Louisiana has expanded the eligibility requirements for the COVID-19 vaccine. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

Former LSU football coach Les Miles has been fired at Kansas after allegations of sexual misconduct were made public last week during his time at LSU. Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

________________________________________

Louisiana has expanded COVID vaccine eligibility to anyone 16 years and older with certain health conditions, including asthma, hypertension, diabetes, smokers, and people who are overweight. Edwards says the list of health conditions for eligibility can be found on the state department of health’s website.

Cut 3 (14)  “…to the vaccine”  

Edwards says this another important step in the state’s fight against COVID-19 as he hopes getting more of the population vaccinated will reduce serious illness and death from the virus.

Cut 4 (08) “…the virus.” 

Edwards is encouraging everyone who is eligible for the vaccine to get the vaccine. He says nearly 10-percent of the state’s population have been fully vaccinated and very few people have reported serious side effects…

Cut 5  (11)  “…this pandemic.” 

________________________

Les Miles is out as the head football coach at Kansas University as a result of the reports that surfaced last week where Miles acted inappropriately with female students at LSU and was told to quit texting them. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the 67-year-old’s coaching days are likely over

Cut 6 (10) “…yeah.”

Miles has denied the allegations made against his client that were investigated in 2013. The former Tigers coach allegedly tried kissing a student and performing unwanted touching. Higgins says Kansas had no choice but to let him go…

Cut 7 (12) “…any level”

Higgins says the sexual misconduct allegations were initially hard to believe,   because Miles was considered a family man.

Cut 8 (10) “…long time ago.”

______________________

State Treasurer John Schroder tells Talk Louisiana host Jim Engster he will not be taking a COVID vaccine.

Schroder was asked about the impending substantial expansion in vaccine eligibility. He says…

Cut 9 (07) “…vaccine”

Schroder says instead he’s focusing on making sure his immune system is strong. Schroder says he’s under doctor’s care…

Cut 10 (10) “…system.” 

Schroder is a COVID survivor who was hospitalized in early December.

Cut 11 (08) “say that..”

________________________

President Biden declares Louisiana a major disaster after two winter storms last month. Deputy Director of the Governor’s Office Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Casey Tingle says it allows homeowners and renters in affected parishes to be eligible for assistance if they sustained damage.

Cut 12 (10) “ …Louisiana.” 

Tingle says this will also assist city and parish governments to pay for clean-up from the storms.

In addition to the 23 parishes, Tingle says nine others could also be eligible for assistance.  A few weeks ago, GOHSEP asked residents to complete a Damage.LA.gov for a better idea of how many were impacted by the storms.

Cut 13 (10)“…included here”

While the Bayou State is used to disaster declarations for hurricanes, Tingle says the length of the two storms and extensive damage to some water systems gave the state eligibility for a declaration in the winter.

Cut 14 (10) “…weather” 

Eligible parishes include Avoyelles, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Franklin, Grant, LaSalle, Madison, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, Webster, West Carroll, and Winn.

Police are seeking a 1^st Degree Murder charge against a man they say murdered and robbed a 29-year-old New Orleanian at a meetup to sell a 2,800 dollar dirt bike. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________

 A sit-in of about 100 students formed this morning outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (36) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

________________________________________

The attorney for former LSU football coach Les Miles calls Kansas’s decision to place Miles on administrative leave unfair. K-U made this move after reports that Miles acted inappropriately with female student workers while at LSU. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Miles’ attorney is upset because a Husch Blackwell investigation never spoke with Miles or other key witnesses

Cut 3 (11)  “…right now.”  

Attorney Peter Ginsberg says when LSU investigated Miles in 2013 they found no evidence he kissed a student worker or offered to take her to a hotel. Meche says Miles’s 3-and-18 record at Kansas is likely a factor in being placed on administrative leave…

Cut 4 (08) “…winning record.” 

Kansas says they want to use this time to review two reports that investigated the allegations. Meche wonders if K-U officials will use this opportunity to fire Miles…

Cut 5  (07)  “…his buyout.” 

Miles would reportedly be owed eight million dollars if he’s fired without cause.

