The state department of education instructs teachers and principals on best practices of virtual learning. Brooke Thorington

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state high school football championship games are being moved to Natchitoches and are set to run for four days from December 27^th to 30^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Both the divorce and marriage rates in Louisiana fell significantly from 2009 to 2019. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The state department of education instructs teachers and school leaders on how to improve student engagement in the virtual classroom. Assistant Superintendent of Training and Learning, Dr. Jessica Chiasson says the workshop consists of three learning modules and so far, 2,600 have participated.

Cut 4 (10) “…support teachers.”

Teachers now have free access to three 60-minute self-study modules to improve their virtual instruction. The modules offer tips, templates, and strategies to use in the virtual classroom. Chiasson says it’s vital instructors take time to get to know their students.

Cut 5 (09) “…virtual setting.”

Chiasson says while the pandemic and hurricanes have presented challenges this year, Louisiana teachers continue to provide high-quality virtual instruction.

Cut 6 (08) “…students.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards was one of four governors to attend the White House Vaccine Summit Tuesday. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said out of all COVID vaccination plans submitted to the CDC, governors of the top four states were invited. Edwards praised members of the Vaccination Action Collaborative for their work on the state’s plan.

Cut 7 (13)  “…that confidence.”

Edwards says following FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine the state will receive 49,000 doses then another 40,000 doses the following week. Edwards says within 48 hours of receiving the second allocation they will begin shots in arms.

Cut 8 (14) “…EMS workers.”

The Louisiana Department of Health said 73,000 people who live or work in long-term care facilities is included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout, which is expected to stretch into January.

Edwards shared the state’s vaccination plan to reach underserved communities. He says the state already has a head start with the mass flu vaccination exercises and COVID-19 testing.

Cut 9 (13) “…vaccinations.”

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The 2020 high school football Prep Classic state championships are being moved from the Superdome to Northwestern State in Natchitoches.

LHSAA director Eddie Bonine says it costs half a million dollars to rent the Dome for the games and they usually only break about even. He says current capacity restrictions just wouldn’t have worked…

Cut 10 (06) “…Natchitoches.”

Bonine says they usually sell about 35 to 42-thousand tickets for the games, this year even a best-case scenario put that number far below that.

Bonine says New Orleans also could not commit to even allowing fans in the stadium by late December, and move to Natchitoches gives them a plan set in stone…

Cut 11 (08) “…(x2) per game.”

The games will be held over a four day period from December 27^th to 30^th. Usually the championships only last three days.

It’s the first time the games won’t be played in the Dome since 2005 after Katrina, and Bonine says he understands how important it is to give the kids a world-famous venue…

Cut 12 (11) “…verses not.”

It’s only the second time the games haven’t been played in the Dome since they were first hosted there in 1981.

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The marriage rate in Louisiana was down about 20 percent from 2009 to 2019.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Dr. Richard Costa says most of the change in the marriage rate is due to millennials, who saw their boomer parents get divorced at historic rates.

Cut 13 (10) “…family unit.”

In Louisiana, the marriage rate in 2019 was 14.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over, nationally the marriage rate was is 16.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over.

Along with declining marriage rates, the divorce rate also declined by about 27 percent from 2009 to 2019. Costa says that’s because younger people are feeling less pressure to make hasty decisions.

Cut 14 (10) “…best.” 

In 2019 the divorce rate in Louisiana was 7.3 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over and the divorce rate nationally was 7.6 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over.

The marriage rate has been declining steadily for about four decades now. Costa says a big part of that is increased economic freedom for women.

Cut 15 (08)“…to make.” 

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What is going on with the LSU football program? After a dream season, it’s been a nightmare 2020 campaign. There’s a belief Coach Ed Orgeron has lost the team, the culture that Orgeron built to bring a national championship is gone and the players are out for themselves. 30-year-old LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg says the locker room is still together

Cut 16 (20) “…against Florida”

Star freshman tight end Arick Gilbert is the latest player who could leave the program. Gilbert is reportedly dealing with home sickness and the physical grind of a tough season. Veteran offensive Liam Shanahan says the team is here for Gilbert

cut 17 (20) “…mind’s at.”

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox says he can understand why Gilbert might be having thoughts of leaving…

cut  18 (28) “.get through it.”

LHSAA is moving the 2020 Football Prep Classic from the Superdome to Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. The championship games are being moved due to COVID capacity restrictions, financial responsibilities, and risk of cancellation. They will be held December 27-30.

