Beginning today more Louisiana residents are eligible to be vaccinated. Brooke Thorington explains…
cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Health Officer, Doctor Joseph Kanter, says a list of pharmacies that will have the vaccine will be made available on the covid-vaccine-dot-la-dot-gov website after 10 AM. Just over 100 pharmacies will receive the vaccine and each one will receive about 100 doses this week and more will be coming.

The Saints pummeled the Panthers 33-7 yesterday and New Orleans is the number two seed in the NFC playoffs. The Black and Gold won easily over Carolina, despite not having their top running backs because of COVID issues. Coach Sean Payton was asked about a possible outbreak…
cut 16 (13) “….team win”
The Saints will host the Chicago Bears in a playoff game on Sunday afternoon.

The state Department of Children and Family Services says the state distributed more than 674-million dollars in emergency food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says they also received five times the normal volume of SNAP applications within the first 30 days of the pandemic and ends the year serving an all-time high of 456-thousand households…
cut 15 (12) “…these families”

Another 640-thousand individuals are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine as people who are not health care workers or living in a nursing home can receive the vaccine for the first time at select pharmacies starting today. Governor Edwards says as the vaccine rollout continues, he urges residents to continue to follow mitigation efforts like masking…
cut 11 (09) “…this mask”
Persons over the age of 70 are eligible for the vaccine, but they should not show up at their local pharmacy expecting to get the vaccine without an appointment.

Several new laws went into effect with the new year, including a measure that changes the way how lawsuits will be handled following a car accident. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform legislation will lead to fewer frivolous lawsuits, which over time should result in lower premiums…
cut 6 (09) “…take time”
The tort reform legislation should lead to more jury trials, instead of having a single judge make a decision on a settlement.

There will be two Congressional elections in Louisiana in March to fill vacancies in the second and fifth districts. Cedric Richmond is taking a job in the Biden administration, while voters in the fifth district have to pick a new U-S Representative because of the passing of Congressman-elect Luke Letlow. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says former Congressman Ralph Abraham or state representative Lance Harris could be the top two candidates or…
cut 8 (12) “….official”

2020 was an unprecedented year for the Department of Children and Family Services as more than $674 million was distributed in emergency food stamps. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta has the breakdown.
Cut 13 (13) “…EBT benefits.”
And over 92-million in hurricane disaster SNAP benefits was also distributed.

Louisiana Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy differ on whether voter fraud was so rampant that the results of the 2020 Presidential election should be overturned. Kennedy says an Electoral Commission should be established to consider and resolve the disputed returns. But Cassidy says the 2020 election is over

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was laid to rest on Saturday and a special election for the now vacant seat will be held in March. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A new law went into effect with the start of the new year that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates over time. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform legislation will reduce the number of lawsuits filed after car wrecks…
cut 5 (08) “….courtrooms”
But Opponents argue the changes will make it more difficult for car accident victims to receive the money needed to cover medical bills.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says the state distributed over 674-million dollars in emergency food assistance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. Deputy Assistant Secretary Juan Guinta says the extraordinary circumstances called for extraordinary measures…
cut 14 *(11) “…the need”
DCFS received five times the normal volume of SNAP applications.

A new law that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates went into effect with the start of the new year. The tort reform legislation was approved during the June special session. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry CEO Stephen Waguespack backs the changes…
Cut 4 (12) “…courtrooms”
Opponents of the law say car accident victims will not receive the money needed to cover medical bills and increase court operations.

Starting today another 640-thousand people are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. This group includes individuals over the age of 70 and additional health care workers. Governor Edwards says studies show that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are highly effective…
cut 12 (09) “….of COVID”
The limited amounts of COVID vaccines will be available to about 100 pharmacies across the state.

Lousiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was laid to rest on Saturday and qualifying will begin later this month for a special fifth district Congressional election that will take place on March 20th. ULM Political Sciences Professor Joshua Stockley says nine people ran in the November election and we could see a couple of those candidates, Lance Harris and Scotty Robinson run again. He says the problem for any new candidate is they will have only two months to gain enough name recognition to win in the state’s largest congressional district.
Cut 9 (12) “…overlaps.”
There is speculation former Congressman Ralph Abraham may enter the race.

The funeral for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications will be today. It will be at 2 p.m. at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and the funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

From March to December of 2020, demand for food stamps increased 26-percent, in Louisiana. DCFS Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta credits the work of her staff for meeting the unprecedented demand.

Cut 15 (12)“…these families.”

The City of Lake Charles is still recovering after devastation from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Mayor Nic Hunter says as for Federal recovery efforts it’s still too early to judge with just four months out. He says while FEMA has responded well with some things…

Cut 10 (09) “…housing.”

