Beginning today those 16 and older with a preexisting health condition are now eligible to be vaccinated. For a list of those conditions, you can visit the state health department’s website. Governor Edwards is encouraging those who are eligible to be vaccinated to do so. He says nearly 10-percent of the state’s population have been fully vaccinated and very few have reported serious side effects…

Cut 5  (11)  “…this pandemic.” 

State Treasurer John Schroder tells Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster he will not among those getting vaccinated. Schroder says instead he’s under a doctor’s care and building his immune system. Schroder, a COVID survivor, was hospitalized in early December.

Cut 11 (08) “say that..”

Former LSU football coach Les Miles has been fired at Kansas after allegations of sexual misconduct were made public during his time at LSU. Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

Former LSU President F. King Alexander released a statement that he regrets not taking stronger action against Miles when he was at LSU. Alexander says at the time attorneys told him there was not enough evidence to support termination. Alexander, who is now at Oregon State, says the inquiry found Miles’s actions were inconsistent with LSU’s community values and he should have acted further.

Louisiana has expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 years and older with certain health conditions, including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, smokers, and people who are overweight. Edwards says the list of health conditions for eligibility can be found on the state department of health’s website.

Cut 3 (14)  “…to the vaccine”  

Les Miles is out as the head football coach at Kansas University after reports surfaced last week where Miles acted inappropriately with female students at LSU and was told to quit texting them. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the 67-year-old’s coaching days are likely over

Cut 6 (10) “…yeah.”

President Biden declares Louisiana a major disaster after two winter storms last month. Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle says it allows homeowners and renters in affected parishes to be eligible for assistance if they sustained damage.

Cut 12 (10) “ …Louisiana.” 

Tingle says this will also assist city and parish governments to pay for clean-up from the storms.

State Treasurer John Schroder tells Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster he will not be taking a COVID vaccine. Schroder says instead of getting vaccinated he’s under a doctor’s care and building his immune system. Schroder, a COVID survivor, was hospitalized in early December.

Cut 11 (08) “say that..”

Governor Edwards made a major announcement today, on the one-year anniversary of the first reported case of COVID in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (14) “…vaccine.” 

Those 16 and older are eligible for the Pfizer vaccine and 18 and older for the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

Les Miles is no longer the head football coach at Kansas University after reports that surfaced last week where Miles acted inappropriately with female students at LSU and was told to quit texting them. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the sexual misconduct allegations were initially hard to believe because Miles was considered a family man.

Cut 8 (10) “…long time ago.”

State Treasurer John Schroder tells Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster he will not be taking a COVID vaccine. Schroder was asked about the substantial expansion in vaccine eligibility this morning. Instead of getting vaccinated Schroder says he’s under a doctor’s care and is focusing on making sure his immune system is strong.

Cut 10 (10) “…system.” 

Schroder was hospitalized with COVID last December.

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroa says looking back most likely COVID was already spreading in February, well before testing was available.

Cut 4 (10)“…COVID-19.”

Five days later the first confirmed death was recorded in the state from COVID.

State Treasurer John Schroder tells Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster he will not be taking a COVID vaccine. Schroder was asked about the impending substantial expansion in vaccine eligibility. He says…

Cut 9 (07) “…vaccine”

Governor Edwards will hold a briefing at noon announcing the expansion for COVID vaccine eligibility.

Former LSU football coach Les Miles has been fired at Kansas after allegations of sexual misconduct were made public last week during his time at LSU. Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

Former LSU President F. King Alexander released a statement that he regrets not taking stronger action against Miles when he was at LSU. Alexander says at the time attorneys told him there was not enough evidence to support termination. Alexander, who is now at Oregon State, says the inquiry found Miles actions were inconsistent with LSU’s community values and he should have acted further

Les Miles is out as the head football coach at Kansas University after reports that surfaced last week where Miles acted inappropriately with female students at LSU. Allegations ranging from texting, attempting to kiss a student, and performing unwanted touching. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kansas had no choice but to let him go.

Cut 7 (12) “…any level”

The Attorney General’s Office releases the sexual harassment complaint filed against top aide Pat Magee that resulted in his 38-day suspension and docking of his salary. The complaint includes numerous allegations of harassment by Magee, who still works for the office. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the report may be costly for AG Jeff Landry.

Cut 13 (09) “…official.”

