Essential workers are now eligible to be vaccinated in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington talks with a physician about what it means for these front-line workers

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

The Louisiana Lottery estimates they will transfer a record high of more than $190-million to the state for K-12 public schools this year. Brooke Thorington on how education hit the jackpot.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry joins other Republican AG’s in opposing an aspect of the recently passed Biden Stimulus Bill that blocks states from enacting tax cuts. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

Starting today essential workers can be vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says this is a very important step in mitigating the pandemic and giving those who have kept things running the best protection from COVID.

Cut 4 (08)“…society.”

Essential workers are the last group to be prioritized before the vaccine is open to all adults. Hassig says while the goal to vaccinate the elderly first has merit, most essential workers do not t have the option to work remotely.

Cut 5 (10)“…danger.”

Some argue essential workers should have received higher priority because of their professions and on-the-job risk of exposure. Hassig agrees.

Cut 6 (10) “…higher.”

________________________

The Louisiana Lottery estimates they will end their fiscal year at the end of June, the most profitable in their 30-year history. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says they are projected to transfer over $190-million to the state for K-12 public education.

Cut 7 (11)  “…ways.”

Chopin says the Lottery was extremely lucky that their retailers, grocery and convenience stores, remained open thorough out 2020. Allowing them to entertain consumers.

Cut 8 (10) “…Limited.”

Casinos closed for two months in 2020 and then reopened at limited capacity, making the lottery the only game in town for a bit.

Chopin says another bonus for the Lottery came in June when the legislature eased the budgetary transfer mandate allowing them to put more money into prizes.

Cut 9 (04) “…play more.”

And sales also boomed for the Louisiana Lottery with record jackpots of 1-billion and 731-million for Mega Millions and Powerball in January. The Louisiana Lottery will celebrate its 30 year anniversary in September.

_____________________________

Tucked into the American Rescue Act is a requirement that states that accept aid are restricted from cutting taxes through 2024.

Attorney General Jeff Landry joined other Republican AG’s in opposing the tax cut limitation. Solicitor General Liz Murrill says because the Act has already been signed into law…

Cut 10 (06) “…applicable.”

350 billion dollars of the 1.9 trillion dollar plan was set aside specifically as assistance for states.

Murrill says the mandate is unlawful and unconstitutional.

Cut 11 (05) “…Legislature”

Per the AG’s office, the wording of the stimulus bill forbids states from using COVID-19 relief funds to “directly or indirectly offset a reduction in net tax revenues.” 21 AG’s signed onto a letter sent to the Treasury Secretary opposing the language and asking for regulatory intervention removing it.

Governor Edwards says he has no problem with the requirement, and it doesn’t change any of his plans. He says he’s committed to pursuing tax reform, but only if it is revenue-neutral.

Cut 12 (06) “…Governor”

The Governor has unilateral authority to accept or reject the federal funds, and the mandates that come with them.

____________________________

Republican Julia Letlow won the special election for the 5^th Congressional District outright Saturday with 65 percent of the vote.

The election was called after Julia’s husband, Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, died of COVID-19 just days before he was set to be sworn in. Julia Letlow told KNOE-TV it’s been an emotional four months…

Cut 13 (03) “…with pride.”

Democrat Sandra Christophe came in second with 27 percent of the vote. Republican Chad Conerly won five percent.

She says her time on the campaign trail has helped her process the tragedy.

Cut 14 (09) “…for me.” 

Letlow became the instant favorite to win the seat after declaring her candidacy and inheriting her husband’s campaign infrastructure and support.

Letlow says when she gets to Congress her first priority will be rural broadband.

Cut 15 (12)“..coming down.”

The sprawling 5th District touches 27 parishes running from northeast Louisiana through Alexandria and over to the northern half of the Florida Parishes.

