Starting today everyone 16 and older is eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine. Louisiana Independent Pharmacies Association President Randall Johnson says for 16 and 17-year-olds, they will have to take the Pfizer vaccine as that’s the only one that’s been approved for that age group…

Cut 11 (06) “…vaccine.”
Johnson says bring your ID and insurance card, if you have one, to your appointment.

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward is expected to testify the next time the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children meet to discuss the school’s mishandling of previous sexual misconduct cases. There was another long hearing on the scandal again on Friday and LSU general counsel Winston DeCuir says the school is putting into place policies that would make sure sexual misconduct claims are fully investigated…

Cut 6 (08) “..would happen”
Senator Patrick Connick proposed a bill that would allow college athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Taylor Sharp.” 

The NFL is expected to make an announcement that they are expanding the regular season from sixteen to seventeen games, sometime this week according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The League has played a 16-game regular season since 1978. Several NFL players have voiced displeasure on the expansion including New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara.

A 74-year-old Superdome security guard gave emotional testimony to the Legislature this morning alleging sexual harassment by former LSU running back Derrius Guice…

Cut 1 (47) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

An LSU spokesperson denies Scott had direct contact with Orgeron.

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On Monday everyone 16 and older can be vaccinated in Louisiana and convincing some to do so is of concern. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A Legislative committee heard testimony from a woman who accused former LSU running back Derrius Guice of sexual harassment.

74-year-old Gloria Scott says in December of 2017 she was working as a Superdome security guard when she was accosted by Guice and a group of his friends. She says Guice was explicit and refused to leave when asked…

Cut 3 (15)  “…laughing.”  

Scott says after making suggestive hand motions Guice and his friends took a nearby elevator and left.

Scott says after reporting the incident to LSU she received a call from coach Ed Orgeron who had Derrius Guice with him, asking if Guice could apologize…

Cut 4 (12) “…like that” 

LSU Athletics spokesperson Cody Worsham told the Advocate that “Coach Orgeron never had any direct communication with the alleged victim.” 

Scott requested that Guice be suspended from the upcoming Citrus Bowl game as a punishment. She says Orgeron said he would get back to her on that, but never called her back.

Scott says she then spoke to Athletic Administrators Miriam Segar and Verge Ausberry and told them Guice sitting out the bowl game would send a message to him…

Cut 5  (11)  “…like that”

Scott says when she reported the incident to her superiors at the Superdome was reassigned from her post for the next two football games. She was told the football players may have a “reaction” towards her if they found out she had made that accusation.

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The first Gamma Tile therapy medical device to treat malignant brain tumors at Shreveport’s Willis-Knighton Medical Center was implanted a few weeks ago. Radiation Oncologist Dr. Jake Wang says it’s a small device placed in the brain to begin radiation therapy.

Cut 6 (07) “…tumor.”

Wang says, unlike traditional radiation therapy where the patient receives treatment from outside the body and visits a radiation facility…

Cut 7 (10) “…cavity.”

Wang says Gamma Tile therapy is used when all other traditional malignant brain tumor treatments have failed and it’s not applicable for all brain tumors.

Cut 8 (09) “…benefits”

Wang says he’s spoken with the patient several times since the device was implanted and so far they are pleased with the results.

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US House Democrats introduced legislation that would admit Washington D.C. into the United States as the nation’s 51^st state.

Statehood activists say the over 700,000 residents of D.C. lack proper representation, but many Republicans, including Congressman Clay Higgins, say that’s not what the founders wanted for D.C.

Cut 9 (07) “…Washington”

If made a state D.C. residents would be represented by one Congressman and two Senators. Supporters note Wyoming, which has a smaller population than D.C., has that federal representation.

But Higgins says because D.C. is the seat of federal power making it a state would give it too much influence.

Cut 10 (11) “…state” 

HR 51 would incorporate all lands within D.C., not including the White House, Capitol, and other federal buildings. Statehood would require a majority vote of the US House and Senate.

Without ending the filibuster the effort faces long odds of succeeding.

Cut 11 (05) “uniqu”

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All Louisianans, 16 and older, will be eligible for the COVID vaccine on Monday but some, remain hesitant. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says it won’t be easy to change minds about the vaccine, but for those who have the capacity to clarify questions about the vaccine, it’s incumbent on them to do so.

Cut 12 (11) “ …process.” ]

Hassig says many people aren’t necessarily anti-vaccine but it is a complicated science and the COVID vaccines have been much more publicized than other vaccines in the past.

Cut 13 (12)“…important.”

The development of four different vaccinations for COVID in use around the world, Hassig says is an amazing scientific accomplishment, but understandably creates a sense of hesitancy among the general public.

Cut 14 (12) “…for us.” 

Hassig says currently the average vaccination rate for those receiving at least one dose is approximately 25-percent and it needs to be much higher before we can have the pandemic under control.

A 74-year-old Superdome security guard gave emotional testimony to the Legislature this morning alleging sexual harassment by former LSU running back Derrius Guice…

Cut 1 (47) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

On Monday everyone 16 and older in Louisiana can get vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says reducing vaccine hesitancy won’t be easy. She says many people aren’t necessarily anti-vaccine, but it is a complicated science and the COVID vaccines have been much more publicized than other vaccines in the past.

Cut 13 (12)“…important.”

House Democrats introduced legislation that would admit Washington D.C. into the United States as the nation’s 51^st state. Statehood activists say the over 700,000 residents of D.C. lack proper representation, but many Republicans, including Congressman Clay Higgins, says because D.C. is the seat of federal power making it a state would give it too much influence.

