Governor Edwards declares Sunday a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Louisianans who died from COVID-19 as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the state’s first confirmed coronavirus-related death. Over nine-thousand flags have been placed on the front lawn of the State Capitol. Communications director for the governor’s office, Shauna Sanford says each flag represents a Louisiana life lost due to COVID-19.
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The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 9,828.

Saturday is the last day for early voting for the March 20th election that includes the special congressional elections for the 2nd and 5th districts. JMC Analytics pollster John Couvillon projects a turnout of 15-20-percent but he’s observed an increase in the percentage of mail-in ballots
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15 candidates are seeking to replace Cedric Richmond in the 2nd district and eleven candidates are seeking to represent the fifth district, which covers northeast and central Louisiana and parts of the Florida parishes.

Sexual assault victims, state lawmakers, and students are calling on LSU to issue more disciplinary action against those named in the Husch Blackwell report that examined LSU’s mishandling of sexual assault cases. LSU interim President Thomas Galligan says they continue to comb through the report
Cut 3 (12) “…will be appropriate”
Galligan has handed down suspensions for two athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar, 30 and 21-days respectively.

With the pandemic showing signs of ending soon, many Americans are planning to take a trip this year, but AAA says the travel experience will still be different. Spokesperson Don Redman says the keyword is “prepare” Cut 13 (09) “…restrictions.”

Governor Edwards declares Sunday a Day of Prayer and Remembrance in honor of the one-year anniversary of the state’s first reported COVID death…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A top aide to Lousiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has resigned after another person came forward with a sexual harassment complaint against him. A former lawyer in the A-G’s office alleges Pat Magee assigned women in his office less serious cases that he deemed good for women and the complaint says women dressed down in order to avoid unwelcome attention from Magee.

President Biden has signed the 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Act, which includes nearly 29-billion dollars in assistance to bars and restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris.
Cut 4 (08)“…things.”
National reports show there are 17 percent fewer restaurants when comparing the end of 2020 to 2019.

Louisiana has signed an agreement with NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility that could lead to the creation o the Louisiana Space Campus, a 50-acre business park within NASA’s site in New Orleans East. Michoud has developed and constructed space vehicles. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the space campus would build on that foundation with a new initiative to attract leading-edge tenants…
cut 12 (06) “….together”

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the first confirmed COVID-19 death in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards has declared Sunday as a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Louisianans who died from COVID-19…
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The governor’s communications director Shauna Sanford says over 98-hundred white-colored flags have also been placed on the front lawn of the State Capitol as a way to remember each COVID-19 death in Louisiana.

The COVID-19 relief bill signed by President Biden contains nearly 29-billion dollars in grants for restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says struggling restaurants can receive up to five million dollars in aid per location and up to ten million dollars per company…
cut 5 (11) “…leave’

As the pandemic continues to show signs of ending soon, many are planning on taking a trip this year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman recommends working with a trusted travel adviser to help with travel insurance options and what destinations and attractions are open…
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Redman says a travel adviser can also help if you need to make a last-minute change to the trip.

The state has signed an agreement with NASA’s Michoud (MEE-shoo) Assembly plant that could lead to the creation of the Louisiana Space Campus, a dedicated business park within NASA’s site. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says it’s an opportunity to bring modern facilities to the site.
Cut 10 (12) “…industry.”
The proposed space campus would be 50-acres located within NASA’s 829-acre site east of New Orleans.

Governor Edwards declares Sunday a Day of Prayer and Remembrance for Louisianans who died from COVID-19 as Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the state’s first confirmed coronavirus-related death. Over nine-thousand flags have been placed on the front lawn of the State Capitol. Communications director for the governor’s office, Shauna Sanford says each flag represents a Louisiana life lost due to COVID-19.
cut 8 (05) ” flags”
The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 9,828.

The latest COVID relief package passed by Congress contains over 28-billion dollars in grants for restaurants that saw their revenues nose dive in 2020. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris…
cut 6 (04) “…losses”
Harris says five billion dollars has been set aside for those restaurants that generated less than 500-thousand dollars in revenue last year.

