A subdued confirmation Tuesday that Mardi Gras 2022 will happen in New Orleans is drawing criticism from the likes of Arthur Hardy, publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide. A mayoral spokesman made the announcement, but Hardy says a big deal should have been made of the fact.

Cut 3 (11) “….out of this.”

Mardi Gras was canceled last year due to COVID over concerns of the parades being super-spreader events.

The most recent tally on insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season in Louisiana has reached $10.6 billion to cover claims from hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it was one for the record books.

Cut 6 (11) “…$27 billion.” 

Nurses working tell state lawmakers they feel negative effects from vaccines are badly underestimated. State health officials testified of only 11 “severe adverse events” statewide, but then left the committee room before Lafayette ICU nurse Heather LeBeouf expressed her disagreement with the number…:

Cut 13 (07) “…having possible effects.”
LeBeouf believes a lot of cases are going unreported because health professionals are unaware of where to report such cases.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center wants to find out if virtual sessions with a personalized health coach can help Black patients with obesity and type two diabetes lose weight and improve their heart health. Principal Investigator Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk says they are looking to recruit about 350 people…

Cut 8 (07) “…cardio-metabolic conditions.”

Visit Pennington’s website for more info.

Several nurses expressed their concerns to the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee that the number of injuries or severe reactions to COVID vaccines have been greatly underreported. There is a statewide LDH call-in system to report adverse COVID shot reactions, but Lafayette ICU nurse Heather LeBeouf (buff) says many of her colleagues are unaware it exists.

Cut 14 (14)  “… patient? or the doctor?”
The Louisiana Department of Health says it has identified 11 severe adverse events out of 122 reported.

Sports wagering goes live at two Lake Charles casinos today, joining five others that are already taking bets. But the question Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns is most asked is when will mobile betting be up and running.

Cut 5 (05) “…right now.“

If you’re Black, have Type 2 Diabetes, and need to lose weight, there’s a study being launched that just may prove beneficial. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

According to the CDC on Tuesday Louisiana has the lowest number of people hospitalized for COVID in the nation. On average 5 people per 100,000 are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID compared to the average of 14 people per 100,000. Numbers come out daily at noon. On Tuesday the state reported 229 in the hospital, numbers have increased slightly the last few days.

Acadia Parish Sheriff K-P Gibson says 34-year-old Stephen Wayne Meyers the Second has been arrested in Texas after allegedly killing his mother and leaving her in a field in Acadia Parish. Gibson says Meyers and his 59-year-old mother Pamela Meyers were last seen November second in the field where her body was found…

Cut 11 (11) “…with her son.”
Gibson says there were no weapons used in the murder and a motive is unknown.

Nurses working the front lines of the COVID pandemic tell state lawmakers they feel negative effects from vaccines are badly underestimated. State health officials testified of only 11 “severe adverse events” statewide. Elizabeth Suire (SWEER), says she and her peers didn’t know of a phone number to report vaccine reactions.

Cut 15 (09)  “…in patient notes.”

You’ll be able to place your sports wagers in Lake Charles at either the Golden Nugget or L’Auberge casinos beginning today. The two casinos join five others that have already had their licenses approved by the Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns expects this to be a big boon for Lake Charles casinos, especially from their neighbors to the west.

Cut 4 (09) “…sports betting “

Sportsbook at L’Auberge Lake Charles opened at 9 am and Golden Nugget will open at 2 for sports betting.

Pennington Biomedical and Ochsner Health are taking part in a study of Black patients with Type 2 Diabetes to determine if telemedicine can be used successfully in the battle against obesity. Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, the project’s principal investigator, says the study will take place in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Cut 7 (11) “…of weight loss.”

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain was found is guilty on all charges and faces a mandatory life sentence for raping and molesting multiple children Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

United Airlines announces they are dropping service in and out of Monroe Regional Airport. The carrier cites low ticket sales as the reason. Airport Director Charles Butcher says the pandemic and flight restrictions played a role in declining sales. He hopes Delta and American airlines can fill the gap at Monroe Regional.

Northwestern State University’s new president, Dr. Marcus Jones, will begin his first day on the job on his 51^st birthday Monday and as the school’s 20^th president and first African American Jones says he hopes he’ll be known for his progressive leadership, and just not in a global way, but in service to the community.

Cut  11 (08)  “…of the region.”  

Some surprising numbers from early voting in Louisiana for the November 13^th election. Pollster John Couvillon tells us the figures far exceed those of 2017.

