The New Orleans Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine “morally compromised” due to its use of abortion-derived cell material. LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not stated its position on the J&J vaccine.

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

He says an increase in crude oil prices is responsible for paying more at the pump right now.

Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance. Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

And Governor will speak at 1 o’clock today it’s anticipated he will roll back current coronavirus restrictions.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting a State Police Trooper received a 50-hour suspension for turning off his body camera, kicking a handcuffed black male and dragging him by his shackles. That man is Ronald Greene, who died as a result of the encounter he had with State Police in the Monroe area in 2019. Greene’s family says the Trooper should be fired.

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and while it hasn’t been proven many doctors believe vaccination reduces transmissibility as well. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you are vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…

Cut 7 (11)  “…asymptomatically.”

Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…

Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the beginning as the virus spread across the country, traffic trends mirrored each other based on closures in each of the states.

Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….

cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will loosen COVID public health restrictions this afternoon, and the data appears to support potentially moving into Phase Three. Last week Edwards said our trajectory looked promising and Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio says the data indicates a cautious loosening of restrictions is justified right now.

Cut 15 (09)“..transmutability.”

While coronavirus vaccines are proven to reduce COVID severity, and it hasn’t been proven to reduce transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the reason why they can’t confirm because transmissibility it hard to measure in clinical trials.

Cut 9 (11) “…vaccinated.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by at 48 percent.  LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says later in the study an increase or decrease in traffic did not follow respectively an increase or decrease in case numbers but did indicate to researchers how the virus was spread.

Cut 12 (09) “…contact. ”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish. Kelly says proper disposal is vital to preserving our favorite pastime.

Cut 6 (08) “…every year.”

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting a State Police Trooper received a 50-hour suspension for turning off his body camera, kicking a handcuffed black male and dragging him by his shackles. That man is Ronald Greene, who died as a result of the encounter he had with State Police in the Monroe area in 2019. Greene’s family says the Trooper should be fired.

An LSU study that looked at roadway travel statistics in ten states before and during the pandemic found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48-percent and at the height of the lockdown as much as 65-percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says they also saw coronavirus cases rise when traffic picked up…
cut 11 (12) “…cases”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish.
Cut 4 (09)“…treated.”
When you dispose of boil water and/or seasoned shells into a storm drain or ditch it goes directly to a lake, river, or stream

Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…
Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the height of the lockdown, traffic was down 60-65 percent..
Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….
cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce at one o’ clock whether Louisiana will remain in the modified version of the Phase two coronavirus restrictions or ease the restrictions. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Doctor Steven Procopio says the current COVID numbers are similar to what we saw when the state was in Phase 3…
cut 14 (10) “…interact”
The state has surpassed one-million vaccines administered and nearly 38-thousand one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines will arrive this week. Johnson and Johnson researchers believe the vaccine limits asymptomatic disease by 74 percent. Ochsner Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Katherine Baumgarten…
cut 8 (09) “…confirm that”

Crawfish season is beginning to gather steam and one state agency reminds you what to do after enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to discuss the state’s reopening plan at a briefing Tuesday at 1 pm. The Governor will also discuss the coronavirus pandemic and the state’s current phase two order which expires Wednesday, March 3^rd.

Leaders in the state legislature are beginning to formulate their plans for tax reform legislation to be debated in the regular session that begins next month. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a 35-year old John Shallerhorn who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. It’s been reported the suspect became irate after being told he had to wear a mask at the Carver High School game, but Ferguson cannot confirm…

Cut 11 (11) “…wearing a mask.”

At AARP Louisiana’s Tele-Town Hall, New Orleans physician Eric Griggs says when it comes to behavior after you have been vaccinated, you still need to continue to social distance and wear masks because of variants of the virus. As for travel and visiting outside your immediate household…

Cut 8 (10) “…a risk.”

Louisiana Tech men’s basketball recorded two blowout victories over the weekend beating Rice 101-57 and 79-58. Kalob Ledoux had a season-high 25 on Friday and followed that up with a 17-point performance on Saturday. Coach Eric Konkol says he’s proud of Ledoux

Cut 16 (16) “to the basket”

The Bulldogs will have have one more tune up game before postseason play as they will host Our Lady of the Lake on Wednesday, tipoff is at 7.

The LSU men’s basketball team will take on Vanderbilt at home tomorrow night.  The Tigers will look to rebound at home after two straight road losses.

The 2021 Sun Belt men’s basketball tournament is scheduled for later this week from March 5to 8 at the Pensacola Bay Center.  ULM will play South Alabama in the first round on Friday, March 5^th at 5:30.

On Saturday, the Pels fell to the Spurs 117 to 114 to drop their record to 14-19. Forward Zion Williamson says his teammates are determined to keep fighting, which is why he believes this team is close to turning the season around…

Cut 30 (16) “figure it out”

The LSU baseball team is 6-1 on the season after sweeping the weekend tournament against Youngstown State and Nicholls.

It will not be an easy go of things once the Tigers get into conference play as four SEC teams are at the top of the latest D1 Baseball poll as Arkansas, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss make up the top four spots.

ULL and ULM’s 2021 football schedules have been released.  The Cajuns will open the season on September 11^th when they host Nicholls and the Warhawks will host Jackson State on September 18^th.

New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson said today that Tulane police officer Martinus Mitchum was fatally shot on Friday by a man who tried to force his way into a high school basketball playoff game. Ferguson says Mitchum was working as a security guard and tried to escort the gunman out of the building after he hit an employee working at the door.

Cut 9 (10) “…the chest”

Legislative leaders say they are putting together a tax reform plan that will be debated during the regular session that begins April 12th. Senate President Page Cortez says because of the complexity of the current tax structure, they want to bring stability, simplicity, and predictability to the state’s tax code.

Cut 3 (10)  “…we will be successful.”  

The Louisiana Health Department says it expects to receive this week nearly 38-thousand doses of Johnson and Johnson’s newly approved COVID-19 vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says clinical trials on the J & J vaccine show its 100-percent effective at preventing hospitalizations and deaths.

Cut 14 (12) “…zero deaths.” 

During an AARP Tele-town hall meeting, New Orleans physician Doctor Eric Griggs says it’s important not to take anything like Tylenol before you are vaccinated to dull your immune response to the vaccine however you can take pain relief after your injection.

Cut 7 (11) “…after.”