A 74-year-old Superdome security guard gave emotional testimony to the Legislature this morning alleging sexual harassment by former LSU running back Derrius Guice…

Cut 1 (47) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

On Monday everyone 16 and older in Louisiana can get vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says reducing vaccine hesitancy won’t be easy. She says many people aren’t necessarily anti-vaccine, but it is a complicated science and the COVID vaccines have been much more publicized than other vaccines in the past.

Cut 13 (12)“…important.”

House Democrats introduced legislation that would admit Washington D.C. into the United States as the nation’s 51^st state. Statehood activists say the over 700,000 residents of D.C. lack proper representation, but many Republicans, including Congressman Clay Higgins, says because D.C. is the seat of federal power making it a state would give it too much influence.

Cut 10 (11) “…state” 

A Legislative committee heard testimony from a woman who accused former LSU running back Derrius Guice of sexual harassment. 74-year-old Gloria Scott says in December of 2017 she was working as a Superdome security guard when she was accosted by Guice and a group of his friends. She says Guice was explicit and refused to leave when asked…

Cut 3 (15)  “…laughing.”  

Scott says when she reported the incident to LSU she was put on a phone call with Guice and coach Ed Orgeron who said Guice was just joking around.

Scott also says she spoke with athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar and requested Guice be suspended for a game as punishment, and that that request was refused.

All Louisianans 16 and older will be eligible to receive a vaccine Monday and Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says reducing vaccine hesitancy is at the top of health officials mind. She says it won’t be easy but for those who have the capacity to clarify questions about the vaccine, it’s incumbent on them to do so for those who are apprehensive.

Cut 12 (11) “ …process.” 

Hassig says currently the average vaccination rate for those receiving at least one dose is approximately 25-percent.

US House Democrats introduced legislation that would admit Washington D.C. into the United States as the nation’s 51^st state. Statehood activists say the over 700,000 residents of D.C. lack proper representation, but many Republicans, including Congressman Clay Higgins, say that’s not what the founders wanted for D.C.

Cut 9 (07) “…Washington”

The state revenue forecast is looking much better than earlier predictions despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state is still way off of its pre-pandemic expectations and some industries, like mining, continue to see job losses.
Cut 6 (10) “…jobs”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. LHC Group’s co-founder Ginger Myers says it’s vital to have the infrastructure and educational opportunities in place to address the growing need for healthcare providers as our population ages.

As hospitalization rates decrease for COVID some hospitals in large cities are reporting no new admissions for COVID patients. Baton Rouge General says they did not have any new patients on Wednesday and are caring for approximately 25 patients. Our Lady of the Lake reported no new admissions Tuesday and caring for 24 COVID patients. And last week at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans reported their COVID unit was empty. Today the state reports 378 hospitalizations and 14 deaths. The state health department reports 448 new COVID.

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils is for everyone you know to get vaccinated. Fully vaccination is considered two weeks after you complete your vaccine series, which means either your second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or the Johnson and Johnson one shot. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says starting Monday everyone 16 and older is eligible.

Cut 11 (08) “..safely.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. LHC Group’s CEO Keith Myers says their investment is a win-win for both the university and the company.
Cut 8 (10) “…to grow.”

The state revenue forecast is looking better thanks to a huge influx of federal support possibly three billion dolla. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the total pandemic job loss picture has come into view. At our lowest point last April, we had lost 284,000 jobs for a total unemployment rate of 13 percent. As of January, it sits at 7.6 percent.

Cut 5 (09)“…42-percent.”

Republican Jack McFarland’s GRIT Act, Government Reform In Transportation involved a gas tax to go towards federal matching dollars to fund $15-billion for the backlog of road and bridge projects and the $13 billion estimate to improve traffic flow. McFarland says without matching dollars the state loses out on additional federal funds.
Cut 14 (08) “…match.”

McFarland is removing the gas tax from the bill due to the influx of stimulus funds.

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support. Earlier this year Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the job and economic activity metrics didn’t paint a pretty picture, but due to the passage of the American Rescue Act…

Cut 4 (06)“…rollout.”

The state appears to be in line for more than three billion dollars in federal aid.

