released him in August.

Cut 9 (14) “…playing out.”