As more people are vaccinated, confidence is growing to begin traveling again, but AAA warns it will not be the same. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Gas prices continue to surge at the pump as the statewide average for a gallon of regular gasoline has reached $2.55. That’s ten cents higher than a week ago. Triple-A says rising crude prices, tightening gas supplies, and increased gas demand continues to drive pump prices to higher ground.

President Biden has signed the 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Act, which includes nearly 29-billion dollars in assistance to bars and restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says this is a welcome relief.
Cut 4 (08)“…things.”
National reports show there are 17 percent fewer restaurants when comparing the end of 2020 to 2019.

With the pandemic showing signs of ending soon, many Americans are planning to take a trip this year, but AAA says the travel experience will still be different. Spokesperson Don Redman says the keyword is “prepare,” so you are not caught off guard by the mandates put in place by state and local governments.
Cut 13 (09) “…restrictions.”

Sunday marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID-19 death in Louisiana. Since then there have been over nine-thousand confirmed COVID deaths. On the lawn in front of the State Capitol, a white flag has been planted representing every death. Communications director for the governor’s office, Shauna Sanford…
cut 9 (12) “…to remember”
On Sunday, Governor Edwards is calling on all Louisianans to join him and the First Lady for a moment of prayer or remembrance for those who have died from this virus.

The state health department is reporting 514 COVID patients in the hospital. That’s the fewest number they’ve had since March 25th.

The state health department says of those who’ve received one dose of the COVID vaccine so far, only 25-percent are Black. Brooke Thorington has more.
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A state health official tells the Advocate that between 80 to 90 percent of the population is now eligible to get the COVID-19 vaccine now that the state has opened the eligibility requirements to anyone over the age of 16 who also has a medical condition, including being overweight. Smokers are also eligible too.

Female Louisiana legislators are upset with LSU that the release of the Husch Blackwell report didn’t result in any firings for the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. LSU has suspended two high-ranking athletic department officials but Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says the administration’s reaction to the report doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence…
cut 16 (08) “…show that”
So far LSU is holding firm on a 30 and a 21-day suspension for Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar.

The State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education supports the proposed 400-dollar pay increase for teachers and a $40-million dollar increase in aid for public schools. BESE Member Doris Voitier (Vo-chey)…
Cut 10 (07) “…warranted.”
The state legislature will make the final decision on whether teachers will get a raise and if public education should get additional funding.

LSU officials were taken to task by lawmakers Wednesday over the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Remember back in November when LSU receiver Koy Moore posted on social media that he was handled aggressively and felt violated after he was told to unzip his pants because three Baton Rouge police officers wanted to check for a weapon. Baton Rouge TV stations are reporting those officers have been cleared of any wrongdoing.

The coronavirus relief bill approved by Congress will result in families receiving a three-thousand dollar tax credit for each child and if the child is five and younger then it’s 36-hundred dollars. Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families Director Susan East Nelson says half of that would be paid monthly starting in July and she says that could be a game-changer…
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The legislation also contains another 130-billion dollars for k-through-12 schools. BESE has already sent a resolution to the state legislature asking for a 40-million dollar increase in funding for public schools in Louisiana and the provider teachers with a 400-dollar raise. BESE member Doris Voitier says the additional federal dollars could result in higher teacher pay raises…
cut 11 (08) “…pay raises”

State lawmakers are not happy with the punishment LSU handed down towards two athletic officials for mishandling sexual abuse allegations. Two athletic administrators have been suspended, but during a legislative hearing on the issue, New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson said how can they be trusted when they return to work…
cut 14 (11) “….listened”

The state health department is trying to get more Blacks vaccinated against the coronavirus. Director of Community Partnerships and Health Equity at L-D-H, Doctor Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they are holding vaccine events in locations that make it accessible to the Black community…
cut 5 (12) “…African Americans”

Most parents will receive a significantly larger child tax credit as a result of the stimulus plan set to be signed by President Biden tomorrow. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Every member of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation voted against the President’s one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID relief bill, even though most Americans will receive a 14-hundred dollar payment from the federal government. The Republican delegation says the legislation contains a lot of wasteful spending.