Alexandria Police have made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco, who was killed in 2004. Coco was last seen at her home two days before her body was discovered in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers says Detective Tanner Dryden was assigned to the case in 2018.

Cut 9 (09) “..the case.”

43-year-old David Burns of Boyce has been charged with second-degree murder.

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Johnson and Johnson accounts for under 4-percent of all the doses administered in Louisiana.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism. Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before events. Hewitt says she’s not aware of any in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to keep the department out of a loom budget deficit. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

The average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs

The U-S Coast Guard continues to search for a dozen people who remain missing after a commercial lift boat they were on capsized during stormy weather yesterday eight miles south of Port Fourchon. Six people were rescued.

There’s a pause on administering Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccines after six women under the age of 50 came down with blood clots, six to 13 days after their injection. None of the cases have occurred in Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says if you received the J-and-J vaccine in the last two weeks be aware of the following symptoms…
cut 9 (08) “…medical advice”

At 11 AM this morning, Republican Julia Letlow will be sworn in as Louisiana’s new representative for the fifth Congressional district, which consists of 24 parishes, mostly rural areas. Letlow says the pandemic only emphasized the district’s need for high-speed internet…
cut 11 (04) “….broadband”

The chancellor of LSU’s medical school in Shreveport, Doctor G-E Ghali, has been suspended after four employees filed federal complaints alleging he suppressed sexual harassment allegations and retaliated against faculty members who attempted to speak out. Ghali said in a statement he’s confident he’ll return to his post after a review of the allegations.

Should the National Anthem be required to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities? One lawmaker thinks so…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Thirteen people remain missing after a commercial boat capsized in rough Gulf of Mexico waters off Port Fourchon yesterday afternoon. The Coast Guard says they have rescued six people, but Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says there were 19 people on board the lift boat named Seacor Power. The Coast Guard is asking for all marine operators in the area to help in the search for the missing workers.

Legislation is expected to be filed that will seek to increase hunting and fishing license fees…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The first Republican woman from Louisiana will be sworn into Congress today. Julia Letlow will represent Louisiana’s fifth U-S House district, filling a seat that was set to be occupied by her husband, Luke Letlow, before he died from COVID-19 complications. Letlow says she will look to bring high-speed internet to rural parts of her district…
cut 12 (08) “…necessity”
Letlow will be sworn in at 11 AM central time.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill waiting to be heard in the regular session that would require the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says the Anthem is a unifying force and she recalls her first trip to a sporting event following nine-eleven…
cut 14 (08) “….our lungs”
Earlier in the NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks were not playing the national anthem before their games until Commissioner Adam Silver ordered them to do so.

The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Coast Guard reports rescuing six people but the search continues for a dozen others who were on a 129-foot commercial lift vessel that capsized yesterday afternoon eight miles south of Port Fourchon during stormy weather.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking state lawmakers to raise the price of user fees on recreational hunting and fishing licenses. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the fees have stayed the same for 20 years and says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase and they also want to consolidate the list of licenses…
cut 5 (08) “…about 30”
The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal that needs legislative approval.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill that would require the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism. She says this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.
Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

Louisiana has told COVID vaccine providers not to administer the Johnson and Johnson vaccine after six women across the country between the ages of 18 and 48 started developing blood clots six to 13 days after they were vaccinated. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says so far of the 85,000 doses of the J&J vaccine administered in Louisiana no adverse reactions have been reported and of the overall number of all vaccines administered in the state, J&J accounts for just 3.7-percent.
Cut 8 (08) “…supply issues.”
Kanter and other health officials continue to urge adults 16 and up to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

The Coast Guard reports they have rescued six of the 18 that were on a 175-foot commercial lift boat that capsized last night as a result of stormy weather eight miles south of Port Fourchon. Several vessels are involved in the search for the others.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipates the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years, and…
Cut 4 (09)“…last year.”
Montoucet says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with a more consolidated list of licenses.

Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow will be sworn into Congress this morning. She’s the first Republican female to ever serve in Congress for Louisiana and the first female since Senator Mary Landrieu in 2015. Letlow says one of her priorities is to serve on the Agriculture Committee.
Cut 10 (11) “..in 2022.”

Legislation is proposed that would up hunting and fishing license fees for both recreational and commercial users. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

Should the National Anthem be required to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities? One lawmaker thinks so…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit.

LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipates the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years, and…

Cut 4 (09)“…last year.”

Montoucet says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with a more consolidated list of licenses.

Cut 5 (08)“…about 30.”

The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal. Those who already have licenses would be grandfathered in.

Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

LDWF plans to have the legislation pushing these proposals filed sometime this week. Montoucet made the comments on Talk Louisiana Monday.

_____________________________

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Kanter says so far of the 85,000 doses of the J&J vaccine administered in Louisiana no adverse reactions have been reported and of the overall number of all vaccines administered in the state, J&J accounts for just 3.7-percent.

Cut 8 (08) “…supply issues.”

The six cases of blood clots occurred in females under the age of 50, six to thirteen days after their injection. Kanter says if you did receive the J&J vaccine in the last two weeks be aware of the following symptoms of a blood clot.

Cut 9 (08) “…medical advice.”

The CDC and FDA are meeting this week to review the six cases involving blood clots to see if they have a connection to the vaccine. Approximately 6.8 million doses of J&J have been administered in the U.S.

____________________

Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow will be sworn into Congress this morning. She’s the first Republican female to ever serve in Congress for Louisiana and the first female since Senator Mary Landrieu in 2015. Letlow says one of her priorities is to serve on the Agriculture Committee.

