Husch Blackwell delivered what LSU interim president Thomas Galligan called a brutally honest and objective evaluation on how the school mishandled allegations of sexual and domestic assault. Husch Blackwell Partner Scott Schneider says their report found that LSU’s Title Nine office was woefully understaffed, and one victim described how complicated it was for a case to get investigated…

Cut 10 (11) “…warned down.” 

Early voting in the 2^nd Congressional District special election begins Saturday. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says there are two clear frontrunners at the moment, Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter. DuBos expects this race to head to a runoff with 15 candidates, most notably Baton Rouge social justice activist Gary Chambers.

Cut 7 (08) “…here”

Phase Three allows live music to return indoors but under strict rules. Like a strong HVAC system and plexiglass between the stage and audience. Louisiana native and country music artist David St. Romain says when you look at a venue like The Texas Club in Baton Rouge, where capacity is 1,200 it’s not the best fiscal decision to bring back music.

Cut 4 (11) “…600 people.” 

The state reports 504 new COVID-19 cases today and 538 currently hospitalized from the virus and 30 new fatalities.

Dr. Julia Letlow remains the prohibitive favorite in the 5^th Congressional District special election as early voters head to the polls Saturday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle.”

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DOTD says they’ve received 37 letters of interest in the long-awaited I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A report by a private firm hired by LSU to investigate the school’s handling of past sexual misconduct cases will be unveiled today at a Board of Supervisors meeting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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When you look at a breakdown of who’s been vaccinated so far, you’ll see it’s more women than men in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he feels that women are generally more informed about the vaccine and when you look at the population that is currently eligible…

Cut 4 (10)“…a little bit.”

The breakdown of people who’ve begun their vaccination series and those who’ve completed both injections is 60-percent female and 40-percent male. Kanter says…

Cut 5 (10)“…opportunity.”

And with teachers also eligible he doesn’t see that percentage changing anytime soon.

He says while it’s understandable to be hesitant about the vaccines, Kanter says to seek out reputable sources like the CDC and the state health department’s website and ask questions of those with knowledge about the vaccines.

Cut 6 (12) “…with them.”

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Early voting in the 5^th Congressional District special election primary to replace Luke Letlow, who died last year of COVID, begins Saturday.

ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Letlow’s wife Julia, a Republican, remains the prohibitive favorite.

Cut 7 (09)  “….side.”

Julia Letlow has a Ph.D. in communications from the University of South Florida, a Bachelors from ULM, and has held administrative positions at Tulane, ULM, and South Florida. She currently lives in Start with her two children.

Election day for the primary is March 20^th and if no candidate wins over 50 percent of the vote a runoff will be held on April 24^th. Stockley seriously doubts this will go to a runoff.

Cut 8 (11) “…election.”

Besides Letlow 11 other candidates are signed up for the 5^th headlined by Democrat Sandra Christophe. Democratic candidates combined for about a third of the vote in last year’s election.

Stockley says Dr. Letlow might be new to politics as a candidate but she is not new to politics as a participant and has impressed on the campaign trail.

Cut 9 (09) “…well.”

Voters in the 2^nd Congressional District can also begin casting ballots in their special election race Saturday.

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DOTD says there’s been significant interest in the long-sought-after I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he’s very encouraged after receiving 37 letters of interest in a public-private partnership.

Cut 10 (08) “…industry.”

Wilson says there are several steps in the process before construction begins. Next, DOTD will invite those who have shown interest in the bridge project to a meeting to discuss details.

Cut 11 (10) “…teams.”

Then they create a Request for Proposals or an RFP in which interested parties respond with what they will bring to the project and bidders are narrowed down even more.

Wilson says with a private-public partnership it is a revenue risk project where those involved finance the project and could be reimbursed via collections from a toll road.

Cut 12 (08) “…formula. ”

Wilson says they expect the cost of the project to be in the billion-dollar range, but they are searching for partners to bring about innovative cost-effective ways to build and maintain the bridge over time.

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Today the LSU Board of Supervisors will hear a report on the school’s handling of past sexual misconduct cases, specifically regarding football players.

USA Today LSU beat reporter Glenn Guilbeau cautions to temper any expectations the report will be a bombshell. He says the investigating firm, Husch Blackwell, was hired by the school after all…

Cut 13 (10) “…that out.”

Guilbeau says the report could be interesting because many of the people involved in the alleged mishandlings still work at LSU.

Cut 14 (12) “…book.” 