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. McFarland spent months raising awareness of why a gas tax was needed to fund transportation infrastructure, but now with billions in stimulus funds coming to the state, it’s a tough sale.
Cut 13 (11) “…difficult.”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated. Governor Edwards says for the first time in a year friends and family members will be able to safely gather maskless, but only if everyone involved is fully vaccinated.

Cut 10 (10) “…gathering.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie…

Cut 7 (09)  “…benefit.”

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support.
Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state is still way off of its pre-pandemic expectations and some industries, like mining, continue to see job losses.
Cut 6 (10) “…jobs”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated.
Full vaccination is considered to be two weeks after you complete your vaccine series, which means either your second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or only Johnson and Johnson shot.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says starting Monday everyone 16 and older is eligible to get the vaccine, so if you make an appointment then you could be good to go by early summer.
Cut 11 (08) “..safely.”

If everyone at a gathering is fully vaccinated individuals from one household who are not fully vaccinated are allowed to attend.
Kanter says another benefit to being fully vaccinated is…
Cut 12 (07) “..symptoms.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. But McFarland still believes in the need to restructure how transportation trust fund dollars are classified, so they can only be used for transportation infrastructure. McFarland says plans to revise GRIT Act for now without a gas tax.
Cut 15 (10)“…infrastructure.”

A return to some normalcy seems to be right around the corner, but only if people get vaccinated. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support.
The state appears to be in line for more than three billion dollars in federal aid. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the total pandemic job loss picture has come into view. At our lowest point last April we had lost 284,000 jobs for a total unemployment rate of 13 percent. As of January, it sits at 7.6 percent.
Cut 5 (09)“…42-percent.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program.
LHC Group’s co-founder Ginger Myers says it’s vital to have the infrastructure and educational opportunities in place to address the growing need for healthcare providers as our population ages.
Cut 9 (09) “…more jobs.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins.
McFarland’s GRIT Act, Government Reform In Transportation involved a gas tax that would go towards federal matching dollars to fund $15-billion for the backlog of road and bridge projects and the $13 billion estimate to improve traffic flow. McFarland says without matching dollars the state loses out on additional federal funds.
Cut 14 (08) “…match.”

Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state has an optimistic revenue outlook for the coming fiscal year despite “horrible” economic fundamentals in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program.
LHC Group’s CEO Keith Myers says the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions produces well-educated and highly skilled health care professionals and their investment is a win-win for both the university and the company.
Cut 8 (10) “…to grow.”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated.
Governor Edwards says for the first time in a year friends and family members will be able to safely gather together maskless, but only if everyone involved is fully vaccinated.
Cut 10 (10) “…gathering.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. McFarland spent months raising awareness of why a gas tax was needed to fund transportation infrastructure, but now with billions in stimulus funds coming to the state, it’s a tough sale.
Cut 13 (11) “…difficult.”

LSU football is concluding the second week of spring practice. Quarterback Max Johnson on what new offensive coordinator Jake Peetz is installing…
cut 20 (10) “…points”
In recruiting, four-star defensive tackle Tygee Hill has announced his commitment to LSU. The Edna Karr star is the first defensive lineman in LSU’s 2022 recruiting class. He also has offers from Alabama and Florida.

In basketball…starting guard Lonzo Ball is staying, but the Pelicans have dealt three point specialist J-J Redick before the NBA trade deadline. Redick and Nicolo Meli were shipped to Dallas in exchange for six-foot-seven forward James Johnson, reserve guard Wesley Iwundu and a second round pick. New Orleans hosts the Denver Nuggets tonight.

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Junior right-hander Landon Marceaux (Mar-so) is the Tigers new Friday night starter as LSU opens a three-game series tonight at ninth-ranked Tennessee. Marceaux has been the team’s Saturday starter while Jaden Hill has been on the mound every Friday night. Coach Paul Mainieri says he moved Marceaux to Friday, because he’s been the team’s best pitcher.
Cut 16 (13) “…Friday night starter.”
Marceaux has not allowed an earned run in 31 consecutive innings.

21st ranked Louisiana Tech takes a six-game winning streak to Hattiesburg where they’ll face Southern Miss for a four game series starting tonight. The Ragin Cajuns begin Sun Belt play by hosting Coastal Carolina, while ULM is at Texas State.

And in the NIT…La Tech advanced to the semifinals with a 72-65 win over Western Kentucky. The Bulldogs will play Mississippi State on Saturday,