Cut 6 (06) “…or by mail.” 

Couvillon says at this point four years ago only 92-thousand votes had been cast in early voting for that election, the mail-in volume almost triple what it was in 2017.

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain faces a mandatory life sentence after it took five hours for a jury to convict him on eight charges of sex crimes involving several juveniles dating back to the 1970s. District Attorney Warren Montgomery says he hopes the verdict will bring Strain’s victims peace.

Cut 5 (10) “…their lives.”

Strain will be formally sentenced on January 18^th however the charges that he’s been found guilty of require a mandatory life sentence.

A Grand Jury indicts 49-year old Derwin Hamilton with 1^st-Degree Murder, for burning his girlfriend and young nephew to death last summer. He faces life in prison if convicted. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue the woman, though horribly burned, was able to tell first responders what happened.

Cut 13 (09) “…died on scene.”

The vote count is in for early voting ahead of this Saturday’s November 13^th election and, as Dave Brannen reports, they are somewhat surprising.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

And Ashley Sims the 38-year-old woman wanted in the shooting of her mother in in Opelousas area Friday has been taken into custody.

A St. Tammany Parish jury deliberated for about five hours before coming back with a guilty verdict against former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain who now faces a mandatory life sentence for raping and molesting multiple children. Strain has been found guilty of four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated incest, and one count each of sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

History is being made on two fronts as the UL System Board of Supervisors hires Northwestern State University’s new president. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

The search continues for a woman accused of shooting her mother several times late Friday afternoon in the Opelousas area. St. Landry Parish Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux says Ashley Sims got into an argument with her mother, Vera Sims, who is now hospitalized with serious injuries. Deputy Chief Thibodeaux offered this description of the suspect.

Cut 10 (07)  “…140 pounds.” 

During a Health and Welfare Committee meeting, lawmakers questioned state health officials about adverse reactions to the COVID vaccine. Guillain-Barre (Ghee-YAN Bah-RAY) a muscle disorder that can cause weakness and sometimes paralysis has been associated with the vaccine. Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches asked State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter about it.

Cut 5 (10) “…be tested.“

Out of the 122 adverse reactions that have been reported in the state, 11 have met the state’s criteria as severe.

State Representative Tanner Magee is taking insurance companies to task who aren’t paying up when it comes to Hurricane Ida property damage or have been slow to do so.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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If you haven’t received your state income tax return for yourself or even your business, you might want to search Unclaimed Property. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Houma Representative Tanner Magee is voicing strong concern about the lack of response by all too many insurers to the needs of their policyholders following Hurricane Ida. The Cat 4 storm slammed southeast Louisiana two months ago, with Magee saying some insurers have yet to follow through with financial assistance.

Cut 3 (06) “….to do so.”

Magee says the bad actors in the insurance field may find that their inactions may lead to legislative changes in the future to correct the problems policyholders are facing in the aftermaths of not only Ida, but also Laura, Delta, and Zeta that pummeled the state in 2020.

Magee is critical of insurers who appear to be undercutting policyholders on the funds needed for property repairs and losses.

Cut 4 (10) “…the same story.”

Magee says that while adjusters may be in part to blame for what a claim is worth, he’s not so sure that’s the case when claims are taken as a whole.

Cut 5 (09) “…which is regrettable.”

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The state treasury received $5.63 million in uncashed state income tax refunds recently. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s about 22-thousand tax refunds from Louisiana residents and businesses. He says since they made the announcement last week, they’ve had plenty of inquiries about the refunds.

Cut 6 (08) “…past week.” 

Schroder says annually they receive uncashed income tax returns for both businesses and individuals from the Louisiana Department of Revenue, annually this time of year, so if you haven’t received your refund yet you might want to search Unclaimed Property.

Cut 7 (08) “….their part.”  

Even if you aren’t missing a tax refund from the state, Schroder encourages you to search unclaimed property for your name or business. Schroder says he even tells family members to search the database.

Cut 8 (10) “…every year.”

You can search the database at LAtreasury.com

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Louisiana’s Office of Tourism is getting worldwide recognition for its pandemic response. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the LOT was honored recently at the 2021 Wanderlust Travel Awards ceremony. He says the “Louisiana Sunshine Plan” placed third behind the Nepal Tourist Board and the Saudi Tourism Authority with a plan that included a free night at state parks for every three paid nights.

