Laws aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform went into with the new year. Matt Doyle spoke with a supporter of the reforms…

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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 the story.

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Beginning today more Louisiana residents are eligible to be vaccinated. Brooke Thorington explains.

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A new law that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates went into effect with the start of the new year. The tort reform legislation was approved during the June special session. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry CEO Stephen Waguespack backed the changes…

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The law lowers the “jury trial threshold” from 50,000, by far the highest in the nation, to 10,000 dollars.

The legislation sought to lower auto insurance rates by saving insurers money in court settlement costs. Waguespack says Louisiana is no longer an outlier…

Cut 5 (08) “..courtrooms”

Opponents argue the changes will make it more difficult for victims of vehicular or business negligence to win a fair settlement in court.

Opponents also pointed out the law does not require insurers to lower rates, and in hearings, insurers refused to commit to doing so if it were implemented. Regardless, Waguespack is optimistic prices will drop.

Cut 6 (09) “…time”

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A special election will be held in March to fill the now vacant 5^th Congressional District seat left open after the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. ULM Political Science Professor Dr. Joshua Stockley says Alexandria Representative Lance Harris, who lost to Letlow in a December runoff, has to be seriously considering a second run…

Cut 7 (07)  “…Republicans.”

Another potential favorite would be Congressman Ralph Abraham, should he want to return to the seat he just retired from.

Stockley says it’s hard to pinpoint another likely competitive candidate for the seat outside of Harris or Abraham.

Cut 8 (12) “…official”

Ouachita Police Juror Scotty Robinson, who received the third most votes of any Republican in the November 3^rd primary, is also a potential contender for the seat.

Stockley says the problem for any new candidate is they’ll only have two months to run up enough name recognition to win in the state’s largest and advertising inefficient district.

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Letlow’s funeral was held Saturday in Monroe. He was set to be sworn in Sunday.

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Beginning today more people are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana. Governor Edwards made the announcement last week and over the weekend many people visited pharmacies ahead of doses arriving. People over the age of 70 and those on dialysis can now be vaccinated. Edwards says adverse side effects of the vaccine are rare.

Cut 10 (09) “…Louisiana.”

Others now eligible are schools of allied health students, residents, and staff; and home agency patients and personnel, and those who work in ambulatory and outpatient health care.

Edwards says even for those who’ve received one dose of the vaccine,  we all still need to follow mitigation efforts like masking because we are still in a critical state of the pandemic.

Cut 11 (09) “…this mask.”

Studies show that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are now available in the US, are highly effective and Edwards stressed that fact for those on the fence about being vaccinated.

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For a list of pharmacies where the vaccine is available visit CovidVaccine.la.gov and you must make an appointment to be inoculated.  To receive the maximum protection of the vaccine you must receive two doses.

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2020 was an unprecedented year for the Department of Family and Children 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 $92.6 million in hurricane disaster SNAP benefits was also distributed.

Jean Guinta says to keep staff and recipients safe they made changes in the distribution of SNAP benefits last year.

Cut 14 (11) “…the need.” 

And because of the success of the virtual program, Guinta says other states have asked for guidance and are modeling their distribution process after Louisiana’s.

From March to December of 2020, Guinta says demand for SNAP benefits increased 26-percent. She credits the work of her staff for meeting the unprecedented demand.

Cut 15 (12)“…these families.”

The department also secured waivers to allow recipients to use their benefits to purchase hot or prepared foods. Guinta says that aided hurricane recipients while they were living in hotels or without a kitchen to prepare food.

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The Saints completed a sweep of NFC South opponents and is the second seed in the NFC playoffs after a dominating 33-7 win over Carolina. New Orleans won despite having five players on the reserve-COVID-19 list, including their top two running backs Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. Coach Sean Payton was asked the COVID issues

Cut 16 (13) “…team win.”

The Saints starting free safety Marcus Williams also did not play, but New Orleans still intercepted five passes. Defensive end Trey Hendrickson says he’s not surprised they didn’t miss a beat

Cut 17 (18) “this thing.”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees was in rhythm from the start and threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns. Receiver Emmanuel Sanders needed eight catches to get to 60 catches on the season, which would result in a 500-thousand bonus. Sanders had nine catches on the day

Cut  18 (16) “…be out there.”

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The Pelicans continue their four-game homestand tonight as they host the Indiana Pacers. New Orleans has won two in a row and they are coming off a 120-116 win over the Raptors. Recently acquired guard Eric Bledsoe had a good game with 19 points and 10 assists. Coach Stan Van Gundy on Bledsoe trying to fit in

Cut 19 (19) “…more comfortable”

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 The LSU basketball team fell to 1-1 in SEC play as they lost to Florida in Gainesville, 83-79. Field goal percentage was the key stat, as the Gators shot 50-percent from the field, while the Tigers shot 41-percent. LSU Coach Will Wade says his team missed a lot of shots near the rim

cut 20 (20) “….to finish.”

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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The Mayor of Lake Charles remains optimistic about recovery efforts despite enduring the 5^th strongest hurricane to hit the United States.  Brooke Thorington has more.

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The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by Saturday. Over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

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Kanter says starting the rollout during the holidays has also been problematic. But he remains encouraged…

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There are currently 249-thousand people eligible to receive the vaccine and that group includes health care workers. nursing home residents and first responders. Kanter says starting Monday another 649-thousand people will be eligible and that includes a select number of individuals over the age of 70…

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2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

And distributed more than 56-million PPE items and 4,500 PPE delivery missions.

