As COVID cases surge once again, your kids may well be told to mask up in school again. Brooke Thorington has more from Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education…:

CUT 01(33)      “….Thorington.”

Meanwhile, some medical experts are saying it’s time to quit concentrating on positive cases reported and concentrate on the number of hospitalizations. Many reported cases of Omicron COVID are not making people seriously sick. Dr. Anthony Fauci said as much Sunday morning on ABC TV. Still, other experts say case counts are very important.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for 2022 occurred Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of a 69-year-old man and his dog. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says firefighters located the man’s body in the living room and the remains of his dog in a bedroom. Rodrigue says investigators have not been able to pinpoint an actual cause, but have determined its origin..:

CUT 10(06)      “…electrical in nature.”

Will the Capital City get to have its usual modest number of Mardi Gras Parades this year? Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome says it’s too soon to tell whether the Omicron surge will force events to cancel. In addition to parades, Baton Rouge has a number of big Carnival galas. Cancelling on short notice will cost Krewes and organizers a whole lot of money.

New Orleans Police have their hands full with car thefts. Over 12 vehicles have been either stolen or carjacked at gunpoint since New Year’s Eve.

The first fire fatality in Louisiana for the year happened Sunday night in West Monroe claiming the life of one man and his dog. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the victim had initially escaped but re-entered in an attempt to save his pet…:

Cut 9 (12) “…your life for”

The victim’s identity has not been released

The state is reporting 15-thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the best way to prevent death from COVID is getting vaccinated, but that’s a concern in Louisiana, which has one of the nation’s lowest vaccination rates as only half of the population has completed the vaccine series…

Cut 7 (12) “…more people vaccinated” 

The school bell is ringing once again in Louisiana and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.

Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Research indicates having students in the classroom is best for everyone and Brumley says systems should do all they can to do so as safely as possible. As for vaccines, Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for ages five and up and encourages parents to speak with their physician.

The Powerball jackpot is up to $610 million, it’s the seventh-largest jackpot in Powerball’s history. It has a cash option of $175.6 million and the drawing will be held Wednesday night. It’s been almost three months since someone has hit the jackpot. Drawings are on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 9:59 PM.

The state reports another increase in COVID hospitalizations, today the tally is at 1,226. Up 120 from the previous day’s report. As for new COVID cases, there are 9,290 and 17 additional fatalities.

The state is reporting more than 15 thousand COVID deaths since the pandemic started, but could we see fewer COVID deaths in the months ahead. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says one hopeful sign is that the mortality rate with the Omicron verge does not seem to be as severe as it was with the Delta surge…

 Cut 6 (11) “…the virus” 

Hassig says while it’s possible the rate of deaths from COVID may slow down, the concern remains about hospitals being inundated with sick COVID patients and not having the ability to properly treat other diseases.

As COVID cases increase and kids return to the classroom, State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the use of face masks in schools is a local school system decision. As for COVID vaccines Brumley says he’s thankful they are available for the majority of school-age children and advises parents to discuss the matter with their healthcare provider.

Cut 5 (11) “…parent’s decision.”

The city of Minden will be one of six featured on HGTV’s newest series, Home Town Kickstart. The TV show will help revitalize the Webster Parish town. Community activists Rachel Miller and Sarah McDaniel applied to HGTV to feature Minden on the show…

Cut 12 (08) “…we’re chosen.”
It’s expected to air late spring.

School is back in session and with COVID cases back on the rise some school systems are reinstating face masks. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the department’s stance on the issue is that it’s a local decision, and because parents are very impassioned about face masks on both sides of the issue…

Cut 4 (07) “…for kids.”

Brumley credits students, facilty, and parents for keeping students in the classroom as much as possible during the pandemic along with other natural disasters they’ve faced.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown says it is a great honor, but he must share the credit…

Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”

Tip-off is a 6 pm against Kentucky.

A new and healthier type of white rice has been developed called Parish Rice that carries more and has the lowest glycemic level of any white rice on the market. Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice says it allows diabetics to enjoy the rice without needing to worry as much about the sugar level and his ultimate goal is to increase the consumption of rice…

Cut 9 (10)  “…bring people back.”

