Senator Bill Cassidy denounces pro-Trump demonstrators who stormed the US Capitol earlier today, ransacking the building and forcing Senators and House members to evacuate to a safe area. MSNBC reports a woman was shot and images are circulating of demonstrators on the Senate floor and in Congress people’s offices posing for pictures, saying “stop the steal”.

Cassidy says this is supposed to be a peaceful transition of power. He says what they are doing is wrong and un-American

Cut 16 (05) “…hooligans” 

A small demonstration gathered on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol but remained peaceful throughout Governor Edwards’ press conference inside.

Governor Edwards delivered one of his most forceful calls for COVID restriction as the state hits the highest-ever total number of COVID hospitalizations.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The kidnapping appears to be the result of some online communications and State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says this is a reminder that all parents need to keep a close eye on their children’s online devices…

Cut 14 (09) “…want” 

Ramirez is facing one count of aggravated kidnapping but more charges are expected to be filed against him.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud, registering voters at addresses they didn’t live at. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says if you try to commit election fraud, you’ll be caught

Cut 11 (08) “..worked as it should”

Chaos has erupted in Washington D-C as Trump protesters have stormed the U-S Capitol while the U-S House and Senate debated the certification of President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Lawmakers were evacuated. Senator Bill Cassidy denounced the violence that erupted between Capitol police and the protesters

Cut 15 (05) “…period” 

A gathering of dozens of pro-Trump protestors has occurred outside the Louisiana State Capitol ahead of the Governor’s press conference this hour.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night. Despite choosing Alabama over the home-state LSU Tigers, Smith says his hometown has been very supportive throughout his college career.

Cut 4 (14) “my journey” 

He’s only the second Louisiana native to win the prestigious award.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The incident is still under investigation State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says they can confirm that the young girl is back home with her family after the traumatizing ordeal.

Cut 13 (05)“…ok.”

22-year-old Angel Ramirez is facing one count of aggravated kidnapping but more charges are expected to be filed against him.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud. Landry says the District 3 councilman illegally registered voters at addresses they did not live at, including his own address…

Cut 10 (12) “.not there’s”

Republicans raised their first objections in Congress today to President-elect Joe Biden’s win during the counting of electoral votes. They included all of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation except for Senator Bill Cassidy.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s office announces the arrest of a city councilman in Tangipahoa Parish on election fraud charges. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

As the third wave of COVID takes an even stronger hold of Louisiana, the state has hit an all-time high in COVID hospitalizations. 1,993 patients are now in the hospital, and 43 additional Louisianans have died from the virus. We’re also just shy of 300,000 total cases. Governor Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30.

This week those over the age of 70 and dialysis patients are now eligible to be vaccinated in Louisiana. Ochsner Physician Dr. Jay Brooks says they began inoculations for patients in the Ochsner healthcare system that met the criteria.

Cut 7 (07) …at all.”

Brooks says with their hospitals the most crowded he’s ever seen at Ochsner, he encourages everyone to be vaccinated as soon as they are eligible

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces that Amite City Councilman Emmanuel Zanders has been arrested and charged with eight counts of election fraud. Landry says the District 3 councilman illegally registered voters at addresses they did not live at.

Cut 9 (12) “ vacant lot”

In other Amite news, Bama wide receiver and Amite native Devonta Smith won the Heisman last night.

A kidnapped 11-year-old was saved and her alleged kidnapper is behind bars in Grant Parish after communicating with the minor over the internet. The girl went missing late Sunday in Madison Parish and was located in Grant Parish Monday evening resulting in the arrest of 22-year-old Angel Ramirez. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt…

Cut 12 (06) “…safely” 

As the COVID vaccine rollout continues in Louisiana, healthcare workers are now receiving their second dose, and more are eligible to receive their first dose. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Louisiana has hit an all-time high in COVID hospitalizations as the third wave of the virus seems to be spreading nearly uncontrolled throughout the state. 1,993 patients are in the hospital, and 43 additional Louisianans are reported dead from the disease today. We’re also just shy of 300,000 total cases.

DeVonta Smith, the pride of Amite, won the Heisman Trophy last night after a stellar year at wideout for Alabama. The six-foot-one, 175-pound Smith hopes he can inspire kids who have been told they are too small to play big-time football.

Cut 5  (08) “…too big” 

Smith became the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991.

Ochsner Physician Dr. Jay Brooks was among the first healthcare providers to be vaccinated in Baton Rouge and he’s now received his second injection of the COVID vaccine. As for side effects Brooks says he’s been somewhat achy after the injections.

Cut 6 (07) “…a one.”

Brooks says it’s comparable to the flu shot and not as rough as the shingles vaccine.

A United Health Foundation study shows Louisiana saw a notable uptick in healthcare spending per capita between 2014 and 2019, from 81 dollars a person to 94 dollars a person. United Chief Medical Officer Rhonda Randall says Louisiana also saw a seven percent increase in mental healthcare providers between 2016 and 2020, which is good but far below the curve…

Cut 15 (07)“…period.”

Starting next fall high schoolers can enroll in the Fast Forward initiative, which allows students to spend grades 9 and 10 in high school, but grades 11 and 12 at a post-secondary campus working in an apprenticeship program or towards an associate’s degree. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says not every student needs four years of traditional high school education…

Cut 10 (04) “…next step.”

Some Congressional Republicans are expected to vote against certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College win today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will hold a press conference at 11 am today concerning election integrity and announce the arrest of a city councilman accused of election fraud. It will be live-streamed on the attorney general’s Facebook page. And Governor Edwards will hold his first COVID briefing of the new year at 2:30.

Alabama wide receiver and Amite native Devonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy last night, becoming the first receiver to win the award since Desmond Howard in 1991.  Smith credits his win to the hard work he put in while growing up in Amite City.

Cut 3 (11)  “prove everybody wrong”

Despite choosing Alabama over the home-state LSU Tigers, Smith says his hometown has been very supportive throughout his college career.

A United Health Foundation study highlighted some good progress the state has made over the last decade in key healthcare-related areas. United Chief Medical Officer Rhonda Randall says the number of teen pregnancies dropped 49 percent between 2008 and 2018.

Cut 14 (11) “…half.” 

It’s a contentious day on Capitol Hill as the House and Senate will vote on whether to certify President-elect Joe Biden’s Electoral College victory. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’ll vote no, because election laws were changed without legislative approval and he claims there were largescale voting irregularities…
cut 6 (09) “….fraud”
But Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he will vote to certify the election because there’s no evidence of wide-scale fraud that would have impacted the election results.

State lawmakers have approved Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for expanded mail-in balloting opportunities for elections that will be held in February, March and April. But Ardoin says early voting will not be expanded like it was for the Presidential election…
cut 12 (05) “…as well”

Louisiana usually ranks at the bottom of every healthcare study’s yearly report but one group highlighted a few of the things the state got right in the last decade. Matt Doyle has the story.
Voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state health department has told hospitals they can use leftover COVID vaccines to vaccinate people 70 years and older. L-D-H reported yesterday that 56-thousand vaccine doses have been administered. Hundreds of people are on waiting lists for the vaccine at 107 selected pharmacies across the state.