Hold on to your phones. Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana this Friday. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

An explosion at a chemical plant in Lake Charles Wednesday morning injures six people. A spokesperson for the Westlake Chemical Plant says none of the injuries are life-threatening. The explosion created a large plume of black smoke and a shelter in place alert has been lifted.

Governor Edwards is proposing teacher pay raises of $1,500 and $750 for support staff. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Dr. Tia Mills says, that those raises could increase if the Revenue Estimating Conference recognizes additional funds.

Cut 5 (06) “…educators.”

Tiger Rag.com reports Sharon Lewis who filed a 50-million dollar Title IX lawsuit against LSU last year is no longer employed by the school. In the lawsuit, Lewis says she was retaliated against for reporting sexual harassment allegations made against former coach Les Miles. Baton Rouge civil rights attorney Jill Craft says LSU will have to show her termination is not because of the lawsuit…

Cut 10 (12)  “…unlawful reason.” 

When Governor Edwards revealed his proposed budget for the fiscal year that would begin in July funds are earmarked for teacher raises of $1,500 and for support staff $750. President of the Louisiana Association of Educators Dr. Tia Mills says it’s a step in the right direction.

Cut 3 (11) “…ultimate goal.”

Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana, outside of the nine parishes that voted it down, beginning this Friday, January 28. Ronnie Johns, Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, praised the collaborative efforts among agencies as the state prepares to go live.

 Cut 6 (13) “…ready to go.” 

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real.

Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”

The awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans.

Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s strange to say after leading the Black and Gold for 15 seasons. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget his first team that came out of nowhere in 2006 and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
The 58-year-old Payton has yet to decide what he’ll do next.

Sean Payton officially stepped down as head coach of the New Orleans Saints Tuesday afternoon after 16 years on the sidelines. The decision of whether or not to move on is something Payton says he had been contemplating for a while.

Cut 10 (12) “…season goes.”

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking prevention public awareness campaign will kick off at the final four in New Orleans. Dr. Dana Hunter, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Human Trafficking Prevention says HumanTrafficking.la.gov. is the first web-based human trafficking prevention resource center.

Cut 9 (07)  “…for victims.”

Both the website and campaign received input from human trafficking survivors.

Governor Edwards proposes setting aside a half-billion in surplus money to build a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Kevin Gallagher reports state lawmakers hashed it out Tuesday…:

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, is no longer employed at LSU. She filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the university in April alleging a hostile work environment and claiming co-workers retaliated against her after reporting female student workers were sexually harassed by former LSU coach Les Miles.

Tiger Rag magazine reports Sharon Lewis, who filed a $50 million Title IX lawsuit against LSU in April is no longer employed as the school’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations. Her attorneys released a statement alleging Lewis was fired by LSU athletic director Scott Woodward.

The Saints’ all-time winningest coach is stepping down. Sean Payton notified the team today that he will not be back for a 16th season on the sidelines.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m David Grubb.”  

AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get nursing residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. She believes families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that those caring for their loved ones are not putting them at risk.

Cut 4 (11) “…loved one.”

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the COVID pandemic and they desperately need Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund…

 Cut 6 (09) “…that push.” 

The National Restaurant Association says 10-thousand Louisiana restaurant jobs were saved with the first round of the RRF grants

There are reports that Saints head coach Sean Payton is leaving the black and gold after 16 seasons. It’s not yet clear if Payton is leaving just the Saints or coaching for good. The franchise is expected to call a press conference this afternoon Payton reportedly will not be in attendance. Rod Walker, who covers the Saints for NOLA.com says this instantly becomes one of the most attractive jobs in the NFL.

Cut 19 (15)_“…see what’s out there.” 

58 year old Payton  is under contract through 2024, so a trade would have to be worked out for him to coach another team. There have also been reports of TV networks showing interest in Payton if he retries.

AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get nursing residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. She believes families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that those caring for their loved ones are not putting them at risk.

Cut 4 (11) “…loved one.”

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle. Gossen says the shooting remains an active investigation, but they know the suspect who was fatally shot was armed…

Cut  11 (08)  “…officer reacted”

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle that then turned to a foot pursuit. Gossen says an officer fired his weapon after instructing the suspect not to reach for a gun…

Cut 10 (05)  “….in this.” 