Cut 9 (09) “…4th night free.”

Nungesser says the award was a great acknowledgment of the hard work of the LOT team.

Tourism further picked up as domestic flights began to pick up again amidst the pandemic as it eased and precautions were instituted.

Cut 10 (06)  “…flights into Louisiana.”

Nungesser notes that even prior to that they were hosting virtual meetings with travel agents to sell them on the culinary offerings the state has.

Nungesser and since the award was announced, the state has seen an increase in traffic, on the web that is….

Cut  11 (08)  “…100%.”  

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The Biden administration’s proposal to force a vaccine mandate on companies of 100 or more employees is in legal limbo after a stay ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans. It’s good news to Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair who brought suit in the case.

Cut 12 (07) “…just incredibly excited.”  

Trosclair, who owns 15 grocery stores employing more than 500 workers in Louisiana and Mississippi, says he expects the case to eventually be decided by the nation’s highest court.

Trosclair on what issues he believes moved the appeals court rule as it did.

Cut 13 (04) “…and 14th amendments.”

It would be up to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to enforce the Biden vaccine mandate, which carries with it penalties and fines for non-compliance.

With the Appeals Court decision throwing up at least a temporary roadblock to enforcement of the vaccine mandate, Trosclair believes a final decision will come from the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cut 14 (08) “…continue to prevail.” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee is voicing strong concern about the lack of response by all too many insurers to the needs of their policyholders following Hurricane Ida. The Cat 4 storm slammed southeast Louisiana two months ago, with Magee saying some insurers have yet to follow through with financial assistance.

Cut 3 (06) “….to do so.”

The state treasury received $5.63 million in uncashed state income tax refunds recently. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s about 22-thousand tax refunds from Louisiana residents and businesses. He says since they made the announcement last week, they’ve had plenty of inquiries about the refunds.

Cut 6 (09) “…past week.” 

You can search the database at LAtreasury.com

Louisiana Department of Health officials reveal a new business plan for “Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana.” More on that from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

State reports 217 COVID hospitalizations for the state, another new low since spring of last year.

Closing arguments got underway this morning in the child rape trial of former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain. Five male accusers took the stand, leveling graphic charges of sexual assault against him while they were children. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino:

Cut 13 (07) “…about and reject.”

Strain did not take the stand in his defense and if convicted could face life in prison.

The state Department of Health releases its first new business plan in nearly a decade. It’s called “Together: Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana.” Health secretary Courtney Phillips says  a lot of fine minds came together to forge the program…:

Cut 6 (10) “…most importantly.”

Louisiana’s Office of Tourism received worldwide recognition for its pandemic response at the 2021 Wanderlust Travel Awards. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the “Louisiana Sunshine Plan” placed third at the competition. Tourism further picked up as domestic flights began to pick up again amidst the pandemic as it eased, and precautions were instituted.

Cut  11 (06)  “…flights into Louisiana.”  

It will be much darker on your drive home from work this evening thanks to the time change. Triple-A spokesperson Don Redman says with rush hour traffic in the dark now you’ll need to be extremely mindful on your drive home, and the time change can also impact your sleeping patterns.

Cut 11 (11) “…drowsy.”

Closing arguments are set to begin today in the child rape trial of former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain. Five male accusers took the stand, leveling graphic charges of sexual assault against him while they were children. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino suspects the defense will counter in their closing arguments that the allegations against Strain are not to be taken for granted.

Cut 14 (11)  “..an ulterior purpose.”

The house passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill Friday night and Congressman Troy Carter, and Senator Bill Cassidy are the only two members of the Louisiana delegation that supported the bill. Republican Congressman Clay Higgins issued a statement claiming the bill is socialist garbage and says the bill will cost nearly $4 trillion. Carter says otherwise.

Cut 9 (12)  “…their share.”

The state Department of Health releases its first new business plan in nearly a decade. It’s called “Together: Building a Stronger LDH and a Healthier Louisiana.” Health secretary Courtney Phillips says the plan calls for achieving 17 initiatives and over 40 goals, under four major commitments.

Cut 4 (14) “…accountability and compliance. “

Louisiana’s Office of Tourism is getting worldwide recognition for its pandemic response. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the LOT was honored recently at the 2021 Wanderlust Travel Awards ceremony. He says the “Louisiana Sunshine Plan” placed third behind with a plan that included a free night at state parks for every three paid nights.

Cut 10 (09)  “…fourth night free.”