The Louisiana Department of Health reports three additional probable cases of the Omicron variant in the state now. One of the cases involves an individual in the Acadiana area who traveled out of the country. The other two cases involve individuals in the Greater New Orleans area which brings the total number of Omicron cases in our state to 4 – 3 probable and one confirmed. The state reports 733 new COVID cases today, 17 fatalities, and 211 hospitalizations.

A 2019 study by LSU Health New Orleans Radiologist Dr. Bradley Spieler (Spee-ler) indicates burnout affects more than 50-percent of healthcare professionals. Spieler says burnout is now considered an illness and it even has its own billing code.

 Cut 6 (07) “…crisis.” 

And there are reports that burnout has increased even more with COVID.

Quarterback Max Johnson announces a surprise decision as he’s choosing to transfer from LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m  Jeff Palermo.”

The number of COVID-19 Omicron cases is growing in Louisiana. State health officials say the total has now grown to four. One of the cases involves an individual from the Acadiana area who traveled internationally. The other two new cases, as the initial case previously reported, involve individuals in the Greater New Orleans area.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson is entering the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Purple and Gold. Johnson’s decision comes as a surprise after starting 11 games this past season. It’s unknown how new head football coach Brian Kelly feels about this. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins is surprised Johnson didn’t at least go through a spring practice to get a feel for the new coaching staff…

Cut 4 (10) “…on the surface.”

Johnson’s departure leaves LSU with just one scholarship quarterback on the roster, Garrett Nussmeier, who was not supposed to play anymore this season to preserve his redshirt.

A Slidell man is in trouble with the law after being allegedly caught shrimping without any commercial licenses required to do so. Adam Einck with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 34-year-old Michael Daigle Jr. was cited on Sunday:

Cut 7 (11) “..commercial fishing licenses.”

Agents say they seized more than 13-hundred pounds of shrimp from Daigle’s vessel and the haul was sold to the highest bidder.

If you’re looking for work in the manufacturing industry, Louisiana Economic Development is ready to help out.  They’re holding an LED FastStart virtual career fair today. Jamie Nakamoto is overseeing the event.

Cut 10 (12)  “…all these companies.”

The career fair is taking place until two this afternoon.

The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting three additional probable cases of the Omicron variant in the state now. One of the cases involves an individual in the Acadiana area who traveled out of the country. The other two cases involve individuals in the Greater New Orleans area which brings the total number of Omicron cases in our state to 4 – 3 probable and one confirmed.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson announces he’s entering the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Purple and Gold. Johnson’s decision comes as a surprise after starting 11 games this past season. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor William Weathers says Johnson’s decision means Garrett Nussmeier will likely start the bowl game…

Cut 3 (09) “…walk-on.”

No word from new Tigers head football coach Brian Kelly on Johnson’s entry into the transfer portal.

A study led by LSU Health New Orleans professor Dr. Peter Krause reports a nearly 70-percent drop in opioid prescriptions for patients who are discharged from surgery since a Louisiana law was enacted in 2017. To effectively counter the opioid epidemic Krause says it has to be a multiprong approach that includes physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Cut 6 (07) “…manage pain.”

The study only observed prescribing trends among orthopedic surgeons.

The Louisiana Economic Development is holding a FastStart virtual career fair today from 11 until 2. Jamie Nakamoto is overseeing the event, talks about what a registrant for the virtual manufacturing career fair can expect once they log into the site.

Cut  11 (11)  “…to connect with.”  

As expected, Governor John Bel Edwards isn’t changing his stance regarding Covid shot rules for public school students. The proposal was rejected by a House Committee this week, but Mr. Edwards says requiring kids 16 and older to receive the shot is necessary because minors still can get sick from Covid…:
CUT 15 (14) “the parental opt-out”
Edwards says he will continue to push to have the vaccines required for all public schools.

A man in Slidell is busted by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly hauling in more than 13-hundred pounds of shrimp without a license. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says it’s no secret you can’t shrimp without a commercial permit…:
Cut 8 (05) “of that opportunity”
34-year-old Michael Daigle Jr. faces a fine of up to 500 dollars and 90 days in jail for each offense.