Guilbeau says if the report itself is lacking detail or specifics it will be up to board members to grill investigators for more information…

Cut 15 (07)“…you want.”

The USA Today also uncovered more details about former coach Les Miles’ alleged misconduct involving female student workers. The investigation, which was completed in 2013, alleges Miles was barred from having one-on-one meetings, texting or interactions with student employees after he allegedly took one of the female students to his condo alone and on one occasion allegedly kissed her. Miles strongly denies kissing the girl and said he did nothing wrong.

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The LSU men’s basketball team looks to end the regular season tomorrow with a solid road win at Missouri. A victory would also give the Tigers the three-seed in next week’s SEC Tournament. Coach Will Wade says Mizzou is a big, physical team that features six-foot-ten senior Jeremiah Tillmon…

Cut 16 (08) “…a lot better.”

This could be the final regular-season game for several Tigers. Cam Thomas is expected to be one and done, Trendon Watford could leave after his sophomore season and Darius Days and Javonte Smart could also be heading for the pros after three seasons. Wade says Smart is having his best year at LSU

Cut 17 (15) “….part in the league”.

_________________________________________________________________

The Saints have released 12-year veteran Thomas Morstead the franchise’s best punter. Morstead was more than steady since New Orleans drafted him in the fifth round of the 2009 draft. But he did not have a good year by his standards in 2020 and New Orleans needs to free up money to get underneath the salary cap. Morstead thanked the fans during an emotional zoom call with reporters

Cut  18 (17) “…different ways.”

Morstead says he plans to keep punting in the NFL, but New Orleans will remain his home…

Cut 19 (20) “…exceptional.” 

Morstead was an All-Pro and Pro Bowler in 2012 and his average net punt is the second best in the NFL since the statistic first was recorded in 1976. He also made 15 playoff appearances and executed the onside kick to begin the second half in the team’s only Super Bowl victory….

Cut 20  (18) “…done that.” 

According to USA Today, former LSU head football coach Les Miles was accused of texting female students, taking them to his condo alone, making them feel uncomfortable and on at least one occasion kissing a student. After the 2013 sexual harassment probe Miles was barred from having one-on-one contact with female students.

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Abbeville that also resulted in a deputy getting shot. Trooper Thomas Gossen says a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy attempted to serve a protective custody to 41-year-old Dwight Brown when Brown began firing. Neighbors told K-A-T-C-TV Brown was a veteran who suffered from P-T-S-D. Gossen says an order of protective custody is usually associated with mental evaluations.

Cut 5  (12)  “…that report.” 

33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers urge Governor John Bel Edwards to join Texas and Mississippi in dropping the mask mandate. Governor Edwards has indicated the mandate will likely be one of the last public health orders to go because of how effective it is and the fact that it doesn’t have an economic impact but House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says it is no longer necessary.

Cut 9 (11) “…their own”

Three farmers will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony tonight co-hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. LRN Farm Director Don Molino says one of the inductees is longtime Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson…
cut 12 (09) “….150-thousand today”

USA Today reports that after a 2013 internal sexual harassment probe former LSU head football coach Les Miles was barred from one-on-one contact with any female student. Miles was accused of texting female students, taking them to his condo alone, making them feel uncomfortable and on at least one occasion kissing a student.

A group of 33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers is urging Governor Edwards to cancel the statewide mask mandate. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Abbeville yesterday afternoon that also resulted in a deputy getting shot. Trooper Thomas Gossen says a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy attempted to serve a protective custody order when the deputy and police officers were shot at by 41-year-old Dwight Brown. Gossen says the deputy who shot Brown, was also shot…

Cut 4 (04) “…been released.” 

The Louisiana Health Department announces it’s holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events for those eligible to be vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are using the Johnson and Johnson one dose vaccine. He says this vaccine doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for large events and compared to the other vaccines in use it’s just as effective.

Cut 7 (10) “…vaccine”

For a listing of vaccination events, visit the state health department’s website.

According to USA Today, former LSU football coach Les Miles was accused of texting female students, taking them to his condo alone, making them feel uncomfortable and on at least one occasion kissing a student. After the 2013 sexual harassment probe Miles was barred from having one-on-one contact with female students, according to an internal investigative report released by LSU.

The Louisiana Health Department is holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events for those eligible to be vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they have partnered with various agencies and churches to reach as many as possible, especially those with access to care issues.

Cut 6 (11) “…barriers.”

You can visit LDH’s website under the news tab for a listing of sites.

