The number of COVID hospitalized patients fell by another 103 yesterday according to the state health department. There are now 1,423 individuals hospitalized with COVID across Louisiana. COVID deaths increased by another 51 and the death toll stands at 16,066.

If you ever wanted to be able to show your COVID test results like you present your ID on LA Wallet well now you can. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A redistricting plan for the Louisiana House received approval from the House Governmental Affairs Committee. It moves a district from Natchitoches to New Orleans because of population growth in the Big Easy. But a group of high school students have an issue with this majority-black district being moved. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski grilled the teens about the opposition…
cut 24 (11) “….moved it”
The measure heads to the House floor for more debate.

LSU Health New Orleans professor of surgery Dr. Jeffrey Carter has been working on a more advanced way to assist burn victims with a type of spray-on-skin that significantly increases their survival rates.
Cut 13 (12) “…accelerate healing.”
Carter is working with the state health department on delivering burn kits to first responders, so people with minor burns, including fire fighters, can get immediate treatment.

The state Senate approves a new Congressional district map that maintains one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment to create a second-majority Black district by taking voters from Representative Julia Letlow’s 5th district…

Cut 12 (11) “…with the law”.  

Fields amendment failed on a party-line vote.

House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new state House map that keeps the number of majority-minority districts at 29. Opponents say the new map prevents more blacks from being elected. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski asked teenagers if they knew the definition of gerrymandering…

Cut 5 (15) “..gerrymander.”

State Police are investigating two officer-involved shootings, one in Lake Charles the other in New Orleans. A Lake Charles officer shot a man who hit a police car with his vehicle early Wednesday morning. And in New Orleans an officer shot a man just north of the Superdome Tuesday evening. Police were searching for an armed robbery suspect; the man was hit three times in the leg. Injuries are considered nonlife-threatening injuries.

He’s a Lafayette native, a political science major at LSU, and is the second quarter-final winner of Jeopardy’s National College Champions for 2022. Who is Steven Privat. (Pre-vot). Privat was a guest on Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge this morning, and even though he wasn’t able to discuss anything beyond Tuesday’s episode he says been a great experience.

Cut 9 (11) “…some questions.”

The Jeopardy College Championship continues tonight at 7 pm on ABC.

Dennis Allen was introduced as the new head coach of the New Orleans Saints yesterday. Allen believes he is the right man at the right time to continue the Saints winning tradition. One of the keys to doing that will be revamping the offense. After a year in which everything went wrong for New Orleans on that side of the ball, Allen was very direct in saying what he expects their offensive identity to be.

Cut 6 (14) “…situationally.”

Former Saints assistants Doug Marrone and John Morton are being considered as additions to Allen’s staff. Current offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael will stay with the team but in a lesser role.

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The LSU men’s basketball team ended its three-game slide with a 76-68 victory over Texas A&M. The Tigers led by 20 at the half but had to hold off the Aggies in the second to earn Will Wade’s 100^th win at LSU. Tari Eason led the way with 25 points and 12 boards. Next up for the Tigers, Mississippi State at home in the P-MAC on Saturday night.

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The New Orleans Pelicans have acquired CJ McCollum, Larry Nance Jr., and Tony Snell from the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Tomas Satoransky, Didi Louzada and picks. Oleh Kosel, editor of The Bird Writes-dot-com, says that a move like this shows that the Pels are serious about making a run now, and in the seasons ahead.

Cut 18 (10) “…a lot higher.”

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College baseball is just around the corner, and Louisiana players continue to grab preseason honors. Southeastern dominated the Southland Conference’s Preseason All-Conference team with eight players, including five on the first team. Northwestern State and UNO had four selections each, McNeese two, and Nicholls one. Southern placed four players on the Preseason All-SWAC team, two on the first team.

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Burrow-mania continues to sweep across Cincinnati in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. The Cincinnati Zoo has named a five-week-old penguin chick after the Bengals QB. A spokesman for the zoo says little Joe will wear orange and black ID bans when he joins the rest of the penguin colony in the spring.

The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map that maintains the status quo and that’s just one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment that created a second-majority Black voting district, but Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says Fields’ proposal would actually dilute the black vote in both districts…:

CUT 13(10)      “…minority representation whatsoever.”

Black lawmakers argue that 33-percent of the state’s population is African-American, therefore two of the state’s six congressional districts should be majority-minority, if not it violates the Voting Rights Act. A federal consent decree from decades ago, mandates the state have “at least one” majority black district.

COVID hospitalizations keep dropping in Louisiana. The state Department of Health today reports 1435 patients under care; a drop of over 100 in just one day.

In a new 60-second online ad, U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a Confederate flag on fire, while talking about systemic inequalities in criminal justice, economics, and voting rights. The ad is getting attention, but ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances at winning…:

CUT 06(13)      “move the needle too much.”

Stockley says unless Chambers can raise a lot of cash AND appeal to at least SOME non-black voters, he doesn’t stand a chance.

New Orleans Saints owner Gayle Benson is suing a neighbor over the death of one of her dogs. Benson’s lawyer says the neighbor’s dogs got out unrestrained and left the Yorkie “literally torn apart.” Another dog was badly injured, but lived. The neighbor’s dogs have been euthanized. Benson says, if she wins the suit, she’ll give the money to a pet charity, and match it out-of-pocket.

At the State Capitol redistricting session, A House committee advances a state House district map that keeps the number of majority black districts At its current number; 29. Opponents of the proposed map, says it is gerrymandered to assure no MORE blacks get elected to the legislature. One of those was Shreveport high school student Autumn Summers…:

CUT 03  (14)        “…remove you from office.”

Despite that, the bill was approved by a 13-to-4 vote, and goes next to the House floor.

