Don’t fall for one of many new “imposter” sites pretending to be the official Office of Motor Vehicle renewal portal. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state Department of Corrections has asked the Edwards administration for a 21-million dollar increase in state funding to help pay for a 10-percent increase in pay for entry-level correctional officers. D-O-C says they have over 400 unfilled guard positions, a vacancy rate of more than 36-percent. The budget will be considered in the upcoming regular session.

Visitation guidelines have been relaxed allowing for indoor visitation at nursing homes and adult residential care facilities. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says this is a big win for residents and their families, some of them have been suffering from the lack of personal contact….
cut 8 (09) “…pandemic”
Indoor visitation is still not allowed in parishes where the positivity rate is greater than ten-percent and less than 70-percent of the residents in the facility are not fully vaccinated.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry’s bill that would decriminalize prostitution is already getting plenty of attention and the legislative session doesn’t start until April 12th. Landry says the government shouldn’t be involved if two adults agree to consensual sex and for some women, it’s a matter of getting by financially…
cut 6 (10) “…52-cents”

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry wants to decriminalize prostitution in the next legislative session, to help reduce human trafficking Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Saints have reached an agreement with Jameis Winston, giving the former number one pick a chance to win the Saints’ starting quarterback job. Winston’s contract is for one-year and could earn up to 12-million dollars with incentives. Winston will battle with Taysom Hill for the chance to replace Drew Brees.

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is warning Louisianans against falling for “imposter” OMV sites they’ve seen pop up in large numbers recently. OMV spokesperson Matt Boudreaux says some privately-owned companies are paying to host websites that offer renewal services. The problem is they charge extra fees, and even worse…
Cut 10 (09) “…careful.”
These websites pay google to be the top listing for any searches related to “renew my vehicle registration”.

State Fair of Louisiana organizers in Shreveport has received approval to have a fair in the spring to make up for not having one last fall. Fair President Chris Giordano says instead of the usual 60 rides…
Cut 15 (08)“….distancing.”
Giordano says they also plan to hold a fair in the fall as they normally do.

New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry has filed a bill for the upcoming session that would decriminalize prostitution. Landry says many victims of human trafficking are afraid to tell authorities because they fear they’ll get arrested and she says decriminalizing prostitution would also lead to safer sex practices among sex workers and their customers…
cut 5 (11) “….example”

The Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles is warning customers about imposter motor vehicle websites that obtain residents’ personal data, credit card information and overcharge citizens for online vehicle registration services. O-M-V spokesperson Matt Boudreaux…
cut 12 (10) “….org”

Indoor visitation is now allowed at most nursing and adult residential facilities. The state health department credits vaccines and lower COVID-19 positivity rates for this important development. Louisiana AARP Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl…
cut 7 (11) “…status”
Parishes with positivity rates of above ten percent will not be included in the new, relaxed guidelines as will facilities where fewer than 70 percent of residents are vaccinated.

There was no State Fair last fall, so this year we are getting a twofer. Fair President Chris Giordano says rather than cancel they decided to postpone the 114th Fair to April 29th through May 9th and have a spring fair for the first time ever.
Cut 13 (06) “…November.

A New Orleans lawmaker wants to decriminalize prostitution in Louisiana in the next legislative session. Representative Mandie Landry says by doing so it would allow victims of human trafficking to go to law enforcement for help instead of being arrested for prostitution.
Cut 4 (12)“…their will.”
Landry says often sex workers are the victims of violence and are unable to get assistance because they fear arrest.

Most nursing and adult residential care facilities are now allowing indoor visitation as a result of guidance issued by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. A-A-R-P applauds the decision…
cut 9 (06) “…guidelines”
That’s AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl.

Jameis Winston will have the opportunity to replace Drew Brees as the Saints’ starting quarterback. The team and Winston have agreed to a one-year deal, where he can earn up to 12-million dollars. Winston will battle with Taysom Hill for starting Q-B. But New Orleans has lost defensive end Trey Hendrickson, as he’s signed a four-year deal with Cincinnati.