________________________

The pandemic has crippled the convention industry which is responsible for almost five-thousand jobs in Louisiana. Co-Chair of Meetings Mean Business Fred Dixon says the industry has been trained on how to re-open safely once the pandemic passes and most convention attendees say they’ll be there.

Cut 6 (11) “…the future.”

Dixon says a majority of those surveyed say they miss in-person professional development. Careers for example like healthcare, teachers, and attorneys are required to receive annual certified training and online classes are not always preferred.

Cut 7 (09) “…New Orleans”

Dixon says the survey also revealed that convention attendees are able to form better relationships and build trust in communications at in-person meetings.

Cut 8 (10) “…its feet.”

______________________

A 29-year-old New Orleans man was allegedly murdered in Jefferson Parish after meeting someone through an online marketplace app to sell his dirt bike.

JP Sheriff Joe Lopinto says they tracked down and arrested Jalen Harvey after discovering messages between him and the victim, Joseph Vindel in the app.

Cut 9 (09) “…itself”

Vindel’s dirt bike was discovered outside of Harvey’s apartment.

Lopinto says meeting strangers online can be dangerous, but while the victim could’ve chosen a safer location like a police station parking lot or outside of a grocery…

Cut 10 (11) “…outside.” 

Vindel’s body was discovered this morning.

Lopinto says since the start of last year they’ve seen two armed robberies, one simple robbery, two thefts, and now a homicide connected with these marketplace sales.

Cut 11 (10) “..it to”

Police are seeking a 1^st Degree Murder charge against Harvey.

________________________

About 100 students are holding a sit-in outside of LSU’s Football Operations Building calling on LSU officials to fire athletic administrators Verge Ausberry and Miriam Segar based on findings released last week in the Husch Blackwell report. The students are part of a group called Tigers Against Sexual Assault.

Cut 12 (12) “ …responsible.” 

LSU interim president Thomas Galligan has only suspended Ausberry for 30 days and Segar for 21-days without pay.

Protesters say the suspensions of only two athletic officials after the school spent thousands on the Husch Blackwell report to investigate mishandlings of sexual assault and abuse are not enough.

Cut 13 (10)“…cover-ups”

One protester says she’s lost all faith in the university and she’s not alone.

Cut 14 (13) “…transferring” 

Funds are now available to help tenants and landlords who’ve experienced financial hardship from the pandemic. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Cattle and poultry producers in north Louisiana are still recovering from last month’s winter storms. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

For the first time in their lives, many Louisians are filing winter storm damage home insurance claims. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________

The state launches a new program to provide financial assistance to both tenants and landlords experiencing financial hardship from the pandemic. Executive Director of Louisiana Housing Corporation Keith Cunningham says $161 million has been allocated for 57 parishes.

Cut 4 (09)“…COVID.”

Parishes with populations over 200,000 will receive funding directly from the US. Treasury for aid, so now both urban and rural areas of the state are covered.

LHC in partnership with the Louisiana Office of Community Development will administer the program.

Cunningham says the primary focus is to pay rental arrears.

Cut 5 (09)“…April.”

The program also then gives eligible tenants up to three months for future rental assistance.

Cunningham says the eviction moratorium was necessary during the pandemic, but it transferred the financial burden to landlords and this program offers them relief.

Priority is given to households where at least one member has been unemployed for more than 90 days due to COVID…

Cut 6 (10) “…considered.”

For more information visit LA State Rent-dot com

www.LAStateRent.com

________________________

The state’s cattle and poultry industries took a beating from last month’s historic winter storms.

LSU AgCenter regional livestock specialist Jason Holmes says thousands of chickens were lost when several poultry facilities collapsed due to snow and ice buildup.

Cut 7 (11)  “…work through.”

Feed mill operations were also backed up during the storms due to iced-over roads and snow.

Holmes estimates many cattle farmers lost at least a couple head, mostly calves, due to the stress of the event and the frigid temperatures. He says it came at a rough time…

Cut 8 (07) “…the ground”

Holmes says more so than lost livestock the industries really took a hit to their often expensive infrastructure, but that damage may be covered…

Cut 9 (12) “…right here”

A full accounting of the total cost to these two industries is expected to be released soon.

