State lawmakers hear testimony on how the university helped cover up sex crimes committed by former running back Derrius Guice. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (35) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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If you feel your social media account was banned or limited due to your politics new legislation would allow you to sue the company responsible. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The woman who has accused former running back Derius Guice of raping her while she was an LSU student told state lawmakers her story on how the school failed to follow up on her claim. Former LSU tennis player Abby Owens said her Dad told tennis coach Julia Sell what happened, but Owens said Sell called her a liar

Cut 3 (09)  “…be believed.”  

Owens says she felt unvalued and unprotected and left LSU. She also says she battled drugs and alcohol and depression after the assault. Owens says she has learned that Coach Sell reported the accusation to senior Associate A-D Miriam Seger, but the case was never fully investigated…

Cut 4 (10) “…came after.” 

Guice’s football career ended last year when he was arrested on domestic violence charges in Virginia. He has denied doing anything wrong while at LSU.

Samantha Brennan also testified before legislators and told her story of Guice allegedly taking a nude photo of her and distributing it to other members of the football team. She was asked by LSU officials if she wanted to report it officially or unofficially, which she felt was a lot of pressure on a 19-year-old…

Cut 5  (09)  “…someone’s life” 

Brennan says she left LSU after Guice became a more prominent member of the football team…

Cut 6 (11) “…behind me”

Two LSU athletic officials have been suspended for mishandling sexual assault cases, but several lawmakers believe harsher punishments should be handed out.

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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is issuing an alert to aquarium owners that moss ball products could be contaminated and if not disposed of properly could cause havoc on pipes and the ecosystem. LDWF”s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois on how you might accidentally have them.

Cut 7 (10) “…with those”

Zebra mussels can clog pipes, damage boats, and even damage the ecosystem.

Bourgeois says not only can zebra mussels can destroy the filtration system in your aquarium but if released…

Cut 8 (04) “…fisheries.”

Be sure to check your aquarium for potential zebra mussel contamination. Bourgeois says you can visit the LDWF website for photos and guidance on how to dispose of them safely.

Cut 9 (12) “…rid of it”

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Legislation is filed that would allow you to take social media companies to court if they ban or restrict your account in a biased manner.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says he’s had tons of constituents voice concerns to him that social media companies are discriminating against them based on their ideology.

Cut 10 (11) “…beliefs.” 

The bill provides for civil liability in the event a service restricts user’s accounts based on their race, gender, political ideology, or religious beliefs.

Under the bill, if you feel your social media account was unfairly targeted you could take the company to court and potentially win 50,000 dollars in damages per violation.

Cut 11 (09) “…mine.”

The legislation would also allow you to recoup court costs, fees, and attorney’s fees.

Opponents of the legislation say social media companies have a right to dictate what content their platforms host, but Harris says there’s already precedent for this type of regulation.

Cut 12 (11) “ …of that” 

The bill will be heard in the regular session that begins April 12.

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AARP’s latest dashboard indicates COVID infections and deaths are declining in nursing homes in Louisiana based on the case and fatality numbers from mid-January to mid-February. However, AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says we are not out of the woods yet.

Cut 13 (08)“…of 2020.”

New COVID infections among residents dropped from the previous 4-week period to 1,521 to 643 and deaths dropped from 347 to 183.

Cut 14 (09) “…system.” 

COVID cases among staff dropped from 1,391 to 584.

Bottcher says they expect to continue to see case numbers and COVID deaths decline in nursing homes in the next dashboard and that the vaccines have been performed in all facilities to those who wished to be vaccinated.

Even as case numbers begin to decline, Bottcher says facilities must be diligent about testing.

Cut 15 (12) “…variant.” 

Bottcher says the pandemic has made staffing issues even worse at nursing homes. Currently, 32-percent of facilities report a shortage of staff.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a policy today allowing nursing home residents who have been vaccinated the ability to receive hugs from others who have completed their vaccines but should remain masked and use hand sanitizer to counterbalance the risk.

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State lawmakers hear testimony on how the university helped cover up sex crimes committed by former running back Derrius Guice….

