The first US case of the Wuhan Corona Virus has been reported in Washington State, and while it’s has spread rapidly in China the CDC says the virus doesn’t pose much of a threat to Americans. The virus is now transmitting person to person in Wuhan City, China. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says take note if you’ve developed respiratory issues or fever, and…

Cut 3, 11 seconds, infection

The virus has killed 20 and infected about 450 people so far.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s deputies conduct a major drug bust on Interstate 20, discovering about $900,000 in meth.  Sheriff’s office spokesperson Glenn Springfield says the Special Crimes Apprehension Team was working last night when they noticed the suspicious vehicle and conducted a traffic stop.

Cut 9 (11) “…lights were defective.”

Governor Edwards indicates he is in support of undoing consolidation of LSU leadership that happened under Governor Jindal in 2012. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

The wind has moved a tarp at the collapsed Hard Rock construction site in New Orleans and the remains of one of the workers who died can be seen from the street. The City is asking the public not take to photos. A controlled implosion of the construction site is scheduled for March.

Despite a pay raise for teachers last year, the average salary for a Louisiana educator remains below the southern regional average. Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated it may take the rest of his term to hit that target. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says the teachers would love nothing more than to have the upcoming legislative session that begins in March to lock in a meaningful pay raise.

Cut 8 (12) “…deserve that compensation.”

The state has about 50,000 public school teachers.

A candlelight vigil is scheduled for 17-year-old Matthew Carter, the Comeaux High football player fighting for his life after an alleged attempted car robbery ended with him being shot by two teens, ages 13 & 14.  The vigil will take place tomorrow at 4PM at the Comeaux football stadium.  Carter is hospitalized with critical injuries.

Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign loads up on renown Louisiana political operatives for it’s push to win the state’s April 4^th primary.  Former Edwards Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo is now the campaign’s State Director. He says the team will have a substantial presence in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…message.”

Bloomberg is currently polling 5^th in the race nationally.

Governor John Bel Edwards signals support for splitting the vacant LSU Presidency back into two jobs of leadership, one governing the Baton Rouge campus, and one running the other campuses.  Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says former President F. King Alexander’s expanded responsibilities happened in 2012 and were as a result of consolidation during the Jindal years.

Cut 10 (11) “…a long time.”

Despite a pay raise for teachers last year, the average salary for a Louisiana educator remains below the southern regional average. Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated it may take the rest of his term to hit that target. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says teachers can’t wait that long…
cut 7 (11) “…been hearing that”
The LFT will pressure lawmakers for an additional pay bump when the regular session begins in March.

In crime blotter news, Bossier City Police detectives are seeking clues in the fatal shooting of a woman found dead in her home last night. Two men were arrested last night in Rapides Parish for last week’s shooting death of 17-year-old Kendall Thompson Junior of Jeanerette. A total of four people are in custody.

Democratic presidential candidate Mike Blomberg has announced his 2020 Louisiana campaign team. Bloomberg has self-financed his campaign hundreds of millions of dollars and has hired several former staffers of Governor John Bel Edwards…
Cut 6 (10) “talent”
That’s Richard Carbo, who will lead Bloomberg’s campaign efforts in Loisiana. Carbo previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff to Governor Edwards.

It’s an exciting day Louisiana sports fans as Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited debut tonight for the Pelicans, who host San Antonio. Williamson missed the first half of the year after undergoing knee surgery. Locked on Pelicans podcast publisher Jake Madison says expect Williamson to only play 10 to 20 minutes as he begins his NBA career…..
cut 14 (08) “…bench”

Governor John Bel Edwards has pledged to give teachers another pay raise so that their salary matches the Southern Regional Average…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The wind has moved a tarp at the collapsed Hard Rock construction site in New Orleans and the remains of one of the workers who died can be seen from the street. The City is asking the public not take to photos. A controlled implosion of the construction site is scheduled for March.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports splitting up LSU leadership duties, having a chancellor running the Baton Rouge campus and a president who oversees the entire LSU system. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says the two jobs were consolidated during the Jindal administration and there were concerns what it would mean for the flagship university…
cut 11 (09) “….up the flagship”
The LSU Board of Supervisors has an opportunity to split the jobs again, now that there’s an interim president in place.

Rookie Zion Williamson makes his long-awaited NBA debut when the Pelicans host the Spurs for an 8:30 tipoff tonight. Publisher of the Locked on Pelicans podcast, Jake Madison, says with the Pels playing good basketball, the team will not rely on him to score a ton of points…
cut 15 (09) “…impact”
New Orleans has won 11 of its last 16 as it makes a push for a playoff spot.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the idea of splitting the top job at LSU, creating the position of chancellor and system president, which would run the entire LSU system. Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says a chancellor would be tasked with running the Baton Rouge campus and allow for the hiring of two leaders with different skillsets…
cut 12 (10) “…thing unto self”
LSU currently has an interim president after F-King Alexander left for a job in Oregon.

