9:30 LRN Newscast December 15

The man who has filed a lawsuit against State Police alleging a Trooper beat him with a Flashlight spoke publicly for the first time yesterday about the incident that occurred outside of his Monroe home in May of 2019. Aaron Bowman says he feared for his life…
cut 5 (09) “…flashlight”
Trooper Jacob Brown was arrested last week, but Bowman’s attorneys are asking for the body cam video to be released.

Senator Bill Cassidy says a group of Republican and Democratic lawmakers have reached an agreement on COVID relief legislation. One of the bills would boost federal unemployment benefits and Cassidy says there’s also a 160-billion dollar bill that would provide state and local governments with financial aid…
cut 9 (08) “…funding”
It remains to be seen if there’s enough support to pass both bills.

Imagine being able to perform a COVID self-test at home and finding out the results within minutes. Researchers at Tulane University have created just that, a test that uses your own smartphone to give you results. Dr. Tony Hu, Chair of Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane says the saliva-based test has a 97-percent accuracy rate.
cut 13 (08) “…or negative.”
The test must receive FDA approval first.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is hoping to begin recruitment in February or March for a groundbreaking study into why some people benefit from exercise more than others. Director of Biomedical Imaging Dr. Owen Carmichael says many who exercise do not see results. The study hopes to figure out the genetics behind that.
Cut 10 (10) “…out with.”
The study is a national effort that will take place at five sites across the country, Baton Rouge being one of them.

8:30 LRN Newscast December 15

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will receive 39-thousand COVID-19 vaccines this week and another 40-thousand shots will arrive next week. Frontline healthcare workers in Jefferson Parish, Shreveport, and Alexandria received the vaccination yesterday.

Aaron Bowman, a Black man from Monroe, and his attorneys are calling for justice and transparency in what they say is police brutality. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Tulane says its researchers have developed a rapid COVID-19 saliva test that can be read by a smartphone app. Chair of Biotechnology Innovation at Tulane, Doctor Tony Hu, says the test must still receive F-D-A approval, but he says once approved…
cut 14 (07) “…everyone has”
Hu and his associated developed a test platform where small amounts of the SARS Covid virus RNA can be detected in saliva.

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge has received a grant to participate in a study on why exercise makes some people healthier than others. Director of Biomedical Imaging at Pennington, Doctor Owen Carmichael, says at the end of the study they hope to tailor exercise programs to individuals…
cut 11 (10) “….versa”
Carmichael hopes to recruit participants in February or March.

7:30 LRN Newscast December 15

The first round of the coronavirus Pfizer vaccine is being distributed throughout the state. Frontline health care workers at Ochsner Health’s Jefferson Highway main campus, Shreveport’s Willis-Knighton Medical Center, and CHRISTUS St. Frances Hospital in Alexandria were the first to receive the vaccinations.

A 748 billion dollar COVID relief bill has taken shape in D.C. after extensive negotiations involving a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Aaron Bowman and his attorneys gathered on the state Capitol steps to demand justice and transparency after state trooper Jacob Brown was arrested last week for excessive force during Bowman’s arrest in May of 2019. Baton Rouge Attorney Ronald Haley says Bowman, a black man, was beaten in the head with a police-grade flashlight outside of his Monroe home.
Cut 4 (11) “…spectators.”
Brown was arrested last week for battery and malfeasance in office.

The Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge hopes to begin recruiting in February or March for a study to look at why exercise benefits some people more than others. Director of Biomedical Imaging Doctor Owen Carmichael says they’re looking for participants from all age groups with folks of varying levels of physical fitness…
cut 12 (09) “…things”
The research is the result of a grant from the National Institute of Health.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints Coach Sean Payton does not like what he saw on the game film from Sunday’s upset loss to Philadelphia…
cut 18 (19) “…that game’
The Saints defense gave up 240 yards rushing, while Quarterback Taysom Hill turned it over twice, including another lost fumble. It remains to be seen if injured starting quarterback Drew Brees can play this Sunday against the Chiefs.

The Pelicans won their preseason opener last night beating Miami 114 to 92. Zion Williamson had 26 points and 11 rebounds, while Brandon Ingram had 22 points, six rebounds and six assists. LSU basketball defeated Sam Houston State 88-66 as Javonte Smart had 25 points.

This Saturday, LSU will host Ole Miss, with a chance at finishing the year with a 5-and-5 record. The Rebels are 4-and-4 under first-year head coach Lane Kiffin. Coach Ed Orgeron says he respects Kiffin’s knowledge of the game. The two served on the same staff at USC and Tennessee…
cut 17 (17) “…respect for him.”
The Tigers are also gearing up for the early signing period, which is tomorrow. 24-7 sports ranks LSU’s recruiting class as the fourth-best in the country.