33 Louisiana House Republicans urge Governor John Bel Edwards to join Texas and Mississippi in dropping the mask mandate. GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says the mandate leads to nonsensical situations wherein people wear a mask into a restaurant, sit down to eat, take it off, then put it back on to leave.

Cut 10 (07) “…normal.” 

Governor Edwards has indicated the mandate will likely be one of the last public health orders to go.

Three farmers will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony tonight co-hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. LRN Farm Director Don Molino says sugarcane producer John Gay will also be inducted tonight. Molino says Gay farms over 45-hundred acres in Iberville Parish… (eye)

Cut 13 (06)“…a lot”

The Louisiana Department of Health is holding several mass vaccination events today and many continue into next week. For a listing of the vaccine sites visit the LDH website and search under the news tab for a listing. They will be administering the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to those currently eligible to be vaccinated. The J&J vaccine only requires one dose.

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris applauded the state’s move into Phase Three but says the industry is still hurting. Harris says there’s a misconception that 75 percent capacity means 75 percent of their non-pandemic level seats. He says he hears the same story from friends all the time…

Cut 11 (10) “…occupied.”

Harris says about 20-percent of bars and restaurants have closed permanently because of the pandemic.

Two young boys from Ponchatoula have been found safe in Santa Rosa County, Florida after they were reported missing Tuesday afternoon. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy James Travis after an eyewitness confirmed it was their mother, 38-year-old Shawntel Heck, kidnapped them they notified authorities in Florida because the mother had ties there.  It was the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s that found the boys Wednesday.

Cut 14 (06) “…on foot.” 

She has yet to be located.

Redistricting was expected to be done this year, but House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says the state will wait until next year to redraw political boundaries because the 2020 Census numbers will not come in until the fall…

Cut 4 (09)“…calendar.”

Stefanski says the pandemic and three hurricanes are partially to blame.

Two young boys from Ponchatoula have been found safe in Santa Rosa County, Florida after they went missing Tuesday. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy James Travis says they were found Wednesday after an eyewitness confirmed it was their mother, 38-year-old Shawntel Heck, who had taken the boys after their father left them in his car.

Cut 13 (10) “…children.”

Heck escaped by foot and is still being sought in Florida.

Rep. John Stefanski, chair of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, says the timeline to approve new voting districts in the state will be delayed because the Census will not have numbers ready until the end of September. He says the pandemic is partly to blame.

Cut 5 (11)“…so much.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin ends the search for new voting machines after complaints about the bid process from fellow Republicans. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says when the new procurement process begins, they hope to have outside voting security and cybersecurity experts more involved.

Cut 9 (07) “…machines.”

Ardoin released a statement saying, “I am withdrawing the RFP to spend the next few months seeking to undo the damage to voter confidence done by those who willfully spread misinformation and disinformation.”

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris applauds the state’s move into Phase Three, which allows restaurants to operate at 75 percent capacity. Harris says but the industry is still reeling, and he hopes we can soon do away with any capacity limits.

Cut 10 (11) “…mitigation.”

Traditionally at this time, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee would be reviewing data for redistricting, but not this year. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”

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The search for new voting machines in Louisiana has been withdrawn by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin amidst outcry over the process. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Phase Three allows restaurants to move to 75 percent capacity but industry advocates say that alone won’t be enough to save many teetering eateries. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Rep. John Stefanski, chair of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, which oversees redistricting says the timeline to approve new districts in the state will be pushed back after receiving word that the Census will not have numbers ready for them until the end of September.

Cut 4 (09)“…calendar.”

Stefanski says in the past apportionment data from the Census is usually turned over in February. Stefanski says then traditionally a special session would be called for the fall to approve the districts.

In addition to the pandemic, Census enumerators experienced multiple hurdles collecting data in Louisiana. Stefanski says Louisiana was the last state in the country to report numbers.

Cut 5 (11)“…so much.”

As for when we should see the new allocations of districts, Stefanski says best case scenario if they receive numbers at the end of September….

Cut 6 (08) “…redistricting.”

Stefanski says they have a year after they receive the numbers to allocate districts but would like to have it completed by July 2022 because that’s the next congressional qualifying date.

________________________

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin withdrew the ongoing search for new voting machines amidst complaints about the process from lawmakers.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt sent Ardoin a letter asking him to restart the procurement process for new machines with more legislative, public, and expert input on best practices for obtaining modern voting machines.

Cut 7 (03)  “…cheat.”

Two vendors also filed complaints against the Secretary of State. The contract for the new machines will run roughly 100 million dollars.

