The Coast Guard is calling for civilian help in locating 12 missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off Port Fourchon yesterday around 4:30. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson says the vessel is believed to have started taking on water around 4:30 PM Saturday as it encountered a “microburst” of unexpectedly bad weather.

Cut 4 (10) “…circumstance.” 

Six crewmembers were rescues, one has died.

If you do want to help out the search efforts know you could be in for some nasty weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says flash flood watches are in effect across south Louisiana till noon Thursday so you need to remain alert…

Cut 8 (10) “…hand and hand”

Julia Letlow was sworn in this morning as the Congresswoman for the sprawling 5^th Congressional District…

Cut 14 (06) “…and for yours.” 

Letlow won the seat last month in special election landslide. Her husband, Luke Letlow, won the seat in December but died just weeks later of COVID triggering the special election. Julia’s two children along with the other members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation were present for the ceremony.

Alexandria Police have made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco, who was killed in 2004. Coco was last seen at her home two days before her body was discovered in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers says Detective Tanner Dryden was assigned to the case in 2018

Cut 9 (09) “..the case.”

One crew member is dead and 12 are still missing after a 129-foot lift boat capsized off of Port Fourchon in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”

A 26-year-old Covington woman who fell off of her jet ski in the Tchefuncte River and spent over 12 hours in the water has died from her injuries. Family members of Laura Thomas shared the heartbreaking news on social media. Her sister-in-law said on Facebook that Thomas fought hard but the injuries are too much for her to survive.

Alexandria Police say they’ve made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco, who was killed in 2004. Sergeant Josh Peppers says Detective Tanner Dryden was assigned to the cold case in 2018 and built up enough evidence to get a grand jury to indict 45-year-old David Burns of Boyce on second-degree murder…
cut 11 (05) “…cold case”
Burns’s bond has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

Republican Julia Letlow was sworn into office today as she represents Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District. Letlow occupies the seat her late husband was set to hold, before he died from COVID-19 complications five days before he was to be sworn in…
cut 13 (10) “…pray with you”
Letlow is the first Republican woman elected to represent Louisiana in Congress.

The search is still on for 12 missing crewmembers of a SeaCor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon Tuesday afternoon. Six of the ship’s original 19 crewmembers have been rescued so far, along with one confirmed death. Coast Guard Captain Will Watson thanks every civilian who’s offered to help in the search…

Cut 3 (09)  “…folks.” 

It’s another day of severe weather for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says some areas had up to five inches of rain yesterday and there’s the potential to see just as much today prompting the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch for all of southern Louisiana, and as far as north as Alexandria until noon Thursday.

Cut 7 (11) “…Friday.”

Keim urges citizens to be weather-aware for the remainder of the week.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow took the oath of office this morning, filling the fifth district seat that was left vacant after the unexpected death of her husband Luke Letlow in December. Julia Letlow is the first Republican woman to represent Louisiana in Congress.

Cut 12 (12)   “…take office.” 

Julia’s two children along with the other members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation were present for the ceremony. A runoff to fill Louisiana’s 2^nd congressional seat is set for April 24^th.

It’s another day of severe thunderstorms, hail, and flash flooding for the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a slow-moving cold front is responsible for the April showers and they’ll stay with us for the remainder of the week.

Cut 6 (12) “.. of Louisiana.”

An arrest has been made in the 2004 cold case murder of a 19-year-old in Alexandria. 45-year-old David Burns of Boyce has been charged with the second-degree murder of Courtney Coco who was last seen at her home two days before her body was discovered in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers hopes the arrest is a relief for those who knew Coco

Cut 10 (06) “..the family.” 

Burns’s bond has been set at 500-thousand dollars.

The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Coast Guard is accepting offers from southeast Louisiana marine and air operators who are willing to help in the search for the 12 missing crewmembers of a Seacor lift boat that capsized seven miles off the coast of Port Fourchon yesterday afternoon.

Alexandria Police have made an arrest in the murder of 19-year-old Courtney Coco, who was killed in 2004. Coco was last seen at her home two days before her body was discovered in an abandoned building in southwest Texas. Alexandria Police Sergeant Josh Peppers says Detective Tanner Dryden was assigned to the case in 2018.

Cut 9 (09) “..the case.”

43-year-old David Burns of Boyce has been charged with second-degree murder.

