Parade riders and other participants, like marching bands and dance troupes, must show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test 72 hours before the procession in New Orleans. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says city leaders are doing all they can to keep the event safe and allow the parades to roll.

Cut 3 (08) “…COVID free.”

Health officials in New Orleans say despite the high prevalence of omicron they believe Carnival and be held safely.

You may now place your mobile bets in Louisiana. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market.

Cut 5 (11) “…that Louisiana does.”

Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Brandon Brown, U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District says, all too often, the victims are overlooked and tend to “fall through the cracks.” He says the task force is there to help them…:

Cut 8 (14)  “…their families.”

So far, the CDC has reported five flu pediatric deaths in the US for the 21-22 flu season and State Epidemiologist Teresa Sokol says one of the five deaths involved a child in Louisiana. The state has been keeping records of pediatric flu deaths since 2015.

Cut 12 (09) “…against flu.”

And she says the last reporting week indicated a decline in flu cases in Louisiana.

You can now place your mobile sports bets in Louisiana. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action.

Cut 4 (09) “…for one thing.” 

Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso announces the formation of the South West Louisiana Human Trafficking Task Force. He says he was moved by a discussion he had with one woman who was a trafficking victim, who felt her cries for help were going un-heard…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…gonna listen to you.”

The task force will educate the community how to recognize trafficking and offer victims assistance.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol the majority of flu cases in the US and Louisiana have been detected as the H3N2 variety.

Cut  11 (09)  “…young children.”  

The Louisiana Children’s Code gives district attorneys the authority to prosecute juveniles as adults in cases such as violent crimes, for example, murder, attempted murder, and aggravated burglary or battery committed with a firearm. District Attorney Don Landry is enforcing that and says it’s not just their charges that are impacted.

Cut 15 (11)  “…detention facility.”

Landry is the district attorney in Acadian, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes.

Mobile sports book betting has gone live in Louisiana. In 2020, 55 parishes voted to allow betting with mobile apps. Nine rejected the idea. Apps operating in Louisiana must be “geo-fenced” so that they do not work in those parishes. First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200-million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state. Eric Ramsey, with PlayUSA.com, says while it isn’t a jackpot just yet, it’s a nice early payout..:

CUT 06(10)      “…a tax standpoint.”

The Police Department in the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday has been deactivated, after town leaders failed to approve a city operating budget. All town functions, includingthe cops, must lock their doors and discontinue all service calls. An emergency budget meeting has been called for Monday night in Ferriday.

Lawmen, prosecutors and citizens groups are teaming to create a Human Trafficking Task Force in Southwest Louisiana; to catch the perpetrators and advocate for the victims. Louisiana’s Western District U.S. Attorney Brandon Brown says all too often, the victims are overlooked and tend to “fall through the cracks.” He says the task force is there to help them…:

CUT 08(14)      “…their families.”

Former LSU superstar Joe Burrow will lead the Cincinnati Bengals into Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Chiefs have scored 84 points in two playoff games, so Burrow knows that the Bengals will have to get off to a quick start offensively…:

CUT 16(14)      “…if you get down.”

The AFC Championship game starts at 2 p.m. this Sunday.

The state Health Department confirms that COVID cases are declining in Louisiana, but so too are cases of flu! More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police report a man stole an ambulance from St. James Parish early this morning and led troopers on a high speed chase all the way to Baton Rouge, where he crashed the vehicle into two LSP patrol units. The suspect was injured and taken to the hospital. Once stable he’ll be taken to jail.

Mobile sports betting went live at 8 this morning. Fans can use one of several apps to bet on … well almost any event. PlayUSA.com network spokesman Eric Ramsay says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market…:

CUT 05(11)      “…that Louisiana does.”

The state will get about 10-percent of profits from the betting apps.

Juveniles who commit violent crimes in Louisiana’s 15^th Judicial District can now be charged and tried as adults. D.A. Don Landry says the increase in violence committed by juveniles since July 2020 is staggering…:

CUT 14(11)      “…Vermillion three.”

Landry says he’s telling his prosecutors to go after violent juveniles with all they have, in hopes of deterring others from going down that road.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action…:

CUT 04(09)      “…for one thing.”

First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200 million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state.

Teens in the 15^th Judicial District – which includes Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes – can now be tried as an adult. District Attorney Don Landry made the announcement in an effort to reduce the growing number of juvenile crimes…:

CUT 13(09)      “…as adults.”

Landry says he’s instructing prosecutors to aggressively go after violent juvenile crime.

Law enforcement and community groups in Southwest Louisiana announce a cooperative task force to fight human trafficking and advocate for victims. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana will suspend its participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), effective immediately. The announcement comes amid concerns raised about potential questionable funding sources and the chance that partisan actors may access the data for political purposes. George Soros is a large funder of ERIC.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

The government of the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday has shut down, after town officals failed to approve an annual operating budget. Police and fire departments, everything was shut down after a proposed budget was voted down by the aldermen on Wednesday. Mayor Rydell Turner scheduled another budget meeting for Monday at 6 p.m.

Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Made up of local, state and federal LEO’s, prosecutors and service agencies and non-profits … the group will work to prevent sexual exploitation and aid victims. Brandon Brown is U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District…:

CUT 07(13)      “…what looks funny.”

Brown says human trafficking is equal to modern-day slavery. The Task Force will seek to identify victims faster, get them to a safe haven and prosecute their captors to the extent of the law.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol says however the flu season is still active…:

CUT 10(10)      “…more weeks.”

In addition to property damage, an estimated 280 million fish were killed in inland water in Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Inland Fisheries Fish Kill Coordinator Robby Maxwell says while the numbers are alarming it’s a regular occurrence with storms.

Cut 3 (10) “…south Louisiana.”

For more information about or to report fish kills, visit LDWF’s website.

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A 65-year-old Church Point woman becomes the 13th person to die from a home fire in Louisiana this year. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says an official cause of the fire remains undetermined but they are looking at several potential causes including an electrical malfunction related to house wiring…

Cut 7 (11) “…unattended candle.”

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The LSU athletic department lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. Overall revenues were down nearly $39 million, and the University saw a 52 percent decrease in donations to the department. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Adam Hunsucker says that after layoffs, pay reductions, and other staff and cost-cutting measures during the downturn, there are signs that LSU is regaining its financial strength.

Cut 11 (15)   “…be better”

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State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron surge has peaked in Louisiana, but there’s still a lot of COVID circulating in the state. The highest percentage of new cases is from northwest Louisiana, which is 16-percent. Statewide, nearly 20-percent of the new cases are among those 5 to 17. Kanter says he’s optimistic the state is heading in the right direction in the fight against the Omicron variant…

Cut 14 (11)  “…week prior.”

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