LSU suspends two high-ranking LSU athletic officials without pay as a result of a report on how the school mishandled allegations of sexual and domestic assault. Deputy Athletic Director Verge Ausberry received a 30-day suspension, while senior associate A-D Miriam Segar received 21 days. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan

Cut 9 (09) “…go unadressed”

Early Voting in the 2^nd Congressional District race begins Saturday and the race appears to be shaping up around three candidates. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says there are two clear frontrunners at the moment, New Orleans lawmakers Karen Carter Peterson and Troy Carter. Of the two…

Cut 6 (09) “Richmond.”

DuBos says because of the presence of Baton Rouge activist Gary Chambers the race is expected to go to a runoff.

Phase Three allows live music to return indoors but under strict rules. Like a strong HVAC system and plexiglass between the stage and audience. Louisiana native and country music artist David St. Romain says it will be difficult for most venues to meet the requirements.

Cut 3 (11)  “…outdoor.”  

DOTD says there’s been significant interest in the long-sought-after I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge Project. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says he’s very encouraged after receiving 37 letters of interest in a public-private partnership.

Cut 10 (08) “…industry.”

Wilson says they expect the cost of the project to be in the billion-dollar range, but they are searching for partners to bring about cost-effective ways to build and maintain the bridge over time.

USA Today uncovers additional information about an LSU investigation into former LSU football coach Les Miles’ alleged inappropriate behavior with female student workers. The investigation, which was completed in 2013, alleges Miles was barred from having one-on-one meetings, texting or interactions with student employees after he allegedly took one of the female students to his condo alone and on one occasion allegedly kissed her. Miles strongly denies kissing the girl and said he did nothing wrong.

33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers urge Governor Edwards to join Texas and Mississippi in dropping the mask mandate. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez, a signee, says by failing to join our neighbors in loosening restrictions we risk further impeding the state’s economic recovery.

Cut 11 (08) “…any longer”

Edwards says the mask mandate will remain in place because it has no negative economic impacts and has been proven to significantly reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The Louisiana Health Department announces it’s holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events for those eligible to be vaccinated. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says refrain from taking a pain reliever before you are vaccinated to get the best immune response.

Cut 8 (11) “…thing.”

For a listing of mass vaccination events, visit the state health department’s website.

Three farmers will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony tonight co-hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. Sugarcane producer John Gay, longtime Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson, and Jackie Loewer from Acadia Parish made the 2021 class. LRN Farm Director Don Molino says Loewer has been a member of several national rice boards…

Cut 14 (09) “…can have” 

33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers urge Governor John Bel Edwards to join Texas and Mississippi in dropping the mask mandate. Governor Edwards has indicated the mandate will likely be one of the last public health orders to go because of how effective it is and the fact that it doesn’t have an economic impact but House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says it is no longer necessary.

Cut 9 (11) “…their own”

Texas’s mask mandate will go away next Wednesday.

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Abbeville yesterday afternoon that also resulted in a deputy getting shot. Trooper Thomas Gossen says a Vermilion Parish Sheriff’s deputy attempted to serve a protective custody order when the deputy and police officers were shot at by 41-year-old Dwight Brown who was armed with a rifle

Cut 3 (11)  “…fatally wound the suspect.”  

Traditionally at this time, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee would be reviewing data for redistricting, but not this year. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana ranks dead last in a report comparing state’s treatment of children during the pandemic. The 2021 Childhood Report examines child poverty, child deaths, hunger, dropout rates, and teen pregnancy. Senator Bill Cassidy says a big part of our ranking appears to be the fact that so many of our students couldn’t take virtual classes due to a lack of broadband internet, something he’s pushing to address…

Cut 5  (11)  “…they live.” 

Louisiana has now vaccinated atleast 657,000 people since December and that number looks set to begin ramping up quickly with the Biden Administration saying there will be enough doses for all Americans to get a shot by the end of May. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the ramp up is crucial because we’re now in a race against a string of more deadly and contagious variants.

Cut 8 (09) “…Louisiana.”