The hurricane season was the busiest ever with relief efforts for Laura, Delta, and Zeta preparations for Cristobal, Marco, Sally, and Beta. Collins says LANG assisted with 400 generator missions; distributed 5.7 million meals, 7.8 million liters of water, 1.4 million bags of ice, and 267-thousand tarps.

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Collins says in addition to the demands of the pandemic and an unprecedented hurricane season for the state, the guardsmen are involved in overseas missions.

Cut 8 (10) “…this year.”

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The City of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice with hurricanes in 2020, Laura was first responsible for widespread destruction and then Delta just added insult to injury. Mayor Nic Hunter says recovery efforts have come a long way in four months, however…

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Hunter says as for Federal recovery efforts it’s still too early to judge. He says while FEMA has responded well with some things…

Cut 10 (09) “…housing.”

In addition to housing Hunter says another major factor for the city to recover is major employers’ commitment to stay and rebuild.

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Overall, Hunter is optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles, because it’s residents and business community are resilient.

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The 87th annual Sugar Bowl is tonight in New Orleans and it’s a much different event this year due to the pandemic. Ohio State and Clemson will play in the national semifinal game and Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley says only three-thousand fans will be in attendance and none of their other events will take place

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Hundley says they are looking forward to a great game between the Tigers and Buckeyes

Cut 13 (15) “…more exciting.”

Hundley says while the Sugar Bowl parade and other public events tied to the bowl game have been canceled, at least they are having a game this year…

Cut 14 (11) “…next year.” 

Hundley says a smaller Sugar Bowl means community donations will also be scaled back.

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After a record-tying six rushing touchdowns in an NFL game what will Saints running back Alvin Kamara do for an encore this Sunday when New Orleans closes out the regular season at Carolina on Sunday. Kamara says he has not reflected much on his historic Christmas Day performance…

Cut 15 (15)“…accomplish”

In his fourth season with the Black and Gold, Kamara is having his best season and is 68 yards away from a one-thousand yard rushing season. That’s a milestone he would like to reach

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Starting Monday, more Louisianans will be eligible to get a Moderna COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

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Casinos in Louisiana were cold in 2020 with the pandemic and competition from other states.  Brooke Thorington has more.

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State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue urges residents to practice fireworks safety tonight. She says never light fireworks when you are impaired and light them on a steady non-combustible surface for example concrete or asphalt.

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With rain in the forecast, some might attempt to light fireworks from a garage, carport, or patio, Rodrigue says that’s a bad idea, you should light them 200 feet away from property.

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Rodrigue says never allow children to handle fireworks, even sparklers.

Disposal of fireworks is also important, but sure to wet them down after use and put them away from anything flammable.

Cut 5  (11) “…catch fire.” 

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2020 will be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Laura left a major mark on the state when it made landfall in Cameron Parish on August 27th as a strong Category four with 150 miles per hour winds

Cut 6 (09) “..170 years.”

Laura caused massive destruction in southwest Louisiana and significant wind damage in central and north Louisiana. At least 28 deaths in Louisiana were attributed to Laura. Keim says there was also Hurricane Delta in the second week of October and Hurricane Zeta made landfall in Terrebonne Parish a few days before Halloween

Cut 7 (07) …October 28th”

Keim says it’s highly unlikely the 2021 hurricane season will match what we saw this year…

Cut 8 (14) “…improbable.”

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Starting Monday, a very limited supply of vaccine doses will be available for Louisiana residents 70 years and older and additional healthcare workers. Governor John Bel Edwards says this new “Group 1B” includes about 640,000 people on top of the 250,000 people who are currently eligible.

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That expanded group of healthcare workers includes schools of allied health students, residents, and staff, home healthcare workers, ambulatory, outpatient, medical, dental, and behavioral health clinic workers.

About 100 pharmacies across the state will receive Moderna doses, but Edwards says if you’re in Group 1B you’ll have to get an appointment to receive one…

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They will release the names of those pharmacies, along with contact information on the Louisiana Department of Health website Monday.

Edwards warns this is just the beginning of vaccinations for this new group so it may take you a while to get an appointment to receive one.

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He notes once we receive more vaccines the next group up will be essential workers like teachers and grocery store employees.

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The Louisiana casino industry had a difficult 2020 with forced closures for almost two months, reduced capacity and one casino shut its doors for good.  Louisiana Casino Association Executive Director Wade Duty says this will result in a loss of taxes revenues for the state

Cut 12 (09) “…100-million.” 

Non-gaming losses include revenue from concerts, restaurants, and bars at casino venues. Duty says even with the gaming numbers showing a rebound of 75 to 85-percent since reopening, being unable to offset non-gaming revenue, the industry continues to struggle.

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Diamond Jacks in Bossier City was the casino that closed this year and the Isle of Capri in Lake Charles has yet to reopen from hurricane damage. Duty says casinos are anxious for legal sports betting to take place in Louisiana, but the state legislature has to establish regulations and a tax structure.

Cut 14 (10) “…realistic one.” 

Duty says Louisiana casinos were suffering from competition in neighboring states before the pandemic and COVID restrictions only added to the downturn. He also says many players, especially seniors have been reluctant to return to casinos since they reopened.