_____________________________

Baton Rouge newborn Lexa Dennis is the youngest ever to receive Zolgensma (zol·gens·ma.), the most expensive gene-drug therapy in the world at $2.1 million. Pediatric Neurologist Dr. Charlotte Hollman says Lexa has Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a debilitating and often fatal disease, was given the life-saving medication at just four days old at Woman’s Hospital.

Cut 10 (06) “…opportunity.”

Hollman says it was a team effort getting her approved for the medication and her older brother Axel, who also has SMA, received the medication just before his second birthday.

Mother of both Lexa and Alex, Andrea James…

Cut 11 (10) “…to do.”

SMA is the most common cause of death in the first year of life and the drug was approved for use in the United States in 2019. James says until there’s a cure for SMA…

Cut 12 (09) “…born. ”

Eleven days after Lexa received Zolgensma she was able to go home from the hospital.

_____________________________

Thousands of Louisianans suffered some very unusual types of home damage during last month’s winter storms and now wonder if their insurance will cover it. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says if you sustained any damage from the storms do not hesitate to at least file a claim with your insurer.

Cut 13 (06) “…claim.”

Donelon also suggests filling a claim if you or anyone on your property hurt themselves in a slip and fall incident due to the weather.

Donelon says, unlike hurricane coverage…

Cut 14 (07) “…another.” 

One thing is universal: you still have a responsibility to do your best to mitigate the damage from the event, such as unfreezing pipes safely or covering holes in your roof.

Donelon says overall last month’s winter storms will cost the insurance industry 18 billion dollars.

Cut 15 (07)“….weather.”

______________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team outscored Missouri 19-12 in the final six minutes on Saturday and went on to beat Mizzou 86-80 to claim the three seed in this week’s SEC tournament in Nashville. Coach Will Wade was pleased with getting this victory on the road

Cut 16 (16) “…good start.”

Wade says it was nice to win a close game and execute down the stretch…

Cut 17 (19) “…tournament time”.

LSU will have a double-bye in the SEC Tournament and they’ll play the late game on Friday night. Wade wants to make a run in the tournament…

Cut  18 (15) “…for us.”

Phase Three allows live music to return but with numerous strings attached, some say it’s hitting all the wrong notes. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

_______________________________________

Two high-ranking LSU athletic officials have been suspended as a result of a nearly 150-report that looked at how the school failed to properly handle sexual assault complaints. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

________________________________________

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.”  

St. Romain says for example when you look at a venue like The Texas Club in Baton Rouge, where capacity is 1,200 it’s not the best fiscal decision to bring back music.

Cut 4 (11) “…600 people.” 

St. Romain says the new normal for him and other musicians have been to play online and try to reach as many as possible. He says even when venues can open to full capacity he will continue to play online as well.

Cut 5  (11)  “…facilities.” 

________________________

Early voting in the 2^nd Congressional District special election 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.”

Carter also boasts the endorsement of prominent Baton Rouge lawmaker Cleo Fields. Peterson’s endorsements are headlined by Emily’s List and Stacy Abrams.

DuBos expects this race to head to an April runoff due to the 15 candidates on the ballot, most notably the presence of Baton Rouge social justice activist Gary Chambers.

Cut 7 (08) “…here”

Over 70 percent of the voters in the 2nd are based in Metro New Orleans, with the rest coming from the River Parishes and north Baton Rouge.

No third parties have polled the race so far and DuBos says internal campaign polling shows there’s still a lot of undecideds left…

Cut 8 (11) “…window.”

Voting in the 5th Congressional District special election also begins Saturday.

______________________

LSU suspends two high-ranking 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 unaddressed”

Ausberry and Segar will be required to go through training on sexual misconduct, domestic violence and more.

Husch Blackwell delivered what Galligan called a brutally honest and objective evaluation. Husch Blackwell Partner Scott Schneider says their report found that LSU’s Title Nine office was woefully understaffed and one victim described how complicated it was for a case to get investigated…

Cut 10 (11) “…warned down.” 

