Congressman Garret Graves speaks out against House Democrat’s impeachment push, saying it risks further dividing the country. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reported 29-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and 51 fatalities. The number of those hospitalized with the coronavirus is 2,029. Yesterday Governor Edwards extended the current Modified Phase Two restrictions for another 28 days.

For those 70 and older LSU-Health Shreveport is hosting a drive-thru clinic to administer the COVID Vaccine. School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali says the clinic is at the Shreveport and the whole process takes about an hour and after your shot…

Cut 12 (12) “…fifteen minutes.” 

They are asking participants to preregister at lsuhs-dot-edu and you can also register on-site at the clinic.

ULM has hired Rich Rodriguez as its offensive coordinator to work under head coach Terry Bowden.  It’s unknown how much ULM will pay Rodrigeuz. But Monroe News-Star Sports Reporter Adam Hunsucker points out Rich Rod is still receiving buyout money from Ole Miss, where he was the offensive coordinator for just one season…

Cut 6 (11) “…jump on”

The son of Rodriguez, Rhett Rodriguez also transferred to the Warhawks.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garrett Graves says today’s impeachment vote risks further ripping the country apart with only a week left in the Trump Presidency. Democrats are expected to impeach the President for Incitement of Insurrection, but Graves says they haven’t given this impeachment due process…

Cut 9 (08) “…aim later.”

Graves reiterated his call for the President to lay low and not speak publicly until he leaves office.

LSU-Health Shreveport is hosting a drive-thru clinic to administer the Pfizer COVID Vaccine. Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali says the clinic at the fairgrounds in Shreveport is open to any eligible state resident, just bring your ID and insurance care.

Cut 11 (09) “…a mask.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Montegut by Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Officers. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says they were told deputies arrived at a residence in response to a call about aggravated assault and encountered a man with a rifle who fired at them. They returned fire, striking the suspect.

Cut 4 (06) “…his injuries” 

No one else was injured during the encounter and the State Police Crime Lab is assisting with the investigation.

Governor Edwards extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another 28 days, citing the ongoing third surge of cases. He says restaurants are still capped at 50 percent inside capacity, but that doesn’t mean you have to dine-in to support them…

Cut 15 (07)“…you can.”

Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent. The state also reported an additional 51 deaths today from COVID.

The Saints will be looking for a three-game sweep of the Buccaneers this Sunday in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.  A key for Tampa Bay to win this game will be to put pressure on quarterback Drew Brees, which is no easy task.  Bucs coach Bruce Arians says it’s tough to get to Brees because he makes quick decisions.

Cut 19 (12) “get him there free”

Former West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona head coach Rich Rodriguez has joined Terry Bowden’s staff at ULM as offensive coordinator.  Rodriguez recently served as the Ole Miss offensive coordinator in 2019.  His son, former Arizona quarterback Rhett Rodriguez, will join the Warhawks program for spring practice.  He has two years of eligibility remaining.

LSU continues its search for a defensive coordinator after meeting with Mississippi state DC Zach Arnett.  Arnett was in town yesterday to discuss the coaching vacancy, but he left Baton Rouge without a contract.

The LSU men’s basketball team will host Arkansas tonight in the Maravich Center.  LSU enters the game with an 8-2 record, 3-1 in conference play, while the Razorbacks are 10-2, 2-2 in the SEC.  The Hogs lead the league in scoring and Coach Will Wade says they like to push the ball up the court.

Cut 17 (20) “three-point line”

When the Pelicans take on the Clippers tonight they will be without a key contributor as guard Lonzo Ball will miss the game due to a knee injury.  Ball is averaging 12.4 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.  Also, starting guard Eric Bledsoe is listed as questionable.

The Grambling State men’s basketball team took down SWAC opponent Alcorn St. 79-74 on Tuesday.  Guard Cameron Christon tied his career-high with 24 points and three Tigers scored in double figures.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another four weeks. Edwards says that means most businesses will remain limited to 50 percent capacity as the state rides out a third wave of the pandemic.
Cut 13 (07) “…mandate.”
Edwards is asking residents to discontinue small group gatherings which he says is driving the current surge.

Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves does not support the House Democrats’ attempt to impeach President Donald Trump for “incitement of insurrection.” Graves says the President’s actions before the riot were wrong, but impeachment would further divide a divided country.
Cut 8 (11) “…grandchildren.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting of a man who the Terrebonne Parish Sheriff’s Office says shot at their deputies during a standoff. Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the T-P-S-O responded to a home in Montegut in reference to an aggravated assault. He says when deputies arrived, they located the suspect, and they tried to negotiate with him…
cut 3 (09)”…returned fire”
LaGrange says the suspect was struck and transported to a local hospital where he died.