According to a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Louisiana has seen a near 70-percent drop in opioid prescriptions for post-op patients since drug laws were tightened up in 2017. That’s when Louisiana had the nation’s 5th highest opioid prescribing rate. The study was led by LSU Health New Orleans professor Dr. Peter Krause who says public awareness also helped
Cut 5 (11) “…same direction.”
Krause says while the study only observed prescribing trends among orthopedic surgeons, he’s hopeful it’s making an impact in the opioid epidemic.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson announces he’s entering the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Purple and Gold. Johnson’s decision comes as a surprise after starting 11 games this past season. It’s unknown how new head football coach Brian Kelly feels about this.

Governor John Bel Edwards still plans to move forward with a rule to add the Covid shots to public school immunization list starting with 16-year old’s next year. On Monday, the House Health & Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject the proposal. But Mr. Edwards says he’s listening to concerns, however we’re still in a pandemic…:
Cut 14 (10) “…can weigh in again.”
As with other vaccines, parents would be allowed to opt out.

If you’d like to work for a company like Hubig’s Pies in New Orleans or the Bollinger Shipyard in Houma, LED FastStart is holding a virtual career fair for just such manufacturing jobs today. Career Fair Coordinator Jamie Nakamoto says this is a first of its kind event for the manufacturing sector with many jobs open:
Cut 12 (11) “leadership positions available”
The fair starts at 11am and you can get details online at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Quarterback Max Johnson announces a surprise decision saying he’s transferring from LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
cut 16 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Baton Rouge area pastor who made national headlines when he was charged for holding large gatherings early in the pandemic will have his case heard by the state’s highest court. A state district judge had previously refused to dismiss the charges against Tony Spell for violating 2020 pandemic gathering limits. But the Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case. No date has been set.

Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t seem too concerned about legislative push-back on mandating COVID shots for kids in schools. On Monday, the House Health & Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject the proposal, but Mr. Edwards says he doesn’t necessarily need their approval…:
Cut 13 (14) “and dis-information”
Edwards says he will continue to push to have the vaccines required for all public schools.

There’s little sympathy for people who steal packages during Christmastime and one Livingston Parish judge has sentenced a man who assaulted a UPS employee in December of 2020 to 109 years in prison. Jeremy McDavis terrorized the delivery driver last year with a semi-automatic weapon and forced him to remove packages from the UPS truck and load them into thief’s vehicle. The robber then lead police on a dangerous several mile long chase before crashing. DA Scott Perrilloux says the punishment is appropriate also considering McDavis’ long criminal history.

A recent out of LSU Health New Orleans shows a significant drop in opioid prescriptions:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A man in Slidell is busted by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly hauling in more than 13-hundred pounds of shrimp without a license. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck identifies the suspect as says 34-year-old Michael Daigle Jr…:
CUT 7 (11) “fishing licenses”

Governor John Bel Edwards seems undaunted by a legislative committee rejecting his proposal to mandate COVID shots for school kids…:
Cut 3 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Manufacturing jobs are flush in the state and the Louisiana Economic Development is holding a virtual career fair today for interested applicants. Jamie Nakamoto is overseeing the event..:
CUT 10 (12) “all these companies”
Visit opportunitylouisiana.com/faststart for details.

A recent study out of LSU Health New Orleans reports a nearly 70-percent drop in post-surgery opioid prescriptions after state laws to reduce abuse of the drug were enacted in 2017. The research was led by Dr. Peter Krause…:
CUT 4 (08) “be prescribed”
He also credits opioid awareness in the public as a factor.

Authorities in Alabama say former Saints defensive lineman Glenn Foster Jr. died while in custody of police, according to the New Orleans Advocate. It was confirmed to news outlets by the Coroner in Pickens County that Foster died Monday, but no other information could be disclosed. The report indicates Foster was involved in a high-speed chase with cops that ended in a crash, then a jail fight with another inmate that drew in jail guards, and an attempt to render medical aid. More on this as it develops.