It’s a sad day for Who Dat Nation as the Saints winningest coach Sean Payton is no longer leading the Black and Gold. Payton has announced he’s stepping away even though there are still three years left on his contract. Payton says he’ll miss the Saints fans and the energy they brought on game days…
cut 12 (05) “…is unbelieveable”
Payton says he could coach again one day, but right now he wants to do something else and could find a job as a TV analyst.

Governor John Bel Edwards has proposed spending 550-million dollars in surplus money on replenishing the Unemployment Trust Fund. The fund once had over a billion dollars in it, but when the pandemic came it was drained to pay over 700-thousand Louisianians who filed for unemployment. L-W-C Secretary Ava Cates says the fund needs to have at least 750-million dollars in it and if it doesn’t…
cut 5 (09) “….weekly benefits”

First Lady Donna Edwards and the Governor’s Office on Human Trafficking Prevention launch their awareness campaign and website. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Three Lake Charles residents were killed in a car crash in Costa Rica. News reports from the Central American country say 58-year-old Roland Terrell and his wife Terri, along with 50-year-old Racheal Abadie died when their vehicle was hit by another one as they were trying to make a U-Turn. The Terrell’s owned Terrell and Associates in Lake Charles.

Sean Payton is no longer the head coach of the Saints. It’s strange to say after leading the Black and Gold for 15 seasons. Payton led the Saints to their only Super Bowl championship in the 2009 season, but he’ll never forget his first team that came out of nowhere in 2006 and went to the NFC Championship game…
cut 11 (12) “….that 06 team” (2x)
The 58-year-old Payton has yet to decide what he’ll do next.

Governor John Bel Edwards and First Lady Donna Edwards have launched a new campaign to stop human trafficking. Donna Edwards says the awareness campaign will launch in April during the NCAA men’s Final Four Basketball Tournament…
cut 8 (11) “….no to traffkikcing”
Resources to help identify and report cases of human trafficking are available at stop-trafficking-la-dot-com.

State lawmakers on the Joint Budget Committee met Tuesday to discuss Governor Edwards’ proposal for spending surplus dollars on a new Mississippi River Bridge at Baton Rouge. Part of the governor’s plan is to set aside a half-billion dollars for the project, but Senate Finance Chairman Bodi White feels pressure to spend that money on more immediate needs…:
Cut 13 (06) “…in excess.”
Meanwhile, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder released a statement expressing support for 500-million being set aside to build a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge.

Governor Edwards is also proposing using over half a billion dollars in surplus money to help replenish the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund that was drained to pay unemployment claims during the first few months of the pandemic. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the fund protects workers and businesses.
Cut 4 (12) “…entitled to.”
So far there’s been no push back by lawmakers to use 550-million dollars to replenish the unemployment trust fund.

After 16 years, Sean Payton steps away as head coach of the New Orleans Saints. David Grubb has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.”

Tiger Rag Magazine reports Sharon Lewis, LSU’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations, is no longer employed at LSU. She filed a 50-million dollar lawsuit against the university in April alleging a hostile work environment and claiming co-workers retaliated against her after reporting that female student workers were sexually harassed by former LSU coach Les Miles. Lewis attorneys call the firing a wrongful termination, while LSU is not commenting.

There are some state lawmakers who question the governor’s proposal to use 500-million in surplus dollars on a new I-10 Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. That’s because construction is several years away and engineers have yet to map out where the bridge will go. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds says getting that bridge built should be a top priority, even if the money lies in reserve for a few years:
Cut 15 (12) “…of the United States.”

First Lady Donna Edwards announces a new human trafficking public awareness campaign and resource center. Edwards says the campaign received input from human trafficking survivors and is entitled Stop Trafficking LA: Human Trafficking is Real R-E-A-L.
Cut 7 (12) “…supporting victims.”
The awareness campaign will launch in April during the men’s NCAA final four basketball tournament in New Orleans.

Tiger Rag magazine reports Sharon Lewis, who filed a $50 million Title IX lawsuit against LSU in April is no longer employed as the school’s associate athletic director of football recruiting and alumni relations. Her attorneys released a statement alleging Lewis was fired by LSU athletic director Scott Woodward.

The Saints’ all-time winningest coach is stepping down. Sean Payton notified the team today that he will not be back for a 16th season on the sidelines.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m David Grubb.”  

AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get nursing residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. She believes families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that those caring for their loved ones are not putting them at risk.

Cut 4 (11) “…loved one.”

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the COVID pandemic and they desperately need Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund…

 Cut 6 (09) “…that push.” 

The National Restaurant Association says 10-thousand Louisiana restaurant jobs were saved with the first round of the RRF grants

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton says he is leaving the team. The winningest coach in Saints history, Payton has led the team to over 150 wins, seven division titles and a national championship. Canal Street Chronicle Editor Ross Jackson says Payton’s legacy will be a lasting one…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…by Sean Payton.”

In a press conference, Payton said he won’t rule out eventually returning to coaching someday.

State Police say a man shot & killed by Lafayette cops Sunday night was goi9ng for his gun, and so the shooting appears to be justified. Trooper Tom Gossen says the suspect stole a car, and at some point tried to flee officers on foot. That’s when they saw he had a gun and was reaching for it…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…in this.”

