COVID cases continue to decrease across the state as a whole, but health officials warn that the Omicron variant is still very present in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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A state Workforce Commission program offering assistance in training to be a big rig driver gets an overwhelming response. More from David Grubb…:
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”
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The Joe Burrow LSU effect is making an impact at a Cincinnati bakery. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The chairman of the Legislative Black Caucus says they still have a great relationship with the governor despite controversy over how John Bel Edwards responded to Ronald Greene’s death. While speaking at the Baton Rouge Press Club, Lafayette Representative Vincent Pierre says the governor acted appropriately after hearing a motorist died following a violent struggle with State Troopers
Cut 4 (09) “…with that.”
Black lawmakers and Edwards held a private meeting last Tuesday after an Associated Press report suggested Edwards was involved in a cover-up of Greene’s death, who died while in State Police custody in May of 2019, the same year the governor was up for re-election. Pierre says the U-S Attorney’s office has publicly said the governor did not interfere with the investigation into Greene’s death…
Cut 5 (11) “…did anything wrong.”
Pierre says the caucus also supports current Louisiana Superintendent, Colonel Lamar Davis…
Cut 6 (13) “…Greene family “
Davis has led State Police since October 2020 and has implemented new policies to prevent excessive force incidents and he’s also worked to increase diversity among State Police leadership.
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COVID cases and hospitalizations continue on a downward trend in Louisiana. On Monday the state reported 1,568 COVID patients a decrease of 253 from the weekend and the fewest since January 6th. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says we are better off than where we were a few weeks ago.
Cut 7 (11) “…Delta cases.”
Hassig says when cases are on the downside of a surge, we tend to see cases and then hospitalizations, like we did with previous surges and fatalities are the last to show a decline. On Monday the state reported 48 additional fatalities.
As for the next surge, Hassig says there is a variant that’s been referred to as the sister of Omicron which is circulating in the U-S, but she believes it will have a hard time making a foothold.
Cut 8 (12) “….point and time.”
And by the time carnival season is in full swing in New Orleans, Hassig says she’s hopeful it will not develop into a super spreader event because of the vaccination rates of adults in the area, along with vaccine or testing requirements for parade participants. She says the big question remains among attendees.
Cut 9 (09) “…outside.”
Hassig says she anticipates the crowds will be large because Mardi Gras was canceled last year.
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A Louisiana Workforce Commission program to help train new commercial truck drivers has had an overwhelming response. The Drive Your Future program, found online at “LAworks.net”, offers applicants a chance to get federal grant money for their driver training. In the first day online, over 200 people applied. Day Two over 1000 signed up. Louisiana Motor Transport Association executive director Renee Amar says LWC is helping fill a shortage that’s been building for years…:
Cut 10 (09) “…across the nation.”
Learning to drive a big rig can take a couple of months and cost around $5000. Driving Your Future offers the chance to get a hand-up on what can become a lucrative career. The national driver shortage stands at roughly 80-thousand. The huge response to LWC’s Drive Your Future so far could mean the federal grant money is used up quickly. Amar says the LMTA also has a fund to assist drivers with training expense…:
Cut 11 (11) “…our scholarship program.”
Amar says the shortage of truckers is a large part of supply chain issues across the USA. She says the life of a trucker may not be for everybody, but there are worse ways to make a living…:
Cut 12 (12) “…job with benefits.”
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Even though the Saints aren’t in the Super Bowl it is fair to say Louisiana has some Tigers and Rams in the fight. In honor of quarterback Joe Burrow, a Cincinnati bakery has added a Bayou State staple to their menu with a slight twist. Dan Busken of Busken Bakery describes their take on a traditional New Orleans King Cake.
Cut 13 (08) “…baby Joe Burrow.”
Busken a third-generation baker in Ohio has also been educating Bengal fans about what it means if your slice of the cake contains a Baby Joey. Their version is called a ‘King of the Jungle Cake’ and it’s proved lucky so far.
Cut 14 (06) “…be true.”
Busken Bakery is even shipping their King Cake if you want to go all stripes for your Super Bowl party. As for what Burrow thinks of his influence on the Cincinnati twist on the beloved pastry…
Cut 15 (06) “…or gets one.”
To order a King of the Jungle Cake visit busken.com that’s B-U-S-K-E-N.
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After getting off to the program’s best start in 20 years, the LSU men’s basketball team is stuck in a downward spiral, losing six of its last seven games, including three straight. The Tigers will try to pull out of their dive Tuesday night in College Station against Texas A&M. LSU beat the Aggies 70-64 for its last win, but coach Will Wade says the Tigers have to play a lot better than they have to get this victory.
Cut 16 (22) “…on the road.”
Injuries have certainly impacted LSU, with several key players either at less than 100 percent or having to take on unfamiliar roles. Wade says that his squad being banged up is a factor, but the ultimate responsibility for the Tigers’ troubles is on him.
Cut 17 (17) “ …of the program.”
One troubling pattern for the Tigers has been falling behind early, though LSU has fought its way back into several games in the second half. For Wade, one of the keys for turning things around is keeping opponents from going on extended runs so they don’t have to come back.
Cut 18 (11) “ …at the end.”
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Dennis Allen will assume the reins as head coach of the New Orleans Saints, according to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Allen was seen as the front runner to succeed Sean Payton, having served on Payton’s staff as defensive coordinator since 2015. Allen was always seen as the frontrunner, so it isn’t a surprise to Locked on Saints host Ross Jackson that he’s now the man in charge.
Cut 19 (10)_“in Dennis Allen.”
Allen was previously the head coach of the Oakland Raiders from 2012-2014, compiling an 8-28 record. During this past season, he filled in for Payton as Coach, leading the Saints to a shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jackson says Allen understands the culture of this team better than any other candidate the Saints spoke with, and that resonated with Mickey Loomis and the rest of the front office.
Cut 20 (24) “ …into their decision.”