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Johnson and Johnson accounts for under 4-percent of all the doses administered in Louisiana.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism. Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before events. Hewitt says she’s not aware of any in Louisiana.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to keep the department out of a loom budget deficit. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

The average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs

The U-S Coast Guard continues to search for a dozen people who remain missing after a commercial lift boat they were on capsized during stormy weather yesterday eight miles south of Port Fourchon. Six people were rescued.

There’s a pause on administering Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccines after six women under the age of 50 came down with blood clots, six to 13 days after their injection. None of the cases have occurred in Louisiana. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says if you received the J-and-J vaccine in the last two weeks be aware of the following symptoms…
cut 9 (08) “…medical advice”

At 11 AM this morning, Republican Julia Letlow will be sworn in as Louisiana’s new representative for the fifth Congressional district, which consists of 24 parishes, mostly rural areas. Letlow says the pandemic only emphasized the district’s need for high-speed internet…
cut 11 (04) “….broadband”

The chancellor of LSU’s medical school in Shreveport, Doctor G-E Ghali, has been suspended after four employees filed federal complaints alleging he suppressed sexual harassment allegations and retaliated against faculty members who attempted to speak out. Ghali said in a statement he’s confident he’ll return to his post after a review of the allegations.

Should the National Anthem be required to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities? One lawmaker thinks so…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Thirteen people remain missing after a commercial boat capsized in rough Gulf of Mexico waters off Port Fourchon yesterday afternoon. The Coast Guard says they have rescued six people, but Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says there were 19 people on board the lift boat named Seacor Power. The Coast Guard is asking for all marine operators in the area to help in the search for the missing workers.

Legislation is expected to be filed that will seek to increase hunting and fishing license fees…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The first Republican woman from Louisiana will be sworn into Congress today. Julia Letlow will represent Louisiana’s fifth U-S House district, filling a seat that was set to be occupied by her husband, Luke Letlow, before he died from COVID-19 complications. Letlow says she will look to bring high-speed internet to rural parts of her district…
cut 12 (08) “…necessity”
Letlow will be sworn in at 11 AM central time.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill waiting to be heard in the regular session that would require the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says the Anthem is a unifying force and she recalls her first trip to a sporting event following nine-eleven…
cut 14 (08) “….our lungs”
Earlier in the NBA season, the Dallas Mavericks were not playing the national anthem before their games until Commissioner Adam Silver ordered them to do so.

The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Coast Guard reports rescuing six people but the search continues for a dozen others who were on a 129-foot commercial lift vessel that capsized yesterday afternoon eight miles south of Port Fourchon during stormy weather.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking state lawmakers to raise the price of user fees on recreational hunting and fishing licenses. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet says the fees have stayed the same for 20 years and says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase and they also want to consolidate the list of licenses…
cut 5 (08) “…about 30”
The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal that needs legislative approval.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has a bill that would require the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities. Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism. She says this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.
Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

Louisiana has told COVID vaccine providers not to administer the Johnson and Johnson vaccine after six women across the country between the ages of 18 and 48 started developing blood clots six to 13 days after they were vaccinated. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says so far of the 85,000 doses of the J&J vaccine administered in Louisiana no adverse reactions have been reported and of the overall number of all vaccines administered in the state, J&J accounts for just 3.7-percent.
Cut 8 (08) “…supply issues.”
Kanter and other health officials continue to urge adults 16 and up to get the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

The Coast Guard reports they have rescued six of the 18 that were on a 175-foot commercial lift boat that capsized last night as a result of stormy weather eight miles south of Port Fourchon. Several vessels are involved in the search for the others.

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit. LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipates the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years, and…
Cut 4 (09)“…last year.”
Montoucet says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with a more consolidated list of licenses.

Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow will be sworn into Congress this morning. She’s the first Republican female to ever serve in Congress for Louisiana and the first female since Senator Mary Landrieu in 2015. Letlow says one of her priorities is to serve on the Agriculture Committee.
Cut 10 (11) “..in 2022.”

Legislation is proposed that would up hunting and fishing license fees for both recreational and commercial users. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

The state halts the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine until the CDC and FDA review data concerning six women who developed blood clots within days of the vaccine. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________

Should the National Anthem be required to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities? One lawmaker thinks so…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________

The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is asking the Legislature for permission to up license fees to stave off what they say is an imminent department budget deficit.

