State Judge William Morvant rules a petition signed by Republicans in the Louisiana House to end the governor’s coronavirus emergency order is unconstitutional. Today’s decision means the state’s mask mandate, limits on gatherings, and capacity restrictions on businesses remain in place. Loyola of New Orleans University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says based on today’s ruling, Judge Morvant believes the emergency orders have the force the law, and the House and Senate must agree to revoke those orders…

Cut 14 (05) “…not sufficient.” 

Senate President Page Cortez did not urge Senators to sign the petition, because he didn’t think the state needed to loosen the restrictions. AG Jeff Landry, who represented the House Speaker in the proceedings, announced he will appeal the decision to the State Supreme Court.

Louisiana Tech joins LSU is having to postpone their game this weekend due to a COVID outbreak on the team. The Bulldogs were set to play Rice but instead they’ll be sidelined at least for this week.

State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch sounds optimistic that the general public will have received their COVID vaccines by late-spring. He also says a vaccine could begin being administered to frontline healthcare workers at their workplace in Louisiana within days of it receiving FDA approval, possibly even by the end of the year. Then for the rest of us…

Cut 7 (11) “…vaccine.”

A Baton Rouge Our Lady of the Lake pediatrician, 54-year-old Shane McKinney faces a simple battery charge after he allegedly hit and verbally assaulted a Southern University student while she was walking near the LSU Lakes. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says so far they have not determined a motive that led to the incident.

Cut 4 (09)   “…chest area.”  

Mckneely says police could not verify claims by the victim that the attack included racial language.

Governor John Bel Edwards wins a legal battle as a state judge rejects an effort by Republicans in the Louisiana House to cancel his emergency coronavirus orders. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Department of Health reported 2,173 new COVID-19 cases today. Case numbers were not released yesterday due to the holiday. The state also reported 34 additional fatalities.

A Baton Rouge physician is charged with simple battery stemming from an incident involving a Southern University female-athlete on Monday afternoon near the LSU Lakes. Baton Rouge Police spokesperson Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says 54-year old Shane McKinney came in for questioning after a photograph of McKinney, given to police by a witness was circulated and identified him as a suspect.

Cut 3 battery arrest :12

A number of coronavirus vaccines look like they’re nearing completion and state officials are game-planning how to make sure you can get one as soon as they are available. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the first people to get a vaccine will be frontline healthcare workers who have contact with COVID patients.

Cut 6 (09) “…employees”

State Judge William Morvant rules a petition signed by Republicans in the Louisiana House to end the governor’s coronavirus emergency order is unconstitutional. Loyola of New Orleans University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says today’s ruling is a victory for the governor, but the state’s highest court will likely have to weigh in…

Cut 13 (10) “…first circuit.”

Senate President Page Cortez did not urge Senators to sign the petition, because he didn’t think the state needed to loosen the restrictions.

As a number of coronavirus vaccines appear to be nearing completion and state officials are planning on how to make sure you can get one as soon as possible. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the first people to get a vaccine when available will be frontline healthcare workers who have contact with COVID patients.

Cut 6 (09) “…employees”

A 54-year-old Shane McKinney a Baton Rouge pediatrician faces a simple battery charge after allegedly hitting and then verbally assaulting a Southern University student who was jogging by as the LSU Lakes in Baton Rouge Monday. McKinney claims his elbow contacted the accuser as she passed on a narrow sidewalk. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says accusations of racial language currently lacks evidence.

Cut 5  (12) “…that charge.” 

Hurricane Zeta knocked out power to more than 480,000 Entergy Customers, and two weeks later power has been restored.  Entergy Spokesperson David Freese with Zeta says it took a large team to get power restored.

Cut 9 (08) “…Louisiana.”

State Judge William Morvant rules a petition signed by Republicans in the Louisiana House to end the governor’s coronavirus emergency order is unconstitutional. Loyola of New Orleans University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says not having the Senate back the petition was the key point…

Cut 12 (07) “…effect of law” 

Senate President Page Cortez did not urge Senators to sign the peititon, because he didn’t think the state needed to loosen the restrictions.

COVID vaccines are expected to be available starting sometime early next year but there’s concern that many folks just won’t take it, because they don’t trust it. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says Louisiana is planning for that possibility and says the best way to address those fears is to show people the trial data proving the vaccine is safe.

