Congress will vote today on certifying the results of the November Presidential Election and most of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation will vote against it. Congressman Clay Higgins says he has a constitutional duty to vote against certification because many states changed their election procedures without legislative approval, resulting in illegitimate results.
Cut 4 (12) “…violated.”
Democrat and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell has strong words for those who refuse to accept President-elect Biden’s victory…
Cut 5 (10) “…right.”
Senator Bill Cassidy is the only Republican in Louisiana’s Congressional delegation who has said he will vote for certification. Cassidy says there might have been isolated incidents of fraud, it’s not enough to change the election results.

The Louisiana Department of Education is launching what they call the Fast Forward Initiative, which Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says will personalize high school for juniors and seniors to help prepare them for their next step beyond high school graduation. Brumley says the goal is to increase the number of high school grads with an associate’s degree…
Cut 8 (07) “…next day.”
Data from 2019 shows only 159 out of 42-thousand graduates earned both a diploma and an associate’s degree upon graduation from high school.

State lawmakers have agreed once again to allow expanded mail-in opportunities for voters for elections that will be held in February, March and April. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairperson Sharon Hewitt says only a small percentage of absentee voters used COVID as an excuse on why they couldn’t vote in person last year…
cut 13 (07) “…opportunity”

U-S Senator John Kennedy and Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins have said they will vote against certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Kennedy is pushing for the formation of a commission to conduct an emergency 10-day audit of the results in the disputed states. But Democrat and Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says Congressmen who vote against certifying know what they are doing is wrong…
cut 7 (10) “…Louisiana”
Kennedy is up for re-election next year.

A United Health Foundation report finds that from 2014 to 2019 there was a 16-percent increase in public health funding, 91-dollars per person in Louisiana, which ranks us 26th in the country. United Chief Medical Officer Rhonda Randall…
cut 16 (08) “….go”

Beginning next fall more high school juniors and seniors will have the option to “Fast Forward” their education. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former Amite High Standout and Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night. He’s only the second Louisiana native to win the prestigious award. Springhill native John David Crow won the award in 1957 after a standout season as a halfback for Paul Bear Bryant at Texas A-and-M

Republican members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation are expected to vote against certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

The state health department has told hospitals to begin using current and future COVID vaccine allotments on individuals over the age of 70 and an expanded group of health care workers. L-D-H reported yesterday that 56-thousand vaccine doses have been administered.

The state legislature has approved Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan to allow COVID-19 emergency rules to be used again for a special election in February and local and congressional elections in March and April due to the ongoing pandemic. Ardoin says only a small number of voters used the COVID-19 rules in last year’s elections.
Cut 11 (11) “…one-thousand two-hundred-seventeen.”

The state department of education is launching a new program designed to increase the number of high school grads who earn an associate’s degree or participate in a high-demand apprenticeship program during high school. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley says the Fast Forward Initiative would allow a high school junior or senior to take classes on a postsecondary campus or a postsecondary satellite campus…
cut 9 (09) “…..electrician”

The state health department has reported 1,891 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, which’s 100 less than the highest number of 1,991 on April 12th. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said hospital CEOs will have a call with the Governor today on their current ability to provide care for COVID patients.
Cut 10 (12) “…quality care.”
And the state health department is telling hospitals with extra coronavirus vaccine they should start providing it to people over the age of 70.

U-S News and World Report names the Dash Diet as one of the best for healthy eating and heart health. LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Center helped develop the diet. Doctor Catherine Champagne says the Dash Diet calls for nutrient-dense, low-calorie health foods…
cut 8 (08) “…dairy”

2020 saw some of the biggest civil rights demonstrations in more than a half-century. Southern University Political Science Professor Albert Samuels says the protests were mixed bag politically. He says on one hand, it resulted in an influx of newly registered Democrats, on the other hand, the defund the police movement hurt some Congressional candidates…
cut 6 (10) “…anticipated”

When children are put into protective custody, many times kids are not able to gather all of their personal belongings. There’s a charity called Geaux Bags, which provides foster children with items they need plus a personal note from other children…
cut 15 (06) “…cause”
That’s the director of Geaux Bags, K-C Kilpatrick, who says if you want more information go to geaux bags dot-com.

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.