Hunter says he’s extremely grateful for the community and how they’ve helped each other out during recovery and he’s optimistic about the city rebuilding.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow was to be sworn into office tomorrow to represent the 5^th Congressional district, but due to his life being cut short from COVID his family is holding funeral services for him today at 2pm. Services will be at North Monroe Baptist Church and all COVID restrictions will be in place, his family is requesting attendees to wear masks. Governor Edwards has ordered flags be flown at half-staff today in memory of 41-year-old Letlow who died on Tuesday.

The Louisiana Department of Family and Children services distributed more than $674 million in food stamps last year due to the pandemic and three hurricanes. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta says to keep staff and recipients safe they made some changes.

Cut 14 (10) “…the need.” 

She says other states have asked for guidance and are modeling their distribution process now after Louisiana’s.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard, guard spokesperson Noel Collins says in addition to the demands of the pandemic and an unprecedented hurricane season for the state, the guardsmen are involved in overseas missions.

Cut 8 (10) “…this year.”

The city of Lake Charles endured two hurricanes last year and Mayor Nic Hunter says in addition to housing for residents a large factor for the city to recover is major employers’ commitments to stay and rebuild.

Cut 11 (08) “…rebuilding.”

Overall, Hunter says he’s optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles because its residents and business community are very resilient.

Thursday’s announcement that those over the age of 70 in Louisiana can begin receiving COVID vaccines has many already crowding pharmacies to get vaccinated before doses have arrived. The vaccines will begin on Monday, Department of Health spokeswoman Aly Neel stressed that only a limited supply of 10,000 Moderna doses will be available next week and appointments are required, or you will be turned away.

2020 was an unprecedented year for the Department of Family and Children services as more than $674 million was distributed in food stamps. Deputy Assistant Secretary Jean Guinta has the breakdown.

Cut 13 ebt benefits :13

And $92.6 million in hurricane disaster SNAP benefits was also distributed.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by today and over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been placed on the NFL’s reserve-COVID-19 list after testing positive for the coronavirus. And there’s a possibility he could miss a playoff game next week. New Orleans can still get the first seed in the NFC and a first-round bye. For that to happen, the Saints need to beat the Panthers tomorrow, the Packers have to lose to the Bears and Seattle must defeat San Francisco. Saints safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson will also miss Sunday’s game due to COVID.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The funeral for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications will be today. It will be at 2 p.m. at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and the funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

The City of Lake Charles took a beating not once but twice with hurricanes in 2020, Laura was first responsible for widespread destruction and then Delta just added insult to injury. Mayor Nic Hunter says recovery efforts have come a long way in four months, however…

Cut 9 (09) “…recovered.”

Overall, Hunter is optimistic about the recovery of Lake Charles, because it’s residents and business community are resilient.

Louisiana’s top public health expert has been encouraged by the COVID vaccine rollout distribution so far. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Funeral arrangements have been announced for the late Congressman-elect Luke Letlow who passed away Tuesday from COVID-related complications. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at North Monroe Baptist Church. All COVID restrictions will be followed and masks will be required by the family. The funeral will be live-streamed from the church’s social media platforms.

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard with the pandemic, hurricanes, and a deployment of more than 2,000 guardsmen overseas. LANG spokesperson Noel Collins said since March, guardsmen have assisted with testing sites and food banks.

Cut 6 (06) “…of food.”

And distributed more than 56-million Personal Protective Equipment items.

After a record-tying six rushing touchdowns in an NFL game what will Saints running back Alvin Kamara do for an encore when New Orleans closes out the regular season at Carolina on Sunday. Kamara says he has not reflected much on his historic Christmas Day performance…

Cut 15 (15)“…accomplish”

Thursday’s announcement that those over the age of 70 in Louisiana can begin receiving COVID vaccines has many already crowding pharmacies to get vaccinated before doses have arrived. The vaccines will begin on Monday, Department of Health spokeswoman Aly Neel stressed that only a limited supply of 10,000 Moderna doses will be available next week and appointments are required or you will be turned away.

The COVID-19 vaccine rollout is going slower than many expected. The state’s top public health expert says Louisiana will have received more than 210-thousand vaccine doses by Saturday. Over 45-thousand doses have been administered. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter admits it’s a complex operation

Cut 3 (12)  “…doses.”  

The 87th annual Sugar Bowl is tonight in New Orleans and it’s a much different event this year due to the pandemic. Ohio State and Clemson will play in the national semifinal game and Sugar Bowl C-E-O Jeff Hundley says while the parade and other public events tied to the bowl game have been canceled, at least they are having a game this year…

Cut 14 (11) “…next year.” 

2020 was the busiest year on record for the Louisiana National Guard. Guard spokesperson Noel Collins says they assisted with 400 generator missions; distributed 5.7 million meals, 7.8 million liters of water, 1.4 million bags of ice, and 267-thousand tarps.

Cut 7 (11)  “…efforts.”