The US Department of Justice is investigating the Louisiana Department of Corrections over allegations the state is keeping prisoners incarcerated long past their release date. Attorney William Most says the DOC has known since 2012 that they hold about 2,200 people past their release date every year.

Cut 3 (11)  “…per year.”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections responded to the investigation saying they “Look forward to fully cooperating with the US Department of Justice.”

The organizer of a swingers convention in New Orleans where 41 of the people who attended ended up positive for COVID-19 days after the event last month is planning another convention in the Big Easy in 2021. But Bob Hannaford told the Jim Engster show that their next convention is scheduled for August

Cut 9 (08) “…forward”

If you’ve exhausted your movie queue already now you can check out productions a little closer to home on the Louisiana Film Channel.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Polls across the state open at 7 AM tomorrow and will stay open until 8 PM for the December run-off ballot. Voters statewide will be considering Amendment One that would allow people living out of state to sit on college boards. Voters in northeast and central Louisiana along with the northern parts of the Florida Parishes will be voting in the 5^th Congressional District runoff to fill the seat left open by retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham.

The Legislature’s vote to increase sales taxes to address a massive budget deficit in 2016 has become a hot button issue in the soon to be decided race for the 5^th Congressional District. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson along with his wife Kelly were both infected with COVID and have since recovered according to his spokesperson. Representative Garrett Graves is currently quarantining after exposure and State Treasurer John Schroder is hospitalized with COVID.

With coronavirus vaccine doses expected to arrive in Louisiana this month, it will be up to federal and state officials to convince the public they are safe to take. Some are concerned corners were cut to produce the vaccine in record time. But US Health Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says these vaccines have been tested in tens of thousands of individuals.

Cut 8 (06) “…possible”

A Gallup poll claims four in ten Americans do not want to take the vaccine.

The Louisiana Film Channel, a streaming service of bayou state-related movies, is now accessible to film buffs. President of the LFC, Dr, Lucas Fry, says the channel was established so the public can see productions from up and coming filmmakers and established ones. Fry says many of the films are award-winning and have only been seen at festivals.

Cut 4 (08) “…future of it.”

The app is free and available on most platforms and some titles require a subscription.

The polls will be open from 7 AM to 8 PM tomorrow. Voters who live in the Fifth Congressional District, will select a new Congressman. Two Republicans are in the run-off, Luke Letlow and Lance Harris. Harris is a state legislator and small businessman in Alexandria…
cut 11 (10) “….career”
Letlow has served as an aide to current Fifth District Representative Ralph Abraham and former Governor Bobby Jindal.

There’s one constitutional amendment on the ballot. It asks voters if out of state residents should be allowed to serve on college management boards. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…
cut 14 (09) “…themselves”
Voters approved five constitutional amendments in November.

Federal and state officials say there will be a substantial public education campaign accompanying the rollout of vaccines to convince folks they are safe. US Health Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says the campaign will explain in detail the efficacy and safety of the shots…
Cut 7 (06) “…safety.”
The Pfizer vaccine could be made available in mid-December.

If you like movies or programs made in Louisiana or about Louisiana or feature Louisiana born actors, there’s a new streaming channel for you. It’s called the Louisiana Film Channel…
cut 5 (10) “….of Louisiana”
That’s L-F-C President, Doctor Lucas Fry, who says they have eight thousand titles in their library and the content includes feature films, short films, series, music videos and documentaries.

Voters in 24 parishes will elect a new Louisiana Congressman tomorrow as Republicans Lance Harris and Luke Letlow are seeking the 5th district Congressional seat. Letlow is the former chief of staff of retiring U-S Representative Ralph Abraham…
cut 10 (10) “…this year”
Letlow is seeking his first political office, while Harris says he has the experience needed to do the job as he worked as a small business owner and a state legislator for nearly ten years.

COVID vaccinations are expected to be administered later this month, but there are many who say they will not take it after seeing the vaccine developed at a record-breaking pace. Governor John Bel Edwards on getting people who mistrust the science to take the vaccine…
cut 9 (10) “…as well”
A recent Gallup poll says 58-percent of Americans are willing to take the vaccine.

If you’ve exhausted your movie queue already now you can check out productions a little closer to home on the Louisiana Film Channel. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a 33-day layoff, Louisiana Tech returned to the football field last night and beat North Texas 42-31. Israel Tucker led the way with 161 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Tonight, the 25th ranked Ragin Cajuns seek their first-ever win against Appalachian State, and tomorrow TJ Finley will start at quarterback when LSU hosts Alabama.

