Essential workers can get the COVID vaccine starting today. That means grocery store employees, restaurant workers, bank tellers, postal workers, and a lot more individuals can get vaccinated. Some argue essential workers should have received higher priority. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig agrees.
Cut 6 (10) “…higher.”

The Louisiana Lottery estimates they will end their fiscal year at the end of June, the most profitable in their 30-year history, and transfer $190 million to the state for K-12 education. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the Lottery was extremely lucky that their retailers, grocery and convenience stores, remained open throughout 2020. Allowing them to entertain consumers.

Cut 8 (10) “…Limited.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry joins other Republican AG’s in opposing an aspect of the recently passed Biden Stimulus Bill that blocks states from enacting tax cuts. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Oregon State University Board of Trustees is set to meet again tomorrow to discuss the future employment of former LSU leader F King Alexander, who is the O-S-U president. The Board has already placed Alexander on probation as a result of failing to handle sexual misconduct cases while he led LSU. There’s a possibility the Board could fire him after tomorrow’s meeting.

Starting today essential workers can be vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says this is a very important step in mitigating the pandemic and giving those who have kept things running the best protection from COVID.
Cut 4 (08)“…society.”
Those who work in food service, manufacturing, postal, and grocery store workers are among the group that’s now eligible for the vaccine.

Julia Letlow won the special election to serve as a U-S Representative for Louisiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Her husband Luke Letlow was set to serve the 5th District but died from COVID. Julia Letlow told KNOE-TV that her time on the campaign trail has helped her process the tragedy…
cut 14 (09) “…for me’
Democrat Candy Christophe finished a distant second.

The Louisiana Lottery estimates this fiscal year, which ends in June, will be the most profitable in its 30-year history. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they are projected to transfer over $190-million to the state for K-12 public education.
Cut 7 (11) “…ways.”
Chopin says the Lottery was extremely lucky that their retailers, grocery and convenience stores, remained open during 2020.

The American Rescue Act, which was recently approved in Congress, has a provision that restricts states from cutting taxes as the one-point-nine trillion-dollar legislation contains 350-billion dollars in assistance for states. Solicitor General in the Louisiana Attorney General’s office, Liz Murrill, says the mandate is unlawful and unconstitutional…
cut 11 (05) “…Legislature”
Governor Edwards says he has no problem with the requirement as he believes any tax reform legislation approved by the legislature should be revenue-neutral.

Essential workers can get the COVID vaccine starting today. That means grocery store employees, restaurant workers, bank tellers, postal workers, and a lot more individuals can get vaccinated. Some argue essential workers should have received higher priority. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig agrees.
Cut 6 (10) “…higher.”

Republican Julia Letlow won the special election for the 5th Congressional District without the need of a runoff. Letlow garnered 65-percent of the vote. The election was needed after Julia’s husband, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, died from COVID-19 complications days before he was set to be sworn in. Julia Letlow told KNOE-TV it’s been an emotional four months…
Cut 13 (03) “…with pride.”

Louisiana Lottery officials say they will be able to transfer over 190-million dollars to K-through-12 public education this fiscal year as the agency is experiencing its most profitable year in its 30-year history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the pandemic has led to higher ticket sales and in June the state legislature allowed them to put more money into prizes…
cut 9 (08) “…play more”

If LSU wants to keep playing in the NCAA Tournament, they will need to beat top-seeded Michigan tonight. The Tigers have struggled at times to rebound the basketball and LSU Forward Darius Days says that will be a key tonight against a big Michigan team…
cut 18 (13) “…the ball”
Tip off is at 6:10 PM.

Vaccine eligibility widens today allowing essential workers, including restaurant employees, to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says this is another important step towards reducing the number of severe COVID cases and deaths…
cut 5 (10) “…danger”
Governor Edwards says essential workers are the last group to be prioritized before the vaccine is open to all adults.

Julia Letlow won the special election to serve as a U-S Representative for Louisiana’s Fifth Congressional District. Her husband Luke Letlow was set to serve the 5th District, but died from COVID. Julia Letlow told KNOE-TV that her time on the campaign trail has helped her process the tragedy…
cut 14 (09) “…for me’
Democrat Candy Christophe finished a distant second.

The Louisiana Lottery estimates they will transfer a record high of more than $190-million to the state for K-12 public schools this year. Brooke Thorington on how education hit the jackpot.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Oregon State University Board of Trustees is set to meet again tomorrow to discuss the future employment of former LSU leader F King Alexander, who is the O-S-U president. The Board has already placed Alexander on probation as a result of failing to handle sexual misconduct cases while he led LSU. There’s a possibility the Board could fire him after tomorrow’s meeting.

A 30,000 participant clinical trial for AstraZeneca is complete and results show the vaccine is safe and effective. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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The CDC revises social distancing guidelines for schools to 3-feet instead of six. Brooke Thorington has more from a Louisiana Congressman who led the charge for revision.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Legislation is filed for the April session that would bar car insurance companies from charging higher premiums to women, widows, and those with low credit scores. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Don’t forget to take your umbrella with you today, and you’ll need to keep it handy. State Climatologist Barry Keim says some areas will see more rain than others as a frontal boundary hangs around until Thursday, bringing plenty of rain and threats of flash flooding to a large portion of southeast Louisiana.

Cut 4 (07)“…the state.”

Keim says you can expect to see showers across the entire state over the next few days. He says the rain however is a welcome relief for some, especially in south-central Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10)“…issues.”

In addition to a flash flood watch for southeastern parishes, Keim says the Storm Prediction Center predicts a marginal risk for severe weather today.