The report gives 18 recommendations on improving LSU’s Title 9 practices and Galligan says the school plans to act on all recommendations and that includes beefing up the Title 9 Office…

Cut 11 (08) “…any longer”

There is criticism over the severity of the punishment handed down to Ausberry and Seger. Galligan says Ausbery and Seger acknowledge they made mistakes but there was no clear path on how to report sexual assaults…

Cut 12 (12) “ …appropriate resources” 

________________________

A mass vaccination event will be held Saturday at the Brookshire Grocery Arena in Bossier City, for those who are eligible, bring a photo ID and insurance card.  LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Infectious Disease Johnny Vanchiere says it will be from 9 to 4.

Cut 13 (08)“…community”

Teachers will also need to bring proof of employment, vaccines for instructors will be from 2 to 4 pm.

The Johnsons and Johnson one dose vaccine will be administered. Vanchiere says if possible, they would like to you preregister at lsuhs dot edu.

Cut 14 (06) “…vaccinated” 

The Brookshire Grocery Arena is the former CenturyTel Center in Bossier City located at 2400 Century Link Center Drive.

Cut 15 (05) “…arena” 

The state health department announces it’s holding a series of mass COVID vaccination events. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke. Thorington”  

_______________________________________

A group of 33 Louisiana Republican lawmakers is urging Governor Edwards to cancel the statewide mask mandate. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

________________________________________

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.”  

Gossen says the deputy who shot Brown, was also shot…

Cut 4 (04) “…been released.” 

Neighbors of the man who was fatally shot told K-A-T-C-TV that Brown was a veteran who suffered from P-T-S-D. Gossen says an order of  protective custody is usually associated with a mental evaluation

Cut 5  (12)  “…that report.” 

________________________

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 they have partnered with various agencies and churches to reach as many as possible, especially those with access to care issues.

Cut 6 (11) “…barriers.”

Kanter says they are using the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, which is one dose. He says this vaccine doesn’t require deep cold storage making it ideal for large events and compared to the other vaccines in use it’s just as effective.

Cut 7 (10) “…vaccine”

Just like the other two vaccines, Kanter says to 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.

______________________

33 Louisiana House Republicans 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 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. 15 states currently have no mandate.

Miguez says the mandate leads to nonsensical situations wherein people wear a mask into a restaurant, sit down to eat, take it off, then put it back on to leave.

Cut 10 (07) “…normal.” 

Miguez 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 while the state is likely to continue reducing capacity restrictions 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.

____________________________

Three farmers will be inducted into the Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction during a ceremony tonight co-hosted by the Louisiana Radio Network. LRN Farm Director Don Molino says one of the inductees is longtime Louisiana Farm Bureau President Ronnie Anderson

Cut 12 (09) “ …150,000 today.” 

Sugarcane producer John Gay will also be inducted tonight. Molino says Gay farms over 45-hundred acres in Iberville Parish…

Cut 13 (06)“…a lot”

The third member of the Class of 2021 is Jackie Loewer from Acadia Parish. Loewer has played an integral role with the Louisiana Rice Research Board for 26 years and Molino says he’s also been a member of several national rice boards…

Cut 14 (09) “…can have” 

Our neighbors in Texas and Mississippi are dropping their mask mandates but Louisiana is not following suit. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

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.”  

_____________________________

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.

Cassidy says while Louisiana does have a high rate of in-person learning that includes hybrid models where students are in the classroom two days a week and virtual the other three.

Cut 4 (12) “…reopen.” 

Cassidy says there’s been federal funding dedicated to helping schools during the pandemic and only half has been spent.

While rural areas of the state are known for lack of broadband access, it’s become even more contentious since school systems moved to virtual learning Cassidy says he working with local and state officials to increase access.

Cut 5  (11)  “…they live.” 

The report finds Lincoln Parish as the best for children and Madison Parish as the worst in the state. The report states there was no significant data for Cameron and Tensas parishes.

________________________

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 in Louisiana but social distancing and mask-wearing are still mandatory.

The December/January spike was the largest the state ever experienced but…

Cut 7 (05) “…significant.”

Despite that progress, the state has still never dropped below 500 COVID-related hospitalizations. As of Wednesday 588 patients remain hospitalized.

Kanter says the plan moving forward is to ramp up the vaccination campaign fast enough to offset the rapidly growing number of variant cases.

Cut 8 (09) “…Louisiana.”