Hewitt says one of her biggest concerns about the previous procurement process was that it was being conducted based on outdated requirements that didn’t take into account modern threats.

Cut 8 (09) “…standards.”

Those new federal standards were adopted just weeks after the process began.

Hewitt says when the new procurement process begins they hope to have outside voting security and cybersecurity experts more involved.

Cut 9 (07) “…machines.”

Ardoin released a statement about the decision saying in part “I am withdrawing the RFP to spend the next few months seeking to undo the damage to voter confidence done by those who willfully spread misinformation and disinformation.”

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Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris applauded the state’s move into Phase Three but says the industry is still reeling.

Phase Three allows for restaurants to operate at 75 percent capacity. Harris says he hopes we can soon do away with any capacity limits.

Cut 10 (11) “…mitigation.”

Texas recently did away with all capacity restrictions in-state businesses.

Harris says there’s a misconception that 75 percent capacity means 75 percent of their non-pandemic level seats. He says he hears the same story from friends all the time…

Cut 11 (10) “…occupied.”

Harris says about 20 percent of state bars and restaurants have been lost to the pandemic with about 15 to 20 percent in danger of closing imminently.

Harris asks for patience from customers are they experience the highly limited bar and music venue openings, he says standing room, dancing, and bar service are still no-go’s…

Cut 12 (06) “…the way. ”

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Two young boys from Ponchatoula have been found safe in Santa Rosa County, Florida after they were reported missing Tuesday afternoon. Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy James Travis says the eight and four-year-old boys were located Wednesday afternoon after an eyewitness confirmed it was their mother, 38-year-old Shawntel Heck, who had taken the boys after their father left them briefly in his car.

Cut 13 (10) “…children.”

Travis says authorities in Florida were alerted because they believed Heck, who has family in the area, was headed there. It was the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s office that found the stolen car Wednesday afternoon.

Cut 14 (06) “…on foot.” 

Travis says the children were found unharmed and are in protective custody. The mother has yet to be located.

Travis was asked why there was a delay in the Amer Alert when they were reported missing on Tuesday afternoon and the alert was issued Wednesday morning.

Cut 15 (10)“…Amber Alert.”

Shawntel Heck faces a charge of simple kidnapping and unauthorized use of a vehicle.

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Department two boys who were taken outside of their father’s home in Ponchatoula Tuesday have been found in Florida.  8-year-old Kaesyn Heck and 4-year-old Jax Matthews are now in protective custody in Santa Rosa County. Their mother escaped on foot when authorities located the car she was driving.

Our neighbors in Texas and Mississippi are dropping their mask mandates but Louisiana is not following suit. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Louisiana is dead last in the 2021 Childhood Report that ranks how well states provide for and protect children during the pandemic. Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana does have a high rate of in-person learning but that includes hybrid models where students are in the classroom two days a week and virtual the other three.

Cut 4 (12) “…reopen.” 

It’s been one year since the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery was dedicated in Jennings. Cemetery director Dwayne Guidry says there are no fees to bury a veteran. He says full military honors are also available and the cemetery is held to the highest standards…

Cut 10 (11) “…veteran cemeteries.” 

The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Department says 8-year-old Kaesyn Heck and 4-year-old Jax Matthews have been located near Milton, Florida. An Amber Alert was issued for the two boys after they were kidnapped and the car, they were sitting in was also taken by their biological mother. The mother escaped on foot in a wooded area in Santa Rosa County and the children are now in protective custody.

Louisiana is dead last in the 2021 Childhood Report that ranks how well states provide for and protect children during the pandemic. Senator Bill Cassidy says he hasn’t read the report in full but believes it’s weighted towards the lack of internet access for many children and…

Cut 3 (11)  “…learning.”  

The report examines child poverty, child deaths, hunger, dropout rates, and teen pregnancy.

Louisiana moved into Phase Three COVID restrictions today, but health officials warn that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Our neighbors in Mississippi and Texas dropped their mask mandates but State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we won’t be doing the same.

Cut 6 (12) “…vigilant.”

A drug normally used to treat horses, ivermectin is making the rounds on social media as a cure for COVID. Director of Louisiana Poison Control Dr. Mark Ryan says ivermectin was at one time used in hospitals to treat patients when nothing else proved to be effective, but as physicians have found more useful drug therapies the medication has been removed as an option.

Cut 14 (07) “…COVID.” 

Ryan says never try to treat yourself, especially with nonproven drug therapy.