Former New York City Mayor and Democratic presidential candidate Michael Bloomberg has announced his Louisiana campaign team and it features several former staffers of Governor Edwards. State director Richard Carbo says the campaign has already opened its first office in New Orleans and additional offices will be opened across the state…
cut 5 (10) “…weeks”
The Louisiana Presidential primary is April 4th.

An 18-year-old Sulphur woman has been charged with multiple counts of first-degree rape and authorities say the victims were five and three-years-old. Calcasieu Parish investigators say Lakien Perry shared her sexual encounters with the children on her Instagram account. Judge Robert Wyatt has set Perry’s bond at two-point-eight million dollars.

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson will play his first minutes for the Pelicans tonight after a pre-season injury forced him to miss the first half of the season…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards indicates he supports splitting the top job at LSU and creating two positions, chancellor which would run the university and president which would oversee the entire system. Kevin Barnhart reports it would undo consolidation of LSU leadership that happened under former Governor Bobby Jindal in 2012.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

We’re seeing a wintry mix this morning in Caddo, DeSoto and Sabine Parishes. The Shreveport Regional Airport is reporting a mixture of light rain and ice pellets.

Louisiana public school teachers received a pay raise of one-thousand dollars last year, but the average salary in the Bayou State for a teacher is still not at the Southern Regional Average. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says they will lobby lawmakers to get teacher salaries to the southern regional average this year…
cut 9 (11) “…for school employees”
Teachers on average make about 50-thousand dollars in Louisiana, 18-hundred dollars short of the regional average.

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson takes the court for the Pelicans tonight against the Spurs in New Orleans, the top overall pick’s first game with the team after tearing his meniscus in the preseason. Locked on Pelicans podcast publisher Jake Madison says Williamson joins a team that is clicking, winners of 10 of their last 14.
Cut 13 (12) “…career”
Tip off is at 8:30.

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates it may take the rest of his term to hit the southern regional average for teacher pay raises, but teachers might start to skip town before that time. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________________

Governor Edwards indicates he is in support of undoing consolidation of LSU leadership that happened under Governor Jindal in 2012. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

____________________________________________

Zion Williamson will play his first minutes for the Pelicans tonight after a pre-season injury kept him out the first half of the season…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________________

Billionaire former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign loads up on renown Louisiana political operatives for it’s push to win the state’s April 4^th primary.

Former Edwards Deputy Chief of Staff Richard Carbo is now the campaign’s State Director. He says the team will have a substantial presence in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…message.”

Bloomberg is currently polling 5^th in the race nationally after a late entry behind Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Joe Biden. No Louisiana primary polls exist yet.

The Democratic primary is currently focused on the February 3^rd Iowa Caucus, but Bloomberg is pinning his hopes on later states. Carbo says so far they’re the first to really pour money into Louisiana.

Cut 5 (10) “…weeks”

33 Democratic primaries will be held before Louisianans vote April 4^th, with roughly 65 percent of all delegates already having been won.

Bloomberg has self-financed his campaign hundreds of millions of dollars and is picking up Democratic staffers across the south, which in Louisiana means former Governor Edwards’ employees…

Cut 6 (08) “talent”

_____________________________

Despite a pay raise for teachers last year, the average salary for a Louisiana educator remains below the southern regional average. Governor John Bel Edwards has indicated it may take the rest of his term to hit that target. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says teachers can’t wait that long…

Cut 7 (11) “…been hearing that.”

The LFT will pressure lawmakers for an additional pay bump.  Carter says the teachers would love nothing more than to have the upcoming legislative session that begins in March to lock in a meaningful pay raise.

Cut 8 (12) “…deserve that compensation.”

Louisiana’s average teacher pay is just over $50,000, about $1,800 shy of the regional average and Carter says it is important to close that gap now.

Cut 9 (11) “…for school employees.”

The state has about 50,000 public school teachers.

____________________

Governor John Bel Edwards signals support for splitting the vacant LSU Presidency back into two jobs of leadership, one governing the Baton Rouge campus, and one running the other campuses.

Council for a Better Louisiana President Barry Erwin says former President F. King Alexander’s expanded responsibilities happened in 2012 and were as a result of consolidation during the Jindal years.

Cut 10 (11) “…a long time.”

At the time of the consolidation, Erwin says the opinion was split on what the outcome would be, and there’s always some politics involved in choosing how to run the state’s flagship system.

Cut 11 (09) “…up the flagship.”

