The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus.  Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says the Center was chosen for this work due to its long history and expertise biosafety, biocontainment, infectious diseases, and…

Cut 6 (10) “…laboratories.”

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill next month with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee paid for damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says that some of the money collected from the restoration fee will go toward future storm recoveries.

Cut 9 (11) “…our customers’ costs.”

Over 200 state troopers are descending upon New Orleans this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

State Police continues to investigate yesterday’s incident in LaFourche Parish where a school crossing guard was struck and killed while directing traffic on Highway 20 near Chackbay Elementary School. The crossing guard has been identified as 67-year-old Larry Boudreaux. The driver that hit Boudreaux is 83-year-old Jerry Matt of Thibodaux. No charges have been filed.

Over 200 state troopers will be in New Orleans for the final weekend of Carnival 2020. Trooper Monroe Dillon says law enforcement will be utilizing the See Something Send Something app, where if you spot something that may need the attention of law enforcement, you can send in an anonymous tip to officials.

Cut 15 (12) “…it is free.”

Governor Edwards plans to spend a billion dollars a year building and restoring the coast over the next four years, according to his recently released second term coastal plan. 115 million dollars from last year’s surplus will help bolster those efforts. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Director Steve Cochran says not only is that money flexible, but it shows we mean business.

Cut 11 (09) “…mouth is”

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus. Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says part of their work will be developing more reliable ways to test for the disease. Bohm says like many early periods of a virus, they’re seeing a lot of false negatives and false positives.

Cut 5 (11)  “…diagnostics.”

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill starting in March with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee became part of customers’ statements to pay to fix the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says the cost to repair Cleco’s system after storms was approximately $160 million, the largest combined storm expense in the company’s history.

Cut 8 (04) “…to the customers.”

Governor Edwards is calling for record levels of spending on coastal restoration in his second term. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle 

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain has officially issued the state’s first hemp licenses to farmers. The State Agriculture agency finalized regulations for growing hemp in the state after legislative approval last year. Strain said the agency worked hard to ensure the regulatory framework was in place as soon as feasibly possible and in time for the 2020 growing season.

The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus. The virus is expected to arrive at the St. Tammany Parish based facility in the next two to three weeks, and Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says it will likely take a while for their work to come to fruition.

Cut 4 (11_ “…use”

The virus has infected some 75,000 people worldwide and is thought to have killed over 2,000.

More than two hundred state troopers are being deployed to the city of New Orleans for the final and likely the busiest weekend of Carnival 2020. Trooper Monroe Dillon says law enforcement will be keeping an eye out for those who have partied too hard and decide to get behind the wheel.

Cut 14 (07) “…they’re driving different.”

Governor Edwards announces plans to spend a billion dollars a year building and restoring the coast over the next four years. Edwards’s ambitious coastal restoration plan also calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Restore the Mississippi River Delta campaign director Steve Cochran says if the world can begin reducing it’s greenhouse gas emissions we could begin reversing the effects of coastal land loss.
Cut 10 (09) “…time.”
The Climate Initiatives Taskforce has been formed to develop proposals to reduce emissions.

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill starting in March with the removal of the storm restoration fee…
cut 7 (11) ” each year”
That’s Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill, who says customers have been paying the fee for several years as the money went towards the rebuild following the damage done caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Over 200 state troopers are descending upon New Orleans this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

State Police continues to investigate yesterday’s incident in LaFourche Parish where a school crossing guard was struck and killed while directing traffic on Highway 20 near Chackbay Elementary School. The crossing guard has been identified as 67-year-old Larry Boudreaux. The driver that hit Boudreaux is 83-year-old Jerry Matt of Thibodaux. No charges have been filed.

Over two hundred state troopers around Louisiana are being deployed to New Orleans for Carnival 2020. This is an uptick from last year as crowds are expected to be bigger. Trooper Monroe Dillon says many of the troopers will be positioned in the metro area and the French Quarter.
Cut 13 (09) “…keep them safe.”
Dillon says to get the latest information on parades, use route-wise-dot-nola-dot-gov.

Governor John Bel Edwards proposes spending one-billion dollars a year over the next four years on important coastal restoration projects. Restore the Mississippi River Delta Director Steve Cochran says that money would fund proposed sediment diversions that will redirect river sediment into the wetlands…
cut 12 (11) “…pulses”

The coronavirus virus is expected to be in St. Tammany Parish within the next three weeks for study at the Tulane Primate Research Center. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The mumps outbreak on and around the LSU campus has grown to 16 people. The 16 people infected reportedly had the mumps vaccine before getting the illness.

