State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says one of the department’s goals moving forward is increasing K-12 teacher retention and fostering a more diverse workforce. Brumley says twelve percent of all teachers leave after their first year on the job, and they’ve got to start cutting that number back.

Cut 10 (08) “…to do.”

Only about a quarter of all teachers are black compared to roughly a third of the state’s population.

Former Baton Rouge state representative and mayoral candidate Steve Carter died of COVID-19 complications Tuesday, three weeks after he was first hospitalized with the virus.  Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat has known Carter since the late 1970s and says Carter was not only a good friend, he was a good legislator.

Cut 12 (12) “…LSU.” 

He was 77.

An outbreak of COVID-19 cases connected to a high school wrestling tournament in Gonzales has led to the LHSAA canceling the remainder of the regular wrestling season. But LHSAA director Eddie Bonine says they still plan on holding the state wrestling championships in Baton Rouge February 25th and 26th.

Cut 6 (12) “…of COVID”

The state health department reported over 20 COVID-19 cases linked to the tournament in Gonzales.

A COVID-19 drive thru vaccination event scheduled for tomorrow at the Rapides Parish Coliseum is already completely booked. L-D-H Region Six Medical Doctor David Holcombe says when they announced the event to the public Monday night they were overwhelmed with interest.

Cut 5  (10) “…sign up.” 

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says one of the department’s goals moving forward is increasing K-12 teacher retention, and fostering a more diverse workforce. Louisiana Brumley says right now the teacher workforce does not look like the student population.

Cut 9, 11 seconds, male

Only about a quarter of all teachers are black compared to roughly a third of the state’s population.

A COVID-19 vaccination event scheduled for tomorrow at the Rapides Parish Coliseum is already fully booked. L-D-H Region Six Medical Doctor David Holcombe says if you’ve got an appointment roll on in and enjoy the convenience.

Cut 4 (11) “…care of them.” 

The event will be Thursday from 8:30 until 3 pm and you must be preregistered. 

The LHSAA has halted the regular season for the sport of wrestling, but still plans on holding the state championship wrestling meet. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state is reporting another 3,868 new COVID-19 cases today along with a big jump in additional deaths at 67. COVID hospitalizations continue to decline in some good news though as the third wave slowly recedes.

The Biden Administration is expected to issue a yearlong moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses for federal lands and waters. Senator Bill Cassidy blasted the move. He says reducing American production of fossil fuels will hurt our international standing and strengthen America’s rivals.

Cut 5 (05) “…example.”

The American petroleum institute estimates about 22 percent of all American oil and 12 percent of all American gas production occurs on federal lands and waters.

It was five months ago when Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana causing massive damage and the rebuild is far from complete. Governor John Bel Edwards says President Biden has told him he understands what the needs are in southwest Louisiana and they also have an ally in former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond, who serves as the President’s advisor.

Cut 8 (10) “…delegation.”

A max vaccination event scheduled for Rapides Parish Coliseum is already fully booked. 420 doses of the vaccine have been donated by the Rapides Regional Medical Center and the Department of Health is going to inoculate the public who is eligible, those 70 and older, and healthcare workers. Region Six Medical Director Dr. David Holcomb says it’s a collaborative effort.

Cut 3 (10)  “…partnership.”

Beginning next week Louisiana will receive 67,350 COVID vaccine doses, an increase of almost 16 percent. It is all part of President Biden’s goal to vaccine 1.5 million Americans daily, an increase of half a million from his previously announced initiative. The number of vaccines distributed is based on population.

Cut 15 (11)“…anticipated.”

Governor Edwards has asked the White House to support a three-billion dollar federal block grant allocation to help southwest Louisiana recover from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. A portion of the money would go to storm victims to help reimburse costs for repairing their damaged homes.

An estimated 47-thousand homes in 21 parishes were damaged by Hurricane Laura. Edwards says they still have 684 evacuees living in hotels in New Orleans and Lafayette…
Cut 9 (14) “…as well.”
Despite the struggles, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter believes the recovery is ahead of schedule, based on the conversations he’s had with other mayors who have dealt with major natural disasters
Cut 10 (13) “…today.”

