Centenary College in Shreveport has not had a football team since 1941, but that will change soon. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The most recent tally on insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season in Louisiana has reached $10.6 billion to cover claims from hurricanes Laura, Delta, and Zeta. Insurance Commissioner Jim  Donelon says they receive reports quarterly and over 325,000 claims have been filed.

Cut 7 (08) “….$9 billion.”  

Followed by Delta and then Zeta.

Entergy Louisiana is looking to increase its green power-generating portfolio. Jonathan Bourg, director of resource planning for the utility, says Entergy will seek to purchase 475 megawatts of solar power by around 2024. He says the four new solar facilities are important in Entergy’s efforts to provide clean energy.

Cut 13 (07) “…an affordable manner.”

The new solar facilities will be located in Allen, St. James and Washington parishes.

Barring any major developments, Mardi Gras 2022 is a go for next year in New Orleans as the pandemic appears to further wane. Arthur Hardy who publishes the annual guide to Mardi Gras says he expects strong efforts will be made to ensure that the major parades, such as Endymion, are allowed to use their traditional routes

Cut 5 (11) “…be done safely.”

Last year’s parades were canceled because of the raging pandemic at the time and concerns that they could be super-spreaders of the virus.

A subdued confirmation Tuesday that Mardi Gras 2022 will happen in New Orleans is drawing criticism from the likes of Arthur Hardy, publisher of the annual Mardi Gras Guide. A mayoral spokesman made the announcement, but Hardy says a big deal should have been made of the fact. Hardy says the question will remain until next year just where the parade routes will be as New Orleans deals with the status of COVID then and police availability.

Cut 4 (11) “…or we can.”

Entergy Louisiana is looking to increase its green power-generating portfolio. Jonathan Bourg, director of resource planning for the utility, says Entergy will seek to purchase several hundred megawatts of solar power by around 2024.

Cut 12 (10) “…located in Louisiana.”  

Bourg says that will be in addition to the 50 megawatts of solar the company is already purchasing through the Capital Region Solar plant in West Baton Rouge.

Insured losses from the 2020 hurricane season have reached $10.6 Billion in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Now, time for a check on the latest commodity prices for this Wednesday.

Today is the day for those in southwest Louisiana waiting to hedge their bets on the big games, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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If you’re Black, are obese, and suffer from Type 2 Diabetes, there’s a study being launched that just may prove beneficial. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Are adverse effects from COVID vaccines being under-reported in Louisiana? And if so, why? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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You’ll be able to place your sports wagers in Lake Charles at either the Golden Nugget or L’Auberge casinos beginning today. The two casinos join five others that have already had their licenses approved by the Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns expects this to be a big boon for Lake Charles casinos, especially from their neighbors to the west.

Cut 4 (09) “…sports betting “

Other casinos that have already been licensed for sports wagering are Paragon in Marksville, Harrah’s in New Orleans, L’Auberge in Baton Rouge, Horseshoe in Bossier City, and Boomtown in Harvey.

Voters approved legalized sports wagering in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes. Johns says State Police are working diligently with inspections so more licenses can be issued. But when it comes to mobile betting, Johns says it’s more complicated and time-consuming approving that platform but they are working on it.

Cut 5 (10) “…right now.“

Johns says while he knows many are anxiously waiting for sports wagering to be fully operational in all of the approved outlets, he’s actually impressed with the timeline they’ve met so far.

Cut 6 (09) “…ballgame.”

Geofencing technology will be incorporated with sports betting via mobile apps and only allowed in approved parishes.

(Sportsbook at L’Auberge Lake Charles will open Wednesday at 9 am and Golden Nugget will open for sports betting at 2 pm.)

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Pennington Biomedical and Ochsner Health are taking part in a study of Black patients with Type 2 Diabetes to determine if telemedicine can be used successfully in the battle against obesity. Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, the project’s principal investigator, says the study will take place in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Cut 7 (11) “…of weight loss.”

The goal is to learn the effectiveness of offering remote health coaching through primary care clinics.

