Governor Edwards has called for a 3:30 press conference today, one day before the modified Phase Two coronavirus restrictions are set to expire. Edwards is also expected to provide an update on the vaccine rollout. Individuals over the age of 70 are eligible to be vaccinated, but Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health, Doctor Katherine Baumgarten, says it’s been a challenge as their staff is also focused on setting up appointments and answering the phones which are ringing off the hook…
cut 5 (12) “….or two”

Can employees be fired for participating in a political rally? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana is an employment at-will state, so an employer can terminate a worker for their support of a political agenda…
cut 9 (06) “…someone”

Louisiana is one of eight states to receive a green rating from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2020 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws. Government Relations Director Allison Kennedy says the state has 10 of their 16 recommended laws, most crucially a primary enforcement seatbelt law that covers all occupants of a vehicle.
Cut 13 (08) “…occurs.”
Kennedy says along with strong seatbelt laws the state also received high marks for its all rider motorcycle helmet law, child passenger safety laws, and graduated drivers licensing for teen drivers.

There’s a freezing fog advisory in effect until 9 this morning for central and the southern part of north Louisiana.

Vaccine rollout enters its second week for those over the age of 70 in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington gives an update on how Ochsner Health is participating.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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As more people are being identified from Wednesday’s raid on the Capitol, many ask can you lose your job for even attending political events. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Both Mega Millions and Powerball now have over half a billion dollar jackpots. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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Ochsner Health continues COVID vaccine rollout to their employees and is also aiding with inoculations for those over the age of 70 who just became eligible on January 4^th. Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says as of Monday they’ve administered 57-thousand doses, which includes…

Cut 4 (07) “…of 70.”

On the first day of the rollout for those over the age of 70, Ochsner received 56-thousand phone calls, before the record number of calls in one day was 20 thousand. Baumgarten says more than 200-thousand people in Louisiana are over the age of 70 so it’s been a challenge to accommodate the demand, in addition to staff focused on setting up appointments and answering the phones…

Cut 5 (12) “…or two.”

Baumgarten says their hospitals are extremely crowded with COVID patients and she’s seeing several cases of multiple family members hospitalized at once. Until herd immunity can be gained with vaccinations, she’s imploring the public to help.

Cut 6 (09) “…yet.”

Baumgarten says when you are scheduled for your vaccine you are scheduled for both appointments because the vaccine requires two injections.

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As political fallout continues from the storming of the Capitol last week, the question arises can your employer fire you for your political beliefs? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says in Louisiana the answer is yes, they can.

Cut 7 (11)  “…fire you.”

Ciolino says it’s not necessarily a matter of if you committed criminal activity at a political demonstration.

Cut 8 (10) “…activity”

Ciolino says a private employer in the Bayou State could choose to fire you if you attended a rally to support any political agenda.

Cut 9 (06) “…someone.”

Ciolino says California is one of the few states where an employer cannot terminate you for engaging in political activities.

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Mega Millions is up to 615 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 550 million for Wednesday night’s drawing.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says we haven’t seen jackpots over half a billion dollars in over a year.

Cut 10 (09) “…2019.”

35 percent of all state lotto revenue goes to fund K-12 education in Louisiana.

The Powerball jackpot is the 9^th largest ever, and the Mega Millions draw is the 4^th largest…

Cut 11 (04) “top ten”.

The skyrocketing jackpots have more players buying tickets. Last week the state tallied 5.4 million in lotto sales, twice as much as it did that same time last month.

So, what are the odds of striking it rich on back to back lotto nights? Chopin says it’s pretty low, but not impossible…

Cut 12 (11) “…25.”

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Louisiana is one of only eight states to receive a green rating from the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety’s 2020 Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws.

Government Relations Director Allison Kennedy says the state has 10 of their 16 recommended laws, most crucially a primary enforcement seatbelt law that covers all occupants of a vehicle.

Cut 13 (08) “…occurs.”

Kennedy says along with our strong seatbelt laws we also received high marks for our all rider motorcycle helmet law, child passenger safety laws, and graduated drivers licensing for teen drivers.

We still have some room to improve according to Kennedy, who says we’d do well to enact a more optimal child booster seat law.

Cut 14 (07) “…key.” 

Louisiana is the only southern state to receive a green rating.

Kennedy says adopting more comprehensive safety laws is an important part of reducing roadway injuries and deaths, which is more important now than ever…

Cut 15 (11)“…right now”

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The Saints and Buccaneers will meet for a third time this season on Sunday when the two NFC South rivals meet in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs. New Orleans won the two regular-season matchups, including a 38-3 trouncing of Tampa Bay on its home field on November eighth. Coach Sean Payton says that last game will not factor into what will happen this Sunday

Cut 16 (14) “…entirely different.”

Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady is looking to play in his tenth Super Bowl. Payton says they know Brady will be well prepared to face the Saints defense…

Cut 17 (25) “..this year.”

During the season the Buccaneers signed four-time All-pro receiver Antonio Brown. In has last four games, Brown has caught a touchdown pass in each game for the Bucs. Payton they will have to game plan for the veteran wide out…

Cut  18 (14) “…getting him the ball.”

The I-20 corridor was treated to a two to six inch layer of powdery-white snow this morning for the first time since 2018. Schools are closed and many businesses took the day off as most folks just aren’t comfortable trying to drive or walk through snow in Louisiana. KNOE-TV evening news anchor Jeff Horchak says the kids are enjoying it, but not all pets are excited about the change. Horchak says it’s the first time his dog ever saw snow…

Cut 6 (12) “…he was fine”

The highest total we’ve seen reported was six inches of snow in Zwolle.

The Saints will face the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday for the third time this season. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Who Dat fans should be familiar with a three-game sweep because the Saints accomplished it back in 2017

Cut 8 (10) “…one year cycle.”

LSU staff and students return to campus today and are greeted with new COVID mitigation measures. Brooke Thorington explains

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Cardell Hayes, who was convicted of killing Saints star defensive end Will Smith in April of 2016, had his conviction tossed by the U.S. Supreme Court on the grounds that it came on a 10 to two verdict, and thus did not comply with the new requirement for unanimous convictions. Hayes will be tried again, likely in the New Orleans Parish Criminal District Court that first convicted him in December of 2016.

North Louisiana is enjoying a snow day as up to half a foot of snow fell from a rare winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Crews are working to restore power to those in north Louisiana who found themselves without power in addition to snow. Cleco representatives say they hope to have all their customers up and running by the end of the day, however it might be tomorrow for those in rural areas because the weather also caused trees to come down hindering access.

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, CEO Marcia Ferranto says nine of the 13 are believed to have died from getting infected by coronavirus on the job.
Cut 10 (09) “..duty.”
Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the last two were traffic incidents.

As students and faculty return to campus at LSU today, they’ll find a few more changes pandemic wise. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says in addition to voluntary COVID testing on campus, five percent of the campus population will be sent notices every two weeks that they are to report for mandatory COVID testing.

Cut 13 (08)“…required.”

The I-20 corridor was treated to several inches of snow piled up in yards across the region this morning.  National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says it’s the first time the area has seen enough snow to pile up on the ground since 2018 and in some areas the accumulation was significant…

Cut 4 (11) “…Zwolle” 

It won’t last too long though, temperatures are expected to rise at least ten degrees tomorrow.

The Saints rode their dominant defense to a 21-9 win over the Bears Sunday and face Tom Brady’s Bucs for the third time this season next Sunday. The Saints swept Tampa in the regular season and NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the myth about the difficulty of a three-game sweep just isn’t true…

Cut 7 (10) “incorrect narrative.”

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, with nine of the 13 being due to COVID infections suffered while on the job. CEO Marcia Ferranto says that’s the highest number they’ve recorded in Louisiana, and part of an unfortunate nationwide trend.

Cut 9 (10) “…numbers.”

Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the other two were traffic incidents.

Students are back on campus at LSU for the start of the spring semester and are being treated to a new policy of mandatory, random COVID testing.  LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. explains the Sentinel Policy, saying those on campus will be sent notifications to be tested, those who fail to comply could face repercussions.

Cut 12 (08) “…on campus.” 

Five percent of the campus population will be tested every two weeks. 

The I-20 corridor was treated to a light layer of powdery-white snow this morning for the first time since 2018. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says folks across north Louisiana woke up to several inches of snow in their yards…

Cut 3 (12)  “…snow band was”

Natchitoches saw about three to four inches of snow, five cinches in Grand Cane, and six inches of snow in Zwolle.