President Biden is expected to announce a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses on federal lands and waters. Matt Doyle spoke with Senator Bill Cassidy…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Biden administration has announced that every state will see an increase in its COVID-19 vaccine allotment. For Louisiana it’s roughly a 16-percent increase and the President says they are increasing transparency…
cut 16 (10) “…going to get”

The Biden Administration is expected to issue a yearlong moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses for federal lands and waters.
The American petroleum institute estimates about 22 percent of all American oil and 12 percent of all American gas production occurs on federal lands and waters.
The Biden Administration says the move is vital to helping the country limit global warming, but Cassidy says if cleaner burning and produced American fuel isn’t available countries will turn to dirtier options…
Cut 6 (10) “…energy.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s asked President Joe Biden and Congress to approve an additional three-billion dollars in hurricane assistance.
Edwards says President Biden has told him he understands what the especially when you have an ally in former Louisiana Congressman Cedric Richmond, who serves as the President’s advisor.
Cut 8 (10) “…delegation.”

Boating crash incidents and boating-related fatalities increased by twenty percent in 2020.
So far in 2021 three boating fatalities have been reported which includes two 15-year old boys in Caldwell Parish. The operator of the boat has been charged with vehicular homicide and operating a vessel while intoxicated.
Wildlife and Fisheries spokesman Adam Einck says more traffic on the waterway equates to more problems so keep that life jacket on.
Cut 12 (10) “…your life.”

Three term Louisiana legislator from Baton Rouge Steve Carter has died from complications of Covid-19. A family spokesperson made the announcement last night saying Carter passed at 7:30. Carter had recently ran for Mayor/President but was defeated by incumbent Sharon Broome.

Governor John Bel Edwards has asked President Joe Biden to push Congress to approve three-billion dollars in funding to help with recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Three-term Louisiana legislator from Baton Rouge Steve Carter has died from complications of Covid-19. A family spokesperson made the announcement last night saying Carter passed at 7:30. Carter had recently ran for Mayor/President but was defeated by incumbent Sharon Broome.

The Biden Administration is expected to issue a yearlong moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses for federal lands and waters.
The Biden Administration also revoked the permit for the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline, a move that will cost a reported 11,000 jobs.
Cassidy Senator Bill Cassidy blasted the move saying reducing American production of fossil fuels will hurt our international standing and strengthen America’s rivals.
Cut 5 (05) “…example.”

Beginning next week Louisiana will receive 67,350 COVID vaccine doses, an increase of almost 16 percent. President Joe Biden announced an overhaul to the Federal distribution of COVID vaccines Tuesday. Since taking office last week the administration has been working to increase vaccine availability to meet the strong demand from states.
Cut 14 (09) “…10-million doses.”

Three-term Louisiana legislator from Baton Rouge Steve Carter has died from complications of Covid-19. A family spokesperson made the announcement last night saying Carter passed at 7:30. Carter had recently ran for Mayor/President but was defeated by incumbent Sharon Broome. Carter was a republican who represented House District 68 for 3 terms. He had been hospitalized with the virus for the past 3 weeks.
Boating crash incidents and boating-related fatalities increased by twenty percent in 2020. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says the pandemic has caused an increase in the number of boaters out on the water.
Cut 11 (10) “….safe manner.”

President Biden is expected to announce a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses on federal lands and waters. Matt Doyle spoke with Senator Bill Cassidy about the decision…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today marks five months since Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana causing massive damage and the rebuild is far from complete. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s asked President Joe Biden and Congress to approve an additional three-billion dollars in assistance.
The governor made a similar request with the Trump administration, but it was never fulfilled.

The Biden Administration is expected to issue a yearlong moratorium on new oil and gas drilling licenses for federal lands and waters.
Senator Bill Cassidy blasted the move. He says it will destroy Louisiana jobs and not help solve the world’s greenhouse gas emission problem.
Cut 4 (09)“…here.”
Today marks five months since Hurricane Laura made landfall in southwest Louisiana causing massive damage and the rebuild is far from complete. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s asked President Joe Biden and Congress to approve an additional three-billion dollars in assistance
Cut 7 (11) “…agricultural losses.”
Boating related incidents and fatalities increased by 20-percent in 2020, Brooke Thorington spoke with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries about the increase.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”