_________________________________________

This year’s NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament has featured several upsets and eighth-seeded LSU will try to add to the upset tally when they face top-seeded Michigan at 6:10 PM tonight. The Wolverines are 21-and-4 and Tigers Coach Will Wade says the Wolverines have huge guys that will bully you….

Cut 16 (16) “…from three.”

Michigan’s leading scorer is seven-foot-one freshman Hunter Dickinson, who is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds a game. Six-foot-seven Junior Forward Darius Days on going up against Dickinson and the Wolverines….

Cut 17 (16) “…for us.”

The Tigers have struggled rebounding this season and Days that will be a key in tonight’s game…

Cut  18 (13) “…the ball.”

Louisiana casinos lost 877 million dollars in 2020 compared to 2019 and are starting off 2021 down significantly from where they were this same time last year. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_______________________________________

An effort to recall Governor John Bel Edwards falls way short of the signatures needed to force a recall election. Don Molino has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Don Molino”  

________________________________________

LSU faces  St, Bonaventure in the first round of NCAA Tournament on Saturday at 12:45. The Bonnies are known for playing great defense and coach Will Wade says LSU will have to be disciplined offensively since the Tigers like to play fast….

Cut 3 (15)  “…what we do.”  

St.Bonaventure is anchored defensively by big man Osun Osunniyi (Oh-shoon Oh-shoon-ee-yee), who averages almost three blocks per game.  Wade says he’s one of the best rim protectors he’s seen.

Cut 4 (11) “…in the country” 

LSU is a young team, with only Javonte Smart and Darius Days having experience in the tournament.  Smart says the team needs to treat this like any other game.

Cut 5  (10)  “…just another game” 

Tip-off Saturday from Bloomington, Indiana is at 12:45.

_______________________________________

Several female lawmakers have called on LSU to fire instead of suspending two high-ranking athletic officials for their role in the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases outlined in the Husch Blackwell report. Governor Edwards says the people who contributed to the system-wide failure are not employed at LSU anymore…

Cut 6 (12) “…longer there.”

Edwards says he while some disagree with the suspensions, he’s not questioning the decision.

Cut 7 (11) “…decision.”

Edwards says only two members of the current Board of Supervisor were on the board during the period reviewed and they had no knowledge of the alleged behavior of former Coach Les Miles. The report concluded only three members knew about the situation and failed to share it.

Cut 8 (13) “…inappropriate.”

Miles, who has been released from his contract at Kansas University, denies the allegations.

_______________________________________________________

Louisiana gaming revenue is still slow to get back to normal after a tough 2020 was followed up by extreme weather to start 2021.

Louisiana gaming establishments lost 877 million in revenue for 2020 compared to 2019. Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty…

Cut 9 (10) “…temperatures”

Workforce Commission figures show 4,790 employees were laid off from state casinos throughout the course of 2020.

February revenue is down 23.4 percent from 2020. Duty says that’s partially due to the water situation that happened in Shreveport, but also close to the industry’s new normal.

Cut 10 (11) “…picture” 

Some of the biggest revenue losses were seen at Harrah’s in New Orleans. Louisiana’s lone land-based casino was down 40 percent from February of 2020, or 7.4 million dollars.

Duty does not expect revenues to immediately return to normal even after the public health emergency ends because those 50 and older are staying closer to home…

Cut 11 (09) ” that point”

_____________________________________________

Louisiana reports fewer than 400 COVID-19 hospitalizations for the first time since late March.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’re seeing historic lows in nearly all COVID-related categories right now.

Cut 12 (10) “ …to date.” 

Kanter says this is evidence that we are doing a good job of stopping the spread, using mitigation measures, and proof the vaccine is working.

Cut 13 (08)“…hospitalizations.”

987,000 Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and 568,000 have completed their full series.

Kanter says the one area of the state he is worried about is Lake Charles. He says they’ve been seeing an increase in cases for about two weeks.

Cut 14 (08) “…outbreak.” 

The Calcasieu Parish positivity rate sits at 8.1 percent per the most recent update.