LRN PM Newscall March 4

The state health department announces it’s holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke. Thorington”  

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A group of 33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers is urging Governor Edwards to cancel the statewide mask mandate. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Abbeville yesterday afternoon that also resulted in a deputy getting shot. Trooper Thomas Gossen says a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy attempted to serve a protective custody order when the deputy and police officers were shot at by 41-year-old Dwight Brown who was armed with a rifle

Cut 3 (11)  “…fatally wound the suspect.”  

Gossen says the deputy who shot Brown, was also shot…

Cut 4 (04) “…been released.” 

Neighbors of the man who was fatally shot told K-A-T-C-TV that Brown was a veteran who suffered from P-T-S-D. Gossen says an order of  protective custody is usually associated with a mental evaluation

Cut 5  (12)  “…that report.” 

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The Louisiana Health Department announces it’s holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events for those eligible to be vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they have partnered with various agencies and churches to reach as many as possible, especially those with access to care issues.

Cut 6 (11) “…barriers.”

Kanter says they are using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is one dose. He says this vaccine doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for large events and compared to the other vaccines in use it’s just as effective.

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Just like the other two vaccines, Kanter says to refrain from taking a pain reliever before you are vaccinated to get the best immune response.

Cut 8 (11) “…thing.”

For a listing of mass vaccination events, visit the state health department’s website.

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33 Louisiana House Republicans urge Governor John Bel Edwards to join Texas and Mississippi in dropping the mask mandate.

Governor Edwards has indicated the mandate will likely be one of the last public health orders to go but House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says it is no longer necessary.

Cut 9 (11) “…their own”

Texas’s mask mandate will go away next Wednesday. 15 states currently have no mandate.

Miguez says the mandate leads to nonsensical situations wherein people wear a mask into a restaurant, sit down to eat, take it off, then put it back on to leave.

Cut 10 (07) “…normal.” 

Miguez says by failing to join our neighbors in loosening restrictions we risk further impeding the state’s economic recovery.

Cut 11 (08) “…any longer

Edwards says while the state is likely to continue reducing capacity restrictions the mask mandate will remain in place because it has no negative economic impacts and has been proven to significantly reduce the spread of coronavirus.

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Three farmers will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony tonight co-hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. LRN Farm Director Don Molino says one of the inductees is longtime Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson

Cut 12 (09) “ …150,000 today.” 

Sugarcane producer John Gay will also be inducted tonight. Molino says Gay farms over 45-hundred acres in Iberville Parish…

Cut 13 (06)“…a lot”

The third member of the Class of 2021 is Jackie Loewer from Acadia Parish. Loewer has played an integral role with the Louisiana Rice Research Board for 26 years and Molino says he’s also been a member of several national rice boards…

Cut 14 (09) “…can have”