New ULM football coach Terry Bowden has hired former West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona head coach Rich Rodrigeuz as his offensive coordinator. Monroe News Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says Rich’s son, former Arizona Quarterback Rhett Rodriguez, is also coming to Monroe..
cut 5 (07) “….be with Terry”

Governor Edwards extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another four weeks. He also appealed to businesses to do everything they can to maximize the number of workers who can work from home.

Cut 14 (11) “…region.” 

Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent.

Health officials are seeing strong demand for the COVID vaccine. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles says the state will expand eligibility in phases as the state gets more vaccines, you can schedule an appointment online or by phone in advance…

Cut 5 (11) “…bear with us.”

Ochsner Health System says they have scheduled 113-thousand vaccine appointments over the next two months.

Just under 140,000 COVID-19 vaccines have now been officially administered in Louisiana. Roughly half of the vaccines the state is receiving are being held back for the moment, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that’s because the feds can’t promise us how many doses we will receive three to four weeks in the future…

Cut 11 (07) “…come up”

A study of NCAA athletes and COVID indicates that despite close contact associated with athletics, more student-athletes reported COVID exposure at social gatherings versus athletics.  Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal says it supports one can play sports but only when strict CDC mitigation guidelines are followed…

Cut 9 (09) “…activity.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Louisiana’s Phase 2 COVID mitigation measures for another 28 days and he strongly recommends that all businesses move to remote work for as many employees as possible. The extension of his public health order means restaurants can maintain 50-percent capacity and Edwards also encourages curbside or delivery service…
cut 15 (07) “….you can”
Doctor Catherine O’ Neal, an infectious disease expert at LSU Health New Orleans says research suggests more than half of COVID-19 transmissions come from people with no symptoms. She says if you’ve been exposed, but not showing symptoms, you need to quarantine for at least seven days and get tested during that time…
cut 8 (08) “…know it”

During the governor’s weekly COVID-19 briefing, State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter gave an update on the status of the state’s COVID vaccination campaign…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU Health Shreveport is administering Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine to individuals over the age of 70 at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds parking lot. They have four lines of vehicles going into a tent and those 70 and over will get a shot in the arm, without having to leave their car. Pre-registration is required at l-s-u-h-s-dot-edu.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another four weeks. Edwards says that means most businesses will remain limited to 50 percent capacity as the state rides out a third wave of the pandemic.
Cut 13 (07) “…mandate.”
Edwards reiterated previous comments that the state cannot enforce its way to COVID compliance, it needs people to voluntarily follow mitigation measures and discontinue small group gatherings that are driving the current surge.

There are over two-thousand COVID patients hospitalized. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles encourages social distancing…
Cut 6 (11) “…begin with.”

A study of NCAA athletes supports CDC revised quarantine guidelines when testing is performed during the 5th day or later. Brooke Thorington on how LSU Health New Orleans participated in the study.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

ULM has hired former West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona Head Coach Rich Rodriguez as its new offensive coordinator. Rich’s son, Rhett Rodriguez, is also transferring from Arizona to compete for the quarterback job.

Louisiana will remain under the current modified Phase Two COVID restrictions for at least another 28 days. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The U-S House is expected to impeach President Donald Trump today for a second time this time under the allegation he incited an insurrection when the U-S Capitol was raided last week. Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise and Clay Higgins say they will vote against the impeachment. Congressmen Mike Johnson and Garret Graves have not said how they will vote.

The state health department has reported that 159-thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered and 21-thousand individuals have received both doses. The state received 35-thousand doses this week and state health officer Doctor Jospeh Kanter says they are developing better policies to make sure those shots end up in a person’s body…
cut 12 (07) “…lost”
120 vaccine doses were lost as a result of a power outage in Baton Rouge.

Ochsner Health System says they have scheduled 113-thousand vaccine appointments over the next two months. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles says if you are 70 and over and wishing to get vaccinated, schedule an appointment
Cut 4 (09) “…as they can.”
Salles says the Louisiana Health Department will expand eligibility in phases as the state gets more vaccines so check the L-D-H’s website for updates.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 28 days and he’s urging businesses to have their employees work from home if possible…
cut 14 (11) “….region”
Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent. The governor says there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is the vaccine.

The state health department reports just under 140-thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 210 pharmacies and other providers received over 38-thousand doses of the vaccine this week, but unfortunately…
cut 10 (09) “…next week”
He says that’s due to the slow pace of vaccine allocations by the feds. This week the number spiked as Louisiana freed up more vaccines held in reserve.

A study of NCAA athletes and the length of COVID quarantine supports the CDC revised quarantine guidelines from 14 to 10 days after a negative test on the 5th day or later. Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Catherine O’Neal co-authored the study.
Cut 7 (09) “…fairly low.”
The analysis showed that nearly 49-percent of the positive test results occurred by day two of quarantine and by day five for 73-percent of the athletes.