Cut 10 (11) “…state” 

The state revenue forecast is looking much better than earlier predictions despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state is still way off of its pre-pandemic expectations and some industries, like mining, continue to see job losses.
Cut 6 (10) “…jobs”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. LHC Group’s co-founder Ginger Myers says it’s vital to have the infrastructure and educational opportunities in place to address the growing need for healthcare providers as our population ages.

As hospitalization rates decrease for COVID some hospitals in large cities are reporting no new admissions for COVID patients. Baton Rouge General says they did not have any new patients on Wednesday and are caring for approximately 25 patients. Our Lady of the Lake reported no new admissions Tuesday and caring for 24 COVID patients. And last week at Touro Infirmary in New Orleans reported their COVID unit was empty. Today the state reports 378 hospitalizations and 14 deaths. The state health department reports 448 new COVID.

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils is for everyone you know to get vaccinated. Fully vaccination is considered two weeks after you complete your vaccine series, which means either your second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or the Johnson and Johnson one shot. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says starting Monday everyone 16 and older is eligible.

Cut 11 (08) “..safely.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. LHC Group’s CEO Keith Myers says their investment is a win-win for both the university and the company.
Cut 8 (10) “…to grow.”

The state revenue forecast is looking better thanks to a huge influx of federal support possibly three billion dolla. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the total pandemic job loss picture has come into view. At our lowest point last April, we had lost 284,000 jobs for a total unemployment rate of 13 percent. As of January, it sits at 7.6 percent.

Cut 5 (09)“…42-percent.”

Republican Jack McFarland’s GRIT Act, Government Reform In Transportation involved a gas tax to go towards federal matching dollars to fund $15-billion for the backlog of road and bridge projects and the $13 billion estimate to improve traffic flow. McFarland says without matching dollars the state loses out on additional federal funds.
Cut 14 (08) “…match.”

McFarland is removing the gas tax from the bill due to the influx of stimulus funds.

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support. Earlier this year Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the job and economic activity metrics didn’t paint a pretty picture, but due to the passage of the American Rescue Act…

Cut 4 (06)“…rollout.”

The state appears to be in line for more than three billion dollars in federal aid.

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. McFarland spent months raising awareness of why a gas tax was needed to fund transportation infrastructure, but now with billions in stimulus funds coming to the state, it’s a tough sale.
Cut 13 (11) “…difficult.”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated. Governor Edwards says for the first time in a year friends and family members will be able to safely gather maskless, but only if everyone involved is fully vaccinated.

Cut 10 (10) “…gathering.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie…

Cut 7 (09)  “…benefit.”

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support.
Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state is still way off of its pre-pandemic expectations and some industries, like mining, continue to see job losses.
Cut 6 (10) “…jobs”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated.
Full vaccination is considered to be two weeks after you complete your vaccine series, which means either your second Pfizer or Moderna shot, or only Johnson and Johnson shot.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says starting Monday everyone 16 and older is eligible to get the vaccine, so if you make an appointment then you could be good to go by early summer.
Cut 11 (08) “..safely.”

If everyone at a gathering is fully vaccinated individuals from one household who are not fully vaccinated are allowed to attend.
Kanter says another benefit to being fully vaccinated is…
Cut 12 (07) “..symptoms.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. But McFarland still believes in the need to restructure how transportation trust fund dollars are classified, so they can only be used for transportation infrastructure. McFarland says plans to revise GRIT Act for now without a gas tax.
Cut 15 (10)“…infrastructure.”

A return to some normalcy seems to be right around the corner, but only if people get vaccinated. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support.
The state appears to be in line for more than three billion dollars in federal aid. Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the total pandemic job loss picture has come into view. At our lowest point last April we had lost 284,000 jobs for a total unemployment rate of 13 percent. As of January, it sits at 7.6 percent.
Cut 5 (09)“…42-percent.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program.
LHC Group’s co-founder Ginger Myers says it’s vital to have the infrastructure and educational opportunities in place to address the growing need for healthcare providers as our population ages.
Cut 9 (09) “…more jobs.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins.
McFarland’s GRIT Act, Government Reform In Transportation involved a gas tax that would go towards federal matching dollars to fund $15-billion for the backlog of road and bridge projects and the $13 billion estimate to improve traffic flow. McFarland says without matching dollars the state loses out on additional federal funds.
Cut 14 (08) “…match.”

Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the state has an optimistic revenue outlook for the coming fiscal year despite “horrible” economic fundamentals in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program.
LHC Group’s CEO Keith Myers says the College of Nursing and Allied Health Professions produces well-educated and highly skilled health care professionals and their investment is a win-win for both the university and the company.
Cut 8 (10) “…to grow.”

State officials say the key to enjoying safe and normal crawfish boils and barbecues in the next few months is for you and everyone you know to get vaccinated.
Governor Edwards says for the first time in a year friends and family members will be able to safely gather together maskless, but only if everyone involved is fully vaccinated.
Cut 10 (10) “…gathering.”

Republican State Representative Jack McFarland’s effort to raise the state’s gasoline tax ends before the session even begins. McFarland spent months raising awareness of why a gas tax was needed to fund transportation infrastructure, but now with billions in stimulus funds coming to the state, it’s a tough sale.
Cut 13 (11) “…difficult.”

The state revenue forecast is looking rosy despite the slow recovery of jobs lost to the pandemic thanks to a huge influx of federal support.
Earlier this year Legislative Economist Greg Albrecht says the job and economic activity metrics didn’t paint a pretty picture, but due to the passage of the American Rescue Act…
Cut 4 (06)“…rollout.”

UL Lafayette receives the largest private investment in history. LHC Group– a home health care company, commits a $20-million over the next ten years to the university’s nursing program. UL Lafayette President Dr. Joseph Savoie…
Cut 7 (09) “…benefit.”

The gasoline tax is off the table now, but the Government Reform in Transportation act still wants to secure transportation infrastructure. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”