House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Don Molino has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Don Molino.” 

_______________________________________

There’s a clause in the state constitution that allows prisoners to be treated as slaves, but legislation has been filed to change that.  Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

________________________________________

Senator John Kenney calls on all Louisiana residents to get vaccinated. He says he can’t sing very well but he has taken the vaccine and it works.

Cut 3 (12)  “…heart.” 

If you’re interested in getting vaccinated call the COVID Hotline at 855-453-0774 for a local appointment.

Cut 4 (10) “…star.” 

After finishing his rendition of Born Free Kennedy closed with a message to Louisianans…

Cut 5  (15)  “…works.”

Over 28 percent of Louisianans have received at least one dose of a vaccine so far.

_______________________________________

COVID numbers continue to stay low in Louisiana despite spikes in other parts of the country driven by new viral variants.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says percent positivity this week was only 2.3 percent, the lowest since the pandemic began, and only 301 people are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID symptoms…

Cut 6 (09) “..encouraging.”

Despite this good news Kanter is concerned the more deadly and contagious UK variant could cause us problems. The CDC estimates a minimum of 13 percent of Louisiana COVID cases is UK variant.

Cut 7 (06) “…go up.”

But our 13.4 percent of UK variant cases is much better than the rest of the county. The nationwide average is 27.2 percent, Florida is at 34.5 percent, Texas is at 25.2 percent.

Cut 8 (10) “…reduced.”

Kanter also warns the CDC variant tracking data has a several-week lag time and that unverified but likely accurate data suggests the nationwide share of UK variant is now above half of all new cases.

_____________________________________________

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says assisting those who’ve lost employment as a result of the pandemic is a priority.

Cut 9 (07) “…of work.”

Jenkins says investing in education to grow the state’s economy is also on their agenda. He says that begins with pay raises for educators and makes good on a promise to increase salaries towards the southern regional average.

Cut 10 (10) “…promise to our teachers.” 

The House Democratic Caucus also plans to address criminal justice reform. Jenkins says the caucus will file follow-up legislation for those impacted by non-unanimous jury verdicts and how to review those cases.

Jenkins says they also want to see federal funds from COVID relief awarded to frontline workers in the form of hazard pay.

Cut 11 (07) “…open.”

The session begins on Monday.

_____________________

Prison reform advocates pursue changes to the way prison labor is handled, targeting a provision of the state constitution called the “slavery exception” that relates to the nearly unpaid forced labor of Louisiana inmates. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, is working to change that. He says prisoners are paid pennies for their work.

Cut 12 (09)   “…of soap.” 

Jenkins received $12,000 from prison labor during his sentence.

Legislation has been filed to remove the slavery exception for prisoners in Louisiana.

Davis says the 13^th Amendment didn’t end slavery it codified it with a loophole allowing prison slave labor. He says if you refuse to work guards can use force against you.

Cut 13 (07)“…in those guns.”

In addition to being treated like slaves while incarcerated Davis says as a society, we also don’t understand the mental trauma that forced servitude has on prisoners.

Cut 14 (09) “…punishment.” 

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

The number of new UK variant cases in Louisiana is rising. Now up to 13.4 percent of all new COVID cases reported in the state are believed to be that more deadly and contagious variant. But our percent of variant cases is much better than the rest of the county. The nationwide average is 27.2 percent, Florida is at 34.5 percent, Texas is at 25.2 percent. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says these numbers do lag a few weeks behind but gives us a good idea of where we are…

Cut 8 (11) “…reduced”

Senator John Kennedy wants everyone in the state to get a COVID vaccine. He says he can’t sing but he is free and freely chose to get the vaccine because it works.

Cut 3 (12)  “…heart.” 

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says investing in education to grow the state’s economy is a priority. He says that begins with pay raises for educators and makes good on a promise to move salaries towards the southern regional average.

Cut 10 (10) “…teachers.” 

Prison reform advocates back an amendment ending the “slavery exception” that allows inmates to be forced to perform labor for just pennies an hour.  Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, says the 13^th Amendment didn’t end slavery it codified it with a loophole allowing prison slave labor. He says if you refuse to work guards can use force against you.

Cut 13 (07)“…those guns”

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

House Democrats release their Come Back Stronger Louisiana agenda for the upcoming legislative session. House Democratic Caucus Chair Representative Sam Jenkins says assisting those who’ve lost employment as a result of the pandemic is a priority.

Cut 9 (08) “…of work.”

Prison reform advocates pursue changes to the way prison labor is handled, targeting a provision of the state constitution called the “slavery exception” that relates to the nearly unpaid forced labor of Louisiana inmates. Executive Director of Decarcerate Louisiana Curtis Davis, who spent 25 years at Angola, is working to change that. He says prisoners are paid pennies for their work.

Cut 12 (10)   “…of soap.” 

If passed a constitutional amendment could be added to the fall 2022 ballot.

The state’s COVID test percent positivity rate was only 2.3 percent this week, the lowest since the pandemic began. Despite this good news State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter is concerned the more deadly and contagious UK variant could cause us problems. The CDC estimates a minimum of 13 percent of Louisiana COVID cases are UK variant.

Cut 7 (06) “…go up”

Louisiana’s 13.4 percent rate is still much lower than the nationwide average of 27.2 percent.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s ready to quash this pandemic once and for all by encouraging everyone in the state to get vaccinated…

Cut 5  (15)  “…works”

Over 28 percent of Louisianans have received at least one dose of a vaccine so far.

COVID numbers continue to stay low in Louisiana despite spikes in other parts of the country driven by new viral variants. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says percent positivity this week was only 2.3 percent, the lowest since the pandemic began, and only 301 people are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID symptoms…

Cut 6 (09) “..encouraging”

The CDC estimates a minimum of 13.4 percent of all new Louisiana cases are the more deadly and contagious UK variant.

