Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join 23 other Republican Senators in requesting a meeting with President Biden over concerns involving his recent oil and gas policy. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he expects Biden will take this meeting.

Cut 12 (10) “senate.” 

The Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine hopes to be the third effort against the pandemic in the U-S. It offers the convenience of one shot, but an international average efficacy of 66-percent. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Lucio Miele says however in the U-S the efficacy rate is higher.

Cut 9 (11) “… South Africa.”

State health officials say while the vaccination rate of nursing home residents is 69-percent the rate among staff is much lower at 26-percent. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter however feels more staff will get vaccinated once the rollout conducts their second visit of three visits to the facilities.

Cut 4 (07) “…little bit” 

Governor Edwards says he’s seen vaccination rates among staff almost double on the second visit at Veteran’s Homes and feels that will happen in the private nursing homes as well.

The Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. The new cases were found in Southwest Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area. With a new variant of the virus entering the state, Governor Edwards calls on residents to be even more diligent about mitigation.

Cut 11 (11) “….to die.”

Vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff against COVID-19 are moving slowly in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 30-percent of the just over 93,600 Moderna vaccine doses that have been allocated to the program has been administered so far.

Cut 5  (12) “…faster.” 

Tomorrow Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says if there is any discontent amongst Republicans it likely won’t be over election results, but over the failure to turn wins into conservative state policy like lower taxes and spending…

Cut 9 (08) “…problems.”

Johnson and Johnson’s COVID vaccine has a 66% average efficacy rate worldwide, but it’s 72% in the US and it’s one injection versus two. Taylor Sharp has more.

cut 2 (27) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports only 26 percent of nursing home staff are vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that’s on 9,000 doses administered, a number that should go up once the rollout conducts their second visit to facilities.

Cut 4 (07) “…little bi

Governor Edwards is optimistic those numbers will at least double on the next visit.

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, in partnership with Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, submitted a joint bid to host the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Regionals at the Brookshire Grocery Arena.  Kelly Wells, Executive Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission says proximity to schools makes the area a prime location.

Cut 8 (13) “…prefer to drive.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the issue at his briefing Thursday that the new cases were found in Region 5, in Southwest Louisiana, and Region 1, the greater New Orleans area. Edwards says the new variant is 50-percent more contagious.

Cut 10 (10) “…easily.”

There are also 14 other cases pending confirmation, eight are suspected cases are in Region 1, and six are in Region 5.

State Treasurer John Schroder announces his office distributed 262-million dollars in main street recovery grants to just over 20-thousand small businesses. Schroder says the pandemic devastated small businesses and the Main Street Recovery Grant Program gave them a fighting chance to survive

Cut 13 (09) “…of it.”

Saturday Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or his challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris.

LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says this is another attempt by Harris to seek more influence in politics.

Cut 7 (10) “to do”

Vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff against COVID-19 is moving slowly in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 28-thousand have been administered so far, just over 19-thousand to residents and almost 9,000 to staff. Kanter says we all wish it was going faster but…

Cut 3 (11) “26-percent”

The state department of health reports the second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Dennis Joseph Comeaux of Breaux Bridge was arrested in St. Martinville after deputies responded to an alleged sexual assault complaint.  During the sexual assault, Breaux attempted to shoot the victim before throwing them in a trunk of a vehicle.  Breaux is facing seven charges including first-degree rape, attempted first-degree murder, and aggravated kidnapping.

State Treasurer John Schroder announces his office distributed 262-million dollars in main street recovery grants to just over 20-thousand small businesses. Schroder says they helped small businesses in every parish, but unfortunately, there were some who tried to take advantage of the program. He says 107 suspected fraudulent applications have been turned over to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation…

Cut 15 (10)“…businesses.”

We are another week closer to the heart of the crawfish season. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Alan Lawson says January is a slow time for harvesting so prices are a bit higher and supply is low, but March and April are usually the best time of the year for crawfish consumers…

Cut 6 (11) “…by then.”

Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris is challenging incumbent Louis Gervich for the State Republican Party Chairmanship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff against COVID-19 is moving slow in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 93,600 doses have been allocated for that population, but so far CVS and Walgreens are overseeing the program, has only administered 28-thousand doses.

The Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. Governor Edwards discussed the new cases at his Thursday press conference and says the UK variant is 50-percent more contagious. The CDC has also confirmed variants from Brazil and South Africa in the U-S. Edwards says so far, they have not been reported in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (08) “…some point.”

Tomorrow Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says if there is any discontent amongst Republicans it likely won’t be over election results, but over the failure to turn wins into conservative state policy like lower taxes and spending…

Cut 9 (08) “…problems.”

The Main Street Recovery Grant Program distributed 262-million in recovery grants in Louisiana. It used federal coronavirus relief aid to provide up to 15-thousand dollars to small businesses. State Treasurer John Schroder says they surpassed their goal of providing assistance to minority and veteran-owned businesses.

Cut 14 (06) “…four times that.” 

We are another week closer to the heart of the crawfish season. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Alan Lawson says January is really a slow time for harvesting crawfish, which is why prices are high and supply is low. He says once the weather gets a little warmer, the catch will improve…

Cut 5 (12) “…time will tell.”

He says March and April are the best times for consumers.

The Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. The new cases were found in Southwest Louisiana, and the greater New Orleans area. With a new variant of the virus entering the state, Governor John Bel Edwards calls on residents to be even more diligent about masking and social distancing.

Cut 11 (11) “….to die.”

The UK variant is 50-percent more contagious.

State Treasurer John Schroder announces his office distributed 262-million dollars in main street recovery grants to just over 20-thousand small businesses. Schroder says the pandemic devastated small businesses and the Main Street Recovery Grant Program gave them a fighting chance to survive.

Cut 13 (09) “…of it.”

Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party tomorrow, incumbent Louis Gurvich or his challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. Gurvich has served as chair since 2018, taking over for longtime chairman Roger Villere. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says under Gurvich Republicans nearly took a supermajority in the Legislature. His 2019 showing was strong…

Cut 8 (11) “…incumbent.”

It’s the final weekend of January and that means we are another week closer to the heart of the crawfish season. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Alan Lawson says the crawfish season is off to a slow start, but he expects the catch will come around in another few weeks…

Cut 4 (12)“…out there.”

The Louisiana Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the issue at his briefing Thursday that the new cases were found in Region 5, in Southwest Louisiana, and Region 1, the greater New Orleans area. Edwards says the new variant is 50-percent more contagious.

Cut 10 (10) “…easily.”

Saturday Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or his challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says this is another attempt by Harris to seek more influence in politics.

Cut 7 (10)  “…to do.”

The election will be held in Baton Rouge.

The Main Street Recovery Grant Program has completed its work. Jeff Palermo reports it helped over 20-thousand small businesses across Louisiana…

Cut 3 (26)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Schroder says, unfortunately, there were some who tried to take advantage of the program with 107 suspected fraudulent applications.