Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields is urging Governor John Bel Edwards to add teachers to the list of groups that are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter supports the effort by Fields…
cut 15 (08) “….learning”
Carter says the uncertainty of students being either in or out of the classroom has forced many parents to change or leave their jobs to ensure someone is home to care for their child. Fields says over half of American states have made some or all of their teachers eligible to receive the vaccine.

The state has lowered vaccine eligibility from those 70 years and older to 65 years and older. Governor Edwards says the state’s hands are tied by just how much vaccine is allocated…
cut 5 (07) “….vaccinate them”

A 32-million dollar coastal restoration project is underway to rebuild more than 300 acres of marsh in Cameron Parish. Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Project Manager Jessica Diez says the marsh creation project not only increases protection for coastal parishes but also adds acreage between the land and the sea…
cut 11 (11) “…area north”
A few Louisiana food brands are hoping to inspire a new generation to restart the old Louisiana tradition of making red beans and rice on Monday. Hayward and Company CEO Vince Hayward says the tradition dates back to the early 1800s. He says one reason is that it allowed families to do household chores on Monday while a pot simmered, the other…
Cut 7 (09) “…Monday”
But Hayward says families are finding they don’t have time to make red beans and rice on Mondays. He suggests a crockpot.

Teacher unions are calling on Governor Edwards to allow educators to be included for vaccine eligibility…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Walmart is now set to join the list of vaccine providers. This week 57 Walmart pharmacies will receive 5,700 doses. Governor John Bel Edwards says after that…
Cut 6 (08) “..about that”
The 57-hundred doses sent to Walmart this week are being diverted from the long-term care facility allocation.

Construction is underway on a 32-million dollar project along the coast of Cameron Parish that will turn open water back intio marsh. Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Project Manager Jessica Diez says it will restore 308 acres of coastal marsh habitat and eleven acres of earthen terraces.
Cut 10 (10) “…Calcasieu Parish.”
The area being restored is northwest of Holly Beach.

Red Beans and Rice has been a traditional dish in many south Louisiana homes on Mondays, but there is a concern the tradition is going away because househoulds are finding it harder to babysit a pot of beans on Monday. Hayward and Company packages Camellia beans and CEO Vince Hayward says keeping old culinary traditions alive is important…
cut 8 (08) “..life”
Hayward says a crock pot is the best way to cook beans on busy Mondays.

Increased Moderna production means the state will see a five percent increase in its COVID vaccine allocation this week. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

State Police issued an Amber Alert overnight for 10-year-old Jalisa Lasalle of New Iberia who is believed to be in imminent danger after she was abducted. L-S-P says the suspected abductor is 33-year-old Michael Sereal of New Iberia, a black man who was last seen driving a 2002 Nissan Altima bearing a license plate of N472845.

Beginning today those 65 and older are now eligible to be vaccinated for COVID in Louisiana, however, some feel K-12 educators and school employees should also be prioritized. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says we owe it to teachers to keep them safe.
Cut 13 (11) “…else.”
Carter says as the state begins to receive an increase in weekly doses, the 166-thousand school teachers and employees should be given priority.

Cajun Country Rice, Camellia Brand and Savoie’s Foods would like to see red beans and rice Mondays become a major tradition again. The tradition has waned as folks find it harder to babysit a pot of beans while the entire household has to go to work. But Hayward and Company CEO Vince Hayward says these days your best bet is a crock pot.
Cut 9 (09) “done.”

The state has received a five percent bump in the number of COVID vaccines that it can administer this week as a result of an increase in Moderna production. Governor John Bel Edwards says 408 providers in all 64 parishes will administer 86-thousand first COVID vaccine doses this week to those 65 and older…
Cut 4 (11)“…program.
Starting today 275-thousand more Louisianans will have access to the COVID-19 vaccine because the minimum age has been lowered from 70 to 65 years old for those who are eligible.

Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields has written a letter urging Governor Edwards to include K-through-12 educators. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter has also written the governor…
cut 14 (11) “….reopening”

Camelia, Savoie’s, and Cajun Country Rice want to reestablish the old tradition of red beans and rice Mondays. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says starting next Friday and running through Mardi Gras Day on February 16th, all bars indoor and outdoor will be closed. Cantrell says she rather be accused of doing too much than too little.

Cut 4 (12) “all of us”

Two more additional cases of the U.K. variant of COVID in Louisiana were confirmed by the CDC this week bringing the total to five. The CDC says the UK variant, which is more contagious and deadly, will be the dominant strain by mid-March in the U-S. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are 20 additional cases from Louisiana pending confirmation for the UK variant at the CDC.

Cut 7 (13) “becoming”

The prides of Webster Parish, Buccaneers linebacker Devin White, and Chiefs defensive back L’Jarius Sneed will face off on Super Bowl Sunday.

White ended up staring at LSU while Sneed went on to play for Louisiana Tech. Sneed says he’s heard the folks back home are brimming with pride, and he’s happy he and White can set an example for the next generation of Webster Parish athletes.

Cut 13 (12) “up to”

In basketball news, Louisiana Tech got a big win over North Texas last night 68-63 in a Conference USA matchup. The Ragin Cajuns men’s team lost a close one to Arkansas State 95-87 yesterday. ULM fell to UT Arlington on the hardwood 63-56. Also, LSU’s game against Florida this afternoon has been postponed due to Covid-19 issues within the Florida program.

If it were not for the coronavirus pandemic, this would be the first big weekend of Mardi Gras parades. But there are no parades and Governor John Bel Edwards is strongly urging residents not to gather in large groups during the carnival season.

Cut 9 (10) “very quickly”

Webster Parish natives Devin White and Chiefs defensive back L’Jarius Sneed will face each other on Super Bowl Sunday.