Erwin says if the old model is brought back, it’s a chance to hire people with different skillsets for both Chancellor and President, as each job caters to different students and facilities.

Cut 12 (10) “…thing unto themself.”

_____________________________________

Rookie sensation Zion Williamson takes the court for the Pelicans tonight against the Spurs in New Orleans, the 1^st overall pick’s first game with the team after tearing his meniscus in preseason.

After a horrendous start to the season, the Pels are one of the hottest teams in the league, just 3.5 games out of the playoffs. Locked on Pelicans publisher Jake Madison says the team is really clicking.

Cut 13 (12) “…career”

He’ll be joining the team’s new young star, former Laker forward Brandon Ingram, who is averaging 26 points a game.

As exciting as his return is, Madison cautions that you likely won’t be seeing much of Zion for the next few weeks. He expects Williamson to get about 10 to 20 minutes a game for the short term.

Cut 14 (08) “…bench”

He’ll have to find his way into a starting lineup of Jrue Holliday, Lonzo Ball, JJ Reddick, Brandon Ingram, and Derrick Favors that’s led a mid-season charge.

Zion will have to find his way in an offense that’s really hit a groove, and Madison says that likely means he’ll see less of the ball than you typically might expect of a young star.

Cut 15 (09) “…impact.”

It’s a late game, tip off set for 8:30.

The US Senate impeachment trial is underway and just before the proceedings kicked off northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson was named to the President’s defense team. Johnson vocally defended the administration in the House in his position on the House Intelligence Committee during impeachment hearings. He looks set to reprise that role, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…procedings.”

33 dogs were rescued from the property of 50-year-old Thomas West in Ascension Parish after authorities discovered the canines in deplorable conditions. The dogs were taken to Cara’s House animal shelter for treatment.  Shelter president Reagan Daniel says the dogs are not yet available for fostering or adoption due to the legal investigation, but they still need help freeing up space at their facility.

Cut 5 (06) “…the new intakes.”

Daniel says the dogs have puncture wounds, heartworms and other parasites, and were covered in fleas.

Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited NBA debut tomorrow night when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs. Williamson was expected to return six to eight weeks after undergoing his surgery in October. But he has missed half of the season as the trainers used the time to get Zion’s entire body ready for the NBA grind.

Cut 14 (15) “…through it.”

New Orleans has won 10 of its last 14, and is only 3.5 games out of the playoffs.

Former New Orleans State Senator Wesley Bishop pleads guilty to making false statements to the Department of Housing and Urban Development about renting out his property when he received a post-Katrina Road Home grant in 2012. Bishop received 188,000 dollars from HUD for renting the property at low rates, but evidence arose that no one had lived at the property since at least 2013.

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is named to President Trump’s impeachment defense team in the ongoing Senate removal trial. As the Senate votes on rules Tuesday, Johnson says the prosecution will have all the time it needs to make a case.

Cut 6 (11) “…do it.”

The US Environmental Protection Agency announces a regulatory program aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty engines and vehicles, the first update to standards in nearly two decades, with the 2027 model year. Regional administrator Ken McQueen says this is an opportunity to modernize the heavy-duty program.

Cut 9 (09) “…across the country.”

33 dogs are found in horrid conditions in and around the Ascension Parish home of 50-year-old Thomas West, who is now facing animal cruelty charges. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

Joe Burrow will be represented by Creative Arts Agency Sports, that’s according to a Tweet from ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The Heisman winner and likely Number one NFL draft pick will be represented by the same agency that represents Drew Brews and Zion Williamson.

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is named to President Trump’s impeachment defense team in the ongoing Senate removal trial. The Congressman expects the President will be swiftly acquitted of the two impeachment charges. He says the accusations are based on information assembled by Congressman Adam Schiff.

Cut 8 (08) “…paint.”

Ascension Parish deputies arrest a homeowner, identified as 50-year-old Thomas West, after locating 33 dogs in horrid conditions and one of them already dead.  The dogs were taken to Cara’s House animal shelter for treatment, and Shelter president Reagan Daniel describes the property…

Cut 3 (09)  “…you name it.” 

The dogs are not yet available for adoption due to the investigation.

The US Environmental Protection Agency announces a regulatory program aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty engines and vehicles. The action comes following petitions from over twenty organizations to revise nitrogen oxide standards.  Regional administrator Ken McQueen says it’s estimated that heavy-duty trucks will be responsible for one-third of the nox emissions from the transportation sectors in 2025.

Cut 10 (13) “…matter standards.” 

Zion Williamson is set to make his long-awaited NBA debut tomorrow night when the Pelicans host the San Antonio Spurs, he’s been sidelined with a preseason knee injury. The Smoothie King Center should be packed

Cut 13 (10) “…bring it”