Starting Monday, more Louisianans will be eligible to get a Moderna COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

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 will be remembered for the pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura caused massive destruction in southwest Louisiana and at least 28 deaths in the state were attributed to the hurricane. There was also Delta in the second week of October and Zeta which made landfall in Terrebonne Parish a few days before Halloween

Cut 7 (07) …October 28th”

And dicey weather is not finished yet for 2020 much of southwest Louisiana is under a Tornado Watch until 9pm tonight as severe weather makes it thru the state.

The casinos’ industry also took a hit in 2020 with forced closures for almost two months, reduced capacity, and one casino even shut their doors for good.  Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the state will suffer from the loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…100-million.” 

Starting Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and up and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards says this new “Group 1B” includes about 640,000 people on top of the 250,000 people who are currently eligible.
Cut 9 (09) “…simultaneously.”

Many Louisianans are anxious to ring in the new year and might celebrate by lighting fireworks. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says with severe weather in the forecast be sure you light fireworks 200 feet away from your property…

cut 4 (08) “…around.”

Severe weather is a threat for areas across the state tonight, especially for parishes south of Alexandria. A large portion of southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM.

It’s been an unlucky year for the casino industry, Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says even though gaming numbers have rebound up to 85-percent, non-gaming revenue losses from concerts, restaurants, and bars, have the industry struggling.

Cut 13 (07)“…sectors”

Duty says the state will have a loss of more than $100-million in casino revenue.

In addition to COVID, 2020 will be remembered for hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura left a major mark on the state when it made landfall in Cameron Parish on August 27th as a strong Category Four with 150 mile per hour winds
Cut 6 (09) “..170 years.”

And that area of the state is under a severe weather threat. A large portion of southwest Louisiana is under a tornado watch until 9 PM.

On Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and older and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards warns this is just the beginning of vaccinations for this new group so it may take you a while to get an appointment to receive one.

Cut 11 (11) “..week.”

He notes once we receive more vaccines the next group up will be essential workers like teachers and grocery store employees.

For those ringing in 2021 with fireworks, State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue urges you to do so safely. She says never use fireworks when you are impaired, light them only on a steady non-combustible surface for like concrete or asphalt 200 feet away from property. When finished wet them down before disposal.

Cut 5  (04) “…your home.” 

And never allow children to handle fireworks.

2020 will be remembered for the pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura caused massive destruction in southwest Louisiana and at least 28 deaths in the state were attributed to the hurricane. There was also Delta in the second week of October and Zeta which made landfall in Terrebonne Parish a few days before Halloween

Cut 7 (07) …October 28th”

The casinos’ industry also took a hit in 2020 with forced closures for almost two months, reduced capacity, and one casino even shut their doors for good.  Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says the state will suffer from the loss.

Cut 12 (09) “…100-million.” 

Non-gaming losses include revenue from concerts, restaurants, and bars at casino venues.

Most of Louisiana is under an enhanced severe weather threat for the final day of 2020. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cyclone is expected to form along the Texas coast this morning and travel northward into Oklahoma bringing severe weather to the Bayou State.

Cut 4 (11) “…high wind.”

The defining fight of 2020 state politics was House Republicans attempting to override the Governor’s public health restrictions using a little-known petition process but have been, so far, denied by the courts. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 10 (10) “…magnified.”

Baton Rouge Judge William Morvant rejected the effort, which was brought to court by Attorney General Jeff Landry, in November but last week was ordered by the State Supreme Court to revisit the case in 2021.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s surprising COVID-related death at 41 cut short the life of one of the state’s fastest climbing young political figures. Matt Doyle spoke with Letlow earlier this month ahead of his 5^th District runoff …

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

State police are investigating the apparent suicide of one of their own. State Police Colonel Lamar Davis says Trooper August McKay has died by suicide at his Washington Parish home amid a criminal investigation into possible drug activity. McKay is the same Trooper accused of calling a colleague a racial slur.

Louisiana has the potential for severe weather today as 2020 wants to take one last jab at the state. Brooke Thorington has more.

 Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s surprising COVID-related death at 41 cut short the life of one of the state’s fastest climbing young political figures. Matt Doyle spoke with Letlow earlier this month ahead of his 5^th District runoff win…

Cut 2 (26) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The showdown between Governor Edwards and House Republicans over COVID restrictions was the defining political fight of 2020 in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Most of Louisiana is under an enhanced severe weather threat for the final day of 2020. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cyclone is expected to form along the Texas coast this morning and travel northward into Oklahoma bringing severe weather to the Bayou State.