Cut 6 (10) “…develop.”

Keim says once this system clears we should have ideal weather Friday with highs in the 70s.

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AstraZeneca’s clinical trial shows the company’s two-shot COVID-19 vaccine has an efficacy rate of 79 percent in the US.

Use of AZ’s vaccine in Europe was temporarily halted on fears it was leading to incidents of blood clotting. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the data did not support that decision.

Cut 7 (11)  “…to see.”

30,000 people participated in the study.

Morici says AZ’s vaccine is similar to Johnson and Johnson’s in that it uses an adenoviral vector and can be stored for months in regular refrigerators.

Cut 8 (06) “…world.”

Johnson and Johnson’s adenoviral vector vaccine has an efficacy rate of about 72 percent in the US on one dose.

Morici says because we may have enough Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson and Johnson vaccines to vaccinate everyone in the US there’s a chance Louisianans may not end up taking AstraZeneca.

Cut 9 (10) “..states.”

Earlier this month the Biden Administration announced it would send a significant portion of the AstraZeneca US stockpile to Mexico and Canada.

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The CDC revises guidance for K-12 schools to three feet for physical distance between students in the classroom in addition to face masks. Congressman Mike Johnson says the previous recommendation of six feet placed 89-percent of school children across the nation in the most restrictive red zone category.

Cut 10 (08) “…highs chools.”

Johnson says he along with other congressmen put pressure on the CDC to change the unworkable guidance.

Cut 11 (09) “…classrooms.”

Johnson says we’ve known for many months that the risk of transmission is extremely low particularly among young students. Johnson believes there was political pressure on the CDC not to revise the guidelines from Democrats…

Cut 12 (10) “…science.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says they are awaiting guidance from the Louisiana Department of Health before changing to three feet.

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Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau files legislation barring car insurance companies from charging women, widows or widowers, and those with low credit scores higher premiums.

One argument is that those who are recently widowed start driving more. Luneau says they’ve had experts testify to the Legislature that this is false.

Cut 13 (12) “…rates.”

Another defense from the industry was that those recently widowed are not married and thus should be charged the higher rates seen by single people.

Luneau says it’s unacceptably discriminatory to charge women more than men just because of their gender.

Cut 14 (10) “…more” 

Credit score can also impact rates. Luneau says credit scores are often inaccurate and discriminate against the working class.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon argued last year that passing this legislation would not reduce overall premiums, just shift the burden to other drivers. Luneau disputes that claim but says even if true…

Cut 15 (09)“…risk”

Voters in Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District have elected Republican Julia Letlow as their new representative in the U-S House. Letlow told K-N-O-E TV that when she gets to Congress her first priority will be rural broadband…
cut 15 (12) “….coming down”
The Second Congressional District race is headed to a run-off between two Democrats, Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson.

Tucked into the American Rescue Act is a requirement that says states that accept aid are restricted from cutting taxes through 2024. Attorney General Jeff Landry joined other Republican AG’s in opposing the tax cut limitation. Solicitor General Liz Murrill says because the Act has already been signed into law…
Cut 10 (06) “…applicable.”
350 billion dollars of the 1.9 trillion dollar legislation was set aside specifically as assistance for states.

Essential workers, which includes those who work in manufacturing, construction, bank tellers, grocery store workers, and restaurant employees, are now eligible to be vaccinated in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Voters in the 2^nd and 5^th Congressional Districts have until 8 PM today to head to the polls and cast a ballot for their next representative. The 5^th is expected to be a bit of a blowout with Republican Julia Letlow cruising to an easy win, but the 2^nd is expected to head to an April runoff.

The Big Dance rolls on today with LSU taking on St. Bonaventure today at 1245 in Bloomington Indiana. LSU is a young team, with only Javonte Smart and Darius Days having experience in the tournament. Smart says the team needs to treat this like any other game.

Cut 5  (10)  “…just another game” 

St. Bonaventure is a ninth seed and playing in its eighth tournament. LSU is playing the tournament for its 23^rd time. In their last tournament appearance, LSU made the Sweet 16.

Members of the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus are calling for more punitive action to be taken against administrators whose names were mentioned in the Husch Blackwell report that detailed widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct incidents at LSU. Only two suspensions were handed out by the school to current employees as a result, but Governor Edwards says he’s not questioning that decision…

Cut 7 (11) “…decision.”

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather to start 2021. Louisiana gaming establishments lost 877 million in revenue for 2020 compared to 2019. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty…

Cut 9 (10) “…temperatures”

It’s Election Day for two special elections in the 2^nd and 5^th congressional districts. The 5^th is a sprawling district that runs from northeast Louisiana through Alexandria and over to the northern Florida parishes. The 2^nd is a primary New Orleans-based district that covers most of the Crescent City, parts of Jefferson Parish, the River Parishes, and north Baton Rouge. Polls close at 8 PM.

Louisiana casinos lost 877 million dollars in 2020 compared to 2019…

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

LSU is in the Big Dance and takes on ninth seed St. Bonaventure today at 1245 in Bloomington Indiana. St.Bonaventure is anchored defensively by big man Osun Osunniyi (Oh-shoon Oh-shoon-ee-yee), who averages almost three blocks per game. LSU coach Will Wade says he’s one of the best rim protectors he’s seen.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the country” 

Louisiana reports fewer than 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since late March. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this is evidence that we are doing a good job of stopping the spread, using mitigation measures, and proof the vaccine is working.

Cut 13 (08)“…hospitalizations.”

987,000 Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and 568,000 have completed their full series.