As of Monday, all adults in Louisiana will be eligible for the COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

There has been a decline in COVID cases statewide in recent weeks, but State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is concerned with an increase in cases in southwest Louisiana where a more contagious UK variant of the virus is prevalent…
cut 8 (08) “….five area”

The Board of Regents is seeking information from college campuses on how they are handling sexual misconduct claims. It’s in response to the Husch Blackwell report that found LSU mishandled previous sexual abuse allegations for years. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says this is an opportunity to see where there are gaps in Title Nine offices…
cut 15 (07) “…right”

An American Dental Association survey has found that over 70-percent of dentists are reporting an increase in patients with teeth grinding and clenching problems and dentists say the stress from the pandemic is a factor. LSU School of Dentistry Chair of Endodontics Doctor Mark Odom says if you are experiencing symptoms a dentist can fit you for a guard or splint that ease pressure before you chip or crack a tooth. You can also put hot-cold compresses on your jaws.
Cut 12 (08) “…bites.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces that starting on Monday anyone 16-years and older, will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Edwards decided to open eligibility to all adults after the Biden administration told governors to expect a record shipment of doses…
cut 5 (07) “…doses”
For 16 and 17-year-old olds, they are only allowed to get the Pfizer vaccine.

The Board of Regents is seeking information from every college in Louisiana on how sexual misconduct complaints are handled. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the Board is concerned after the Husch Blackwell report detailed LSU’s failure to handle sexual misconduct incidents and she says those mistakes can not be repeated…
cut 14 (10) “…practices”

More than 70 percent of dentists report an increase in patients with teeth grinding and clenching issues. Brooke Thorington talks to the Chair of Endodontics at the LSU School of Dentistry.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Everyone in Louisiana over the age of 16 will be eligible to sign up for a vaccine appointment come Monday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says he’s worried that overall the state’s progress in fighting the spread of COVID-19 has stalled. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

____________________________

More than 70 percent of dentists report an increase in patients with teeth grinding and clenching issues. Brooke Thorington talks to the Chair of Endodontics at the LSU School of Dentistry.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

____________________________

Beginning Monday everyone in Louisiana over the age of 16 will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Governor Edwards says this means any Louisianans over 16, regardless of occupation or health status, can make an appointment to get vaccinated Monday.

Cut 4 (11)“…week.”

Louisiana is one of nine states where anyone over 16 is eligible.

Edwards says this final expansion of criteria for adults and older teens is the result of a significant increase in the number of vaccines being sent here by the feds.

Cut 5 (07)“…doses.”

As of now, 16 and 17-year-olds are only eligible to receive a Pfizer vaccine.

Governor Edwards says we can really see the light at the end of the tunnel now and the only hurdle remaining is making sure everyone actually takes the vaccine.

Cut 6 (07) “…wants one.” (x2)

The state’s weekly allocation has more than doubled since it first started getting the vaccine in late December.

________________________

Louisiana’s progress in lowering the spread of COVID has stalled out and begun to slowly tick back up, largely due to increased community spread in the Lake Charles region.

State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says Region Five has nearly doubled its percent positivity rate, which is now over ten percent, and has seen average new daily cases increase for five straight weeks.

Cut 7 (08)  “…state.”

Kanter says he’s worried the increase is being driven by the prevalence of the more infectious and deadly UK variant.

Cut 8 (08) “…five area.”

Kanter says he knows Lake Charles residents have had an incredibly difficult past 12 months, and COVID may not be at the top of their priority list, but…

Cut 9 (09) “…vaccinated.”

Region Five has the lowest vaccination rate in the state at only nine percent.

__________________________

An American Dental Association survey finds more than 70 percent of dentists are reporting an increase in patients with teeth grinding and clenching problems. LSU School of Dentistry Chair of Endodontics Dr. Mark Odom says it is an emotional response to an increase in stress from the pandemic.

Cut 10 (07) “…doing.”

Odom says some grind their teeth or clench their jaws in their sleep and in addition to possibly cracking or chipping teeth they can experience headaches and soreness in their jaw.

Cut 11 (10) “…and issues.”

Odom says if you are experiencing symptoms see a dentist about being fitted for a guard or splint that you can wear to ease pressure before you chip or crack a tooth. In the meantime, you can also put hot-cold compresses on your jaws.

Cut 12 (08) “…bites.”

Sometimes side effects of medication to help you deal with stress can cause muscle tension which Odom says can lead to teeth clenching.

____________________________

In response to mishandlings of sexual misconduct incidents on college campuses, the Louisiana Board of Regents discussed their responsibility to help keep students safe. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says they also sent a letter to all the board chairs of the management boards.

Cut 13 (08) “…misconduct.”

Reed says the Board of Regents is very concerned and disheartened after reading the Husch Blackwell Report of LSU’s failure to handle sexual misconduct incidents and when one university fails, we all fail.

Cut 14 (10) “…practices.” 

Earlier this month the Louisiana Legislative Women’s Caucus held a hearing to allow universities and victims to speak about sexual misconduct. Reed says they made a list of things they heard did a review of their own policy.

Cut 15 (07)“…right.”

Reed says this is an opportunity to see where there are gaps in Title IX offices and correct them in addressing sexual misconduct.

