People over the age of 70 and those on dialysis are now eligible to be vaccinated. The website of CovidVaccine.LA.gov offers a list of 107 pharmacies in 51 parishes that have the vaccine. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says unfortunately for this first week the number of doses is extremely limited.

Cut 6 (10) “..we could.”

Springhill Family Pharmacy Pharmacist Suzanne Smith in Webster Parish says interest is extremely high and they’ve already reserved the 100 doses for patients who called in this morning. When they receive the vaccine tomorrow, they will begin setting up appointments for the week.

Cut 13 (11)“…manner.”

Dr. Kanter says they expect another shipment of doses next week.

US Senator John Kennedy joins an effort by a faction of Republican Congressmen who plan to refuse to certify the results of the Presidential Election. Kennedy is not joined by the state’s senior Senator, Bill Cassidy, who was sworn in just Sunday. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says that’s because Cassidy’s M.O. has never been hyper-partisanship…

Cut 4 (07) is” 

The Saints blew out the Panthers Sunday to end another strong regular season at 12-4. They’ll play the Bears in the Dome Sunday for the first round of playoff action in what could be Quarterback Drew Brees’ last chance at a second Super Bowl ring. Brees says his focus is on beating the Bears

Cut 11 (12) “..and play”

Kickoff Sunday is at 3:40

A list of 107 pharmacies that will be administering the Moderna vaccine this week was released this morning on the LDH’s website. Each pharmacy will only receive 100 doses for those over the age of 70 and dialysis patients.  Springhill Family Pharmacy Pharmacist Suzanne Smith in Webster Parish…

Cut 12 (12) “…reserved.” 

For a list of pharmacies go to CovidVaccine.la.gov

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says vaccines are being given in a tier system to those most likely to be exposed and those more likely to die or have severe complications from the virus and by doing so they hope to reduce hospital capacity.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

Hospitalizations increased by 58 patients today for a total of 1,891.

The state’s senior U.S. Senator, Republican Bill Cassidy, was sworn in for a second six-year term Sunday. Cassidy’s most recent legislative achievement came as part of a bipartisan coalition that crafted the recent COVID relief bill. UL Lafayette Poly Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Senator is positioned to be quite influential…

Cut 5  (09) “…to come” 

Saints ended the regular season at 12-4 and since the Saints will host Chicago on Sunday, it increases the chances that running back Alvin Kamara can play after testing positive for COVID. Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins says the team understands the importance of avoiding a COVID.

Cut 10 (12) “..the playoffs”

The website of CovidVacine.LA.gov is now updated with a list of the 107 pharmacies in 51 parishes that have that the COVID vaccine.  Beginning today more people are eligible to be vaccinated in Louisiana. Governor Edwards made the announcement last week that people over the age of 70 and those on dialysis can now be vaccinated.

The website is CovidVacine.LA.Gov

A special election will be held in March to fill the now vacant 5^th Congressional District seat left open after the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who lost to Letlow in a December runoff, has to be seriously considering a second run…

Cut 7 (07)  “…Republicans.”

Another potential favorite would be former Congressman Ralph Abraham, should he want to return to the seat he just retired from.

Laws aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform went into effect with the new year. Matt Doyle spoke with a supporter of the reforms…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A missing child advisory has been issued for an 11-year old girl from Tallulah. State Police issued a Level II advisory for Emma Carter Ezell this morning, she’s described as a white female with brown/blond hair 5’ 6” weighing 130 pounds. If you have any information, you’re asked to call the Madison Parish Sheriff’s office.

The funeral for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications will be today. It will be at 2 p.m. at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and the funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

From March to December of 2020, demand for food stamps increased 26-percent, in Louisiana. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta credits the work of her staff for meeting the unprecedented demand.

Cut 15 (12)“…these families.”

The City of Lake Charles is still recovering after devastation from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says as for Federal recovery efforts it’s still too early to judge with just four months out. He says while FEMA has responded well with some things…

Cut 10 (09) “…housing.”

Hunter says he’s extremely grateful for the community and how they’ve helped each other out during recovery and he’s optimistic about the city rebuilding.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was to be sworn into office tomorrow to represent the 5^th Congressional district, but due to his life being cut short from COVID his family is holding funeral services for him today at 2pm. Services will be at North Monroe Baptist Church and all COVID restrictions will be in place, his family is requesting attendees to wear masks. Governor Edwards has ordered flags be flown at half-staff today in memory of 41-year-old Letlow who died on Tuesday.

