6:30 LRN Newscast December 15

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing Congress to approve a 748-billion dollar coronavirus aid package that would restart 300-dollar federally boosted unemployment checks, another round of P-P-P, and more. Cassidy says this bill reflects weeks of good-faith negotiations from Republicans and Democrats…
cut 7 (07) “….caucus”
The legislation does not include another stimulus check for Americans. It remains unclear if the bill can be approved this year.

The attorneys for Aaron Bowman spoke on the steps of the state capitol yesterday seeking justice for Bowman who was allegedly beaten with a flashlight in the head by a State Police trooper outside of his him in Monroe. Last week State Police announced the arrest of trooper Jacob Brown, but Bowman’s personal attorney Donecia Banks-Miley says there were other officers involved…
cut 6 (12) “….did nothing”

Pennington Biomedical Research Center wants to get to the bottom of why exercise helps some people a lot more than others. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

AM Newscall Dec 15

Aaron Bowman, a Black man from Monroe, and his attorneys are calling for justice and transparency in what they say is police brutality. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A 748 billion dollar COVID relief bill has taken shape in D.C. after extensive negotiations involving a bipartisan group of more moderate Senators and House members. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Pennington Biomedical Research Center wants to get to the bottom of why exercise helps some people a lot more than others. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Aaron Bowman and his attorneys held a press conference at the state Capitol Monday demanding justice and transparency after state trooper Jacob Brown was arrested last week for excessive force during Bowman’s traffic stop in May of 2019. Baton Rouge Attorney Ronald Haley says Bowman, a black man, was beaten in the head with a police-grade flashlight.

Cut 4 (11) “…spectators.”

Bowman received stitches in his head from the flashlight,  suffered broken ribs, a fractured arm, and psychological damage.

Bowman was pulled from his car during a traffic stop in front of his Monroe home two weeks after Ronald Greene, another black man, who was allegedly beaten and left unattended in a trooper vehicle where he later died in May of last year. Bowman, who was visibly emotional and says he feared for his life.

Cut 5 (09) “…flashlight.”

LSP investigated the incident after Bowman’s attorneys filed a lawsuit this year, Brown was arrested last week for battery and malfeasance in office.

Bowman’s personal attorney Donecia Banks-Miley says they want evidence of Bowman’s beating released and demand that other officers who also participated and witnessed the brutality be held accountable.

Cut 6 (12) “…did nothing.”

Trooper Brown was assisting the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s Office when the incident occurred.

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A fully realized bipartisan COVID relief bill has finally materialized, a 748 billion dollar piece of legislation with a 160 billion dollar additional option that includes funding for state and local governments.

The core 748 billion dollar block of funding would restart 300 dollar federally boosted unemployment checks, include another round of PPP, and more. Senator Bill Cassidy celebrated it…

Cut 7 (07)  “…caucus.”

No additional stimulus check was included in the bill.

Cassidy says the 160 billion dollar option will largely hinge on whether an agreement can be made over a potential liability shield that would protect businesses from COVID-related lawsuits.

Cut 8 (05) “…liability.”

Should the 160 billion dollar package be passed Cassidy says it would be fairly apportioned to states and municipalities based on size, and not be allowed for use in paying down pension funds.

Cut 9 (08) “…funding.”

The bill had the backing of 12 Senators but it’s unclear if it will be able to garner majority support.

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Pennington Biomedical is hoping to begin recruitment in February or March for a groundbreaking study into why some people benefit from exercise more than others.

Director of Biomedical Imaging Dr. Owen Carmichael says many who exercise just don’t see results. The study hopes to figure out the genetics behind that.

Cut 10 (10) “…out with.”

The study is a national effort that will take place at five sites across the country, Baton Rouge being one of them.

Carmichael says at the end of the study they hope to be able to tailor exercise programs to individuals just by studying their genetics and giving them a report.

Cut 11 (10) “…versa.”

Around 375 people total will be enrolled across all five sites for the four-year study. Carmichael says they’re looking for participants from all age groups along with folks of varying levels of physical fitness.

Cut 12 (09) “…things.”

This research is coming thanks to a 2.5 million dollar National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging grant.

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Imagine being able to perform a COVID self-test at home and finding out the results within minutes. Researchers at Tulane University have created just that, a test that uses your own smartphone to give you results. Dr. Tony Hu, Chair of Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane says the saliva-based test has a 97-percent accuracy rate.

Cut 13 (08) “…or negative.”

The test must receive FDA approval first and Dr. Hu says a salvia test much easier, less invasive, and more consistent than a nasal swab. Dr. Hu says the cost will be minimal.

Cut 14 (07) “…everyone has.” 

Dr. Hu says the chip which is included in the testing kit can be used multiple times and, in the future, they hope to expand the smartphone testing platform so you can self-test for other common illnesses.

