Louisiana Bar owners and microbrewers vented their frustrations to a House committee over COVID restrictions. Matt Chiasson, owner of Lafayette’s Grouse Room, says the “bad actors” who are operating their bars against state restrictions are doing so out of desperation as everyone in the industry hemorrhages cash.

Cut 11 (06) “…desperate.”

Authorities have arrested a Lincoln Parish father and mother of a 20-month old boy who died in a house fire August 31^st. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the toddler died in the blaze, but an autopsy on the child’s body also found evidence of abuse.  Rodrigue credits dedicated investigators.

Cut 14 (10) “…to see it.” 

32-year-old Jessica Lewis and 37-year-old Christopher Bell have been charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. Even though most establishments require a mask to be worn upon entry, Edwards says no one is required to wear one while at the table.

Cut 5  (05) “…at a table with a mask on.” 

The photo shows Edwards standing next to a table without a mask.

The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person, which is less than six feet unmasked for 15 minutes or longer, the period is now 10 days.

Cut 6 (12) “…quarantine.” Quarantine is reduced to 7 days if you test negative after 5 days.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he did not violate the state’s mask mandate in a photo of him that shows him not wearing a mask in public. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “  I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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The CDC revises quarantine guidelines if you’ve been exposed to COVID. Brooke Thorington explains.

cut 2 (31) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. Edwards says he did not violate his own mask mandate.

Cut 3 (09)  “…today’s rules.”

While the photo appears to show Governor Edwards getting up from his table, he says that the photo only tells part of the story.

Cut 4 (11)   “…with a mask on.”  

Even though most establishments require masks to be worn upon entry, Edwards says no one is required to wear one while at a table.

Cut 5  (05) “…at a table with a mask on.” 

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The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person, which is less than six feet unmasked for 15 minutes or longer, the period is now ten days.

Cut 6 (12) “…quarantine.”

Giroir says the CDC also reduced the quarantine to seven days, instead of fourteen when testing is involved.

Cut 7 (10) “..had before.”

Giroir says the new guidelines are welcome news as many are unable to quarantine for two weeks, however, it’s still recommended to do so after you’ve been exposed to the virus.

Cut 8 (11) “…good news.”

Giroir says the data now shows a shorter quarantine period than before is not as risky despite an ongoing surge in cases.

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Bar owners and microbrewers vented their frustrations with COVID restrictions they say are overly burdensome to a House committee.

Rock and Bowl owner Johnny Blanchard says if the state would work with bar and music venue owners on looser restrictions a lot of service industry workers could be moved off unemployment.

Cut 9 (05) “…unemployment.”

The state’s unemployment trust fund has been drained dry and Louisiana is currently having to take out federal loans to pay out state benefits.

Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild Director Carey Koch says large breweries are barred from indoor service while small restaurants are allowed to operate as bars.

Cut 10 (11) “…beer.”

Matt Chiasson, owner of Lafayette’s Grouse Room, says the “bad actors” who are operating their bars against state restrictions are doing so out of desperation as everyone in the industry hemorrhages cash.

Cut 11 (06) “…desperate.”

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Authorities have arrested a Lincoln Parish father and mother of a 20-month old boy who died in a house fire in late August. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the toddler died in the blaze, but an autopsy on the child’s body also found evidence of abuse

Cut 12 (10) “…it unfortunately.” 

Rodrigue says 32-year-old Jessica Lewis and 37-year-old Christopher Bell have been charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Cut 13 (06) “… this week.”

Their home in Choudrant caught on fire on August 31. Rodrigue says it’s heartbreaking to learn this child was mistreated before his tragic death…

Cut 14 (10) “…to see it.” 

Authorities have arrested a Lincoln Parish father and mother of a 20-month old boy who died in a house fire in late August. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the toddler died in the blaze, but an autopsy on the child’s body also found evidence of abuse

Cut 12 (10) “…it, unfortunately.” 

32-year-old Jessica Lewis and 37-year-old Christopher Bell have been charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

Bar owners and microbrewers vented their frustrations with COVID restrictions they say are overly burdensome to a House committee. Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild Director Carey Koch says large breweries are barred from indoor service while small restaurants are allowed to operate as bars.

Cut 10 (11) “…beer.”

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. Edwards says he did not violate his own mask mandate.

Cut 3 (09)  “…today’s rules.”

The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person you can quarantine for ten days and if testing involved it can be reduced to seven days.

Cut 7 (10) “..had before.”

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. Even though most establishments require a mask to be worn upon entry, Edwards says no one is required to wear one while at the table.

Cut 5  (05) “…at a table with a mask on.” 

The photo shows Edwards standing next to a table without a mask.

The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person, which is less than six feet unmasked for 15 minutes or longer, the period is now 10 days.

Cut 6 (12) “…quarantine.”

Quarantine is reduced to 7 days if you test negative after 5 days.

The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80-degrees. System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner, Debbie Simonson, says Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….

Cut 8 (07) “…come in.”.”
Simonson says their thermo-freezers will be located in Shreveport, Lafayette and New Orleans.

