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.

Governor John Bel Edwards is proposing teacher and support staff raises for the budget year that starts July 1^st. $1500 raises for teachers and $750 raises for support staff and says lawmakers can go even higher, should state surplus revenues projections prove true…:

Cut 5 (09) “…another 500 dollars.”

State police are prepping for their first-ever accelerated cadet academy. LSP Sargent Monroe Dillion says the accelerated academy is only open for police officers who are POST certified. Dillon says they are hoping to have more officers trained and, on the job, sooner with the accelerated academy.

Cut 15 (08)  “…boots on the ground.”

To apply or for more information visit www.lsp.org/recruit.html

Omicron is having an impact on children who remain highly susceptible to the virus. Dr. Sandra Kemmerly at Ochsner Health strongly encourages all who are eligible to be vaccinated or to get their booster.

Cut 13 (15) “…our kids safe.”

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 recovery is a long process, and it can take a minimum of three months before you see any progress.

Cut 10 (07) “…hair yet.”

If you are experiencing hair loss, see a dermatologist to determine the cause.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ proposed budget for the next fiscal year gets introduced to state lawmakers today. It calls for a teacher pay raise of 15-hundred dollars, plus 32-million dollars for higher education faculty pay raises and a 43-million dollar increase in early childhood education.

The spending plan also includes one-point-one billion dollars for infrastructure improvements and the governor says that includes 500-million for a new Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, 100-million for I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge in Lake Charles, and 100-million for the I-49 Lafayette connector…
cut 30 (14) “…of those”
The governor’s budget proposal also calls for 500-million dollars for water and sewer improvements statewide. The budget will be discussed by lawmakers for the next three months.

We’ve heard the term shedding the virus when it relates to COVID and now there are reports of people shedding their hair two months later. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State police are prepping for their first-ever accelerated cadet academy. Sergeant Monroe Dillion says the accelerated academy is only open for police officers who are POST certified.
Cut 14 (11) “…accelerated academy.”
Applications can be found on L-S-P’s website.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal calls for teachers to receive a 15-hundred dollar pay raise and the spending plan also has money to fund new bridges in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles. Edwards says if additional state surplus revenues are projected, he hopes lawmakers will give teachers a raise even higher than 15-hundred dollars…
cut 5 (09) “…another 500 dollars”
The Governor’s budget contains one-point-one billion dollars for roads and bridges too. Including 500-million for a third Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says that money will augment a public-private partnership for the construction of a new bridge…:
Cut 6 (15) “…over those four years.”

The future of Saints head coach Sean Payton remains a hot topic. David Grubb has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police is preparing to begin training its 101st cadet class. Sergeant Monroe Dillon says it will be a 14-week accelerated academy as opposed to the 24-week class. Dillon says applicants must be certified law enforcement officers and the application deadline for the class of up to 60 cadets is approaching…
cut 16 (05) “…out today”
You can apply on the State Police’s website.

Governor John Bel Edwards has unveiled his proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1st, with a major focus on teacher pay and the state’s infrastructure needs. Edwards says improving education in Louisiana will help correct a lot of problems, and the best place to start is with teacher pay raises…:
Cut 4 (10) “…for support staff.”
The governor’s budget proposal also includes one-point-one billion dollars in funding for critical infrastructure, including new I-10 bridges in Baton Rouge and Lake Charles.

A side effect of COVID that physicians say they are beginning to see in more patients 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.”
If you are experiencing significant hair loss, Grieshaber recommends visiting a dermatologist so they can rule out other causes like thyroid disease or anemia.

We are getting closer to the heart of the Carnival season. Ochsner Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says their data suggests that the Omicron surge was reached nearly two weeks ago in New Orleans and other parts of the state have also peaked, and with Mardi Gras still more than a month away, time is on our side.
Cut 11 (09) “…within the population.”
The Louisiana Health Department reported 2,304 people in hospital with COVID as of Monday. That’s a decrease of 177 from Friday.

State Police says its 101st Cadet class will be for the first time a 14-week accelerated academy for current police officers who are already POST certified men and women. LSP Sargent Monroe Dillon says a typical cadet class can last up to 24 weeks. Dillon says they are hoping to have more officers trained and, on the job, sooner with the accelerated academy.
Cut 15 (08) “…boots on the ground.”
The 101st cadet class is expected to start in June, but the deadline to apply is March 1st.

