At a time when the nation continues to struggle with its history with race, U-S Congressman Troy Carter asks Louisiana’s youth to look to the future. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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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.” 

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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.” 

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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 10^th and 11^th graders throughout the district. Carter asks students to share their dreams for a “stronger, more inclusive America.”

Cut 4 (12)  “…Black History Month.” 

As racial tensions have heightened in the country, Carter sees some of the worst of America’s history repeating itself. He says that reaching young people is as important as ever in order for this country to truly start to realize Dr. King’s vision.

Cut 5 (12) “…not repeating history.”

Carter encourages students of all backgrounds to enter the contest and have their voices heard. He says the challenges that the nation faces can only be overcome with more participation, not less.

Cut 6 (14)  “…of the process. “

The winner of the contest will attend a special recognition ceremony in the nation’s capital, with the opportunity to meet other legislators as well.

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The next time you get a COVID test you can have your results sent to your LA Wallet. Just request that your PCR test be sent to Orion Laboratories and be sure they have your driver’s license number. Rachel Slaughter, President of Orion Laboratories says the new feature will simplify displaying results when needed.

Cut 7 (07) “…your negative test.”

Any business or setting that allows LA Wallet can accept the COVID test results on the app. Slaughter says it’s convenient to show at places that require proof of a negative test.

Cut 8 (09)  “….schools do testing weekly.”

And there’s no extra cost for having results sent to your LA Wallet. Slaughter says you just have to ask that the test be sent to Orion.

Cut 9 (07)  “…download the app.”

For more information visit orion-dot-healthcare

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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 for which one cannot be discriminated against…:

Cut 10 (10) “…a very basic example.”

SB1 would add vax status to age, gender race and physical condition; things for which one cannot legally discriminate. It will require two-thirds majority votes in both chambers, and the Governor’s OK, before it can go to voters next fall. McMath’s Senate Bill 2 is a stand-alone bill providing for persons who may be immune to not have to prove they’ve had the Jab…:

Cut  11 (10)  “…step in the process.”  

McMath says constituents have asked him to file the bills, which he has done. They will be introduced for committee review when the regular legislative session starts in March. McMath feels there isn’t enough regard for real scientific data in the pandemic discussion and policies…:

Cut 12 (07) “…the vaccine mandate.”

Both bills will come up when lawmakers meet for the Regular Session in March.

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More than a million people suffer burns annually and half go to an ER or are treated at a burn care center. 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 says it’s difficult to compare mortality rates of burn injuries because the size and location of the burn along with the age are determining factors. He says when you can speed up recovery and repair wounds more efficiently, you reduce the chances of infection.

Cut 14 (12)  “…few weeks”

In addition to speeding the burn recovery process, Carter says the spray-on-skin has another added benefit.

Cut 15 (10)  “…looks like.”

This week is National Burn Awareness Week and Carter reminds listeners to keep children away from the stove when cooking, to use splatter screens when cooking with grease, and to keep your hot water heater below 120 degrees to avoid scalding.

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The newly acquired CJ McCollum should be on the court tonight when the Pelicans host the Miami Heat to bolster what has been one of the worst backcourts in the NBA this season. McCollum brings more than 20 points per game and adds outside shooting, but Coach Willie Green is also excited about his intangibles.

Cut 16 (13)  “…so we’re excited.”

McCollum will be joined in the lineup by guard Tony Snell. Forward Larry Nance Jr. has been sidelined since January with a knee injury. All three should help as the Pels make a push for their first playoff berth in four years. Green says the team isn’t where they want to be, but he’s proud of their progress.

Cut 17 (18) “ …program that’s sustainable.” 

No trade comes without a cost. Both Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker had won the hearts of fans over the past two-plus seasons. After last night’s win over the Houston Rockets, Green talked about how difficult it was to say goodbye.

Cut 18 (14) “ …it just sucks.” 

He’s a poli-sci student at LSU and winner of the second quarter-finals in Jeopardy’s College Champions. Brooke Thorington has more on who is Steven Privat. (Pre-vot).

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional map that does NOT contain a second Black-majority Congressional district. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new state House map that keeps the number of majority-minority districts at 29. Opponents say the map is gerrymandered to prevent more blacks from being elected to the state legislature. A high school student from Shreveport was vocal in her opposition…

Cut 3 (14) “..from office.”

Despite the strong words from 17-year-old Autumn Summers, the measure was approved on a 13-4 vote and heads to the House floor for more consideration.

The high school students have an issue with a majority-black district in Natchitoches being moved to New Orleans. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski grilled the teens about the opposition…

Cut 4 (11) “…moved it”

Stefanski asked the teenagers if they knew the definition of gerrymandering…

Cut 5 (15) “..gerrymander.”

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In a new 60-second online ad, U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a Confederate flag on fire, while talking about systemic inequalities in criminal justice, economics, and voting rights. The ad is getting attention, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances at winning.

 Cut 6 (13) “…needle too much.” 

Chambers faces a major uphill climb in trying to unseat incumbent Senator John Kennedy, as a relative newcomer to politics. Professor Stockley says Chambers has to pull out all the stops to draw people to his campaign.

Cut 7 (12) “…his case, incendiary.” 

Stockley believes Chambers has raised some very important issues but has a long way to go in areas like fundraising and developing a campaign with broader appeal, in a state that hasn’t been kind to progressive candidates.

Cut 8 (13) “…very Republican state.”  