Louisiana Tech will play Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl on December 23rd. It’s the Bulldogs first trip to the New Orleans Bowl since 2015. Also, quarterback Luke Anthony will reportedly make a full recovery after breaking his leg in the Bulldogs’ loss to TCU last Saturday.

6:30 LRN Newscast December 15

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing Congress to approve a 748-billion dollar coronavirus aid package that would restart 300-dollar federally boosted unemployment checks, another round of P-P-P, and more. Cassidy says this bill reflects weeks of good-faith negotiations from Republicans and Democrats…
cut 7 (07) “….caucus”
The legislation does not include another stimulus check for Americans. It remains unclear if the bill can be approved this year.

The attorneys for Aaron Bowman spoke on the steps of the state capitol yesterday seeking justice for Bowman who was allegedly beaten with a flashlight in the head by a State Police trooper outside of his him in Monroe. Last week State Police announced the arrest of trooper Jacob Brown, but Bowman’s personal attorney Donecia Banks-Miley says there were other officers involved…
cut 6 (12) “….did nothing”

Pennington Biomedical Research Center wants to get to the bottom of why exercise helps some people a lot more than others. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast December 14

The Saints fell behind 17-0 and were upset by the Eagles 24-21 yesterday. Philadelphia came into the game with a 3-8-and-1 record and they were starting a rookie quarterback. Coach Sean Payton…
cut 17 (19) “.. games today”
During today’s conference call with reporters, Payton said starting guard Andrus Peat has to play better. The coach also said we’ll see when asked if Drew Brees will practice this week. New Orleans will welcome the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs to the Superdome this Sunday.

LSU basketball beat Sam Houston State 88-66 today. Coach Will Wade was not there as he has tested positive for COVID.

Two LSU players have received SEC Player of the Week honors for their performance in Saturday’s wild upset victory over Florida. Quarterback Max Johnson was named Offensive Player of the Week and Cade York received Special Teams Player of the Week honors. York nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal and also made two other field goals. He is glad he had the chance to make history
Cut 14 (09) “…pretty awesome”
LSU now has the opportunity to finish with a 5-and-5 record if they can beat Ole Miss this Saturday

ULM’s season has come to an end as they finish the year 0-10. The Warhawks game on Thursday against Troy State has been canceled because of COVID issues within the ULM football team.

Louisiana Tech has accepted an invite to play in the New Orleans Bowl on December 23rd. The Bulldogs will battle Georgia Southern. Tulane will take on Nevada on December 22nd in the Famous Idaho Pototal Bowl in Boise.

LRN PM Newscall December 14

Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic moment as the first frontline healthcare workers in Louisiana received the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

It’s a momentous day in Louisiana as the first COVID vaccinations are administered to healthcare workers. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards was on-site at Ochsner’s Jefferson Parish campus this morning as the first Pfizer COVID vaccinations were administered in Louisiana.

Edwards called it a historic moment.

Cut 3 (06)  “..now.”

The state received thousands of doses Sunday and by Wednesday will have received 39,000 doses total. Next week we’ll receive another shipment of 40,000 doses.

As Edwards spoke healthcare providers were lining up in the background receiving their shots. He called this moment the beginning of the end of the pandemic…

Cut 4 (08)   “..here.”  

Ochsner anticipates being able to vaccinate 88 percent of their COVID unit staff with this first week’s allocation. Other hospitals and healthcare providers have also begun the process of administering vaccines to frontline healthcare workers.

Frontline healthcare workers are first up to get vaccinated, followed by nursing home residents and staff once the Moderna vaccine is approved. Edwards warns…

Cut 5  (09) “…priority” 

_____________________________________________

The first COVID-19 vaccine for the state was administered this morning at Ochsner Health in New Orleans.  Dr. Leonardo Seoane (Swani), a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician who also oversaw clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine was the first to be inoculated on this historic day.

Cut 6 (12) “…community.”

According to the CDC, Blacks, American Indians, and Latinos are 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID compared to whites.

Dr. Obinna Nnedu (Oh-bee Nah-doo) an Infectious Disease Senior Physician at Ochsner was among the first physicians to receive the Pfizer vaccine, he wanted to reassure the public that might be apprehensive about the vaccine.

Cut 7 (12) “…safe.”

Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner reminded those who were vaccinated today to follow up in 21 days with the second shot to receive maximum protection which has been shown to be 95-percent effective with the booster shot.

Cut 8 (09) “…that yet.”

The general public is expected to receive vaccinations next spring.