Dr. Katzmarzyk says the researchers are looking to recruit about 350 Black patients for the study who will be randomly assigned for two years to either a weight-loss group or a group that receives traditional care for their diabetes.

Cut 8 (07) “…cardio-metabolic condtiions.”

Dr. Katzmarzyk on why the study is focusing the study on Black patients.

Cut 9 (09)  “…the weight loss.”

He says that even modest weight loss of five to ten percent of a person’s body weight can significantly lower the risk of heart disease and have other beneficial health impacts.

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A 34-year-old Crowley man is awaiting extradition from Austin County, Texas where he’s in custody for the beating death of his mother, Pamela Meyers.  Acadia Parish Sheriff K P Gibson says that Stephen Wayne Meyers the Second is facing a second-degree murder charge.

Cut 10 (06)  “…she was seen.” 

The sheriff says upon further investigation and search of the property on Saturday the 59-year-old victim was discovered deceased in a field near Bamboo Road. Investigators have not determined the motive for the killing and say no weapons were used in the attack on the woman.

Sheriff Gibson on what led investigators to thoroughly search the field where Meyers and his mother were last seen together on November 2^nd.

Cut 11 (11) “…with her son.”

Sheriff Gibson says it’s unclear what the motive for the deadly attack was.

Cut 12 (08) “…any specific issue.”

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Nurses working the front lines of the COVID pandemic tell state lawmakers they feel negative effects from vaccines are badly underestimated. State health officials testified of only 11 “severe adverse events” statewide, but then left the committee room before Lafayette ICU nurse Heather LeBeouf could testify her disagreement with the number…:

Cut 13 (07) “…having possible effects.”

There is a statewide LDH call-in system to report adverse COVID shot reactions, but LeBeouf says she and many of her colleagues were unaware it even existed. She says a great many cases of problems with the vaccines are going un-reported, because this isn’t generally known among medical professionals…:

Cut 14 (14)  “… patient? or the doctor?”

Another Lafayette ICU nurse, Elizabeth Suire (SWEER), also testified that she and colleagues had no knowledge of a number to report COVID vaccine troubles to LDH. She says she asked repeatedly about this…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…in patient notes.”

Both nurses told lawmakers the reporting hotline’s obscurity is almost certainly leading to under-reporting of ill effects from the vaccines. Neither State health Officer Joe Kanter nor State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol were in the committee room to hear the testimony.

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The Ragin Cajuns have already wrapped up a fourth straight Sun Belt Division title, now the goal is to secure home-field advantage for the conference championship game on December fourth. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says it would be great to host the game at Cajun Field and it serves as extra motivation for the players…

Cut  16 (13) “..we know that”

Last year’s Sun Belt Championship game was canceled because of COVID but in 2018 and 2019, U-L lost at Appalachian State in the conference title game. The Cajuns are at Troy this Saturday for a 2:30 kick-off. The Trojans are 5-and-4 and Napier says they are playing two quarterbacks Taylor Powell and Gunnar Watson…

Cut 17 (19) “ .make sense.” 

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The LSU Tigers are getting to host Arkansas on Saturday night. The Razorbacks are 6-and-3 and led by quarterback K-J Jefferson who has thrown for 18-hundred yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has five rushing touchdowns. LSU linebacker Damone Clark on defending the Razorbacks offense…

Cut 18 (19) “..guys rush”  

LSU defensive coordinator Daronte Jones on what he sees from the Arkansas offense…

Cut 19 (18)  ” some challenges.” 

The SEC’s top two tacklers will be featured in this game. Arkansas’ Bumper Pool has 87 tackles, while LSU’s Damone Clark leads the league with 107. Jones has also been a great team leader…

Cut 20 (20) “…participate in” 

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain was found is guilty on all charges and faces a mandatory life sentence for raping and molesting multiple children Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The search is over for a woman wanted for shooting her mother several times late Friday afternoon at a Lofton Street address in the Opelousas area.  St. Landry Parish Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux says Ashley Sims got into an argument with her mother. NO word on what motivated the dispute.

