LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says the data on the Johnson and Johnson offering in the fight against COVID looks promising. While the other two vaccines are two doses the J & J vaccine is one dose. Lopez says it looks just as good as the others.

Cut 8 (11) “…approved.”

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is encouraging people to report any property damage sustained during the winter weather last week in hopes of receiving federal funding by going to damage.la.gov and you can also report it via text or by dialing 211. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele explains what type of information they’re looking for.

Cut 10 (12) “…provide” 

An LSU study broke down the impacts of the Clean Water Act on the Mississippi River’s water quality nearly 50 years after its enactment. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The state reports 779 new COVID-19 cases today and 33 new fatalities from the virus. More than 332-thousand have completed their two-dose vaccines in Louisiana and 679 people are currently hospitalized in the state with COVID. Governor Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30.

An FDA review of the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine appears to give the shot a thumbs up shortly before the organization is expected to hold an emergency use authorization hearing that could approve its release. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says data indicates the J & J vaccine is 66 percent effective.

Cut 7 (09) “…to do”

A study out of LSU shows in the nearly 50 years since the Clean Water Act’s passage the Mississippi River has seen a tremendous improvement in water quality. Coastal Sciences Professor Eugene Turner says the Act’s environmental regulations limiting what you could dump into US waterways worked wonders…

Cut 3 (11)  “…amazing.” 

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is encouraging people to report any property damage sustained during the winter weather last week in hopes of receiving federal funding. You can go to damage.la.gov and fill out a survey, do a survey through text, or by dialing 211. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says this will make it easier on residents.

Cut 9 (11) “…survey process”

And last week’s winter storm didn’t just impact the power grid and people’s homes, it also slowed down the crawfish industry. Wild Crawfish Fisherman Jody Meche says farmers are really hoping the warmer weather we’re now seeing will help the industry rebound in time for peak crawfish season.

Cut 14 (10) “…ok.” 

More data is being released about Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine as they hope to become the third option seeking FDA emergency use approval in the COVID pandemic. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says this one-dose vaccine is hopeful.

Cut 6 (13) “…about”

Congressman Clay Higgins issued a challenge to the Biden Administration to operate without the use of any oil and gas energy or petroleum-based products. In doing so Higgins wants to bring attention to the importance of the industry that is a staple of Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 10 (10) “…industry.”

The President is pushing for a 100-percent carbon-free energy sector by 2025.

50 percent of the 70 and older population in Louisiana has received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has more on the achievement of this vital milestone…

Cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle.”

Military Veterans who are eligible to be vaccinated can receive their dose of the COVID vaccine at the Houma Community Based Outpatient Clinic this weekend. The event is sponsored by the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System. For information visit neworleans.va.gov

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is challenging President Joe Biden to live without petroleum products…
cut 12 (06) “….live it
Higgins has introduced a resolution that calls on the President to remove the White House from the electric grid and install windmills on the South Lawn. The president’s energy policy calls for carbon neutrality by 2050 as a way to battle global warming.

State health officials say about 14-percent of Louisiana residents have received at least one dose of the COVID vaccine and health experts believe the pandemic will be under control once 70 to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated. New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher says that’s still many months away…
cut 6 (08) “….population (2x)

The Advocate and USA Today both have published reports that former LSU football coach Les Miles was accused of sexual harassment of student workers. The Advocate reports an investigation was conducted in 2013. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau…
cut 8 (10) “…Duke”
Husch Blackwell is expected to release a report next month on how LSU handled sexual misconduct cases from 2016 to 2018.

Crawfish producers are hoping last week’s deep freeze was not detrimental to the crawfish population and warmer temps will enable them to bounce back. Wild crawfish fisherman Jody Meche of Henderson…
cut 14 (10) “….ok”

USA Today and The Advocate uncover allegations that former LSU Football coach Les Miles was investigated for sexual harassment of student workers. The report says an outside law firm conducted the investigation in 2013. USA Today sports writer Glenn Guilbeau says his employer is suing to get access to the full report, but so far…
Cut 7 (10) “…the law.”
Miles’ attorneys say the report should remain confidential because disclosure would cause Miles to suffer serious injury to his reputation.

