One visitor from Texas may have been responsible for the horrendous post-Mardi Gras COVID surge that devastated the New Orleans Metro Area according to a new study. Tulane Virologist Dr. Bob Garry says it’s highly unusual because one, our infection resulted from domestic travel, and two most epicenters can trace their outbreaks back to several different infectious individuals.

Cut 11 (09) “…infection.”

He says that one individual, and the COVID variant they carried, were likely responsible for up to 50,000 infections.

Temperatures in Louisiana will begin plummeting today and over the weekend as a polar vortex makes its way south out of Canada. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this comes during the usually busy Mardi Gras weekend. Keim says maybe it’s for the best the parades aren’t rolling…

Cut 15 (08)“…disaster.”

Those currently eligible for the vaccine have the option to be inoculated for COVID at their local Walmart or Sam’s Club. Louisiana is one of 22 states participating in the federal pharmacy retail program which kicks off Friday. Regional Health and Wellness Director for Walmart Bethany Evans says in the meantime you can schedule your appointment.

Cut 4 (10)“…slash COVID.”

Appointments are required to be vaccinated.

UL -Lafayette played a significant role in the testing and protocols for the Pfizer COVID vaccine. The New Iberia Research Center provided valuable data allowing the vaccine clinical trials to progress to humans much quicker. NIRC Director of Contract Research Jane Fontenot says their primates also provided data on when booster shots should be conducted.

Cut 9 (10) “…vaccine.”

A study has determined that it was most likely a Texas resident who had the coronavirus and visited New Orleans prior to Fat Tuesday last year which lead to the state’s first surge of COVID cases. Tulane virologist Bob Garry says they traced the genetic dots and found the variant had only been detected previously in Texas. Once it was introduced to the packed bars and streets of Mardi Gras it exploded…
cut 12 (09) “…virus”
Tomorrow, 57 Walmart and Sam’s Club pharmacies in Louisiana will begin administering the COVID vaccine…
cut 6 (09) “…on Friday’
That’s Regional Health and Wellness Director for Walmart Bethany Evans who says you can make your appointment at Walmart and Sam’s Club websites.

Bust out the heavy-duty coat because a polar vortex is bringing the state artic air and winter weather…
cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A major winter storm could hit the state starting on Sunday as we could see freezing rain and significant ice accumulations for the northern half of the state and snow is possible as well as our temperatures are expected to remain below the freezing mark for much of the state on Monday. It will be cold on Fat Tuesday too.

A study shows New Orleans post-Mardi Gras wave of coronavirus infections has been traced back to one person who arrived in the city around February 11th from Texas. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Court records describe what happened during a July 2019 traffic stop in Ouachita Parish that led to two State troopers getting arrested for allegedly using excessive force. According to the arrest warrant, a suspect was thrown to the ground and punched in the head. The report also says the suspect showed no signs of resisting.

Cold air is moving into the state today and there’s the potential for a winter storm to hit Louisiana on Sunday and Monday…
cut 14 (09) “…state”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says the potential of several inches of snow falling across the northern half of the state exists on Monday.

As Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines go into thousands of people’s arms, U-L Lafayette is discussing its role in developing the vaccine. Director of the school’s New Iberia Research Center, Doctor Francois Villinger, says primates at their facility were immunized last spring as part of nonhuman clinical trials…
Cut 8 (11) “…laboratory.”
Villinger says the work they do is about bringing treatments and vaccines to the public.

Senator Bill Cassidy says for those who disagree with his vote to allow Donald Trump’s impeachment trial to continue, they should watch the arguments made by the lawyers for the Democrats’ who showed it is constitutional to impeach a private citizen. Cassidy says he will not put the former president above the constitution…
cut 28 (08) “….oath seriously”
The Louisiana Republican Party has said they are profoundly disappointed in Cassidy.

UL -Lafayette says it played role in testing the effectiveness of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. The New Iberia Research Center Director of Contract Research Jane Fontenot says primates at the center were immunized as part of the nonhuman clinical trials of the vaccine last spring
Cut 7 (12) “…response.”

Beginning tomorrow, Walmart and Sam’s Clubs will assist with the pandemic and vaccinate those 65 and older against COVID…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The coldest temperatures of the winter are moving into Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this cold weather will stick around for awhile…
cut 13 (08) “….coastaline”
Keim says there’s a chance we can see snow and ice on Monday.

One visitor from Texas may have been responsible for the deadly post-Mardi Gras COVID surge that devastated the New Orleans Metro Area according to a new study. One of the study’s lead authors was Tulane Virologist Dr. Bob Garry. He says the virus arrived with that one person two weeks before Mardi Gras and sparked 800 cases by Ash Wednesday.
Cut 10 (10) “…that”

Walmart and Sam’s Club will begin administering COVID-19 vaccines at 57 of their locations in Louisiana starting tomorrow. Regional Health and Wellness Director for Walmart Bethany Evans says appointments are required and they will bring the vaccine to parts of the state where accessibility is an issue…
cut 5 (07) “….pandemic”
Go to walmart-dot-com to make your appointment.

