Beginning Monday all Essential Workers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Thursday. The list includes grocery store, food service, and postal workers.

Cut 7 (09)  “…eligible.”

The list of professions also includes hotel, construction, manufacturing, energy, emergency preparedness workers, and media.

Voters in the 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts head to the polls tomorrow to pick their next U-S House Representative. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the 5th District race should be a landslide win for Republican Julia Letlow who may avoid a runoff.

Cut 4 (10)“…husband.”

Pinsonat says the second district congressional election will need a runoff.

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 President Wade Duty…

Cut 9 (10) “…temperatures”

Close to 5,000 employees were laid off from state casinos throughout the course of 2020.

The state and federal tax filing deadline has been extended to June 15th in Louisiana for all individuals and businesses. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathryn Pittman says this is because of the federal disaster that was approved for Louisiana as a result of last month’s winter storms.

Cut 10 (09) “…taxpayers.”

The state is expanding vaccine eligibility and starting Monday restaurant workers, grocery store employees and those who work at manufacturing facilities and at construction sites are eligible to get the vaccine. Governor Edwards says like all other eligible groups for the vaccine, essential workers will have to schedule appointments and also identify themselves as eligible workers and provide documentation.
Cut 8 (10) “…eligible
And the state health department is launching an outreach campaign that will get vaccines into hard-to-reach areas of Louisiana. State Health officer Doctor Joe Kanter…
cut 14 (11) “….next week”
Kanter expects community vaccination events during the second and third weekends of April.

Tomorrow is a special election for the 5th and 2nd Congressional District seats. Matt Doyle has more on both races.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The I-R-S and the state Department of Revenue are giving taxpayers until June 15th to file their 2020 taxes. But Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathyrn Pittman says do not procrastinate…
cut 11 (11) “…refund”

Governor Edwards announces essential workers can begin receiving vaccines on Monday.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

And the state is launching an outreach effort designed to remove any barriers that exist so residents make informed decisions on when it comes to COVID vaccines. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the campaign is designed to bring us back to where we were pre-pandemic…
cut 13 (05) “…right now”

Voters in the 2nd and 5th Congressional Districts can elect a new Representative to represent them in the U-S House. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says in the 2nd district, New Orleans state Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson are likely headed to a run-off…
cut 5 (11) “…District”
Another Democrat Gary Chambers is also running a visible campaign and Claston Bernard has the support of the Louisiana Republican Party.

The I-R-S and the state Department of Revenue will allow Louisiana taxpayers until June 15th to file their 2020 returns. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathyrn Pittman says Louisiana is getting extra time because of the winters storms that impacted the state last month…
cut 12 (10) “…thing”

All essential workers are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine in Louisiana starting on Monday. This includes people working in foodservice and grocery stores, manufacturing, construction, clergy and postal workers.

And the state health department is launching an awareness campaign to make sure every corner of the state has access to and knowledge of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The election is tomorrow for two vacant U-S House seats in Louisiana, one for the second district, which was previously held by Democrat Cedric Richmond and the fifth district where Luke Letlow was set to be the Congressman before he died from the coronavirus. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says turnout will be low and that’s more important in the 2nd district, which is likely headed to a runoff…
cut 6 (07) “….for you”
Democrats Troy Carter, Gary Chambers, Karen Carter Peterson, and Republican Claston Bernard are the main candidates in the 2nd district.

The state and federal tax filing deadline has been extended to June 15th in Louisiana for all individuals and businesses. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathryn Pittman says this is because of the federal disaster that was approved for Louisiana as a result of last month’s winter storms.
Cut 10 (09) “…taxpayers.”

The state of Louisiana is expanding who can get the COVID-19 vaccine. Starting Monday essential workers are eligible for the shot. That includes people working in foodservice and grocery stores, manufacturing, construction, clergy and other essential jobs.