Some Republicans believe Senator Bill Cassidy’s reputation took a hit when he voted to impeach former President Donald Trump. But Cassidy says he’s at peace with his vote…
cut 21 (10) “…the consequences”

To highlight the importance of the oil and gas industry a Louisiana Congressman issues a challenge to the Biden Administration.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The cold weather last week resulted in a significant decline in available crawfish to eat. Wild Crawfish Fisherman Jody Meche of Henderson describes the situation…
cut 13 (11) “…considerably”

New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher says about half of the state’s population 70 and older have received at least the first dose of the COVID vaccine. Asher says 12-percent of the state’s population has been vaccinated and that percentage could increase quickly once Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine receives FDA approval…
cut 5 (07) “….safe”

Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins is challenging the Biden Administration to live life without using products that the oil and gas industry helps develop. He says you can’t…
cut 11 (12) “….wearing”
President Biden is pushing for a 100-percent carbon-free energy sector by 2035.

The USA Today and The Advocate report that former LSU Football coach Les Miles allegedly sexually harassed student workers during his time in Baton Rouge…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Crowley Police Chief Jimmy Broussard is facing malfeasance and obstruction of justice charges. Broussard was booked into the Acadia Parish Jail and released a short time later. His attorney says Broussard is not guilty of these crimes. Broussard is accused of intentionally performing duties in an unlawful manner and tampering with evidence.

Congressman Clay Higgins has filed a resolution challenging the Biden Administration to operate without the use of any oil and gas energy or petroleum-based products. In doing so, Higgins wants to bring attention to the importance of the industry.
Cut 10 (10) “…industry.”
The President is pushing a goal of a 100-percent carbon-free energy sector by 2025.

In 2013, Les Miles, who was the football coach at LSU at the time, reportedly sexually harassed a student worker. The Advocate reports Miles reached a settlement with the student. Miles attorneys deny the claim. USA Today Network Reporter Glen Guilbeau says a private firm is investigating about 60 different sexual misconduct cases that the school may not have acted properly on…
cut 9 (05) “…to come”

50 percent of the 70 and older population in Louisiana has received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has more on this vital milestone…
Cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards holds a COVID-19 briefing today at 2 PM.

50 percent of the 70 and older population in Louisiana has received at least one dose of their COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has more on the achievement of this vital milestone…

Cut 1 (29) “…Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Reports by USA Today and The Advocate reveal allegations that former LSU Football coach Les Miles sexually harassed student workers during his time in Baton Rouge. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

To highlight the importance of the oil and gas industry a Louisiana Congressman issues a challenge to the Biden Administration.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

____________________________

According to New Orleans-based data analyst, Jeff Asher over half of Louisianans 70-years-old and older are estimated to have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine so far.

Nearly 70 percent of all COVID-related deaths have come from that age group and Asher says due to this we could see a permanent, significant reduction in new COVID deaths.

Cut 4 (10)“…seeing.”

12 percent of the total population in Louisiana has been vaccinated.

Asher says the new, faster pace of vaccinations may mean we won’t experience a fourth wave of the pandemic especially given the seemingly imminent approval of Johnson and Johnson’s vaccine.

Cut 5 (07)“…safe.”

New COVID cases and COVID-related hospitalizations have fallen by about seventy percent since the all-time peak in early January.

Authorities believe the pandemic will be under control once 70 to 80 percent of the population is vaccinated, but Asher says that’s still many months away…

Cut 6 (08) “…population (x2)”

According to the Louisiana Department of Health COVID Dashboard, 60 percent of those vaccinated so far have been women.

________________________

USA Today and The Advocate uncover allegations that former LSU Football head coach Les Miles sexually harassed student workers during his time running the program.

The allegations were detailed in a 2013 investigation ordered by LSU and conducted by an outside firm. USA Today sports writer Glenn Guilbeau says they are suing to get access to the full report, but so far…

Cut 7 (10)  “…the law.”

Miles’ attorneys say the report should remain confidential because disclosure would cause Miles to suffer “serious injury to his reputation and personal life” and “irreparable loss.”