Bust out the heavy-duty jackets because a polar vortex is bringing the state the coldest temperatures of the year and winter weather early next week….
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Southeast Louisiana is dealing with fog this morning as a dense fog advisory is in effect until 9 AM this morning.

Beginning Friday, Walmart and Sam’s Clubs will be able to help assist with the pandemic and vaccinate those 65 and older against COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

A study shows New Orleans’ horrific post-Mardi Gras wave of coronavirus infections has been traced back to one person who arrived in the city around February 11^th from Texas. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

Bust out the heavy-duty jackets because a polar vortex is set to send temperatures in the state plummeting. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

____________________________

Those currently eligible for the vaccine have the option to be inoculated for COVID at their local Walmart or Sam’s Club. Louisiana is one of 22 states participating in the federal pharmacy retail program which kicks off Friday. Regional Health and Wellness Director for Walmart Bethany Evans says in the meantime you can schedule your appointment.

Cut 4 (10)“…slash COVID.”

Appointments are required to be vaccinated and Evans says Walmart and Sam’s Club will assist in bringing the vaccine to parts of the state where accessibility is an issue.

Cut 5 (07)“…pandemic.”

On Monday the state allowed those 65 and older to be eligible for the COVID vaccine increasing the eligibility for approximately a quarter of a million more residents. Evans says 57 Walmart stores and Sam’s Club locations are prepping to do their part.

Cut 6 (09) “…on Friday.”

The website for required appointments www.walmart.com/covidvaccine or www.samsclub.com/covid

________________________

UL -Lafayette played a significant role in the testing and protocols for the Pfizer COVID vaccine. The New Iberia Research Center provided valuable data allowing the vaccine clinical trials to progress humans much quicker. NIRC Director of Contract Research Jane Fontenot says it was their primates that assisted.

Cut 7 (12)  “…response.”

Director of Research at NIRC Dr. Francois Villinger says their previous work with vaccines enabled the trial to know the proper intervals to test for COVID antibodies from the vaccine.

Cut 8 (11) “…laboratory.”

Fontenot says their primates also provided data on when booster shots should be conducted.

Cut 9 (10) “…vaccine.”

NIRC is currently involved in eight vaccine and therapeutic drug studies related to COVID-19 in addition to the Pfizer vaccine.

_____________________________

One visitor from Texas may have been responsible for the horrendous post-Mardi Gras COVID surge that devastated the New Orleans Metro Area according to a new study.

One of the study’s lead authors was Tulane Virologist Dr. Bob Garry. He says the virus arrived with that one person two weeks before Mardi Gras and sparked 800 cases by Ash Wednesday.

Cut 10 (10) “…that”

Garry says that’s highly unusual because one, our infection resulted from domestic travel, and two most epicenters can trace their outbreaks back to several different infectious individuals.

Cut 11 (09) “…infection.”

Garry says that one individual, and the COVID variant they carried, were likely responsible for up to 50,000 infections.

Scientists traced the genetic dots and found our variant had only been detected previously in Texas. Once it was introduced to the packed bars and streets of Mardi Gras it exploded…

Cut 12 (06) “…introduction.”

The study concludes the Mardi Gras outbreak did end up seeding outbreaks across the Gulf South, but due to travel restrictions did not result in major outbreaks outside the region.

_____________________________

Temperatures in Louisiana will begin plummeting today and over the weekend as a polar vortex makes its way south out of Canada.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says that vortex will begin dropping the average statewide temperature every day from now until Tuesday.

Cut 13 (08) “…coastline.”

Keim says because of this we could see some snow in parts of the state Sunday night and Monday night.

Cut 14 (09) “…state.” 

Temperatures are expected to remain low late into next week which Keim says could produce even more wintery mix.

This comes during the usually busy Mardi Gras weekend. Keim says maybe it’s for the best the parades aren’t rolling…

Cut 15 (08)“…disaster.”

______________________________________

ULM men’s basketball will take on the Ragin Cajuns in a two-game series, starting tonight in Lafayette and concluding Saturday in Monroe.  Warhawks coach Keith Richard says his team will face the challenge of trying to slow down guard Cedric Russell.

Cut 16 (10) “…doing it all.”

The Warhawks have struggled on the hardwood this season losing ten in a row, but Richard says he’s proud of the way his team continues to play hard.

Cut 17 (12) “…good preparation.”

ULM enters the game with a 2-10 Sun Belt record, while the Cajuns are 7-and-5 and in second place in the SEC West after dropping two games last weekend to Arkansas State who has a losing record. Assistant coach Brock Morris says it’s time to start another win streak…

Cut  18 (17) “…to win.”

