Starting Monday everyone 16 and older in Louisiana is eligible to get vaccinated. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement at this afternoon press conference and says the decision was made in light of the substantial increase in vaccine allocation the state is set to receive next week. To be vaccinated you must make an appointment with a medical provider who is offering vaccinations.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Landry says the Administration’s energy policy is a reckless abuse of Presidential power that picks winners and losers.

Cut 6 (08) “…lands”

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical researcher finds colorectal cancer survivors need to maintain and build muscle mass or face a 40 percent greater risk of premature death. Cancer Metabolism Program Director Dr. Justin Brown says survivors don’t need to become powerlifters to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle.

Cut 11 (09) ” calisthenics”

That’s on top of the 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Lousiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. This will be the third time in an eight-day span that Louisiana will experience severe weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s that time of the year for spring storms…

Cut 14 (06) “…summer pattern” 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. The suit is backed by many local Republican leaders and oil and gas industry representatives.  Erath Representative Blake Miguez says

The moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

Cut 8 (11) “…22.”

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

Lousiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will move through the state helping to produce the possibility for strong winds, hail, and tornadoes

Cut 12 (12) “ …weather aware” 

Meanwhile, southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until midnight Thursday night.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants school systems to approach summer school a bit differently this year. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Caesar’s Entertainment, owner of Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, appears to be close to sealing a 20-year-old deal for the new naming rights to the Superdome. The Dome’s deal with Mercedes Benz is expiring in July and the company elected not to renew its deal with the Saints.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Landry says the Administration’s energy policy is a reckless abuse of Presidential power that picks winners and losers.

Cut 6, 8 seconds, lands

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says despite the heroic efforts of educators this past year, students have missed on more than just academics.

Cut 3 (11)  “…tutoring.”  

A US Senate Committee is discussing House Democrat-backed legislation that would greatly expand voting access. The For the People Act would institute automatic voter registration when people come of age, allow same-day online voter registration, ban voter purges, mandate a minimum of two weeks of early voting and vote by mail for all elections, and mandate precinct distribution based on population, and a list of other items.

It faces long odds due to nearly universal Republican opposition. Senator Bill Cassidy says, in particular, it would facilitate more voter fraud…

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Power Coalition Director of Strategic Partnerships Morgan Shannon argues there’s no evidence that making it easier to vote will damage the integrity of elections.

Cut 10 (11) “…fraud.”

Former LSU leader F- King Alexander is resigning his position as Oregon State President effective April 1^st amidst an outcry over his handling of sexual misconduct cases during his tenure at LSU. OSU Board Chairwoman Rani Borkar says they planned to discuss Alexander’s future with the university today, but they heard from Alexander over the weekend.

Cut 11 (06) ” April 1st”

Alexander denied any wrongdoing reported about him in the Husch Blackwell report. 

7,488 abortions were performed in 2020 in Louisiana, a nine percent drop from 2019. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says this puts the state’s abortion rate at a 12-year low.

Cut 3 (06)  “…abortions”  

Clapper credited legislative changes and expanded pregnancy center aid. Planned Parenthood says the decrease is the result of increased access to contraception.

Since the Stay-at-Home order a year ago today, a quarter of the state’s largest private employer didn’t survive. 

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Houma Police are investigating the shooting death of an 8-year-old last night. The shooter, or shooters, are thought to have been driving a light-colored sedan that was tailing the vehicle the 8-year-old was in. The Crime Stoppers Bayou Region has a 1,000 dollar reward out for any information that could lead to an arrest in this case.

Former LSU and current Oregon State President F. King Alexander submitted his resignation. King Alexander came under fire for his role in the system-wide failure to address sexual misconduct cases during his time at LSU. OSU Board Chairwoman Rani Borkar…

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The CDC revises social distancing guidelines for schools to 3-feet instead of six. Brooke Thorington has more from a Louisiana Congressman who led the charge for revision.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

There was a nine percent drop in the total number of abortions performed in Louisiana from 2019 to 2020 according to the Louisiana Department of Health. Louisiana Right to Life Executive Director Ben Clapper says this puts the state’s abortion rate at a 12-year low.