The UK variant, which is more contagious and believed to be more deadly, is expected to be the dominant strain in Louisiana sometime this month.

______________________

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

Cut 9 (09) “…our veterans”

Guidry says there are no fees to bury a veteran and the cost for spouses and dependents is 745-dollars. He says full military honors are also available and the cemetery is held to the highest standards…

Cut 10 (11) “…veteran cemeteries.” 

Guidry says 35-thousand southwest Louisiana veterans and their families have this cemetery as an option for eternal rest. He says if any vets are interested, just reach out to the Southwest Louisiana Veterans cemetery…

Cut 11 (10) “…a spot.”

____________________________

Since the pandemic began there’s been vast amounts of misinformation and medical theories about what can cure or curtail COVID-19. Some have tried a drug used on horses called ivermectin (ai-ver-mek-tn,) Director of Louisiana Poison Control center Dr. Mark Ryan says based on the few studies done, it’s not proven to treat COVID.

Cut 12 (08) “ …the case.” 

Even though the ivermectin is most often prescribed for horses, the antiparasitic is also used in humans, but Ryan says taking the drug without oversight from a physician could be dangerous.

Cut 13 (08)“…taking it..”

Ryan says ivermectin was at one time used in hospitals to treat patients when nothing else proved to be effective, but as physicians have found more useful drug therapies the medication has been removed as an option.

Cut 14 (07) “…COVID.” 

Ryan says never try to treat yourself, especially with nonproven drug therapy, without the oversight of your physician.

Crawfish season is beginning to gather steam and one state agency wants to remind you what to do after enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

An LSU study of traffic trends before and during the pandemic indicates as the pandemic continued how the is virus spread. Brooke Thorington speaks with one of the researchers.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to be sure to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish.

Cut 4 (09)“…treated.”

When you dispose of boil water and/or seasoned shells into a storm drain or ditch it goes directly to a lake, river, or stream.

The best way to dispose of both shrimp and crawfish shells is by double-bagging them and placing them in the garbage, Kelly says never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal.

Cut 5 (07)“…critters.”

Kelly says disposing of crustacean shells and boil water properly is vital to enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes in the future.

Cut 6 (08) “…every year.”

________________________

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and while it hasn’t been proven many doctors believe vaccination reduces transmissibility as well. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you are vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…

Cut 7 (11)  “…asymptomatically.”

Lead Johnson and Johnson researchers believe the vaccine limits asymptomatic disease by 74 percent. Ochsner Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Katherine Baumgarten…

Cut 8 (09) “…confirm that.”

Kemmerly says the reason why they can’t confirm this fact is that transmissibility is a harder endpoint to measure in clinical trials, and thus wasn’t studied as closely as other focuses.

Cut 9 (11) “…vaccinated.”

_____________________________

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent.  LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the beginning as the virus spread across the country, traffic trends mirrored each other based on closures in each of the states.

Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”

The 10 states in the study were Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, and Vermont.

Wolshon says as the virus spread, and each state experienced waves, and plateaus of the virus, traffic also changed.

Cut 11 (12) “…cases.”

While an increase or decrease in traffic then later did not follow respectively an increase or decrease in case numbers it did indicate to researchers how the virus was spread.

Cut 12 (09) “…contact. ”

Wolshon says when you compare heavily populated areas like New York to Montana the states experienced different outbreaks of the virus, which also backs up the theory that the virus is spread when individuals are in close contact with others.  Data from the study also indicated that traffic-volume recovery was slower than the original decline of traffic.

_____________________________

Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will loosen COVID public health restrictions this afternoon, and the data appears to support potentially moving into Phase Three.

Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio says not only are new positive cases down but so is the percent positivity of tests, and total COVID-related hospitalizations.

Cut 13 (08) “..improve”

COVID hospitalizations are down to 629 compared to the over 2,000 we saw in early January.

The Governor has never released his official benchmarks for moving the state through different phases but Procopio says our current numbers look like a period when we were in Phase Three restrictions.

Cut 14 (10) “…interact.” 

During that period total COVID hospitalizations sat between 800 and roughly 500.

Last week Edwards said our trajectory looked promising and Procopio says the data indicates a cautious loosening of restrictions is justified right now.

