The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by Saturday. Over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

There are currently 249-thousand people eligible to receive the vaccine and that group includes health care workers but starting Monday another 649-thousand will be eligible in group 1B.

The City of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice with hurricanes in 2020. Mayor Nic Hunter says recovery efforts have come a long way in four months, however…

Cut 9 (09) “…recovered.”

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

And distributed more than 56-million PPE items and 4,500 PPE delivery missions.

The 87th annual Sugar Bowl is tonight in New Orleans and it’s a much different event this year due to the pandemic. Ohio State and Clemson will play in the national semifinal game and Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley says only three-thousand fans will be in attendance and none of their other events will take place

Cut 12 (09) “…of town.”

Sugar Bowl kicks off 7PM tonight in New Orleans for its 87^th annual game. Ohio State and Clemson play in a revenge game for the Buckeyes who were denied last year by the Tigers. Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley…

Cut 13 (15) “…more exciting.”

Unfortunately due to the pandemic, all those fun pre-game activities down in New Orleans had to be canceled and only 3,000 fans will be allowed in to see the game in person.

LA Tech, ULM and the Cajuns all open up conference basketball play today. Tech’s looking strong on a three-game win streak sitting at 7 and 2 and takes on Marshall at 6:30 in Ruston. Monroe’s had a rough year so far and is riding a three-game losing streak into their home game against Arkansas State at 6 PM. After getting hammered by number two Baylor to start the season UL Lafayette has run up six wins in a row heading into their game today at home against Texas State.

After a record-tying six rushing touchdowns in an NFL game what will Saints running back Alvin Kamara do for an encore this Sunday when New Orleans closes out the regular season at Carolina? Kamara says he has not reflected much on his historic Christmas Day performance…

Cut 15 (15)“…accomplish”

Kamara is averaging a historic five yards a carry and 932 total rushing yards so far this year to go along with 756 yards through the air and 21 total touchdowns.

Despite seeing their leading man Brandon Ingram ejected in the 3^rd quarter the Pelicans rolled over the Thunder 113-80, putting them back above .500 on the year. It was a real team performance this time with Brandon Ingram out early and Zion Williamson limited due to foul trouble. Five other Pels besides the team’s big two put up double-digit points.

Starting Monday, more Louisianans will be eligible to get a Moderna COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and masks will be required by the family. The funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 will be remembered for the pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura caused massive destruction in southwest Louisiana and at least 28 deaths in the state were attributed to the hurricane. There was also Delta in the second week of October and Zeta which made landfall in Terrebonne Parish a few days before Halloween

Cut 7 (07) …October 28th”

And dicey weather is not finished yet for 2020 much of southwest Louisiana is under a Tornado Watch until 9pm tonight as severe weather makes it thru the state.

The casinos’ industry also took a hit in 2020 with forced closures for almost two months, reduced capacity, and one casino even shut their doors for good.  Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the state will suffer from the loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…100-million.” 

Starting Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and up and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards says this new “Group 1B” includes about 640,000 people on top of the 250,000 people who are currently eligible.
Cut 9 (09) “…simultaneously.”

Many Louisianans are anxious to ring in the new year and might celebrate by lighting fireworks. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says with severe weather in the forecast be sure you light fireworks 200 feet away from your property…

cut 4 (08) “…around.”

Severe weather is a threat for areas across the state tonight, especially for parishes south of Alexandria. A large portion of southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM.

It’s been an unlucky year for the casino industry, Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says even though gaming numbers have rebound up to 85-percent, non-gaming revenue losses from concerts, restaurants, and bars, have the industry struggling.

Cut 13 (07)“…sectors”

Duty says the state will have a loss of more than $100-million in casino revenue.

In addition to COVID, 2020 will be remembered for hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura left a major mark on the state when it made landfall in Cameron Parish on August 27th as a strong Category Four with 150 mile per hour winds
Cut 6 (09) “..170 years.”

And that area of the state is under a severe weather threat. A large portion of southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM.

Louisiana is set to receive more COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and people 70-years and older will be eligible to get the vaccine next week. The vaccines will be sent to about 100 pharmacies across the state and Governor John Bel Edwards says you’ll have to get an appointment to receive one…
cut 10 (10) “…group”
Edwards says a list of the pharmacies that will have the vaccines will be published on the Louisiana Department of Health’s website on Monday.

Outside of COVID-19, hurricanes were the big story in Louisiana in 2020. A record-setting five named storms made landfall in the Bayou State this year and there were a record-breaking 30 named storms. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s highly unlikely the 2021 hurricane season will match what we saw this year…
cut 8 (14) “….improbable”

Casinos in Louisiana were cold in 2020 with the pandemic and competition from other states. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 2 (32) ….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s a severe weather threat tonight especially for areas south of Alexandria. A large portion of south Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM.