Cut 10 (11) “..in 2022.”

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise are members of the steering committee for assignments, and they have reserved a spot for Letlow on the Agriculture Committee.

Letlow of Start will represent the state’s 5^th Congressional district which consists of 24 parishes. It’s a predominately rural district and Letlow says the pandemic only emphasized the district’s need for high-speed internet.

Cut 11 (04) “….broadband.”

Letlow says when school-aged children needed to attend school virtually the lack of broadband made that extremely difficult and it’s holding back the region from expanding business infrastructure.

Cut 12 (07) “…necessity.”

Letlow is scheduled to be sworn in at 11 a.m.

_____________________________

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities.

Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism, and many don’t know the words to the anthem. She says this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.

Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

Hewitt says the Anthem can be a unifying force. She recalls her first trip to a professional sports game after 9/11.

Cut 14 (08) “…our lungs.”

Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before sporting events. Hewitt says she’s not aware any in Louisiana have followed suit yet.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

___________________________________________

The 13th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team is preparing to welcome Southern Miss to J-C Love Field for a four-game series that will start Friday night in Ruston. It’s a matchup of the top two teams in Conference USA’s West Division. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says it’s one of the bigger series in the program’s history

Cut 16 (21) “…any other way”

Southern Miss has won the last two Conference USA baseball tournament championships. But trail the Bulldogs for first place in the West Division this year by a game and a half. Tech took three of four from the Golden Eagles earlier this season and Burroughs knows Southern Miss will be ready to play…

Cut 17 (18) “…retain it.”

_________________________________________________

It’s Bayou Classic Week as Southern and Grambling are set to meet this Saturday in Shreveport. Usually, these two football rivals are playing in New Orleans at the Superdome during Thanksgiving weekend. Jaguars Coach Dawson Odums was asked if it feels like the Bayou Classic Week

Cut  18 (21)  “…get ready to play.”

Southern is 3-and-1 during this unique spring season, while Grambling is 0-and-3 and has not played since March 20th because of COVID issues within the program. Odums knows the Tigers are hungry for a victory

Cut 19 (13) “…for you” 

There were some early signs of positive momentum for legislation long sought after by the business community Tuesday in the House. A bill by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder that would centralize local and sales tax collection using a single board received a 14-1 approval from a House Committee crucial to the bill’s passage….

Cut 6 (10) “.. our job.”

Currently, sales tax is collected by the state as well as individual cities and parishes.

Governor Edwards continues to beat the drum on raising the minimum wage. With hopes of a Congressional increase all but dead Edwards says it’s up to lawmakers to reward essential workers who kept the state going during the pandemic…

Cut 10 (09) “..needs.” 

The minimum wage is currently 7.25 an hour.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is backing legislation to be filed later this week that would increase hunting and fishing license costs. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says they’re facing an imminent budget deficit because recreational fees haven’t increased in 20 years, commercial fees in 35 years, and…

Cut 4 (09)“…last year”

The requested increase would cost the average sportsman about ten dollars extra a year.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism and this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.

Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

With Congressional efforts to raise the federal minimum wage off the table… Governor Edwards is looking to the Legislature to increase the state’s 7.25 an hour minimum this session. In past years Edwards would put his weight behind a single bill but this time he says he’ll take any raise he can get, even if it’s below his preferred number.

Cut 9 (07) “..sign it.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s proposal to centralize Louisiana’s sales tax collection system gets positive reviews from a House committee. Shreveport Representative Tammy Phelps says she supports the idea of a centralized sales tax system, that’s easier for small businesses but she’s concerned about whether voters will understand what this proposed constitutional amendment will do.

Cut 8 (08) “…laymen terms”

The new system is designed to assure the right amount of taxes is collected.

The state department of health is following guidance from the CDC and FDA halting the use of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine and investigating a possible connection between blood clots in six women. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says this is only with the J& J vaccine this shouldn’t discourage you from being vaccinated.

Cut 4 (10) “…Pfizer vaccines.” 

Approximately 85-thousand doses of Johnson & Johnson have been administered in Louisiana with no adverse reactions reported.

The City of New Orleans will be the backdrop for the first movie production to leave the state of Georgia amid protest of the state’s new voting laws. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says the Will Smith feature, Emancipation, is moving to New Orleans. As the economic impact…

Cut 14 (10) “…update you.” 

The Chancellor of LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. GE Ghali, has been placed on administrative leave as a result of several federal EEOC complaints filed against the school alleging discrimination and sexual misconduct towards female employees by administrators and cover-ups and retaliation for reporting. Ghali says he strongly denies those allegations.

Johnson and Johnson vaccine usage in Louisiana has been put on hold after the CDC and FDA recommended pausing use after several incidents of blood clots were linked to use of the vaccine. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says six women were diagnosed with blood clots six to thirteen days after their injection.

Cut 3 (10)  “…age of 50.” 

According to the Louisiana Department of Health 85,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine have been administered in Louisiana.

Lawmakers appear to be warming to a proposal to centralize sales tax collection. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder brought the proposal to a House committee where it received positive reviews. Schexnayder proposes using a single board to collect local and sales taxes, which would make it easier on small businesses and assure the right amount of taxes is collected…

Cut 6 (10) “.. our job.”

The City of New Orleans will be the backdrop for the first movie production to leave the state of Georgia amid protest of the state’s new voting laws. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says this could be the first of many productions leaving Georgia and relocating to Louisiana.

Cut 13 (09)“…have them.”

Emancipation will be the second Apple TV production filmed in Louisiana. The Tom Hanks feature Greyhound was shot in Baton Rouge in 2019