8:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Governor John Bel Edwards says the first week of vaccination distribution is going well and they’ve successfully vaccinated thousands of frontline healthcare workers since Monday. Edwards says Louisiana received 39,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine.
Cut 8 (08) “…allocations”

The Moderna Vaccine seeks approval today in front of an advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration. Taylor Sharp has the story…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Taylor Sharp”

The race is heating up in the second Congressional district as Cedric Richmond is set to step down to join the Biden administration. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson officially announced her campaign yesterday and fellow New Orleans Senator Troy Carter has also joined the race. Both are Democrats, but Carter says he plans to reach across the aisle to bring more resources back to Louisiana…
cut 6 (10) “…done”
New Orleans City Councilwoman Helena Moreno may enter the race as well.

On the first day of the early signing period, LSU lost a couple of recruits to Alabama, but Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU responded well…
cut 15 (09) “…people wanted”
That linebacker is Bugg Strong from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. He’s rated as the number one JUCO linebacker prospect in the country.

7:30 LRN Newscast December 17

Thousands of frontline healthcare workers have received the Pfizer COVID vaccine this week. Governor Edwards says he’s pleased with the vaccine rollout so far…
Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

The governor made those comments during his monthly radio show. He also called the lawsuit that sought to overturn the presidential election unfortunate. It was a lawsuit supported by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Edwards says people should accept the results.

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson has officially launched her campaign to replace Cedric Richmond as Louisiana’s Second District U-S Representative. Peterson touts her legislative record that shows her commitment to economic, racial, environmental, and reproductive justice.
Cut 4 (08) “…Congress.”
New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is also in the race and believes he can get things done during a contentious time in D-C…
cut 7 (09) “…happen”

LSU signed 19 players on the opening day of the early signing period and can fill out the class by signing six more. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins expects Coach Ed Orgeron to go after more offensive linemen…
cut 16 (10) “….the portal”

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 17

LSU signed 19 players on the first day of the early signing period and Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it was a good day for Coach Ed Orgeron and his recruiting staff..
cut 14 (08) “…four stars”
The two five-star recruits are Terrebonne Defensive tackle Maason Smith and Lafayette Christian Safety Sage Ryan. Alabama was after both prospects. LSU lost a couple of commits to Alabama, Texas receiver JoJo Earle and defensive end Keanu Koht.

The Ragin Cajuns signed ten players, including Ouachita Christian High School Quarterback Hunter Herring. Coach Billy Napier says they can’t wait to work with him…
cut 19 (16) “…with his legs”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has been designed to return from injured reserve, which means the team has 21 days to decide whether to promote him to the active roster. In a conference call with reporters after Wednesday’s practice, Coach Sean Payton said Brees still has a ways to go as he recovers from multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas did not practice yesterday. He’s coming off an eight catch performance against Philadelphia. It’s possible the Saints are giving Thomas some extra time as he continues to battle that sprained ankle suffered in week one.

In college basketball….LSU did not play UNO as scheduled, because of COVID issues with the Tigers hoops teams. LSU still plans on hosting North Texas on Saturday.

For the second straight season. Grambling beat ULM 78-61. The Tigers were 11 of 23 from the three-point line. Cameron Christian and Cameron Woodall each scored 17 points, each hitting three-three pointers.

6:30 LRN Newscast December 17

An FDA advisory committee meets today to discuss whether to give emergency approval to a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Moderna. Assistant Dean for Translational Research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele, says the data looks remarkably good…
cut 11 (05) “…Pfizer”
Side effects have been reported with the Pfizer vaccine that arrived this week. Miele says there will be side effects with the Moderna vaccine as well, but they will be minor.

Governor John Bel Edwards is so far pleased with the vaccine rollout as thousands of healthcare workers have been vaccinated. But Edwards says it looks like we will not return back to normal until summer when the vaccine is more publicly available…
cut 10 (09) “…immunity”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has contracted the virus. His symptoms are said to be minor.

Two New Orleans Democratic lawmakers are the first up to announce their intention to run for the soon-to-be-vacant 2nd Congressional District seat. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

3:30 LRN Newscast December 16

Governor John Bel Edwards said on his monthly radio show that the rollout of the first coronavirus doses to states has gone smoothly as the state has received 39-thousand doses which are going to frontline healthcare workers. U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says vaccine compliance will be the key to ending the pandemic and restarting the economy…
cut 5 (11) “…go down”
It will take months before enough people are vaccinated and her immunity can be achieved.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has put the blame on New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell for keeping Lauren Daigle from performing on A-B-C’s Dick Clark Rockin on New Year’s Eve. But a NOLA-dot-com report says Daigle was never booked and New Orleans will still be featured during the broadcast. Nungesser is sticking by his story…
cut 11 (03) “…forward”
Nungesser appeared on Talk Louisiana this morning.

The Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Consumer Services with the Louisiana Department of Insurance told state lawmakers today that they still have 250 disaster complaints open and most of the complaints are the result of claim delays and estimate amounts. Jeffrey Zewe says the estimate from an adjuster is just an estimate on what it will cost to repair the damage
Cut 13 (11)“…additional payment.”

There’s now a wasp named after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. LSU Ag Center entomologist Nathan Lord says one of his grad students discovered a particular wasp that didn’t have a name so he named it after the Heisman Trophy winner…
cut 7 (10) “,…after Joe”
Lord says the wasp was found in Malaysia and they don’t know how many of these type of wasps exist.

LRN PM Newscall December 16

Senator Bill Cassidy says the historic pace of COVID vaccine development, is a triumph of the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________

A second miner has been found dead following Monday’s roof collapse at the Avery Island salt mine. Don Molino has more…

cut 2 (27) …I’m Don Molino”  

_____________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed should be praised for producing a COVID vaccine in record time. Cassidy says the program built an innovative way to fast-track development and set a precedent for future vaccine research.

Cut 3 (08)  “..months.”

The first vaccines were administered in Louisiana on Monday, just 275 days after the state suffered its first COVID death.

But that rapid pace of development has many Americans fearing the vaccine is not safe. Cassidy says if you feel that way talk to one of the nurses that got vaccinated this week.

Cut 4 (09)   “..them”  

Cassidy says he would take the vaccine if offered but expects he is far down the priority list due to his prior infection and likely current immunity.

Cassidy says vaccine compliance will be the key to ending this pandemic and restarting the economy.

Cut 5  (11) “..go down” 

_____________________________________________

A new wasp species has been discovered by a grad student at the LSU Ag Center and has been named Joeburrowi, after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.  Entomologist Nathan Lord with the LSU Ag Center says the name is appropriate due to the insect’s unique pattern.

Cut 6 (11) “…number one”

Ilgoo Kang discovered the wasp during LSU’s championship run.  Lord says it’s a great way for his student to honor Burrow.

Cut 7 (10) “…after Joe”

This particular species is very rare, as Lord says so far this is the only Wasp of its kind that has been discovered.

Cut 8 (10) “…border of Thailand.”

______________________________________________

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has doubled down on his comments that New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell had Christian performer  Lauren Daigle of Lafayette booted from Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve television show.  A NOLA.com report contradicted that claim, but Nungesser says he confirmed Daigle’s participation with ABC before Cantrell found out about the proposed performance from Jackson Square…

Cut 9 (09) “…New Orleans.”

The NOLA.com report has ABC and Daigle sources that claim the Grammy-winning Christian music artist was never offered a slot on the program in the first place, calling the accusations “categorically false”.

Nungesser exected Daigle to play the gig until Cantrell sent a letter to ABC attacking the singer for participating in an illegal, crowded, and mostly unmasked French Quarter Christian concert.

Cut 10 (10) “…channel.”

Nungesser says after he was told Daigle would not be a part of the show he pulled the state’s support for the program. The Fleur Dis Lis is still set to drop New Year’s Eve in New Orleans as ABC looks set to work directly with the City instead.

Nungesser says the City needs to bounce back with a big tourism year in 2021, so…

Cut 11 (03) “…forward”

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Insurance Department says they’ve received over 700 consumer complaints from hurricane victims this year, with over 600 of them coming from policyholders who suffered Hurricane Laura damage. Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Consumer Services Jeffrey Zewe says 450 of the complaints are closed…

Cut 12 (08) “…relief done.” 

Zewe says they still have 250 disaster complaints open and most of the complaints are the result claim delays and estimate amounts. He says the estimate from an adjuster is just an estimate on what it will cost to repair the damage

Cut 13 (11)“…additional payment.”

Zewe says right after Hurricane Laura they received a lot of calls from policyholders about the amount of the hurricane deductible…

Cut 14 (14) “…that issue” 

2:30 LRN Newscast December 16

A second miner has been found dead following Monday’s roof collapse at the Avery Island salt mine. Don Molino has more…
cut 2 (27) …I’m Don Molino”

On his monthly call-in show, Governor Edwards says the rollout of the first coronavirus vaccine doses to states has gone smoothly. Thousands of hospital workers have received the vaccine this week. The governor hopes to begin vaccinations in nursing homes around December 28th as the Moderna vaccine is expected to receive federal approval later this week.

