Governor Edwards extended the Phase 2 coronavirus restrictions for another 28 days. He also encouraged businesses to have employees work remotely where possible as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations remain high. He stated the majority of contract tracing shows small gatherings are responsible for the ongoing spike in COVID cases.

House Democrats are moving ahead with another impeachment of the President alleging his comments at a D.C. rally spurred on last week’s mob assault on the U.S. Capitol.

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as armed pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says the FBI reportedly issued a bulletin of planned protests leading up to the inauguration on January 20th. He says they will have additional security measures in place…

Cut 4 (11) “…peaceful gathering” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the delay is not without repercussions.

Cut 12 (12) “…not settle.” 

North Louisiana woke up to a light layer of powder on the ground Monday morning but unfortunately that snow event has left just over 8,000 SWEPCO customers in Texas and Louisiana still without power. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan expects all of those customers will be restored by the end of the day.

Cut 8 (10) “…back on.”

About 200 Cleco customers remain without power.

The FBI is reportedly warning law enforcement that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state Capitols in the lead up to President-elect Biden’s inauguration next week. Louisiana State Police say they are aware of the warning and Lt. Nick Manale says they’re communicating with other agencies…

Cut 3 (12)  “..and staff”

House Democrats are forging ahead with another impeachment attempt, this time for alleged Incitement of Insurrection. The vote is set for Wednesday and if impeached President Trump will be the only President to ever be impeached twice. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says this could be setting a new precedent.

Cut 11 (11) “…routine”

It appears unlikely two-thirds of the US Senate would vote to convict and remove the President before his term ends.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is yet another unavoidable pandemic problem and will cause ongoing lawsuits to remain unresolved.

Cut 13 (10)“…understandable.”

Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. 

House Democrats are moving ahead with another impeachment of the President alleging his comments at a D.C. rally spurred on last week’s mob assault on the U.S. Capitol.

cut 2 (29) …I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards will address the state at 330 today to discuss if the state should remain in the current modified Phase Two COVID restrictions. This comes as the state reports another 4,673 cases and nearly 160-thousand vaccine doses have been administered, an increase of 78-thousand since the last update.

State Police says they are aware of a planned protest at the State Capitol. Lt Nick Manale says the FBI has warned them of armed protesters at every state capitol being planned. Over the last several weekends, Trump supporters have gathered on the steps of the Louisiana State Capitol and held peaceful demonstrations. But the crowd is expected to be much bigger this Sunday, and Manale says they’ll be prepared.

Cut 5  (10) “…security protocols” 

 The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered all criminal and civil jury trials to be halted until March 1^st due to the pandemic. Last spring court proceedings were put on hold at the beginning of the pandemic. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the delay is not without repercussions.

Cut 12 (12) “…not settle.” 

Louisiana State Police is planning for increased security at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge in the days leading up to President Joe Biden’s inauguration…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Governor Edwards will address the state at 330 PM with news of whether we remain in the current modified Phase Two for COVID restrictions, or move back a Phase and implement tighter limits. This comes as the state reports another 4,673 cases and 53 deaths today, but hospitalizations for COVID-19 appear to be plateauing.

President Donald Trump briefly spoke with reports this morning saying the House Democrat backed impeachment vote Wednesday is causing “tremendous danger to our country and causing tremendous anger.” UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says most Republicans, including Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, will argue impeaching the President for a second time less than two weeks before he leaves office is unnecessary.

Cut 10 (10) “.constitution.”

President Trump is being impeached for “Incitement of Insurrection”.

Fewer than 10,000 SWEPCO customers are still without power after Sunday night’s rare snow event in north Louisiana. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says they’re pulling in extra crews to help deal with the unusual damage…

Cut 7 (08) “…melting.”

Sunday’s snow was the first measurable snow event in the region since 2018.

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as armed pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says the FBI reportedly issued a bulletin of planned protests leading up the inauguration on January 20th. He says they will have additional security measures in place…

Cut 4 (11) “…peaceful gathering” 

The House will vote on impeaching President Donald Trump Wednesday, alleging he spurred on last week’s mob assault on the Capitol. UL Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says he does not expect much Republican support for impeachment and would be highly surprised if any Louisiana Congressman voted in favor…

Cut 9 (11) “…trouble.”