LSU could lose another one of its playmakers on offense. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Ochsner Hospital for Children in New Orleans is one of 24 systems around the country participating in a Pfizer COVID vaccine trial in children as young as 12 years old. Ochsner Principal Investigator, Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz, says a new vaccine must be tested on various age groups because the reactions and efficacy could be different.

Cut 12 (07) “..age group.” 

Louisiana dry ice manufacturers are looking at ramping up production ahead of the rollout of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine, which needs to be stored at a frigid 94 degrees below zero. One of those is Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport. CEO Alex Kennedy says dry ice sits at 109 degrees below zero…

Cut 7 (12) “..ice.”

Ochsner Hospital for Children is one of 24 sites around the country participating in the Pfizer COVID vaccine for adolescents. Ochsner Principal Investigator, Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz says anytime a new vaccine comes out it must be tested on various age groups because the reactions and efficacy could be different.

Cut 12 (07) “..age group.” 

The vaccine that will be used is the same one that Pfizer is seeking FDA approval for adults.

Thousands of pounds of dry ice will be needed to ship and store the Pfizer COVID vaccine and several local dry ice companies are working to make that happen. Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport CEO Alex Kennedy says if the Pfizer vaccine becomes the go-to vaccine in the US the dry ice industry will experience an unprecedented level of demand.

Cut 8 (09) “…demand.”

State Fire Marshal Deputies are investigating a house fire that claimed the lives of an 89-year-old woman and her 58-year-old son in St. Martinville, Monday morning.  The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they believe a space heater is involved and a smoke detector has not been located.

Cut 5  (12) “..out safely” 

LSU Freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is considering opting out the remainder of the season.  Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says there is not a lot of chemistry within the program right now and it has shown with opts outs and on-field performance.

Cut 10 (13) “…himself.”

Higgins says Gilbert told coach Ed Orgeron he’s hurt and wants a break from the team.

State Fire Marshal Deputies are investigating a house fire that claimed the lives of an 89-year-old woman and her 58-year-old son in St. Martinville, Monday morning.  While the cause of the fire has not been determined, State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a space heater could’ve been involved.

Cut 3 (11)  “…space heater.”

Thousands of pounds of dry ice will be needed to ship and store the Pfizer COVID vaccine and a number of local dry ice companies are stepping up to make that happen. One of those is Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport. CEO Alex Kennedy says the product is the only way that vaccine can make it from Pfizer into your arm.

Cut 6 (09) “..below zero.”

Starting next month, Louisiana inmates can shop their resumes to prospective employers from prison using a LinkedIn-style online portal. Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Reentry Rhett Covington says the Reentry Workforce Job Portal is paid for by money saved as a result of criminal justice reforms passed in recent years. Covington says it will help them further save money by reducing recidivism.

Cut 11 (08) “ ..crime.”

Here’s some good news, especially in this world of virtual learning. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access in rural Louisiana…

Cut 15 (08)“…too long.” 
Johnson says it will help provide broadband to nearly 176-thousand Louisianians.

Fallout from a USA Today report detailing mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations at LSU continues as the school hands over 60 plus case files containing allegations to a firm investigating the situation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington DC to participate in the White Houses’ operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit today. Edwards it there along other governors and will give his perspective on how Louisiana will distribute and administer the COVID vaccine.

The state health department says it’s following the C-D-C’s lead and relaxing its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. The policy extends to schools as well so many teachers and students would only have to quarantine for seven days instead of 14 days if they are exposed to COVID, but test negative after five days. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski…

Cut 6 (10) “…wearing masks.”

Starting next month, Louisiana inmates can shop their resumes to prospective employers from prison using a LinkedIn-style online portal. Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Reentry Rhett Covington says the Reentry Workforce Job Portal allows inmates to connect with employers before they are released.

Cut 10 (08) “…employers.”

LDH adopts new CDC quarantine guidelines in hopes that more will comply. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Fallout from a USA Today report detailing mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations at LSU continues as the school hands over 60 plus case files containing allegations to a firm investigating the situation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The Louisiana Department of Corrections unveils a new program that allows inmates nearing their release date to apply for jobs from prison. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The Louisiana Health Department adopts revised CDC guidelines to shorten the quarantine period following a COVID exposure. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski says LDH leaders understand the recommendation of a 14-day quarantine is not always practical.

Cut 4 (09) “…as possible.”

Stefanski says now if you’ve been exposed to COVID, you can quarantine for ten days as opposed to 14 days.

