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.”

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.

New CDC guidelines say those who were exposed to a positive COVID case now only have to quarantine for ten days, as opposed to the previous 14. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir…

Cut 8 (11) “…good news.”

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”  

The state reports another 2,774 positive COVID cases, along with 37 new COVID hospitalizations. There are only four ICU beds left in Lafayette.

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.”  

Officials say the first coronavirus vaccine doses will arrive later this month. Health officials will work to vaccinate frontline hospital workers and nursing home residents first. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir on the effectiveness of the vaccines that are close to federal approval…
cut 13 (10) “…COVID disese”

Health systems are preparing to distribute the vaccines. Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner Health, Debbie Simonson, says the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at negative 80-degrees, so they have subzero freezers in Shreveport, Lafayette and New Orleans. She says the vaccine can be kept at normal refrigerator temps for up to five days and each vial contains five doses…
cut 9 (10) “…there”

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.”
The state ended October with 1-point-eight million jobs. That’s down 112,000 jobs from the same time last year.

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 photo was taken last month as Edwards was eating 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 (11) “…today’s rules”

Governor John Bel Edwards says nursing home residents and frontline health care workers will receive the COVID vaccine soon…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir on why a second shot is necessary.
Cut 12 (07) “…protection.”
Giroir says based on the studies, the vaccines are also safe to take.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added 29-thousand jobs from September to October. But nonfarm employment is still 112-thousand jobs less than what it was in October of 2019. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says future job growth is dependent on residents continuing to mask up and social distancing….
cut 6 (08) “….effect”

Louisiana Tech finally returns to the football field tonight to face North Texas. It’s the Bulldogs first game in 33 days after four of their games were either postponed or canceled because of COVID-19 related issues in November. Coach Skip Holtz admits this is like playing a season opener again…
cut 17 (16) “…of the game”
Kick-off is at 5 PM.

COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across Louisiana within the next two weeks. Governor John Bel Edwards anticipates all frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be vaccinated by mid-January. Edwards says the state 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 next Thursday with approval likely a few days later.

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.

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.”

The fall special session cost taxpayers one-point-one million dollars. That’s according to information provided by the House and Senate. During the session, lawmakers spent a lot of time debating legislation that sought to give legislators more of a say in coronavirus restrictions, but none of those bills became law.