Edwards says the state continues to make progress in the fight against COVID-19 as the positivity rate is just below three-percent and according to the latest vaccination numbers from the state health department, nearly one million people in Louisiana have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine. and Edwards says…
cut 9 (04) “….on time”

And the state is launching a grassroots campaign that will make sure vaccines get to areas of the state that might not be getting enough of them now. State Health Office Doctor Joe Kanter….
cut 15 (09) “….like this”

Tomorrow is a special election for the 5th and 2nd Congressional District seats. Matt Doyle has more on both races.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A 19-year-old Lafayette man has been charged with a hate crime and kidnapping charges. Federal prosecutors say Chance Joseph Seneca tried to kidnap and murder gay men by connecting with them through social media and a dating app. One of his victims was strangled and his wrists were slit to the bone.

Governor Edwards announces essential workers can begin receiving vaccines on Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards calls it a reasonable decision to not fire, but suspend two LSU athletic administrators for failing to handle sexual misconduct allegations properly. Edwards says based on what he read in the Husch Blackwell report the people that should get fired are no longer employed at LSU. But female state legislators are pushing for harsher punishments for the two LSU employees who have been suspended.

Voters in the 5th and 2nd Congressional Districts head to the polls tomorrow to pick their next U-S House Representative. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the 5th District race should be a landslide win for Republican Julia Letlow who may avoid a runoff.
Cut 4 (10)“…husband.”
Pinsonat says the second district congressional election will need a runoff.

The I-R-S and the Louisiana Department of Revenue are giving taxpayers until June 15th to file their taxes this year. Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathyrn Pittman says despite the extensions, it’s still not a good idea to procrastinate…
cut 11 (11) “…refund”

Saturday is Election Day in the 5^th and 2^nd Congressional District special elections. Matt Doyle has more on the state of both races.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Governor Edwards announces essential workers can begin receiving vaccines on Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

The health department is launching an awareness campaign to make sure every corner of the state access to and knowledge of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

____________________________

Voters in the 5^th and 2^nd Congressional Districts head to the polls Saturday to pick their next representative.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the 5^th District race should be a blowout with Republican Julia Letlow comfortably clearing the 50 percent margin needed to avoid a runoff.

Cut 4 (10)“…husband.”

The 5^th District special election was called after Julia Letlow’s husband, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 less than a week before he was set to be sworn into office. Luke won the 5^th District runoff in early December.

In the 2^nd Pinsonat says Democratic New Orleans State Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson are favorites to make it to a runoff.

Cut 5 (11)“…District.”

Internal campaign polling shows Baton Rouge activist and Democrat Gary Chambers running in third with a strong enough showing to basically guarantee a runoff.

Pinsonat says turnout for both races is expected to be very, very low, and Saturday’s results in the 2^nd could give us a good idea of just how competitive the April runoff will be.

Cut 6 (07) “…for you.”

The 2^nd Congressional District special election was called after Cedric Richmond joined the Biden Administration.

________________________

Beginning Monday all Essential Workers will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement Thursday. The list includes grocery store, food service, and postal workers.

Cut 7 (09)  “…eligible.”

The list of professions also includes hotel, construction, manufacturing, energy, emergency preparedness workers, and media.

Edwards says this is the last group to be eligible before the vaccine is available for all residents 16 and older and he believes that will happen before President Biden’s May 1^st directive.

Like all other eligible groups for the vaccine, essential workers will have to schedule appointments and also identify themselves as eligible workers and provide documentation.

Cut 8 (10) “…eligible

Edwards announced that the state positivity rate is at 2.9-percent the lowest it’s been since the pandemic began. He also praised the hard work of the health department and vaccine partners, allowing the state to set an example.

Cut 9 (04) “…on time.”

Edwards also shared that he himself is now fully vaccinated because it’s been two weeks since his last shot. He plans to hug his mother this weekend, something he has not done in a year because they are both fully vaccinated.

_____________________________

The state and federal tax filing deadline has been extended to June 15^th in Louisiana for all individuals and businesses.

Postlethwaite and Netterville Associate Tax Director Kathryn Pittman says this is because of the federal disaster that was approved for Louisiana as a result of last month’s winter storms.

Cut 10 (09) “…tax payers.”

