After 16 years, Sean Payton steps away as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, is no longer employed at LSU. She filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the university in April alleging a hostile work environment and claiming co-workers retaliated against her after reporting that female student workers were sexually harassed by former LSU coach Les Miles. Lewis attorneys call the firing a wrongful termination, while LSU is not commenting.

There are some state lawmakers who question the governor’s proposal to use 500-million in surplus dollars on a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. That’s because construction is several years away and engineers have yet to map out where the bridge will go. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says getting that bridge built should be a top priority, even if the money lies in reserve for a few years:
Cut 15 (12) “…of the United States.”

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real R-E-A-L.
Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”
The awareness campaign will launch in April during the men’s NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed budget for the next fiscal year gets introduced to state lawmakers today. It calls for a teacher pay raise of 15-hundred dollars, plus 32-million dollars for higher education faculty pay raises and a 43-million dollar increase in early childhood education.

The spending plan also includes one-point-one billion dollars for infrastructure improvements and the governor says that includes 500-million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, 100-million for I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, and 100-million for the I-49 Lafayette connector…
cut 30 (14) “…of those”
The governor’s budget proposal also calls for 500-million dollars for water and sewer improvements statewide. The budget will be discussed by lawmakers for the next three months.

We’ve heard the term shedding the virus when it relates to COVID and now there are reports of people shedding their hair two months later. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State police are prepping for their first-ever accelerated cadet academy. Sergeant Monroe Dillion says the accelerated academy is only open for police officers who are POST certified.
Cut 14 (11) “…accelerated academy.”
Applications can be found on L-S-P’s website.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal calls for teachers to receive a 15-hundred dollar pay raise and the spending plan also has money to fund new bridges in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Edwards says if additional state surplus revenues are projected, he hopes lawmakers will give teachers a raise even higher than 15-hundred dollars…
cut 5 (09) “…another 500 dollars”
The Governor’s budget contains one-point-one billion dollars for roads and bridges too. Including 500-million for a third Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says that money will augment a public-private partnership for the construction of a new bridge…:
Cut 6 (15) “…over those four years.”

The future of Saints head coach Sean Payton remains a hot topic. David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police is preparing to begin training its 101st cadet class. Sergeant Monroe Dillon says it will be a 14-week accelerated academy as opposed to the 24-week class. Dillon says applicants must be certified law enforcement officers and the application deadline for the class of up to 60 cadets is approaching…
cut 16 (05) “…out today”
You can apply on the State Police’s website.

Governor John Bel Edwards has unveiled his proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st, with a major focus on teacher pay and the state’s infrastructure needs. Edwards says improving education in Louisiana will help correct a lot of problems, and the best place to start is with teacher pay raises…:
Cut 4 (10) “…for support staff.”
The governor’s budget proposal also includes one-point-one billion dollars in funding for critical infrastructure, including new I-10 bridges in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

A side effect of COVID that physicians say they are beginning to see in more patients is hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Grieshaber says high stressors on the body like childbirth and COVID can cause temporary hair loss.
Cut 8 (11) “…precipitating event.”
If you are experiencing significant hair loss, Grieshaber recommends visiting a dermatologist so they can rule out other causes like thyroid disease or anemia.

We are getting closer to the heart of the Carnival season. Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says their data suggests that the Omicron surge was reached nearly two weeks ago in New Orleans and other parts of the state have also peaked, and with Mardi Gras still more than a month away, time is on our side.
Cut 11 (09) “…within the population.”
The Louisiana Health Department reported 2,304 people in hospital with COVID as of Monday. That’s a decrease of 177 from Friday.

State Police says its 101st Cadet class will be for the first time a 14-week accelerated academy for current police officers who are already POST certified men and women. LSP Sargent Monroe Dillon says a typical cadet class can last up to 24 weeks. Dillon says they are hoping to have more officers trained and, on the job, sooner with the accelerated academy.
Cut 15 (08) “…boots on the ground.”
The 101st cadet class is expected to start in June, but the deadline to apply is March 1st.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal for the next fiscal year contains hundreds of millions of dollars for roads and bridges, teacher pay raises, and more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information into Sunday night’s fatal police shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. L-S-P says during a foot chase with a suspect accused of stealing a vehicle, the subject reached for a visible gun after being instructed not to do so. One officer shot the suspect who was fatally wounded.

Another side effect of COVID has developed and that’s hair loss for those who have recovered from the virus. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, stress and fever that any illness can bring could result in hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Doctor Elizabeth Greishaber says supplements can help…
cut 9 (10) “….really helpful”

Ochsner Health officials say based on COVID hospitalizations the Omicron-fueled surge may have peaked in some areas of the state. Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart is optimistic that being on the other side of the curve means some level of protection…
cut 12 (11) “….the Mardi Gras season”

LAdualEnrollment.com hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of dual enrollment and advance their college or tech school degrees. Brooke Thorington
Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are expected to hear more about education funding during a 2 PM press conference at the state capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards will outline his spending plan for the next fiscal year.

With the Saints not in the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, there are questions about what’s next for the franchise, starting with coach Sean Payton. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says his gut tells him Payton will be back.
Cut 6 (12) “…in 2022.”
The NFL Network says they made multiple attempts to reach out to Payton for comment, but the requests were not returned.

If you are looking to team up with others and compete against other teams in a weight loss challenge, the state health department is encouraging you to participate in the Own Your Own Health challenge. Rudy Macklin, director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, says even though the competition starts today, you can still sign up, but do so by the end of the week…
Cut 11 (08) “…pretty quickly”
Go to the Own Your Own health website.

The political director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says lawmakers need to finally address the concerns of teachers or even more will leave the profession. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are expected to hear more about education funding during a 2 PM press conference at the state capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards will outline his spending plan for the next fiscal year. Additional money for highway construction is also expected to be discussed.

With the pandemic, telemedicine has become a popular option for many doctors and patients. A telemedicine healthcare company called Nurx has begun offering services in Louisiana. They already operate in 32 states and Doctor Adrienne Robertson says they can help with birth control, STD treatment, migraines, and skincare…
cut 5 (13) “….mailed to your home”
For more information go to Nurx.com.

Tax filing season begins today as Louisiana residents can file their federal and state tax returns. Federal taxes are due April 18th and state returns are due May 16th. Certified Public Accountant Conner Brown of Madisonville says taxpayers should be ready to file on time or pay the price…
cut 9 (14) “….to be late”