A federal judge has invalidated a Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease sale that occurred in November. David Grubb has reaction from the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association….

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Teacher pay raises will be front and center in the upcoming legislative session. David Grubb has more on why legislators want to dig deep on the question of how to pay for them.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

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In his 2019 Heisman acceptance speech, Joe Burrow spoke of the poverty rate where he grew up in Ohio. In honor of the quarterback, Bengals fans are donating to the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A federal judge in Washington has invalidated a Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale over concerns it will harm the climate by producing more planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says its disappointing Judge Rudolph Contreras supports the Biden Administration’s energy policy…

Cut 4 (07) “…all doubled.” 

When President Biden took office, he banned new oil and gas drilling on federally owned lands and waters. A Louisiana judge struck down the moratorium and in November a record one-point-seven million acres of drilling leases were sold.

Moncla says he’s asked the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office if the federal judge’s decision in Washington can be appealed, in the meantime canceling the November lease sale will result in more dependence on foreign oil…

Cut 5 (10) “…its frustrating.”

Several environmental groups filed a lawsuit to invalidate the record lease sale in November. They said it was a huge climate bomb. But Moncla says revenues from offshore oil and gas production help improve Louisiana’s environment…

Cut 6 (09) “…off shore.”

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When the Louisiana legislative session begins in March, there will be much debate over Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed $1500 pay raises for teachers. Chairman of the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation, Blake Miguez, says everyone agrees teachers deserve more money, but it is the responsibility of the legislature to ensure that those raises are affordable and sustainable.

Cut 7 (09) “…process to see.”

Miguez says that many of the funds that have created a surplus for the state won’t last forever and that lawmakers are concerned that the use of one-time dollars would put those raises in jeopardy down the road.

Cut 8 (11)  “…year or two.”

Miguez knows that teachers have been hit hard by the pandemic and salaries that have increased by just five percent over the last decade but wants educators to know that state lawmakers are on their side.

Cut 9 (11)  “…across our state.”

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When Joe Burrow received his Heisman trophy, he talked about poverty where he grew up in Ohio. Since then, the Joe Burrow Hunger Relief Fund has been able to help those in need. Cara Brook President of the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio says it’s making a huge difference.

Cut 10 (11) “…what they could.”

Brook says and now Bengals fans are paying tribute to Burrow thanking him for ending the 31-year playoff curse and getting them to a playoff game.

Cut  11 (07)  “…gifts of 31.”  

And here’s a challenge for Purple and Gold fans, donate the score of your favorite 2019 game or even $84 for being the 84^th winner of the Heisman. Brook says every donation adds up and they’ve been able to unite forces with organizations that get to the root challenges of food insecurity.

Cut 12 (08) “…those investments.”

Visit JoeBurrowFund.org to donate.

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Lawmakers will return to the state capitol on Tuesday to begin a three week redistricting session to redraw the political boundaries for the state legislature, the U-S House, BESE, the Public Service Commission and Louisiana Supreme Court. The session must end on February 20th and Public Affairs Research Council President Steven Procopio says some of the remapping work will be tricky…

Cut 13 (09) “…really, really tough.”

Procopio says there will be serious discussion over whether there should be a second minority-majority Congressional district…

Cut 14 (11)  “…two out of those six”

Procopio says lawmakers can also redraw the lines for the state Supreme Court which have not changed since 1997. Procopio says Louisiana’s population numbers are much different now, so there will likely have to be a major change in the court maps and federal law does not require that Louisiana redraws them…

Cut 15 (11)  “…be tough.”

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Preseason practice is underway for college baseball teams, including the LSU Tigers, who are ranked in the top 10 in the polls. The biggest question mark for the Tigers is starting pitching as it’s hard to predict who will be the weekend starters. Devin Fontenot is trying to go from closer to starter and first year coach Jay Johnson says Fontenot has the ability to do it…

Cut  16 (16)  “..see that.”

Fontenot is entering his fifth season at LSU and has not been to the College World Series. 2019 is the last time LSU hosted a super regional after losing in the supers at Tennessee last season and the 2018 campaign ended in the Oregon State regional. Fontenot says the goal is to play postseason games in the Box this year to get back to Omaha…

Cut 17 (15) “ …our fans” 

LSU is expected to have an explosive offense as Dylan Crews and Tre Morgan return after sensational freshmen seasons. The Tigers also added freshman all-American Jacob Berry, who hit .352 with 17 home runs and 70 RBIs as a freshman at Arizona. Johnson says Berry is a switch hitter who has a simple swing…

Cut 18 (18) “ .both sides.” 