___________________________________________

The La Tech basketball team will take on Conference USA rival Western Kentucky in the NIT tonight at 9 p.m.  These teams played each other in early January, which each team winning once during a two-game series in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Tech coach Eric Konkol says the familiarity should make for a good game.

Cut 16 (10) “…great matchup.”

Guard Taveion Hollingsworth leads the Hilltoppers in scoring at 17 points per contest.  Konkol says his team needs to prevent Hollingsworth from getting to the foul line.

Cut 17 (13) “…away from it.”

When the Bulldogs and Hilltoppers battle it out on the hardwood, it will be broadcast on ESPN 2.  Konkol says playing on a big-time stage is a great opportunity

Cut  18 (16) “…represent everybody.”

Beginning Monday, March 29^th all Louisianans age 16 and up are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID. Governor John Bel Edwards says they received confirmation that the state would receive a sizable increase in weekly doses, so they have opened eligibility for all adults. You will still need to make an appointment to receive your vaccination.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13-state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Other Republican and industry leaders spoke at the press conference as well. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the moratorium will hinder flood protection projects.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars.”

Miguez says the moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says they want systems to offering small group tutoring to help students catch up or even get ahead for the next year.

Cut 4 (09) “…friends.” 

Brumley says a number of school systems have indicated they are working on changing their summer programs.

Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will move through the state helping to produce the possibility for strong winds, hail, and tornadoes.

Cut 12 (12) “…weather aware” 

And southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until midnight Thursday.

Starting Monday everyone 16 and older in Louisiana is eligible to get vaccinated. Governor John Bel Edwards made the announcement at this afternoon press conference and says the decision was made in light of the substantial increase in vaccine allocation the state is set to receive next week. To be vaccinated you must make an appointment with a medical provider who is offering vaccinations.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Landry says the Administration’s energy policy is a reckless abuse of Presidential power that picks winners and losers.

Cut 6 (08) “…lands”

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

An LSU Pennington Biomedical researcher finds colorectal cancer survivors need to maintain and build muscle mass or face a 40 percent greater risk of premature death. Cancer Metabolism Program Director Dr. Justin Brown says survivors don’t need to become powerlifters to build and maintain a healthy amount of muscle.

Cut 11 (09) ” calisthenics”

That’s on top of the 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity.

Lousiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. This will be the third time in an eight-day span that Louisiana will experience severe weather. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s that time of the year for spring storms…

Cut 14 (06) “…summer pattern” 

Beginning Monday, March 29^th all Louisianans age 16 and up are eligible to be vaccinated for COVID. Governor John Bel Edwards says they received confirmation that the state would receive a sizable increase in weekly doses so they have opened eligibility for all adults. You will still need to make an appointment.

Research out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds colorectal cancer survivors who lose muscle mass face a 40 percent higher risk of premature death.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Louisiana Department of Education wants to reshape summer learning this year, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program. State Superintendent Cade Brumley says despite the heroic efforts of educators this past year, students have missed out on more than just academics.

Cut 3 (11)  “…tutoring.”  

Louisiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s possible we will have strong winds, hail, and tornadoes Thursday, especially in Northeast Louisiana. Southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until midnight tomorrow. That part of the state got plenty of rain today and Keim says more rain is on the way…

Cut 13 (11)“…heavy rains.”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13 state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. The suit is backed by many local Republican leaders and oil and gas industry representatives.  Erath Representative Blake Miguez says

The moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

Cut 8 (11) “…22.”

The Biden Administration says reducing American carbon extraction is key to limiting the catastrophic levels of global warming.

Lousiana is under a slight risk for severe weather tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a cold front will move through the state helping to produce the possibility for strong winds, hail, and tornadoes

Cut 12 (12) “ …weather aware” 

Meanwhile, southeast Louisiana remains under a flash flood watch until midnight Thursday night.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley wants school systems to approach summer school a bit differently this year. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Caesar’s Entertainment, owner of Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans, appears to be close to sealing a 20-year-old deal for the new naming rights to the Superdome. The Dome’s deal with Mercedes Benz is expiring in July and the company elected not to renew its deal with the Saints.

The Louisiana Department of Education is encouraging school systems to approach summer learning in a different way, so it mirrors more of a summer camp program this year. So far, State Superintendent Cade Brumley says school systems seem agreeable to the idea and some are already working on logistics to update their programs.

Cut 5  (07)  “…post-pandemic,”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is heading up a 13-state lawsuit aimed at overturning the Biden Administration’s moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters. Other Republican and industry leaders spoke at the press conference as well. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the moratorium will hinder flood protection projects.

Cut 7 (11) “…dollars.”

Miguez says the moratorium will cost the state thousands of jobs.

Research from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds colorectal cancer survivors need to maintain and build muscle mass or face a 40 percent greater risk of premature death. Cancer Metabolism Program Director Dr. Justin Brown the study found women face even higher odds of premature death than men when losing muscle. Brown says they don’t exactly know why that is, but there’s an early theory…

Cut 10 (09) “…quality” 

A report from Jeff Duncan of The Athletic says the Saints are close to reaching a deal with Caesars Entertainment for naming rights to the Superdome. It’s unclear what the actual name will be right now. Saints owner Gayle Benson and team executives recently met in Las Vegas to finalize the deal that will pay the club $10 million annually for the next 20 years. The Mercedes Benz contract ends in July.