Cut 4 (11) “…high wind.”

Keim says the dicey weather will move across the state from Texas towards the Mississippi Delta as we close out the year.

Cut 5 (11) “…going on.”

Outdoor plans are not ideal today with rainfall amounts of one to five inches expected. Keim says the higher amounts of rainfall will be seen in Northwest Louisiana as opposed to Southeast Louisiana.

Cut 6 (12) “…through 2021.”

Temperatures will be cooler once the rain passes through with lows on New Year’s day in the mid-30s for North Louisiana and mid-40s to low 50s in the southern part of the state.

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The state is still in shock over the surprising COVID-related death of 41-year-old Congressman-elect Luke Letlow Tuesday evening.

LRN spoke with Letlow just before his December 5^th runoff victory. He said he was excited to head to Washington and get things done with his good friend and fellow Congressman Garret Graves.

Cut 7 (07)  “…hurricane.”

Letlow won the December runoff against Alexandria lawmaker Lance Harris with 62 percent of the vote and was set to be sworn-in Sunday.

Letlow spoke highly of his former boss and mentor, retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham, and said it was Abraham who pulled him back into public service in 2014 while he was working for a Denver energy company.

Cut 8 (09) “…up in Congress.”

Abraham endorsed Letlow at the start of his campaign for the 5^th District, a boost that made him a strong early favorite for the seat.

Letlow said he was looking forward to pushing Congress for the funds needed to take on one of the 5^th’s most pressing issues…

Cut 9 (09) “… the world.”

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It was a busy year in state politics but it’s clear the defining fight of 2020 was that between the Governor and House Republicans over COVID restrictions and the public health emergency.

House Republicans attempted to override the Governor’s restrictions using a little known petition process but have been, so far, denied by the courts. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross…

Cut 10 (10) “…magnified.”

Baton Rouge Judge William Morvant rejected the effort, which was brought to court by Attorney General Jeff Landry, in November but last week was ordered by the State Supreme Court to revisit the case in 2021.

Cross says the incredibly vitriolic battle over COVID restrictions in Louisiana was a reflection of the greater partisan battle playing out nationally at that time, and…

Cut 11 (05) “…well.”

Cross says House Republicans’ biggest hurdle was that their Senate colleagues did not back their attempt, which is why he suspects Governor Edwards was never worried about it.

Cut 12 (10) “…then”

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Despite calls from state and federal officials for folks to stay home for Christmas an estimated 81 million people still took to the roads, but AAA spokesperson Don Redman says road travel was down 24 percent from 2019’s record numbers. Locally…

Cut 13 (05) “…by car.”

Redman says only three million Americans traveled by air for the holidays, a whopping 60 percent decrease from last year.

Cut 14 (07) “…percent.” 

On the bright side, Redman says experts are growing confident that our travel numbers will rebound in 2021 as COVID vaccines become more readily available.

Cut 15 (10)“…going in.”

The 5^th Congressional District mourns the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, a career public servant. Matt Doyle has the story…

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke of Letlow at a briefing today…

Cut 11 (12) “…to anyone.”

With Phase One of COVID vaccinations underway to frontline healthcare workers, nursing home staff and residents, many are wondering who’s next up to get their shots in 2021.

Governor Edwards says those with end-stage renal disease who receive regular dialysis treatments have already begun receiving the vaccine ahead of their CDC recommended schedule.

Unfortunately, Kanter says we can’t pinpoint an exact date yet for when the state will move out of Phase One vaccinations and into Phase 1B.

Cut 12 (06) “…we get.”

Medicaid enrollment increased by 208-thousand in Louisiana this year alone and now approximately 1.8 million receive Medicaid benefits or 39-percent of the state’s population. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says beside historic job losses, another reason more people are on Medicaid because early in the pandemic Congress passed The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.
Cut 5 (10) “…coverage.”

Louisiana’s newly elected Congressman Luke Letlow has passed away at the age of 41 from COVID-19. Letlow was set to be sworn in Sunday to represent Louisiana’s 5th district, a mostly rural district that covers northeast, central Louisiana and also St. Landry Parish and parts of the Florida parishes. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Letlow would have been a great Congressman…

Cut 4 (13) in Congress” 

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi expressed her condolences for Luke Letlow at a briefing this morning. Pelosi was visibly emotional when she spoke of Letlow’s wife Julia and two children Jaqueline and Jeremiah.