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Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals are heading to the Super Bowl after rallying back from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in overtime. Burrow threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns as the Bengals are heading to their third Super Bowl…

Cut 19 (19)_“move on” 

Before Burrow became a Bengal, Cincinnati won two games. In his second season in Cincy the Bengals are now Super Bowl bound. Burrow says as the season went along, he felt the team had enough talent to get there…

Cut 20 (20) “ …want to do well.” 

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. David Grubb has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

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Law enforcement and community groups in Southwest Louisiana announce a cooperative task force to fight human trafficking and advocate for victims. More from Brooke Thorington.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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In addition to COVID cases on the downward trend in Louisiana, flu cases are showing a decline. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action.

Cut 4 (09) “…for one thing.” 

Ramsey says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market.

Cut 5 (11) “…that Louisiana does.”

First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200 million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state. While it isn’t a jackpot just yet, Ramsey said it’s a nice early payout.

Cut 6 (10) “…a tax standpoint.”

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Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Made up of local, state and federal LEO’s, prosecutors and service agencies and non-profits … the group will work to prevent sexual exploitation and aid victims. Brandon Brown is U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District…:

Cut 7 (13) “…what looks funny”

He says they plan classes to educate workers at businesses like casinos, hotels & motels, convenience stores and more of the warning signs of someone being a victim of trafficking, so they can help by reporting suspected cases. Brown says, all too often, the victims are overlooked and tend to “fall through the cracks.” He says the task force is there to help them…:

Cut 8 (14)  “…their families.”

Brown says human trafficking is, basically, modern-day slavery.

Interstate 10, which runs right through Calcasieu Parish, is considered to be a super-highway for human traffickers. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso hosted the Thursday press event, to announce the SWLA Human Trafficking Task Force. He says he was moved by a discussion he had with one woman who was a trafficking victim, who felt her cries for help were going un-heard…:

Cut 9 (08)  “…gonna listen to you.”

Mancuso says they welcome involvement from any local service group, community center, or church. Just send an email to info@cpso.com.

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According to the Louisiana Department of Health in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol says however the flu season is still active.

Cut 10 (10) “…more weeks.”

Sokol says the majority of flu cases in the US and Louisiana have been detected as the H3N2 variety.

Cut  11 (09)  “…young children.”  

So far, the CDC has reported five flu pediatric deaths in the US for the 21-22 flu season and Sokol says one of the five deaths involved a child in Louisiana. The state has been keeping records of pediatric flu deaths since 2015.

Cut 12 (09) “…against flu.”

And even though early reports indicate that the current flu vaccine is not as effective with the H3N2 flu, Sokol says it is still your best protection.

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If you’re a teen in the 15^th Judicial District, which includes Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes, and commit a violent crime you can be tried as an adult. District Attorney Don Landry made the announcement in an effort to reduce the growing number of juvenile crimes.

Cut 13 (09) “…as adults.”

Landry says violent crimes among young people are a nationwide problem and Louisiana is not immune. Juveniles ages 15 to 17 in the 15^th Judicial District who commit violent offenses will now be tried as adults. Landry says the increase in violence since July 2020 is staggering.

Cut 14 (11)  “…Vermilion three.”

The Louisiana Children’s Code gives district attorneys the authority to prosecute juveniles as adults in cases such as violent crimes, for example, murder, attempted murder, rape, kidnapping, and aggravated burglary or battery committed with a firearm. Landry says it’s not just their charges that are impacted.

Cut 15 (11)  “…dentention facility.”

Landry says he’s instructing prosecutors to aggressively go after violent juvenile crime, and they will revisit the change in January to see if it’s made an impact in deterring crime among teenagers.

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Joe Burrow will lead the Cincinnati Bengals into Arrowhead Stadium this Sunday with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Chiefs have scored 84 points in two playoff games, so Burrow knows that the Bengals will have to get off to a quick start offensively.

Cut  16 (14)  “..if you get down.”

Wideout Ja’Marr Chase may know Burrow as well as anyone, with their connection dating back to the practice fields outside of Tiger Stadium. Chase says that when the game is on the line, there’s no one that wants the ball more.

Cut 17 (14) “ ….come down to.” 

Burrow has earned the nickname “Joe Cool” for his unflappable demeanor. He says that’s the way it has to be for success in the NFL, and this game is just another on the schedule.

Cut 18 (19) “ ..the entire year.” 

The AFC Championship game starts at 2 p.m. this Sunday.