Louisiana’s pre-GRAMMY celebration is going all virtual this year and you can stream it live tonight starting at 7 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor Edwards will hold a briefing at noon today where he’s expected to announce a major expansion in COVID-19 vaccination eligibility. According to a memo that’s been sent to the Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association the vaccine will be available for adults with certain preexisting conditions following his announcement this afternoon. Today is the one-year anniversary of the first reported case of COVID in Louisiana.

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 case in Louisiana, Brooke Thorington talks with a physician about the early days of COVID.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Louisiana’s pre-GRAMMY celebration is going all virtual this year and you can stream it live tonight starting at 7 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Attorney General Jeff Landry’s handling of alleged sexual harassment and sexist behavior by one of his top aides could damage his rumored future run for Governor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________

Today is the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Louisiana. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroa says looking back most likely COVID was already spreading in February, well before testing was available.

Cut 4 (10)“…COVID-19.”

Figueroa says unlike other viruses, COVID-19 is unique in that some people are asymptomatic but are still able to spread the virus.

Cut 5 (07)“…of time.”

Now that we know the main route of transmission is through respiratory droplets that spread when you are in close contact with a carrier, carnival season only enabled the virus to circulate faster in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (11) “…locally.”

Five days later after the first case was confirmed, the state reported its first death from the virus a 58-year-old man in Orleans Parish.

________________________

This year Louisiana’s pre-GRAMMY celebration is going all-virtual and will be streamed live online tonight starting at 7 PM.

Louisiana artists account for more than a dozen nominations this year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they’ll have a few of those artists like Bobby Rush, Kenny Wayne Shepard, and Sweet Cecilia playing tonight’s show…

Cut 7 (05)  “…artists.”

The show will be streamed live on Louisiana Travels’ social media pages.

Nungesser says they’ll be live from the Mint in the French Quarter but the program will highlight attractions, history, and artists from all over the state.

Cut 8 (10) “…COVID.”

Nungesser says they’re excited to put on a great program but it is hopefully the first, and last time they have to do the show all virtually.

Cut 9 (11) “….this year.”

The GRAMMYs kicks off Sunday at 7 PM.

_____________________________

It might have LeBron James’s team that scored the most points in Sunday’s NBA All-Star game, but the real winner is Historically Black Colleges and Universities that’s receiving three million dollars from the game. President of Grambling State University, Rick Gallot says even Major League Baseball is hosting an event this weekend focusing on Grambling and Florida A&M.

Cut 10 (08) “…universities.”

Gallot says 90-percent of students at Grambling receive some type of financial aid and their portion of the NBA’s donation will go directly towards students.

Cut 11 (06) “…schholarships”

There’s been a lot of attention on HBCU’s recently and Gallot credits Kamala Harris for being the first graduate of an HBCU to become Vice President for putting them in the spotlight.

Cut 12 (08) “…previously. ”

_____________________________

The Attorney General’s Office releases the sexual harassment complaint filed against top aide Pat Magee that resulted in his 38-day suspension and the 20,000 dollar docking of his salary.

The complaint includes numerous allegations of harassment and sexist comments by Magee, who still works for the office. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the report may be costly for AG Jeff Landry.

Cut 13 (09) “…official.”

The complaint was filed on November 20^th. Among other things, the report alleges a number of times when Magee discussed women’s appearance in relation to situations that impacted their career advancement. An internal investigation conducted by an outside law firm into the matter reported Magee’s comments were “joking in nature” and “there were no allegations nor findings of any requests for sexual favors; inappropriate workplace touching; nor sexual overtures.”

Pinsonat says like the Johnny Anderson scandal that plagued Governor Edwards’ run for reelection Landry will be haunted by this situation should be run for Governor in 2023.

Cut 14 (09) “…explaining it.” 

Anderson, a one-time aide to the Governor, resigned following the accusations by a staffer.

Pinsonat says the fact that Magee continues to work for the AG despite the allegations could prove to be a problem down the road.

Cut 15 (09)“….the public.”

______________________________________

After losing a weekend series to Oral Roberts, the 15th ranked LSU Baseball team returns to the diamond tonight to begin a five-game week as they will host Texas Southern. After scoring one run in a loss on Sunday, Coach Paul Mainieri is eager for Cade Doughty to return to the starting line-up after missing the weekend series with a left shoulder injury…

Cut 16 (12) “…(x2)yesterday.”

Mainieri is also looking for more consistency from the bullpen. He says Blake Money has looked good and so have a couple of the other new relievers…

Cut 17 (15) “…bit more.”

