The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has grown to 1,891, which is just 100 fewer than the high mark set last April. State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says it’s challenging for hospitals to find space for COVID patients…
cut 11 (09) “…ramifications”
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has tested positive for COVID-19, but in a Facebook post Hunter says he’s doing well and resting at home.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara remains away from the team after testing positive for the coronavirus last week. Coach Sean Payton says there’s a chance Kamara can play in Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears…
cut 16 (10) “….be smart”
The Saints also hope to get receiver Michael Thomas back after spending the last three weeks on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.

2020 saw some of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in more than a half-century. Southern University Political Science Chair Albert Samuels says the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police sparked the most sustained period of protest since the 60s civil rights heyday.
Cut 4 (04) “…as well.”
Samuels says the protests led to the removal of Confederate names or those who supported segregation from public buildings, like the LSU library where the Middleton name was removed from the building.

Geaux Four Kids is hoping to grow its operations in 2021. Executive Director of Geaux Bags, K-C Kilpatrick, started her charity seven years ago to help foster children in transition and provide them items they need as they move into their foster home. She says the first two foster children she cared for brought with them drug paraphernalia…
cut 14 (11) ‘…started’
For more information on how to help go to geaux-bags-dot-org.

10,500 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine have been sent to 107 pharmacies across the state to begin inoculating those over the age of 70 and a group of health care workers. As the vaccination rollout continues, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital continues to rise. It’s up to 1,891. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says hospitals are still performing elective surgeries, but that could change….
Cut 12 (08) “…might have to.”

U-S News and World Report ranks the Dash Diet as one of the best for healthy eating and heart health. The Dash Diet was developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center dietitians. Doctor Catherine Champagne says the Dash diet encourages eating foods low in sodium and you can eat red meat…
cut 9 (07) “…the meat”

2020 saw historic, prolonged civil rights protests. Matt Doyle spoke with a Southern University Professor about a year defined in large part by the Black Lives Matter movement…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

2020 saw historic, prolonged civil rights protests. Matt Doyle spoke with a Southern University Professor about a year defined in large part by the Black Lives Matter movement…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Pennington Biomedical’s veggie-heavy DASH diet is named one of the best diets in the nation by U.S. News and World Report for 2021. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_____________________________

The state reported 1,891 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, getting closer each day to beat the record set last spring. Brooke Thorington has more from the state health officer.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

__________________________

2020 saw some of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in more than a half century sweep the nation and state over the summer.

Southern University Political Science Chair Albert Samuels says the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police sparked the most sustained period of protest since the 60s civil rights heyday.

Cut 4 (04) “…as well.”

Floyd was killed on May 25^th. By early June major protests had begun in New Orleans, including one that ended in police using gas to disperse a crowd moving towards the Cresent City Connection.

Samuels says the Black Lives Matter protests resulted in a number of symbolic changes. Locally those were most noticeable in the removal of Confederate names and symbols from public buildings and flags.

Cut 5 (06) “…happened.”

Samuels highlighted Mississippi’s removal of the Confederate flag from their state flag, and the increased philanthropic attention paid to Black charities.

Samuels says the protests were a mixed bag politically. On one hand, it resulted in an influx of newly registered Democrats, on the other hand, it popularized the controversial “defund the police” slogan.

Cut 6 (10) “…anticipated.”

______________________________

Pennington Biomedical’s DASH Diet is once again ranked the best overall diet for healthy eating according to U.S. News and World Report.

DASH has been around since the 90s and Director of Dietary Assessment Dr. Catherine Champagne says it’s stood the test of time because it’s easy to commit to and easy to keep.

Cut 7 (08)  “…a lifestyle.”

Dash also came in first for a most heart-healthy diet, second for best diet overall, third best diet for diabetes, and fifth for easiest diet to follow. The diet has ranked in the top five overall for the publication for years.

Champagne says DASH was developed to lower blood pressure and address hypertension. To do that it packs in a ton of nutrient-dense, calorie low health foods.

