The longest-serving member of the LSU Board of Supervisors is calling on the school to drop the school’s law firm of Taylor Porter amid the ongoing scandal. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A COVID vaccine hotline is now online in Louisiana offering residents a one-stop-shop for appointment booking. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Governor Edwards disagreed with calls from an all-woman Legislative committee for administrators at LSU to lose their jobs over the mishandling of sexual misconduct reports. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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LSU Board of Supervisors member Lee Mallett is calling for the university to cut ties with legal counsel Taylor Porter. He says their advice to a small group of university leaders to keep the board in the dark about the alleged sexual misconduct of former coach Les Miles, is the core of the school’s coverup.

Cut 4 (09)“…about it.”

Mallett, the longest-serving board member, says while he can’t speak for the board during that period, he does believe if all members had been informed, that those involved would have been terminated.

Amid the scandal Mallet feels the current board is being wrongly accused. He says they had no knowledge, but they are committed to correct the ongoing culture at LSU.

Cut 5 (09)“…successful.”

Mallett says the board recognizes that it is now their responsibility to fix it. He says they are committed to doing so for the school and their family.

Cut 6 (09) “…engaged.”

The Baton Rouge law firm of Taylor Porter has represented the university for 80 years.

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The state launches a vaccine hotline that can help schedule COVID vaccine appointments for residents at nearby providers.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the hotline is open 8 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and noon to 8 PM on Sundays. The number is 855-453-0774.

Cut 7 (11)  “…vaccine.”

The hotline can connect residents with health care experts who can tell you more about how the vaccines are made, what makes them safe, and what makes them highly effective.

Kanter says we’ve approached the point where those who want to get vaccinated can do so easily and without much of a wait, which is why making getting an appointment easy is so important.

Cut 8 (08) “…feel.”

28 percent of all Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine, 71 percent of those over the age of 65 have.

The only bad news: due to a quality control error at a Baltimore vaccine production plant the nationwide supply of Johnson and Johnson will be low for quite a few weeks.

Cut 9 (06) “…Johnson.”

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Governor Edwards reiterated his support for LSU’s decision not to fire anyone in the wake of the Husch Blackwell report detailing widespread mishandling of sexual misconduct cases.

Edwards says it’s clear that a number of former LSU employees should’ve been fired back in 2013, 14 and 15, but those employees aren’t at LSU anymore…

Cut 10 (11) “…years.”

A growing chorus is calling for Atheltic Administrator Verge Ausburry to be fired for his mishandling of those cases, but Edwards says the failure was systemic, not individual…

Cut 11 (06) “…supervisor.”

Ausberry was suspended for 30 days as a result of the Blackwell findings but is back working at the school now.

LSU recently barred all employees from testifying before a Select committee dedicated to investigating the school’s failure to handle those cases. Edwards didn’t disagree with the school’s decision…

Cut 12 (10) “…sure.”

LSU is being sued by Athletic Administrator Sharon Lewis who alleges there was a broad conspiracy to cover up sexual misconduct by former coach Les Miles, and that she faced retaliation for investigating allegations against Miles. LSU lawyer Winston Decuir responded to the suit saying the school will defend against the claims and that Lewis is just trying to take advantage of the ongoing situation for personal benefit.

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The 2021 Louisiana Survey asks residents about the extent of racial discrimination in six different situations like at work; applying for loans; voting; medical treatment and dealing with the police. Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says overall 55-percent of white Louisianans feel Blacks are treated equally.

Cut 13 (07) “…police.”

However, when Black Louisianans were asked the same questions, Henderson says a very large majority of respondents feel they are treated less fairly than whites.

Cut 14 (07) “…circumstances.”

Henderson says of the multiple situations questioned in the survey the one area where both whites and Blacks agree is the discriminatory treatment of blacks by police.

Cut 15 (07)“…circumstances.”

Regarding if the country needs to make further changes to achieve equal rights, 84-percent of Black Louisianan say yes compared to 39-percent of whites.

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

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The 16th ranked Louisiana Tech baseball team has won three straight weekend series as they begin a four-game set tonight at Rice. The Bulldogs have won 12 of their last 14.  A big part of their success has been on offense. Coach Lane Burroughs says they are doing a good job of getting clutch hits, especially when trailing.

Cut 16 (13) “…off the bench.”

Tonight’s game against the Owls will start at 6 PM.  Rice is 13-14-1 on the season and just 2-5-1 in Conference play.  Despite their record, Burroughs says Rice is a talented team.

Cut 17 (13) “…wrong time.”

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Fresh off a five to three win over Alabama on Wednesday, the ULM baseball team begins a three-game series tonight against Georgia Southern. The Warhawks are looking to snap a five-game losing streak in Sun Belt play. Coach Michael Federico on what he wants to see from his team in Statesboro

Cut  18 (18)  “…to win.” (x2)

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LSU looks to snap a six-game losing streak in the SEC when they visit Kentucky for three games starting tonight in Lexington. Landon Marceaux is tonight’s starting pitcher for the Tigers and A-L Labas gets the ball tomorrow. Coach Paul Mainieri is holding off on naming a starter for Sunday’s series finale…

Cut 19 (19) “…three guys” 

Labas on the importance of getting an SEC victory sooner than later…

Cut 20 (15) “…one game at a time.” 

