A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. Even though most establishments require a mask to be worn upon entry, Edwards says no one is required to wear one while at the table.

Cut 5  (05) “…at a table with a mask on.” 

The photo shows Edwards standing next to a table without a mask.

The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person, which is less than six feet unmasked for 15 minutes or longer, the period is now 10 days.

Cut 6 (12) “…quarantine.”

Quarantine is reduced to 7 days if you test negative after 5 days.

The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80-degrees. System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner, Debbie Simonson, says Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….

Cut 8 (07) “…come in.”.”
Simonson says their thermo-freezers will be located in Shreveport, Lafayette and New Orleans.

Governor Edwards believes Louisiana will receive 40-thousand doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine later this month and they’ll use those initial doses to vaccinate hospital workers and nursing home residents and staff. Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are expected to receive emergency approval from the feds this month and Edwards says both vaccines require a booster shot…
Cut 11 (08) “…homes.”

COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across the state within the next two weeks, with all Louisiana healthcare workers and nursing home residents expected to be vaccinated by mid-January. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir warns there will be some controversy and debate about who the second wave of recipients will be in early 2021. He says they don’t have that answer just yet.

Cut 14 (11) “…hospitals.” 

The people who would be in the hospitals are thought to be those already in the high-risk category for the disease like heart conditions. Governor John Bel Edwards says the vaccine won’t be available to the general public until May or June and until then we’re still living under a pandemic that is trending in the wrong direction.

Cut 15 (06)“…19.” 

As shipments for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in the US medical facilities like Ochsner are prepping to store the vaccine which requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80 degrees. Debbie Simonson System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner says they’ve purchased three thermo-freezers.

Cut 7 (10)  “…New Orleans hospital.”

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while at the Baton Rouge Country Club last month. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. While the photo appears to show Governor Edwards getting up from his table, he says that the photo only tells part of the story.

Cut 4 (11)   “…with a mask on.”  

Officials say the first coronavirus vaccine doses will arrive later this month. Health officials will work to vaccinate frontline hospital workers and nursing home residents first. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir on the effectiveness of the vaccines that are close to federal approval…
cut 13 (10) “…COVID disese”

Health systems are preparing to distribute the vaccines. Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner Health, Debbie Simonson, says the Pfizer vaccine must be stored at negative 80-degrees, so they have subzero freezers in Shreveport, Lafayette and New Orleans. She says the vaccine can be kept at normal refrigerator temps for up to five days and each vial contains five doses…
cut 9 (10) “…there”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added over 29,000 jobs from September to October. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says those numbers are in large part due to the Hurricanes.
Cut 4 (12) “…Lake Charles region.”
The state ended October with 1-point-eight million jobs. That’s down 112,000 jobs from the same time last year.

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the photo was taken last month as Edwards was eating at the Baton Rouge Country Club. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. Edwards says he did not violate his own mask mandate…
cut 3 (11) “…today’s rules”

Governor John Bel Edwards says nursing home residents and frontline health care workers will receive the COVID vaccine soon…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir on why a second shot is necessary.
Cut 12 (07) “…protection.”
Giroir says based on the studies, the vaccines are also safe to take.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added 29-thousand jobs from September to October. But nonfarm employment is still 112-thousand jobs less than what it was in October of 2019. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says future job growth is dependent on residents continuing to mask up and social distancing….
cut 6 (08) “….effect”

Louisiana Tech finally returns to the football field tonight to face North Texas. It’s the Bulldogs first game in 33 days after four of their games were either postponed or canceled because of COVID-19 related issues in November. Coach Skip Holtz admits this is like playing a season opener again…
cut 17 (16) “…of the game”
Kick-off is at 5 PM.

COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across Louisiana within the next two weeks. Governor John Bel Edwards anticipates all frontline healthcare workers and nursing home residents will be vaccinated by mid-January. Edwards says the state will receive 40,000 doses of the vaccine in the first week after it is approved.
Cut 10 (08) “…behind that.”
The Pfizer vaccine is set to be reviewed for approval next Thursday with approval likely a few days later.

