After meeting at the state capitol today it’s now official the 8 electoral votes have been cast for President Trump who won the majority of the vote in the state.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic moment for Louisiana as the first frontline healthcare workers in the state were given the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

And the state reports 1,022 new COVID 19 cases today and 27 fatalities. Hospitalizations are currently at 1,527 and 147 of those patients are on ventilators.

At Ochsner Health in New Orleans this morning the first round of Pfizer COVID vaccinations began among healthcare workers. Dr. Obinna Nnedu (Oh-bee Nah-doo) an Infectious Disease Senior Physician at Ochsner was among the first to be inoculated, he wanted to reassure the public that might be apprehensive about the vaccine.

Cut 7 (12) “…safe.”

Louisiana is in the midst of a third major wave of COVID cases and medical professionals are begging the public to recommit to masking and social distancing before they run out of healthcare capacity. Shreveport based Willis Knighton Dr. Jennifer Prime is one of them. She says to date she has cared for 750 COVID patients and lost 92 of them.

Cut 13 (12) “…offer.”

Healthcare workers at Willis Knighton began receiving COVID vaccinations this morning.

Governor John Bel Edwards was on-site at Ochsner’s Jefferson Parish campus this morning as the first Pfizer COVID vaccinations were administered in Louisiana. Edwards called it a historic moment.

Cut 3 (06)  “..now.”

The state received thousands of doses Sunday and by Wednesday will have received 39,000 doses total. At Ochsner they anticipate vaccinating 88 percent of their COVID unit staff this week.

The first person in the state to be vaccinated at that location Dr. Leonardo Seone (Swani), a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician who also oversaw clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine.

Cut 6 (12) “…community.”

The vaccine won’t be available to the general public for about another five to six months.

Vaccinations may have begun but the pandemic is certainly not over. Shreveport based Willis Knighton Dr. Jennifer Prime asks everyone to keep up their mitigation actions until their time comes for a shot, because she sees people are starting to get lax…

Cut 15 (07)“…their life.”

In this hour Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors are meeting at the Capitol in the Senate Chamber to cast their votes for President Donald Trump. Two of the electors received at large appointments by the state GOP while the other six represent each of Louisiana’s six Congressional Districts. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta represents the 1^st District…

Cut 4 (08) “…electors.”

President-elect Joe Biden is expected to end the day with 306 electoral votes and be named the next President of the United States. President Donald Trump won the state with 58 percent of the vote.

COVID-19 Immunizations are underway in Louisiana this morning. Governor Edwards and others observed the first dose be administered at Ochsner in New Orleans. Director of Pharmacy at Ochsner Health, Heater Maturin, says when the vaccines arrived, they were frozen solid at negative 94-degrees…

Cut 9 (11) “…concentration.”

79,000 doses are to arrive in the state this month and be administered to frontline healthcare workers.

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors will meet today at 11:30 AM at the Capitol to cast their votes for President Donald Trump. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta who represents District 1 says barring any action by the US Supreme Court we should have an official accounting of who the next President will be today.

Cut 6 (07) “…vote”

As cases surge across the state in Shreveport Willis-Knighton Doctor Jennifer Prime plead with residents to mask up and socially distance to stop the spread…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

LSP is in investigating an officer-involved shooting in Woodworth that happened early Sunday morning. A Woodworth Police Officer pulled over 30-year-old Quentin Terrell of Cottonport for speeding on Robinson Bridge Road and during the traffic stop an altercation occurred. Terrell was shot by police and taken to a local hospital.

Coronavirus vaccines are arriving at Louisiana hospitals. Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic and hopeful moment. Ochsner Pharmacy Director Heather Maturin says their health care workers that provide care to COVID patients will be the first ones to get the vaccination…
cut 7 (09) “…gold”

Willis-Knighton in Shreveport reported their first shipment of vaccines arrived just before 8 AM and 17 employees will receive the vaccine at 11:30 AM. Willis Knighton Doctor Jennifer Prime says it’s been a difficult nine months as she’s cared for 92 COVID patients who died…
cut 14 (13) “…end of their life”

The Association of American Medical Colleges reports there’s been an 18-percent increase in students applying to medical school in what officials call the “Fauci effect’ named after public health figure Doctor Anthony Fauci. Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Angela McLean, says it’s one of the positive effects of the pandemic…
cut 11 (10) “…like Fauci”

It was a strange sports weekend in Louisiana. The Saints were upset by the Eagles, while LSU upset Florida. Tigers kicker Cade York booted a game-winning school-record 57-yard field goal in the fog…
cut 20 (20) “…to do that”
LSU concludes the regular season this Saturday at home against Ole Miss.

Louisiana health care facilities eagerly await the first shipment of the Pfizer COVID vaccine which arrives today. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The vaccine arrives a day after the state reported 51 more COVID-19 deaths bringing the state’s total to 6,818. The state reported another 44-hundred cases. The number of COVID hospitalizations fell by 56 to 1,533.

Medical schools say they are seeing a surge in applications. The Association of Medical Colleges reports an increase of 18-percent, in what is called the “Fauci Effect.” Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Angela McLean says Dr. Anthony Fauci’s leadership has inspired many to enter the medical field.
Cut 10 (09) “…inspiring.”
The surge in applications to medical colleges is comparable to interest in the military after 9/11.

Louisiana’s eight electors will cast their ballots for President Trump today during a ceremony at the State Capitol. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta is one of Louisiana’s electors…
cut 5 (08) “…President Trump’
The same process will happen in all 50 states and President-elect Joe Biden will formally receive 306 electoral votes, making him the 46th president in waiting.

