Lawmakers have just a week left to complete their work on drawing new districts for Congress, the state legislature, the Public Service Commission, and more. There’s a big disagreement over creating a second majority-minority congressional voting district. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Democrats are putting up a fierce debate, but don’t have the votes to add more Black districts to the maps …:
Cut 10 (08) “…reapportionment session.”
The session must conclude before 6 PM on Sunday.

Today is Valentine’s Day and the Louisiana Family Forum is recognizing 14 couples who have been married 70 years and longer. Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills…
cut 9 (14) “…unmarried couple”
The longest known married couple in Louisiana hails from Gonzales, Gail and Patsy Richardson have been married for 81 years.

Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien of New Orleans is the Louisiana Army National Guard’s first Black female pilot. Julien says she was inspired to become a pilot while deployed to the Middle East a few years ago and saw a Black pilot from New Orleans in her unit.
cut 14 (12) “…black pilots around”
When she was a child, Julien’s family had to be rescued by a helicopter from the Superdome a week after Hurricane Katrina.

LSU Health New Orleans has started a COVID trial to study if liquid aspirin can help reduce COVID hospitalization rates. Associate Professor of Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Dr. Frank Lau is looking for 200 participants recently diagnosed with COVID and are not vaccinated…
cut 5 (09) “…from there”
For more information call 504-568-2202.

With just a week left in the redistricting session, can lawmakers resolve differences on the question of a second majority-black congressional district? Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Much of Louisiana is disappointed with the outcome of yesterday’s Super Bowl as the Rams scored a late touchdown to beat Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals 23-20. But Louisiana natives Andrew Whitworth and Odell Beckham Junior are Super Bowl champs. That could have been the final game for the 40-year-old Whitworth.

The Louisiana Army National Guard has commissioned its first Black female pilot. Warrant Officer Tatiana Julien, a New Orleans native, had no idea that she was the first to accomplish the feat.
Cut 13 (11) “…it just happened.”
Julien says she decided to become a pilot while deployed to the Middle East from 2017 to 2018. There was a Black pilot from New Orleans in her unit.

LSU Health New Orleans is seeking 200 recently diagnosed COVID patients, who are not vaccinated, for a clinical trial that will help determine if liquid aspirin can reduce hospitalization rates. Associate Professor of Surgery at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Frank Lau, says ideally the participants would live in metro New Orleans…
cut 6 (08) “….further field”
For more information call 504-568-2202.

LSU Health New Orleans is looking for 200 unvaccinated individuals who have tested positive for COVID to see if liquid aspirin can keep them out of the hospital…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

COVID numbers continue to improve in Louisiana as the state reported just over 13-hundred people in the hospital with COVID yesterday. That’s a decrease of 46 from the day before and a 28-percent drop over the last week. The state health department sadly reported another 38 COVID deaths yesterday bringing the statewide death toll to 16,176.

Former LSU Tiger and Rams offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth is the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. Whitworth earned the honor for his tireless community service through his BigWhit 77 Foundation. Lifelong friend Rick Guillot serves as president and summed up watching his friend receive the league’s most prestigious honor in just one word…
Cut 9 (12) “…was perfect.”
Whitworth will look for his first Super Bowl ring when the Rams face the Bengals in tomorrow’s Super Bowl. Cincinnati Quarterback Joe Burrow is getting plenty of attention for his play on the field and his game-day outfits and his “swag.” For Burrow, it just comes naturally…
cut 17 (12) “…I’ like”
Kick-off tomorrow is at 5:30.

State lawmakers have taken the weekend off after spending the last two weeks debating new district lines for Congress, the state senate and house, Public Service Commission, BESE, and the Louisiana Supreme Court. The House and Senate have approved new Congressional district maps that keep the status quo of one majority-minority Congressional District.

During House debate, New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis told Houma Representative Tanner Magee there should be two majority Black districts because the black population has grown to 33-percent in Louisiana…
cut 8 (14) “….state of Louisiana”
The redistricting session must end a week from tomorrow February 20th at 6 PM. The legality of the maps will likely have to be settled by the courts.

Former LSU Tiger Andrew Whitworth has received the NFL’s most prestigious honor, and one of his best friends says no one deserves it more.
Cut 2 (30)…I’m David Grubb.”

Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau says if you are placing an online sports bet on the Super Bowl make sure the website or app is legitimate and ignore pop-up requests. She says if you’ve been a victim of an internet crime, report it to the Internet Complaint Center, but getting your money back is unlikely…
cut 14 (10) “…United Staes”

The Louisiana House has approved a new map for the state’s six congressional districts. And just like the Senate, the House version has a single majority-Black district. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis believes there should be two majority-Black districts in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Duplessis had this exchange with Houma Representative Tanner Magee…
Cut 6 (09) “…is legal.”
No maps have made it through the legislative process and the redistricting session must end a week from tomorrow.

Marksville Republican Daryl Deshotel has put a million dollars of his own money in his campaign fund as he looks at running for a statewide office in 2023. The 43-year-old is in the state House of Representatives and has worked to bring high-speed internet to rural areas…
cut 5 (11) “….to build”

Former West Monroe star and LSU Tiger Andrew Whitworth is this year’s Walter Payton Man of the Year. The annual award goes to the NFL player who succeeds on the field, while also dedicating their time to community service. Whitworth has his Big Whit 77 Foundation and lifelong friend Rick Guillot serves as President. Guillot says helping children and families in Louisiana has always been a priority…
cut 11 (14) “…a long time”
The 40-year-old Whitworth will start at left tackle in tomorrow’s Super Bowl game against the Bengals. The game is being played in Los Angeles and Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow is not hanging out in Hollywood..
cut 28 (14) “…winning the game’
Kick-off is at 5:30.

The Louisiana House has approved a new map for the state’s six congressional districts. And just like the Senate, the House version has a single majority-Black district, despite civil rights groups and Black lawmakers arguing a second majority-minority district is needed to comply with the federal Voting Rights Act.

A Gonzales Representative files two bills addressing vaccination policies for school children…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Since December, temperatures have dropped in Louisiana but the rain hasn’t. Eighty-three percent of the state is experiencing a drought with the remaining 17 percent listed as “extremely dry.” Fifty-six percent of Louisiana is in extreme drought or worse says state climatologist Barry Keim.
Cut 13 (10) “…across the state.”
Rain is in the forecast for tomorrow as another cold front hits the state

It will be lights, camera, hunt next week in Baton Rouge as Disney Plus begins filming the TV series, National Treasure. Executive director of The Baton Rouge Film Commission Katie Pryor says the series will be in the same spirit of the movie franchise but set in the capital city.
Cut 10 (11) “…incredible.”
Emerging actress Lisette Alexis plays the lead character.

Two bills filed for the Legislative Session that starts in March address COVID vaccine policies for school children. House Bills 47 & 48 are from Gonzales Republican Kathy Edmonston. Her HB47 would require more open communication between schools and parents on immunization requirements. She says current state law has provisions for parents to opt-out of vaccines, but most parents don’t know that…:
Cut 7 (12) “…to opt-out.”
Edmonston also has a bill that prohibits immunizations on a school campus.

The latest drought monitor report shows 83-percent of Louisiana is experiencing drought conditions, while the remaining 17-percent is extremely dry. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the weather pattern known as La Nina is responsible…
cut 14 (10) “….high and dry”

Next week cameras will begin rolling in the capital city, featuring Baton Rouge in the Disney Plus series of National Treasure….
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

It was a big night for former LSU players during the NFL Honors Awards ceremony. 40-year-old offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth received the league’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. Also Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow was named Comeback Player of the Year, while Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase won offensive rookie of the year honors.