Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the current modified Phase Two COVID public health order for another four weeks. Edwards says that means most businesses will remain limited to 50 percent capacity as the state rides out a third wave of the pandemic.
Cut 13 (07) “…mandate.”
Edwards reiterated previous comments that the state cannot enforce its way to COVID compliance, it needs people to voluntarily follow mitigation measures and discontinue small group gatherings that are driving the current surge.

There are over two-thousand COVID patients hospitalized. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles encourages social distancing…
Cut 6 (11) “…begin with.”

A study of NCAA athletes supports CDC revised quarantine guidelines when testing is performed during the 5th day or later. Brooke Thorington on how LSU Health New Orleans participated in the study.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

ULM has hired former West Virginia, Michigan, and Arizona Head Coach Rich Rodriguez as its new offensive coordinator. Rich’s son, Rhett Rodriguez, is also transferring from Arizona to compete for the quarterback job.

Louisiana will remain under the current modified Phase Two COVID restrictions for at least another 28 days. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The U-S House is expected to impeach President Donald Trump today for a second time this time under the allegation he incited an insurrection when the U-S Capitol was raided last week. Louisiana Congressmen Steve Scalise and Clay Higgins say they will vote against the impeachment. Congressmen Mike Johnson and Garret Graves have not said how they will vote.

The state health department has reported that 159-thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered and 21-thousand individuals have received both doses. The state received 35-thousand doses this week and state health officer Doctor Jospeh Kanter says they are developing better policies to make sure those shots end up in a person’s body…
cut 12 (07) “…lost”
120 vaccine doses were lost as a result of a power outage in Baton Rouge.

Ochsner Health System says they have scheduled 113-thousand vaccine appointments over the next two months. Louisiana Hospital Association President Paul Salles says if you are 70 and over and wishing to get vaccinated, schedule an appointment
Cut 4 (09) “…as they can.”
Salles says the Louisiana Health Department will expand eligibility in phases as the state gets more vaccines so check the L-D-H’s website for updates.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 28 days and he’s urging businesses to have their employees work from home if possible…
cut 14 (11) “….region”
Edwards says every region of the state has a positivity rate above ten percent. The governor says there is a light at the end of the tunnel and that is the vaccine.

The state health department reports just under 140-thousand COVID-19 vaccines have been administered. State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 210 pharmacies and other providers received over 38-thousand doses of the vaccine this week, but unfortunately…
cut 10 (09) “…next week”
He says that’s due to the slow pace of vaccine allocations by the feds. This week the number spiked as Louisiana freed up more vaccines held in reserve.

A study of NCAA athletes and the length of COVID quarantine supports the CDC revised quarantine guidelines from 14 to 10 days after a negative test on the 5th day or later. Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Catherine O’Neal co-authored the study.
Cut 7 (09) “…fairly low.”
The analysis showed that nearly 49-percent of the positive test results occurred by day two of quarantine and by day five for 73-percent of the athletes.

Governor Edwards has called a 3:30 press conference today where he may further coronavirus restrictions as the current modified phase two order expires tomorrow. The state reported 45 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday and there are nearly two-thousand COVID patients in hospitals.

Vaccine rollout enters its second week for those over the age of 70. Brooke Thorington gives an update on how Ochsner Health is participating.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is planning for demonstrations this weekend at the Louisiana capitol involving Trump supporters who are protesting the results of the November election. There’s been pushback against those who attended last week’s rally in Washington D-C before the U-S Capitol was stormed by an angry mob. Loyola University of New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says your employer can fire you over your political beliefs, even if you did not commit a crime at a political demonstration…
cut 8 (10) “….activity”

The jackpots for both Mega Millions and Powerball are over 550-million dollars. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 615-million dollars, while Powerball’s next drawing is tomorrow night. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin…
cut 12 (11) “…25”

Governor Edwards has called for a press conference at 3:30 today where he’s expected to announce what future coronavirus restrictions will be in place. The current modified Phase two order expires tomorrow. Edwards is also expected to discuss the ongoing vaccine rollout. Ochsner Health Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says they administered 57-thousand doses over the weekend, which includes…
cut 4 (07) “….of 70”
And the state has added 100 more locations where those over the age of 70 can get the vaccine.

Louisiana is one of eight states that has received a green rating, which is good, for its highway safety laws. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety spokesperson Allison Kennedy says comprehensive safety laws reduce roadway injuries and deaths, which is more important than ever…
cut 15 (11) “…right now”

State Police say they are preparing for demonstrations at the State Capitol in the coming days as we get closer to inauguration day. The FBI reportedly issued a bulletin that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols. President Trump supporters have been gathering at the Louisana Capitol during the weekend, but they have been peaceful.

Both Mega Millions and Powerball have jackpots worth over half a billion dollars. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Louisiana State Police says they are aware of planned demonstrations supporting President Trump at the State Capitol in the coming days and they are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. L-S-P says they will have personnel in place to ensure a safe environment.

As more people are being identified from Wednesday’s raid on the U-S Capitol, can you lose your job for attending a political demonstration… Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After seeing the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital fall below two-thousand, the number rose again yesterday to 1,982. Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health, Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says while they have 113-thousand scheduled vaccine appointments, they also have 587 COVID-19 patients in their hospitals…
cut 6 (09) “….yet”

The jackpots for the multi-state lottery games Mega Millions and Powerball are both over 500-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the jackpot for tomorrow night’s Powerball drawing is the ninth-largest ever at 550-million dollars, while Mega Millions is the fourth largest at 615-million dollars…
cut 11 (04) “…top ten”
The large jackpots have more players buying tickets. Last week the state tallied 5.4 million in lotto sales, twice as much as it did for the first week of December.

Governor Edwards has called for a 3:30 press conference today, one day before the modified Phase Two coronavirus restrictions are set to expire. Edwards is also expected to provide an update on the vaccine rollout. Individuals over the age of 70 are eligible to be vaccinated, but Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health, Doctor Katherine Baumgarten, says it’s been a challenge as their staff is also focused on setting up appointments and answering the phones which are ringing off the hook…
cut 5 (12) “….or two”

Can employees be fired for participating in a political rally? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana is an employment at-will state, so an employer can terminate a worker for their support of a political agenda…
cut 9 (06) “…someone”

Louisiana is one of eight states to receive a green rating from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2020 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. Government Relations Director Allison Kennedy says the state has 10 of their 16 recommended laws, most crucially a primary enforcement seatbelt law that covers all occupants of a vehicle.
Cut 13 (08) “…occurs.”
Kennedy says along with strong seatbelt laws the state also received high marks for its all rider motorcycle helmet law, child passenger safety laws, and graduated drivers licensing for teen drivers.

There’s a freezing fog advisory in effect until 9 this morning for central and the southern part of north Louisiana.