The House and Senate Insurance committees are meeting today discussing insurance issues from the active hurricane season that just concluded. Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Consumer Services, Jeffrey Zewe, says they’ve received over 700 consumer complaints from hurricane victims and a lot of the calls early on were over the amount of the hurricane deductible…
cut 14 (14) “…that issue”
Zewe says they still have 250 disaster complaints open.

An LSU grad student has named a previously unnamed wasp after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Nathan Lord says this particular wasp was recently discovered in Asia…
cut 8 (10) “…border of Thailand”
Lord says the wasp as a tiger stripe coloration pattern on its body.

1:30 LRN Newscast December 16

The state reported 38 more COVID 19-deaths today as the number of confirmed deaths related to the virus has increased to 6,607. The number of COVID patients in the hospital declined today to 1,584, while those needing a ventilator increased to 167.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the historic pace of COVID vaccine development, is a triumph of the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed. Matt Doyle has more
Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”

A story from the Times-Picayune-New Orleans Advocate claims Lafayette native and Christian pop star Lauren Daigle was never booked to perform during Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve celebration on A-B-C. But Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser appeared on Talk Louisiana this morning and said a letter written by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell made sure an offer was never made…
cut 10 (10) “….on their channel”
Cantrell is upset Daigle sang at a large unpermitted event in Jackson Square last month.

There’s now a wasp named after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. LSU Ag Center entomologist Nathan Lord says one of his grad students discovered a particular wasp that didn’t have a name so he named it after the Heisman Trophy winner…
cut 7 (10) “,…after Joe”
Lord says the wasp was found in Malaysia and they don’t how many of these type of wasps exist.

11:30 LRN Newscast December 16

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed should be praised for producing a COVID vaccine in record time. Cassidy says the program built an innovative way to fast-track development and set a precedent for future vaccine research.
Cut 3 (08) “..months.”
The first vaccines were administered in Louisiana on Monday, just 275 days after the state suffered its first COVID death.

Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley is lobbying for public school employees to be prioritized when more COVID vaccines arrive in Louisiana.
Cut 10 (09) “…the vaccine.”
Nursing home residents and staff are next in line to get the vaccine and the governor’s office has yet to release who will be eligible to get the vaccine during the second phase of the rollout.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser accuses New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell of having Lafayette Christian pop star Lauren Daigle booted from an ABC New Year’s Eve special, but a report by NOLA.com says Daigle was never in contention for the show. Nungesser told LRN Tuesday that Cantrell opposed the thought of including Daigle in the ABC program.
Cut 7 (11) “…controversy.”
But that report, citing ABC and sources close to Daigle, says Daigle was not scheduled to play the event.

A joint meeting of the House and Senate Insurance committees is underway today to discuss hurricane insurance problems. Senate Insurance Chairman Kirk Talbot says insurers will be present to answer questions about recovery issues related to the last hurricane season.
Cut 13 (07) “…too long.”
You can stream the hearing on the Louisiana Legislature’s website.

10:30 LRN Newscast

As COVID vaccinations are underway for frontline healthcare workers, they are also overwhelmed with the third wave of patients, Brooke Thorington has more.
1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Iberia Parish Coroner’s office says the two Avery Island salt miners who went missing after a roof collapsed have been found dead. They are identified as 27-year-old Lance Begnaud of Broussard and 41-year-old Rene Romero of New Iberia. Cargill operates the salt mine that experienced a roof collapse on Monday.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is blaming New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s actions for what he says ruining a potential worldwide promotion for all Louisiana cities during Dick Clark Rockin New Year’s eve broadcast. Nungesser claims Cantrell’s letter to the show’s producers kept Christian pop star and Lafayette native Lauren Daigle from performing on the show even in Jefferson Parish,…
cut 8 (08) “…back drop”
But the Times-Picayune-New Orleans Advocate says according to their sources Daigle was never booked for the show. Cantrell is upset Daigle sang at an unpermitted gathering in the French Quarter last month.

Frontline health care workers and nursing home residents are the first groups to be vaccinated and state superintendent of education Cade Brumley believes public school employees should be among the next group to get the vaccination…
cut 11 (09) “./…the state”
Governor Edwards says he will follow CDC’s guildens on who receives priority.