As COVID hospitalizations continue to rise across the state, Ochsner Health System says they are managing for now. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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At his first COVID briefing of the year, Governor Edwards voiced his frustrations as the state set an all-time high hospitalization rate. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana leaders condemn Wednesday’s assault on Capitol Hill by a pro-Trump mob opposing the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s victory. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (42)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Representatives for Ochsner Health System say while they are managing the current surge of COVID patients they are looking at contingency plans for the predicted increase. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says we have yet to see the highest hospitalization rates.

Cut 4 (10) “…ahead of us.”

As of Wednesday, Ochsner Health System reported approximately 640 COVID patients across the state including Lafayette General. CEO Warner Thomas says with the expected increase of hospitalizations approximately three weeks after Christmas and New Year’s, they are working on making adjustments.

Cut 5 (10) “…our system.”

While Ochsner has yet to cancel surgeries and stop intake of non-COVID patients, Thomas says it’s a challenge as the patient load continues to spike among COVID patients.

Cut 6 (10) “…need to.”

Ochsner reports more than fifty percent of their staff has been vaccinated and rollout so far this week to those over the age of 70 at their facilities is going smoothly.

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While the Capitol was stormed in DC, here in Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards held the first COVID briefing of 2021 addressing the state’s all-time high hospitalization rate. While Edwards didn’t change the current Modified Phase Two restrictions, he did voice frustration with citizens who refuse to prevent the spread of COVID.

Cut 7 (09)  “…follow those.”

As case numbers, hospitalizations and fatalities continue to set all-time highs in Louisiana, Edwards voiced his irritation at those who refuse to heed mitigation warnings and gathered anyway over the holidays.

Cut 8 (10) “…we’re not.”

Edwards reminded residents of the importance of social distancing and proper mask usage until the vaccine curbs the pandemic. He says mitigation efforts work but we all must adhere.

Cut 9 (12) “…damn onerous.”

Edwards also voiced his annoyance and reprimanded COVID deniers and who justify their actions by believing conspiracy theories.

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Louisiana Congressional delegation members spoke out against the pro-Trump mob that stormed the Capitol Wednesday as Congress debated the certification of the Presidential Election results.

Congressman Mike Johnson says the incident was shocking. He was in the Lower Chamber as the mob smashed through police barricades…

Cut 10 (13) “…location.”

After Johnson and other Representatives were moved out of the Chamber there was a tense standoff at the door as guards drew guns on rioters as they attacked the door.

Johnson says Wednesday was a sad event in the history of the United States.

Cut 11 (10) “…peril.

Senator Bill Cassidy was in the Upper Chamber at the time. He says there was a commotion as the mob descended on the Senate Chambers.

Cut 12 (09) “…the Capitol.”

Senators were then escorted to a safe location. Afterward, the mob broke into the Upper Chamber.

Cassidy condemned the attack on the Capitol in strong terms and called for a peaceful transition of power into the Biden Administration.

Cut 13 (11) “…sedition.”

All other members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation have also issued statements denouncing the attack on Capitol Hill.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the situation at his afternoon press conference and asked for a bipartisan repudiation of the chaos.

Cut 14 (09) “…calm.” 

Edwards called for an end to any more injuries to people and property…

Cut 15 (06)“…country.”

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Saints All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas was designated to return from injured reserve and is reportedly expected to practice on a limited basis ahead of Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears. Thomas has missed several games this year due to an ankle injury.  to deal with an injury.  Coach Sean Payton is hopeful Thomas can take the field Sunday.

Cut 16 (09) “…significant.”

Only three-thousand fans will be in the Dome for Sunday’s game. Payton says the team will need to create its own energy in order to have a home-field advantage.

Cut 17 (17) “…other factors.”

Payton has an idea of how to fill up the Dome with Who Dats as he jokingly suggested quarantining the Saints faithful leading up to the game.

Cut  18 (17) “…taken off or not.”

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LSU names Carolina Panthers quarterback coach Jake Peetz as the Tigers new offensive coordinator. Also coming over from Carolina is DJ Mangas. Mangas is LSU’s new passing game coordinator. He was with the Tigers in 2019 as an offensive analyst. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says both of these coaches are in their 30s and both worked with former LSU assistant Joe Brady this past season

Cut 19 (11) “…he hired.”

Brady was LSU’s passing game coordinator during the 2019 national championship season. Brady connected well with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Joe Burrow and Higgins says the goal is to re-create that magic, but with different coaches and players

cut 20 (12) “…in there.”

The US Capitol has finally been cleared of the pro-Trump mob that invaded the grounds and took over the building for a few hours earlier today. Thousands pushed past the limited amount of security, shattered windows and broke doors open, and fought with Capitol police inside the halls of Congress as debate over certifying President-elect Biden’s Electoral College win was ongoing.

Congressman Mike Johnson was in the lower chamber at the time. He says lawmakers were mid discussion when they heard a mob was descending on the House chamber…

Cut 10, 13 seconds, location

Senator Bill Cassidy was in the Upper Chamber at the time as news broke…

Cut 13, 9 seconds, Capitol

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The girl went missing late Sunday in Madison Parish and was located in Grant Parish Monday evening resulting in the arrest of 22-year-old Angel Ramirez. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt…

Cut 12 (06) “…safely” 

LSP, Grant Parish Sheriffs, and the FBI were involved in the hunt for Ramirez and the young girl.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night. Despite choosing Alabama over the home-state LSU Tigers, Smith says his hometown has been very supportive throughout his college career.

