The state issues revised COVID guidance for K-12 schools to keep disruptions to a minimum. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID in the last 90 days you are exempted from having to quarantine after being exposed. Sokol says that another option is the “test to stay” which requires those who are unvaccinated to be tested for COVID twice a day for five days after exposure.

Cut 4 (10) “…of the school.”

LDH is offering three options, including universal masking, for K-12 schools and daycares because full adherence to CDC guidelines presents operational challenges.

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Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but he’s waiting for the U-S Justice Department to complete its investigation. Belton expects the federal D-O-J will complete that investigation soon…

Cut 8 (08) “…will proceed”

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The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The U-S Supreme Court has already refused to make the split jury ban law retroactive, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state supreme court can issue its own ruling.  But the Louisiana Attorney General’s office claims overturning the split system verdict retroactively would create havoc because hundreds of old cases would be re-tried…

Cut 10 (10) “…four to six months”

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Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s COVID public health emergency order but has removed the remaining mitigation measures from the order. Governor Edwards did re-emphasize the recommendations for people to wear masks, particularly around large crowds. It’s something to keep in mind as Mardi Gras and festival season approach.

Cut 12 (14) “…remain high.”

The state issues revised COVID guidance for K-12 schools to keep disruptions to a minimum. State epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says if you are fully vaccinated or recovered from COVID in the last 90 days you are exempted from having to quarantine after being exposed, but…

Cut 3 (07) “…the safe side.”

The second option is a test to stay, after an exposure and the third is universal masking.

Third Judicial District Attorney John Belton plans to pursue criminal charges against those involved in the 2019 fatal arrest of Ronald Greene, but he’s waiting for the U-S Justice Department to complete its investigation. Greene died in Union Parish, where Belton has local jurisdiction. He says while the federal investigation has taken time, it has produced results…

 Cut 6 (12) “…federal government” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The U-S Supreme Court has already refused to make the split jury ban law retroactive, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the state supreme court can issue its own ruling

Cut 9 (10) “…federal constitution”

In an effort to keep repeat DWI drivers off the road, judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes can offer those with first or second convictions to be screened for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Lisa Freeman says screening is a proven impaired driver countermeasure.

Cut  11 (10)  “…screen for that.”  

Even though COVID cases numbers indicate the state is on the downside of the Omicron surge State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter urges residents to wear N95 masks when they are in crowds to avoid transmission. Free N95 masks are being distributed at the following locations.

Cut 9 (06) “…Walgreens locations.”

St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills files a bill requiring nursing homes to have emergency power incase of a disaster or other emergency situations. While most long-term care facilities have such back up power in place, he wants it on the books and to cover specifics

Cut 5 (12) “…long-term power disruption.”

The bill is in response to the tragic evacuation to a warehouse during Hurricane Ida that claimed 15 lives.

A report from NOAA shows parts of Louisiana and Texas could see Gulf of Mexico waters rise 16 to 18 inches by 2050. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says Louisiana is taking an aggressive approach to combat the rise in sea level…

Cut 14 (11)  “…the right direction.”
Judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes are participating in a pilot program in an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says judges in those parishes will screen individuals convicted for a first or second offense DWI for substance abuse or a mental health disorder…

Cut 10 (09) “…down the road.”
Alcohol is involved in 40-percent of all traffic fatalities in Louisiana.

A bill filed for the regular legislative session in March would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills is the bill’s sponsor. He says MOST nursing homes are already taking care of this, but…

Cut 4 (09)  “…of energy loss.” 

Mills says he brought the bill after talking with the nursing homes industry, who wish to be proactive in avoiding another tragedy like last summer at a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish.

While COVID cases continue to drop in the Omicron surge State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52-percent which he says needs to increase. But Kanter remains hopeful after more than 58 thousand got their first shot last month.

Cut 8 (08)  “…in January.”

NOAA issued a report that projects sea levels to rise by up to a foot within the next 30 years. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says the time is now for Louisiana to put plans into action to protect vulnerable coastal communities.

Cut 13 (12) “…sea-level rise.”

In an effort to keep repeat DWI drivers off the road, judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes can offer those with first or second convictions to be screened for substance abuse or a mental health disorder. Executive director of the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Lisa Freeman says screening is a proven impaired driver countermeasure.

Cut  11 (10)  “…screen for that.”  

A black lawmaker from Vidalia is facing criticism from his own party for voting for a Congressional District Map that does NOT contain a second majority-Black district. State representative C. Travis Johnson also supported a bill last year that banned transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Johnson is the first vice-chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party but a member of the Democratic State Central Committee says Johnson is working against the party’s best interests.

A bill filed for the regular legislative session would assure nursing homes have emergency power for disasters and other emergencies…:
cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts major sea-level rise over the next 30 years. NOAA says the western Gulf of Mexico could see the highest sea-level rise, 16 to 18 inches, by 2050, while the eastern Gulf of Mexico should expect 14 to 16 inches. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says the state will try to address the rise in sea level through its Coastal Master Plan…
cut 15 (10) “…that Louisiana needs”

Judges in Lafayette, Acadia and Vermilion parishes will participate in a pilot program where they will screen first or second offense, DWI offenders, for the presence of substance use or mental health disorder. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says if an offender is found to have a substance use problem a condition of sentencing could be treatment…
Cut 12 (12) “…some other judge.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court says it will consider whether the state’s ban on nonunanimous jury verdicts should apply retroactively. The state’s split-jury ban went into effect in 2018 and in 2020 the U-S Supreme Court refused to make the law retroactive, but that doesn’t stop the state supreme court from making its own ruling that could lead to new trials for 15-hundred inmates.