For more information visit parishrice.com

The City of Minden will be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart, it’s a spin-off of Home Town Takeover. Community activist Rachel Miller says Takeover gave the city of Wetumpka, Alabama a huge boost in tourism and she’s are hopeful Kickstart will do the same for Minden.

Cut  11 (11)  “…again and again.”  

The show is expected to air late spring.

Children return to school this week and with the state breaking records for new COVID cases some school systems are reinstating mitigation practices. State Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says the decision about face masks is best made locally.
Cut 3 (10) “…their kids.”

Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice is growing rice called Parish Rice that’s found to have 53-percent more protein and a glycemic index of 41 out of 100. Fruge and one of his growing partners have learned the low glycemic level allows diabetics to eat rice without needing to worry as much about the sugar level…
cut 8 (08) “…a significant deal”
To find out more go to parish-rice-dot-com.

Long lines were seen at the state’s nine medical marijuana pharmacies yesterday as patients were eager to get their hands on the smokeable form of medical marijuana which became legal in Louisiana on New Year’s Day. According to the Advocate newspaper, prices range from 10 to 25 dollars a gram some patients say that’s too high.

The northwest Louisiana town of Minden is set to be featured on HGTV’s newest series Home Town Kickstart. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state reached a grim milestone Monday with 15,001 fatalities from COVID. The holiday weekend also tallied 31-thousand new cases, more than twice the Christmas holiday weekend total amount of new cases. 11-hundred and 6 covid patients are in Louisiana hospitals.

A new and more nutritious type of white rice that has more protein and a lower glycemic index score has been developed in Louisiana. …

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

The City of Minden is prepping for their close-up as they’ll be one of six small towns featured on the new HGTV series of Home Town Kickstart. It’s a spin-off of the hit series Home Town Takeover where beloved Mississippi designers Ben and Erin Napier revitalize small communities. Minden community activist Sara McDaniel says they are thrilled to be chosen.

Cut 10 (11)  “…on Minden.”

The show is expected to air late spring.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored tonight when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. During his time with the Tigers, Brown advocated for reforms within college hoops to make it a more positive and educational experience for players…:

Cut 15 (11)  “…their lives better.”

Tipoff against Kentucky tonight is 6pm.

Another cold start to the morning, but we’ll begin to warm up today. COVID hospitalizations have quadrupled over the last month to 1,106 and COVID deaths since the pandemic started have surpassed 15-thousand. LSU football plays in the Texas Bowl tonight against Kansas State.

And on LSU’s campus tonight, the basketball court inside the PMAC will be named after former head coach Dale Brown. Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 3 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

A new and healthier type of white rice has been developed in Louisiana. It’s called Parish Rice and it has 53% more protein and a glycemic index of 41 out of 100, the lowest of any white rice on the market. Parish Rice owner Michael Fruge of Eunice says many people avoid rice for health reasons, but he wants to educate the public on how much rice has changed…
Cut 7 (09) “…different options.”
Parish Rice can also be found in select stores in southwest Louisiana and at parish-rice-dot-com.

Film crews are in Minden as H-G-T-V is featuring the Webster Parish town in a new series called Home Town Kickstart. The TV show will help revitalize Minden. Community activists Rachel Miller and Sarah McDaniel applied for H-G-T-V to feature Minden in this new show…
cut 12 (08) “…we’re chosen”
The series will air late in the spring.

Long lines were seen at the state’s nine medical marijuana pharmacies yesterday as patients were eager to get their hands on the smokeable form of medical marijuana which became legal in Louisiana on New Year’s Day. According to the Advocate newspaper, prices range from 10 to 25 dollars a gram.

The northwest Louisiana town of Minden is set to be featured on HGTV’s newest series Home Town Kickstart. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Inflation has spurred an increase in benefits for those on social security and individuals who receive veterans benefits and cash assistance through the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program. Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Monica Brown says it’s the first increase in FITAP (pronounced Fi-tap) that she can remember.
Cut 4 (08) “….almost double.”
Brown says for example monthly benefits for an average family of three increase from $240 to $484 this month.

Legendary LSU basketball coach Dale Brown will be honored during tonight’s home game against Kentucky when the court inside the PMAC is officially named after him. Brown says it is a singular honor, but he must share the credit…:
Cut 13 (09) “…trusted in LSU in-game.”
The 86-year-old Brown won 448 games at LSU and led the Tigers to two Final Four appearances.