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He’s a Lafayette native, a political science major at LSU, and is the second quarter-final winner of Jeopardy’s National College Champions for 2022. Who is Steven Privat. (Pre-vot). Privat was a guest on Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge this morning, and even though he wasn’t able to discuss anything beyond Tuesday’s episode he says the experience is exciting.

Cut 9 (11) “…some questions.”

To become a Jeopardy contestant Privat says he first took an online test, and then was invited for an audition which includes a mock round of the game show. Privat chose to enter College Champions and says it’s a long process before you get behind the buzzer.

Cut 10 (12)  “…that long ago.” 

Privat says he even forged friendships with fellow contestants, and he isn’t the only one with Louisiana ties competing in the College Championship this year.

Cut  11 (10)   “….who’s competing.”  

Liz Feltner representing Northeastern will compete in episode four and Tulane’s Fiona Hellerman will appear in episode six. The Jeopardy College Championship continues tonight at 7 pm on ABC.

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The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map that maintains the status quo and that’s just one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment that created a second-majority Black voting district by taking voters from Representative Julia Letlow’s 5th district…

Cut 12 (11) “…with the law”.  

But Fields amendment failed on a party-line vote. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says Fields’s proposal would actually dilute the black vote in the two majority-minority districts he’s trying to create.

Cut 13 (10) “…whatsoever.”

Black lawmakers argue that 33-percent of the state’s population is African-American, therefore two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority-minority, if not it violates the Voting Rights Act.

Hewitt disagrees and says a law firm hired by the Legislature has told them that her proposed map is legal. But New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson wanted to know more about this law firm…

Cut 14 (15)  “…it matter.” 

Hewitt later identified lawyer at Kate McKnight.

Governor John Bel Edwards could veto the proposal as he believes there should be two majority-minority districts.

Dennis Allen has big shoes to fill as he succeeds Sean Payton as head coach of the Saints. If his welcome press conference is any indication, Allen is ready to step into them. David Grubb has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Millions will be placing wagers on the Super Bowl this weekend. Brooke Thorington has more on how sports betting has changed since Super Bowl 55.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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22-percent of small businesses nationwide report inflation remains their single most important business problem. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Dennis Allen is officially the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints. After interviewing several candidates, the team came back to the man it considered its top candidate from the outset. Allen believes he is the right man at the right time to continue the Saints winning tradition.

Cut 4 (12)  “…New Orleans Saints.” 

Sean Payton had as good a relationship with the Saints fans as any coach possibly could. He embraced them and they embraced him. Allen spoke to Who Dat Nation directly during his presser, assuring them that the relationship between the team and the city won’t change now.

Cut 5 (07) “…this fanbase has.”

Allen is known for his work defensively but will have to revamp the team’s offense. After a year in which everything went wrong for New Orleans on that side of the ball, Allen was very direct in saying what he expects their offensive identity to be.

Cut 6 (14)  “…situationally “

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A record 31 million Americans are expected to place a bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says after an exciting postseason more folks than ever plan to wager thanks in part to legalized sports betting.

Cut 7 (06) “…all-time records.”

That’s an increase of more than $3-billion from last year.

The Association says part of the increase is that 30 states and the District of Columbia now offer legal sports betting. Forman says ever since Louisiana sports wagering went live at casinos in November and now with online gaming, it’s more accessible to legally bet on the big game.

Cut 8 (11)  “….pretty big numbers.”

While the association doesn’t have an estimate for how much they expect Louisianans to bet on the Super Bowl, Forman says gamblers spent an average of $30 to $40 million a month in November and December, and that was before online was active.

Cut 9 (09)  “…a month.”

Since last year 45 million more Americans, in ten states can legally wager on the Super Bowl.

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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy shares good news for college students in that his bill the College Transparency Act, also known as the CTA, cleared the House of Representatives, as part of a larger package in DC.

Cut 10 (11) “…be the same.”

Cassidy says with the cost of college increasing along with student debt, it’s only fair that students should have all the facts about a school before they enroll and even choose a major.

Cut  11 (11)  “…to graduate.”  

The state’s senior senator says it’s a popular bill, it passed in the House and has one-third of the Senate signed on as co-sponsors, and over 150 organizations have endorsed the bill.

Cut 12 (08) “…youth alliance.”

The bill now heads to a conference committee where the House and Senate will reconcile their two different versions of the bill and Cassidy says he will push that the CTA is part of the final product.

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The National Federation of Independent Business says one out of every five small businesses nationwide continue to report that inflation is their single most important business problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says small businesses are having to raise prices to mitigate supply chain issues and offset increases in higher labor costs

Cut 13 (12) “…labor costs.”

McVea says the net percent of owners raising average selling prices increased to a net 61-percent, the highest reading since 1974…

Cut 14 (11)  “..2022″

McVea says many small business owners remain pessimistic about future economic conditions, but there is some hope…

Cut 15 (11)  “…begin to improve.”

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The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada and picks. Oleh Kosel, editor of The Bird Writes-dot-com, says the deal is a big win for the Pels.

Cut 16 (12)  “…almost every game.”

McCollum comes to the Pels averaging more than 20 points per game and has made nearly 40 percent of his 3-pointers over his career. Kosel says he’s the player New Orleans has been searching for.

Cut 17 (17) “ …spread the offense.” 

The Pelicans haven’t made the postseason in four years. Kosel says that a move like this shows that the Pels are serious about making a run now, and in the seasons ahead.

Cut 18 (10) “ …a lot higher.”