Northwestern State University’s new president, Marcus Jones, has now dropped the interim title he had held since July after the UL System Board of Supervisors appointed him Monday permanently to the post. Jones seems humbled by the move and looking forward to moving the school forward.

Cut 9 (10) “…to the institution.”

He says he owes part of his success to being able to compromise after being reared in a family where he was the 18th of 20 siblings.

Some surprising numbers from early voting in Louisiana for the November 13^th election.  Pollster John Couvillon tells us the figure, 142 thousand as of last night, far exceeds those of 2017.  He doesn’t expect that high response to translate to the actual turnout for the Saturday election.

Cut 7 (11) “….read them literally.”  

All in all, Couvillon does not expect an overall rush to the polls statewide this Saturday since in most cases the only thing on the ballot in many parishes are the four constitutional amendments.

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain faces a mandatory life sentence after his conviction on eight charges of sex crimes involving several juveniles dating back to the 1970s. St. Tammany District Attorney Warren Montgomery. He says the guilty verdict is important because it reminds the public that everyone must be held accountable.

Cut 4 (10) “…works.”

The jury found Strain guilty of four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated incest and one count of sexual battery, and one count of indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Some surprising numbers from early voting in Louisiana for the November 13^th election.  Pollster John Couvilion tells us the figures far exceed those of 2017.

Cut 6 (06) “…or by mail.” 

He says almost exclusively driving this increase is those choosing the mail-in option of voting..

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At last word, the search continued for a woman wanted for shooting her mother several times late Friday afternoon at a Lofton Street address in the Opelousas area.  St. Landry Parish Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux says Ashley Sims got into an argument with her mother. As for the latest condition on Ashley Sims’ mother, Vera Sims, Deputy Chief Thibodeaux had few details.

Cut 11 (04) “…the last time.”

A Grand Jury indicts a St. Mary Parish man with 1^st-Degree Murder, for burning his girlfriend and young nephew to death last summer. 49-year-old Derwin Hamilton faces life in prison if convicted. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it happened in July when firefighters were called to a mobile home fire in the town of Centerville. When they arrived, they got a horrible shock…:

Cut 12 (12) “…live-in boyfriend.”

Hamilton is also the great uncle of the 5-year-old boy who perished.

Lawmakers questioned health officials about adverse reactions to the COVID vaccine that have been reported in Louisiana, Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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History is being made on two fronts as the UL System Board of Supervisors hires Northwestern State University’s new president.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Lawmakers questioned health officials about adverse reactions to the COVID vaccine that have been reported to the state during a Health and Wellness committee meeting Monday. State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says so far 122 events have been reported in Louisiana via the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting Systems also known as VAERS.

Cut 3 (12) “…established.” 

More than 4.5 million total doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered in Louisiana.

Sokol says to date, the state has not reported any deaths from the COVID vaccine, and of the adverse effects, they are typically an anaphylactic reaction to the vaccine that requires hospitalization, a reaction she says that almost happens immediately and they’ve had one such event.

She says they also look at cases of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart, that’s been associated with the vaccine.

Cut 4 (08) “…case definition “

Guillain-Barre (Ghee-YAN Bah-RAY) an autoimmune disorder that can cause muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis has also been associated with the vaccine. Representative Kenny Cox of Natchitoches asked State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter about the number of events reported because his physician wants to see if there’s a possibility it’s impacted his own health.

Cut 5 (10) “…be tested.“

Sokol says of the cases nationally that have been noted, the onset of symptoms from Guillain-Barre is typically within two weeks of vaccination.

VAERS was established in 1990 and anyone can report reactions, not just a healthcare provider, to the system.

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History is in the books at Northwestern State University with the naming of Marcus Jones as the 20th president of the school.  UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson says Jones has risen through the ranks and will be Northwestern’s first African-American leader.

Cut 6 (07) “…the president’s office.”