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has surpassed 13-hundred and according to the L-D-H dashboard, there are only four I-C-U beds available in the Acadiana region. Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder has been hospitalized with coronavirus. His office says Schroder is experiencing little discomfort.

It took less than a year for a COVID vaccine to be developed and some are concerned corners were cut. But Governor Edwards says that’s not true…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Tomorrow is election day and voters in 24 parishes will elect a new Congressman as Republicans Luke Letlow and Lance Harris are battling to replace Ralph Abraham. There’s also a constitutional amendment on the ballot, which asks voters if people who live outside of Louisiana can serve on college management boards. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…
cut 15 (10) “…had on”
The legislature passed the constitutional amendment in the fall special session and a companion statue is named the Lod Cook Act. Lod Cook was a big-time LSU donor who lived in California.

Louisiana is known as Hollywood South for its film production and now there’s a new streaming service called the Louisiana Film Channel.
cut 6 (09) “…initital response”
L-F-C President Doctor Lucas Fry says they have eight thousand titles in their library and they expect to launch brand new feature films soon.

Tomorrow is election day and the biggest race that remains unsettled is the fifth district Congressional race between Republicans Luke Letlow and Lance Harris. On the campaign trail, Letlow has slammed his opponent for voting yes on a state sales tax increase in 2016…
cut 12 (11) “….deal”
But Harris, who is a third-term state representative from Alexandria, says Letlow helped create a budget mess while working as an aide for former Governor Bobby Jindal…
cut 13 (10) “…there”
Harris says he made sure the sales tax increase had an expiration date and he did not vote for a renewal. Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.

With coronavirus vaccine doses expected to arrive in Louisiana this month, it will be up to federal and state officials to convince the public they are safe to take. Some are concerned corners were cut in order to produce the vaccine in record time. But US Health Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says these vaccines have been tested in tens of thousands of individuals.
Cut 8 (06) “…possible”
A Gallup poll claims four in ten Americans do not want to take the vaccine.

The Louisiana Film Channel, a streaming service of bayou state-related movies, is now accessible to film buffs. President of the LFC, Dr, Lucas Fry, says the channel was established so the public can see productions from up and coming filmmakers. Fry says many of the films are award-winning and have only been seen at festivals.
Cut 4 (08) “…future of it.”
He says the L-F-C library has about eight-thousand titles.

If you’ve exhausted your movie queue already now you can check out productions a little closer to home on the Louisiana Film Channel. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

It took less than a year for a COVID vaccine to be developed and some are concerned that the lightning-fast pace of production was the result of cut corners. Governor Edwards swears that’s not true…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

__________________________________________

The Legislature’s vote to increase sales taxes to address a massive budget deficit in 2016 has become a hot button issue in the soon to be decided race for the 5^th Congressional District. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________________________

The Louisiana Film Channel, a streaming service of bayou state-related movies, is now more accessible for film buffs. Dr. Lucas Fry President of LFC says the channel was established to get productions of up and coming filmmakers and established ones to the public. Fry says many of the films have won awards and were only seen at festivals.

Cut 4 (08) “…future of it.”

Fry says the library of productions on the Louisianan Film channel has genres ranging from how to wrestle an alligator to spooky stories of the underworld of New Orleans.

Cut 5 (10) “…of Louisiana.”

The Louisiana Film Channel app is available via iPhone and android along with Roku, Fire TV, and Chromecast.  Fry says there are several free titles for viewing and they expect to launch brand new feature films soon.

Cut 6 (08) “…paywall.”

Fry says since the channel launched, they’ve had viewers from all over the world download the app.

________________________

State and Federal officials say there will be a substantial public education campaign accompanying the rollout of vaccines to convince folks that they are safe to take.

US Department of Health Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says the campaign will explain in detail why officials trust that the vaccines are safe.

Cut 7 (06)  “…safety.”

Pfizer and Moderna will be the first vaccines out the gate, likely followed by AstraZeneca.

Some are concerned corners were cut in order to produce the vaccine in such record time. Giroir says that’s not true and officials will detail how this vaccine was created so quickly.

Cut 8 (06) “…possible”

Reports and polls indicate many minorities are less likely to take the vaccine due to a mistrust of the medical community. Governor Edwards says they will be tailoring outreach.

Cut 9 (10) “…as well.

