The state is reporting 1,891 COVID-19 patients in the hospital, the highest that total has been since April. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The wife of the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is reportedly considering running for the 5th Congressional District seat that’s been left open because of Letlow’s death. The family has told the USA Today Network that Julia Letlow will reflect, pray, and come to a decision on running for her husband’s congressional seat.

U-S News and World Report once again ranks the Dash Diet, developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center, as one of the top diets for healthy eating and heart health. Pennington Professor Doctor Catherine Champagne says the DASH diet has been around since the 1990s, because it’s easy to commit to and easy to keep…
cut 7 (08) “….a lifestyle”
The DASH diet encourages eating foods low in sodium and high in potassium, calcium, fiber, magnesium, and protein.

Foster children are often taken into protective custody with only a few minutes to gather personal belongings. Executive Director of Geaux Bags, K.C. Kilpatrick began her charity seven years ago to help children with the transition, so they have everything they need for their first night in foster care.
Cut 13 (11) “…encouragement.”
For more information go to geaux-bags-dot-org.

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has grown to 1,891, which is just 100 fewer than the high mark set last April. State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says it’s challenging for hospitals to find space for COVID patients…
cut 11 (09) “…ramifications”
Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has tested positive for COVID-19, but in a Facebook post Hunter says he’s doing well and resting at home.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara remains away from the team after testing positive for the coronavirus last week. Coach Sean Payton says there’s a chance Kamara can play in Sunday’s playoff game against the Chicago Bears…
cut 16 (10) “….be smart”
The Saints also hope to get receiver Michael Thomas back after spending the last three weeks on injured reserve because of an ankle injury.

2020 saw some of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in more than a half-century. Southern University Political Science Chair Albert Samuels says the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis Police sparked the most sustained period of protest since the 60s civil rights heyday.
Cut 4 (04) “…as well.”
Samuels says the protests led to the removal of Confederate names or those who supported segregation from public buildings, like the LSU library where the Middleton name was removed from the building.

Geaux Four Kids is hoping to grow its operations in 2021. Executive Director of Geaux Bags, K-C Kilpatrick, started her charity seven years ago to help foster children in transition and provide them items they need as they move into their foster home. She says the first two foster children she cared for brought with them drug paraphernalia…
cut 14 (11) ‘…started’
For more information on how to help go to geaux-bags-dot-org.

10,500 doses of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine have been sent to 107 pharmacies across the state to begin inoculating those over the age of 70 and a group of health care workers. As the vaccination rollout continues, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital continues to rise. It’s up to 1,891. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says hospitals are still performing elective surgeries, but that could change….
Cut 12 (08) “…might have to.”

U-S News and World Report ranks the Dash Diet as one of the best for healthy eating and heart health. The Dash Diet was developed in part by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center dietitians. Doctor Catherine Champagne says the Dash diet encourages eating foods low in sodium and you can eat red meat…
cut 9 (07) “…the meat”

2020 saw historic, prolonged civil rights protests. Matt Doyle spoke with a Southern University Professor about a year defined in large part by the Black Lives Matter movement…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Beginning today more Louisiana residents are eligible to be vaccinated. Brooke Thorington explains…
cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Health Officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says a list of pharmacies that will have the vaccine will be made available on the covid-vaccine-dot-la-dot-gov website after 10 AM. Just over 100 pharmacies will receive the vaccine and each one will receive about 100 doses this week and more will be coming.

The Saints pummeled the Panthers 33-7 yesterday and New Orleans is the number two seed in the NFC playoffs. The Black and Gold won easily over Carolina, despite not having their top running backs because of COVID issues. Coach Sean Payton was asked about a possible outbreak…
cut 16 (13) “….team win”
The Saints will host the Chicago Bears in a playoff game on Sunday afternoon.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says the state distributed more than 674-million dollars in emergency food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says they also received five times the normal volume of SNAP applications within the first 30 days of the pandemic and ends the year serving an all-time high of 456-thousand households…
cut 15 (12) “…these families”

Another 640-thousand individuals are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as people who are not health care workers or living in a nursing home can receive the vaccine for the first time at select pharmacies starting today. Governor Edwards says as the vaccine rollout continues, he urges residents to continue to follow mitigation efforts like masking…
cut 11 (09) “…this mask”
Persons over the age of 70 are eligible for the vaccine, but they should not show up at their local pharmacy expecting to get the vaccine without an appointment.

Several new laws went into effect with the new year, including a measure that changes the way how lawsuits will be handled following a car accident. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform legislation will lead to fewer frivolous lawsuits, which over time should result in lower premiums…
cut 6 (09) “…take time”
The tort reform legislation should lead to more jury trials, instead of having a single judge make a decision on a settlement.

There will be two Congressional elections in Louisiana in March to fill vacancies in the second and fifth districts. Cedric Richmond is taking a job in the Biden administration, while voters in the fifth district have to pick a new U-S Representative because of the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says former Congressman Ralph Abraham or state representative Lance Harris could be the top two candidates or…
cut 8 (12) “….official”

2020 was an unprecedented year for the Department of Children and Family Services as more than $674 million was distributed in emergency food stamps. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta has the breakdown.
Cut 13 (13) “…EBT benefits.”
And over 92-million in hurricane disaster SNAP benefits was also distributed.

Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy differ on whether voter fraud was so rampant that the results of the 2020 Presidential election should be overturned. Kennedy says an Electoral Commission should be established to consider and resolve the disputed returns. But Cassidy says the 2020 election is over

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was laid to rest on Saturday and a special election for the now vacant seat will be held in March. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A new law went into effect with the start of the new year that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates over time. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform legislation will reduce the number of lawsuits filed after car wrecks…
cut 5 (08) “….courtrooms”
But Opponents argue the changes will make it more difficult for car accident victims to receive the money needed to cover medical bills.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says the state distributed over 674-million dollars in emergency food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. Deputy Assistant Secretary Juan Guinta says the extraordinary circumstances called for extraordinary measures…
cut 14 *(11) “…the need”
DCFS received five times the normal volume of SNAP applications.