Prior to Monday’s decision by the UL System Board of Supervisors, Jones had most recently served as Northwestern’s interim president since July.

Henderson says Jones’ race is but one of the assets he brings to the leadership position at Northwestern University.

Cut 7 (12) “…UL System Board.”

Henderson says the fact that Marcus Jones is Northwestern’s 20^th president is not the only attribute that rings strong in his appointment to the post.

Cut 8 (12) “…we should celebrate.”

Jones is a native of Winnfield and the 18^th of 20 children.

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At last word, the search continued for a woman wanted for shooting her mother several times late Friday afternoon at a Lofton Street address in the Opelousas area.  St. Landry Parish Deputy Chief Eddie Thibodeaux says Ashley Sims got into an argument with her mother.

Cut 9 (09)  “…her lower body.”

Sims fled the scene in a Mercedes SUV. The victim, Vera Sims, remains hospitalized with serious injuries.

Deputy Chief Thibodeaux offered this description of the suspect.

Cut 10 (07)  “…140 pounds.” 

As for the latest condition on Ashley Sims’ mother, Vera Sims, Deputy Chief Thibodeaux had few details.

Cut 11 (04) “…the last time.”

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A Grand Jury indicts a St. Mary Parish man with 1^st-Degree Murder, for burning his girlfriend and young nephew to death last summer. 49-year-old Derwin Hamilton faces life in prison if convicted. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it happened in July when firefighters were called to a mobile home fire in the town of Centerville. When they arrived, they got a horrible shock…:

Cut 12 (12) “…live-in boyfriend.”

Hamilton is also the great uncle of the 5-year-old boy who perished. The woman, though horribly burned, was able to tell first responders that she and Hamilton were arguing, when he suddenly took lethal action…:

Cut 13 (09) “…died on scene.”

After being doused with a flammable liquid and set aflame, the woman died in the hospital a few days later. Hamilton was charged initially with two counts of 2^nd-Degree Murder, but prosecutors asked the Grand Jury to indict on the higher charge. Rodrigue says that indictment was handed down Friday…:

Cut 14 (09)  “… critical condition.”

The victims’ names are being withheld for now. No trial date has been set for Hamilton at this time.

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A quarterback competition has returned at LSU. Max Johnson will start at Q-B for the Tigers against Arkansas on Saturday night, but Coach Ed Orgeron says true freshman Garrett Nussmeier will also get snaps early on in the game…

Cut 15 (19)  “…play the most.”

Orgeron says Johnson and Nussmeier will split snaps 50-50 during practice this week…

Cut  16 (19) “..battle it out”

Most LSU fans were surprised to see LSU nearly beat Alabama as the Tigers played with great effort even though the team is playing for a lame-duck coach. Orgeron says he doesn’t see any quit in this team…

Cut 17 (23) “ .about that.” 

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Saints Coach Sean Payton says quarterback Trevor Siemian graded out well after watching the tape from Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. Siemian threw for 249 yards and two touchdowns and Payton says the number could have been better if not for the dropped passes…

Cut 18 (15) “..we did”  

When asked if Siemian will be the start for this Sunday’s game at Tennessee, Payton said we’ll see. The Saints committed ten penalties in the loss to Atlanta, and seven of the infractions were for 55 yards. Payton says it was frustrating to watch the tape on Monday…

Cut 19 (30)  “.cleaning up” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee is voicing strong concern about the lack of response by all too many insurers to the needs of their policyholders following Hurricane Ida. The Cat 4 storm slammed southeast Louisiana two months ago, with Magee is critical of insurers who appear to be undercutting policyholders on the funds needed for property repairs and losses.

Cut 4 (10) “…the same story.”

The state treasury received $5.63 million in uncashed state income tax refunds recently. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s about 22-thousand tax refunds from Louisiana residents and businesses. He says since they made the announcement last week, they’ve had plenty of inquiries about the refunds.

Cut 6 (08) “…past week.” 