Governor John Bel Edwards’ budget proposal for the next fiscal year contains hundreds of millions of dollars for roads and bridges, teacher pay raises, and more…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police has released more information into Sunday night’s fatal police shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. L-S-P says during a foot chase with a suspect accused of stealing a vehicle, the subject reached for a visible gun after being instructed not to do so. One officer shot the suspect who was fatally wounded.

Another side effect of COVID has developed and that’s hair loss for those who have recovered from the virus. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, stress and fever that any illness can bring could result in hair loss. LSU Health New Orleans Dermatologist Doctor Elizabeth Greishaber says supplements can help…
cut 9 (10) “….really helpful”

Ochsner Health officials say based on COVID hospitalizations the Omicron-fueled surge may have peaked in some areas of the state. Chief Medical Officer Doctor 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”

The number of patients hospitalized with COVID has dropped. The Louisiana Health Department reports that 2304 people are in hospital with COVID, a decrease of nearly 200 from last Friday. President of Ochsner Health, Warner Thomas, says 64-percent of patients with COVID are unvaccinated, with 30 percent having received two shots, but no booster and just six percent are boosted…

Cut 3 (07) “…avoiding hospitalization.”

—

With the Saints missing out on the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, there are questions about what’s next for the franchise, starting with the future of coach Sean Payton. A report by the NFL Network states that Payton has not committed to returning to the Black and Gold, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says his gut tells him that Payton will be back next season.

Cut 6 (12) “…in 2022.”

—

Getting healthier is a group effort thanks to the Own Your Own Health, 13-week wellness challenge, which kicks off today. The state health department organizes the competition which allows teams to compete against each other in step and weight loss challenges. Director of the Governor’s council on Physical Fitness and Sports, Rudy Macklin, say teams can see how they measure up on the Own Your Own Health website. Prizes are awarded each Friday and you and your team can still sign up before the end of this week.

Cut 11 (08) “…pretty quickly.”

—

A website aimed at increasing dual enrollment for high school students in Louisiana seeks to inform parents and students of the benefits for all students, including those seeking a technical degree. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed says LA Dual Enrollment-dot-com will officially launch Tuesday.

Cut 12 (11) “…near them.”

—

Are COVID Omicron cases beginning to peak in Louisiana? State health officials report new cases are down 28-percent from just last Friday. President of Ochsner Health Warner Thomas says – based on their data – the peak number of hospitalizations as a result of the Omicron surge was reached nearly two weeks ago in New Orleans and for other regions of the state…:

CUT 05(11)      “…plateau.”

Just over 2300 are hospitalized with COVID. About 64-percent of them are un-vaxxed, 30-percent have had two shots, but no booster … and only six percent are completely boosted…:

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets started today; an opportunity to form a team and compete against others in step and weight loss challenges. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin…:

CUT 09(09)      “…signed up.”

Find more on “ldh.la.gov”

Governor John bel Edwards outlined his proposed state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st, and it contains money for all levels of education, including $1500-a-year teacher pay raises. His plan also includes $750 raises for school & teacher support staff.

LAdualEnrollment.com hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of dual enrollment and advance their college or tech school degrees. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has dropped. The Louisiana Health Department reports 2,304 people are in hospital with COVID, a decrease of 177 from last Friday. That’s a 28-percent drop. President of Ochsner Health, Warner Thomas, says staffing has been a major challenge over the last 45 days, due to the Omicron surge…:

CUT 04(11)      “…entire system.”

The state reported 51 more COVID deaths today.

A Baton Rouge teen faces charges after accidentally shooting his 3-year-old brother. Police say the 16-year-old was in illegal possession of the handgun that went off unintentionally; hitting the toddler. The child’s wounds were non-life-threatening.

Need help in claiming the federal expanded child tax credit? Go online for help to ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Still concerned about having a proper mask to help stop the spread of COVID? Here’s a useful tip in knowing a real N95 or KN95 from a counterfeit one: real approved masks have bands that go all the way around your head and neck. Cheaper fakes usually have ear loops. Which is not to say those masks provide no protection.

The NFL Network reports Saints Coach Sean Payton is not committed to returning to the sidelines next season. David Grubb on whether Payton will be back for his 16th season…:

CUT 01(32)      “…David Grubb.”