The New Orleans Archdiocese asks Catholics to take Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID vaccines instead of Johnson and Johnson’s “morally compromised” vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

Louisiana will loosen COVID restrictions Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more on our move into Phase Three…

Cut 2 (34) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance.

Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

Cut 4 (09) “…losses.” 

Strain says homeowners who lost plants in the freeze can also help out their local struggling nurseries, but before you go in…

Cut 5  (12)  “…to you.” 

________________________

The average price of a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

A gallon of regular gas has increased in price by 26-cents in the last month in Louisiana.

Today the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.73.

Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (11) “…demand.”

While an increase in gas prices hurt the average consumer, Redman says however higher crude oil prices help the state economy.

Cut 8 (12) “…layoffs.”

______________________

The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine into question over its use of “morally compromised” abortion-derived cell lines.

LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine and Pasquier says there will be many Catholics who, given the circumstances, will not follow the Archdiocese’s guidance. But…

Cut 10 (11) “…vaccines.” 

The Baton Rouge Archdiocese has issued a similar guideline calling Pfizer and Moderna “morally acceptable” but that parishioners may take J&J if no other options are available.

Pasquier says the New Orleans Archdiocese has no way to enforce the guidelines on Catholics who chose to take the J&J vaccine.

Cut 11 (09) “…conscience.”

____________________________

Pandemic public health restrictions will be loosened Wednesday as Louisiana moves into Phase Three.

Governor Edwards says that means the majority of businesses including restaurants can operate at 75 percent capacity and houses of worship will have no limitations on capacity, but…

Cut 12 (10) “ …settings.” 

Bars in all parishes can now operate at 25 percent capacity and bars in parishes with a positivity rate under five percent can operate at 50 percent capacity. Live music will be allowed indoors under an extensive set of guidelines.

The mask mandate will stay in place.

Cut 13 (11)“…transmission..”

Gatherings at event centers will be capped at 50 percent capacity and limited to 250 people.

Edwards says our positivity rate and hospitalization numbers are a third of what they were at our worst ever peak on January 8^th, and while we’ve made good progress…

Cut 14 (07) “…direction.” 

The new order will expire on March 31^st.

The New Orleans Archdiocese asks Catholics to take Pfizer or Moderna’s COVID vaccines instead of Johnson and Johnson’s “morally compromised” vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

Louisiana will loosen COVID restrictions Wednesday. Brooke Thorington has more on our move into Phase Three…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance.

Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

Cut 4 (09) “…losses” 

Strain says homeowners who lost plants in the freeze can also help out their local struggling nurseries, but before you go in…

Cut 5  (12)  “…to you” 

________________________

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

A gallon of regular gas has increased in price by 26-cents in the last month in Louisiana.

Today the national average for a gallon of regular gas is $2.73.

Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

While an increase in gas prices hurt the average consumer, Redman says however higher crude oil prices helps the state economy.

Cut 8 (12) “…layoffs.”

______________________

The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine into question over its use of “morally compromised” abortion-derived cell lines.

LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine and Pasquier says there will be many Catholics who, given the circumstances, will not follow the Archdiocese’s guidance. But…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccines.” 

The Baton Rouge Archdiocese has issued a similar guideline calling Pfizer and Moderna “morally acceptable” but that parishioners may take J&J if no other options are available.

Pasquier says the New Orleans Archdiocese has no way to enforce the guidelines on Catholics who chose to take the J&J vaccine.

Cut 11 (10) “…conscience.”

____________________________

Pandemic public health restrictions will be loosened Wednesday as Louisiana moves into Phase Three.

Governor Edwards says that means the majority of businesses including restaurants can operate at 75 percent capacity and houses of worship will have no limitations on capacity, but…

Cut 12 (10) “ …settings.” 

Bars in all parishes can now operate at 25 percent capacity and bars in parishes with a positivity rate under five percent can operate at 50 percent capacity. Live music will be allowed indoors under an extensive set of guidelines.

The mask mandate will stay in place.

Cut 13 (12)“…transmission”

Gatherings at event centers will be capped at 50 percent capacity and limited to 250 people.

Edwards says our positivity rate and hospitalization numbers are a third of what they were at our worst ever peak on January 8^th, and while we’ve made good progress…

Cut 14 (08) “…direction” 

The new order will expire on March 31^st.

________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says beginning tomorrow the state will move to phase three of coronavirus restrictions, similar to phase three we were in last fall. The mask mandate will remain in effect however capacity limits will be increased to 75-percent for most businesses and depending on positivity rates by parish bars can reopen with limited live music.

The New Orleans Roman Catholic Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine into question over its use of “morally compromised” abortion-derived cell lines. LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (pass-kay) says the Vatican has not ruled on the morality of the J&J vaccine and says there will be many Catholics who, given the circumstances, will not follow the Archdiocese’s guidance. But…

Cut 10 (12) “…vaccines.” 

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says it’s a result of an increase in crude oil prices, not a demand in use. He says while an increase in price hurts the average consumer, higher crude oil prices help the state economy.

Cut 8 (12) “…layoffs.”

Regular gas is up 26-cents in Louisiana from a month ago.

Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance. Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish and told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

Cut 4 (09) “…losses.” 