_____________________________________________________

The 5th Congressional District run-off between Republicans Alexandria lawmaker Lance Harris and retiring Congressman Abraham’s former Chief of Staff Luke Letlow will be decided tomorrow.

Letlow’s pitch centers on his record of getting things done alongside his well-liked former boss Abraham, who would’ve cruised to reelection if he had sought a fourth term.

Cut 10 (10) “…this year.”

Letlow has a 2:1 fundraising advantage over Harris.

But Harris argues his life experience as a small businessman and Legislative leader makes him the ideal voice for the largely rural district.

Cut 11 (10) “…career.”

The two are sparring over Harris’ Legislative record, specifically Harris’ vote to approve a sales tax increase as the state faced a massive budget deficit in Governor Edwards’ first year.

Letlow says it was a tax increase 5^th District constituents couldn’t afford.

Cut 12 (11) “…deal.”

Letlow noted the 5^th District, which includes northeast and central Louisiana along with the north side of the Florida Parishes, is the 2^nd poorest district in the country.

But Harris argues it’s a bad faith attack and the tax was necessary due to the fiscal mismanagement of the Jindal Administration, which Letlow worked in.

Cut 13 (10) “…there.”

Harris says it’s because of his work that the sales tax increase had an expiration date. When that expiration hit and the budget stabilized he voted against the renewal.

__________________________

Amendment One would allow two out-of-state residents to serve on college boards. Currently, state colleges and university boards only allow 15 voting members appointed by the governor to live in the state. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott on why the Amendment was proposed.

Cut 14 (09) “…themselves.” 

College boards are comprised of two members from each of the six congressional districts and three at large members. The Amendment allows the governor to appoint two of the three at large members to be out of state residents.

Scott says some question if the Amendment is brought about now to appoint a specific person.

Cut 15 (10)“…had on.” 

_______________________________________________

The Saints will visit the Falcons on Sunday after beating the dirty birds 24-9 just two weeks ago after a great defensive performance. The Black and Gold have the highest rated defense in the NFL, but defensive end Cam Jordan says the ranking doesn’t matter if they don’t accomplish their goals.

Cut 16 (16) “…the game before.”

While the defense is playing at a high level, Jordan is having a down year statistically due to being double-teamed a lot. Cam says it’s not about his individual stats, it’s about the team.

cut 17 (18) “…more of a we thing.”

Quarterback Taysom Hill made his first start two weeks ago against Atlanta, meaning the Falcons have experience in defending him.  Despite being 2-0 as the starter, Hill says there’s still a lot of things he needs to improve on.

cut 18 (09) “…doing that well.”

_____________________________________________________

The 25th ranked Cajuns will face the Appalachian State Mountaineers tonight in a game that ESPN is televising at 7:30. The Mountaineers will not repeat as Sun Belt champs this year, but they still own a seven and two record. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says they have another good  running back in Camerun Peoples

cut 19 (22) “…this way.”

Peoples has rushed for 639 yards and they also have Daetrich Harrington, who has rushed for nearly 6000 yards. The two have combined to score 13 touchdowns. The Cajuns have yet to beat App State in eight previous tries. Napier says they have complete respect for the Mountaineers…

cut 20 (17) “..this week.”

Authorities have arrested a Lincoln Parish father and mother of a 20-month old boy who died in a house fire in late August. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the toddler died in the blaze, but an autopsy on the child’s body also found evidence of abuse

Cut 12 (10) “…it, unfortunately.” 

32-year-old Jessica Lewis and 37-year-old Christopher Bell have been charged with one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile.

The CDC Guidelines for quarantine after a COVID exposure were revised this week. US Department of Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary Admiral Brett Giroir says if you’ve had close contact with a COVID positive person you can quarantine for ten days and if testing involved it can be reduced to seven days.

Cut 7 (10) “..had before.”

A photo has gone viral that shows Governor John Bel Edwards not wearing a mask while out in public. A spokeswoman for the governor says the picture was taken last month as Edwards ate at the Baton Rouge Country Club. The governor’s office says Edwards stood up without a mask on to speak to another person when the photo was captured. Edwards says he did not violate his own mask mandate.

Cut 3 (09)  “…today’s rules.”

Bar owners and microbrewers vented their frustrations with COVID restrictions they say are overly burdensome to a House committee. Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild Director Carey Koch says large breweries are barred from indoor service while small restaurants are allowed to operate as bars.

Cut 10 (11) “…beer.”