Cut 15 (09)“…the flu.”

Dr. Hu says he hopes the test will be available in three to six months.

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron gives credit to the players for digging in and coming up with the effort to upset Florida this past Saturday. Orgeron says they wanted to represent LSU the right way

Cut 16 (25) “…our team.”

This Saturday, LSU will host Ole Miss, with a chance at finishing the year with a 5-and-5 record. The Rebels are 4-and-4 under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Orgeron says he respects Kiffin’s knowledge of the game. The two served on the same staff at USC and Tennessee…

cut 17 (17) “…respect for him.”

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Saints Coach Sean Payton does not like what he saw on the game film from Sunday’s upset loss to Philadelphia.

cut  18 (19) “…that game.”

After allowing the Eagles to run the football all over them, Payton says they would have done some things differently in the 24-21 defeat to Philadelphia…

cut 19 (19) “…you did well.”

Usually, Payton doesn’t single out a player’s poor performance, but he did so Monday, calling on starting guard Andrus Peat to give him more…

cut 20 (09) “….working here.”

5:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

Frontline Health care workers began receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand at Ochsner’s Hospital in Jefferson Parish for the historic occasion. Edwards says this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic…
cut 4 (08) “….here
Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner reminded those who were vaccinated today to follow up in 21 days with the second shot to receive maximum protection which has been shown to be 95-percent effective with the booster shot.
Cut 8 (09) “…that yet.”

Health care workers at Shreveport’s Willis Knighton Hospital were also vaccinated today.

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors cast their ballots for President Donald Trump at the Capitol today. States across the country are certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win. With that happening, State GOP Chairman Louis Gervich looked towards the future…

Cut 9 (12) “.Republic.”

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week today for their performance in the Tigers upset 37-34 win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The 19-year-old says he felt comfortable running the offense…

cut 12 (10) “…great game for us”

Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal in the final minute.

430 PM LRN News

This morning the first frontline healthcare workers in Louisiana received the Pfizer COVID vaccine, a historic moment marking a major step forward in fighting the pandemic. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand at the Ochsner Jefferson Parish campus where the first vaccines of the day were administered. He says this is the beginning of the end of COVID-19…

Cut 3 (06)  “..now.”

But he warns it will be another six months before it is available to the general public.

One of the first to be vaccinated was Dr. Obinna Nnedu (Oh-bee Nah-doo) an Infectious Disease Senior Physician at Ochsner. After getting his shot Ndedu walked up to the mic and assured people that it is highly effective…

Cut 7 (12) “…safe.”

Roughly 40 percent of Americans polled last week according to Pew say they wouldn’t take the vaccine right now.

Electors for the Electoral College met in State Capitols across the country today to cast their votes for the next President. It’s a foregone conclusion that Joe Biden will get enough votes to win nationally but Louisiana’s eight electors all cast their ballots for Donald Trump, and state Republican Party member Ross Little Jr. noted the Trump campaign visited Louisiana in 2016 during the great flood despite it not being a battleground.

Cut 10 (06) “…greatly.”

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week for their performance in the Tigers’ upset win over Florida. Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal and also made two other field goals. York is glad he had the chance to make history

Cut 14 (09) “…pretty awesome” 

Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three scores.

3:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic moment for Louisiana as the first frontline healthcare workers in the state were given the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The state reported 1,022 new COVID 19 cases today and 27 fatalities. Hospitalizations are currently at 1,527.

And 8 electoral votes were officially cast at the state capitol this morning for President Trump who won the majority vote in Louisiana.

The first COVID-19 vaccine for the state was administered this morning at Ochsner Health in New Orleans.  Dr. Leonardo Seoane (Swani), a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician who also oversaw clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine was the first to be inoculated on this historic day.

Cut 6 (12) “…community.”

According to the CDC, Blacks, American Indians, and Latinos are 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID compared to whites.

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week for their performance in the Tigers’ upset win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three scores, the 19-year old has come off the bench in several games, but this was his first start…

Cut 13 (07)“…for me”

 

Cade York was named Special Teams player of the week.

2:30 LRN Newscast

Frontline Health care workers began receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand at Ochsner’s Hospital in Jefferson Parish for the historic occasion. Edwards says this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic…
cut 4 (08) “….here
Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner reminded those who were vaccinated today to follow up in 21 days with the second shot to receive maximum protection which has been shown to be 95-percent effective with the booster shot.
Cut 8 (09) “…that yet.”
Health care workers at Shreveport’s Willis Knighton Hospital were also vaccinated today.

Louisiana’s eight electors officially cast their votes for President Donald Trump as every state’s Electoral College meets today. The electors also adopted a resolution commending President Trump’s four years in office…
cut 11 (10) “….wall”
Today’s proceedings will result in President-Elect Joe Biden formally being named the 46th president in waiting.

