LRN AM Newscall January 1 2020 ###added Kamara cuts###

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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The Mayor of Lake Charles remains optimistic about recovery efforts despite enduring the 5th strongest hurricane to hit the United States.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by Saturday. Over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

Kanter says starting the rollout during the holidays has also been problematic. But he remains encouraged…

Cut 4 (11) “…new year.”

There are currently 249-thousand people eligible to receive the vaccine and that group includes health care workers. nursing home residents and first responders. Kanter says starting Monday another 649-thousand people will be eligible and that includes a select number of individuals over the age of 70…

Cut 5 (06) “…health care services.”

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2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

And distributed more than 56-million PPE items and 4,500 PPE delivery missions.

The hurricane season was the busiest ever with relief efforts for Laura, Delta, and Zeta preparations for Cristobal, Marco, Sally, and Beta. Collins says LANG assisted with 400 generator missions; distributed 5.7 million meals, 7.8 million liters of water, 1.4 million bags of ice, and 267-thousand tarps.

Cut 7 (11)  “…efforts.”

Collins says in addition to the demands of the pandemic and an unprecedented hurricane season for the state, the guardsmen are involved in overseas missions.

Cut 8 (10) “…this year.”

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The City of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice with hurricanes in 2020, Laura was first responsible for widespread destruction and then Delta just added insult to injury. Mayor Nic Hunter says recovery efforts have come a long way in four months, however…

Cut 9 (09) “…recovered.”

Hunter says as for Federal recovery efforts it’s still too early to judge. He says while FEMA has responded well with some things…

Cut 10 (09) “…housing.”

In addition to housing Hunter says another major factor for the city to recover is major employers’ commitment to stay and rebuild.

Cut 11 (08) “…rebuilding.”

Overall, Hunter is optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles, because it’s residents and business community are resilient.

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The 87th annual Sugar Bowl is tonight in New Orleans and it’s a much different event this year due to the pandemic. Ohio State and Clemson will play in the national semifinal game and Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley says only three-thousand fans will be in attendance and none of their other events will take place

Cut 12 (09) “…of town.”

Hundley says they are looking forward to a great game between the Tigers and Buckeyes

Cut 13 (15) “…more exciting.”

Hundley says while the Sugar Bowl parade and other public events tied to the bowl game have been canceled, at least they are having a game this year…

Cut 14 (11) “…next year.” 

Hundley says a smaller Sugar Bowl means community donations will also be scaled back.

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After a record-tying six rushing touchdowns in an NFL game what will Saints running back Alvin Kamara do for an encore this Sunday when New Orleans closes out the regular season at Carolina on Sunday. Kamara says he has not reflected much on his historic Christmas Day performance…

Cut 15 (15)“…accomplish”

In his fourth season with the Black and Gold, Kamara is having his best season and is 68 yards away from a one-thousand yard rushing season. That’s a milestone he would like to reach

Cut 16 (20) “…stuff to do.”