The Tigers enter tonight’s game with a 9-3 record. Mainieri says despite the series loss to Oral Roberts, starting pitchers A-J Labas and Landon Marceaux pitched well

Cut  18 (16) “…shutout starts.”

About 100 students held a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault.

Cut 14 (13) “…transferring” 

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. K-U made this move after reports that Miles acted inappropriately with female student workers while at LSU. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Miles’ attorney is upset because a Husch Blackwell investigation never spoke with Miles or other key witnesses.

Cut 3 (11)  “…right now.”  

A New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Harvey Sunday after meeting someone through an online marketplace to sell a dirt bike. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they’re seeking a 1st-degree murder charge against Jalen Harvey in the killing of 29-year-old Joseph Vindel. Lopinto says meeting strangers online can be dangerous, but while the victim could’ve chosen a safer location like a police station parking lot or outside of a grocery…

Cut 10 (11) “…outside.” 

Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon believes we’ll see a big increase in in-person meetings and conventions during the second half of this year. Dixon says healthcare professionals, teachers, and attorneys are required to receive annual training and online classes are not always preferred…
cut 7 (09) “….New Orleans”

About 100 students are holding a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on LSU officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault. Protesters say the suspensions of only two athletic officials are not enough.

Cut 13 (10)“…cover-ups”

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. Attorney Peter Ginsberg says when LSU investigated Miles in 2013, they found no evidence he kissed a student worker or offered to take her to a hotel. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Miles’s 3-and-18 record at Kansas is likely a factor in being placed on administrative leave…

Cut 4 (08) “…winning record.” 

A 29-year-old New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Jefferson Parish after meeting someone through an online marketplace to sell his dirt bike. JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they arrested Jalen Harvey after discovering messages between him and the victim, Joseph Vindel…

Cut 9 (09) “…itself”

Vindel’s dirt bike was discovered outside of Harvey’s apartment.

The pandemic has crippled the convention industry which is responsible for almost five-thousand jobs in Louisiana. Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon says the industry has been trained on how to re-open safely once the pandemic passes and most convention attendees say they’ll be there.

Cut 6 (11) “…the future.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is encouraging residents to file a claim if they sustained damage from last month’s winter storms. Slips and falls, roof damage and burst pipes are some of the circumstances that should be covered by your homeowners’ insurance. Donelon says one estimate says last month’s winter storms will cost the industry 18-billion dollars…
Cut 15 (07)“….weather.”

Funds are now available to help tenants and landlords who have experienced financial hardship from the pandemic.  Executive Director of Louisiana Housing Corporation Keith Cunningham says priority is given to households where at least one member has been unemployed for more than 90 days due to COVID…

Cut 6 (10) “…considered.”

For more information visit LA State Rent-dot com

Visit LAStateRent.com for more information.

The state’s cattle industry took a beating from last month’s historic winter storms. LSU AgCenter regional livestock specialist Jason Holmes estimates many cattle farmers lost at least a couple head, mostly calves, due to the stress of the event and the frigid temperatures. He says it came at a rough time…

Cut 8 (07) “…the ground”

Baton Rouge newborn Lexa Dennis is the youngest ever to receive Zolgensma (zol·gens·ma.), the most expensive gene-drug therapy in the world at $2.1 million. Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Charlotte Hollman says Lexa has Spinal Muscular Atrophy,  a debilitating and often fatal disease and she was given the life-saving medication at just four days old at Woman’s Hospital.

Cut 10 (06) “…opportunity.”

She went home 11 days later.

Two high-ranking LSU athletic officials have been suspended as a result of a nearly 150-report that looked at how the school failed to properly handle sexual assault complaints. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

And former head football coach Les Miles has been placed on administrative leave at the University of Kansas after the Husch Blackwell report revealed inappropriate behavior with female student workers at LSU. Former LSU AD Joe Alleva reportedly wanted to fire Miles after the investigation.

Voters in the 5^th and 2^nd congressional districts head to the polls today for the first day of early voting in the primary. In the heavily Democratic second district, there have been no outside polls of the race that seems to be a contest between New Orleans lawmakers Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter, and Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says internal campaign polling shows there’s still a lot of undecideds left…

Cut 8 (11) “…window.”

A mass vaccination event is underway at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, for those who are eligible, bring a photo ID and insurance card.  LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Infectious Disease Johnny Vanchiere says the event ends at 4 pm.

Cut 13 (08)“…community”