There will be not just one but two State Fairs this year at the Fairgrounds in Shreveport. The Fair has received approval to open from April 29th to May 9th and they will also hold the fair in the fall as they normally do. Fair president Chris Giordano says the fair in the spring will be different than in the past, with additional space for distancing, sanitizing stations, and face coverings will be required but can be removed in two designated areas.
Cut 14 (05) “…beer gardens.”
And regulations require alcohol to be limited to designated areas and attendees will not be allowed to drink outside of beer gardens.

You knew the Drew Brees retirement announcement was coming you just didn’t know when. The 42-year-old decided to make the announcement on the 15-year anniversary of him signing with the Black and Gold. During that 15 year run, Brees set numerous NFL records and led the Saints to their only Super Bowl victory. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says to think it almost never happened…
cut 15 (10) “…ever play”
Brees says he’s not retiring from New Orleans and now his real life’s work begins.

Gas prices continue to increase at the pumps. According to Gas Buddy’s Senior Petroleum Analyst, Patrick DeHaan demand for gasoline has reached its highest point since the pandemic started….
Cut 4 (07)“…get out.”
DeHaan says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.58.

As of last week, the state reported 470-thousand Louisiana residents have completed the COVID-19 vaccine series. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says more people have been vaccinated than reported cases of COVID, which is 437-thousand…
cut 8 (07) “….is it’
The state is receiving 112-thousand coronavirus vaccines this week, including 52-hundred doses of the Johnson and Johnson one-shot vaccine.

After approving a massive COVID-19 relief package last week, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says she’ll push Congress to pass a fiscally sound infrastructure and job package. But Republican Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says what’s happening on the U-S Mexico border also has to be addressed…
cut 12 (07) “….our nation”
Higgins is among a group of Republican lawmakers in Texas today to assess the situation at the Southern border.

On the 15-year anniversary of the Saints signing Drew Brees as a free agent, the future Hall of Fame quarterback announced his retirement from professional football on Sunday, ending a stellar 20-year career. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Brees helped turned a losing franchise into a Super Bowl champion
Cut 13 (11) “…high level”
Brees played 20 seasons and setting 13 NFL records.

Gas prices continue to inch higher as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline is $2.56, up eight cents from last week. Gas-buddy Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says U-S production of crude oil is far below what it was a year ago and…
cut 5 (09) “…2019”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is in Texas today, part of a House Republican delegation assessing the situation at the U-S Mexico border where the number of migrant children detained has reportedly tripled. Cassidy says illegal drug trafficking is also on the rise since President Joe Biden took office…
cut 11 (10) “…well funded”
Democrats says the rise of unaccompanied children arriving at the U-S-Mexico border is the result of the policies of former President Donald Trump.

The state is receiving 112-thousand coronavirus vaccines this week, including 52-hundred doses of the Johnson and Johnson one-shot vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter…
cut 9 (10) “…of March”

It’s the end of a great era for Saints fans, as their beloved quarterback, Drew Brees, has announced his retirement at 42-years-old. During 15 seasons in New Orleans, Brees led the Saints to nine playoff appearances, seven division titles, including the last four, and a Super Bowl Championship in 2010. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Brees’ relationship with Coach Sean Payton helped produce a winning atmosphere…
cut 14 (10) “….get involved”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is among a group of Republican U-S House members who are in Texas today to assess the increase of unauthorized crossing attempts from Mexico. Higgins says what was a manageable situation during the Trump administration has turned into a crisis
Cut 10 (10) “…illegal crossings” (2x)

As COVID hospitalizations continue to decline in Louisiana and vaccinations on the rise, state health officials are hopeful the pandemic is making a positive turn. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana’s public schools are set to receive two-point-six billion dollars from the COVID-19 relief bill approved by Congress last week. State education leaders are still trying to figure out how to spend the one-point-two billion dollars it received in December from another federal aid package.