The 2021 hurricane forecast from AccuWeather predicts another above season for tropical activity in the Atlantic. Taylor Sharp has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

The CDC has revised its guidance on travel for those who are fully vaccinated. If you are two weeks out from your final shot then you are clear to travel at low risk to yourself or others. Additionally, you don’t have to quarantine upon arrival at a new location or take a COVID-19 test to prove that you are negative.

A CDC real-world study confirms what many thought was likely, that those who are fully vaccinated are highly unlikely to spread COVID. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the results show full vaccination reduces the chances of asymptomatic and symptomatic infection by 90 percent. Kanter calls the study comprehensive.

Cut 4 (10) “…finished vaccination.” 

“Fully vaccinated” is considered to be two weeks after your second shot.

The LSU Vet School receives an 11 million dollar grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish a new cancer research facility. LSU Professor Rhonda Cardin wrote the grant application and says COBRE, or the Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, is a major step forward for the university.

Cut 12 (07)   “…before.” 

Louisianans have until October 1^st to get their Real ID-compliant license in order to fly domestically without a passport or military ID. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says you’ll need to bring some paperwork with you when go to the OMV in person to apply for a Real ID stamp.

Cut 4 (09) “…residence.” 

To find out if you have a Real ID, check for a small star in the upper right-hand side of your driver’s license or state ID.

Jury trials can resume today in Louisiana. Loyola University of New Orleans Law Professor Dane Ciolino predicts it will take about a year for the courts to get through the backlog of cases and each judge is responsible for setting their own docket.

Cut 7 (10) “…newer civil cases.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a statewide Salmonella bacterial infection has led to the deaths of some wild birds. LDWF State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour says to reduce the spread of the salmonella, some residents may have to take down their bird feeder or bird baths for two months to break the cycle of infection…

Cut 10 (10) “your birdbaths” 

And be careful when doing so because Salmonella is dangerous to humans too.

A Louisiana Public Health Institute survey finds a major divide in willingness to get a COVID vaccine along gender and racial lines. Managing Director Beth Nauman says white males are most likely to be willing to get a vaccine.

Cut 13 (10)“…hesitancy”

The deadline to upgrade your state ID or drivers license at the OMV to a Real ID is October 1^st and unlike the past few years it appears highly unlikely that the deadline will be extended. Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says without a Real ID you won’t be able to fly domestically without a passport, and more…

Cut 5  (11)  “…plants”

To get a Real ID you’ll need to go to an OMV office in person with proper documents.

A Louisiana Public Health Institute survey finds a major divide in willingness to get a COVID vaccine along gender and racial lines.

Cut 13 (10)“…hesitancy”

That’s Managing Director Beth Nauman who says only 50 percent of state residents report being willing to get vaccinated.

State Veterinarian Dr. Jim LaCour with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries says a number of birds have died due to Salmonella. Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

The New Orleans region is the first of the state’s eight defined medical regions to see 20 percent of its population full vaccinated from COVID. Statewide we’re up to 1.2 million vaccine series initiated and 782,000 people who’ve completed their series. Everyone aged 16 and older is now eligible to receive the vaccine.

Next week the state will establish a COVID vaccine hotline, a service designed to connect those interested in getting vaccinated with a nearby provider who has open appointments. Governor Edwards says next week we’re getting over 300,000 first COVID vaccine doses delivered and we need people to start lining up for them…

Cut 9 (11) “…pandemic.”

The phone number and hours of operation will be made public soon.

The pandemic has reordered Louisianan’s top priorities for state government to address according to the 2021 Louisiana Survey. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Mike Henderson says the two new top concerns compared to last year are the economy and COVID-19.

Cut 14 (08) “…concerns.” 

Pfizer says their COVID vaccine is 100-percent effective in adolescents ages 12 to 15. Brooke Thorington speaks with a lead investigator in the clinical trial

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Starting tomorrow health insurance premiums for Affordable Care Act individual plans are set to drop on average by over 50 dollars a month due to 36 billion dollars in new subsidies. If you currently have a marketplace plan log onto healthcare.gov tomorrow and follow the instructions provided to see a reduction in cost of your coverage.