The Pfizer vaccine requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80-degrees. System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner, Debbie Simonson, says Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….
Cut 8 (07) “…come in.”
Simonson says their thermo-freezers will be located in Shreveport, Lafayette and New Orleans.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports employment rose in September to October by 29,000 jobs. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The fall special session cost taxpayers one-point-one million dollars. That’s according to information provided by the House and Senate. During the session, lawmakers spent a lot of time debating legislation that sought to give legislators more of a say in coronavirus restrictions, but none of those bills became law.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports nonfarm employment grew by 29-thousand jobs from September to October. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says they’ve seen growth in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans regions and some of that growth is hurricane-related..
cut 5 (10) “…..New Orleans”
But this latest jobs report also shows the state had 112-thousand fewer workers in October of 2020 compared to the previous October.

Governor Edwards believes Louisiana will receive 40-thousand doses of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine later this month and they’ll use those initial doses to vaccinate hospital workers and nursing home residents and staff. Both Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are expected to receive emergency approval from the feds this month and Edwards says both vaccines require a booster shot…
cut 11 (08) “…nursing homes”

Distributing the Pfizer COVID vaccine requires several steps, including storing it at very low temperatures, to keep the two-dosage vaccine viable. Brooke Thorington tells us how Ochsner Health has prepped.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports employment rose in September to October by 29,000 jobs. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Distributing the Pfizer COVID vaccine requires several steps to keep the two-dosage vaccine viable. Brooke Thorington tells us how Ochsner Health has prepped. 352

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

__________________________________________

Yesterday Governor Edwards announced all nursing home residents and healthcare workers in Louisiana will be vaccinated by mid-January. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added over 29,000 jobs from September to October. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says those numbers are in large part due to the Hurricanes.

Cut 4 (12) “…Lake Charles region.”

We ended October at 1,883,000 total jobs. That’s down 112,000 jobs from the same time last year.

Dejoie says they’ve seen growth in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans regions.

Cut 5 (10) “…New Orleans.”

As for the future job growth, Dejoie says it’s all dependent on if residents continue to mask up and socially distance.

Cut 6 (08) “…effect.”

________________________

As shipments for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine arrive in the US medical facilities like Ochsner are prepping to store the vaccine which requires ultra-cold storage at minus 80 degrees. Debbie Simonson System Vice President of Pharmacy at Ochsner says they’ve purchased three thermo-freezers.

Cut 7 (10)  “…New Orleans hospital.”

Simonson says Pfizer has developed cold shippers to keep the vaccine viable during delivery and Ochsner will initially receive vaccines in New Orleans and then distribute….

Cut 8 (07) “…come in.”

Simonson says they will schedule inoculations once they arrive. She says the vaccine can be refrigerated for up to five days and each vial contains five doses.

Cut 9 (10) “…there.

Simonson says they’ve worked on logistics as to how to keep the vaccine as viable as possible so they will all be utilized properly. Once the vaccine receives FDA approval Ochsner plans to begin inoculations immediately.

_____________________________________________________

COVID vaccines are set to be deployed across the state within the next two weeks, with all Louisiana healthcare workers and nursing home residents expected to be vaccinated by mid-January.

An estimated 20 million Americans will be vaccinated this year. Governor Edwards says we will receive 40,000 doses of the vaccine in the first week after it is approved.

Cut 10 (08) “…behind that.”

The Pfizer vaccine is set to be reviewed for approval on December 10^th with approval likely a few days later. Moderna’s vaccine will follow about a week after that. Louisiana is approved to receive 1.46 percent of each wave of vaccines manufactured due to our population size.

Edwards says both incoming vaccines will require you to get a booster shot less than a month after your first dose, and that booster shot must be from the same company as your first shot.

Cut 11 (08) “…homes.”

US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir explained why a second shot will be necessary.

Cut 12 (07) “…protection.”

Giroir testified to just how effective these vaccines are, and noted that both are effective across all age ranges.

Cut 13 (10) “…disease.”

The Admiral warned there will be some controversy and debate about who the second wave of recipients will be in early 2021. He says they don’t have that answer just yet.

Cut 14 (11) “…hospitals.” 

The people who would be in the hospitals are thought to be those already in the high-risk category for the disease such as the obese and those with breathing or heart conditions.

Edwards says the vaccine won’t be available to the general public until May or June and until then we’re still living under a pandemic that is trending in the wrong direction.

Cut 15 (06)“…19.” 

The White House Coronavirus Task Force report puts Louisiana in the Red Zone for new cases, along with the 38^th highest positivity rate in the nation. It notes since last week’s report our cases have decreased and positivity has stabilized.

