Ochsner Hospital for Children is one of 24 sites around the country participating in the Pfizer COVID vaccine for adolescents. Ochsner Principal Investigator, Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz says anytime a new vaccine comes out it must be tested on various age groups because the reactions and efficacy could be different.

Cut 12 (07) “..age group.” 

The vaccine that will be used is the same one that Pfizer is seeking FDA approval for adults.

Thousands of pounds of dry ice will be needed to ship and store the Pfizer COVID vaccine and several local dry ice companies are working to make that happen. Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport CEO Alex Kennedy says if the Pfizer vaccine becomes the go-to vaccine in the US the dry ice industry will experience an unprecedented level of demand.

Cut 8 (09) “…demand.”

State Fire Marshal Deputies are investigating a house fire that claimed the lives of an 89-year-old woman and her 58-year-old son in St. Martinville, Monday morning.  The cause of the blaze is under investigation, but State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says they believe a space heater is involved and a smoke detector has not been located.

Cut 5  (12) “..out safely” 

LSU Freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is considering opting out the remainder of the season.  Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says there is not a lot of chemistry within the program right now and it has shown with opts outs and on-field performance.

Cut 10 (13) “…himself.”

Higgins says Gilbert told coach Ed Orgeron he’s hurt and wants a break from the team.

Louisiana dry ice manufacturers are looking at ramping up production ahead of the rollout of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine, which needs to be stored at a frigid 94 degrees below zero. One of those is Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport. CEO Alex Kennedy says dry ice sits at 109 degrees below zero…

Cut 7 (12) “..ice.”

Red Ball is providing Shreveport pharmaceutical delivery company, Morris and Dickson, with dry ice for their deliveries.

LSU Freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is considering opting out the remainder of the season.  Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says he apparently wants to give his body a break, but…

Cut 9 (10) “..not a good thing.”

An 89 year old woman and her 58 year old son died in a St. Martinville house fire that authorities beilve may have been related to improper use of a space heater. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s starting to get awful cold and if you are using a space heater you need to take the proper safety precautions.

Cut 4 (12)   “…of course”  

Just under 100 new COVID patients were reported admitted into hospitals around the state today, a near ten percent increase from Monday’s numbers. At 1,516 total hospitalizations total the state is nearing its late July second wave peak of 1,600 hospitalizations.

State Fire Marshal Deputies are investigating a house fire that claimed the lives of an 89-year-old woman and her 58-year-old son in St. Martinville, Monday morning.  While the cause of the fire has not been determined, State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says a space heater could’ve been involved.

Cut 3 (11)  “…space heater.”

Thousands of pounds of dry ice will be needed to ship and store the Pfizer COVID vaccine and a number of local dry ice companies are stepping up to make that happen. One of those is Red Ball Oxygen of Shreveport. CEO Alex Kennedy says the product is the only way that vaccine can make it from Pfizer into your arm.

Cut 6 (09) “..below zero.”

Starting next month, Louisiana inmates can shop their resumes to prospective employers from prison using a LinkedIn-style online portal. Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Reentry Rhett Covington says the Reentry Workforce Job Portal is paid for by money saved as a result of criminal justice reforms passed in recent years. Covington says it will help them further save money by reducing recidivism.

Cut 11 (08) “ ..crime.”

Here’s some good news, especially in this world of virtual learning. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access in rural Louisiana…

Cut 15 (08)“…too long.” 
Johnson says it will help provide broadband to nearly 176-thousand Louisianians.

Fallout from a USA Today report detailing mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations at LSU continues as the school hands over 60 plus case files containing allegations to a firm investigating the situation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington DC to participate in the White Houses’ operation Warp Speed Vaccine Summit today. Edwards it there along other governors and will give his perspective on how Louisiana will distribute and administer the COVID vaccine.

The state health department says it’s following the C-D-C’s lead and relaxing its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. The policy extends to schools as well so many teachers and students would only have to quarantine for seven days instead of 14 days if they are exposed to COVID, but test negative after five days. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski…

Cut 6 (10) “…wearing masks.”

Starting next month, Louisiana inmates can shop their resumes to prospective employers from prison using a LinkedIn-style online portal. Department of Corrections Assistant Secretary of Reentry Rhett Covington says the Reentry Workforce Job Portal allows inmates to connect with employers before they are released.

Cut 10 (08) “…employers.”

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says they are waiting for an out of state law firm to complete its investigation into how the school has handled claims of sexual misconduct. In many cases, former LSU football players were involved. Some details have come out and there are students who believe some LSU administrators should be fired, but Galligan says…
cut 8 (10) “…right”
Husch Blackwell says it will complete its investigation in February.

