Normally right now we’d be at the peak of flu season, but so far, the state reports very few cases.

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

Those now 65 and older are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine starting Monday. This comes as the state is expecting to see a five percent increase in the total vaccine allotment for next week and we hit 400,000 total people who’ve received at least their first of two doses. Approximately a quarter-million more Louisianans will be eligible with this decision.

A 33-year-old Natchitoches man faces over 500 counts of child porn, 30 counts of mail theft, eleven counts of identity theft, and drug charges. Captain Tony Moran, with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, says their investigation into Christopher Stanfield began when a duffle bag containing several pieces of mail was found during a search of his vehicle

Cut 3 (09)  “…bank account numbers”

State Police report two people were killed in a head-on crash in Thibodaux on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the high impact collision occurred when 33-year-old Lathisha Bellanger of Gray entered the northbound lane on L-A 1 in an attempt to pass several vehicles, but could not confirm if it was a no-passing zone…

Cut 14 (10) “..head on” 

The other driver who died at the scene has been identified as 57-year-old Ricky Zeringue of Thibodaux.

Beginning Monday those 65 and older are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana. the governor made the announcement today at his weekly COVID press briefing. The age has been lowered from 70 to 65, adding approximately 250-thousand more to be eligible for the vaccine.

State Police report two people were killed in a head-on crash in Thibodaux on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the high impact collision occurred when 33-year-old Lathisha Bellanger entered the northbound lane on L-A 1 in an attempt to pass several vehicles. The other driver has been identified as 57-year-old Ricky Zeringue. LaGrange says it’s unknown if the two victims were wearing a seat belt…

Cut 13 (10)“.  are pending”

In New Iberia, 67 year old Marshall Haywood Tony Migues was charged and booked in the Iberia Parish Jail for 8 counts of forgery, injuring public records and malfeasance in office. An investigation by State Police received information alleging multiple signatures has been forged by Migues on official court documents.  Migues was booked without incident. The investigation is ongoing.

33-year-old Christopher Stanfield of Natchitoches faces over 500 counts of child porn, and 30 counts of mail theft charges. Captain Tony Moran, with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, says the case volume caused detectives to summon assistance from the State Police and the Bossier City Marshal Task Force Unit…

Cut 5  (12) “…been included.” 

Stanfield also faces eleven counts of identity theft and drug charges.

Cases of the flu are down across the country compared to last year as COVID mitigation measures have more folks keeping their distance and washing their hands.  State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says people had good reason to play it safe.

Cut 6 (11) “…low”

The low outbreak of flu this year, Welch says is reflective of the southern hemisphere who also had low cases of the flu during their winter.

State Police report two people were killed in a head-on crash in Thibodaux on Wednesday afternoon. Senior Trooper Jesse LaGrange says the high impact collision occurred when 33-year-old Lathisha Bellanger of Gray entered the northbound lane on L-A 1 in an attempt to pass several vehicles

Cut 12 (07) “    collision” 

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office says an investigation into mail theft resulted in dozens of felony charges against a 33-year-old man. 

cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

At least 400,000 Louisianans have now received their first dose of a COVID vaccine and 130,000 have completed their full series as of this week’s vaccination update from the Louisiana Department of Health. 1,956 providers are now involved in the state’s vaccination program as well.

A 33-year-old Natchitoches man faces over 500 counts of child porn, 30 counts of mail theft, eleven counts of identity theft, and drug charges. Captain Tony Moran, with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, says Christopher Stanfield was pulled over in Rapides Parish and several pieces of mail were discovered, which led deputies to search his home and they found child pornography.

Cut 4 (08) “…January of 2020″ 

Videos of a packed Bourbon Street last weekend have New Orleans officials pledging to crack down on gatherings ahead of Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says this year for carnival stay home and stay socially distant from others.

Cut 11 (10) “…different.”

The New Orleans City Council has pledged to develop a plan to stop this year’s carnival from becoming another super spreading event.

The state is reportedly experiencing an extremely low outbreak of the flu. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says in order to have widespread disease you have to have lots of people with it. He credits those who have practiced COVID mitigation measures properly with curbing the spread of the flu.

Cut 7 (10) “…take hold.”

There’s also been an increase in the number of flu vaccines this year as well.

The Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines look set to join Pfizer and Moderna in obtaining FDA approval soon and by spring there could be four different vaccines in use. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says if they are approved we will see a major uptick in the number of weekly vaccinations, particularly because the J&J vaccine is only one injection…

Cut 12 (07) “…(2x) dose.”

Another vaccine, NovaVax, is expected to be approved in the summer.

The New Orleans City Council pledges to develop a plan to stop Mardi Gras 2021 from turning into the super-spreading event that Mardi Gras 2020 was after videos of a packed and maskless Bourbon Street emerged over the weekend. That provoked an impassioned plea from New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson…

Cut 10 (11) “.Frenchmen”

All New Orleans parades have been canceled this year.