USA Today reports LSU deemed Miles’ behavior inappropriate but the coach faced no public repercussions. Guilbeau says LSU has a history of covert behavior…

Cut 8 (10) “…Duke.”

The Advocate reports Miles offered a secret settlement to an LSU student who accused him of “hitting on her”, but Miles’ attorney said that a description of a settlement is discernibly incomplete and inaccurate.

LSU has hired a private firm to investigate about 60 different sexual misconduct cases involving the school from 2016 to 2018 and the US Department of Education is also investigating the school…

Cut 9 (05) “…to come.”

Miles coached at LSU from 2005 until 2016 when he was fired for football-related reasons and now coaches at Kansas.

_____________________________

Congressman Clay Higgins issued a challenge to the Biden Administration to operate without the use of any oil and gas energy or petroleum-based products. In doing so Higgins wants to bring attention to the importance of the industry that is a staple of Louisiana’s economy.

Cut 10 (10) “…industry.”

Higgins says many people don’t realize that everyday products contain petroleum and restriction on the oil and gas and petroleum industry impact items beyond gasoline.

Cut 11 (12) “…wearing.”

Higgins says the oil and gas industry is the cleanest and most efficient in the US, compared to other countries, and with our dependence on products from the fossil fuel industry, bans from the Biden Administration are not logical.

Cut 12 (06) “…live it.”

The Biden Administration says these restrictions on domestic oil and gas production are key to helping the country hit carbon neutrality by 2050, thus limiting catastrophic levels of future global temperature increase.

_____________________________

Last week’s winter storm didn’t only impact the power grid and water systems in the state it also slowed down the crawfish industry. Wild Crawfish Fisherman Jody Meche says the cold temps reduced the number of crustaceans that could be harvested.

Cut 13 (11) “…considerably.”

But Meche is hopeful that the freeze was too detrimental to the crawfish population that that warmer temps will enable them to bounce back.

Cut 14 (10) “…ok.” 

Meche says crawfish are pretty resilient and he’s optimistic that the industry will rebound quickly, and we’ll have a plentiful crop and everyone can still enjoy the crawfish boils this year.

Cut 15 (11)“…you know.”

Utilities reported to the Public Service Commission this morning on last week’s winter storm response. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Senator Bill Cassidy responds to the State GOP’s decision to censure him over his vote to convict former President Donald Trump. Cassidy says he’s taken a lot heat for the decision, but also received a lot of support.

Cut 10 (11) “…went into it” 

It is not mandatory to send your child to kindergarten in Louisiana, but Chairman of the Senate Education Committee Senator Cleo Fields is filing legislation to change that. Fields wants children to learn sooner than later.

Cut 4 (11) “…first grade.” 

Fields then wants to work towards making Pre-K mandatory.

A former well-known Monroe staple passed away Monday at the age of 72. Shirley was the sole elephant at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo for 22 years after she arrived in 1977.  As requirements changed for keeping elephants in captivity, Zoo Director Tom Pearson says they opted to let Shirley retire in 1999.

Cut 12 (12) “…years.” 

Utility companies were asked about their failure to communicate with customers ahead of last week’s mid-winter storm rolling blackouts. Entergy CEO Phillip May says Tuesday the grid faced significantly more demand than it had supply and they were given 30 minutes by a regional regulator, MISO, to begin cutting back distribution due to the potentially catastrophic strain on the grid…

Cut 6 (10) “…resort”

Monroe’s beloved 72-year-old elephant Shirley passed away Monday at the Louisiana Purchase Botanical Gardens.  Zoo Director Tom Pearson says after a hard life in the circus Shirley was able to roam the sanctuary with other elephants and had little human interaction. In 2018 one of her former caretakers in Monroe, Solomon James, was allowed to visit on her birthday.

Cut 14 (11) “…thrilled”

In an effort to have children educated sooner, one lawmaker files a bill to make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana.  Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

The USA Today and Advocate report that former LSU head coach Les Miles allegedly engaged in sexual harassment while he was in charge of the Tiger’s football team. The Advocate reports Miles offered a secret settlement to an LSU student. Miles attorney said that a description of a settlement is discernibly incomplete and inaccurate.