Governor John Bel Edwards will announce new coronavirus health restrictions when he meets with reporters at 3:30 today. President Biden says he hopes for a return to relative normal by the 4th of July. Edwards says that’s a good goal to set…
cut 5 (08) “…too”
The state health department says one-point-two million Louisiana residents are fully vaccinated, but the C-D-C says Louisiana has the third-lowest percentage of vaccinations of its eligible population.

There is good news regarding the coronavirus and nursing homes. A report in the Advocate says nursing homes reported just 17 new COVID cases among residents in its last weekly update. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says it’s positive news for our most vulnerable population…
cut 8 (08) “…outcome”

Tickfaw native Kim Mulkey showed her passion that’s helped make her successful during her introductory press conference as the Lady Tigers’ new basketball coach. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 3 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

On the same day, Mulkey was introduced, seven women filed a federal Title Nine lawsuit against LSU and the school’s Board of Supervisors claiming the university failed to address allegations of assault and sexual harassment.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a 3:30 press conference today to announce new COVID-19 restrictions as the current order expires tomorrow. Many are wondering if Edwards will end the mask mandate.

The Advocate reports that nursing homes in Louisiana had just 17 new coronavirus cases among residents in its last weekly update…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state will continue to have six representatives in the U-S House as the state’s population grew enough not to lose representation in Congress.

A proposal to prohibit the state from requiring COVID-19 vaccine information on a person’s driver’s license or state I-D has started to move at the State Capitol as the measure received support from a House committee yesterday. Health Freedom Louisiana co-director Jill Hines testified in favor…
Cut 11 (13) “…overreach.”
The state Office of Motor Vehicles says there are no plans to enact vaccine passports in Louisiana, but this legislation still has a good chance of reaching the governor’s desk.

There was a big welcome home ceremony at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center yesterday as Tickfan native Kim Mulkey is the new coach of the LSU women’s basketball program after winning three national titles at Baylor…
cut 13 (08) “…home (cheering)”…
Mulkey takes over a program that went 9 and 13 last season.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce whether the state will further lift COVID restrictions this afternoon at a 330 press conference. Edwards is not tipping his hand as to whether the Bayou State will drop the mask mandate.
Cut 4 (06)“…low.”
The number of new COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday was six and COVID-19 hospitalizations were 319, a slight decrease from last week.

The Title Nine scandal at LSU has dominated the news, but there was reason to celebrate on the Baton Rouge campus yesterday as the school introduced one of the winningest coaches in women’s basketball, Kim Mukley, who takes over the Lady Tigers basketball program. During her introductory press conference, Mulkey recognized the elephant in the room and promised to make a difference…
cut 15 (10) “….positive”
Seven women have filed a federal Title Nine lawsuit against LSU and the school’s Board of Supervisors claiming the university failed to address allegations of assault and sexual harassment.

Under a bill by Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston, that’s headed to the House floor your state driver’s license can not be turned into a vaccine passport. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State lawmakers seem committed to tax reform this legislative session as several bills to change the state’s tax code have made it out of the House Ways and Means Committee. Governor John Bel Edwards says he wants lawmakers to approve a revenue-neutral tax plan…
cut 15 (10) “….took office”
There’s support to lower the state’s income tax rates, but eliminate tax breaks as a way to balance out lower income tax rates.

The Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine can once again be administered in Louisiana. Federal health officials uncovered 15 vaccine recipients who developed blood clots out of nearly eight million who received Johnson and Johnson’s shot, but they believe the benefits outweigh the risk. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is glad the J-and-J vaccine is back in circulation…
cut 12 (09) “…various locations”

You might not know that Tangipahoa Parish is home to one of the few tea farms in the United States. Owner of the Fleur De Lis Tea Company David Barron says for producers looking to further diversify their crops this might be your cup of tea.
Cut 7 (08) “…after water.”
Barron’s Fleur De Lis Tea Company is on his 160-acre farm in Amite and will host the U-S Tea Growers annual meeting in October.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hoping Congress will approve the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, which would provide the state with 16-million dollars annually to help species at risk of extinction like the Louisiana Pearlshell and the Louisiana Pinesnake…
cut 5 (07) “….species list”
LDWF biologist Director Amity Bass says there are 362 species at risk of extinction.

The Louisiana House is expected to discuss and possibly vote on several tax reform bills today. State lawmakers are looking to reduce the state’s income tax rate, but eliminate other tax breaks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he can back this effort…
Cut 13 (10) “…support it”
Several lawmakers are interested in lowering income tax rates but also eliminate certain tax breaks like the federal income tax deduction.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is hoping Congress will pass the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act which can provide the state with millions of dollars each year to accelerate recovery of more than 350 species at risk of extinction in Louisiana…
cut 6 (09) “….but nationally”
That’s LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass who says the legislation could also create 33-thousand jobs nationwide.

Tickfaw native and former Louisiana Tech standout Kim Mulkey is returning to Louisiana as she’s accepted the job as head women’s basketball coach at LSU. Mulkey led Baylor to three national championships and is the third-winningest coach in women’s college basketball.

It might surprise you to learn that Louisiana is home to a farm of one of the world’s most popular beverages. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are two weeks into the legislative session and lawmakers seem committed to tax reform and Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the effort as long as the changes produce revenue-neutral results. Legislators would like to lower individual income tax rates, but also eliminate the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid on your state taxes. Governor John Bel Edwards says that approach has a lot of merit…
cut 14 (08) “….F-I-T
Tax reform legislation is on the agenda today when the Louisiana House gathers at 2 PM.

David Barron is having success growing tea plants in Tangipahoa Parish. He says they like the well-drained soil on his farm in Amite…
cut 8 (08) “….perfect for that”
His farm is one of just a few tea farms in the United States and he sees great potential for growing tea on sites of pine tree farms.

If the federal Recovering America’s Wildlife Act passes, Louisiana could receive $16 million annually to help preserve 362 species at risk of extinction. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

New Orleans Senator Troy Carter is now Congressman-elect Carter as he defeated fellow Democrat Karen Carter Peterson in a run-off to represent Louisiana’s Second Congressional District.

KIm Mulkey is returning home. The Tickfaw and former Louisiana Tech women’s basketball star has been hired as LSU’s new women’s basketball coach after leading Baylor to three national championships.

The state health department has told vaccine providers to resume using the Johnson and Johnson coronavirus vaccine. The CDC and the FDA say the benefits of the single-dose vaccine outweigh the rare risk of developing blood clots. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the 11-day halt of the J-and-J shot was unfortunate but reassuring…
Cut 10 (12) “..cause a pause.”

There’s legislation in Congress that’s waiting to be discussed that would dedicate 16-million dollars a year to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries that will help the agency’s efforts to protect endangered species and habitats. LDWF Biologist Director Amity Bass…
cut 4 (08) “….declining”
The Louisiana Pearlshell, the Louisiana Pinesnake and Alligator Snapping Turtle are among the species at risk in Louisiana.

The Louisiana House is expected to debate several tax reform proposals this afternoon as lawmakers look to lower individual income tax rates. Don Molino
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”