The IRS also extended the deadline for all individual filers a month to May 15^th due to the pandemic and recent legislation passed that could impact their return.

Despite the one-month state extension and two-month federal extension, Pittman says it’s still a good idea to not procrastinate.

Cut 11 (11) “…refund.”

Pittman says Louisiana is no stranger to getting disaster-related extensions…

Cut 12 (10) “…thing”

_____________________________

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter announces the launch of a statewide campaign aimed at providing the opportunity to be vaccinated and the ability to ask questions about the vaccine in all pockets of the state.

Cut 13 (05) “…right now.”

Kanter says to speed up the process of reaching herd immunity and bring back a sense of normalcy, the goal of “Bring Back Louisiana” is to increase vaccine awareness, provide the space and opportunity to discuss hesitancy, and sign people up for appointments.

Cut 14 (11) “…next week.” 

So far the greatest obstacle with vaccinations has been the limited supply. Kanter says the White House indicated weekly allotments will increase significantly in April.

Just this week the CDC released a study that communities more vulnerable to the virus, as measured by the social vulnerability index, to date, are less likely to get vaccinated. Kanter says that is the focus of “Bring Back Louisiana.”

Cut 15 (09)“….like this.”

Kanter also pointed out that the CDC social vulnerability index to gauge how at-risk a community is in periods of disaster was created after Hurricane Katrina.

_________________________________________

LSU quarterback Myles Brennan spoke to the media for the first time since suffering an abdominal injury against Missouri early last season.  Brennan missed the entire season due to what he called the strangest injury he’s ever had.

Cut 16 (13) “…an injury like this.”

This injury was so rare that very few surgeries had been performed on this area of the body.  Brennan says that’s ultimately why he decided to let the injury heal on its own.

Cut 17 (18) “…the time.” (x2)

Brennan is now back on the practice field and battling with quarterbacks Max Johnson, TJ Finley, and Garrett Nussmeier for the Tigers’ starting job.  New offensive coordinator Jake Peetz will surely keep a close eye on the competition.  Brennan says he’s developed a relationship with Peetz that goes beyond football.

Cut  18 (14) “…very nice.” (x2)

________________________________________

The 19th ranked LSU baseball team opens SEC play tonight with a big weekend series against third-ranked Mississippi State. The Tigers lead the nation in home runs with 35, but the Bulldogs rank sixth in the country in team ERA at 2.34. LSU Coach Paul Mainieri says State has a lot of good arms…

Cut 19 (20) “..this weekend.” 

Jaden Hill will start for the Tigers on the mound and Mainieri says he goes into conference play with freshman right-hander Garrett Edwards from Pitkin as his closer

Cut 20  (20) “…eighth inning.” 

Devin Fontenot went into the season as the closer but he has struggled at times this season.

A range of over 20 essential work jobs will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine starting next week. That includes grocery store workers and those in hospitality. This comes as nearly a million Louisianans have now received at least one dose of a COVID 19 vaccine.

The Oregon State Board of Trustees places President F. King Alexander on probation after hearing evidence that he mishandled sexual misconduct incidents during his tenure at LSU. Alexander’s probation and multi-week suspensions to two LSU athletic administrators have been the only punishments meted out as a result of the Husch Blackwell report and Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says those punishments have been surprisingly light handed…

Cut 10 (07) “…response” 

Alexander left LSU to join Oregon State nine months ago after running LSU during the period covered by a report that detailed widespread administrative mishandling of sexual misconduct.

The American Rescue Plan includes an estimated $10.4 billion for Agriculture designed to strengthen the industry and food supply chain. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says the legislation includes $66-million for the Farm Loan Assistance Program for socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Cut 13 (11)“…forgiven.”

Drew Brees is looking forward to his new career in football as a member of the NBC Sports broadcasting team.  Brees will be a studio analyst for “Football Night in America” on Sunday nights and as a color analyst for Notre Dame football games.  Brees says he hopes fans can learn something about the game from his analysis.

Cut 6 (13) “…game now”