An attorney for LSU sent a statement to The Advocate regarding Associate Athletic Director Sharon Lewis’s lawsuit against the university. Winston DeCuir said the university is disappointed that a 20-year employee, who has received several promotions throughout her career, is now filing a lawsuit. Following a press conference by her attorneys, LSU believes it is an attempt to take advantage of the situation for personal benefit and they intend to defend these claims.

A New Orleans lawmaker says LSU’s decision to bar all employees from testifying under oath to a legislative committee investigating the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct is stopping witnesses from coming forward. Representative Aimee Freeman says she has witnesses who claim either Verge Ausberry or Miriam Segar violated the terms of their recent suspensions they were given for mishandling sexual misconduct reports…

Cut 10 (12) “…job” 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says a family of four in Louisiana could purchase a health insurance plan for premiums as low as 163-dollars per month at health-care-dot-gov. Director of the Office of Minority Health Doctor LaShawn McIver says if you need assistance, they have a toll-free number at 1-800-318-2596

Cut 15 (11) “…COVID relief law.” 

Colorado State University predicts 17 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major ones for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher Jhordanne Jones says this time last year sea surface temperatures along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico were higher than normal.

Cut 7 (09) “…active season”

LSU’s General Counsel told lawmakers why LSU employees had been banned from speaking under oath to a Legislative Committee today. Winston Decuir says it’s related to a lawsuit by a current LSU administrator. He says he learned of the lawsuit Wednesday and had not or seen who was named in it when the decision was made.

Cut 9 (08) “circumstance.”

Lawmakers argued the ban will intimidate further whistleblowers from coming forward.

State Police say a vehicle heading the wrong way on Interstate 10 near Crowley caused a fiery crash that killed three people and left another person in critical condition. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the vehicle driving in the opposite direction slammed head-on into another vehicle…

Cut 3 (07)  “…that was also involved.” 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says a family of four in Louisiana could purchase a health insurance plan for premiums as low as 163-dollars per month at health-care-dot-gov. Director of the Office of Minority Health Doctor LaShawn McIver says  the President recently extended the special enrollment period to August 15, so that families can take advantage of newly expanded financial assistance.

Cut 14 (12) “…qualify for” 

Colorado State University hurricane researchers anticipate an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher at CSU Jhordanne Jones says Louisiana has a 50-percent probability of landfall hurricanes in 2021, which she says is hauntingly like predictions we had last year.

Cut 8 (09) “…happens”

Lawmakers grilled LSU’s lawyer over the decision to ban all employees from testifying under oath at a legislative committee investigating the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The state officially launches a vaccine hotline to help residents schedule their COVID vaccines and connect those with concerns about the vaccine with a healthcare professional to answer their questions. The number is 1-855-453-0774.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says a family of four in Louisiana could purchase a health insurance plan for premiums as low as 163-dollars per month at health-care-dot-gov. Director of the Office of Minority Health Doctor LaShawn McIver says that’s because of newly expanded financial assistance

Cut 13 (12)“…enrollment period”

McIver says the President recently extended the special enrollment period to August 15, so that families can take advantage of newly expanded financial assistance.

Colorado State University hurricane researchers anticipate an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher at CSU Jhordanne Jones says they are predicting 17 named storms.

Cut 6 (09) “…in 2020”

Lawmakers blasted LSU’s lawyer this morning over the school’s decision not to allow employees to testify at a Legislative hearing on the mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says school officials have not justified their decision to not fire anyone as a result of the Husch Blackwell report. LSU General Counsel Winston Decuir responded on behalf of Interim President Tom Galligan…

Cut 12 (11)   “…unacceptable” 

A fiery crash on I-10 near Crowley claims the lives of three people. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the crash occurred as one vehicle was heading the wrong way down the interstate, but because of the damage, it’s hard to tell right now which vehicle it was…

Cut 5  (09)  “…the crash.”

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Colorado State University anticipates another above-average Atlantic hurricane season for 2021. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The state is now up to 1.3 million Louisianans who have taken at least one COVID shot and just under 900,000 that have completed their full vaccine series. About 24 percent of all residents in the New Orleans region have now completed their series, tops in the state. In last place are central Louisiana and the Lake Charles region at 14 and 13 percent.

LSU’s General Counsel Winston Decuir told lawmakers LSU employees are banned from speaking under oath to a Legislative Committee today because of a lawsuit filed by current athletic administrator Sharon Lewis. But New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman pointed out head coach Ed Orgeron had already refused to attend before the lawsuit and Tuesday night Orgeron held a Zoom press conference…

Cut 11 (06) “…statement”

Several other athletic and administrative leaders had also refused to attend before the lawsuit was known. Several LSU students have testified at the ongoing hearing expressing their disappointment with the university over the alleged Title IX violations and that university places athletics above the safety and well-being of its students. A lawsuit was filed on behalf of Lewis this morning seeking $50-million from the university. Lewis alleges she was the victim of retaliation in connection to the investigation of sexual harassment by former coach Les Miles.