The Louisiana Department of Family and Children services distributed more than $674 million in food stamps last year due to the pandemic and three hurricanes. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says to keep staff and recipients safe they made some changes.

Cut 14 (10) “…the need.” 

She says other states have asked for guidance and are modeling their distribution process now after Louisiana’s.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard, guard spokesperson Noel Collins says in addition to the demands of the pandemic and an unprecedented hurricane season for the state, the guardsmen are involved in overseas missions.

Cut 8 (10) “…this year.”

The city of Lake Charles endured two hurricanes last year and Mayor Nic Hunter says in addition to housing for residents a large factor for the city to recover is major employers’ commitments to stay and rebuild.

Cut 11 (08) “…rebuilding.”

Overall, Hunter says he’s optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles because its residents and business community are very resilient.

Thursday’s announcement that those over the age of 70 in Louisiana can begin receiving COVID vaccines has many already crowding pharmacies to get vaccinated before doses have arrived. The vaccines will begin on Monday, Department of Health spokeswoman Aly Neel stressed that only a limited supply of 10,000 Moderna doses will be available next week and appointments are required, or you will be turned away.

2020 was an unprecedented year for the Department of Family and Children services as more than $674 million was distributed in food stamps. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta has the breakdown.

Cut 13 ebt benefits :13

And $92.6 million in hurricane disaster SNAP benefits was also distributed.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by today and over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been placed on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus. And there’s a possibility he could miss a playoff game next week. New Orleans can still get the first seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. For that to happen, the Saints need to beat the Panthers tomorrow, the Packers have to lose to the Bears and Seattle must defeat San Francisco. Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will also miss Sunday’s game due to COVID.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The funeral for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications will be today. It will be at 2 p.m. at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and the funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

The City of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice with hurricanes in 2020, Laura was first responsible for widespread destruction and then Delta just added insult to injury. Mayor Nic Hunter says recovery efforts have come a long way in four months, however…

Cut 9 (09) “…recovered.”

Overall, Hunter is optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles, because it’s residents and business community are resilient.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and masks will be required by the family. The funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

And distributed more than 56-million Personal Protective Equipment items.

After a record-tying six rushing touchdowns in an NFL game what will Saints running back Alvin Kamara do for an encore when New Orleans closes out the regular season at Carolina on Sunday. Kamara says he has not reflected much on his historic Christmas Day performance…

Cut 15 (15)“…accomplish”

Thursday’s announcement that those over the age of 70 in Louisiana can begin receiving COVID vaccines has many already crowding pharmacies to get vaccinated before doses have arrived. The vaccines will begin on Monday, Department of Health spokeswoman Aly Neel stressed that only a limited supply of 10,000 Moderna doses will be available next week and appointments are required or you will be turned away.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by Saturday. Over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

The 87th annual Sugar Bowl is tonight in New Orleans and it’s a much different event this year due to the pandemic. Ohio State and Clemson will play in the national semifinal game and Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley says while the parade and other public events tied to the bowl game have been canceled, at least they are having a game this year…

Cut 14 (11) “…next year.” 

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard. Guard spokesperson Noel Collins says they assisted with 400 generator missions; distributed 5.7 million meals, 7.8 million liters of water, 1.4 million bags of ice, and 267-thousand tarps.

Cut 7 (11)  “…efforts.”

The COVID vaccine rollout is going slower than expected, the state should receive 210-thousand doses Saturday. There are currently 249-thousand people eligible to receive the vaccine and that group includes health care workers. nursing home residents and first responders. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says starting Monday another 649-thousand people will be eligible and that includes a select number of individuals over the age of 70…

Cut 5 (06) “…health care services.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and masks will be required by the family. The funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins says in addition to the unusual demands of in Louisiana last year, the guardsmen are involved in overseas missions.

Cut 8 (10) “…this year.”

The city of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice in 2020, with Hurricanes Laura and then Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says in addition to housing for residents a large factor for the city to recover is major employers’ commitments to stay and rebuild.

Cut 11 (08) “…rebuilding.”

Overall, Hunter is optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles because it’s residents and business community are resilient.