Cut 4 (14) “my journey” 

He’s only the second Louisiana native to win the prestigious award.

Senator John Kennedy posted a statement on Twitter after the capitol was stormed today by Trump supporters. Kennedy says quote “I condemn this violent assault on the democratic process & will not be intimidated by a mob that confuses chaos & destruction with strength & wisdom. I’ll continue to work for Louisiana.”

The Chaos erupted shortly after 2:30 in D-C while the U-S House and Senate debated the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Lawmakers were evacuated. Senator Bill Cassidy denounced the violence that erupted between Capitol police and the protesters

Cut 15 (05) “…period” 

Cassidy is the only Republican from the Louisiana Congressional delegation that stated he would not vote against Biden’s electoral victory.

Ochsner Physician Dr. Jay Brooks was among the first healthcare providers to be vaccinated in Baton Rouge and he’s now received his second injection of the COVID vaccine. As for side effects, Brooks says he’s somewhat achy after the injections.

Cut 6 (07) “…a one.”

Brooks says the COVID vaccine shot is comparable to a flu shot and he says he had more side effects with the shingles vaccination.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud. Landry says the District 3 councilman illegally registered voters at addresses they did not live at…

Cut 9 (12) “ vacant lot”

Landry says there’s also evidence Zanders submitted a voter registration application on behalf of a citizen using his own address

Senator Bill Cassidy denounces pro-Trump demonstrators who stormed the US Capitol earlier today, ransacking the building and forcing Senators and House members to evacuate to a safe area. MSNBC reports a woman was shot and images are circulating of demonstrators on the Senate floor and in Congress people’s offices posing for pictures, saying “stop the steal”.

Cassidy says this is supposed to be a peaceful transition of power. He says what they are doing is wrong and un-American

Cut 16 (05) “…hooligans” 

A small demonstration gathered on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol but remained peaceful throughout Governor Edwards’ press conference inside.

Governor Edwards delivered one of his most forceful calls for COVID restriction as the state hits the highest-ever total number of COVID hospitalizations.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The kidnapping appears to be the result of some online communications and State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says this is a reminder that all parents need to keep a close eye on their children’s online devices…

Cut 14 (09) “…want” 

Ramirez is facing one count of aggravated kidnapping but more charges are expected to be filed against him.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud, registering voters at addresses they didn’t live at. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says if you try to commit election fraud, you’ll be caught

Cut 11 (08) “..worked as it should”

Chaos has erupted in Washington D-C as Trump protesters have stormed the U-S Capitol while the U-S House and Senate debated the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Lawmakers were evacuated. Senator Bill Cassidy denounced the violence that erupted between Capitol police and the protesters

Cut 15 (05) “…period” 

A gathering of dozens of pro-Trump protestors has occurred outside the Louisiana State Capitol ahead of the Governor’s press conference this hour.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night. Despite choosing Alabama over the home-state LSU Tigers, Smith says his hometown has been very supportive throughout his college career.

Cut 4 (14) “my journey” 

He’s only the second Louisiana native to win the prestigious award.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The incident is still under investigation State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says they can confirm that the young girl is back home with her family after the traumatizing ordeal.

Cut 13 (05)“…ok.”

22-year-old Angel Ramirez is facing one count of aggravated kidnapping but more charges are expected to be filed against him.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud. Landry says the District 3 councilman illegally registered voters at addresses they did not live at, including his own address…

Cut 10 (12) “.not there’s”

Republicans raised their first objections in Congress today to President-elect Joe Biden’s win during the counting of electoral votes. They included all of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation except for Senator Bill Cassidy.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office announces the arrest of a city councilman in Tangipahoa Parish on election fraud charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

As the third wave of COVID takes an even stronger hold of Louisiana, the state has hit an all-time high in COVID hospitalizations. 1,993 patients are now in the hospital, and 43 additional Louisianans have died from the virus. We’re also just shy of 300,000 total cases. Governor Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30.

This week those over the age of 70 and dialysis patients are now eligible to be vaccinated in Louisiana. Ochsner Physician Dr. Jay Brooks says they began inoculations for patients in the Ochsner healthcare system that met the criteria.

Cut 7 (07) …at all.”

Brooks says with their hospitals the most crowded he’s ever seen at Ochsner, he encourages everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud. Landry says the District 3 councilman illegally registered voters at addresses they did not live at.

Cut 9 (12) “ vacant lot”

In other Amite news, Bama wide receiver and Amite native Devonta Smith won the Heisman last night.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The girl went missing late Sunday in Madison Parish and was located in Grant Parish Monday evening resulting in the arrest of 22-year-old Angel Ramirez. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt…

Cut 12 (06) “…safely” 

As the COVID vaccine rollout continues in Louisiana, healthcare workers are now receiving their second dose, and more are eligible to receive their first dose. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Louisiana has hit an all-time high in COVID hospitalizations as the third wave of the virus seems to be spreading nearly uncontrolled throughout the state. 1,993 patients are in the hospital, and 43 additional Louisianans are reported dead from the disease today. We’re also just shy of 300,000 total cases.