Louisiana returns to Phase 3 coronavirus restrictions today which means restaurants can return to 75-percent capacity and capacity limits on places of worship have been lifted. Louisiana bars can also reopen indoors. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the announcement is encouraging and he hopes the vaccination rollout continues to ramp up…
cut 12 (07) “…your community”

Under the phase three order, live music can return to indoor locations, but they’ll have to follow a list of requirements put together by the State Fire Marshal’s office. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says venues must have six air exchanges per hour to qualify…
cut 14 (09) “…difficult”
And No dance floors are allowed.

The New Orleans Archdiocese advise Catholics not to take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine due to its use of abortion-derived cells in the manufacturing process. Governor John Bel Edwards, a practicing Catholic, says Louisianans should take whatever vaccine they are first offered and in some cases you will not have a menu of vaccines to choose from
Cut 9 (10) “…locations.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he can not support the COVID relief bill approved by the House because it funds projects that have nothing to do with the virus, like a subway system in San Francisco and a bridge in upstate New York. He says the COVID relief bill could force the nation into a state of inflation…
cut 5 (10) “….like that”

Cassidy says he supports direct payments to taxpayers.

Louisiana moves back to phase three coronavirus restrictions today, which means a majority of businesses, including restaurants and salons, can operate at 75-percent capacity and bars can operate at 25-percent capacity. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack…
cut 10 (09) “…enough”
The statewide mask mandate remains in place.

The phase three order also allows for live music indoors, but strict regulations must be followed that have been put in place by the State Fire Marshal. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the experience will not be what it was pre-pandemic…
cut 15 (06 “…congregate”
Browning says a 20-foot separation between the stage and audience and a strong H-VAC system must in place.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on the Senate to pass a one-point-nine trillion-dollar COVID-19 relief bill, but Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy said he can’t get support the bill, because it contains funding that has nothing to do with the virus…
cut 1 (31) “….Brooke Thorington”

An Amber Alert has been issued for a missing eight-year-old and four-year-old from Ponchatoula. The Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s office says Kaesyn Heck and Jax Matthews were inside their father’s vehicle when it was stolen from his home. The vehicle is a maroon 2013 Hyundia Elantra with a Louisiana license plate of 153AFD.

Louisiana returns to Phase 3 coronavirus restrictions today which means restaurants can return to 75-percent capacity and capacity limits on places of worship have been lifted. Louisiana bars can also reopen indoors. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the announcement is encouraging and he hopes the vaccination rollout continues to ramp up…
cut 12 (07) “…your community”

Under the phase three order, live music can return to indoor locations, but they’ll have to follow a list of requirements put together by the State Fire Marshal’s office. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says venues must have six air exchanges per hour to qualify…
cut 14 (09) “…difficult”
And No dance floors are allowed. New Orleans remains in modified phase two for a little while longer.

The New Orleans and Baton Rouge Archdiocese are advising Catholics not to take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine due to its use of abortion-derived cells in the manufacturing process. Governor John Bel Edwards, a practicing Catholic, says Louisianans should take whatever vaccine they are first offered.
Cut 7 (10) “…vaccines.”
Edwards says he looked at documents from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and Vatican sources before coming to the conclusion that Catholics should take the J&J vaccine.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he can not support the COVID relief bill approved in the House because it funds projects that have nothing to do with the virus, like a subway system in San Francisco and a bridge in upstate New York. He says the COVID relief bill could force the nation into a state of inflation…
cut 5 (10) “….like that”

Louisiana returns to phase three of coronavirus restrictions today, which means a majority of businesses, including restaurants and salons, can move to 75-percent of their capacity, and indoor gatherings and event centers will be capped at 50-percent, but limited to 250 people.

Live music will be allowed indoors again but under strict guidelines. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Meanwhile, New Orleans remains in a modified phase two order a little while longer.

The Baton Rouge and New Orleans Archdiocese have told parishioners to avoid using the Johnson and Johnson COVID 19 vaccine, citing moral concerns. J-and-J used a line of stem cells procured from abortions in the production of its vaccine. Governor Edwards said he spoke with New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond and he says the Bishop is telling Catholics to make a personal decision in consultation with their healthcare provider…
cut 8 (08) “….Johnson”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he can not support the COVID-19 relief plan that’s been approved by the House, because he says it’s packed with a wish list of items that Democrats have stuffed into the bill…
cut 4 (09) “…this now”
Cassidy says he supports direct payments to taxpayers, but can not support a 100-billion dollar transit project in the district of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Louisiana moves into phase three of coronavirus restrictions today, which means restaurants, salons, and most businesses can increase capacity to 75-percent, indoor gatherings and outdoor events 50-percent capacity and bars can operate with a capacity of 25-percent indoors. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President, Stephen Waguespack, says the governor’s announcement is encouraging because the restrictions have hit the economy hard…
cut 11 (09) “…impact”

Indoor live music is allowed again under the Phase Three guidelines that go into effect today. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says a 20-foot separation between stage and audience is required, so is a strong HVAC, and other requirements…
Cut 13 (10) “…Plexiglas.”

Governor Edwards says Catholics should take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine even though the U-S Conference of Catholic Bishops has urged Catholics to avoid this particular vaccine. Matt Doyle has more
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting a State Police Trooper received a 50-hour suspension for turning off his body camera, kicking a handcuffed black male and dragging him by his shackles. That man is Ronald Greene, who died as a result of the encounter he had with State Police in the Monroe area in 2019. Greene’s family says the Trooper should be fired.

An LSU study that looked at roadway travel statistics in ten states before and during the pandemic found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48-percent and at the height of the lockdown as much as 65-percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says they also saw coronavirus cases rise when traffic picked up…
cut 11 (12) “…cases”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish.
Cut 4 (09)“…treated.”
When you dispose of boil water and/or seasoned shells into a storm drain or ditch it goes directly to a lake, river, or stream

Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…
Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the height of the lockdown, traffic was down 60-65 percent..
Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….
cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce at one o’ clock whether Louisiana will remain in the modified version of the Phase two coronavirus restrictions or ease the restrictions. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Doctor Steven Procopio says the current COVID numbers are similar to what we saw when the state was in Phase 3…
cut 14 (10) “…interact”
The state has surpassed one-million vaccines administered and nearly 38-thousand one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines will arrive this week. Johnson and Johnson researchers believe the vaccine limits asymptomatic disease by 74 percent. Ochsner Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Katherine Baumgarten…
cut 8 (09) “…confirm that”

Crawfish season is beginning to gather steam and one state agency reminds you what to do after enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”