Cut 3 (06)  “…abortions”  

Clapper says it’s the result of a culture shift and legislative changes. Planned Parenthood argues the decrease is largely driven by increased access to contraception.

It was a year ago today that the Stay at Home order went into effect. Several Phases later the restaurant industry is now operating at 75-percent capacity, but many did not survive. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says anywhere from 20 to 25-percent of restaurants and bars have closed in the last year.

Cut 6 (08) “…business.”

Louisiana has hit another grim milestone from the coronavirus pandemic. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In better news the state’s vaccination campaign hit a notable milestone today, over a million Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine and over 600,000 have completed their full vaccine series. The New Orleans region leads the state with 15 percent of its population vaccinated.

It’s a nice day today, but get ready for some wet weather starting tomorrow. A flash flood watch is in effect for southeast Louisiana from Tuesday morning through Thursday night. Christopher Bannon with the National Weather Service in New Orleans says multiple rounds of moderate to heavy rain are expected across and the area. He says flooding of low-lying and flood-prone areas is possible with localized flash flooding…

Cut 11 (07) ” pretty low”

Saturday saw two big Congressional special elections in the state. In the 5^th Julia Letlow won resoundingly and will avoid a runoff while the 2^nd sees New Orleans State Senator Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter facing off April 24^th. JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon says the 16 percent of voters who voted for Republicans could be key to Carter, the more centrist candidate in the race.

Cut 4 (05) “…percent” 

As of today’s Department of Health update, more than 10,000 Louisianans are reported to have died from COVID-19. Early on in the pandemic, there was widespread misinformation calling COVID-19 no worse than the common flu. Governor Edwards says that’s been completely debunked.

Cut 13 (10)“…real.”

But on the bright side, today Louisiana crossed the one million mark for people who’ve received at least one vaccine dose.

Bad weather is on the way starting tomorrow. Christopher Bannon with the National Weather Service in New Orleans says a flash flood risk exists both tomorrow and Wednesday for southeast Louisiana as a cold front stall over the area

Cut 10 (09) “…short time” 

We’ve got a runoff in the hotly contested race for the 2^nd Congressional District between New Orleans State Senators Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter. Carter secured 36 percent and Peterson won 23 percent while Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers surprised many by nearly upsetting Peterson and winning 21 percent. JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon says one peculiar thing to note about the race: Peterson took third place in her home district…

Cut 5  (05)  “…support” 

The runoff is set for April 24^th.

But there won’t be a runoff in the 5^th district after Julia Letlow won outright Saturday with 65 percent of the vote. The seat was previously won by her husband Luke Letlow, who passed away from COVID in December before being sworn in…

Cut 6 (10) “…results back.”

Over 10,000 Louisianans are now believed to have died from COVID-19 as of today’s Department of Health report. The first reported COVID-19 death in Louisiana occurred on March 14^th, 2020. Governor Edwards says it’s a grim reminder of just how deadly the pandemic has been.

Cut 12 (07) “ …2019.” 

The special election for the 5^th Congressional District is over with Julia Letlow cruising to a 65 percent win. Letlow ran after her husband, who was set to become the district’s next congressman, died of COVID-19. One of Letlow’s opponents ran for the seat out of concern she wouldn’t have time for her two young children. Letlow says women have been juggling for centuries and she’s just following the lead of other women who have gone before her.

Cut 8 (09) “…job done.”

New Orleans Democratic State Senators Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson advance to the runoff for the 2^nd District Congressional District special election. Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers nearly made the runoff at 21 percent. JMC Analytics Publisher John Couvillon says Carter is the favorite, but…

Cut 3 (11)  “…Peterson”  

Total turnout was 18 percent

It’s a nice day today, but get ready for some wet weather starting tomorrow.  Christopher Bannon with the National Weather Service in New Orleans says southeast Louisiana could see several inches of rain Tuesday through Thursday.

Cut 9 (06) “…higher amounts”