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. President of Ochsner Health, Warner Thomas, says 64-percent of their COVID patients are unvaccinated, 30-percent have two shots, but no booster and only six percent are boosted…:

CUT 03(07)      “…avoiding hospitalization.”

The state reported 51 more COVID deaths today, bringing the virus’s death toll to 15,374.

What would you do with a billion dollars? Governor Edwards will propose how the state should spend a surplus of just over that sum; left over from the 2020 fiscal year. The governor’s annual executive budget proposal is the beginning of a legislative dance that starts with a re-districting special session in February and a regular session that starts March 14^th and ends June 1^st.

There’s a sudden explosion of speculation that Sean Payton may be leaving the New Orleans Saints. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says he believes otherwise. This despite rumors a network commentator gig may be offered Payton..:

CUT 08(10)      “…I think he returns.”

How many Louisiana parents are familiar with dual enrollment programs for their school-aged kids? Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter-Reed says they hope to educated and inform kids and parents about it at “LADualEnrollment.com” she says it’s affordable, accessible and can reduce young peoples’ time spent in college, because they’ve already completed courses in high school…:

CUT 14(07)      “…in high school.”

Dual enrollment allows high school students to take one course and receive credit hours for both high school and college at the same time.

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets underway today. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin says in the team competition, each team picks a captain, and they help keep track of the group’s steps or weight loss efforts…

Cut 10 (06)  “….email.” 

A website aimed at increasing dual enrollment for high school students in Louisiana seeks to inform of the benefits for all students, even those seeking a technical degree. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed the last annual report indicates about 64-percent of students graduate with at least one dual enrollment course and they want to build on that.

Cut 13 (11) “…or both.”

The website is LA-dual-enrollment-dot-com

At 2 pm Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press briefing to discuss his executive budget proposal ahead of the 2022 regular legislative session. That session will begin March 14^th and end June 6^th. The special session on redistricting begins on February first and ends on the 20^th.

With the Saints not in the playoffs, there are questions about what’s next for coach Sean Payton. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season and Saints insider Mike Detillier believes we are nearing the end of his time in New Orleans.

Cut 7 (15) “…a wrong read.” 

The NFL Network reports that Payton could leave the Saints for a job in TV as a football analyst.

LAdualEnrollment.com hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of dual enrollment and advance their college or tech school degrees. Brooke Thorington
Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are expected to hear more about education funding during a 2 PM press conference at the state capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards will outline his spending plan for the next fiscal year.

With the Saints not in the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, there are questions about what’s next for the franchise, starting with coach Sean Payton. An NFL Network report says Payton has not committed to returning next season, but Saints insider Mike Detillier says his gut tells him Payton will be back.
Cut 6 (12) “…in 2022.”
The NFL Network says they made multiple attempts to reach out to Payton for comment, but the requests were not returned.

If you are looking to team up with others and compete against other teams in a weight loss challenge, the state health department is encouraging you to participate in the Own Your Own Health challenge. Rudy Macklin, director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, says even though the competition starts today, you can still sign up, but do so by the end of the week…
Cut 11 (08) “…pretty quickly”
Go to the Own Your Own health website.

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets underway today. The state health department organizes the competition which allows a group of people to form teams to compete in step and weight loss challenges. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin…

Cut 9 (10) “…signed up.”

LA Dual Enrollment-dot com is up and running. It’s a website aimed at increasing dual enrollment for high school students and inform them of benefits for all students, even those seeking a technical degree. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed…

Cut 12 (11) “…near them.”  

Dual enrollment allows students to take one course and receive credit hours for both high school and college at the same time.

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 1 (33) “…I’m David Grubb.”

State Police is investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. L-S-P says a subject was shot last night after 11 PM in the 16-hundred block of Pinhook Road. No officers were injured, and no other details were released.

The state health department reported over one thousand COVID cases among nursing home residents last week, an increase of about 300 from the week before. But state health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says there is some good news…
Cut 14 (10) “…residents.”

AARP is calling on nursing homes to require booster shots for both residents and staff. In Louisiana, only 16-percent of staff is reportedly boosted.

Cynthia Posey, Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is hopeful lawmakers will address the needs of educators in the upcoming legislative session, if not she fears the teacher shortage will continue to grow. Posey says education reforms over the last decade are only hurting students and driving away teachers.
Cut 10 (12) “…isn’t working.”
Posey says among the concerns is the amount of paperwork teachers are burdened with in addition to low pay.

Tax season officially begins today, as filers can begin sending in their returns. David Grubb has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m David Grubb.” 

Baton Rouge Police have arrested 26-year old Terrione Thomas in connection with a Friday night shooting in Thibodaux that left two dead. His brother 38-year old Timothy Thomas is being held on two charges of second-degree murder In LaFourche Parish in connection with the deaths of 47-year old Alvin Turner and 70-year old Linda Johnson. Terrione Thomas was arrested at a hospital in Baton Rouge.

The political director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says lawmakers need to finally address the concerns of teachers or even more will leave the profession. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We are expected to hear more about education funding during a 2 PM press conference at the state capitol. Governor John Bel Edwards will outline his spending plan for the next fiscal year. Additional money for highway construction is also expected to be discussed.