U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a rebel flag on fire in his latest campaign video, while talking of systemic racism, race-based voter rights infringement and more. U.L.-Monroe political science professor Joshua Stockley says those are good issues to talk up, but he must also show he can raise money AND appeal to more than just black democrats…:

CUT 08  (04)        “…very Republican state.”

The man accused of killing a Slidell mom and stuffing her dismembered body in a cooler will remain in jail until his trial. An Orleans Parish magistrate ruled this morning there was probable cause the Benjamin Beale might be a flight risk, if let out on bond. He’s accused of murdering 36-year-old Julia Dardar AND with running a meth lab.

He’s a poli-sci student at LSU and winner of the second quarter-finals in Jeopardy’s College Champions. Brooke Thorington has more on Steven Privat…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional map that does NOT contain a second Black-majority Congressional district. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee approves a new state House map that keeps the number of majority-minority districts at 29. Opponents say the map is gerrymandered to prevent more blacks from being elected. Approved by a 13-to-4 vote, the map moves next to the House floor for debate and vote.

U.S. Senate candidate Gary Chambers knows how to get attention and online views. In his most recent campaign ad message, Chambers sets a rebel flag on fire while decrying inequities in voting rights, criminal justice and more. UL-M Political Science professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances at winning. Stockley says he’ll have to really pull out the stops…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in his case, incendiary.”

Doesn’t get much more incendiary than setting a flag on fire.

LSU poli-sci major Steven Privat wowed audiences watching the College Jeopardy quarter-finals. On Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge Tuesday, Privat said being a contestant is a long process before you get behind the buzzer…:

CUT 10(12)      “…that long ago.”

The Jeopardy College Championship continues tonight at 7, on ABC TV.

The Louisiana Senate approves a new Congressional district map that doesn’t create a second majority-minority district. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says even a law firm hired by the Legislature says it’s legal. But New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson questioned her…

Cut 14 (15)  “…it matter.” 

In his latest ad, U-S Senate candidate Gary Chambers sets a Confederate flag on fire, while talking about systemic inequalities in criminal justice, economics, and voting rights. It’s getting attention, but UL-M Political Science professor Joshua Stockley doesn’t see it improving Chambers’ chances.

 Cut 6 (13) “…needle too much.” 

The National Federation of Independent Business says one out of every five small businesses continue to report inflation is their business problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says many mom and pops remain pessimistic about future economic conditions, but there is some hope…

Cut 15 (11)  “…begin to improve.”

LSU student and Lafayette native Steven Privat (Pre-vot) advances to the semifinals in Jeopardy’s College Champions. And he’s not the only one with Louisiana ties on the collegiate game show special.

Cut  11 (10)   “….who’s competing.”  

Liz Feltner representing Northeastern will compete in episode four and Tulane’s Fiona Hellerman will appear in episode six.

The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map that maintains the status quo and that’s just one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment that created a second-majority Black voting district by taking voters from Representative Julia Letlow’s 5th district…

Cut 12 (11) “…with the law”.

Fields amendment failed on a party-line vote.

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A record 31 million Americans are expected to place a bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. The Association says part of the increase is that 30 states and the District of Columbia now offer legal sports betting. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says ever since Louisiana sports wagering went live at casinos in November and now with online gaming, it’s more accessible to legally bet on the big game.

Cut 8 (11) “….pretty big numbers.”

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22-percent of small businesses nationwide report inflation remains their single most important business problem. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state Senate has approved a Congressional district map that has a single majority-Black district. Black lawmakers believe the state should have two in order to comply with the Voting Rights Act. Republican Senator Sharon Hewitt received tough questioning from New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson…
cut 14 (15) “…does it matter”
Hewitt’s proposal needs House approval and the House is expected to pass its own version that will be similar to Hewitt’s.

Dennis Allen is the Saints new head coach. The former defensive coordinator promises his teams will be tough, smart, and highly competitive…
cut 5 (07) “…fanbase has”
Allen admits the biggest decision he’ll make is….who will be the starting quarterback next season.

He’s a Lafayette native, a political science major at LSU, and advanced to the semifinals of Jeopardy’s National College Champions for 2022. Who is Seven Privat. (Pre-vot). Privat was a guest on Talk 107.3 in Baton Rouge this morning, and says the Jeopardy experience is exciting.
Cut 9 (11) “…some questions.”
Privat beat contestants from Rice and Princeton.

A record 31 million Americans are expected to place a bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says after an exciting postseason more folks than ever plan to wager thanks in part to legalized sports betting.
Cut 7 (06) “…all-time records.”
That’s an increase of more than $3-billion from last year.

The state Senate has approved a new Congressional district map which maintains one majority-minority district. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields authored an amendment to create a second-majority Black district which failed on a party-line vote. Republican Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt says his proposal would dilute the black vote in the two majority-minority districts he’s trying to create.

Cut 20 (10) “…whatsoever.”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy shares good news for college students in that his bill the College Transparency Act, also known as the CTA, cleared the House of Representatives, as part of a larger package in DC.

Cut 10 (11) “…be the same.”

Information like the potential of debt they could incur and the likelihood to graduate.

The National Federation of Independent Business says one out of every five small businesses nationwide continue to report that inflation is their single most important business problem. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says mom and pops are having to raise prices to mitigate supply chain issues and offset increases in higher labor costs.

Cut 13 (12) “…labor costs.”

A record 31 million Americans are expected to place bets on Sunday’s Super Bowl according to the American Gaming Association. Senior Director of Research, David Forman says ever since Louisiana sports wagering went live at casinos in November and now with online gaming, it’s more accessible to legally bet on the big game.

Cut 8 (11)  “….pretty big numbers.”

More than $7 is expected to be wagered in the US.