Cut 1 (35) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

President Joe Biden signs the 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Act, a sweeping spending package that includes 1,400 dollar stimulus checks, a substantially expanded child tax credit, extended enhanced unemployment checks, a restaurant and bar rescue fund, state aid, vaccine funding, and more. 

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is issuing an alert to aquarium owners that moss ball products could be contaminated and if not disposed of properly could cause havoc on pipes and the ecosystem. LDWF”s Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinator Rob Bourgeois on how you might accidentally have them.

Cut 7 (10) “…with those”

Zebra mussels can clog pipes, damage boats, and even damage the ecosystem.

AARP’s latest dashboard indicates COVID infections and deaths are declining in nursing homes in Louisiana based on the case and fatality numbers from mid-January to mid-February. However, AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says we are not out of the woods yet.

Cut 13 (08)“…of 2020.”

A former LSU tennis player who was allegedly raped by former LSU running back Derius Guice spoke to lawmakers yesterday about how the school failed to take her claim seriously. Abby Owens Abby Owens said her Dad told tennis coach Julia Sell what happened, but Owens said Sell called her a liar and when the incident was reported to Associate A-D Miriam Seger it was never investigated.

Cut 4 (10) “…came after.” 

Legislation is filed that would allow you to take social media companies to court if they ban or restrict your account in a biased manner. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says he’s had tons of constituents voice concerns to him that social media companies are discriminating against them based on their ideology.

Cut 10 (11) “…families.” 

LDH says of those who’ve received one dose of the COVID vaccine so far, only 25-percent are Black. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…Brooke Thorington”

In the latest cost-cutting move, the New Orleans Saints have released veteran cornerback Janoris Jenkins.  Jenkins started 15 games for the Saints last season and was on track to make 11.2 million dollars in salary and bonuses for the upcoming season, 1.2 million of which was guaranteed.  This move will save the team at least 7 million dollars against the salary cap and could save an additional $3 million if the move is designated as a post-June 1 release.

The LSU baseball team got a win last night against UNO on the road 5-0, it comes just one day after the Tigers took down Texas Southern in another mid-week game.  Freshman Tre’ Morgan continued his success at the plate as he went 3-4 with 2 RBI’s.  Cade Beloso had a solid night as well, batting 2-3 with RBI’s as well.  Pitcher Will Hellmers was given the win after throwing five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.  The Tigers improved to 11-3 with the win.

The Ragin Cajuns dropped their midweek game on the diamond to number-two ranked Mississippi State last night 4-0.  The Cajuns actually outhit the Bulldogs, but were unable to score any runs as State pitcher Houston Harding earned 8 strikeouts in five shutout innings.

Minute 2

The New Orleans Pelicans are back in action for the first time since the All-star break as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight at 7 p.m.  The Pels come into the matchup with a 15-21 overall record while the T-Wolves come into New Orleans with a 7-29 mark.

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team will begin Conference Tournament play today against Florida Atlantic.  The Bulldogs have three players that average around 11 points per game in Isaiah Crawford, Kalob Ledoux, and Kenneth Lofton Jr.  Head coach Eric Konkol says opponents can’t focus on one particular player which makes them harder to defend.

Cut 19 (14) “strong suits”

Southern and Grambling will face off in the SWAC Conference Basketball Tournament quarterfinals in Birmingham, Alabama tonight.  These two teams split the regular-season series at one win apiece. Tipoff is set for 8:30 p.m.

The UNO basketball team took down Southeastern Louisiana 80-63 in the second round of the Southland conference tournament.  New Orleans has won six of its last seven and will play Northwestern State today at 5 p.m.

The woman who has accused former running back Derius Guice of raping her while she was an LSU student told state lawmakers her story on how the school failed to follow up on her claim. Former LSU tennis player Abby Owens said her Dad told tennis coach Julia Sell what happened, but Owens said Sell called her a liar

Cut 3 (09)  “…be believed.”  

According to the state department of health among only a quarter of those who’ve received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine, so far are Black. Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity at LDH, Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson they are working to establish trust in the community and offer an opportunity for a conversation with Blacks who have doubts about the vaccine.

