Louisiana attorneys argued their case against White House COVID vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. We are among several states granted injunctions by lower courts to stop the enforcement of the rules. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill believes the Biden administration orders are an overreach…:
Cut 9 (15) “a COVID shot”
Federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are absolutely appropriate…:
CUT 11 (09) “Medicaid patients”
A ruling by the Justices is forthcoming.

Meanwhile Louisiana’s Supreme Court just ruled Friday that private employers can under law fire workers who refuse to get the shot.

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various Covid missions. LANG Task Force Covid Commander Cindy Haygood says they are working at 28 vaccine sites and administering Covid tests at 31 sites…:
CUT 18 (11) “regions”
She says as of this week guardsmen have administered more than 542,000 Covid tests and 206,300 vaccines.

Good news for hunters today. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says chronic wasting disease was not detected in more than 300 white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. LDWF biologist Director Scott Durham says this means the baiting ban is now no more…:
CUT 3 (05) “to hunt”
Hunters across the state are still encouraged to continue submitting deer samples to LDWF.

The state Supreme Court rules private employers can fire workers who refuse to get the Covid vaccine. 2 months ago, a lower court ruled the Ochsner Health system cannot force employees to get the shot. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says at-will work laws in Louisiana give employers a lot of freedom…:
Cut 13 (10) “employees”
The ruling applies to all private employers, not just healthcare facilities.

The Louisiana National Guard is continuing to support Covid missions around the state in 2022. Cindy Haygood is the Task Force Covid commander with LANG. She says the Omicron surge has led to a huge increase in test site demand throughout the state…:
CUT 17 (11) “out there”
She says 886 service members are currently supporting various Covid missions in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints travel to face the Falcons tomorrow and New Orleans must win to make the playoffs, and the Rams need to beat the 49ers. Running Back Alvin Kamara says they’ve been working hard:
CUT 16 (15) “locked in”
Kickoff is 3:25pm.

Louisiana went before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandates for bigger businesses and health care workers. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the White House orders are a clear overreach…:

Cut 9 (15) “…a COVID shot.”

She calls the mandate an unprecedented “bureaucratic power move.” But federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are wholly appropriate…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…Medicaid patients.” 

Louisiana and other states are asking the High Court to uphold injunctions against enforcing the mandates.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Plaintiffs argued the state’s medical consent law gives adults the ability to refuse medical treatment, Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court correctly determined the law only applies to the relationship between a health care provider and a patient…

Cut 14 (07)  “…Ochsner.” 

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says SafePoint will cover any insurance claims made on or after December 1^st. As for claims prior to December, particularly those from Ida…

Cut 8 (07) “…per claim.” 

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website

Approximately 30,000 homeowner’s policyholders in Louisiana – of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent – will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire for more than three years…:

CUT 06(10)      “…until renewal.”

As policies come up for renewal, beginning in March 2022 they will be rewritten using SafePoint’s policy forms and rates.

Shreveport is a concerned as to whether there will be enough police to handle security for Mardi Gras parades coming next month. In an interview with KEEL radio, Interim Chief Wayne Smith said they will (quote) ”utilize every available option that we have and work harder with what we have.” He says they may ask partner law enforcement agencies for assistance.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana’s at-will employment laws give Ochsner Health or any other private employer the ability to fire a worker who refuses the COVID vaccine…:

CUT 13(10)      “…employees.”

A large group of Ochsner employees filed the lawsuit. They now must either comply or find work someplace else.

Sunday is a must-win for the New Orleans Saints, as they have to beat the Falcons AND the Rams must beat the 49ers in order for the Saints to get into the NFL playoffs. Coach Sean Payton does NOT expect Atlanta to lie down and give them the win…:

CUT 15(12)      “…for success.”

State Attorney General Jeff Landry was at the U.S. Supreme Court in D.C. today for oral arguments against White House coronavirus vaccine mandates. Lower courts have granted injunctions to block the orders that all health workers get the jab, and that companies with 100 or more employees also require they get vaccinated. Louisiana’s Solicitor General Liz Murrill asks justices to uphold those rulings, as the mandates will create negative consequences…:

CUT 10  (10)        “millions of people.”

Speaking for the Biden Administration and federal authorities, Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher, who says health Secretary Xavier Becerra weighed those possibilities heavily before agreeing to the mandates…:

CUT 12  (15)        “…a deadly pandemic.”

The Justices’ decision will be forthcoming.