Governor Edwards believes Louisiana will receive 40-thousand doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine later this month and they’ll use those initial doses to vaccinate hospital workers and nursing home residents and staff. Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are expected to receive emergency approval from the feds this month and Edwards says both vaccines require a booster shot…
Cut 11 (08) “…homes.”

COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across the state within the next two weeks, with all Louisiana healthcare workers and nursing home residents expected to be vaccinated by mid-January. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir warns there will be some controversy and debate about who the second wave of recipients will be in early 2021. He says they don’t have that answer just yet.

Cut 14 (11) “…hospitals.” 

The people who would be in the hospitals are thought to be those already in the high-risk category for the disease like heart conditions. Governor John Bel Edwards says the vaccine won’t be available to the general public until May or June and until then we’re still living under a pandemic that is trending in the wrong direction.

Cut 15 (06)“…19.” 

As shipments for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in the US medical facilities like Ochsner are prepping to store the vaccine which requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80 degrees. Debbie Simonson System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner says they’ve purchased three thermo-freezers.

Cut 7 (10)  “…New Orleans hospital.”

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while at the Baton Rouge Country Club last month. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. While the photo appears to show Governor Edwards getting up from his table, he says that the photo only tells part of the story.

Cut 4 (11)   “…with a mask on.”  

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports employment rose in September to October by 29,000 jobs. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Distributing the Pfizer COVID vaccine requires several steps to keep the two-dosage vaccine viable. Brooke Thorington tells us how Ochsner Health has prepped. 352

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Yesterday Governor Edwards announced all nursing home residents and healthcare workers in Louisiana will be vaccinated by mid-January. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added over 29,000 jobs from September to October. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says those numbers are in large part due to the Hurricanes.

Cut 4 (12) “…Lake Charles region.”

We ended October at 1,883,000 total jobs. That’s down 112,000 jobs from the same time last year.

Dejoie says they’ve seen growth in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans regions.

Cut 5 (10) “…New Orleans.”

As for the future job growth, Dejoie says it’s all dependent on if residents continue to mask up and socially distance.

Cut 6 (08) “…effect.”

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As shipments for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in the US medical facilities like Ochsner are prepping to store the vaccine which requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80 degrees. Debbie Simonson System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner says they’ve purchased three thermo-freezers.

Cut 7 (10)  “…New Orleans hospital.”

Simonson says Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….

Cut 8 (07) “…come in.”

Simonson says they will schedule inoculations once they arrive. She says the vaccine can be refrigerated for up to five days and each vial contains five doses.

Cut 9 (10) “…there.

Simonson says they’ve worked on logistics as to how to keep the vaccine as viable as possible so they will all be utilized properly. Once the vaccine receives FDA approval Ochsner plans to begin inoculations immediately.

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COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across the state within the next two weeks, with all Louisiana healthcare workers and nursing home residents expected to be vaccinated by mid-January.

An estimated 20 million Americans will be vaccinated this year. Governor Edwards says we will receive 40,000 doses of the vaccine in the first week after it is approved.

Cut 10 (08) “…behind that.”

The Pfizer vaccine is set to be reviewed for approval on December 10^th with approval likely a few days later. Moderna’s vaccine will follow about a week after that. Louisiana is approved to receive 1.46 percent of each wave of vaccines manufactured due to our population size.

Edwards says both incoming vaccines will require you to get a booster shot less than a month after your first dose, and that booster shot must be from the same company as your first shot.

Cut 11 (08) “…homes.”

US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir explained why a second shot will be necessary.

Cut 12 (07) “…protection.”

Giroir testified to just how effective these vaccines are, and noted that both are effective across all age ranges.

Cut 13 (10) “…disease.”

The Admiral warned there will be some controversy and debate about who the second wave of recipients will be in early 2021. He says they don’t have that answer just yet.

Cut 14 (11) “…hospitals.” 

The people who would be in the hospitals are thought to be those already in the high-risk category for the disease such as the obese and those with breathing or heart conditions.

Edwards says the vaccine won’t be available to the general public until May or June and until then we’re still living under a pandemic that is trending in the wrong direction.

Cut 15 (06)“…19.” 

The White House Coronavirus Task Force report puts Louisiana in the Red Zone for new cases, along with the 38^th highest positivity rate in the nation. It notes since last week’s report our cases have decreased and positivity has stabilized.

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After not playing in November because of four games that were either postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 related issues, Louisiana Tech will take on North Texas tonight in Denton. The Bulldogs are 4-and-3, while the Mean Green are three and four. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says North Texas likes to play pressure defense

Cut 16 (15) “…as they can.”

This will be La Tech’s first game in 33 days. Holtz says it’s a lot like playing a season opener again…

cut 17 (16) “…of the game.”

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After playing in 24 games last season as a rookie, Zion Williamson expects to be more comfortable in his second season. Williamson says he enters year two feeling great both mentally and physically…

cut 18 (11) “…year two.”

Williamson says he doesn’t want any minute or playing restrictions.