Cut 6 (11) “…downplaying that.”

Most parents will receive a significantly larger child tax credit as a result of the stimulus plan set to be signed by the President. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Every member of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation voted against the President’s one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief bill, even though most Americans will receive a 14-hundred dollar payment from the federal government. The Republican delegation says the legislation contains a lot of wasteful spending.

State lawmakers grilled LSU officials about the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct and assault cases documented in the Husch Blackwell report. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan was asked by Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow if the school has reached out to assault victims it once ignored…

Cut 13 (14) “…person.”

Galligan was not President during the period covered by the report.

According to the state department of health only a quarter of those who have received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine, so far are Black. Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity at LDH, Dr. Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they are working to counter hesitancy among blacks to be vaccinated.

Cut 4 (08)“…numbers.”

The 1.9 trillion-dollar American Rescue Act contains a significant, one-year expansion of the child tax credit. Parents are now eligible to receive up to 3,600 dollars per child five and under and 3,000 dollars per child age six to sixteen. Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Director Susan East Nelson calls it a landmark policy.

Cut 9 (08) “….children”

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has voted in favor of teacher and support staff pay raises along with $40-million in aid to public schools. BESE Member Doris Voitier (Vo-chey) expenses have increased, and many school systems anticipate a decrease in local funding.

Cut 12 (09) “…pandemic. ”

BESE has also requested if the legislature finds more money that they return the request to BESE so they can offer more in teacher pay raises.

The state health department says of those who’ve received one dose of the COVID vaccine so far, only 25-percent are Black. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…Brooke Thorington”

A state health official tells the Advocate that between 80 to 90 percent of the population is now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine now that the state has opened the eligibility requirements to anyone over the age of 16 who also has a medical condition, including being overweight. Smokers are also eligible too.

Female Louisiana legislators are upset with LSU that the release of the Husch Blackwell report didn’t result in any firings for the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. LSU has suspended two high-ranking athletic department officials but Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the administration’s reaction to the report doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence…
cut 16 (08) “…show that”
So far LSU is holding firm on a 30 and a 21-day suspension for Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar.

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education supports the proposed 400-dollar pay increase for teachers and a $40-million dollar increase in aid for public schools. BESE Member Doris Voitier (Vo-chey)…
Cut 10 (07) “…warranted.”
The state legislature will make the final decision on whether teachers will get a raise and if public education should get additional funding.

LSU officials were taken to task by lawmakers Wednesday over the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Remember back in November when LSU receiver Koy Moore posted on social media that he was handled aggressively and felt violated after he was told to unzip his pants because three Baton Rouge police officers wanted to check for a weapon. Baton Rouge TV stations are reporting those officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The coronavirus relief bill approved by Congress will result in families receiving a three-thousand dollar tax credit for each child and if the child is five and younger then it’s 36-hundred dollars. Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Director Susan East Nelson says half of that would be paid monthly starting in July and she says that could be a game-changer…
cut 8 (09) “…care”

The legislation also contains another 130-billion dollars for k-through-12 schools. BESE has already sent a resolution to the state legislature asking for a 40-million dollar increase in funding for public schools in Louisiana and the provider teachers with a 400-dollar raise. BESE member Doris Voitier says the additional federal dollars could result in higher teacher pay raises…
cut 11 (08) “…pay raises”

State lawmakers are not happy with the punishment LSU handed down towards two athletic officials for mishandling sexual abuse allegations. Two athletic administrators have been suspended, but during a legislative hearing on the issue, New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson said how can they be trusted when they return to work…
cut 14 (11) “….listened”

The state health department is trying to get more Blacks vaccinated against the coronavirus. Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity at L-D-H, Doctor Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they are holding vaccine events in locations that make it accessible to the Black community…
cut 5 (12) “…African Americans”

Most parents will receive a significantly larger child tax credit as a result of the stimulus plan set to be signed by President Biden tomorrow. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Every member of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation voted against the President’s one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief bill, even though most Americans will receive a 14-hundred dollar payment from the federal government. The Republican delegation says the legislation contains a lot of wasteful spending.