Cut 8 (08) “…dairy.”

A majority of a plate of a DASH friendly dinner is covered in vegetables and fruits, with some complex carbs like brown rice and a small serving of lean protein like fish or chicken.

The diet calls for two major changes from the way most people eat: notably lower salt and red meat consumption.

Cut 9 (07) “meats.”

________________________

On Monday, the state reported 1,891 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, that’s 100 less than the highest number of 1,991 on April 12th. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said hospital CEOs will have a call with the Governor today on their current ability to provide care for COVID patients.

Cut 10 (12) “…quality care.”

Kanter says hospitals across the state are extremely busy as opposed to those in only in the New Orleans area last spring. He says it’s been challenging for hospitals to find space for COVID patients.

Cut 11 (09) “…ramifications.

At this time hospitals are still performing surgeries and are not turning patients away but Kanter said that could change depending on the number of properly staffed beds following the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.

Cut 12 (08) “…might have to.”

Crisis Standard of Care provides a framework for determining who is prioritized to receive scarce resources.

_______________________________________________

Foster children are often taken into protective custody with only a few minutes to gather their personal belongings. Executive Director of Geaux Bags, K.C. Kilpatrick began her charity seven years ago to help children with the transition, so they’ll have everything they need for their first night in foster care.

Cut 13 (11) “…encouragement.”

Kilpatrick was inspired to start the charity, dedicated to providing personal items for children, when the first two foster children she cared for brought with them an item emphasizing the dire need to help the smallest victims of crime.

Cut 14 (11) “…started.” 

Last week Kilpatrick and her husband delivered 800 Geaux Bags to DCFS in New Orleans.  Each bag costs about $100 and is customized for children ranging from infants to teenagers. They are distributed to regional DCFS offices across the state.

Kilpatrick always includes a letter of encouragement for each bag and many of those letters are from other children. She says it’s important to let them know they are not alone.

Cut 15 (06)“…didn’t cause.”

If you’d like to donate or help Geaux Bags with their packing event go to GeauxBags.org for more info, that G-E-A-U-X.

_____________________________________

With the Saints set to host Chicago on Sunday instead of Saturday, it opens the door for running back Alvin Kamara to play against the Bears. Kamara is on the reserve COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus last week. Coach Sean Payton says it remains to be seen if Kamara can play as he will miss practice this week…

Cut 16 (10) “…be smart.”

Sunday’s playoff game is a rematch of a November 1st contest in Chicago in which the Saints won in overtime. Nick Foles was the starting Q-B for the Bears and now it’s Mitch Trubisky. Payton says Chicago’s offense is different with Trubisky as the signal-caller…

Cut 17 (17) “team yeah.”

 _______________________________________________

Alabama wide receiver and former Amite star Devonta Smith is the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy tonight. A virtual awards ceremony will take place as Smith is one of four finalists. His high school football coach at Amite, Zephaniah Powell, says it’s amazing Smith might win the Heisman…

Cut  18 (18) “…well deserved.”

Smith has caught 105 passes for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. Powell says Smith stepped up his game after fellow wideout Jaylen Waddle broke his ankle in a game against Tennessee on October 24th…

Cut 19 (18) “…been big.”

Smith has been a big part of Alabama’s success the last four seasons. During his freshman campaign, he caught the winning touchdown pass in overtime to beat Georgia in the national championship game. Powell says he’s seen Smith become more explosive during his time in Tuscaloosa

 cut 20 (10) “….off the ball.”

Those over 70 and people on dialysis are now eligible to receive the Moderna COVID vaccine at one of 107 pharmacies across the state, but due to a limited number of vaccines, you’ll have to make an appointment at that pharmacy to be vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says each pharmacy only received 100 doses of the vaccine…

Cut 7 (11) …what it is.”

The list of pharmacies is available online at COVID-Vaccine-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has tested positive for COVID. Hunter announced on his Facebook page that he tested positive last week, is doing well and resting at home. Hunter has canceled several public engagements for the week. Lake Charles is in the midst of recovery efforts from Hurricanes Laura and Delta.