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LSU  face number one ranked Alabama on Saturday in Baton Rouge.  Coach Ed Orgeron says it will be a good test for his freshmen quarterbacks TJ Finley and Max Johnson…

cut 19 (13) “…one guy.”

Tiger Stadium is considered a tough place to play for opponents, but Alabama head coach Nick Saban believes his players are ready for the challenge.

cut 20 (13) “..challenge.”

Today the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that argues all Louisiana prisoners serving time on a non-unanimous jury verdict deserve a retrial.

cut 2 (29) … I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The department of health reports 3,604 new COVID-19 cases today which includes a backlog of 1,551 cases with collection dates going back to April. Former LSU Athletic Director and baseball coach Skip Bertman is hospitalized, he told WBRZ he does not have COVID or pneumonia and is expected to stay for a few days.

A swingers and alternative lifestyle convention held in New Orleans last month produced 41 positive COVID-19 cases according to organizers. The annual Naughty Nawlins had 250 attendees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says he’s heard all the jokes, but the event has serious consequences.

Cut 3 (12)  “…reason for that.”

The annual event usually draws 2,000 attendees.

Entergy Louisiana is reportedly on track to produce enough power from solar plants to fuel 60,000 homes within the next three years. Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Jonathan Bourge says that started with a solar plant in West Baton Rouge Parish.

Cut 13 (11) “… resources”

The US Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case involving a Louisiana man that could result in retrials for all prisoners serving time on non-unanimous verdicts. The case is a follow-up to a decision by the court last year that non-unanimous convictions were unconstitutional. Attorney Andre Belanger argued that decision should be retroactive.

Cut 6 (12) “..at all”

Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill argued against. An estimated 1,500 Louisiana inmates are behind bars right now due to non-unanimous convictions. Murrill said giving them all retrials would be a burden.

Cut 8 (09) “crimes”

A homicide suspect out of Ohio was killed during a shootout with federal authorities at a motel in Pineville. 47-year-old James Edward Hawley, who also went by the alias of Ahmad Ben David, was wanted for the murder of 69-year-old Norma Matko and the disappearance of her 45-year-old daughter. FBI special agent John Fortunado.

Cut 10 (06) “.arrest warrant”

The missing woman was found alive in the apartment.

Entergy Louisiana is on track to produce enough power from solar plants to fuel 60,000 homes within the next three years. Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Jonathan Bourge says six of Entergy’s either constructed or planned sites are clustered in southeast Louisiana, ideal for solar farming.

Cut 14 (08) “.forward” 

Today the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that argues all Louisiana prisoners serving time on a non-unanimous jury verdict deserve a retrial.

cut 2 (29) … I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The department of health reports 3,604 new COVID-19 cases today which includes a backlog of 1,551 cases with collection dates going back to April.

And reportedly former LSU Athletic Director and baseball coach Skip Bertman is hospitalized, he does not have COVID or pneumonia and is expected to stay for a few days.

A homicide suspect out of Ohio was killed during a shootout with federal authorities at a motel in Pineville. 47-year-old James Edward Hawley,, was wanted for the murder of 69-year-old Norma Matko and the disappearance of her 45-year-old daughter FBI special agent John Fortunado says they knew Hawley was armed and dangerous based on the online photos he posted of himself with firearms

Cut 11 (07) “…some cops.”

An FBI agent was wounded during the exchange of gunfire. The missing woman. 45-year-old Thoue Nichole Bronowski was found alive in the apartment.

A swingers and alternative lifestyle convention held in New Orleans last month produced 41 positive COVID-19 cases according to organizers. The annual Naughty Nawlins had 250 attendees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell says he would not wish the virus on anyone…

Cut 4 (11)   “…guidelines.”  

A homicide suspect out of Ohio was killed during a shootout with federal authorities at a motel in Pineville. 47-year-old James Edward Hawley, who also went by the alias of Ahmad Ben David, was wanted for the murder of 69-year-old Norma Matko and the disappearance of her 45-year-old daughter. FBI special agent John Fortunado.

Cut 10 (06) “.arrest warrant”

The missing woman. 45-year-old Thoue Nichole Bronowski was found alive in the apartment.

Naughty Nawlins swingers and alternative lifestyle convention held in New Orleans last month produced 41 positive COVID-19 cases according to organizers. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says he’s heard all the jokes, but the event has serious consequences.

Cut 3 (12)  “…reason for that.”

The US Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case involving a Louisiana man that could result in retrials for all prisoners serving time on non-unanimous verdicts. The case is a follow-up to a decision by the court last year that non-unanimous convictions were unconstitutional. Attorney Andre Belanger argued that decision should be retroactive.

Cut 6 (12) “..at all”

Belanger represents Thedrick Edwards, who is serving a life sentence in Angola on non-unanimous jury convictions related to a 2006 crime spree in Baton Rouge. Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill argued against giving Edwards and other non-unanimously convicted inmates retrials.

The department of health reports 3,604 new COVID-19 cases today which includes a backlog of 1,551 cases with collection dates going back to April. Vent usage is up significantly to 134, an increase of 63.