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.

Baton Rouge area lawmaker Kathy Edmonston has filed a bill for the upcoming regular session that would prohibit the administration of vaccines on school property and at school-sponsored events. Edmonston says a doctor’s office or clinic is the appropriate place to immunize a child and schools should not get involved in a family health issue…
cut 9 (09) “….in charge of education”
The Gonzales Republican also has a bill that requires any communication issued to students or parents relative to immunization requirements that it also includes an exemption form and exemption information.

Disney Plus will begin filming the TV series, National Treasure in Baton Rouge next week. Emerging young actress Lisette Alexis plays the lead character and she’s on an adventure to save a lost Pan-American treasure. Executive Director of the Baton Rouge Film Commission Katie Pryor says you’ll see plenty of the Red Stick on the screen…
cut 11 (10) “….in the city’

It has been an unusually dry winter. David Grubb has more on how long the drought will last.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

The National Weather Service says high fire danger conditions are expected this afternoon for the northern half of the state. Dry and warmer conditions with gusty winds will continue to lead to increased fire danger. Open burning is discouraged.

Former West Monroe Rebel and LSU star Andrew Whitworth has been named the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year for his excellent charitable work and his outstanding play at left tackle for the Rams.

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. It remains to be seen which version makes it to the governor’s desk and if he’ll veto it.

A Gonzales Representative files two bills addressing vaccination policies for school children. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
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.”
Shreveport and Baton Rouge have seen their expected rainfall for this time of year decrease by more than half, with Lake Charles down by 61 percent.

If you’re working on your menu for the big game, perhaps you should include Waitr’s Top Ten food orders for the Super Bowl in Louisiana. Dean Turcol with Waitr says this year’s list has a new number one…French Fries.
Cut 4 (07) “…always popular.”
Wings fell to number two this year, followed by Mozzarella Sticks, Cheeseburgers and Donut Holes round out the top five.

A St. Tammany Parish state Senator proposes two bills to protect citizens from discrimination based upon their COVID vaccination status. Senator Patrick McMath, of Covington, says his Senate Bill 1, is a proposed Constitutional Amendment; adding vaccine status to the list of things one cannot be discriminated against…:
Cut 10 (10) “…a very basic example.”
McMath says Senate Bill two would allow acceptance of a COVID-19 antibody test result in the satisfaction of any requirement for proof of vaccine.

The phone app, LA Wallet, can now display negative COVID test results. Orion Laboratories President Rachel Slaughter says after you are tested, ask that the test results be sent to Orion…
cut 9 (07) “…download the app”
For more information visit orion-dot-healthcare.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine professor Doctor Jeffrey Carter has helped develop a spray-on skin that lowers the mortality rates from burns. Carter says they use a small portion of a person’s healthy skin to make a spray that can quickly create new skin. He says the spray-on skin has cut recovery times and hospital stays and there’s an added benefit…
cut 15 (10) “….looks like”
Carter says he’s working to make sure first responders around the state have these burn kits.

Congressman Troy Carter is encouraging 10th and 11th graders in his Second Congressional District to submit an essay for his first annual Black History Essay Contest. He says reaching young people is as important as ever to truly start to realize Dr. Martin Luther King’s vision.
Cut 5 (12) “…not repeating history.”
the contest will close on March 8th.

Two proposed bills for the regular legislative session in March seek to establish boundaries in the pandemic and its policies. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

At the redistricting session, the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved a redistricting plan for the Louisiana House. It moves a district from the Natchitoches area to New Orleans. The full House could debate a new Congressional District map today. The Senate has already approved its version which has just one majority-minority district.

You can now have your negative COVID test results show up on your LA Wallet app. Orion Laboratories is making this possible and President Rachel Slaughter says it’s convenient for those who have to show proof of negative test results…
cut 8 (09) “….schools do testing weekly”
The feature is currently available for PCR tests performed at Orion Laboratories, which has facilities across the state.

Inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech, Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter announced his first annual Black History Month Essay Contest. The contest is open to 10th and 11th graders throughout the district. Carter asks students to share their dreams for a “stronger, more inclusive America.”
Cut 4 (12) “…Black History Month.”
The contest will close on March 8th.

The number of COVID hospitalized patients fell by another 103 yesterday according to the state health department. There are now 1,423 individuals hospitalized with COVID across Louisiana. COVID deaths increased by another 51 and the death toll stands at 16,066.

If you ever wanted to be able to show your COVID test results like you present your ID on LA Wallet well now you can. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A redistricting plan for the Louisiana House received approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee. It moves a district from Natchitoches to New Orleans because of population growth in the Big Easy. But a group of high school students have an issue with this majority-black district being moved. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski grilled the teens about the opposition…
cut 24 (11) “….moved it”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

LSU Health New Orleans professor of surgery Dr. Jeffrey Carter has been working on a more advanced way to assist burn victims with a type of spray-on-skin that significantly increases their survival rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…accelerate healing.”
Carter is working with the state health department on delivering burn kits to first responders, so people with minor burns, including fire fighters, can get immediate treatment.