The coronavirus virus is expected to be in St. Tammany Parish within the next three weeks for study by the Tulane Primate Research Center. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Governor Edwards is calling for record levels of spending on coastal resotration in his second term. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle 

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Over 200 state troopers are descending upon New Orleans this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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The Tulane National Primate Research Center will soon begin work on a vaccine, and more effective diagnostic tools for the coronavirus.

The virus is expected to arrive at the St. Tammany Parish based facility in the next two to three weeks, and Associate Director Dr. Skip Bohm says it will likely take a while for their work to come to fruition.

Cut 4 (11_ “…use”

The virus has infected some  75,000 people worldwide and is thought to have killed over 2,000.

Part of their work will be developing more reliable ways to test for the disease. Bohm says like many early periods of a virus, they’re seeing a lot of false negatives and false positives.

Cut 5 (11)  “…diagnostics.”

25 countries have reported cases of the outbreak, with 15 in the United States.

Bohm says the Center was chosen for this work due to it’s long history of, and expertise in biosafety, biocontainment, infectious diseases, and…

Cut 6 (10) “…labratories.”

Tulane was one of the first labs in the nation to receive CDC approval to study the virus.

____________________________

Cleco customers will see a drop on their power bill starting in March with the removal of the storm restoration fee. The fee became part of customers’ statements to pay to fix the damage caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill says it’s good news for their customers.

Cut 7 (11) “…$45 each year.”

The cost to repair Cleco’s system following the storms was approximately $160 million. Cahill says that was the largest combined storm expense in the company’s history.

Cut 8 (04) “…to the customers.”

Cahill says the storm recovery for Katrina included 3,400 workers and last 29 days while Rita included 2,900 workers for 11 days and adds that some of the money collected will go toward future storm recoveries.

Cut 9 (11) “…our customers’ costs.”

Cleco customers will save a combined $22.3 million annually because of the fee removal.

____________________

Governor Edwards plans to spend a billion dollars a year building and restoring the coast over the next four years, according to his recently released second term coastal plan.

Restore the Mississippi River Delta Director Steve Cochran says with this plan in place, if the world can begin reducing it’s greenhouse gas emissions we could begin reversing the effects of coastal land loss.

Cut 10 (09) “…time.”

The state will also establish a Climate Initiatives Taskforce aimed at finding ways to curb in-state carbon emissions.

The Governor also announced 115 million dollars from last year’s surplus will help bolster those efforts. Cochran says not only is that money flexible, but it shows we mean business.

Cut 11 (09) “…mouth is”

The billion dollars a year will fund a web of projects, highlighted by massive sediment diversions that will redirect river sediment into the wetlands.

Cut 12 (11) “…pulses.”

Cochran says the billion dollars a year in coastal spending is the highest in the state’s history. 

_____________________________________

Over two hundred state troopers are being deployed to the city of New Orleans for Carnival 2020.  This is an uptick from last year as crowds are expected to be bigger.  Trooper Monroe Dillon says much of the concentration will be around downtown and the French Quarter.

Cut 13 (09) “…keep them safe.”

This weekend marks the final and likely busiest weekend of Carnival 2020.  Dillon says law enforcement will be keeping an eye out for those who have partied too hard and decide to get behind the wheel.

Cut 14 (07) “…they’re driving different.”

Dillon says law enforcement will be utilizing the See Something Send Something app, where if you spot something that may need the attention of law enforcement, you can send in an anonymous tip to officials.

Cut 15 (12) “…it is free.”

__________________________________________

The Pelicans return from the All-Star break as they start a three-game road trip in Portland tonight. New Orleans is 5.5 games back from Memphis, who occupies the final playoff spot in the West. Pels Coach Alvin Gentry says every game is important the rest of the way….

