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 next week to replace Ralph Abraham. Letlow was the chief of staff for Abraham and also worked in state government for former Governor Bobby Jindal. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s known Letlow for 20 years…

Cut 3 (10)  “…fight for Louisiana.”

LSU Health Shreveport Chancellor Dr. G.E. Ghali said Letlow died from a heart attack following a procedure related to the infection and he had no underlying health conditions.

Medicaid enrollment increased by 208-thousand in Louisiana this year alone. Louisiana Budget Project Executive Director Jan Moller…

Cut 6 (12) “…supposed to do.”

With Phase One of COVID vaccinations underway to frontline healthcare workers, and 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 we can’t pinpoint an exact date yet for when the state will begin Phase 1B.

Cut 12 (06) “…we get.”

The New Orleans Saints will wrap up the regular season on Sunday as they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers.  Despite the team’s success this year, quarterback Drew Brees says, they need to fine-tune some things before the playoffs.

Cut 16 (11) “…the field.”

Kickoff is 3:30 in Charlotte

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 next week to replace Ralph Abraham. Letlow was the chief of staff for Abraham and also worked in state government for former Governor Bobby Jindal. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says he’s known Letlow for 20 years…
Cut 3 (10) “…fight for Louisiana.”
Letlow was set to be sworn in next week 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. 24 parishes are in the 5th congressional district. Governor John Bel Edwards has ordered all state flags at half-staff on Letlow’s funeral day.
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 another reason more people are on Medicaid because early in the pandemic Congress passed The Families First Coronavirus Relief Act.
Cut 5 (10) “…coverage.”

The New Orleans Saints will wrap up the regular season on Sunday as they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers. Despite the team’s success this year, quarterback Drew Brees says, they need to fine-tune some things before the playoffs.
He believes a good performance on Sunday is vital because he wants the team to be playing its best once the post-season arrives.
Cut 17 (10) “improve.”

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has died from COVID-19 at the age of 41. Letlow, who was was elected to Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district earlier this month, died at Ochnser-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…
Letlow was set to be sworn in next week, as he was replacing Ralph Abraham. He leaves behind a wife and two young children. Cassidy asks residents to pray for the Letlow family…
Cut 15 (08)“…we should do.”

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.
Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s likely the percentage of our population in those groups will be higher than the national average.
Cut 11 (04) “…metrics.”

After a historic number of jobs lost and more of the working poor applying, approximately 39 percent of the population in Louisiana has Medicaid coverage now. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN IS PROPOSING AN EMERGENCY PLAN FOR THE FEBRUARY AND SPRING ELECTIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE EXPANSION OF ABSENTEE VOTING ALLOWED DURING THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Ardoin’s plan includes expanding mail-in voting but does not extend early voting days.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has died from COVID-19 at the age of 41. Letlow, who was was elected to Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district earlier this month, died at Ochnser-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 expressing sorrow for the family. Letlow’s death came on a day when the state surpassed seven-thousand confirmed COVID deaths. Cassidy, a physician, suggests COVID can kill anyone…
Cut 14 (06) “…it can.”

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.”

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.”
The New Orleans Saints will wrap up the regular season on Sunday as they travel to take on the Carolina Panthers. Despite the team’s success this year, quarterback Drew Brees says, they need to fine-tune some things before the playoffs.
Cut 16 (11) “…the field.”

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has died from COVID-19 at the age of 41. Letlow, who was was elected to Louisiana’s 5th Congressional district earlier this month, died at Ochnser-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.”

SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN IS PROPOSING AN EMERGENCY PLAN FOR THE FEBRUARY AND SPRING ELECTIONS THAT ARE SIMILAR TO THE EXPANSION OF ABSENTEE VOTING ALLOWED DURING THE LAST PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Ardoin’s plan includes expanding mail-in voting but does not extend early voting days.

A committee advising the CDC has laid out its recommendations for what groups should be next to get their COVID vaccinations in 2021. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The man behind “Stelly Plan”, former state lawmaker Vic Stelly, died from COVID over the weekend. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A 60-year-old Lake Charles man is sentenced to 100 years in prison for sex crimes involving 9- and 10-year-old girls. Robert Lognion was already a convicted sex offender when he was accused in February 2017 of touching the girls inappropriately. The Calcasieu Parish District Attorney’s Office says a judge sentenced him to consecutive 50-year terms for sexual battery and an aggravated crime against nature.

Vaccines at two VA homes were administered Monday to residents and staff. Roughly 40-percent of all fatalities from COVID has been in nursing home settings. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick says, however, they will continue to follow CDC and CMS guidelines.

Cut 11 (11) “…new guidance.”

The two of the remaining three VA homes will administer vaccines this week.

Cops are packing state roads ahead of New Years’ for the end-of-year Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says law enforcement officers are actively looking for impaired drivers, and throwing the ones they find in jail.