With UK variant cases rising Senator John Kennedy asks all residents to go get a vaccine. He says he’s not much of a singer but he is proudly vaccinated, because the vaccine works…

Cut 4 (11) “..star” 

There’s a clause in the state constitution that allows prisoners to be treated as slaves, but legislation has been filed to change that.  Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

LSU looks to snap a six-game losing streak in the SEC when they visit Kentucky for three games starting tonight in Lexington. Landon Marceaux is tonight’s starting pitcher for the Tigers and A-L Labas gets the ball tomorrow.  Here’s Labas on the importance of getting an SEC victory sooner than later…

Cut 20 (15) “one game at a time”

Fresh off a five to three win over Alabama on Wednesday, the ULM baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Georgia Southern. The Warhawks are looking to snap a five-game losing streak in Sun Belt play. Coach Michael Federico on what he wants to see from his team in Statesboro

Cut 18 (18) “to win” x2

The 16^th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team will begin a four-game weekend series tonight as they will be on the road against Rice.  First pitch for game 1 is scheduled for 6 p.m.  The Bulldogs are 20-7 on the year with a 6-2 mark in conference play.

Also, the Ragin Cajuns baseball team will begin a three-game series tonight when they host Rice.  First pitch between the Cajuns and Red Wolves is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The LSU basketball team is losing another player as Javonte Smart will follow Trendon Watford and enter his name into the NBA draft.  The 6’4 guard averaged 16 points and four assists per game for the Tigers this past season.

After a recent loss to the Brooklyn Nets, the New Orleans Pelicans will return home tonight as they host the Philadelphia 76er’s at 7 p.m.  The Pels are 22-29 on the year while the sixers sit at 35-16.

And in college football…Southeastern Louisiana hosts Nicholls with F-C-S playoff implications on the line.  Also, Northwestern will be on the road to take on Incarnate Word tomorrow at 7 p.m. and McNeese will travel to Sam Houston to take on the Bearkats at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

The longest-serving member of the LSU Board of Supervisors is calling on the school to drop the school’s law firm of Taylor Porter amid the ongoing scandal. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senator John Kennedy asks residents to get vaccinated. He says he can’t sing very well but he is free and he is fully vaxxed up…

Cut 3, 12 seconds, heart

____

The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the hotline is open 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 PM on Sundays. The number is 855-453-0774.

Cut 7 (11)  “…vaccine.”

The hotline can connect residents with health care experts who can tell you more about how the vaccines are made, what makes them safe, and what makes them highly effective.

1.3 million Louisianans, or about 28 percent of the state’s total population, have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine so far and over 900,000 have completed their full series whether that be two doses of Moderna and Pfizer or one JnJ shot.

Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Edwards says it’s clear that a number of former LSU employees should’ve been fired back in 2013 through 15, but those employees aren’t at LSU anymore…

Cut 10 (11) “…years.”
LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter. He says their advice to a small group of university leaders to keep the board in the dark about the alleged sexual misconduct of former coach Les Miles, is the core of the school’s coverup.

Cut 4 (09)“…about it.”

The Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor Porter has represented the university for 80 years.

The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers. The hotline can also connect residents with health care experts who can answer questions about the vaccines.  State health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’ve approached the point where those who want to get vaccinated can do so easily.

Cut 8 (08) “…feel.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.

Cut 13 (07) “…police.”

781 Louisianans were interviewed from January until March of this year.

LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter. He says their advice to a small group of university leaders to keep the board in the dark about the alleged sexual misconduct of former coach Les Miles, is the core of the school’s coverup.
Mallett says the board recognizes that it is now their responsibility to fix it. He says they are committed to doing so for the school and their family.
Cut 6 (09) “…engaged.”
The Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor Porter has represented the university for 80 years.
The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says
The only bad news: due to a quality control error at a Baltimore vaccine production plant the nationwide supply of Johnson and Johnson will be low for quite a few weeks.
Cut 9 (06) “…Johnson.”
Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
LSU recently barred all employees from testifying before a Select committee dedicated to investigating the school’s failure to handle those cases. Edwards didn’t disagree with the school’s decision…
Cut 12 (10) “…sure.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says of the multiple situations questioned in the survey the one area where both whites and Blacks agree is the discriminatory treatment of blacks by police.
Cut 15 (07)“…circumstances.”

A COVID vaccine hotline is now online in Louisiana offering residents a one-stop-shop for appointment booking. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter.
Amid the scandal Mallet feels the current board is being wrongly accused. He says they had no knowledge, but they are committed to correct the ongoing culture at LSU.
Cut 5 (09)“…successful.”
Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
A growing chorus is calling for Athletic Administrator Verge Ausburry to be fired for his mishandling of those cases, but Edwards says the failure was systemic, not individual…
Cut 11 (06) “…supervisor.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.
However, when Black Louisianans were asked the same questions, Henderson says a very large majority of respondents feel they are treated less fairly than whites.
Cut 14 (07) “…circumstances.”

The longest-serving member of the LSU Board of Supervisors is calling on the school to drop the school’s law firm of Taylor Porter amid the ongoing scandal. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers.
The hotline can connect residents with health care experts who can tell you more about how the vaccines are made, what makes them safe, and what makes them highly effective. State health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’ve approached the point where those who want to get vaccinated can do so easily and without much of a wait, which is why making getting an appointment easy is so important.
Cut 8 (08) “…feel.”
Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.
Edwards says it’s clear that a number of former LSU employees should’ve been fired back in 2013, 14 and 15, but those employees aren’t at LSU anymore…
Cut 10 (11) “…years.”
The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.
Cut 13 (07) “…police.”