The Cajuns top two scorers are Cedric Russell, who is averaging nearly 19 points a game and sophomore Mylik Wilson, who is averaging 13 a contest. But Wilson’s shooting numbers are down from last season when he was the Sun Belt Freshman of the Year. Morris says other teams have figured out what Wilson does well…

Cut 19 (23) “…he does best.” 

ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote calling the impeachment of former President Trump constitutional was a surprising move and this may be Cassidy, recently reelected to a six-year term, expressing a more independent streak that he was known for before his first term in the US Senate.

Cut 4 (11) “…vote” 

A Legislative committee met today hoping to build a coalition of parties interested in reversing the Biden Administration’s recent oil and gas policies. State Department of Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Harris spoke on behalf of Governor Edwards’ Administration. He says lowering domestic oil and gas production won’t lower overall carbon emissions.

Cut 9 (08) “..from”

Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott expects the Legislature will seek to reform the way the state collects sales taxes when the legislative session begins in April. Scott says it’s a touchy subject as many parish leaders do not want to give up direct control of their collections that’s because local governments rely heavily on those revenues.

Cut 13 (09)“. high”

An arrest has been made in the Quawan Charles case. The St. Mary Parish 15-year-old was found in a wooded area of Iberia Parish last November. Iberia Sheriff Tommy Romero says they arrested one of the last people to see Charles alive, 37-year-old Janet Irvin.

Cut 6 (11) “…of a minor.”

A Legislative committee met today hoping to build a coalition of parties interested in reversing the Biden Administration’s recent oil and gas policies. Some are calling for a more forceful response from Governor Edwards against changes like the moratorium on offshore drilling licenses, but State Department of Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Harris says that’s counterproductive.

Cut 11 (11) “..heard”

The Biden Administration says these restrictions are key to helping the country hit carbon neutrality by 2050.

ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Senator Bill Cassidy’s vote calling the impeachment of former President Trump constitutional was a surprising move. The vote was a reversal on the issue for the Senator and triggered a strong condemnation from the state GOP.

Cut 3 (08)  “…this”

An arrest has been made in the Quawan Charles case. The St. Mary Parish 15-year-old was found in a wooded area of Iberia Parish last November. Iberia Sheriff Tommy Romero says immediately after the arrest he spoke with the parents of Charles

Cut 8 (06) “…case closed.”

37-year-old Janet Irvin was arrested. Attorneys for Charles’s family say Irvin picked up Charles from his home in Baldwin without parental permission. Charles was reported missing on October 30th and his body was found on November 3rd. 

Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott expects the Legislature will seek to reform the way the state collects sales taxes when the legislative session begins in April. Scott says a task force has been working to bring the state’s sales tax collection system in line with the rest of the country.

Cut 12 (11) “   go to” 

37-year-old Janet Irvin has been arrested in connection with the Quawan Charles case, Charles is the St. Mary Parish 15-year-old who was found in a wooded area of Iberia Parish last November. Irvin was reportedly the last person to be seen with Charles. Iberia Sheriff Tommy Romero says immediately after the arrest he spoke with the parents of Charles.

Cut 8 (06) “…case closed.”

A Legislative committee met today hoping to build a coalition of parties interested in reversing the Biden Administration’s recent oil and gas policies. State Department of Natural Resources Secretary Thomas Harris who spoke on behalf of Governor Edwards’ Administration says Edwards supports lowering carbon emissions and wants to present an alternate plan to do so to the Biden Administration.

Cut 10 (10) “. …concerns” 

Senator Bill Cassidy’s reversal on the question of whether it is constitutional to impeach a President who is out of office came as a surprise to many. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

For the second year in a row, the pandemic has forced the cancellation of the Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival. The annual spring event was scheduled for the second weekend in April this year. Organizers say the farmer’s auction and the queen’s pageant will still be held. Next year will be the festival’s 50th anniversary and so far it’s still on the calendar.

Louisiana Senior Senator Bill Cassidy is taking criticism from his Republican colleagues for voting yes on moving forward with former President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says support for Cassidy among Republicans may fall, but his overall popularity in the state may stay the same…
cut 5 (10) “…tenable”

Expect tax reform to be a popular topic for the regular session that starts in April. Locals are in charge of collecting sales taxes, but state legislators are interested in revamping the centralized sales tax collection system, but Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says it will also need voter approval…
cut 14 (09) “…this fall”

State, industry, parish, and Congressional leaders met today at the Capitol to discuss forming a united front to oppose the Biden Administration’s recent oil and gas policies.…
cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo”

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the modified Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for at least another three weeks. The statewide mask mandate stays in place, most bars will stay closed and most businesses are restricted to 50-percent occupancy limits. Edwards hopes to ease some restrictions in March.