Next week Louisiana will be allocated over 300,000 first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from the feds. Governor John Bel Edwards says the vaccine ramp-up is here and the month of April will be critical to the state’s success.

Cut 9 (11) “…pandemic.”

To help connect residents with providers next week the state will launch a vaccine hotline where folks can call and have a vaccine appointment made for them at a nearby pharmacy.

Pfizer says their COVID vaccine clinical trial of adolescents ages 12 to 15 is 100-percent effective. Professor of Pediatrics at LSHU Health Shreveport, Dr. John Vanchiere, who is a lead investigator of the Pfizer trials, says the antibody response among the age group is extremely promising.

Cut 6 (09) “…study.”

The Better Business Bureau says if you try to purchase a fake vaccination card you might end up getting swindled yourself. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Starting today COVID capacity restrictions on nearly all businesses are being dropped in Louisiana, but the mask mandate will remain in place. Governor Edwards says that means gyms, bars, casinos, salons, and restaurants can operate without capacity restrictions.

21

The federal government approves disaster food stamps for 23 parishes severely impacted by the winter storms in February. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says food assistance for a winter weather event is a first for Louisiana.

Cut 6 (07) “…benefits.”

For a breakdown of parishes and interview dates and to preregister, visit dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron publically commented today for the first time since 74-year-old Gloria Scott told a legislative committee about the sexual harassment she allegedly received from former Tigers running back Derius Guice in 2017. Scott said she spoke with Orgeron about the incident, and that Orgeron asked her to forgive Guice, but today Orgeron said on ESPN 104-5 in Baton Rouge that he doesn’t remember that conversation and is not at liberty to say anymore…

Cut 5 (09) “…the university”

Today is National Doctor’s Day and Chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Dr. G-E Ghali says the pandemic highlights the importance and shortage of physicians all over the country.

Cut 9 (10) “…impacted.”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron spoke publically for the first time today since 74-year-old Gloria Scott told state lawmakers that former Tigers running back Derrius Guice allegedly sexually harassed her in 2017 while working as a Superdome security guard. Scott said she spoke to Orgeron about the incident, but Coach O told ESPN 104-5 he does not recall speaking to Scott

Cut 3 (08)  “…her courage”  

It’s National Doctor’s Day and as the state celebrates those who stood on the frontlines during COVID health officials warn that we’re not producing enough doctors to meet future need. Chancellor of the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, Dr. G-E Ghali says one way to help get more people into the profession is to offset medical school debt…

Cut 11 (11) “rural parish.”

23 parishes severely impacted by the winter storms in February receive approval for disaster food stamps. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

A new Gallup poll shows for the first time that less than half of Americans now claim to be a member of a church. The number sits at 47 percent, a 23 point drop over the past two decades. The biggest drops in membership were seen among Catholics, Millennials, and Democrats.

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron, speaking on ESPN 104-5, says he does not remember speaking to an elderly superdome worker who testified to lawmakers that she was the victimof sexual harassment by former running back Derrius Guice. Orgeron says he’s deeply upset by Scott’s testimony…

Cut 4 (09) “…disgusting manner” 

Scott said she reported the incident to the university and Orgeron called her asking her to forgive Guice.

Loyola University is set to release a database of inmate deaths at Louisiana prisons, a first-of-its kind in the country initiative. The project is the brainchild of Professor Andrea Armstrong who says the database will be highly granular, and vital for crafting better prison policy.

Cut 6 (08) “…those deaths.”

In 2020 five out of the seven infant deaths in St. Tammany Parish were a result of unsafe sleeping conditions, Brooke Thorington explains how they are working to change that

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The ongoing COVID public health order is set to expire tomorrow and Governor Edwards will update the state this afternoon at 230 PM about the future of that order and whether it will be extended at its current level or whether further restrictions will be eased on business and travel.