Cut 15 (09)“..transmutability.”

657,000 Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine.

______________________________________

The LSU baseball team will take on Nicholls tonight at 6:30 after beating the Colonels 14-0 on Saturday.  The Tigers have been great at the plate so far this year, batting .303 as a team.  Hitting Coach Eddy Smith says the team does a good job of feeding off each other.

Cut 16 (15) “…impose their will.”

The Tigers are a young team and already have a number of freshmen that are making an immediate impact.  Coach Smith says he’s not surprised because he knew this freshman class would be special.

Cut 17 (12) “….these freshmen”

While the freshmen continue to make headlines, junior Drew Bianco has been hitting the ball well, as he’s batting .250 with two home runs, both of which occurred against Nicholls.  Bianco almost left the program over the summer as he entered the transfer portal before deciding to remain in Baton Rouge.  Bianco says that experience motivated him to have a big year.

Cut  18 (14) “…in the long run.”

________________________________________________________

The LSU men’s basketball team will take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at home tonight.  Vanderbilt is just 3-11 in SEC play this season but coach Will Wade says the Commodores are better than their record shows.

Cut 19 (16) “…how they’re playing.” 

LSU has lost its last two games due in large part to poor shooting.  Forward Darius Days has struggled in those losses, putting up a total of 4 points combined in those games.  Wade says he knows Days will get out of his shooting slump.

Cut 20  (13) “…at home.” 

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

_______________________________________

The state has hit another milestone in its fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Brook Thorington has the story…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful”  

Cortez says the highest priority is to create a centralized state and local sales tax collection. He says Louisiana is one of three states not to have one, which makes it more difficult on businesses when it comes to paying taxes.

Cut 4 (12) “…right now” 

Cortez says phasing out the property tax businesses pay on inventory and reducing and simplifying the corporate franchise tax are other proposals that will be debated.

He says Senate and House leaders are also looking at eliminating the ability for taxpayers to deduct federal income taxes they pay on their state returns, which could lead to an overall lower income tax rate…

Cut 5  (11)  “…tax rate” 

________________________

During an AARP Tele-Town Hall meeting, New Orleans physician Dr. Eric Griggs answered questions about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Griggs says the three vaccines available underwent thorough testing, Johnson and Johnson had 30-thousand clinical trial participants and 75-thousand people in the Pfizer and Moderna trials.

Cut 6 (12) “…the trial.”

Griggs says it’s important not to take anything like Tylenol before you are vaccinated to dull your immune response to the vaccine however you can take pain relief after your injection.

Cut 7 (11) “…after.”

When it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated Griggs says because of variants of the virus you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks. As for travel and visiting with others outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

To hear the complete town hall, visit AARP Louisiana’s Facebook page.

______________________

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a man who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. Ferguson says Mitchum was working as a security guard and tried to escort the gunman out of the building after he hit an employee working at the door

Cut 9 (10) “…the chest”

Officer Mithum was rushed to University Medical Center where he died and 35-year-old John Shallerhorn was quickly arrested and charged with one count of first-degree murder of a police officer. Ferguson calls Mitchum a hero for making sure Shallerhorn didn’t get inside the gym…

Cut 10 (11) “…negligence.” 

It’s been reported Shallerhorn became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School playoff game, but Ferguson can not confirm that

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

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The Louisiana Health Department says it expects to receive this week nearly 38-thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says this is a single dose vaccine which could be especially beneficial for people who have difficulty taking time off of work

Cut 12 (10) “ …vaccines now.” 

Kanter says the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is also a more durable vaccine and it can last up to three months in a refrigerator, whereas the other vaccines must be stored at very cold temperatures

Cut 13 (08)“…strike teams.”

Kanter says clinical trials on the Johnson and Johnson vaccine show its 100-percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths

Cut 14 (12) “…zero deaths” 

There’s a discussion about moving the Atlantic hurricane season up by two weeks. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “…Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards’ proposed 400 dollar K-12 teacher pay raise has some teacher advocates crying foul. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The Johnson and Johnson effort to end the pandemic received emergency use authorization Saturday. Brooke Thorington on what makes this vaccine different from the others.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The Workforce Commission reports the state unemployment system was bombarded with fraudulent applications last year, but most were rejected.