Cut 5 (11) “…zero risk.”

Or if you show no symptoms and after five days test negative, you can leave quarantine after seven days.

Local school leaders pushed for a change in the quarantine rules, because they say keeping teachers and students away from the classroom for two weeks caused staffing issues and disrupted the learning process for children. Stefanski says they want kids in the classroom as much as possible and the revised guidelines will do that.

Cut 6 (10) “…wearing masks.”

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LSU turns over 60 plus case files of alleged incidents of sexual misconduct committed by students to a firm tasked with investigating the school’s alleged mishandling of those allegations.

LSU Interim President Tom Galligan says all of the documents forwarded to Husch Blackwell so far are from a period between 2016 and 2018.

Cut 7 (09)  “…reports.”

LSU hired Houston-based Husch Blackwell to conduct a review of their sexual misconduct reporting policies and the school’s handling of these allegations after an expose by USA Today last month. The report will be released in February.

There’s concern that some LSU staff may have participated in cover-ups of the incidents, but Galligan says they want Blackwell’s take on who knew what and when before they take action.

Cut 8 (10) “…right.”

Currently, no LSU staff are on administrative leave related to this situation, including Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry who says he did not follow up on evidence after he learned a football player at the time, Drake Davis, hit his girlfriend.

Galligan says they want to hear from current and former students about other potential incidents. He says if informed of other incidents they will pass that information along to Blackwell.

Cut 9 (08) “…for them.”

Many of the allegations are against former LSU football players, notably former running back Derrius Guice.

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Starting next month Louisiana inmates will be able to shop their resumes to prospective employers from prison using a LinkedIn-style secure online portal.

Louisiana Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Reentry Rhett Covington says the Reentry Workforce Job Portal allows inmates to connect with employers before they are released.

Cut 10 (08) “…employers.”

Covington says before the portal many inmates wouldn’t be able to start their search for employment until after they had left prison.

The program is paid for by money saved as a result of criminal justice reforms passed in recent years. Covington says it will help them further save money by reducing recidivism.

Cut 11 (08) “ ..crime.”

The Portal is being promoted by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Covington says the post-release job program is the first of its kind and takes advantage of the over 1,300 certifications inmates have received in the last two years.

Cut 12 (08) “…that way.”

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To close the digital divide in rural areas of the state, Congressman Mike Johnson says the FCC is dedicating $342 million over the next decade to bring broadband internet to almost 176-thousand Louisianans. Johnson says the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will allow existing telecommunications companies to expand their access.

Cut 13 (11) “…service.”

Johnson says some view bringing broadband access to rural areas as the equivalent of providing electricity and telephone service in the 18 and 19-hundreds.

Cut 14 (06) “…21st century.” 

Johnson says the pandemic has only highlighted our dependence on the internet and the incentives being provided to telecommunications providers to increase broadband will allow rural areas of the state to experience economic growth. Johnson says this is long overdue.

Cut 15 (08)“…too long.” 

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The LSU football team is 3-and-5 and staring at another loss this Saturday when they visit sixth-ranked Florida. It’s been a difficult year for the defending national champs, but Coach Ed Orgeron believes brighter days are ahead…

Cut 16 (21) “…teams again.”

Convincing draft-eligible players to return for one more season is a key to a possible turnaround for next season. Orgeron admits there are some guys who are dead set on leaving early for the NFL draft and the others who are on the fence are receiving a sales pitch…

cut 17 (18) “…drafted higher.”

LSU’s struggling defense faces another big challenge this Saturday when they take on Florida. Orgeron says they need to contain Kyle Pitts, who has 11 receiving touchdowns on the season

cut  18 (18) “…a lot of speed.”

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After beating Appalachian State for the first time in school history on Friday, the Ragin Cajuns have this Saturday, which gives them two weeks to get ready to play Coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt Championship. Meanwhile, the Chanticleers have a game this Saturday at Troy. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says the extra time to prepare doesn’t automatically mean they have an advantage over Coastal

cut 19 (19) “…going to do.”

The Cajuns are losing inside linebacker coach Austin Armstrong. He has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Napier says Armstrong will be coaching for the Cajuns in the Sun Belt Championship game

cut 20 (26) “…for that.”