State Police say a vehicle heading in the wrong direction on Interstate 10 near Crowley caused a fiery crash that killed three people. Trooper Thomas Gossen says they are still trying to determine why a vehicle was going the wrong way and for a period of time…

Cut 4 (08) “..westbound lanes” 

Another person is listed in critical condition and the victim’s identities have not been released.

Colorado State University predicts 17 named storms, 8 hurricanes, and 4 major ones for the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. While not as many as we experienced in 2020, Graduate Researcher at CSU Jhordanne Jones says this time last year sea surface temperatures along the east coast and Gulf of Mexico were higher than normal.

Cut 7 (09) “…active season”

Jones also says predictions last year though were eerily similar to the current ones.

A New Orleans lawmaker says LSU’s decision to bar all employees from testifying under oath to a legislative committee investigating the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct is stopping witnesses to further misconduct from coming forward. Representative Aimee Freeman says she has witnesses who claim either Verge Ausberry or Miriam Segar violated the terms of their recent suspensions they were given for mishandling sexual misconduct reports…

Cut 10 (12) “…job” 

Colorado State University anticipates an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher Jhordanne Jones says there’s a 50/50 chance a hurricane hits Louisiana this year.  

Cut 8 (09) “…happens”

Voters in 55 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall but before you can legally place your wagers a few things must happen. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

As expected no LSU employees appeared before a legislative committee today that’s looking into allegations that the school purposely covered up previous sexual misconduct cases. An attorney for the school, Wimston DeCuir, says because of a 50-million dollar lawsuit filed against the university and several officials, it was not prudent for them to discuss the matter publicly…
cut 9 (11) “…circumstanstance”

Colorado State University hurricane researchers anticipate an above-average 2021 Atlantic hurricane season. Graduate Researcher at CSU Jhordanne Jones says they are predicting 17 named storms.
Cut 6 (09) “…in 2020”
Jones says warmer than average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic favors an active 2021 hurricane season.

Voters in 55 of 64 parishes approved Sports Betting last fall and for it to become a reality both a regulatory and tax bill must be approved in the legislative session this year. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says his bill proposes tax revenue from sports betting be undedicated…
Cut 10 (11) “…as good.”
Determining where people can place bets and can they do it over their phone will also have to be ironed out during the course of the session.

The longtime voice of Louisiana Tech, Dave Nitz, says he will no longer call Bulldog football and basketball games, but will still be on the mic for Tech baseball games. The 78-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster says he’ll miss being at Joe Aillet Stadium and the Thomas Assembly Center…
cut 15 (09) “….it may be”

State Police say a vehicle heading the wrong way on Interstate 10 near Crowley caused a fiery crash that killed three people and left another person in critical condition. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the vehicle driving in the opposite direction slammed head-on into another vehicle…

Cut 3 (07)  “…that was also involved.” 

Gossen says they are still trying to determine why one of the vehicles involved was heading in the wrong direction

LSU has barred all employees from testifying under oath at today’s Legislative hearing into the school’s mishandling of sexual misconduct cases. This comes after both coach Ed Orgeron and AD Scott Woodward decided not to attend. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says this setback will not stop lawmakers from pressing on…

Cut 4 (10)“…again.”

The 2021 Louisiana Survey finds 57-percent of residents support raising the state’s gasoline tax if it’s used to fund transportation infrastructure. LSU Public Policy Lab Research Director Mike Henderson says they also asked if they want the funds spent on maintaining current infrastructure versus expanding and the responses were surprising.

Cut 9 (08) “…capacity.”

781 adult residents were surveyed in the state from January 4^th to March 1^st.

The longtime voice of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs Dave Nitz has decided to retire as the radio voice of football and basketball but will remain behind the mic to call baseball games.  The 78-year-old Nitz says he’s been considering this transition for quite some time.

Cut 13 (10) “…football and basketball.”

LSU will not allow current employees to testify at today’s Senate Select Committee on Women and Children as a university attorney said it would not be prudent to publicly discuss the mishandling of sexual assault cases as the school and several officials are expected to be named defendants in a 50-million dollar lawsuit. Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow says her panel will continue to try and get answers…
cut 5 (09) “…questions”

The legislative session starts Monday and several bills have been filed that seeks to get sports betting legalized in Louisiana after voters in 55 parishes approved the activity. Crowley Representative John Stefanski on who could possibly take bets one day…
cut 11 (08) “….as well”
Stefanski says there will also be a push to allow mobile sports betting.

The legendary voice of Louisiana Tech athletics Dave Nitz has decided to retire from football and basketball and solely focus on baseball after 47 seasons of calling games on the gridiron and hardwood…
cut 3 (30) “…i’m Taylor Sharp”

The sun is out after stormy weather last night and early this morning that produced street flooding in New Orleans and damaged homes in Morehouse Parish near the Arkansas state line. Also, Lafayette TV stations are reporting three people died in a multi-vehicle crash on I-10 near Crowley.