Cut 16  (19)  …of business’   

New Orleans is 23-and-32 on the season. Gentry says in order to finish with a winning season, they need to cut down on turnovers

Cut 17  (18) “zero in on 

New Orleans won six of its last nine heading into the All-Star Break. Veteran guard Jrue Holiday believes the team can make a real run at catching Memphis

cut 18  (12) “be fun”   

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After a sloppy loss at Nicholls on Wednesday, the 11th ranked LSU baseball team returns to the Box tonight to host Eastern Kentucky. Coach Paul Mainieri is asking his starters for six innings this weekend against a good hitting team

cut 19 (17) about that”  

Mainieri says this weekend he plans to give Wes Toups a shot in left field, Hal Huges will start at shortstop and freshman catcher Alex Milazzo will get two starts behind the plate. The coach says Milazzo has a major league arm…

cut 20 (18) “on you”    

The Board of Regents approves a new policy that could result in financial penalties for universities that do not comply with minimum admissions requirements for incoming students. LSU’s adoption of holistic admissions under former President Alexander saw the school push far past the limit of non-eligible student admissions and Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says…

Cut 7 (11) “…policy”

58-year-old Geraldine Carmouche was killed last night at a New Orleans parade after reportedly trying to pass between two floats, tripping, and being run over. The incident has sparked some calls for new safety regulations to keep people away from floats, but New Orleans Councilwoman Kristian Palmer says it’s just not feasible.

Cut 9 (08) “…would take″

The Louisiana Lottery says the lack of massive Powerball and Mega Million jackpots recently results in fewer dollars for education.  Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says there is currently a rare, eight-month drought of multistate games rising into major jackpot territory, which has had an impact on ticket sales. Chopin believes some players are waiting until those jackpots hit a certain level before participating.

Cut 4 (12) “…big large jackpots.”

The Louisiana Lottery is required to transfer at least 35 percent of its revenue to the state.

Summerfield High School Principal Brian Biggs is in the Claiborne Parish jail after being arrested this morning at his home for multiple sex crimes. State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says the investigation began after authorities were notified of concerned parents…

Cut 13 (11) “…request inappropriate images.”

58-year-old Geraldine Carmouche was killed last night at a New Orleans parade after reportedly trying to pass between two floats, tripping, and being run over. New Orleans Councilwoman Kristian Palmer says thankfully you almost never see this happen.
Cut 11 (10) “frequently”
Over in Lafourche Parish, a school traffic guard is dead after being struck by a truck driven by 83-year-old Jerry Matt of Thibodeaux while directing traffic along Highway 20 near Chackbay Elementary School this morning. The victim has been identified as 67-year-old Larry Boudreaux.

Summerfield High School Principal Brian Biggs is in the Claiborne Parish jail after being arrested this morning at his home.  State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says he faces a slew of charges.
Cut 12 (13) “… behavior with juveniles.”

Bond is set at one million.

The Louisiana Lottery says the lack of massive Powerball and Mega Million jackpots recently results in fewer dollars for education. Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says from July to December they transferred about $42-million dollars to the state treasury.

Cut 3 (09)  “…of last year.”  

Chopin says there is currently a rare, eight-month drought of multistate games rising into major jackpot territory, which has had an impact on ticket sales.

The Board of Regents approves a new policy that could result in financial penalties for universities that do not comply with minimum admissions requirements for incoming students. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says a school will be flagged for review if they allow too many students in, who do not meet requirements like minimum GPA, or ACT.

Cut 6 (12) “consider”

The NFL Owners have agreed to the terms of a new collective bargainning agreement between the league and its players association. The players and their representatives will meet on a conference call tomorrow to discuss the proposed C-B-A and potentially finalize a new agreement. The players would see more revenues, but they might not go along with a 17-game regular season schedule, which the owners are seeking. Also, the playoff format would change, instead of 12 teams making the playoffs, it would go to 14, with only the team with the best record receiving a first round bye.

After a long layoff the Pelicans returned to the practice court today. Tomorrow New Orleans will visit the Portland Trail Blazers to begin a three-game west coast trip that also includes games versus the Warriors and Lakers. New Orleans is 5.5 games back from Memphis, who occupies the final playoff spot in the West. There are 27 games left in the season.

Georgia upset 13th ranked Auburn in SEC basketball action. That means, LSU, Auburn and Florida are tied for second place in the league, two games back of first place Kentucky. The Tigers are at South Carolina on Saturday.

Nicholls won its fourth straight game last night as the Colonels beat Northwestern State 73-69 in Natchitoches. Warith Alatishe had a double-double 16 points and 10 rebounds. McNeese’s losing streak has reached five in a row as the Cowboys fell to U-I-W 65-59.

Tulane snapped its nine-game losing streak by beating SMU 80-72 and ULM defeated Arkansas State 66-52. The Warhawks are 4-and-12 in the Sun Belt.

In college baseball, LSU made a bunch of mistakes and lost to Nicholls four to two. The Tigers made two errors in the field, walked eight hitters, hit three others and only had five hits. Tyler Theriot gave up one run in 5.1 innings in his best pitching performance in his Nicholls career.