You can search the database at LAtreasury.com

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The Biden administration’s proposal to force a vaccine mandate on companies of 100 or more employees is in legal limbo after a stay ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans. It’s good news to Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair who brought suit in the case. Trosclair on what issues he believes moved the appeals court rule as it did.

Cut 13 (04) “…and 14th amendments.”

It would be up to OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, to enforce the Biden vaccine mandate, which carries with it penalties and fines for non-compliance.

Louisiana’s Office of Tourism is getting worldwide recognition for its pandemic response. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the LOT was honored recently at the 2021 Wanderlust Travel Awards ceremony. He says the “Louisiana Sunshine Plan” placed third with a plan that included a free night at state parks for every three paid nights. Tourism further picked up as domestic flights began to pick up again amidst the pandemic as it eased and precautions were instituted.

Cut 10 (06)  “…flights into Louisiana.”

Nungesser notes that even prior to that they were hosting virtual meetings with travel agents to sell them on the culinary offerings the state has.

Houma Representative Tanner Magee is voicing strong concern about the lack of response by all too many insurers to the needs of their policyholders following Hurricane Ida.  Magee is critical of insurers who appear to be undercutting policyholders on the funds needed for property repairs and losses.

Cut 4 (10) “…the same story.”

If you haven’t received your state income tax return for yourself or even your business, you might want to search Unclaimed Property. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Louisiana’s Office of Tourism is getting worldwide recognition for its pandemic response. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the LOT was honored recently at the 2021 Wanderlust Travel Awards ceremony. Nungesser says there’s not been an immediate tourism reaction since the award was announced….

Cut  11 (08)  “…100%.”  

The Biden administration’s proposal to force a vaccine mandate on companies of 100 or more employees is in legal limbo after a stay ordered by the U.S. Court of Appeals in New Orleans. It’s good news to Louisiana businessman Brandon Trosclair who brought suit in the case.

Cut 12 (07) “…just incredibly excited.”  

Trosclair, who owns 15 grocery stores employing more than 500 workers in Louisiana and Mississippi, says he expects the case to eventually be decided by the nation’s highest court.

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says if the data holds true the drug is noteworthy. Figueroa says being able to treat COVID patients outside of the hospital with the convenience of a pill versus the current option is a huge advance in treatment.

Cut 5 (07) “…those patients.”

Brandon Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. Trosclair says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers and potentially losing employees because of the mandate.

Cut 9 (10) “…gonna get worse.”

The Biden Administration says the mandatory vaccine requirement for many businesses and federal contractors will result in more people getting vaccinated, which will help end the pandemic.

The state marked another critical COVID milestone today, the lowest number of hospitalizations since spring of 2020. On Thursday the lowest was 235 and today it’s 226. Chief of Hospital Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mike Sewell says he believes an increase in vaccinations is largely responsible.

Cut 10 (10)  “…contributed.”

The winner of last Saturday’s one-point-three million-dollar Louisiana Lotto drawing is from Laura-devastated southwest Louisiana. So says lottery spokesman Dennis Annison who says the lucky ticketholder came forward Monday.

Cut 13 (08) “…thousand after taxes.”

No word on what the winner plans to do with his new riches.

Brian Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. He says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers and potentially losing employees because of the mandate.

Cut 9 (10) “…gonna get worse.”

The state marked another critical COVID milestone today, the lowest number of hospitalizations since spring of 2020.. Chief of Hospital Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mike Sewell says he believes an increase in vaccinations is largely responsible.

Cut 10 (10)  “…continued”

Covid hospitalizations dropped to 226 today, or nine lower than yesterday.

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, says being able to treat COVID patients outside of the hospital with the convenience of a pill versus current the option is a huge advance in treatment.

Cut 5 (07) “…those patients.”

The winner of last Saturday’s one-point-three million-dollar Louisiana Lotto drawing is from Laura-devastated southwest Louisiana. So says lottery spokesman Dennis Annison who says the lucky ticketholder came forward Monday.

Cut 13 (08) “…thousand after taxes.”

No word on what the winner plans to do with his winnings.