Cut 12 (11) “…their daddy.” 

Medicaid enrollment increased by 208-thousand in Louisiana this year alone and now approximately 1.8 million receive Medicaid benefits or 39-percent of the state’s population. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller says the pandemic’s effect on the economy forced many to seek coverage.

Cut 4 (09) “…insurance.” (AM)

With Phase One of COVID vaccinations underway to frontline healthcare workers, nursing home staff and residents, many are wondering who’s next up to get their shots in 2021. A CDC advisory committee suggests group 1B should cover frontline essential workers and those over 75. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is crafting its own plan, but…

Cut 10 (04) “…recommended.” (AM)

The state reported 6,754 new COVID-19 case today and 51 fatalities.

Louisiana’s newly elected Congressman Luke Letlow has passed away at the age of 41 from COVID-19. He was set to be sworn in Sunday to replace his former boss Ralph Abraham. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s known Letlow for 20 years…

Cut 3 (10)  “…fight for Louisiana.”

Baton Rouge Radio Personality Michelle Southern graduated from Ouachita Christian in Monroe with Letlow in 1998. Southern says Letlow was an excellent debater and made quite an impression in high school on her and the other 51 people in their close-knit graduating class.

Cut 6 (13) “…United States.”

News of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow’s passing from COVID at such a young age has sent shockwaves across the state and nation. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says his death is a stark reminder of the reality of the pandemic.

Cut 8 (11) “…world.”

Letlow reportedly had no pre-existing health conditions.

Letlow leaves behind his wife Dr. Julia Letlow and their two children Jaqueline and Jeremiah.

Accolades and condolences have rolled in from across the political spectrum since news of Letlow’s passing last night, including Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Governor John Bel Edwards, House Minority Whip Steve Scalise, and more.

Governor Edwards has confirmed that a special election to fill Letlow’s seat will be held sometime in March, it’s also the expected date to fill the congressional seat of Cedric Richmond who’s leaving to work in the Biden White House.

The 5^th Congressional District mourns the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, a career public servant.

cut 2 (37) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi issued condolences to the Letlow family this morning and was visibly emotional when she spoke of his wife Julia and two children Jaqueline and Jeremiah.

Cut 12 (11) “…their daddy.” 

Luke Letlow tested positive for COVID on December 18^th and was hospitalized in Monroe the next day. When his symptoms worsened, he was moved to ICU at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. As of December 23^rd Letlow, appeared to be in stable condition and was receiving Remdesivir and steroids, but his condition took a turn before he died yesterday evening from a cardiac event brought on by COVID. Hospital officials say Letlow had no pre-existing. Conditions. He was to be sworn in Sunday to Congress representing Louisiana’s 5^th Congressional district.

Baton Rouge radio personality Michelle Southern graduated from Ouachita Christian High in Monroe with Letlow in 1998. Southern says Letlow’s passing shocked former classmates.

Cut 5  (12) “…to you.” 

She says in high school Letlow was voted “Most Likely to Be President of the United States.”

Louisiana’s newly elected Congressman Luke Letlow has passed away at the age of 41 from COVID-19. Baton Rouge radio personality Michelle Southern graduated from high school with Letlow in 1998 from at Ouachita Christian in Monroe. Southern says Letlow was an excellent debater and made quite an impression in high school on her and their close-knit graduating class of 53.

Cut 6 (13) “…United States.”

Letlow spent most of his adult life in public service. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says Letlow leaves behind a young family: his wife Dr. Julia Letlow and their two children Jaqueline and Jeremiah.

Cut 8 (11) “…world.”

Luke Letlow was set to be sworn in next week to replace Ralph Abraham and represent Louisiana’s 5th district, a mostly rural district that covers northeast, central Louisiana, and also St. Landry Parish and parts of the Florida parishes. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says Letlow would have been a great Congressman…

Cut 4 (13)        in Congress” 

Letlow was the chief of staff for Abraham and also worked in state government for former Governor Bobby Jindal.

Letlow, who was elected earlier this month, died at Ochsner-LSU Health Shreveport last night after spending ten days in the hospital. Louisiana’s Congressional delegation is devasted. Senior Senator Bill Cassidy released a video message on Twitter…

Cut 13 (12) “…in your prayers.”

Letlow’s death came on a day when the state surpassed seven-thousand confirmed COVID deaths.