Valentine’s Day is the Super Bowl for the restaurant industry as it prepares for a busy weekend. Sean Richardson has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”
_____________________________________________
The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics and it’s forbidding staffers from promoting seasonal vaccines. Colleen Crain reports.
Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”
_____________________________________________
Jefferson Parish breaks ground on a facility that will manufacture components to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries. Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
______________________________________________________
Valentine’s Day is a major boost for Louisiana’s restaurant industry, as couples indulge in intimate meals. Wendy Waren with the Louisiana Restaurant Association says Valentine’s Day is the second most popular day for restaurants behind Mother’s Day with this year looking busy.
Cut 4 (09) “…are really strong.”
Waren says many restaurants adjust their setups to accommodate more tables for two, creating a romantic atmosphere to enhance the experience.
Cut 5 (10) “…to dine this weekend.”
Waren says if you haven’t made that reservation yet, it’s not too late. You can use apps like Resy and Open Table to make last minute reservations, and there are plenty of hidden gems that can squeeze you in.
Cut 6 (12) “…other special occasions.”
______________________________________________________
The Louisiana Department of Health is ending its long-standing practice of holding mass vaccination clinics, and department staff can no longer promote seasonal vaccines. In a letter posted to the department’s website, Surgeon General Ralph Abraham and Deputy Surgeon General Dr. Wyche Coleman also take aim at the CDC’s response to the COVID pandemic. Dr. Wyche says the purpose of the directive is for the department to, in his words, get back to the basics.
Cut 7 (13) “…interests in mind.”
Dr. Coleman says the department wants to return vaccine decision making to the patients and their doctors.
Cut 8 (11) “…disregards the individual.”
Coleman says the department wants to end the one-size-fits-all approach to vaccines.
Cut 9 (12) “…real medical practice.”
Coleman says the focus on vaccines has also led health departments to neglect other issues, such as mental health and infant mortality.
______________________________________________________
Jefferson Parish breaks ground on a new facility where two components will be made to extend the life of electric vehicle batteries. JEDCO President and CEO Jerry Bologna (bu-LONE-yah) says the 500-million-dollar UBE Chemicals facility at Cornerstone Energy Park will be the first of its kind in North America and will produce components called DMC and EMC.
Cut 10 (05) “…in electric vehicles.”
Bologna says construction of the project is getting underway now.
Cut 11 (08) “…now in 2025.”
Bologna says the new facility will create dozens of jobs, both immediate and in the future.
Cut 12 (09) “…of this investment.”
______________________________________________________
The 2025 LHSAA State Wrestling Meet will make history as female wrestlers compete in their own division for the first time. LHSAA Assistant Executive Director Adam MacDowell called the change a “momentous step” reflecting the growth of girls’ wrestling.
Cut 13 (08) “…It’s great.”
The championship event takes place today and tomorrow at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City. Traditionally featuring three boys’ divisions with 14 weight classes each, MacDowell says this year’s tournament introduces a dedicated girls’ division, allowing 212 female athletes to compete for their own state titles.
Cut 14 (11) “…it’s historic.”
MacDowell says in the past girls have been allowed to compete against boys in competition for the past five years.
Cut 15 (05) “…they are excited about it.”
Fans can attend in person or watch live via the NFHS Network.
_______________________________________________________
Kellen Moore is off and running as the Saints head coach after meeting with the media on Thursday. A major decision facing Moore is whether to keep Derek Carr as the Saints starting quarterback. Moore says he plans on meeting with all of the players before making any decisions, but said he has great respect for Carr and what he’s done in the NFL…
Cut 16 (13) “…lot of fun.”
Carr is 33 years old and is set to make 30-million dollars next season. Cutting him would result in 50-million dollars in dead money on the books next year.
Moore was a great college football quarterback at Boise State. He spent six seasons as an NFL quarterback and he’s been an offensive coordinator the last six years. Moore says he wants to stress opposing defenses…
Cut 17 (22) “…superpowers.”
__________________________________________________________________
The college baseball season gets underway today and the second ranked LSU Tigers begin the road to Omaha by hosting Purdue Fort Wayne. LSU has a deep team there’s competition among the players for spots in the outfield and behind the plate. Coach Jay Johnson wants his guys to focus on the now and not future playing time…
Cut 18 (22) “…bullets start flying”
First pitch is at 2 PM.
__________________________________________________________________
Louisiana Tech begins the 2025 season by hosting Maine for a four-game series beginning today at 4 PM. The Bulldogs won 45 games last year and a Conference USA regular season title. Ninth-year head coach Lane Burroughs believes he has a talented team, but there are a lot of new faces…
Cut 19 (14) “…let’s go.”
Burroughs says their starting pitching should be a strength with the return of All-Conference selection Luke Nichols and Grant Hubka. But there will be a new catcher behind the plate…
Cut 20 (14) “…to fill.”
Ole Miss transfer Eli Berch is expected to start, but also expect to see Navarro transfer Matt Houston.