______________________________________________

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors cast their ballots for President Donald Trump at the Capitol today.

States across the country are certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win. With that happening, State GOP Chairman Louis Gervich looked towards the future…

Cut 9 (12) “.Republic.”

Biden is expected to receive 306 electoral votes today barring any faithless electors. The United States Supreme Court over the weekend and earlier today rejected President Trump’s legal efforts to overturn the results in certain battleground states won by Biden.

Party member Ross Little Jr. celebrated President Trump’s last four years. He noted the Trump campaign visited Louisiana in 2016 during the great flood despite it not being a battleground.

Cut 10 (06) “…greatly.”

For about four and a half minutes Little Jr. named a list of accomplishments Trump should be celebrated for starting with…

Cut 11 (10) “…wall”

Trump won the state this year with 58 and a half percent of the vote.

______________________________________________

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week for their performance in the Tigers’ upset win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three scores. The 19-year-old says he was comfortable running the offense

Cut 12 (10) “..game for us” 

Johnson has come off the bench in several games, but this was his first start…

Cut 13 (07)“…for me”

Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal and also made two other field goals. York is glad he had the chance to make history

Cut 14 (09) “…pretty awesome” 

2:30 LRN Newscast

Frontline Health care workers began receiving their COVID-19 vaccinations today. Governor John Bel Edwards was on hand at Ochsner’s Hospital in Jefferson Parish for the historic occasion. Edwards says this is the beginning of the end of the pandemic…
cut 4 (08) “….here
Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner reminded those who were vaccinated today to follow up in 21 days with the second shot to receive maximum protection which has been shown to be 95-percent effective with the booster shot.
Cut 8 (09) “…that yet.”
Health care workers at Shreveport’s Willis Knighton Hospital were also vaccinated today.

Louisiana’s eight electors officially cast their votes for President Donald Trump as every state’s Electoral College meets today. The electors also adopted a resolution commending President Trump’s four years in office…
cut 11 (10) “….wall”
Today’s proceedings will result in President-Elect Joe Biden formally being named the 46th president in waiting.

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week today for their performance in the Tigers upset 37-34 win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The 19-year-old says he felt comfortable running the offense…
cut 12 (10) “…great game for us”
Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal in the final minute.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints nine-game winning streak ended last night with a 24-21 upset loss to Philadelphia. New Orleans streak of holding rushers to under 100 yards in a game also came to an end at 55 as the Eagles had two players cross the century mark, Miles Sanders and rookie Jalen Hurts who made his first start at quarterback. Coach Sean Payton says Hurts played well…
Cut 16 (16) “…good job.”
Saints Quarterback Taysom Hill threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, but he also turned it over twice. Before Sunday’s game, the Saints had won their past eight starts without Drew Brees in the lineup. His status for this Sunday’s game against Kansas City remains uncertain.

It’s been a disappointing season for the LSU Tigers, but the Bayou Bengals found a way to pull off a memorable 37-34 upset victory over the sixth-ranked Florida Gators in the Swamp. The win comes on the heels of a 38-point defeat to Alabama, but Coach Ed Orgeron had belief his guys would get a “W” on Saturday night…
cut 19 (19) “…got it done.”
A win this Saturday at home against Ole Miss and the Tigers.

Louisiana Tech will reportedly play Georgia Southern in the New Orleans Bowl on December 23rd. Tulane is headed to the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl in Boise where they’ll play Nevada and the Ragin Cajuns are getting ready to face Coastal Carolina in Saturday’s Sun Belt championship game.

9:30 LRN Newscast December 14

Coronavirus vaccines are arriving at Louisiana hospitals. Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic and hopeful moment. Ochsner Pharmacy Director Heather Maturin says their health care workers that provide care to COVID patients will be the first ones to get the vaccination…
cut 7 (09) “…gold”

Willis-Knighton in Shreveport reported their first shipment of vaccines arrived just before 8 AM and 17 employees will receive the vaccine at 11:30 AM. Willis Knighton Doctor Jennifer Prime says it’s been a difficult nine months as she’s cared for 92 COVID patients who died…
cut 14 (13) “…end of their life”

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports there’s been an 18-percent increase in students applying to medical school in what officials call the “Fauci effect’ named after public health figure Doctor Anthony Fauci. Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Angela McLean, says it’s one of the positive effects of the pandemic…
cut 11 (10) “…like Fauci”

It was a strange sports weekend in Louisiana. The Saints were upset by the Eagles, while LSU upset Florida. Tigers kicker Cade York booted a game-winning school-record 57-yard field goal in the fog…
cut 20 (20) “…to do that”
LSU concludes the regular season this Saturday at home against Ole Miss.