DOTD has created visual displays of trash they’ve collected from roadways across the state as a reminder to Keep Louisiana beautiful. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says the trash sculptures that spell out D-O-T-D are a reminder to the public that department spend $9-million annually to pick up trash and that money could be spent on other things like…

Cut 11 (:07) infrastructure

Metairie Republican Eric Skrmetta has been re-elected to a third and final six-year term on the Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies. Skrmetta says his goal is to keep utility rates in Louisiana among the lowest in the nation…
cut 12 (12) “…that status”
Skrmetta defeated Democrat Allen Borne, a lawyer from New Orleans, in Saturday’s run-off election.

76 percent of voters chose to reject Constitutional Amendment One Saturday, which if passed would have allowed people living out of state to serve on state college and university supervisory boards. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says on average voters are faced with seven constitutional amendments per ballot, and while this result may indicate some amendment fatigue from the public…

Cut 8 (12) “…makers”

Matt Viator is officially out as ULM’s football coach. ULM has the lowest athletic budget among F-B-S schools and the football program has had only one winning season since becoming an F-B-S school in 1994. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says it’s been difficult for coaches to build a winner at ULM…

Cut 5  (12) “..head coach” 

Voters reject a constitutional amendment Saturday that would have allowed out-of-state residents to sit on college management boards. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

LDH has officially adopted the new CDC guidelines for quarantine. If you’ve been exposed and show no symptoms you can end quarantine after 10 days and if you show no symptoms after 7 days and test negative, you can end quarantine on the 8^th day. Also, LDH stresses that you continue strict mitigation efforts post quarantine to avoid transmission. A 14-day quarantine however remains the gold standard.

Matt Viator is officially out as ULM football coach as the school and Viator have decided to part ways as the team faces an eleven-game losing streak that dates back to last season. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says victories have been hard to come by for Viator…

Cut 3 (07)  “…pretty historic.”

Metairie Republican Eric Skrmetta has been re-elected to a third and final six-year term on the Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies. The hurricanes that hit the state this year caused at least two-billion dollars in damage to the electricity delivery system. This could result in higher bills for Entergy and Cleco customers. Skrmetta says they are hoping for federal dollars and looking at other ways to keep any hurricane restoration fees low…

Cut 14 (10) “…for the ratepayer.” 

Luke Letlow will be the next Congressman for the 5^th Congressional District, beating fellow Republican Alexandria lawmaker Lance Harris with 62 percent of the vote. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Congressman Cedric Richmond has been named as one of the five co-chairs for President-elect Joe Biden’s Inaugural Committee. Richmond is quoted as says the inauguration will be different this year, but they will work to keep everyone safe for the historic event. Richmond will serve as the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement in the Biden administration.

DCF is beginning a three-month process of moving the date when food stamp recipients will receive their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says instead of all SNAP recipients receiving their benefits, the first two weeks of the month, it will be spread out over the first 23 days. She says the 446,000 households receiving food stamps have been notified that a change in benefit distribution is coming.

Cut 9 (11) “…messages”.

A Monroe TV station is reporting ULM football Coach Matt Viator has been fired as the Warhawks have lost eleven straight dating back to last season. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says right before the season started, ULM alumnus Ron Berry was named the school’s new president and it appears he does not like the direction of the program…

Cut 4 (10)   “…couple years”  

Luke Letlow is Louisiana’s newest congressman as he defeated Lance Harris in an all-Republican runoff on Saturday. The Richland Parish native joins the Republican minority in the Democrat-controlled House…
cut 10 (12) “….class”
Letlow previously served as retiring Ralph Abraham’s chief of staff.

DCF is beginning a three-month process of moving the date when food stamp recipients will receive their benefits. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says instead of all SNAP recipients receiving their benefits in the first two weeks of the month, it will be spread out over the first 23 days. She says the issuance date will begin to shift this month…

Cut 8 (11) “…same day”

According to the 2019 Louisiana Health Insurance Survey, the percentage of uninsured adults was 11-percent, a significant drop from before Medicaid expansion in 2016 when the rate was 23-percent.  But Interim Medicaid Executive Director Tara LeBlanc says the survey indicates the uninsured rates for children increased slightly to 4-percent in 2019, compared to 2-percent in 2017. LeBlanc says the nationally the uninsured rate increased among children also.

Cut 14 (04) “…individuals.” 

The survey is conducted every two years.

A Monroe TV station is reporting ULM football Coach Matt Viator has been fired as the Warhawks have lost eleven straight dating back to last season. KNOE-TV sports director Aaron Dietrich says victories have been hard to come by for Viator…

Cut 3 (07)  “…pretty historic.”