PM LRN Newscall (correct outros on 12-14)

The New Orleans Archdiocese asks Catholics to take Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID vaccines instead of Johnson and Johnson’s “morally compromised” vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Louisiana will loosen COVID restrictions Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more on our move into Phase Three…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance.

Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

Cut 4 (09) “…losses” 

Strain says homeowners who lost plants in the freeze can also help out their local struggling nurseries, but before you go in…

Cut 5  (12)  “…to you” 

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The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

A gallon of regular gas has increased in price by 26-cents in the last month in Louisiana.

Today the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.73.

Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

While an increase in gas prices hurt the average consumer, Redman says however higher crude oil prices helps the state economy.

Cut 8 (12) “…layoffs.”

 

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The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine into question over its use of “morally compromised” abortion-derived cell lines.

LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine and Pasquier says there will be many Catholics who, given the circumstances, will not follow the Archdiocese’s guidance. But…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccines.” 

The Baton Rouge Archdiocese has issued a similar guideline calling Pfizer and Moderna “morally acceptable” but that parishioners may take J&J if no other options are available.

Pasquier says the New Orleans Archdiocese has no way to enforce the guidelines on Catholics who chose to take the J&J vaccine.

Cut 11 (10) “…conscience.

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Pandemic public health restrictions will be loosened Wednesday as Louisiana moves into Phase Three.

Governor Edwards says that means the majority of businesses including restaurants can operate at 75 percent capacity and houses of worship will have no limitations on capacity, but…

Cut 12 (10) “ …settings.” 

Bars in all parishes can now operate at 25 percent capacity and bars in parishes with a positivity rate under five percent can operate at 50 percent capacity. Live music will be allowed indoors under an extensive set of guidelines.

The mask mandate will stay in place.

Cut 13 (12)“…transmission”

Gatherings at event centers will be capped at 50 percent capacity and limited to 250 people.

Edwards says our positivity rate and hospitalization numbers are a third of what they were at our worst ever peak on January 8th, and while we’ve made good progress…

Cut 14 (08) “…direction” 

The new order will expire on March 31st.

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