Health officials say another unproven medication is making the round os on social media as a way to treat COVID symptoms. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Due to delayed data from the census it is increasingly unlikely that Louisiana will be able to complete the reapportionment process in 2021. House and Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski tells LRN that data needed to even begin the process won’t be arriving from the feds until at least late September at the earliest. 

Louisiana moved into Phase Three COVID restrictions today but health officials warn that doesn’t mean the pandemic is over. Our neighbors in Mississippi and Texas dropped their mask mandates but State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we won’t be doing the same.

Cut 6 (12) “…vigilant.”

Under Phase Three most businesses can move to 75 percent capacity.

Louisiana is dead last in the 2021 Childhood Report that ranks how well states provide for and protect children during the pandemic. Senator Bill Cassidy says he hasn’t read the report in full but believes it’s weighted towards the lack of internet access for many children and…

Cut 3 (11)  “…learning.”  

The report examines child poverty, child deaths, hunger, dropout rates, and teen pregnancy.

It’s been one year since the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery was dedicated in Jennings. 84 veterans and their loved ones have been buried their and the cemetery director Dwayne Guidry says they have 17-hundred burial spots across ten acres

Cut 9 (09) “…our veterans”

There are no fees to bury a veteran but the cost for spouses and dependents is 745-dollars. 

Louisiana is now up to 415,000 Louisianans who are presumed to have recovered from a COVID case since the start of the pandemic.

Louisiana will loosen COVID restrictions Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more on our move into Phase Three…

Cut 2 (34) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

A former West Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for internet crimes against children. 60-year-old William Herrin of St. Francisville has been charged with 50 counts of pornography involving juveniles under the age of thirteen and was booked into the West Feliciana Parish Detention Center.

The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese asks parishioners not to take the Johnson and Johnson vaccine unless they have no other options out of concerns that the vaccine was manufactured with cells derived from abortion. LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier says If you are a New Orleans Catholic who decides to get a vaccine anyway, know the church cannot enforce these guidelines.

Cut 11 (09) “…conscience.”

The Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine.

Gas is up ten cents a gallon over last week. AAA spokesman Don Redman says as we begin to exit the pandemic prices will begin to balloon as the economy recovers…

Cut 7 (11) “…demand.”

The New Orleans Archdiocese asks Catholics to take Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID vaccines instead of Johnson and Johnson’s “morally compromised” vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Louisiana will loosen COVID restrictions Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more on our move into Phase Three…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance.

Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

Cut 4 (09) “…losses” 

Strain says homeowners who lost plants in the freeze can also help out their local struggling nurseries, but before you go in…

Cut 5  (12)  “…to you” 

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The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

A gallon of regular gas has increased in price by 26-cents in the last month in Louisiana.

Today the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.73.

Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

While an increase in gas prices hurt the average consumer, Redman says however higher crude oil prices helps the state economy.

Cut 8 (12) “…layoffs.”

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The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine into question over its use of “morally compromised” abortion-derived cell lines.

LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine and Pasquier says there will be many Catholics who, given the circumstances, will not follow the Archdiocese’s guidance. But…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccines.” 

The Baton Rouge Archdiocese has issued a similar guideline calling Pfizer and Moderna “morally acceptable” but that parishioners may take J&J if no other options are available.

Pasquier says the New Orleans Archdiocese has no way to enforce the guidelines on Catholics who chose to take the J&J vaccine.

Cut 11 (10) “…conscience.”

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Pandemic public health restrictions will be loosened Wednesday as Louisiana moves into Phase Three.

Governor Edwards says that means the majority of businesses including restaurants can operate at 75 percent capacity and houses of worship will have no limitations on capacity, but…

Cut 12 (10) “ …settings.” 

Bars in all parishes can now operate at 25 percent capacity and bars in parishes with a positivity rate under five percent can operate at 50 percent capacity. Live music will be allowed indoors under an extensive set of guidelines.

The mask mandate will stay in place.

Cut 13 (12)“…transmission”

Gatherings at event centers will be capped at 50 percent capacity and limited to 250 people.

Edwards says our positivity rate and hospitalization numbers are a third of what they were at our worst ever peak on January 8^th, and while we’ve made good progress…

Cut 14 (08) “…direction” 

The new order will expire on March 31^st.

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