Terrebonne Sheriff Tim Soignet says the murder of two women last month in Montegut was a murder for hire scheme. Soignet says Beaux Cormier of Kaplan hired two men Andrew Eskin of Carencro and Dalvin Wilson of Eunice to cover up a rape he allegedly committed against a family member. Soignet says the Eskine and Wilson confessed to their involvement.

Cut 10 (11) “…victim.”

Brittany Cormier, Beaux’s sister, and Hope Nettleton were murdered on January 13th.

A survey of state agencies discovers more than half didn’t have work-from-home policies before the coronavirus pandemic and struggled with technology challenges. The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s office questioned 32 agencies about work from home policies and found that 56-percent did not have them in place.

Two teenage girls are dead after a hit and run-on Highway 165 over the weekend. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 22-year-old Corey Buie of Monroe struck Brianna Neal and Shedricka Hollins, both of Monroe after dark on Friday. Reichardt says if you must cross a street in the dark…

Cut 8 (10) “…help.”

The crash remains under investigation and toxicology samples were collected.

Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau President, Carmen Million warns not to share your COVID Vaccine card online because it contains personal information, plus there have been reports of scam artists making copies of the card in Great Britain.

Cut 5  (11) “…here.” 

Million says post a photo of your sticker that you were vaccinated instead of your card.

A fatal hit and run on Highway 165 over the weekend claims the lives of two teenagers and has landed a Monroe man in jail. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 22-year-old Corey Buie was traveling south when he struck two people who were crossing the intersection at night. He then left without calling it in…

Cut 6 (08) “…to him.”

The victims have been identified as 17-year-old Brianna Neal and 18-year-old Shedricka Hollins, both of Monroe.

As the excitement of the vaccine rollout grows, the Better Business Bureau has a warning about sharing a photo of your vaccination card. Baton Rouge Better Business Bureau President, Carmen Million says people like to share about their lives on social media, but sometimes they share too much.

Cut 3 (11)  “…information.”

An Allen Parish cemetery has changed the language in its contract that now allows for blacks to be buried at their cemetery. Oaklin Cemetery Association President Creig Vizena says he and the Board were unaware the language was in the contract and after calling the courthouse, they discovered it’s been in their paperwork since the 1950s…

Cut 5 (09)“…gone.”

The family of Darrell Semien, an Allen Parish Sheriff’s Deputy, tried to bury Semien at that cemetery but was turned away because he was black.

State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says there’s a myth about the vaccine that needs to go away, that the COVID vaccine itself can give you COVID…
Cut 11 (10) “….virus.”

Kanter says also the vaccine does not impact your fertility.

An Allen Parish cemetery has changed a restriction in its contracts that only allowed whites to be buried at the site after the family of Darrell Semien a black deputy was denied a plot. Oaklin Cemetery Association President Creig Vizena says he hopes no family ever has to go through something like this again and has a request for all other final resting places…

Cut 6 (12) “…like that”

The old contract read that it assigns the right of burial of the remains of white human beings. Vizena says the contract was rewritten to exclude the word white.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he’s heard many people raise concerns over the COVID vaccine’s impact on fertility. He says women of childbearing age should absolutely get the shot.

Cut 12 (10) “…fertility.”

LSU Health Shreveport is holding another round of drive-thru COVID vaccinations. Louisiana residents 70 and older can be vaccinated Monday through Thursday at the State Fairgrounds in Shreveport. School Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali explains the process.

Cut 7 (10)  “…weeks.”

Registration is not required but appreciated at lsuhs.edu the clinic is from 8 am until 3:30

It’s Super Bowl Week in Tampa Bay and New Orleans will host its record-tying 11th Super Bowl in 2025. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says his eleven-member staff is putting together plans to raise about 20-million dollars over the next four years to help pull off the massive event…
Cut 14 (06) “…the bid.” 
Cicero says hosting a Super Bowl is so big it requires four years of preparation for a week that will bring thousands of visitors to the city.

Of the 93-thousand vaccine doses allocated for nursing home residents and staff in the state, only 30-percent have been administered. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

On Friday Julia ‘Hurricane’ Hawkins of Baton Rouge who will turn 105 next Saturday received her second COVID vaccination. The LSU alum is also known as record-setting runner. She has lived through the Spanish Flu and polio. She says she’s looking forward to visiting with her family soon and encourages everyone to be vaccinated.

Johnson and Johnson announced Friday that its one-dose COVID vaccine offers strong protection. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says it has an average 66-percent efficacy rate of preventing moderate to severe illnesses like pneumonia or other breathing difficulties the efficacy of preventing serious illness is 85-percent.

Cut 11 (12) “…moderate.”

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission has submitted a bid to host the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Regionals. If awarded, the Brookshire Grocery Arena will host the event in March.  Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, Kelly Wells says their proximity to schools makes it a prime location.

Cut 8 (08) “…prefer to drive.”

The Terrebonne Parish Sheriff Office arrests three men in connection with a double homicide in Montegut on January 13th. 35-year-old Beaux Cormier of Kaplan, 25-year-old Andrew Eskine of Carencro, and 22-year-old Dalvin Wilson from Rayne are charged with two counts of first-degree murder.  Two women 37-year-old Hope Nettleton and 34-year-old Brittany Cormier, both of Montegut were found shot inside a home and pronounced dead at the scene.