Schools are closed and many businesses took the day off as most folks just aren’t comfortable trying to drive or walk through snow in Louisiana. KNOE-TV evening news anchor Jeff Horchak says the kids are enjoying it, but not all pets are excited about the change. Horchak says it’s the first time his dog ever saw snow…

Cut 6 (12) “…he was fine”

LSU staff and students return to campus today and are greeted with new COVID mitigation measures. Brooke Thorington explains

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Brooke Thorington”  

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund CEO Marcia Ferranto says 13 law enforcement officers died in Louisiana in 2020, nine of them from COVID. Ferranto says officers are getting exposed to a lot of coronavirus…

Cut 11 (7) “…families”

It’s a day off from school and many businesses are closed because of the snow. KNOE-TV evening news anchor Jeff Horchak says kids are enjoying the snow and so are adults.
Cut 5 (07) “…snow man”
Cleco says they are working on restoring power and hope to have most of the power restored by end of the day but some rural areas due to tree being down might go with outpower until tomorrow
13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, CEO Marcia Ferranto says nine of the 13 are believed to have died from getting infected by coronavirus on the job.
Cut 10 (09) “..duty.”
Two of the other fatalities were related to firearms and the last two were traffic incidents.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan Jr says the school is receiving a limited number of vaccines this week for healthcare students who have direct contact with COVID patients. As for when the vaccine is more widespread, Galligan says if they will implement a requirement for the vaccine remains to be seen.
Cut 14 (12) “…vaccinations.”
The spring semester started today.

The Saints will face the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday for the third time this season. Many say beating the same team three times is a rarity, but NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says Who Dat fans should be familiar with a three-game sweep because the Saints accomplished it back in 2017.
Cut 8 (10) “…one year cycle.”

Kick off is a 5:30

North Louisiana is enjoying a snow day as up to half a foot of snow fell from a rare winter storm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

LDH announces that 209 vaccine providers in all 64 parishes will receive vaccines this week. Last week as more residents became eligible to receive the vaccine supply was extremely limited. More pharmacies and health care centers have been added this week. To set up an appointment or find a provider visit CovidVaccine.La.GOV

As students and faculty return to campus at LSU today, they’ll find a few more changes pandemic wise. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says in addition to voluntary COVID testing on campus, five percent of the campus population will be sent notices every two weeks that they are to report for mandatory COVID testing.

Cut 13 (08)“…required.”

Galligan says after you’ve tested positive, and isolated properly you will not be required to be tested again for 90 days.

The Saints will face the Buccaneers in the Divisional Round of the playoffs on Sunday for the third time this season.  New Orleans won the first two matchups and while many believe it’s difficult to beat the same team three times in a season, NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says the numbers say otherwise.

Cut 7 (10) “incorrect narrative.”

The Saints have opened as a three-point favorite.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, Jr. says they are adding more mitigation measures for the Spring Semester, for example, random COVID testing. Galligan says those on campus will be sent notifications to be tested, those who fail to comply could face repercussions.

Cut 12 (08) “…on campus.” 

13 Louisiana law enforcement officers died in the line of duty in 2020 according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. CEO Marcia Ferranto says that’s the highest number they’ve ever recorded in Louisiana, and part of an unfortunate nationwide trend.

Cut 9, 10 seconds, numbers

Nine of the 13 officers who died in Louisiana died from COVID infections linked to exposure on the job. ‘

North Louisiana saw snow on the ground this morning as it experienced its first measurable snow in the event last night since 2018. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says two-to-three inches of snow fell along the I-20 corridor and there are higher snowfall totals south of the interstate.

Cut 4 (11) “…Zwolle” 

Lost amidst a historic burst of news last week was the fact that Democrats now control both chambers of Congress, and with a Democratic President set to be sworn in will get to set the agenda in Washington for at least the next two years. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says after Dems pass another COVID relief bill expect them to make a pivot into other issues of importance for the caucus.

Cut 11 (08) “…Presidency.

It’s a winter wonderland across north Louisiana today after a rare snowfall ended this morning. National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Nuttall says two to four inches of snow fell across the region.

Cut 3 (12)  “…snow band was”

Nuttall says two-to-three inches of snow fell along the I-20 corridor, while as much as a half-foot of snow fell in Zwolle.

As the vaccine rollout continues some question the safety and speed at which the vaccines were approved, Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, Doctor Lucio Miele says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are the safest vaccines he’s ever studied, and 70-thousand participants were involved in the clinical trials.

Cut 6 (11) “…and Moderna.”

Chief Nursing Officer at Baton Rouge Woman’s Hospital Cheri Johnson says they thought birth rates would decline due to uncertainty and financial fallout from the pandemic, but birth rates are up. Visitation restrictions however have changed the experience for families, but Johnson says families have gotten extremely creative as they wait for the delivery.

Cut 9 (07) “…a birth.”

After winning both Georgia Senate races Democrats now control both chambers of Congress for the first time in a decade. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says expect dems to push through another, larger COVID relief bill. DuBos says that means bigger stimulus checks, but not without other priorities attached…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccine.”