The incident remains under investigation.

Restaurant owners say 10-thousand jobs were saved with the first round of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, but President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the highly contagious Omicron variant is forcing many establishments to reduce hours, seating capacity, and menu offerings.

Cut 7 (06) “…right now.” 

And Harris says many former employees have moved onto other jobs instead of returning to the industry.

With a large number of seniors living in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities facing potential infection from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get residents and staff vaccinated.

Cut 3 (15) “…not fully vaccinated.”

The AARP has been following CDC data closely, and Bottcher sees a straight line between vaccination and boosters to lower spikes among nursing home residents.

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle. Gossen says the subject fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. He says one of the officers attempted to use a taser…

Cut 9 (12) “…visible gun.”

The incident remains under investigation.

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with and they desperately need the Restaurant Revitalization Fund replenished.

 Cut 6 (10) “…that push.” 

The state reported 2,304 people in hospital with COVID as of Monday, with several thousand more exposed to the Omicron variant. However, Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart is optimistic that being on the other side of the curve means some level of protection.

Cut 12 (11) “…the Mardi Gras season.”

A side effect of COVID that physicians say they are beginning to see more patients for is hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Grieshaber says high stressors on the body like childbirth and COVID can cause temporary hair loss.

Cut 8 (11)  “…precipitating event.”

She says you can lose up to 50-percent of your hair. See a dermatologist if you are experiencing such symptoms.

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing teacher and support staff raises for the budget year that starts July 1^st. $1500 raises for teachers and $750 raises for support staff and says lawmakers can go even higher, should state surplus revenues projections prove true…:

Cut 5 (09) “…another 500 dollars.”

State police are prepping for their first-ever accelerated cadet academy. LSP Sargent Monroe Dillion says the accelerated academy is only open for police officers who are POST certified. Dillon says they are hoping to have more officers trained and, on the job, sooner with the accelerated academy.

Cut 15 (08)  “…boots on the ground.”

To apply or for more information visit www.lsp.org/recruit.html

Omicron is having an impact on children who remain highly susceptible to the virus. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly at Ochsner Health strongly encourages all who are eligible to be vaccinated or to get their booster.

Cut 13 (15) “…our kids safe.”

A side effect of COVID that physicians say they are beginning to see more patients for is hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Grieshaber says recovery is a long process, and it can take a minimum of three months before you see any progress.

Cut 10 (07) “…hair yet.”

If you are experiencing hair loss, see a dermatologist to determine the cause.

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets underway today. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin says in the team competition, each team picks a captain, and they help keep track of the group’s steps or weight loss efforts…

Cut 10 (06)  “….email.” 

A website aimed at increasing dual enrollment for high school students in Louisiana seeks to inform of the benefits for all students, even those seeking a technical degree. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed the last annual report indicates about 64-percent of students graduate with at least one dual enrollment course and they want to build on that.

Cut 13 (11) “…or both.”

The website is LA-dual-enrollment-dot-com

At 2 pm Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press briefing to discuss his executive budget proposal ahead of the 2022 regular legislative session. That session will begin March 14^th and end June 6^th. The special session on redistricting begins on February first and ends on the 20^th.

With the Saints not in the playoffs, there are questions about what’s next for coach Sean Payton. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season and Saints insider Mike Detillier believes we are nearing the end of his time in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (15) “…a wrong read.” 

The NFL Network reports that Payton could leave the Saints for a job in TV as a football analyst.

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets underway today. The state health department organizes the competition which allows a group of people to form teams to compete in step and weight loss challenges. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin…

Cut 9 (10) “…signed up.”

LA Dual Enrollment-dot com is up and running. It’s a website aimed at increasing dual enrollment for high school students and inform them of benefits for all students, even those seeking a technical degree. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed…

Cut 12 (11) “…near them.”  

Dual enrollment allows students to take one course and receive credit hours for both high school and college at the same time.

The NFL Network reports Saints Coach Sean Payton is not committed to returning to the sidelines next season. David Grubb on whether Payton will be back for his 16th season…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police is investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. L-S-P says a subject was shot last night after 11 PM in the 16-hundred block of Pinhook Road. No officers were injured, and no other details were released.