A music venue owner says there’s a safe air filtration invention that will safely allow live music in Louisiana but he’s not being heard. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “…Brooke Thorington.”
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The Edwards Administration presents its budget for the next fiscal year today at 1:30 PM to the Joint Budget Committee. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Louisiana looks set to receive its largest-ever weekly allocation of COVID vaccines next week. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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One of the owners of Rock ‘n Bowl Lafayette and New Orleans, Johnny Blanchard says not only is the pandemic destroying his businesses it’s also eroding the state’s rich music culture.
Cut 4 (09)“…Louisiana.”
Blancher says his venue is prepared to bring live music back and he has a safe and proven way to do so but his efforts to meet with the Governor’s office about it have hit a sour note.
Cut 5 (10)“…access.”
Blanchaer says the method he wants to use to assist with the pandemic is currently being used on airlines and he’s tried to present the technology to state officials in an effort to help live music return safely.
Cut 6 (10) “…COVID-19.”
He also believes COVID restrictions are also causing us to lose talented musicians that have left the state to find work. Blancher fears they will not return the longer we wait to bring back live music in Louisiana.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says the budget that his administration will present today to the Legislature will feature no cuts despite economic damage caused by the pandemic.
Governor Edwards says that’s because the state is still benefiting from the CARES Act and increased federal support for Medicaid.
Cut 7 (09) “…so bright.”
The budget does not include the over 100 million dollars in loans the state owes the federal government due to the depletion of the unemployment insurance trust fund.
Edwards says they managed to find the money to increase funding for higher education and K-12.
Cut 8 (07) “…dollars.”
TOPS will also see an increase in funding due to increased student eligibility for the program.
Edwards says the budget does not take into consideration any additional federal aid.
Cut 9 (08) “…funding.”
Congressional Democrats proposed a 1.9 trillion dollar American Rescue Plan that includes 350 billion dollars in state aid.
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries enforcement has cited a number of people for alleged illegal deer hunting activity in St. Landry Parish. LWDF spokesperson Adam Einck says enforcement received a tip on January 12th of people hunting from their vehicle off the interstate near Ville Platte.
Cut 10 (07) “…I-49.”
Einck says they arrested Brannon Buller and Toni Le Blue, both of Ville Platte for a number of hunting violations, which include tagging another person’s deer and hunting without a license.
Cut 11 (07) “…at night.”
Logan Morrison and Holden Ledger both of Ville Platte were also cited for hunting during illegal hours and from a public road and moving vehicle.
Cut 12 (12) “…related ”
Agents also cited eight others for buying deer meat illegally from Buller.
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Next week Louisiana will potentially receive 134,000 doses of COVID vaccine, the state’s largest-ever weekly allocation.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they expect to receive 52,650 Pfizer doses, 45,000 Moderna doses, and if Johnson and Johnson receives approval today as is expected…
Cut 13 (06) “…doses.”
The Johnson and Johnson vaccine is reportedly much easier to transport and store than Moderna and Pfizer and J&J only requires one shot as opposed to a two-shot sequence.
Nearly 600,000 Louisianans have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. Kanter says that number is set to start growing at a much faster rate.
Cut 14 (11) “…exciting.”
Reports estimate that with vaccine rollout ramping up the United States could reach COVID herd immunity sometime in late summer/early fall.
Roughly 1.5 million Louisianans are now eligible to receive a vaccine. Kanter says this will make it much easier to get your appointment.
Cut 15 (08)“…supply yet.”
Recently teachers and those 55 and older with certain medical conditions gained vaccine eligibility.
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The LSU baseball team is 3-1 after the first week of play and has shown the ability to put up runs. Freshman outfielder Dylan Crews has been a bright spot so far, batting .444 with 2 homeruns through the first four games. Coach Paul Mainieri says he’s not surprised by Crews’ early success.
Cut 16 (16) “…confident in himself.”
While Crews seems to have made an easy transition, he says that the atmosphere has been the biggest surprise so far.
Cut 17 (12) “…crazy.”
Even though he’s still adjusting to the crowds. Crews said it was the Tiger faithful that made him want to come to Baton Rouge.
Cut 18 (11) “…feel the welcome.”
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Louisiana Tech will play baseball on campus for the first time in over two years when they host a weekend series against Southern in J.C. Love Field at Pat Patterson Park. Coach Lane Burroughs says his team is excited to play in the new ballpark.
Cut 19 (11) “…your own home.”
No fans will be allowed in the stadium this weekend because not everything is finished. Burroughs is hopeful that fans can enjoy a game soon.
Cut 20 (11) “…get those things.”