Cut 12 (05) “..cell” 

Lambert says 33 people were killed last December by drunk drivers and they don’t want to see a repeat this year.

Former state lawmaker Vic Stelly, mastermind of the “Stelly Plan” state tax reform of 2002, died over the weekend of COVID-19. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the “Stelly Plan” was ultimately largely undone during the Jindal Administration. Pinsonat says that decision didn’t end well for Jindal.

Cut 8 (11) “…popularity.”

Two house fires killed three residents over the weekend in North Louisiana. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says as the weather turns cold, she highly encourages residents to practice space heater safety and for families to establish and practice a fire safety escape plan from their home.

Cut 5 (10) “…options.” 

Cops packing state roads ahead of New Years’ for the end-of-year Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says 33 people were killed last December by drunk drivers and they don’t want to see a repeat this year.

Cut 13 (05)“driver”

December drunk driving injuries and fatalities have been rising since 2017.

VA homes in Louisiana began rollout of the Moderna vaccine Monday. Spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Brandee Patrick says workers and residents are very hopeful that the vaccines will help restore normalcy soon.

Cut 10 (11) “…offer them.”

They began vaccines at their homes in Jennings and Monroe, Monday, tomorrow in Reserve, and Saturday in Bossier. The rollout in Jackson is still being scheduled.

Former state lawmaker Vic Stelly, mastermind of the “Stelly Plan” state tax reform of 2002, died over the weekend of COVID-19. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the 79-year-old Stelly had a vision for a new way of funding state government using income taxes instead of sales taxes.

Cut 6 (10) “..subjects”

Vic’s wife, Terry Stelly, died of COVID 13 hours after her husband passed away.

Vaccines at two VA homes were administered Monday to residents and staff. Roughly 40-percent of all fatalities from COVID have been in nursing home settings. Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick says, however, they will continue to follow CDC and CMS guidelines.

Cut 11 (11) “…new guidance.”

Two house fires killed three residents over the weekend in North Louisiana. Ashley Rodrigue, spokesperson for the State Marshal says a 63-year-old man was killed Sunday in Eros, and on Saturday a couple in their 60s perished in Shreveport. She says Shreveport firefighters entered through the front door to attack the blaze of the couple’s home.

Cut 3 (10)  “…that man.”

She says the front door had a locked deadbolt on that was keyed on both sides. Both fires remain under investigation and the identities of the fatalities have not been released.

A Legislative task force is studying whether Louisiana elections should move to a closed primary system and will submit its recommendations by the next regular session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat..
Cut 5 (08) “…Presidential.”

VA homes in Louisiana began rollout of COVID vaccines Monday. Brandee Patrick, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs says workers and residents are very hopeful that the vaccines will help restore normalcy soon.

Cut 10 (11) “…offer them.”

They began vaccines at their homes in Jennings and Monroe, Monday, tomorrow in Reserve, and Saturday in Bossier. The rollout in Jackson is still being scheduled. Patrick says residents and workers will receive a second dose of the Moderna vaccine four weeks after the first.

When former Governor Edwin Edwards was in the hospital for routine tests over the weekend, Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says he was offered the COVID vaccine.

Cut 15 (07)“…hospital.”

Honeycutt says Edwards plans to get vaccinated when it’s his turn.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports just under 4,000 new COVID-19 cases today. Fatalities increased today to 61 and hospitalizations increased by 92 overnight.

Algiers based Edna Karr High fights for its fifth consecutive football state championship tonight against Carencro. Matt Doyle spoke with Karr’s coach Brice Brown…

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

VA homes in Louisiana began rollout of COVID vaccines Monday. Brandee Patrick, spokesperson for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs said two of their facilities began vaccinations and so far no one has experienced a reaction to the vaccine.

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They will continue roll out for vaccines this week and then a follow up for the second dose of the Modenra vaccine.

A Legislative task force is studying whether Louisiana should move to a closed primary system and will submit its recommendations by the next regular session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the current jungle primary system was implemented in 1975 to limit Democrat on Democrat attacks during statewide elections.

Cut 4 (12) “…each other.”

Nine months into the pandemic some OB/GYN clinics are seeing an influx of patients, but it’s not what you think. Dr. Karli Boggs, Clinical Director at the LSU Clinic at Women’s Hospital in Baton Rouge says many of their new patients are women who lost health insurance along with the jobs, and now have Medicaid coverage. Boggs says the average wait to schedule a gynecological visit as opposed to obstetrics is three months or more.

Cut 8 (09) “…to care.”

Former Governor Edwin Edwards turned down a COVID vaccine over the weekend when he was at LSU-Health Shreveport for routine medical tests. Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says 93-year-old Edwards has tested negative for COVID three times in the past two months but didn’t want to jump the line for a vaccine.
Cut 14 (11) “…who does.”