LDWF Secretary Jack Montoucet anticipates the department to run a deficit by next year because they haven’t raised recreational license fees in 20 years, and…

Cut 4 (09)“…last year.”

Montoucet says the average recreational sportsman will see a ten dollar increase in costs, along with a more consolidated list of licenses.

Cut 5 (08)“…about 30.”

The cost for a Senior Lifetime License would also increase from 50 to 100 dollars under the proposal. Those who already have licenses would be grandfathered in.

Montoucet says along with increases in recreational fees they are also seeking an increase on the commercial side, along with a consolidation of privileges.

Cut 6 (10) “…the recreational.”

LDWF plans to have the legislation pushing these proposals filed sometime this week. Montoucet made the comments on Talk Louisiana Monday.

_____________________________

The state presses the pause button on the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine after a recommendation from the CDC and FDA. They are reviewing six cases to see if the vaccine is linked to blood clots. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they are doing so out of an abundance of caution and while it’s disappointing, he is encouraged by the process.

Cut 7 (07)  “…supposed to.”

Kanter says so far of the 85,000 doses of the J&J vaccine administered in Louisiana no adverse reactions have been reported and of the overall number of all vaccines administered in the state, J&J accounts for just 3.7-percent.

Cut 8 (08) “…supply issues.”

The six cases of blood clots occurred in females under the age of 50, six to thirteen days after their injection. Kanter says if you did receive the J&J vaccine in the last two weeks be aware of the following symptoms of a blood clot.

Cut 9 (08) “…medical advice.”

The CDC and FDA are meeting this week to review the six cases involving blood clots to see if they have a connection to the vaccine. Approximately 6.8 million doses of J&J have been administered in the U.S.

____________________

Congresswoman-elect Julia Letlow will be sworn into Congress this morning. She’s the first Republican female to ever serve in Congress for Louisiana and the first female since Senator Mary Landrieu in 2015. Letlow says one of her priorities is to serve on the Agriculture Committee.

Cut 10 (11) “..in 2022.”

Congressmen Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise are members of the steering committee for assignments, and they have reserved a spot for Letlow on the Agriculture Committee.

Letlow of Start will represent the state’s 5^th Congressional district which consists of 24 parishes. It’s a predominately rural district and Letlow says the pandemic only emphasized the district’s need for high-speed internet.

Cut 11 (04) “….broadband.”

Letlow says when school-aged children needed to attend school virtually the lack of broadband made that extremely difficult and it’s holding back the region from expanding business infrastructure.

Cut 12 (07) “…necessity.”

Letlow is scheduled to be sworn in at 11 a.m.

_____________________________

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt files legislation requiring the National Anthem to be played before all sporting events at state-funded facilities.

Hewitt says young people are losing the spirit of patriotism, and many don’t know the words to the anthem. She says this is an opportunity to reeducate the youth.

Cut 13 (10) “…freedoms.”

Hewitt says the Anthem can be a unifying force. She recalls her first trip to a professional sports game after 9/11.

Cut 14 (08) “…our lungs.”

Some facilities in other states have begun discontinuing the Anthem before sporting events. Hewitt says she’s not aware any in Louisiana have followed suit yet.

Cut 15 (07)“…our veterans.”

___________________________________________

The 13th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team is preparing to welcome Southern Miss to J-C Love Field for a four-game series that will start Friday night in Ruston. It’s a matchup of the top two teams in Conference USA’s West Division. Bulldogs Coach Lane Burroughs says it’s one of the bigger series in the program’s history

Cut 16 (21) “…any other way”

Southern Miss has won the last two Conference USA baseball tournament championships. But trail the Bulldogs for first place in the West Division this year by a game and a half. Tech took three of four from the Golden Eagles earlier this season and Burroughs knows Southern Miss will be ready to play…

Cut 17 (18) “…retain it.”

_________________________________________________

It’s Bayou Classic Week as Southern and Grambling are set to meet this Saturday in Shreveport. Usually, these two football rivals are playing in New Orleans at the Superdome during Thanksgiving weekend. Jaguars Coach Dawson Odums was asked if it feels like the Bayou Classic Week

Cut  18 (21)  “…get ready to play.”

Southern is 3-and-1 during this unique spring season, while Grambling is 0-and-3 and has not played since March 20th because of COVID issues within the program. Odums knows the Tigers are hungry for a victory

Cut 19 (13) “…for you”