The Louisiana Department of Health says the latest COVID data is encouraging, but there’s room for improvement. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A report from NOAA shows parts of Louisiana and Texas could see Gulf of Mexico waters rise 16 to 18 inches by 2050. Natalie Snider, Associate Vice President at the Environmental Defense Fund, says Louisiana is taking an aggressive approach to combat the rise in sea level…
cut 14 (11) “…right direction”

In the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, hundreds of nursing home patients were stuffed inside an ill-equipped facility in Tangipahoa Parish that lost power. Several died as a result. St. Martin Parish Senator Fred Mills has filed a bill requiring nursing facilities to have a generator or an alternate electrical power source,,,
cut 6 (13) “…give some latitude”
Mills’ bill will be brought up when the legislature convenes its regular session on March 14th.

The state continues to see a decrease in the number of COVID cases as health officials say the Omicron variant surge is declining however the data still indicates a high transmission rate in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state’s positivity rate has dropped to 9-percent.
Cut 7 (10) “…days of January. “
The state’s overall fully vaccinated rate is 52-percent and Kanter says 58-thousand people received their first shot last month.

Judges in Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes are participating in a pilot program that is an effort to keep impaired drivers off the road. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Executive Director Lisa Freeman says judges in those parishes will screen individuals convicted for a first or second offense DWI for substance abuse or a mental health disorder…
cut 10 (09) “….down the road”

A new federal government report predicts sea levels could rise as much as a foot over the next 30 years, which raises the level of urgency to protect Louisiana’s coastline…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m David Grubb”

Governor John Bel Edwards reiterates there was no cover-up of the death of Ronald Greene to aid his re-election campaign. Brooke Thorington has more…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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We’re almost at the height of carnival season and health officials offer some advice to protect revelers from COVID. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana continues to attract companies that specialize in developing and producing sustainable materials. David Grubb has the story on the latest to invest in the state.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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On his monthly statewide radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards reiterates there was no cover-up of the arrest & death of Ronald Greene in 2019 to help him with re-election. Edwards was informed by State Police that a man died during an arrest, but says he’s been un-justly slammed by the media…:

Cut 4 (15)  “…Department of Justice.” 

An Associated Press story suggested Edwards knew the circumstances of Greene’s death, that he did NOT die in a car crash and that he went along with a plot to keep it hush-hush until he’d won re-election. Governor Edwards vehemently denies that’s true…:

Cut 5 (14) “…what the truth is.”

Mr. Edwards says the federal Justice Department has been investigating the Greene case for many months, and he looks forward to their findings so guilty parties can be prosecuted and Greene’s family can get closure. He says he especially feels for Greene’s mother, Mona Hardin…:

Cut 6 (11)  “…should never have happened.”

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We’re almost in the thick of Carnival season and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we have more tools to protect ourselves from COVID now, from higher quality masks to vaccines and more therapeutics. Kanter revelers to mask indoors at events and outside when in crowds.

Cut 7 (09) “…their safety.”

Kanter recommends using an N95 mask for better protection.

As with any event, Kanter says you are much safer if you are fully vaccinated and boosted, and it’s not too late to do so.

If you are more vulnerable to have COVID complications Kanter says attending Mardi Gras events is something you should think over before doing so.

Cut 8 (08)  “…there is some risk.”

In 2020 as COVID began spreading in the U.S. Mardi Gras became a super-spreader event. Kanter says he’s optimistic two years later that won’t be the case.

Cut 9 (12)  “…our downswing.”

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California-based Origin Materials has committed to investing more than $750 million to develop a biomass manufacturing facility in Ascension Parish that will create more than 1000 new direct and indirect jobs. John Bissell, Co-CEO of Origin says the state’s workforce was a major factor in choosing Louisiana.

Cut 10 (13) “…absolutely world-class.”

In addition, the state has provided Origin with a strong incentive package that includes the services of LED FastStart, tax exemptions, and performance-based bonuses. Bissell also praised the Capitol Area’s infrastructure, which he says will provide the facility with easy access to materials and services.

Cut  11 (09)  “…of our sort.”  

Bissell believes that Louisiana is poised to be a destination for green companies in the future and is proud to be among the very first to take advantage of what the state has to offer.

Cut 12 (11) “…world-scale plant.”

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Another cold front will enter the Bayou State just in time to bring us another chilly weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs today will reach into the 70s and there’s a chance of widespread showers.

Cut 13 (08) “…marginal risk.”

Unfortunately, today’s rain won’t be enough to help with the ongoing drought.

Overnight temperatures will drop and Friday morning Keim says there will be a light freeze along the I-20 corridor.

Cut 14 (10)  “…along the coast.”

Keim says the roller-coaster weather continues with mild weather mid-week and chilly temperatures for the weekend.

Cut 15 (07)  “…this winter.”

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Ragin’ Cajuns men’s basketball coach Bob Marlin is under heavy fire. The Cajuns have lost three games in a row and eight times in their last 10 games, sitting in ninth place in the Sun Belt standings. UL hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2015 and fans are getting impatient. Staring at his second losing season in three years, Marlin still believes his team has time to turn things around.

Cut 16 (15)  “…in the tournament.”

The last seven losses by the Cajuns have come by an average of 5.2 points as they have struggled to close games out. Marlin believes that his team is caught in a vicious cycle where once his team makes a mistake, things begin to snowball. He says a little good luck would go a long way.

Cut 17 (15) “ …turn it around.” 

At the other end of the spectrum is the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, winners of two in a row and tied for second in Conference USA. After being on the road for their last three games, the Bulldogs return home for a pair of home games, with UTEP visiting Thursday and Texas-San Antonio on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol is glad to be back in front of the home fans.

Cut 18 (17) “ …Assembly Center.” 

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