The New Orleans Archdiocese calls the Johnson and Johnson COVID vaccine “morally compromised” due to its use of abortion-derived cell material. LSU Religious Studies Professor Michael Pasquier (Pass-kay) says the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines only used abortion-derived cells in research, while J&J used them in manufacturing.

Cut 9 (12) “…Moderna”

The Vatican has not stated its position on the J&J vaccine.

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesman Don Redman says the winter storms closed several refineries thus delaying production and with anticipation for a demand in gasoline the industry could soon be will be playing catch up.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

He says an increase in crude oil prices is responsible for paying more at the pump right now.

Nurseries were pummeled by the February winter storms and Ag Commission Mike Strain is pushing to get them USDA assistance. Yesterday Strain toured Forest Hill in Rapides Parish, a place called the heart of the state’s nursery industry.

Cut 3 (09)  “…plants”  

Strain told growers to keep good records, photograph everything, and contact their farming services as soon as they can.

And Governor will speak at 1 o’clock today it’s anticipated he will roll back current coronavirus restrictions.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting a State Police Trooper received a 50-hour suspension for turning off his body camera, kicking a handcuffed black male and dragging him by his shackles. That man is Ronald Greene, who died as a result of the encounter he had with State Police in the Monroe area in 2019. Greene’s family says the Trooper should be fired.

The average price a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana jumped ten cents in the last week to $2.43. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says while the demand for gas has yet to increase the price increase is being driven by higher crude oil prices.

Cut 6 (10) “…barrel.”

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and while it hasn’t been proven many doctors believe vaccination reduces transmissibility as well. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you are vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…

Cut 7 (11)  “…asymptomatically.”

Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…

Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the beginning as the virus spread across the country, traffic trends mirrored each other based on closures in each of the states.

Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….

cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will loosen COVID public health restrictions this afternoon, and the data appears to support potentially moving into Phase Three. Last week Edwards said our trajectory looked promising and Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio says the data indicates a cautious loosening of restrictions is justified right now.

Cut 15 (09)“..transmutability.”

While coronavirus vaccines are proven to reduce COVID severity, and it hasn’t been proven to reduce transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the reason why they can’t confirm because transmissibility it hard to measure in clinical trials.

Cut 9 (11) “…vaccinated.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by at 48 percent.  LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says later in the study an increase or decrease in traffic did not follow respectively an increase or decrease in case numbers but did indicate to researchers how the virus was spread.

Cut 12 (09) “…contact. ”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish. Kelly says proper disposal is vital to preserving our favorite pastime.

Cut 6 (08) “…every year.”

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will reduce COVID public health restrictions today at 1 PM. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting a State Police Trooper received a 50-hour suspension for turning off his body camera, kicking a handcuffed black male and dragging him by his shackles. That man is Ronald Greene, who died as a result of the encounter he had with State Police in the Monroe area in 2019. Greene’s family says the Trooper should be fired.

An LSU study that looked at roadway travel statistics in ten states before and during the pandemic found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48-percent and at the height of the lockdown as much as 65-percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says they also saw coronavirus cases rise when traffic picked up…
cut 11 (12) “…cases”

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality is reminding crawfish connoisseurs to clean up properly after your boil to preserve other sea life. DEQ spokesperson Jean Kelly says never place shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway because it can seriously harm or even kill fish.
Cut 4 (09)“…treated.”
When you dispose of boil water and/or seasoned shells into a storm drain or ditch it goes directly to a lake, river, or stream

Governor John Bel Edwards could ease COVID public health restrictions this afternoon as the modified Phase 2 order expires tomorrow. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Dr. Steven Procopio, who says not only are new positive cases are down and so is the percent positivity of tests, and COVID hospitalizations.
Cut 13 (08) “..improve”
The governor is holding a one PM press conference.

Coronavirus vaccines are proven to significantly reduce COVID severity, and many doctors also believe vaccination reduces transmissibility. Ochsner System Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says once vaccinated then your body will immediately start fighting any virus you come into contact with…
Cut 7 (11) “…asymptomatically.”

An LSU study comparing traffic in ten states before and various stages during the pandemic, found that overall traffic volume decreased by 48 percent. LSU Civil Engineering Professor Brian Wolshon (Wool-shon) says at the height of the lockdown, traffic was down 60-65 percent..
Cut 10 (09) “…like that.”
Wolshon says you can make the argument that government actions lowered traffic and the decreased traffic led to a decrease in the spread of the virus.

Today is not a good day for a crawfish boil but the weather looks good this weekend. Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality spokesperson Jean Kelly reminds residents never pour shells or boil water into a ditch or waterway and never put shells down the sink or garbage disposal….
cut 5 (07) “….critters”

Governor Edwards will announce at one o’ clock whether Louisiana will remain in the modified version of the Phase two coronavirus restrictions or ease the restrictions. Public Affairs Research Council Policy Director Doctor Steven Procopio says the current COVID numbers are similar to what we saw when the state was in Phase 3…
cut 14 (10) “…interact”
The state has surpassed one-million vaccines administered and nearly 38-thousand one-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines will arrive this week. Johnson and Johnson researchers believe the vaccine limits asymptomatic disease by 74 percent. Ochsner Infection Control and Prevention Medical Director Katherine Baumgarten…
cut 8 (09) “…confirm that”

Crawfish season is beginning to gather steam and one state agency reminds you what to do after enjoying one of the state’s favorite pastimes. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…Brooke Thorington.”