Today President Trump told reporters that the impeachment effort is causing tremendous anger and danger in our country.

Sunday’s rare snowfall in parts of the Bayou State has some residents still in the dark. SWEPCO spokesperson Carey Sullivan says less than 10-thousand of their customers remain without electricity.

Cut 6 (11) “…wire down”

Cleco says at one time they had 53-hundred customers without power now they have less than 200, mostly in Sabine and DeSoto parishes.

Mega Millions is up to 615 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 550 million for Wednesday night.  Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the Powerball jackpot is the 9^th largest ever, and the Mega Millions draw is the 4^th largest…

Cut 11 (04) “top ten”.

The skyrocketing jackpots have more players buying tickets. Last week the state tallied 5.4 million in lotto sales, twice as much as it did that same time last month.

Louisiana State Police say they are aware of planned protests at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge as pro-Trump crowds are expected to gather at state capitol buildings across the nation. Lt. Nick Manale says they are in communication with their law enforcement partners.

Cut 3 (12)  “..and staff”

The FBI reportedly issued a bulletin that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols in the days leading up to President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on January 20th.

Ochsner Health continues COVID vaccine rollout to their employees and is also aiding with inoculations for those over the age of 70. Medical Director for Infection Prevention and Control at Ochsner Health Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says as of Monday they’ve administered 57-thousand doses, which includes…

Cut 4 (07) “…of 70.”

As political fallout continues from the storming of the Capitol last week, the question arises can your employer fire you for your political beliefs? Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says in Louisiana the answer is yes…

Cut 7 (11)  “…fire you.”

Ciolino says California is one of the few states where an employer cannot terminate you for engaging in political activities.

Mega Millions is up to 615 million dollars for tonight’s drawing and Powerball is at 550 million for Wednesday night’s drawing.

Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says we haven’t seen jackpots over half a billion dollars in over a year.

Cut 10 (09) “…2019.”

35 percent of all state lotto revenue goes to fund K-12 education in Louisiana.

Governor Edwards has called a 3:30 press conference today where he may further coronavirus restrictions as the current modified phase two order expires tomorrow. The state reported 45 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday and there are nearly two-thousand COVID patients in hospitals.

Vaccine rollout enters its second week for those over the age of 70. Brooke Thorington gives an update on how Ochsner Health is participating.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State Police is planning for demonstrations this weekend at the Louisiana capitol involving Trump supporters who are protesting the results of the November election. There’s been pushback against those who attended last week’s rally in Washington D-C before the U-S Capitol was stormed by an angry mob. Loyola University of New Orleans law professor Dane Ciolino says your employer can fire you over your political beliefs, even if you did not commit a crime at a political demonstration…
cut 8 (10) “….activity”

The jackpots for both Mega Millions and Powerball are over 550-million dollars. Tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot is 615-million dollars, while Powerball’s next drawing is tomorrow night. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin…
cut 12 (11) “…25”

Governor Edwards has called for a press conference at 3:30 today where he’s expected to announce what future coronavirus restrictions will be in place. The current modified Phase two order expires tomorrow. Edwards is also expected to discuss the ongoing vaccine rollout. Ochsner Health Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says they administered 57-thousand doses over the weekend, which includes…
cut 4 (07) “….of 70”
And the state has added 100 more locations where those over the age of 70 can get the vaccine.

Louisiana is one of eight states that has received a green rating, which is good, for its highway safety laws. Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety spokesperson Allison Kennedy says comprehensive safety laws reduce roadway injuries and deaths, which is more important than ever…
cut 15 (11) “…right now”

State Police say they are preparing for demonstrations at the State Capitol in the coming days as we get closer to inauguration day. The FBI reportedly issued a bulletin that armed protests are being planned at all 50 state capitols. President Trump supporters have been gathering at the Louisana Capitol during the weekend, but they have been peaceful.

Both Mega Millions and Powerball have jackpots worth over half a billion dollars. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”