The state Health Department confirms that COVID cases are declining in Louisiana, but so too are cases of flu! More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 03(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State Police report a man stole an ambulance from St. James Parish early this morning and led troopers on a high speed chase all the way to Baton Rouge, where he crashed the vehicle into two LSP patrol units. The suspect was injured and taken to the hospital. Once stable he’ll be taken to jail.

Mobile sports betting went live at 8 this morning. Fans can use one of several apps to bet on … well almost any event. PlayUSA.com network spokesman Eric Ramsay says Louisiana could be uniquely positioned to be a major player in the mobile betting market…:

CUT 05(11)      “…that Louisiana does.”

The state will get about 10-percent of profits from the betting apps.

Juveniles who commit violent crimes in Louisiana’s 15^th Judicial District can now be charged and tried as adults. D.A. Don Landry says the increase in violence committed by juveniles since July 2020 is staggering…:

CUT 14(11)      “…Vermillion three.”

Landry says he’s telling his prosecutors to go after violent juveniles with all they have, in hopes of deterring others from going down that road.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. In November 2020, 55 parishes voted to legalize sports betting and today the digital dollars begin to flow. Eric Ramsey of the PlayUSA.com network expects plenty of people who’ve never placed a bet before to get in on the action…:

CUT 04(09)      “…for one thing.”

First-year gross revenue projections for gaming exceed $200 million, with roughly 10 percent of that coming back to the state.

Teens in the 15^th Judicial District – which includes Acadia, Lafayette, and Vermilion parishes – can now be tried as an adult. District Attorney Don Landry made the announcement in an effort to reduce the growing number of juvenile crimes…:

CUT 13(09)      “…as adults.”

Landry says he’s instructing prosecutors to aggressively go after violent juvenile crime.

Law enforcement and community groups in Southwest Louisiana announce a cooperative task force to fight human trafficking and advocate for victims. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana will suspend its participation in the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC), effective immediately. The announcement comes amid concerns raised about potential questionable funding sources and the chance that partisan actors may access the data for political purposes. George Soros is a large funder of ERIC.

Louisiana officially joins 18 other states at 8 a.m. this morning in allowing mobile sports betting. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…David Grubb.”

The government of the Concordia Parish town of Ferriday has shut down, after town officals failed to approve an annual operating budget. Police and fire departments, everything was shut down after a proposed budget was voted down by the aldermen on Wednesday. Mayor Rydell Turner scheduled another budget meeting for Monday at 6 p.m.

Law enforcement officials in Southwest Louisiana announce a new Human Trafficking Task Force. Made up of local, state and federal LEO’s, prosecutors and service agencies and non-profits … the group will work to prevent sexual exploitation and aid victims. Brandon Brown is U.S. Attorney for the state’s Western District…:

CUT 07(13)      “…what looks funny.”

Brown says human trafficking is equal to modern-day slavery. The Task Force will seek to identify victims faster, get them to a safe haven and prosecute their captors to the extent of the law.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, in addition to COVID cases on the downward trend, the most recent reporting week also shows flu cases declining. State Epidemiologist, Teresa Sokol says however the flu season is still active…:

CUT 10(10)      “…more weeks.”

In addition to property damage, an estimated 280 million fish were killed in inland water in Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Inland Fisheries Fish Kill Coordinator Robby Maxwell says while the numbers are alarming it’s a regular occurrence with storms.

Cut 3 (10) “…south Louisiana.”

For more information about or to report fish kills, visit LDWF’s website.

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A 65-year-old Church Point woman becomes the 13th person to die from a home fire in Louisiana this year. State Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says an official cause of the fire remains undetermined but they are looking at several potential causes including an electrical malfunction related to house wiring…

Cut 7 (11) “…unattended candle.”

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The LSU athletic department lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. Overall revenues were down nearly $39 million, and the University saw a 52 percent decrease in donations to the department. Tiger Rag-dot-com editor Adam Hunsucker says that after layoffs, pay reductions, and other staff and cost-cutting measures during the downturn, there are signs that LSU is regaining its financial strength.

Cut 11 (15)   “…be better”

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State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron surge has peaked in Louisiana, but there’s still a lot of COVID circulating in the state. The highest percentage of new cases is from northwest Louisiana, which is 16-percent. Statewide, nearly 20-percent of the new cases are among those 5 to 17. Kanter says he’s optimistic the state is heading in the right direction in the fight against the Omicron variant…

Cut 14 (11)  “…week prior.”

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A 65-year-old Church Point woman is the 13th person in Louisiana to die in a home fire this year. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they are investigating the cause of the deadly blaze that took place this morning in the Acadia Parish town…:

CUT 06 (11)      “…escape the home.”

Rodrigue says firemen believe the home had no working smoke detectors.

The LSU Athletic Department actually lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. Revenues were down nearly $39-million. A lot of that reflected in a 52-percent drop in donations to Tiger Athletics. TigerRag.com editor Adam Hunsuker (HUNS-ker) says that is definitely pandemic-related, and the boosters will be back…:

CUT 10 (14)      “…will be better.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury returns an indictment for the woman accused of tossing two of her kids off a bridge over Cross Lake last September. One of Ureka Black’s children survived, one didn’t. She’s now formally charged with 2^nd-degree murder and attempted murder.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports an estimated 280 million fish were killed in inland waters due to Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

State health officials say Omicron coronavirus has peaked in Louisiana and case counts are on the decline. LDH reports another 75-hundred new COVID cases today. The highest percentage of new cases is from northwest Louisiana, which is 16-percent. Statewide, nearly 20-percent of the new cases are among those 5 to 17. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it will take few weeks before we see significantly lower number of new daily COVID cases…:

CUT 13(10)      “…person-to-person.”

Meanwhile human trials are underway with Omicron-included vaccines from Pfizer and Modern.

This news in unlikely to change Governor John Bel Edwards’ plans to skip the majority of DC Mardi Gras events this week. Though Mr. Edwards IS in the Nation’s Capital, he will skip a lot of the larger social events due to the potential spread of Omicron.

Believe it or not, the LSU athletic department lost money during the 2021 fiscal year. While revenues were down nearly $39-million, Tiger Rag.com editor Adam Hunsucker says it could have been worse…:

CUT 09(11)      “…9.6 million.”

One of the areas impacted most was donations to the athletic department.

State wildlife & Fisheries agents report Hurricane Ida last fall killed nearly 300-million fish in Louisiana’s inland waterways. LDWF spokesman Robby Maxwell says not to worry, anglers. Fish are prolific breeders and they WILL bounce back…:

CUT 05(11)      “…thousands of years.”

More data on the Ida fish kill is online at “wlf.la.gov”

State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron surge has peaked in Louisiana, but there’s still a lot of COVID circulating in the state. But Kanter says the number of COVID cases will remain high for the next few weeks…

CUT 12(07)      “…we are now”

76-hundred new cases of coronavirus are reported by LDH today. Almost 2200 are in the hospital, and about 73-percent of them are not fully vaxxed.

A 65-year-old Church Point woman becomes the state’s 13^th house fire victim so far this year. The Acadiana Parish home caught fire early this morning. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says firefighters are pretty sure that the home had no working smoke detectors…:

CUT 08(07)      “…save lives.”

Have you checked YOURS lately?

For the first time since 2004, the LSU athletic department lost money. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…David Grubb.”

Not everyone is looking back at Saints coach Sean Payton with love. A writer for BarStool Sports says “pump the brakes” on putting Payton in the Hall of Fame. He also wrote that Payton “weaseled out of his contract” with the team.