The state’s senior U.S. Senator, Republican Bill Cassidy, was sworn in for a second six-year term Sunday. Cassidy’s most recent legislative achievement came as part of a bipartisan coalition that crafted the recent COVID relief bill. UL Lafayette Poly Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Senator is positioned to be quite influential…

Cut 5  (09) “…to come” 

Saints ended the regular season at 12-4 and since the Saints will host Chicago on Sunday, it increases the chances that running back Alvin Kamara can play after testing positive for COVID. Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins says the team understands the importance of avoiding a COVID.

Cut 10 (12) “..the playoffs”

Kickoff Sunday is at 3:40

107 pharmacies across the state received 100 doses of the Moderna COVID vaccine each today to use on patients 70 and older, plus those on dialysis. Those pharmacies were found in 51 different parishes, with many of the state’s larger cities hosting multiple sites. Springhill Family Pharmacy Pharmacist Suzanne Smith in Webster Parish says interest was extremely high…

Cut 12 (12) “…reserved.” 

It’ll likely take weeks to vaccine this new, 1B group of individuals. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s impossible to know how many vaccines we’ll get again next week and until we get enough for the general public vaccines are being given in a tier system to those most likely to be exposed and those more likely to die or have severe complications from the virus and by doing so they hope to reduce hospital capacity.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

The Saints enter the N-F-C playoffs as a two seed and will host the Chicago Bears this Sunday at the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has tested positive for COVID-19. Hunter released the information on his Facebook page and says he tested positive last week but is doing well and resting at home while following his doctor’s advice. He closed his post by asking everyone to continue to follow public health orders.

People over the age of 70 and those on dialysis are now eligible to be vaccinated. The website of CovidVaccine.LA.gov offers a list of 107 pharmacies in 51 parishes that have the vaccine. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says unfortunately for this first week the number of doses is extremely limited.

Cut 6 (10) “..we could.”

Springhill Family Pharmacy Pharmacist Suzanne Smith in Webster Parish says interest is extremely high and they’ve already reserved the 100 doses for patients who called in this morning. When they receive the vaccine tomorrow, they will begin setting up appointments for the week.

Cut 13 (11)“…manner.”

Dr. Kanter says they expect another shipment of doses next week.

US Senator John Kennedy joins an effort by a faction of Republican Congressmen who plan to refuse to certify the results of the Presidential Election. Kennedy is not joined by the state’s senior Senator, Bill Cassidy, who was sworn in just Sunday. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s because Cassidy’s M.O. has never been hyper-partisanship…

Cut 4 (07) is” 

The Saints blew out the Panthers Sunday to end another strong regular season at 12-4. They’ll play the Bears in the Dome Sunday for the first round of playoff action in what could be Quarterback Drew Brees’ last chance at a second Super Bowl ring. Brees says his focus is on beating the Bears

Cut 11 (12) “..and play”

Kickoff Sunday is at 3:40

Individuals over the age of 70 and dialysis patients can now receive the COVID vaccine, but the number of doses is extremely limited…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Phone lines at vaccine pharmacies are reportedly jam-packed.  Springhill Family Pharmacy Pharmacist Suzanne Smith in Webster Parish says despite the extra work…

Cut 14 (07) “…smoothly.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy was sworn in for another six year term Sunday after breezing to victory in November with 59 percent of the vote.  UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he doesn’t expect the state’s senior senator to face many reelection challenges in the coming years so he could stick around in that seat for a very long time…

Cut 3 (08)  “…years”

Cassidy’s next closest competitor was Shreveport Mayor and Democrat Adrian Perkins, who only snagged 19 percent.

The Saints finished off a 12-4 regular season with a 33-7 win over the Carolina Panthers yesterday. New Orleans is the two seed in the NFC playoffs and will host Chicago this Sunday. Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins has won two Super Bowls and knows how to approach postseason football

Cut 9 (12) “    it is”