The state Supreme Court rules that Ochsner Health HAS the right to fire employees who do not comply with COVID vaccination requirements. The decision reinstates the mandate that employees get the shots and boosters or submit to regular testing … or find work elsewhere. Ochsner is one of the state’s largest health care providers.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Louisiana argues its case against Biden Administration vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Dozens of Ochsner employees filed the lawsuit after Ochsner Health announced its workers must get vaccinated or face possible termination.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they found no evidence of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes and the baiting ban for those parishes has been lifted. LDWF Biologist Director Scott Durham encourages hunters statewide to continue submitting samples because CWD is an issue they consistently monitor.

Cut 5 (10) “…looking for.”

CWD has been detected in the bordering states of Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi.

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire for more than three years.

 Cut 6 (10) “…until renewal.” 

Louisiana went before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandates for bigger businesses and health care workers. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the White House orders are a clear overreach…:

CUT 09  (15)        “…a COVID shot.”

She calls the mandate an un-precedented “bureaucratic power move.” But federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are wholly appropriate…:

CUT 11  (09)        “…and Medicaid patients.”

Louisiana and other states are asking the High Court to uphold injunctions against enforcing the mandates.

A large building in historic downtown Lake Providence has been destroyed by an overnight fire. Police in the East Carroll Parish town say the fire started somewhere around 1 a.m. and was not extinguished until after 8. The building housed several businesses, including a Capital One Bank. The State Fire Marshal’s office is investigating.

The Department of Wildlife & Fisheries lifts a field-baiting ban for Union and Morehouse parishes, after becoming satisfied that deer in that area do not have Chronic Wasting Disease. LDWF biologist Scott Durham credits the help of hunters, who voluntarily gave up their deer taken for testing…:

CUT 04  (11)        “…help us in that.”

Because CWD has been detected in deer in four neighbor states, Durham encourages hunters statewide to keep bringing their deer kill in for further testing.

Attorney General Jeff Landry will make his case against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for most healthcare workers. Erik Piccoli has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Piccoli.”

The New Orleans City Council has voted to rename Robert E. Lee Boulevard in the city’s Lakeview area after local musical legend Allen Toussaint. The vote was unanimous, and the street officially becomes “Allen Toussaint Boulevard” on February 1^st. Toussaint passed away in 2015.

State health officials are struggling for coronavirus test demand to keep up with the high number of cases reported. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are PCR tests available, but at-home tests are VERY hard to come by…:

CUT 14  (07)        “…private market.”

If you want to find a free testing location near you, visit “ldh.la.gov” and click the “coronavirus” tab.

…and now today’s markets….

The Saints need a “perfect storm” to make the NFL playoffs this year. They must beat Atlanta Sunday, but they also need the Rams to beat San Francisco as well. Both those games kickoff at 3:25 Sunday.

As daily COVID case numbers continue to break records, the governor continues to encourage residents to wear masks indoors. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Calcasieu Parish has recorded its first homicide of the New Year. Police in Iowa say a woman and her daughter were both shot by Sheron Lewis. The mother was killed. The daughter is in the hospital in serious condition. Their names are withheld for now. Lewis is charged with murder and attempted murder.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they found no evidence of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. A baiting ban was issued in those parishes after cases were found in Arkansas. LDWF Biologist Scott Durham says the ban is now lifted…:

CUT 03(11)      “…not detected.”

Durham thanks hunters who gave up their deer for testing for helping is getting the ban lifted.

Commercials are all over Louisiana TV and radio about online sports betting “Coming Soon”, but HOW soon? State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says – first – he’d like to dispel a few rumors…:

CUT 10(08)      “…not the case.”

Johns says once regulators are satisfied the apps will be bug and problem-free, he’ll approve their use … but he declines to set a date for that.

As new COVID infections reach another single-day high and hospitalizations continue to mount, many are questioning if a statewide indoor mask mandate will be reinstated. At Thursday’s briefing, Governor John Bel Edwards stopped short of requiring face masks again.

Cut 4 (09) “… activities.” 

COVID hospitalizations have reached 14 hundred, a 700-percent increase from three weeks ago.

Amidst the fifth COVID surge, the ability to find a rapid test is proving to be extremely difficult. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says supply is not able to keep up with demand but if you are showing symptoms or have a known exposure you can receive a PCR test.

Cut 13 (11) “…of those.“

Call 2-1-1 for the nearest testing site.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is in D.C. presenting oral arguments to the Supreme Court against the Biden Administration’s plan to mandate COVID vaccines for healthcare workers at facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. Arguments began at 10.

With football playoffs and the Super Bowl coming in the next few weeks, many want to know when the state will approve online sports betting apps. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”