Cut 8 (11) “..patients.

Hurricane Zeta was the third major power restoration of the hurricane season and two weeks after the near cat three storm made landfall the last of the, at one time, near half million customers who lost power have the lights back on. Entergy Spokesperson David Freese says it’s been an expensive year for the company but…

Cut 11 (08) “….assistance”

A Baton Rouge pediatrician faces a simple battery charge after he allegedly hit and verbally assaulted a Southern University student while she was walking near the LSU Lakes. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says 54-year old Shane McKinney was questioned yesterday after he was identified as a suspect.

Cut 3 (12)  “…battery arrest” 

McKinney issued a statement from his attorney claiming he’s innocent.

A Baton Rouge judge denies the petition of House Republicans to revoke, the Governor’s current coronavirus restrictions. Judge William Morvant ruled the petition unconstitutional saying it requires approval by both chambers of the legislature. An appeal is expected and most likely the State Supreme Court will have to hear the case.

FDA approval for a COVID vaccine could come as early as by the end of the year but most folks won’t be getting a shot for months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Department of Health reports 2,173 new positive COVID-19 cases today. Case numbers were not released yesterday due to the holiday

54-year old Shane McKinney a Baton Rouge pediatrician faces a simple battery charge after he allegedly hit and verbally assaulted a Southern University female student near the LSU Lakes Monday. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says so far, they have not determined a motive that led to the incident.

Cut 4 (09)   “…chest area.”  

McKinney issued a statement from his attorney claiming he’s innocent and allegations that he threw a punch and made racially offensive comments are not true.

Hurricane Zeta knocked out power to more than 480,000 Entergy Customers, and two weeks later power has been restored.  Entergy Spokesperson David Freese says their quick response was key in getting power restored quickly.

Cut 10 (08) “….storm “

Zeta marks the third major hurricane restoration effort in Louisiana this season following Laura and Delta.

State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch sounds optimistic that the general public will have received their COVID vaccines by late-spring. He also says a vaccine could begin being administered to frontline healthcare workers at their workplace in Louisiana within days of it receiving FDA approval, possibly even by the end of the year. Then for the rest of us…

Cut 7 (11) “…vaccine.”

A number of vaccines all seem to be nearing competition.

Hurricane Zeta knocked out power to more than 480,000 Entergy Customers, and two weeks later power has been restored.  Entergy Spokesperson David Freese says it took a large team to get the lights back on.

Cut 9 (08) “…Louisiana.”

A 54-year-old Our Lady of The Lake Doctor faces a simple battery charge after allegedly hitting and then verbally assaulting a Southern University student who was jogging by the LSU Lakes in Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says Shane McKinney claims his elbow contacted the accuser as she jogged by on a narrow sidewalk and that simple battery requires intentional use of force or violence. But there were also accusations that McKinney used racial language, a claim Mckneely says currently lacks evidence.

Cut 5  (12) “…that charge.” 

A Baton Rouge physician is charged with simple battery stemming from an incident involving a Southern University female-athlete on Tuesday afternoon near the LSU Lakes. Baton Rouge Police spokesperson Sergeant L’Jean McKneely says 54-year old Shane McKinney came in for questioning Wednesday after a photograph of McKinney, given to police by a witness was circulated and identified him as a suspect.
Cut 3 battery arrest :12
A number of coronavirus vaccines look like they’re nearing completion and state officials are game-planning how to make sure you can get one as soon as they are available. State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the first people to get a vaccine when it becomes available will be frontline healthcare workers who have contact with COVID patients.
Cut 6 (09) “…employees”

LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says President-elect Joe Biden’s win over President Donald Trump could cause problems for Louisiana’s oil-dependent economy. Biden’s climate policy calls for the country to be carbon-neutral by 2050 along with the rollback of fossil fuel-related industries. Scott says on Biden’s campaign website it says if elected he would stop all permitting in public waters, which includes the Gulf of Mexico.
Cut 8 (12) “…of this.”

A new state law gives families who have special needs children at group homes the ability to see each other during the coronavirus pandemic. Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Butler says her measure also puts rules in place for the children to leave the facility and return…
cut 12 (07) “…the facility”
Butler has a 31-year-old child who lives in such a facility.