While the state reported less than 100 COVID hospitalizations, health officials say with only 53-percent of the population in Louisiana vaccinated that could change with the next outbreak. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
____________________________________
How do you think our statewide elected officials are doing? A new poll says “not that great.” David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m David Grubb.”
_____________________________________
The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for minors in possession of small amounts of marijuana. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
____________________________________
The state marked a milestone with less than 100 hospitalized with COVID this week, a mark that LSU Infectious Disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says in addition to a lull in cases gives the medical community a much-deserved break But with only 53% of the state’s population vaccinated, O’Neal says that lull could easily change.
Cut 4 (07) “…next surge.”
O’Neal says the key ingredient to returning to a life where we don’t have to keep up with case counts is prevention. And the best form of prevention is being fully vaccinated. O’Neal says after a year of vaccine availability, there are no significant long-term side effects from the vaccine and it’s still the best form of preventing a severe case of COVID.
Cut 5 (08) “…protection.”
As cases are on the uptick in China, thus prompting another lockdown, O’Neal says it’s not a matter of if COVID cases will surge again in Louisiana but when.
Cut 6 (09) “…to us.”
For more information about the COVID vaccines, you can visit the Louisiana Department of Health’s website along with Vaccines.gov.
_______________________________________
It’s hard to be a statewide elected official in Louisiana right now, at least that’s what the results of a poll of 600 likely voters by JMC Analytics show. Governor John Bel Edwards has an approval rating of 48 percent and pollster John Couvillon says in a Republican led-state, a Democrat like Edwards has to walk a tightrope.
Cut 7 (10) “…of his term.”
Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy has it even worse, with just a 38 percent approval rating. Cassidy saw his popularity take a big hit in 2020 and his numbers have yet to recover, though Couvillon points out that time tends to heal old wounds.
Cut 8 (12) “…those necessary changes.”
The data is a bit more favorable for the state’s other leading Republican, Senator John Kennedy. Couvillon says Kennedy’s base is pretty reflective of the state’s voting habits, and that bodes well for him.
Cut 9 (07) “…leaning voters.”
____________________________________________
The House Criminal Justice Committee advances a bill establishing penalties for juveniles in possession of small amounts of marijuana. DeSoto Parish Republican Larry Bagley says his bill is to correct an oversight from when possession penalties were lessened last year. He says that bill made no specific mention of persons under 18…:
Cut 10 (15) “…or to fine them.”
Bagley’s bill would punish first offenders possessing half-an-ounce or less to probation, but more than that could mean six months in jail. Further offenses could mean anywhere up to four years in juvenile detention. Bagley compares his proposed sentencing to one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana for adults, while forbidding it for minors; Colorado…:
Cut 11 (09) “…comparing the areas.”
Under the law passed last year, anyone adult in possession of 14 grams of weed or less cannot be fined over $100, OR arrested & jailed. Bagley’s bill would allow for underage offenders to be held in jail up to 15 days. He says the state needs something to discourage & deter young people from using marijuana, because there’s a gap in current state statutes there…:
Cut 12 (11) “…who possesses…ummm…marijuana.”
The committee moved the bill forward, after adding protections for minors who are using medical marijuana. It goes to the House floor next.
____________________________________________
After Baton Rouge TV station WBRZ reported three State Civil Service employees received significant pay raises in a span of a few years the leader of the division appeared before Senate Finance to answer questions. Byron Decoteau, who received a $20,000 pay increase within a month says the pay raises were given under the optional pay rule.
Cut 13 (10) “…your employees “
Decoteau says applications for state employment have decreased more than 50-percent in the last two years and the raises were in order to keep knowledgeable employees. Decoteau defended the raises to Senator Bodi White who asked if they received job offers to leave.
Cut 14 (12) “..subordinates made”
State Civil Service chief operating officer, Nicole Tucker, her pay increased 100-percent by $34,000 over a six-year period and Deputy Director Chris Deer’s pay increased by $43,000 in a matter of three years. White also said that the Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne was not aware of the raises.
Cut 15 (10) “…over 100-percent.”
New Orleans Senator Jimmy Harris also informed the committee that Civil Service is not the only agency giving large pay raises. Harris says Flood Protection Authority-East has double the salaries of some unclassified employees.
______________________________________________
Saints quarterback Jameis Winston spoke with the media via ZOOM on Monday for the first time since signing his new, two-year $28-million contract. The number one topic of discussion was Winston’s recovery from the torn ACL he suffered back on Oct. 31. Jameis says he’s been improving both physically and mentally and plans to be ready to go once camp begins.
Cut 16 (19) “…to improve on.”
When he went down, Winston was enjoying a career renaissance. The Saints were 4-2 and Winston had passed for 14 touchdowns with just three interceptions after beating out Taysom Hill for the starting job. This year, Jameis walks in as the starter from Day One.
Cut 17 (13) “ …this team.”
The Saints’ offense dealt with plenty of injuries last season, leading to one of the worst statistical seasons in the last 20 years. With Winston back at full strength and the return of All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas, Jameis believes he’ll have a much better opportunity to light up scoreboards the way fans have become accustomed to seeing.
Cut 18 (13) “ …this game back.”
_______________________________________________
LSU baseball wasn’t given much of a chance to win a game, let alone the series against Florida last weekend, but they did just that, taking two of three from the Gators and outscoring them 27-6 in the wins. Coach Jay Johnson says this is the kind of performance that his team can build from as it makes a climb back up the SEC standings.
Cut 19 (19)_“…thought was great.”
Johnson still sees plenty of areas for improvement, particularly with the Tigers’ fielding and pitching. He says that fans have yet to see the best of his team.
Cut 20 (15) “ …hopefully in June.”
LSU hosts UL-Monroe tonight at 6:30 before a weekend series against Auburn at The Box