Louisiana State Police says they are aware of planned demonstrations supporting President Trump at the State Capitol in the coming days and they are working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners. L-S-P says they will have personnel in place to ensure a safe environment.

As more people are being identified from Wednesday’s raid on the U-S Capitol, can you lose your job for attending a political demonstration… Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After seeing the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital fall below two-thousand, the number rose again yesterday to 1,982. Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health, Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says while they have 113-thousand scheduled vaccine appointments, they also have 587 COVID-19 patients in their hospitals…
cut 6 (09) “….yet”

The jackpots for the multi-state lottery games Mega Millions and Powerball are both over 500-million dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the jackpot for tomorrow night’s Powerball drawing is the ninth-largest ever at 550-million dollars, while Mega Millions is the fourth largest at 615-million dollars…
cut 11 (04) “…top ten”
The large jackpots have more players buying tickets. Last week the state tallied 5.4 million in lotto sales, twice as much as it did for the first week of December.

Governor Edwards has called for a 3:30 press conference today, one day before the modified Phase Two coronavirus restrictions are set to expire. Edwards is also expected to provide an update on the vaccine rollout. Individuals over the age of 70 are eligible to be vaccinated, but Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health, Doctor Katherine Baumgarten, says it’s been a challenge as their staff is also focused on setting up appointments and answering the phones which are ringing off the hook…
cut 5 (12) “….or two”

Can employees be fired for participating in a political rally? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana is an employment at-will state, so an employer can terminate a worker for their support of a political agenda…
cut 9 (06) “…someone”

Louisiana is one of eight states to receive a green rating from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2020 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. Government Relations Director Allison Kennedy says the state has 10 of their 16 recommended laws, most crucially a primary enforcement seatbelt law that covers all occupants of a vehicle.
Cut 13 (08) “…occurs.”
Kennedy says along with strong seatbelt laws the state also received high marks for its all rider motorcycle helmet law, child passenger safety laws, and graduated drivers licensing for teen drivers.

There’s a freezing fog advisory in effect until 9 this morning for central and the southern part of north Louisiana.

Light snow in north Louisiana will come to an end this morning, but there’s plenty of the white stuff around to build a snowman. The winter storm has also led to numerous closures, especially bridges and overpasses that freeze in these types of conditions. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says use the 5-1-1 system to get the latest on road closures…
cut 15 (110 “….have to travel”
State offices are closed in 29 parishes.

We are entering the tenth month of the coronavirus pandemic and hospitals are gearing up for an increase in births. Woman’s Hospital is expecting about 200 more births than normal next quarter. Chief Nursing Officer at Woman’s Cheri Johnson says families have adapted to the changes in visitation rules at hospitals….
cut 8 (07) “….virtually”

Lost in the crush of news last week was the fact that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress. Matt Doyle spoke with an analyst about what to expect in the short term from the new blue majority…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Saints are heading to the NFL’s divisional round of the playoffs after a solid 21-9 win over the Chicago Bears yesterday. The defense didn’t allow a touchdown until the final play of the game and Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 265 yards and two TDs. New Orleans will host Tampa Bay this Sunday.

It’s a winter wonderland across north Louisiana this morning as at least a couple of inches of snow fell. It’s fun for the kids as they get a chance to build a snowman, but the winter precipitation also produces slick roadways. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do not have to drive anywhere stay at home…
cut 13 (10) “…want that”
The snow will not last long as high temperatures today will get into the low 40s.

It’s a new week, so that means thousands of more individuals will get a COVID vaccine. But will it protect you from coronavirus mutations? LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele, says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines can be easily adapted…
cut 5 (12) “….the past”

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has fallen below two-thousand to 1,960 and 225 of those individuals are on a ventilator. That’s according to the latest COVID numbers provided by the state health department. COVID-19 deaths rose by 40 on Sunday to 7,447 confirmed COVID related fatalities.

Even though the pandemic has changed hospital visitation, families are making unique adjustments when it comes to childbirth. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It’s a snow day across north Lousiana as a winter storm has blanketed the region. The ULM Weather office reports that two-and-a-half inches of snow fell near Forsythe Park in Monroe. There are road closures as bridges and overpasses are icy. SWEPCO reports 15-thousand customers in northwest Louisiana are without power.

Mutations of the coronavirus raise concerns the vaccines will not be effective. Brooke Thorington spoke with a physician at LSU-Health New Orleans
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This week, Democrats will push to impeach President Donald Trump over the riot that took place at the U-S Capitol last week. Democrats now have the Majority in the Senate and House and political analyst Clancy Dubos says once Joe Biden is sworn in as President look for COVID-19 relief legislation and there are two other issues that have widespread support within the caucus…
cut 11 (08) “…presidency”

Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge Woman’s Hospital Cheri Johnson says they thought birth rates would decline due to uncertainty and financial fallout from the pandemic. But instead, they’re seeing a slight uptick and they believe changes in the work environment are why many are choosing to add a member to the family.
Cut 7 (05) “…childcare”
Johnson says they expect 200 more births than normal next quarter.

Much of north Louisiana is covered in snow this morning and numerous roads are closed. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says if you do have to drive, reduce your speed, increase your following distance behind other vehicles, and anticipate stops…
cut 14 (12) “…too quickly”
Hardy says you can get more information on road closures by utilizing the state’s 5-1-1 system at 5-1-1-dot-la-dot-org.

As two new mutations of the coronavirus have been reported, questions arise if the current vaccines being rolled out in the US will provide adequate protection. Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says they will.
Cut 4 (10) “…vaccine.”

U-S House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says Democrats will introduce Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump if Vice President Mike Pence doesn’t invoke the powers of the 25th Amendment to remove Trump from office. Baton Rouge Republican Congressman Garret Graves has called for President Trump to effectively resign.

Democrats now control the House and Senate and Political Analyst Clancy Dubos on the long-range goals for the party while they are in the majority…
cut 12 (11) “…change”

The Saints defeated the Chicago Bears 21-9 in the NFL wild-card round of the playoffs. New Orleans will host Tom Brady and Tampa Bay this Sunday for a trip to the NFC Championship game.