_______________________

After not playing in November because of four games that were either postponed or canceled due to COVID-19 related issues, Louisiana Tech will take on North Texas tonight in Denton. The Bulldogs are 4-and-3, while the Mean Green are three and four. Tech Coach Skip Holtz says North Texas likes to play pressure defense

Cut 16 (15) “…as they can.”

This will be La Tech’s first game in 33 days. Holtz says it’s a lot like playing a season opener again…

cut 17 (16) “…of the game.”

___________________________________________________

After playing in 24 games last season as a rookie, Zion Williamson expects to be more comfortable in his second season. Williamson says he enters year two feeling great both mentally and physically…

cut 18 (11) “…year two.”

Williamson says he doesn’t want any minute or playing restrictions.

_____________________________________________________

LSU  face number one ranked Alabama on Saturday in Baton Rouge.  Coach Ed Orgeron says it will be a good test for his freshmen quarterbacks TJ Finley and Max Johnson…

cut 19 (13) “…one guy.”

Tiger Stadium is considered a tough place to play for opponents, but Alabama head coach Nick Saban believes his players are ready for the challenge.

cut 20 (13) “..challenge.”

Today the US Supreme Court heard arguments in a case that argues all Louisiana prisoners serving time on a non-unanimous jury verdict deserve a retrial.

cut 2 (29) … I’m Matt Doyle.”  

The department of health reports 3,604 new COVID-19 cases today which includes a backlog of 1,551 cases with collection dates going back to April. Former LSU Athletic Director and baseball coach Skip Bertman is hospitalized, he told WBRZ he does not have COVID or pneumonia and is expected to stay for a few days.

A swingers and alternative lifestyle convention held in New Orleans last month produced 41 positive COVID-19 cases according to organizers. The annual Naughty Nawlins had 250 attendees. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says he’s heard all the jokes, but the event has serious consequences.

Cut 3 (12)  “…reason for that.”

The annual event usually draws 2,000 attendees.

Entergy Louisiana is reportedly on track to produce enough power from solar plants to fuel 60,000 homes within the next three years. Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Jonathan Bourge says that started with a solar plant in West Baton Rouge Parish.

Cut 13 (11) “… resources”

The US Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case that could result in 1,500 retrials for Louisiana inmates who are serving time due to a non-unanimous conviction. Non-unanimous verdicts were deemed unconstitutional last year, but the question at hand is whether that ruling should be retroactive. Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill argued it should not be because those retrials would be a burden, but attorney Andre Belanger countered…

Cut 9 (09) “..right”

Entergy Louisiana is reportedly on track to produce enough power from solar plants to fuel 60,000 homes within the next three years. Windfarms and hydroplants are gaining in popularity in other parts of the country Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Jonathan Bourge says here its all about the sun…

Cut 15 (10) “..energy” 

A swingers convention in New Orleans held last month is making national headlines as s super spreader event. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “  I’m Brooke Thorington”  

The CDC releases new quarantine guidelines lowering the amount of time someone must quarantine after being exposed to a positive case of COVID. Previous recommendations called for people who had “close contact” with a confirmed case to isolate for fourteen days, but new guidelines say you only need to stay put for seven to ten days.

The US Supreme Court heard arguments today in a case involving a Louisiana man that could result in retrials for all prisoners serving time on non-unanimous verdicts. The case is a follow-up to a decision by the court last year that non-unanimous convictions were unconstitutional. Attorney Andre Belanger argued that decision should be retroactive.

Cut 6 (12) “..at all”

Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill argued against. An estimated 1,500 Louisiana inmates are behind bars right now due to non-unanimous convictions. Murrill said giving them all retrials would be a burden.

Cut 8 (09) “crimes”

A homicide suspect out of Ohio was killed during a shootout with federal authorities at a motel in Pineville. 47-year-old James Edward Hawley, who also went by the alias of Ahmad Ben David, was wanted for the murder of 69-year-old Norma Matko and the disappearance of her 45-year-old daughter. FBI special agent John Fortunado.

Cut 10 (06) “.arrest warrant”

The missing woman was found alive in the apartment.

Entergy Louisiana is on track to produce enough power from solar plants to fuel 60,000 homes within the next three years. Entergy Louisiana Director of Resource Planning Jonathan Bourge says six of Entergy’s either constructed or planned sites are clustered in southeast Louisiana, ideal for solar farming.

Cut 14 (08) “.forward”