The funeral for late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has been set for 2 PM on Saturday at the North Monroe Baptist Church.

The family of late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow says they are heartbroken over the death of the 41-year-old from Richland Parish. Letlow’s wife, Julia, released a statement today, two days after Letlow’s death from COVID-19. She says they are grateful for all that he achieved in a life defined by service to others.

Starting Monday, more Louisianans will be eligible to get a Moderna COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”

It’s been a tough year for the Louisiana casino industry that saw their gambling halls shut down for nearly two months and limited capacity restrictions for much of the year. But Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says casinos are anxious for legal sports betting to take place in Louisiana, but the state legislature has to approve regulations and a tax structure.
Cut 14 (10) “…realistic one.”

There are many Louisiana residents who are ready to ring in a new year with fireworks tonight. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue is urging the public to never light fireworks when you are impaired and light them on a non-combustible surface, like concrete or asphalt.
cut 3 (11) “…your hand.”
The weather will create a challenge for those looking to light fireworks, a tornado watch is in effect until 9 Pm for much of south and central Louisiana.

On Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and older and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards warns this is just the beginning of vaccinations for this new group so it may take you a while to get an appointment to receive one.

Cut 11 (11) “..week.”

He notes once we receive more vaccines the next group up will be essential workers like teachers and grocery store employees.

For those ringing in 2021 with fireworks, State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue urges you to do so safely. She says never use fireworks when you are impaired, light them only on a steady non-combustible surface for like concrete or asphalt 200 feet away from property. When finished wet them down before disposal.

Cut 5  (04) “…your home.” 

And never allow children to handle fireworks.

2020 will be remembered for the pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura caused massive destruction in southwest Louisiana and at least 28 deaths in the state were attributed to the hurricane. There was also Delta in the second week of October and Zeta which made landfall in Terrebonne Parish a few days before Halloween

Cut 7 (07) …October 28th”

The casinos’ industry also took a hit in 2020 with forced closures for almost two months, reduced capacity, and one casino even shut their doors for good.  Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the state will suffer from the loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…100-million.” 

Non-gaming losses include revenue from concerts, restaurants, and bars at casino venues.

Louisiana is set to receive more COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and people 70-years and older will be eligible to get the vaccine next week. The vaccines will be sent to about 100 pharmacies across the state and Governor John Bel Edwards says you’l have to get an appointment to receive one…
cut 10 (10) “…group”
Edwards says a list of the pharmacies that will have the vaccines will be published on the Louisiana Department of Health’s website on Monday.

There are many people in Louisana anxious to ring in a new year by lighting fireworks. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says rain is in the forecast so make sure you light fireworks 200 feet away from your property…
cut 4 (08) “….around”

There’s the potential for severe weather today as 2020 wants to take one last jab at the state. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Starting Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and up and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards says this new “Group 1B” includes about 640,000 people on top of the 250,000 people who are currently eligible.
Cut 9 (09) “..simultaneously”
According to the state’s coronavirus dashboard, nearly 38-thousand COVID vaccines have been administered.

According to Triple-A, road travel is down 24-percent this holiday season. But Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says experts are growing confident that travel numbers will rebound in 2021 as the COVID vaccines become more readily available…
cut 15 (10) “….going in”

2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura left a major mark on the state when it made landfall in Cameron Parish on August 27th as a strong Category four with 150 mile per hour winds
Cut 6 (09) “..170 years.”
Keim says it’s highly unlikely the 2021 hurricane season will match what we saw this year

There are many Louisiana residents who are ready to ring in a new year with fireworks tonight. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue is urging the public to never light fireworks when you are impaired and light them on a non-combustible surface, like concrete or asphalt.
Cut 3 (11) “…your hand.”
Also never allow children to handle fireworks, even sparklers.

Most of Louisiana is under an enhanced severe weather threat for the final day of 2020. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cyclone is expected to form along the Texas coast this morning and travel northward into Oklahoma bringing severe weather to the Bayou State.

Cut 4 (11) “…high wind.”

The defining fight of 2020 state politics was House Republicans attempting to override the Governor’s public health restrictions using a little-known petition process but have been, so far, denied by the courts. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 10 (10) “…magnified.”

Baton Rouge Judge William Morvant rejected the effort, which was brought to court by Attorney General Jeff Landry, in November but last week was ordered by the State Supreme Court to revisit the case in 2021.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s surprising COVID-related death at 41 cut short the life of one of the state’s fastest climbing young political figures. Matt Doyle spoke with Letlow earlier this month ahead of his 5^th District runoff …

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

State police are investigating the apparent suicide of one of their own. State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says Trooper August McKay has died by suicide at his Washington Parish home amid a criminal investigation into possible drug activity. McKay is the same Trooper accused of calling a colleague a racial slur.