Beginning Monday, March 29^th all Louisianans age 16 and up are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID. Governor John Bel Edwards says they received confirmation that the state would receive a sizable increase in weekly doses so they have opened eligibility for all adults. You will still need to make an appointment.

Research out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds colorectal cancer survivors who lose muscle mass face a 40 percent higher risk of premature death.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says despite the heroic efforts of educators this past year, students have missed out on more than just academics.

Cut 3 (11)  “…tutoring.”  

Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s possible we will have strong winds, hail, and tornadoes Thursday, especially in Northeast Louisiana. Southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until midnight tomorrow. That part of the state got plenty of rain today and Keim says more rain is on the way…

Cut 13 (11)“…heavy rains.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. The suit is backed by many local Republican leaders and oil and gas industry representatives.  Erath Representative Blake Miguez says

The moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

Cut 8 (11) “…22.”

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

Lousiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will move through the state helping to produce the possibility for strong winds, hail, and tornadoes

Cut 12 (12) “ …weather aware” 

Meanwhile, southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until midnight Thursday night.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants school systems to approach summer school a bit differently this year. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Caesar’s Entertainment, owner of Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, appears to be close to sealing a 20-year-old deal for the new naming rights to the Superdome. The Dome’s deal with Mercedes Benz is expiring in July and the company elected not to renew its deal with the Saints.

The Louisiana Department of Education is encouraging school systems to approach summer learning in a different way, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program this year. So far, State Superintendent Cade Brumley says school systems seem agreeable to the idea and some are already working on logistics to update their programs.

Cut 5  (07)  “…post-pandemic,”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13-state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Other Republican and industry leaders spoke at the press conference as well. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the moratorium will hinder flood protection projects.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars.”

Miguez says the moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

Research from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds colorectal cancer survivors need to maintain and build muscle mass or face a 40 percent greater risk of premature death. Cancer Metabolism Program Director Dr. Justin Brown the study found women face even higher odds of premature death than men when losing muscle. Brown says they don’t exactly know why that is, but there’s an early theory…

Cut 10 (09) “…quality” 

A report from Jeff Duncan of The Athletic says the Saints are close to reaching a deal with Caesars Entertainment for naming rights to the Superdome. It’s unclear what the actual name will be right now. Saints owner Gayle Benson and team executives recently met in Las Vegas to finalize the deal that will pay the club $10 million annually for the next 20 years. The Mercedes Benz contract ends in July.

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says they want systems to offering small group tutoring to help students catch up or even get ahead for the next year.

Cut 4 (09) “…friends.” 

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center study finds colorectal cancer survivors need to maintain and build muscle mass or they face a 40 percent greater risk of premature death. Cancer Metabolism Program Director Dr. Justin Brown says the muscle is a large organ that provides a lot of health benefits that are vital for colorectal cancer survivors, so you need to build muscle…

Cut 9 (10) “…health”

The IRS issues guidance for tax filers who received unemployment compensation last year from changes issued in the American Rescue Plan. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says if you received unemployment last year, you can now exclude $10,200 from your 2020 state and federal taxes.

Cut 11 (11) “…$150,000.”

If by chance you’ve already filed your taxes for 2020, Robinson says there’s no need to amend them and if you have a rebate coming they will send it to you.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Landry says the Administration’s energy policy is a reckless abuse of Presidential power that picks winners and losers.

Cut 6, 8 seconds, lands

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says despite the heroic efforts of educators this past year, students have missed on more than just academics.

Cut 3 (11)  “…tutoring.”  

A US Senate Committee is discussing House Democrat-backed legislation that would greatly expand voting access. The For the People Act would institute automatic voter registration when people come of age, allow same-day online voter registration, ban voter purges, mandate a minimum of two weeks of early voting and vote by mail for all elections, and mandate precinct distribution based on population, and a list of other items.

It faces long odds due to nearly universal Republican opposition. Senator Bill Cassidy says, in particular, it would facilitate more voter fraud…

Cut 9

Power Coalition Director of Strategic Partnerships Morgan Shannon argues there’s no evidence that making it easier to vote will damage the integrity of elections.

Cut 10 (11) “…fraud.”

A sweeping voting rights bill is set to have its first US Senate hearing today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin wants to remind you the voter registration deadline for the April 24^th election by mail is today. You can also register online up until April 3^rd. These deadlines are for people who are not registered or who would like to make changes to their voter registration. You can visit geauxvote-dot-com that geaux for more info.

If you received unemployment benefits last year, you’ll get a break on your taxes this time. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says you can exclude $10,200 from your 2020 state and federal taxes.

cut 13 (09) “…line eight”
She says if you have filed your taxes, the I-R-S will send you a refund automatically. There are instructions on the IRS and state revenue’s websites.

Another benefit from the American Rescue Act in addition to a break on your taxes if you collected unemployment is on COBRA insurance payments. Louisiana Blue Cross/Blue Shield Chief Economist Mike Bertaut that starting April 1^st the feds will cover 100 percent of the cost of COBRA if you were laid off after March 1^st of 2020…

Cut 16 (08) “…department.”

A U-S Senate committee will begin discussing the House-approved voting rights bill today that supporters say protects every American’s right to vote, gets dark money out of elections and it makes sweeping anti-corruption reforms. But Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says it would facilitate more voter fraud because it blocks states from requiring residents to have an ID to vote…
cut 8 (08) “….to vote”

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says if you received unemployment benefits last year, the I-R-S says you can exclude $10,200 from your 2020 state and federal taxes.
Cut 11 (11) “…$150,000.”
If you’ve already filed your taxes, Robinson says the I-R-S will automatically provide you a refund.

Houma police continue to search for the shooter that killed an eight-year-old girl who was a passenger in a vehicle on Monday night. The victim has been identified as Treyce Bryant and she was in the same car as her mom and one of her friends when shots were fired from another vehicle. Terrebonne District Attorney Joe Waitz Junior is vowing justice…
cut 6 (06) “…killing”
Authorities have not identified a suspect or discussed a possible motive.

Saints Quarterback Jameis Winston got emotional talking with reporters about playing with Drew Brees last season…
cut 19 (19) “…he understands”
Winston will have to beat out Taysom Hill in order to replace Brees as the Saints starting quarterback.

Louisiana residents who make less than 150-thousand dollars and received unemployment benefits last year will be able to exclude $10,200 from their 2020 state and federal taxes. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says if you’ve already filed your 2020 taxes, there’s no need to amend them….
cut 12 (06) “…automatically”
And don’t forget the tax filing deadline for Louisiana taxpayers is June 15th this year.

The House-approved Voting Rights Bill gets its first hearing in the U-S Senate today. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy does not support it…
cut 9 (09) “…thumb on”
Cassidy says the legislation would create more voter fraud, while supporters say it will result in more people registering to vote and shorter lines at polling places.

Starting next month Obamacare health insurance marketplace subsidies will substantially increase. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has told public schools they can reduce the physical distance between students in classroom settings from six to three feet based on the latest C-D-C guidance. And the state department of education is encouraging schools to approach summer learning in a new way by creating a camp-like environment.