White got drafted 5^th overall in the 2019 draft and has taken over as a star linebacker and heart of Tampa’s suffocating defense. Sneed was drafted in the 4^th round of the 2020 draft. He had some bad injury luck early in the season but has established himself as a starter in just his rookie year.

White and Sneed both say they’re good friends who usually keep in close contact but…

Cut 14 (13) “the moment”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is hoping that teachers in the state will be prioritized for the Covid-19 vaccine.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

In December 2018, unidentified skeletal remains were discovered in Evangeline Parish.  State Police have now identified the remains of Erica Nicole Hunt of Opelousas. A homicide investigation is now taking place.  Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact St. Landry CrimeStoppersat948-8477(TIPS),   online at stlandrycrimestoppers.com, or via Facebook by leaving a WEBTIP.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says starting next Friday and running through Mardi Gras Day on February 16th, all bars indoor and outdoor will be closed.  Cantrell says she rather be accused of doing too much than too little.

Cut 4 (12) “all of us”

Two more additional cases of the U.K. variant of COVID in Louisiana were confirmed by the CDC this week bringing the total to five.  The CDC says the UK variant, which is more contagious and deadly, will be the dominant strain by mid-March in the U-S. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are 20 additional cases from Louisiana pending confirmation for the UK variant at the CDC.

Cut 7 (13) “becoming”

The prides of Webster Parish, Buccaneers linebacker Devin White, and Chiefs defensive back L’Jarius Sneed will face off on Super Bowl Sunday.

White ended up staring at LSU while Sneed went on to play for Louisiana Tech.  Sneed says he’s heard the folks back home are brimming with pride, and he’s happy he and White can set an example for the next generation of Webster Parish athletes.

Cut 13 (12) “up to”

In basketball news, Louisiana Tech got a big win over North Texas last night 68-63 in a Conference USA matchup.  The Ragin Cajuns men’s team lost a close one to Arkansas State 95-87 yesterday.  ULM fell to UT Arlington on the hardwood 63-56.  Also, LSU’s game against Florida this afternoon has been postponed due to Covid-19 issues within the Florida program.

Starting next Friday and running through Mardi Gras Day on February 16th, all bars indoor and outdoor will be closed and no loitering will be allowed on Bourbon Street according to New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell.  The mayor says bar employees who will be out of work for five days should file for their claims with the Louisiana Workforce Commission now.

Deputy CAO Peter Bowen had a strong message for bars who do not comply, he says the time for warnings is over and if you are caught out of compliance you’ll be shut down…

Cut 5 (08) “New Orleanians”

Maybe: An additional 30 State Police Troopers have been deployed to New Orleans to help enforce COVID mitigation efforts.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic Governor John Bel Edwards is urging residents not to gather in large groups during Mardi Gras season.  Edwards says Super Bowl viewing parties are also not a good idea on Sunday…

Cut 11 (12) “not safe”

The Health Department confirmed two more cases of the UK variant of COVID in Louisiana, bringing the total to five. Brooke Thorington has more on what this could possibly foreshadow for the state.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Federal Officials are investigating how LSU reports crime on campus among its students due to claims that LSU failed to fully investigate certain complaints. The Department of Education has notified school officials that it would need access to crime records dating back to 2016.

The Prides of Webster Parish, Buccaneers linebacker Devin White and Chiefs defensive back L’Jarius Sneed will be featured heavily on Super Bowl Sunday.  White got drafted fifth overall in 2019 and Sneed was drafted in the fourth round of the 2020 draft.  He had some bad injury luck early in the season but has established himself as a starter in his rookie year.  White and Sneed both say they’re good friends but…

Cut 14 (13) “the moment”

The Louisiana Tech men’s basketball team got a big win over North Texas last night 68-63 in a Conference USA matchup.  Isaiah Crawford poured in 27 points for the Bulldogs and was a perfect 3 for 3 on three-pointers.

The Ragin Cajuns men’s basketball team lost a close one to Arkansas State yesterday 95-87.  The Red Wolves shot almost 57 percent from the field and 55 percent from behind the arc.

Minute 2

Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette and Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu both played a St. Augustine High School in New Orleans, both went to LSU and wore the coveted number 7 jersey.  Fournette says he can’t wait to compete against Mathieu on Sunday

Cut 18 (13) “make us better”

The New Orleans Pelicans pulled out a close victory over the Indiana Pacers last night 114-113.  The Pels were led by forward Brandon Ingram who had 30 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, Lonzo Ball added 20 points of his own.  New Orleans shot 53.9 percent from the floor and an impressive 52 percent from three-point range.

ULM falls to UT Arlington 63-56 on the hardwood.

LSU’s game against Florida scheduled for this afternoon has been postponed due to Covid-19 in the Florida program.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it would be irresponsible for people to gather in large groups for the carnival season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Louisiana lawmakers plan to keep a close watch as the state accepts bids for new voting machines. The solicitation for contractors went out last week, and lawmakers are planning a joint hearing of the House and Senate elections oversight committees on Feb. 19 to dig into the details of Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s effort to replace 10,000 decades-old voting machines.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says starting next Friday and running through Mardi Gras Day on February 16th, all bars indoor and outdoor will be closed and no loitering will be allowed on Bourbon Street. Cantrell says she’s trying to prevent mass gatherings that can turn into a COVID super spreader event.

Cut 3 (09)  “…COVID-19″

The number of confirmed UK variant COVID cases in the state has grown to five and 20 additional cases are pending verification with the CDC. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it takes a while to get these results back.

Cut 7 (13) “…becoming.”

The CDC predicts the UK variant, which is twice as contagious, will be the dominant strain in the US by mid-March.