The state health department has adopted the revised COVID quarantine guidelines. So Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the state office of public health, says if you’ve been exposed to COVID, you should quarantine for ten days as opposed to 14 days…
cut 5 (11) “…zero risk”
Stefanski says if you show no symptoms and after five days test negative, you can leave quarantine after seven days.

The state department of corrections says it has a brand new Louisiana Reentry Workforce Job Portal aimed at connecting potential employers with highly-trained inmates reentering society. Assistant Secretary for Reentry Rhett Covington says the post-release job program is the first of its kind and takes advantage of the over 1,300 certifications inmates have received in the last two years.
Cut 12 (08) “…that way.”
The portal is being promoted by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Congressman Mike Johnson says the FCC is investing $342 million over the next decade to bring broadband internet to almost 176-thousand residents in rural Louisiana. Johnson says the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will allow existing telecommunications companies to access this funding…
Cut 13 (11) “…service.”

Governor Edwards will be at the White House this afternoon to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine summit. The summit will feature President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to discuss how the vaccine will be produced and distributed. Edwards is expected to provide his perspective on Louisiana will distribute and adminster the COVID vaccine.

Meanwhile, the state health department adopts new CDC quarantine guidelines…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says they’ve handed over 60 files to a law firm that’s been hired to look into how the university has handled accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence involving students…
cut 9 (08) “…for them”
Many of the allegations are against former LSU football players, notably ex- running back Derrius Guice. They were brought to light in an investigative piece written by the USA Today.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest more than 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access to 176-thousand Louisianians in rural areas. Johnson says some view bringing high-speed internet to rural areas as the equivalent of providing electricity and telephone service in the 18 and 19-hundreds.
Cut 14 (06) “…21st century.”
The funding will be distributed through the F-C-C’s newly-established Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

The state health department says it’s following the C-D-C’s lead and relaxing its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. The policy extends to schools as well so many teachers and students would only have to quarantine for seven days instead of 14 days if they are exposed to COVID-19, but test negative after five days. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski…
cut 6 (10) “…wearing masks”

Here’s some good news, especially in this world of virtual learning. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access in rural Louisiana…
cut 15 (08) “…too long”
Johnson says the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will help provide broadband to nearly 176-thousand Louisianians.

The fallout from a USA Today report detailing mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations at LSU continues as the school hands over 60 plus case files containing allegations to a firm investigating the situation. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU could be losing another one of its playmakers on offense. Freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is reportedly homesick and the Georgia native is set to transfer.

The Monroe News-Star reports Grambling Coach Broderick Fobbs and former Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth could be candidates for ULM’s head coaching vacancy.

Another star LSU player is reportedly leaving the program. Several media outlets say freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is really, really homesick. Sources say the Georgia native was not at practice yesterday and the Tigers second-leading receiver could enter the transfer portal as early as today.

This news broke after Coach Ed Orgeron met with the media for his regular Monday Press Conference. Orgeron was asked about convincing draft-eligible players to return to LSU. Coach O admits there are some guys who are dead set in leaving early for the NFL draft and the others who are on the fence are receiving a sales pitch…
cut 17 (18) “….drafted higher”
LSU is at sixth-ranked Florida on Saturday night.

ULM Athletic Director Scott McDonald says the school and head football coach Matt Viator have mutually agreed to part ways. The Warhawks are 0-10 and have not led in any game this season. The Monroe News-Star says possible replacements include Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs, Southeastern Louisiana Coach Frank Scelfo, and former Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth.

The Cajuns are losing inside linebacker coach Austin Armstrong. He has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Napier says Armstrong will still coach for the Cajuns in the Sun Belt Championship game on December 19th…
cut 20 (26) “…for that”

The Louisiana Health Department adopts revised CDC guidelines to shorten the quarantine period following a COVID exposure. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski says the recommendation of a 14-day quarantine is not always practical.
Cut 4 (07) “…school.”
Under the new policy, a person who comes in a contact with a person who tests positive for COVID should quarantine for ten and as few as seven days with a negative test, as opposed to 14 days.

LSU turns over 60 plus case files of alleged incidents of sexual misconduct committed by students to a law firm investigating the school’s alleged mishandling of those allegations. Interim President Tom Galligan says all of the documents forwarded to Husch Blackwell are from a period between 2016 and 2018.
Cut 7 (09) “…reports.”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections unveils a new program that allows inmates nearing their release date to apply for jobs. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”