Flu is down this year as COVID mitigation measures have folks stay distant and washing their hands, two key moves in also insuring the flu season stays limited. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says he hopes folks will keep up the good flu-fighting work even after the COVID pandemic ends…

Cut 8 (08) “…over.”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser explains how The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail became a reality.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The LSU men’s basketball team suffered a 78-60 loss at the hands of the Alabama Crimson Tide.  It was a tough shooting night for the Tigers as they shot just 30 percent from the floor as a team and 23 percent from 3 point range.  LSU was led offensively by freshman guard Cam Thomas who scored 22 points to go along with 5 rebounds.  With the loss, LSU is 11-6 on the season.

The New Orleans Pelicans earned a 123-101 win over the Phoenix Suns at home.  Zion Williamson led the team with 28 points while Brandon Ingram added 23 and Steven Adams had a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds.  The team’s next game is tomorrow against the Indiana Pacers on the road.

The LSU Tigers added two more signees to its football team yesterday as 4-star defensive end Saivion Jones from St. James and 3-star offensive lineman Kimo Makaneole from Florida both signed their letters of intent.  This gives LSU 22 signees in the 2021 class.  The team has three spots left in the class and could look to the transfer portal to fill the remaining spots.

According to 247 Sports, the Ragin Cajuns football program signed the second-best recruiting class involving teams in the Sun Belt.  The class includes a nice mix of high school stars as well as some quality transfers.  A handful of signees are already on campus and head coach Billy Napier is excited to see what they can do.

Cut 16 (10) “with us”

Louisiana Tech only signed one player on Wednesday, and that’s junior college transfer Demarcus Gordon from Tunica Mississippi.  Coach Skip Holtz says Gordon is an important piece of the puzzle that they need.

Cut 18 (17) “March 10^th”

The state along with the rest of the country is reportedly experiencing a low amount of flu cases this season. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch believes COVID mitigation measures along with more people choosing to be vaccinated for the flu are responsible.

Cut 6 (11) “…low”

There’s still time in the season to get your flu shot.

A 33-year-old Natchitoches man faces over 500 counts of child porn, 30 counts of mail theft, eleven counts of identity theft and drug charges. Captain Tony Moran, with the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office, says their investigation into Christopher Stanfield began when a duffle bag containing several pieces of mail was found during a search of his vehicle

Cut 3 (09)  “…bank account numbers”

Videos of a shoulder to shoulder packed Bourbon Street last weekend have New Orleans officials pledging to crack down on gatherings ahead of Mardi Gras. New Orleans Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says Mardi Gras must be different this year and the city will be busting up large crowds that gather for celebrations.

Cut 9, 8 seconds, area

Traditionally Mardi Gras would be ramping up exponentially between now and Fat Tuesday on February 16^th.

Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca are closing in on FDA approval, and Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says once they get the green light the state’s vaccine supply will increase significantly, particularly because the J&J vaccine is only one shot…

Cut 12 (07) “…(2x) dose.”

J&J is expected to receive approval before AstraZeneca.

Lafayette attorney Barry Rozas denies the charge of rape after his arrest Tuesday. The complaint was one of 28 provided to the Evangeline Council of the Boy Scouts of America and turned over to the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office in November. Rozas says a commission working on a class-action suit against the Boy Scouts of America created an anonymous hotline.

Cut 5 (09)“…citizens.”

Rozas faces a first-degree rape charge.

The Johnson and Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines will soon look to join Pfizer and Moderna in obtaining FDA approval for use in the U-S. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says each vaccine has its own efficacy but the best one for you is whichever one is available…

Cut 10 (09) “…as well.”

Peninsula Pacific is looking at moving its riverboat casino license for Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City that closed last May to Slidell. The company reportedly is interested in constructing a 250-million-dollar casino resort. St. Tammany President Mike Cooper says several steps have to take place, including a vote to undo a 1996 referendum in which St. Tammany voters rejected casinos and video poker…

Cut 13 (11) “…gaming.”

The state has launched the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the trail consists of 15 site markers, commemorating the Civil Rights movement in Louisiana.

Cut 8 (11) “…there.”
The website is LouisianaCivilRightsTrail.com.

A Lafayette attorney accused of rape while he served as a Boy Scout leader denies the allegations. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s office says an eight month-long investigation into mail theft has resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Christopher Stanfield of Natchitoches on multiple felony charges including child pornography. During a search of his vehicle, authorities found a duffle bag filled with mail taken from mailboxes.

There are two COVID-19 vaccines that have been approved for use in the United States, but two other manufacturers could have their vaccines approved soon, Johnson and Johnson and Astra Zeneca. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Moroici says Astra Zeneca ran into a mistake during a clinical trial where people receiving a half dose were seeing more protection than a full dose…
cut 11 (12) “…second dose”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism has launched the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail. It’s a series of markers across the state and an interactive website detailing the civil rights movement in the 1950s and 60s. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they interviewed over 400 people to put it together.
Cut 7 (08) “…lived it.”
Nungesser says the trail consists of 15 site markers where significant events took place during the Civil Rights Era. There’s also a website Louisiana Civil Rights Trail-dot-com.