Governor John Bel Edwards says he would not have a problem if Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo is removed as a committee chairman for his comments regarding slavery. Jeff Palermo has the story…
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The state Health Department has confirmed two cases of the Brazilian COVID-19 variant in Louisiana. Eric Picolli has the story
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Governor John Bel Edwards has provided his input on how one-point-six billion dollars in federal coronavirus aid should be spent. Edwards says 400-million dollars should go towards refilling the unemployment trust fund, which is bankrupt, and the only other way to re-fill it is by taxing businesses
Edwards another 230-million dollars would go toward repaying loans from the federal government to pay jobless claims after the Unemployment Trust Fund went bankrupt. The governor says he’s also proposing to use 400-million dollars to pay for road and bridge construction…
The governor is also proposing the state legislature spend 300-million dollars on improving water and sewer systems. He says 125-million will go towards Tourism and Convention and Vistors Bureaus and 20-million dollars for the Tourism Department…
All of this money comes from the American Rescue Plan approved by Congress earlier this year. The state legislature must approve Governor Edwards’ plan.
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The State Fair is underway in Shreveport and having the event in the spring is a first for the Bayou State staple. State Fair President Chris Giordano says due to COVID they postponed last year’s fall event and instead of canceling the 114th edition, they opted for both a spring and fall fair this year. So far feedback is positive.
The spring event has all the attractions that you’d find in the fall and also the opportunity to take a spin around the ice rink when the Shreveport Mudbugs aren’t playing hockey in the coliseum.
Giordano says their timing couldn’t have been better, the same week the governor partially lifted the mask mandate and capacity restrictions.
Once the spring fair concludes Giordano says they’ll review attendance and feedback and consider holding two fairs annually.
The spring fair opened Thursday and runs through May 9th.
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The Louisiana Department of Health has confirmed two cases of the COVID-19 Brazilian variant in Louisiana. LDH detected the cases in the New Orleans area and Southwest Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says that this was to be expected
The Brazilian variant is one of now three variants circulating in Louisiana. Kanter says officials getting vaccinated can help prevent mutations and infections of COVID-19
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The CDC says the Brazilian COVID-19 variant is more transmissible and carries a higher risk of severe disease. Kanter says it’s likely there are other variants to be discovered.
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The Saints stayed put at 28 in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft and selected Houston defensive end Payton Turner, who played in 40 games for the Cougars, racking up 115 tackles and 10 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says Turner is a player they’ had their eye on.
While the team still has holes to fill on the roster, Payton says they couldn’t pass up on Turner’s potential.
Former LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals with the fifth pick, reuniting him with college teammate Joe Burrow. The two won a championship together at LSU. Chase says he’s ready to grow as a player with Burrow at quarterback.
While Chase wasn’t sure what team would draft him, he says Burrow gave him a hint.