Coronavirus vaccines produced by Pfizer are expected to arrive at Louisiana health care facilities today with frontline health care workers set to get the first vaccinations. Director of Pharmacy at Ochsner Heather Maturin…
cut 8 (09) “…patients”
The state will receive 39,000 doses this week. Another 40,000 are expected next week.

Vaccines arrive as the state closes in on seven-thousand COVID deaths. Doctor Jennifer Prime works at Willis Knighton Pierremont Health Center in Shreveport and says to date she’s cared for 750 COVID patients and lost 92 of them….
cut 13 (12) “….offer”

The Association of Medical Colleges reports an 18-percent increase in applications from students looking to get into med school. Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Angela McLean, says they’ve seen a similar increase
cut 12 (10) “….all programs”
The phenomenon is known as the Fauci effect.

The Saints fell behind 17-0 and were upset by the Eagles 24-21 yesterday. Coach Sean Payton blames himself for the team’s performance…
cut 17 (19) “.. games today”
The loss snapped the Saints nine-game winning streak.

Louisiana health care facilities are expected to receive their first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines today. Director of Pharmacy at Ochsner Health, Heater Maturin, says when the vaccines arrive, they will be frozen solid at negative 94-degrees…
cut 9 (11) “…concentration”
Front line health care workers could receive the vaccination as early as today.

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors will gather at 11:30 AM at the State Capitol to cast their votes for President Donald Trump. The state GOP selected the eight electors, one from each of Louisiana’s six Congressional Districts and two at large candidates. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta represents the 1st District…
Cut 4 (08) “…electors.”
President-elect Joe Biden is expected to receive 306 electoral votes to formally make him the 46th president-in-waiting.

Much like after nine-eleven when thousands rushed to join the military, the pandemic has motivated many to enter the medical field. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer COVID vaccine Friday. Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying “Truly, the last nine months have been a struggle for all of us, especially for the families of the 6,767 Louisianans who unfortunately have lost their lives due to COVID-19. Louisianans are a strong people and, though we are all tired from this pandemic, I am inspired by their sacrifice and selfless commitment to each other.

Edwards says he will not make it mandatory to get a COVID vaccine nor will he provide financial incentives. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

A vaccine by Moderna is expected to gain approval sometime this month and be administered in a first wave to nursing home residents and staff, but AARP State Director Denise Botcher is concerned that it may not produce results fast enough to address what are some concerning trends in nursing home infections and deaths…

Cut 14 (07) “…population.” 

State Trooper Jacob Brown of Rayville has been charged with one count of Aggravated Second-Degree Battery and Malfeasance in Office for allegedly using excessive and unjustifiable force during an arrest in Ouachita Parish in May of 2019. Trooper Michael Reichhardt says 30-year-old Brown was assisting the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office…

Cut 10 (04) “…administrative investigation.”

A law office in Monroe has identified the victim as Aaron Bowman.

The FDA authorized emergency approval of the Pfizer vaccine Friday. Early reports out of Europe, where the Pfizer vaccine is already being administered, indicate there may be some side effects after getting your shot. Governor Edwards says it’s still no reason not to take it once it becomes available to you…

Cut 7 (11) “…too.”

For most of the public that vaccine won’t be available until late spring

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has set deadlines for people who need to file proof of loss documents for insurance claim damages from Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta. February 23rd is the deadline for Laura, April 7^th for Delta and April 26^th for Zeta. Donelon’s office says state law requires giving property owners within a disaster declaration area at least 180 days from the event to submit proof of loss information.

An AARP dashboard report indicates nursing homes in Louisiana face concerning trends.  Data analyzed from October 19^th to November 15^th show an increase in staff cases and an ongoing shortage of staff and PPE. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says community spread is responsible for 476 new staff COVID cases.

Cut 12 (05) “..have COVID.” 

The report indicates a staff shortage of 37-percent and 17-percent of long-term care facilities have less than a week supply of PPE on hand.

The state fire Marshal’s office says over the past two weeks, six people have died in house fires bringing the total to 70 for the entire year. State Fire Marshal’s office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue is urging residents to make sure they have a working smoke detector…
cut 5 (07) “….get out safely”

The FDA authorized emergency approval for the Pfizer COVID Friday and Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement saying, “This is a historic and hopeful moment for our country and state, and we would be remiss if we did not pause to thank the scientists, doctors, health care workers and other researchers who have worked tirelessly not only to fight COVID but also their considerable talent and training towards creating this vaccine.” Edwards also thanked clinical trial participants.

Once vaccines are readily available to the public in 2021 Governor John Bel Edwards is imploring residents to take it.  A Pew survey shows 40 percent of Americans would refuse to take the vaccine if offered. Edwards says he hopes they change their mind but it won’t be mandatory in Louisiana, and…

Cut 6 (06) “…do it.”

State Trooper Jacob Brown of Rayville has been charged with one count of Aggravated Second-Degree Battery and Malfeasance in Office for allegedly using excessive and unjustifiable force during an arrest of a black man in Ouachita Parish in May of 2019. Trooper Michael Reichhardt says a lawsuit filed by the victim in October started the investigation…

Cut 9 (09) “…at that time.”

In the past two weeks, six people have died in fires in Louisiana, including the latest fatal fire which occurred in Lafayette Thursday night.  While the cause remains undetermined, State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue believes unsafe heating practices could be factors.

Cut 3 (12)  “…in your home.”

Last year 75 people in Louisiana died due to fires and so far 70 lives have been claimed in 2020.