With the pandemic, telemedicine has become a popular option for many doctors and patients. A telemedicine healthcare company called Nurx has begun offering services in Louisiana. They already operate in 32 states and Doctor Adrienne Robertson says they can help with birth control, STD treatment, migraines, and skincare…
cut 5 (13) “….mailed to your home”
For more information go to Nurx.com.

Tax filing season begins today as Louisiana residents can file their federal and state tax returns. Federal taxes are due April 18th and state returns are due May 16th. Certified Public Accountant Conner Brown of Madisonville says taxpayers should be ready to file on time or pay the price…
cut 9 (14) “….to be late”

State Health Officier Doctor Joe Kanter says last week saw an increase in COVID cases among nursing home residents with more than one-thousand cases reported. But Kanter credits a high vaccination and booster rate among nursing home residents as to why COVID deaths have not seen a spike…
cut 15 (10) “….to be
But Kanter says he’s concerned only 16-percent of nursing home staff are boosted.

Louisiana Federation of Teachers Legislative Director Cynthia Posey is concerned about the decline in teachers. Posey says more parents are also discouraging college students from even entering the curriculum…
cut 12 (11) “…..the case”
Posey says some of the reforms put into place over the years when it comes to grading teachers have chased many educators out of the profession.

Nurx, which markets itself as the leading digital healthcare company, is now available in Louisiana. The telehealth provider is already in 32 states and Doctor Adrienne Robertson says they’ve delivered personalized care to more than one million patients, including birth control, migraine treatment, and skincare…
cut 6 (10) “…who aren’t insured”
For more information go to nurx.com.

The tax filing season begins today as taxpayers can file their 2021 federal and state tax returns today. Many families received child tax credits this year. Certified Public Accountant Conner Brown in Madisonville says that doesn’t necessarily make those parents ineligible from receiving even more credit on their returns…
cut 8 (16) “….able to do that”
The deadline to file federal taxes is April 18th.

The state health department reported over one-thousand COVID cases among nursing home residents last week, an increase of about 300 from the week before. But state health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says there is some good news…
Cut 14 (10) “…residents.”

A leading provider of online health care to women is now available in Louisiana. Nurx delivers online consultations with medical professionals, pharmacy services and specialized care; all via the Internet. Dr. Adrienne Robertson says they are ready to assist with a number of women’s health needs…:
cut 4 (14) “….anti-aging services”
For more information go to Nurx-dot-com.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 2 PM today as he’ll release details of his spending plan for the next fiscal year. It’s expected to contain more dollars for education. Louisiana Federation of Teachers legislative director Cynthia Posey also hopes legislators will address some of the education reforms that have forced a lot of teachers out of the profession. She says it’s difficult for teachers to have their voices heard when the legislative session begins…
cut 11 (12) “….legislative committee”

Today marks the beginning of tax season as Louisiana residents can begin filing their state and federal returns. Though the process can seem complicated, Certified Public Accountant Conner Brown says a little information can go a long way to helping you maximize your return and minimize what you owe.
Cut 7 (7) “…taxable income.”
The federal tax day is April 18th, while the deadline to file state taxes is May 16th.

Cynthia Posey, Legislative Director for the Louisiana Federation of Teachers is hopeful lawmakers will address the needs of educators in the upcoming legislative session, if not she fears the teacher shortage will continue to grow. Posey says education reforms over the last decade are only hurting students and driving away teachers.
Cut 10 (12) “…isn’t working.”
Posey says among the concerns is the amount of paperwork teachers are burdened with in addition to low pay.

Similar to hospitals nursing homes are feeling the impacts of Omicron. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says COVID cases are not only impacting residents but those who take care of them.
Cut 13 (08) “…settings are.”
Last week the health department reported more than 1,000 cases among nursing home residents, an increase of about 300 from the week before.

A leading provider of online health care to women is now available in Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports on what “Nurx” has to offer…:
Cut 1 (36) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

State Police is investigating an officer-involved fatal shooting involving the Lafayette Police Department. L-S-P says a subject was shot last night after 11 PM in the 16-hundred block of Pinhook Road. No officers were injured and no other details were released.

Freezing weather will continue into the rest of the weekend in Louisiana with temperatures remaining only in the 40s. State climatologist Barry Keim says it will begin to warm up on Sunday, but until then take the usual precautions when it gets this cold…
Cut 5 (10) “…exposed lines.”
Hard freeze warnings are posted for this morning
And a new partnership between the Crescent River Port Pilots and the New Orleans-Baton Rouge Steamship Pilots Associations is increasing awareness of career opportunities in the maritime industry for minorities. Captain Roy Vance says the newly formed alliance will be making an aggressive effort to increase awareness and most importantly, fill those jobs.
Cut 8 (12) “…get the word out.”

___________________________________
The state health department is now reporting reinfections on its COVID dashboard. There are more than 49-thousand in Louisiana now and almost 14-hundred were added Friday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the state is following the CDC’s definition.
Cut 9 (12) “…as a reinfection.”
Boosters are advised for ages 12 and up, at least five months after the second dose of either the Pfizer of Moderna vaccines and at least two months after a Johnson and Johnson vaccine.

And the low temperatures in South Louisiana will make it more difficult to catch crawfish which don’t grow when it’s this cold. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says temperatures are getting into the 40s today, so this arctic blast is just a hiccup for what should be a great crawfish season…
Cut 15 (11) “…crawfish”
LRN