Johnson and Johnson’s COVID vaccine has an international 66% average efficacy, but 72% in the US and it’s one injection.

cut 2 (27) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

It’s been slow going vaccinating the state’s nursing home residents and staff. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 93,600 Moderna vaccine doses have been allocated to a program and so far, only 30-percent have been administered.

Cut 5  (12) “…faster.” 

The vaccine rollout in nursing homes is being conducted by CVS and Walgreens.

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join other Republican Senators request a meeting with President Biden over concerns involving his recent oil and gas policy. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Biden made climate change a priority during his campaign and he does not expect the new President to back off of his positions.

Cut 13 (11)“..energy.”

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in the state is 69%, but the rate among staff is 26%.  Kanter says while he encouraged with the high rate of residents, the low rate among staff is concerning. However, he feels more staff will be vaccinated as the rollout conducts their second visit to facilities.

Cut 4 (07) “…little bit” 

Johnson and Johnson announced Friday that its one-dose COVID vaccine offers strong protection from the virus with an international average efficacy of 66-percent. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Lucio Miele says in addition to being only one injection, the J&J vaccine does not require cold storage making it ideal for rural areas and for those with access to care issues.

Cut 10 (10) “…readily available.”

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join 23 other Republican Senators in requesting a meeting with President Biden over concerns involving his recent oil and gas policy. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he expects Biden will take this meeting.

Cut 12 (10) “senate.” 

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission has submitted a bid to host the 2021 NCAA Division II Men’s and Women’s Basketball Regionals in Bossier City. If awarded, the Brookshire Grocery Arena will host 12 teams who will play 10 games over five days in March.  Director of the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, Kelly Wells, says they’ve worked with the NCAA before.

Cut 6 (11) “…this time.”

Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy join 23 other Republican Senators in requesting a meeting with President Biden over concerns involving his recent oil and gas policy. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he expects Biden will take this meeting.

Cut 12 (10) “senate.” 

The Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine hopes to be the third effort against the pandemic in the U-S. It offers the convenience of one shot, but an international average efficacy of 66-percent. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Lucio Miele says however in the U-S the efficacy rate is higher.

Cut 9 (11) “… South Africa.”

State health officials say while the vaccination rate of nursing home residents is 69-percent the rate among staff is much lower at 26-percent. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter however feels more staff will get vaccinated once the rollout conducts their second visit of three visits to the facilities.

Cut 4 (07) “…little bit” 

Governor Edwards says he’s seen vaccination rates among staff almost double on the second visit at Veteran’s Homes and feels that will happen in the private nursing homes as well.

The Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. The new cases were found in Southwest Louisiana and the greater New Orleans area. With a new variant of the virus entering the state, Governor Edwards calls on residents to be even more diligent about mitigation.

Cut 11 (11) “….to die.”

Vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff against COVID-19 are moving slowly in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 30-percent of the just over 93,600 Moderna vaccine doses that have been allocated to the program has been administered so far.

Cut 5  (12) “…faster.” 

Tomorrow Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says if there is any discontent amongst Republicans it likely won’t be over election results, but over the failure to turn wins into conservative state policy like lower taxes and spending…

Cut 9 (08) “…problems.”

Johnson and Johnson’s COVID vaccine has a 66% average efficacy rate worldwide, but it’s 72% in the US and it’s one injection versus two. Taylor Sharp has more.

cut 2 (27) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

State Treasurer John Schroder announces his office distributed 262-million dollars in main street recovery grants to just over 20-thousand small businesses. Schroder says they helped small businesses in every parish, but unfortunately, there were some who tried to take advantage of the program. He says 107 suspected fraudulent applications have been turned over to the Office of the Inspector General for investigation…

Cut 15 (10)“…businesses.”

We are another week closer to the heart of the crawfish season. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Alan Lawson says January is a slow time for harvesting so prices are a bit higher and supply is low, but March and April are usually the best time of the year for crawfish consumers…

Cut 6 (11) “…by then.”

Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris is challenging incumbent Louis Gervich for the State Republican Party Chairmanship. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Vaccinations among nursing home residents and staff against COVID-19 is moving slow in Louisiana. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says 93,600 doses have been allocated for that population, but so far CVS and Walgreens are overseeing the program, has only administered 28-thousand doses.

The Department of Health confirms the state’s second and third cases of the UK variant of COVID-19. Governor Edwards discussed the new cases at his Thursday press conference and says the UK variant is 50-percent more contagious. The CDC has also confirmed variants from Brazil and South Africa in the U-S. Edwards says so far, they have not been reported in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (08) “…some point.”

Tomorrow Republicans decide who will be the next chair of the state party, incumbent Louis Gurvich or challenger, Alexandria Lawmaker Lance Harris. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeff Sadow says if there is any discontent amongst Republicans it likely won’t be over election results, but over the failure to turn wins into conservative state policy like lower taxes and spending…

Cut 9 (08) “…problems.”

The Main Street Recovery Grant Program distributed 262-million in recovery grants in Louisiana. It used federal coronavirus relief aid to provide up to 15-thousand dollars to small businesses. State Treasurer John Schroder says they surpassed their goal of providing assistance to minority and veteran-owned businesses.

Cut 14 (06) “…four times that.” 

We are another week closer to the heart of the crawfish season. Acadia Parish crawfish farmer Alan Lawson says January is really a slow time for harvesting crawfish, which is why prices are high and supply is low. He says once the weather gets a little warmer, the catch will improve…

Cut 5 (12) “…time will tell.”

He says March and April are the best times for consumers.