The shooting remains under investigation, but preliminary findings show it to a clean shoot.

With the rise in COVID Omicron cases, AARP Louisiana calls for immediate action to get elderly people at nursing homes – and staff – vaxxed and boosted. State director Denise Bottcher says there were over 100 confirmed COVID cases among staff in the first two weeks of January and over 50 residents tested positive…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…not fully vaccinated.”

She says only about 12-percent of staff have had a booster.

We’re getting some reaction to Governor Edwards’ proposal to use surplus money to give all public school teachers a $1500 pay raise. Some are calling it a slap in the face of teachers who are underappreciated and seriously underpaid. Others say $1500 is a good start, but it needs to be more. Teachers in Louisiana are paid an average of $51,500 per year, which is 12th among 16 Southern states. The national average teacher salary is over $64-thousand.

State Police say the man who was shot & killed by a Lafayette Police Officer Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette PD tried to apprehend the man after he allegedly stole a vehicle. Gossen says during the foot chase one of the officers attempted to use a taser…:

CUT 09(12)      “…visible gun.”

The investigation is still underway, but at least now they know the officer was justified in firing his weapon.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is standing down. After leading the team through 15 seasons, with over 150 wins and a national championship, Payton says he’ll retire. Canal Street Chronicle editor Ross Jackson says he thinks this is not so much about abandoning the team…:

CUT 12(15)      “…like the latter.”

Payton is the winningest coach in Saints history.

The pandemic continues to plague the restaurant industry and the Omicron variant is no different. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

An oil & gas industry career fair is coming next month to the Cajundome in Lafayette. Companies like Haliburton, Ecoserv, Baker Hughes, Helix Energy and many more will have representatives there to talk with applicants. Mark the calendar for Wednesday, February 9^th at 9am at the Cajundome.

A New Orleans sports reporter and the NFL Network are reporting Saints head coach Sean Payton will announce he is retiring from pro football today. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02  (32)        “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge man who barricaded himself inside his burning home Sunday night, and fired shots at police and firemen as they tried to respond, was killed by a self –inflicted gunshot; not by burning or smoke. A coroner’s report on the remains of 41-year-old Kendrick Holland were conclusive. Holland’s reason for his actions are unknown.

With a large number of seniors living in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities facing potential infection from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get them vaxxed. The AARP has been following CDC data closely, and Bottcher sees a straight line between vaccination and boosters to lower spikes among nursing home residents…:

CUT 05(10)      “…longterm care residents.”

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris, who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the pandemic and its effects. He says they still very much need Restaurant Revitalization Funds replenished. He says restaurants are hemorrhaging employees to other lines of work…:

CUT 08(10)      “…same worker.”

There are reports that Saints head coach Sean Payton is leaving the black and gold after 16 seasons. It’s not yet clear if Payton is leaving just the Saints or coaching for good. The franchise is expected to call a press conference this afternoon Payton reportedly will not be in attendance. Rod Walker, who covers the Saints for NOLA.com says this instantly becomes one of the most attractive jobs in the NFL.

Cut 19 (15)_“…see what’s out there.” 

58 year old Payton  is under contract through 2024, so a trade would have to be worked out for him to coach another team. There have also been reports of TV networks showing interest in Payton if he retries.

AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get nursing residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. She believes families deserve the peace of mind that comes with knowing that those caring for their loved ones are not putting them at risk.

Cut 4 (11) “…loved one.”

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle. Gossen says the shooting remains an active investigation, but they know the suspect who was fatally shot was armed…

Cut  11 (08)  “…officer reacted”

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle that then turned to a foot pursuit. Gossen says an officer fired his weapon after instructing the suspect not to reach for a gun…

Cut 10 (05)  “….in this.” 

The incident remains under investigation.

Restaurant owners say 10-thousand jobs were saved with the first round of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, but President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the highly contagious Omicron variant is forcing many establishments to reduce hours, seating capacity, and menu offerings.

Cut 7 (06) “…right now.” 

And Harris says many former employees have moved onto other jobs instead of returning to the industry.

With a large number of seniors living in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities facing potential infection from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get residents and staff vaccinated.

Cut 3 (15) “…not fully vaccinated.”

The AARP has been following CDC data closely, and Bottcher sees a straight line between vaccination and boosters to lower spikes among nursing home residents.

State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle. Gossen says the subject fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. He says one of the officers attempted to use a taser…

Cut 9 (12) “…visible gun.”

The incident remains under investigation.

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with and they desperately need the Restaurant Revitalization Fund replenished.

 Cut 6 (10) “…that push.” 

The state reported 2,304 people in hospital with COVID as of Monday, with several thousand more exposed to the Omicron variant. However, Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart is optimistic that being on the other side of the curve means some level of protection.

Cut 12 (11) “…the Mardi Gras season.”

A side effect of COVID that physicians say they are beginning to see more patients for is hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Dr. Elizabeth Grieshaber says high stressors on the body like childbirth and COVID can cause temporary hair loss.

Cut 8 (11)  “…precipitating event.”

She says you can lose up to 50-percent of your hair. See a dermatologist if you are experiencing such symptoms.