Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to discuss the state’s reopening plan at a briefing Tuesday at 1 pm. The Governor will also discuss the coronavirus pandemic and the state’s current phase two order which expires Wednesday, March 3^rd.

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a 35-year old John Shallerhorn who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. It’s been reported the suspect became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School game, but Ferguson cannot confirm…

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

At AARP Louisiana’s Tele-Town Hall, New Orleans physician Eric Griggs says when it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated, you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks because of variants of the virus. As for travel and visiting outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a man who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. Ferguson says Mitchum was working as a security guard and tried to escort the gunman out of the building after he hit an employee working at the door.

Cut 9 (10) “…the chest”

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful.”  

The Louisiana Health Department says it expects to receive this week nearly 38-thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says clinical trials on the J & J vaccine show its 100-percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

Cut 14 (12) “…zero deaths.” 

During an AARP Tele-town hall meeting, New Orleans physician Doctor Eric Griggs says it’s important not to take anything like Tylenol before you are vaccinated to dull your immune response to the vaccine however you can take pain relief after your injection.

Cut 7 (11) “…after.”

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Central pastor Tony Spell has been offered a plea deal by East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore. Moore has informed Spell’s legal team that the court would drop all charges against Spell, if the pastor would plead “no contest” to one of the six charges he faces. Spell was arrested and accused of six counts of violating the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions by having too many gathered at his church.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a 35-year old John Shallerhorn who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. It’s been reported the suspect became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School game, but Ferguson cannot confirm…

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

AARP Louisiana held a Tele-Town Hall meeting today with New Orleans physician Eric Griggs answering COVID and vaccine-related questions. When it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated Griggs says because of variants of the virus you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks. As for travel and visiting with others outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

During an AARP Tele-Town Hall meeting, this morning New Orleans physician and health educator Dr. Eric Griggs answered questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Griggs says the current three vaccines underwent thorough testing, Johnson and Johnson had 30-thousand clinical trial participants and 75-thousand people in the Pfizer and Moderna trials.

Cut 6 (12) “…the trial.”

The Johnson and Johnson vaccine will be available in Louisiana this week as an estimated 38-thousand doses are scheduled to arrive. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine has an efficacy rate of 66-percent, which is not as high as the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines….

Cut 14 (11) “…deaths.” 

Governor Edwards’ proposed 400-dollar K-12 teacher pay raise has some teacher advocates crying foul. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state reports 408 new COVID-19 cases and 20 fatalities.

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful”  

The Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. 28,000 suspected cases of attempted fraud have been turned over to law enforcement. And it’s suspected an additional 60,000 could be fraud attempts. Assistant Secretary of Unemployment Insurance Robert Wooley says these applications have incomplete information, and…

Cut 5 (10)“…fraud.”

The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.

Cut 7 (11)  “…six seasons.”

The Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization and doses should arrive in the state this week.  Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says data shows the J & J vaccine doesn’t have any of the severe allergic reactions shown with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines.

Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

The J & J vaccine also doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for rural transport.

State health officials expect to receive 38-thousand doses of the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine this week after the Food and Drug Administration authorized the J-and-J one-shot dose for emergency approval. Tulane School of Medicine Professor Doctor Lisa Morici says the J-and-J vaccine doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines…

Cut 15 (09)“…is great.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected. The Workforce Commission has turned over 28,000 suspected cases of attempted unemployment insurance fraud to law enforcement. Secretary Ava Dejoie says those attempts failed.

Cut 4 (04)“…went off.”

Many teachers are scoffing at the Governor’s proposed 400-dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little.  Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the Governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers can find in neighboring states.

Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”

The National Hurricane Center is considering whether the start of the hurricane season should be moved up from June 1st to May 15th. A named storm has formed before June 1st in each of the last six years. State Climatologist Barry Keim questions is it because we detecting storms sooner or is climate responsible for the jumpstart.

Cut 8 (06) “…of it.”

The 2020 season began May 16^th when Arthur formed off the east coast of Florida.

Louisiana State Police are seeking to identify victims in St. Tammany Parish after the arrest of 28-year old Joseph William Haidler of Mandeville was extradited back from the Virgin Islands last July. LSP says Haidler used the social media app Snapchat to lure young girls for sexually explicit content. They are asking victims to come forward, visit LSP’s facebook page for photos of the suspect.

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor John Bel Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to see if you are able to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

The Governor’s 36-billion-dollar spending plan for the next fiscal year is about 186 million dollars bigger than last year and the bulk of that spending increase comes on the education side. The budget plan will be debated by the Legislature in April. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.” (reduce)

A Central Louisiana lawmaker wants the Department of Education to use part of a billion-dollar federal grant to help construct broadband internet infrastructure in the state. Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards says the state is in critical need of blood donations after last week’s winter storms caused disruptions.

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

Each state agency is legally obligated to reveal how many sexual harassment complaints it has each year and if those complaints result in disciplinary action, however, Attorney General Jeff Landry chose not to disclose in a report due February 15^th that one of his top deputies Pat Magee received a salary cut and had to undergo mandatory training after a sexual harassment complaint, claiming Magee was reprimanded for inappropriate behavior.

Many parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy, Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

She suggests introducing vegetables and fruits via a smoothie made with low-fat yogurt.

38-year old Martinus Mitchum a Tulane University police officer was killed last night while providing security at a high school basketball playoff game in New Orleans. The man suspected of shooting Mitchem has been identified as 35-year-old John Shallerhorn who was booked with a count of first-degree murder of a police officer.

The Edwards administration has proposed a 36-billion-dollar budget plan for next fiscal year, a 186 million dollar increase over the current year.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access. He says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

Deshotel says the Federal Government has designated $349-million for broadband infrastructure in the state but says it’s going to take another 400 to 500-million to close to the digital divide.

State officials say there is a critical need for blood donation in Louisiana right now due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. Governor Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access. Deshotel says the federal government has given the state $300-million in vouchers for students to buy broadband access, however…

Cut 11 (12) “…remote learning.”

As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones says try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

Next week Louisiana will potentially receive 134,000 doses of COVID vaccine, the state’s largest-ever weekly allocation. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they expect to receive 97,650 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and if Johnson and Johnson receives approval…

Cut 13 (06) “…doses.”