The Workforce Commission has turned over 28,000 suspected cases of attempted unemployment insurance fraud to law enforcement. Secretary Ava Dejoie says those attempts did not succeed.

Cut 4 (04)“…went off.”

The Commission also suspects they have an additional 60,000 could be fraud attempts. Assistant Secretary of Unemployment Insurance Robert Wooley says these applications have incomplete information, and…

Cut 5 (10)“…fraud.”

Dejoie says 2020 was an incredibly busy year for the department in general. They disbursed 8 billion dollars in federal and state UI benefits.

Cut 6 (07) “…2019”

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The Atlantic hurricane season officially starts June 1st, but a committee at the National Hurricane Center is looking at changing the start date to May 15th. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the two-week jumpstart might be justified.

Cut 7 (11)  “…six seasons.”

Keim says but the bigger question is are we detecting storms sooner or is climate responsible for the earlier start.

Cut 8 (06) “…of it.”

The answer to the question according to Keim is that possibly both is happening, climate change and better surveillance.

Keim says hurricane season is tied to sea surface temperatures and when they become warm enough, they can feed energy into creating a tropical storm or hurricane. He says June 1^st is not necessarily some magical date.

Cut 9 (07) “…cycle.”

Keim says by moving the hurricane season up two weeks it may help to foster earlier preparation and forecasting for the Atlantic season.

The record-breaking 2020 season began May 16^th when tropical storm Arthur formed east of Florida.

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Many teachers are scoffing at the Governor’s proposed 400 dollar teacher pay raise, calling it far too little.  Associated Professional Educators of Louisiana Director Dr. Keith Courville says the Governor needs to add an extra zero to that figure if he wants to rival the pay teachers can find in neighboring states.

Cut 10 (09) “…faculty.”

The 400 dollar pay raise for teachers and 200 dollar pay raise for support staff will cost the state an additional 40 million dollars a year. The proposal will be debated in the upcoming April legislative session.

Courville says teachers made great sacrifices for the state during the pandemic and this proposal is just a slap in the face.

Cut 11 (09) “…this year.”

Courville says the Governor is not on track to meet his campaign trail promise of getting Louisiana teacher pay up to the southern regional average.

Cut 12 (09) “…wrong. ”

A+PEL is not associated with either of the state’s two major teachers unions, the LAE or LFT, and Courville described the 9,800 member group as the state’s independent, non-partisan teachers association.

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The Johnson and Johnson one dose COVID-19 vaccine has received emergency use authorization and doses should arrive in the state this week.  Tulane School of Medicine Professor Dr. Lisa Morici says data shows the J & J vaccine doesn’t have any of the severe allergic reactions shown with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines..

Cut 13 (11) “…injection site.”

Morici says don’t get caught up with the stats that J&J’s has an overall efficacy rate of 66-percent versus in the 90-percent and greater of the other vaccines.

Cut 14 (11) “…deaths.” 

When given the opportunity to be vaccinated, Morici says take whichever vaccine is first offered.

Besides being one-dose, Morici says the J & J vaccine also doesn’t require extensive cold storage like the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines making it ideal for transport in rural areas.

Cut 15 (09)“…is great.”

On Thursday, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said that once approved the state anticipated receiving up to 38,000 doses of the J & J vaccine this week in addition to the weekly allocation of more than 97,000 doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

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Louisiana Tech men’s basketball recorded two blowout victories over the weekend beating Rice 101-57 and 79-58. Kalob Ledoux had a season-high 25 on Friday and followed that up with a 17-point performance on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol says he’s proud of Ledoux

Cut 16 (16) “…to the basket.”

Before Saturday’s game, Tech celebrated the collegiate careers of the six senior Bulldog basketball players who have led the team to a 19-6 record this season. Konkol calls them a special group…

Cut 17 (16) “….one another”

There is the potential for another game to be added, if not La Tech will play in the Conference USA Tournament next week in Frisco, Texas.