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week today for their performance in the Tigers upset 37-34 win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The 19-year-old says he felt comfortable running the offense…
cut 12 (10) “…great game for us”
Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal in the final minute.

130 PM LRN News

It’s a momentous day in Louisiana as the first COVID vaccinations are administered to healthcare workers.

cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

A salt mine collapse in Iberia Parish leaves two workers still unaccounted for. Early reports indicate a roof collapsed at Cargill’s Avery Island Salt Mine earlier this morning and 16 other employees who were in the structure have been found so far but the facility and surrounding area has been shut down while the search continues for the others.

Many in the state are celebrating the historic first non-trial vaccination of a Louisianan but Governor Edwards is warning you that it may be awhile before the general public gets a shot…

Cut 5  (09) “…priority” 

First up this week will be frontline COVID facing healthcare workers. Up next, once the Moderna vaccine is approved, will be nursing home staff and residents along with EMT first responders.

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors cast their ballots for President Donald Trump at the Capitol today. States across the country are certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win. With that happening, State GOP Chairman Louis Gervich looked towards the future…

Cut 9 (12) “.Republic.”

Biden is expected to end the day with 306 electoral votes.

12:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

After meeting at the state capitol today it’s now official the 8 electoral votes have been cast for President Trump who won the majority of the vote in the state.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic moment for Louisiana as the first frontline healthcare workers in the state were given the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

And the state reports 1,022 new COVID 19 cases today and 27 fatalities. Hospitalizations are currently at 1,527 and 147 of those patients are on ventilators.

At Ochsner Health in New Orleans this morning the first round of Pfizer COVID vaccinations began among healthcare workers. Dr. Obinna Nnedu (Oh-bee Nah-doo) an Infectious Disease Senior Physician at Ochsner was among the first to be inoculated, he wanted to reassure the public that might be apprehensive about the vaccine.

Cut 7 (12) “…safe.”

Louisiana is in the midst of a third major wave of COVID cases and medical professionals are begging the public to recommit to masking and social distancing before they run out of healthcare capacity. Shreveport based Willis Knighton Dr. Jennifer Prime is one of them. She says to date she has cared for 750 COVID patients and lost 92 of them.

Cut 13 (12) “…offer.”

Healthcare workers at Willis Knighton began receiving COVID vaccinations this morning.

1130 AM LRN News

Governor John Bel Edwards was on-site at Ochsner’s Jefferson Parish campus this morning as the first Pfizer COVID vaccinations were administered in Louisiana. Edwards called it a historic moment.

Cut 3 (06)  “..now.”

The state received thousands of doses Sunday and by Wednesday will have received 39,000 doses total. At Ochsner they anticipate vaccinating 88 percent of their COVID unit staff this week.

The first person in the state to be vaccinated at that location Dr. Leonardo Seone (Swani), a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician who also oversaw clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine.

Cut 6 (12) “…community.”

The vaccine won’t be available to the general public for about another five to six months.

Vaccinations may have begun but the pandemic is certainly not over. Shreveport based Willis Knighton Dr. Jennifer Prime asks everyone to keep up their mitigation actions until their time comes for a shot, because she sees people are starting to get lax…

Cut 15 (07)“…their life.”

In this hour Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors are meeting at the Capitol in the Senate Chamber to cast their votes for President Donald Trump. Two of the electors received at large appointments by the state GOP while the other six represent each of Louisiana’s six Congressional Districts. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta represents the 1st District…

Cut 4 (08) “…electors.”

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to end the day with 306 electoral votes and be named the next President of the United States. President Donald Trump won the state with 58 percent of the vote.

10:30 LRN Newscast Dec 14

COVID-19 Immunizations are underway in Louisiana this morning. Governor Edwards and others observed the first dose be administered at Ochsner in New Orleans. Director of Pharmacy at Ochsner Health, Heater Maturin, says when the vaccines arrived, they were frozen solid at negative 94-degrees…

Cut 9 (11) “…concentration.”

79,000 doses are to arrive in the state this month and be administered to frontline healthcare workers.

 

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors will meet today at 11:30 AM at the Capitol to cast their votes for President Donald Trump. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta who represents District 1 says barring any action by the US Supreme Court we should have an official accounting of who the next President will be today.

Cut 6 (07) “…vote”

As cases surge across the state in Shreveport Willis-Knighton Doctor Jennifer Prime plead with residents to mask up and socially distance to stop the spread…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

 

LSP is in investigating an officer-involved shooting in Woodworth that happened early Sunday morning. A Woodworth Police Officer pulled over 30-year-old Quentin Terrell of Cottonport for speeding on Robinson Bridge Road and during the traffic stop an altercation occurred. Terrell was shot by police and taken to a local hospital.