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The LSU men’s basketball team had a five point lead at Arkansas on Saturday, but played poorly in the second half and fell behind by 20 before losing to the 20th ranked Razorbacks 83-75. Coach Will Wade says it was a tale of two halves

Cut  18 (20) “…advantage of that.”

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After a couple of tough losses on the road in Milwaukee and San Antonio, the Pelicans return home tonight to host the Utah Jazz, who have the best record in the NBA. On Saturday, the Pels fell to the Spurs 117 to 114 to drop their record to 14-19. After the game, New Orleans All-Star Zion Williamson said the team is close to winning a bunch of games…

Cut 19 (19) “…be there.” 

Williamson says his teammates are determined to keep fighting, which is why he believes this team is close to turning the season around…

Cut 20  (16) “…figure it out” 

The Edwards administration has proposed a 36 billion dollar budget plan for next fiscal year, a 186 million dollar increase over the current year. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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With the State Department of Education to receive one-billion in CARES funding, one lawmaker is urging them to use part of the funds to help close the digital divide.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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State officials say there is a critical need for blood donations due to supply disruptions caused by last week’s winter storms. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says donating blood is quick and easy. You can call 2-1-1 to be directed to a donation center near you.

Cut 3 (07)  “…twice” 

Edwards asks if you have a regularly scheduled blood donation appointment to move it up to this weekend.

Cut 4 (10) “…right now” 

Edwards says this appeal comes directly from the state’s hospitals…

Cut 5  (11)  “…serious.” 

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Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne has laid out the governor’s 36 billion dollar budget plan to legislators today. Thanks to an increase in federal funding for Medicaid, the proposal is a 186 -million dollar increase over the current year. Dardenne says public colleges would see 80 million dollars more to help pay for faculty pay raises.

Cut 6 (11) “…institutions.”

Much of the budget increase is being afforded by more generous federal support for the state’s Medicaid program, which is allowing state funds to be moved into other areas. The budget did not include increased funding for early childhood education.

The Governor’s call for a 400 dollar pay raise for K-12 teachers and a 200 dollar increase for support staff would cost the state an additional 40 million dollars a year.

Cut 7 (09) “…average.”

The budget also calls for increased investment in the Department of Corrections.

The plan will be debated by the Legislature in the legislative session that begins in April. Dardenne hopes these proposals won’t be rolled back…

Cut 8 (12) “…investments.”

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Avoyelles State Representative Darryl Deshotel is asking the State Department of Education to use part of the more than one billion it is receiving in CARES Federal Funding to assist areas of the state that lack broadband access, which will help students with virtual education.

Cut 9 (11) “…partner”

Deshotel says the CARES funding is designated to be used for COVID-related expenses and students need internet access as soon as possible.

Cut 10 (11) “…future.” 

Deshotel says the federal government has given the state $300-million in vouchers for students to buy broadband access, however…

Cut 11 (14) “…no infrastructure.”

Deshotel says the Federal Government has designated $349-million for broadband infrastructure in the state but says it’s going to take another 400 to 500-million to close to the digital divide.

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As parents struggle with getting their children to eat healthy the American Academy of Pediatrics has some tips on how to first introduce your kids to more nutritious meals. Pediatrician and Mom Dr. Candice Jones says since small children eat small amounts parents need to make every bite count.

Cut 12 (08) “ …protein.” 

Jones says if possible, children should be breastfed for the first six months of life and then begin introducing them to nutritious pureed food gradually, one new food group at a time.

Cut 13 (10)“…vegetables.”

Jones says it’s also very important to introduce dairy, eggs, fish, and nuts to prevent food allergies as early as possible.

Another tip is to try to offset the sugary drinks that kids favor with low-fat milk or water and remember that children will model your behavior.

Cut 14 (11) “…take it.” 

Jones also reminds you to avoid processed and prepackaged food for children and try to introduce fruit and vegetables with low-fat yogurt in the form of smoothies to make food more appealing for young children.

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 The LSU men’s basketball team will take on the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road on Saturday. LSU easily won the previous matchup 92-76 against the Razorbacks but coach Will Wade says they’re a different team now.

Cut 15 (17) “…huge challenge” 

 Wade says a big reason for Arkansas’ improved level of play is due to the confidence they have as a team.

Cut 16 (09) “…great job”