The Sabine Parish community of Peason is picking up the pieces after an EF-2 tornado touched down there Sunday morning. The twister destroyed dozens of homes and other structures, and sne t at least six people to the hospital with injuries; some of them serious. Authorities say no one was killed in the disaster.

Louisiana colleges and universities are making sweeping changes to their sexual misconduct policies after new state laws were passed last year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says 188 confidential advisors are now in place at Louisiana schools, to hear the complaints and report them up the line for appropriate action…:

CUT 12(08)      “…keep students safe.”

The 2021 legislature took action last year when LSU was found to have failed in addressing widespread sexual abuse complaints.

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various COVID missions. Michelle Southern reports their work continues in 2022…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Michelle Southern reporting.”

Police in Lafayette say they have located a stolen Mardi Gras float, reported missing last week. The 40-foot long double decker was stolen January 7^th, but was found Sunday – abandoned but intact – in St. Martin Parish. It’s been returned to its owner.

According to ValuePenguin’s State of Auto Insurance in 2022 report, Louisiana will see car insurance rates increase faster than the national average. Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana says there were claims passage of the tort reforms in 2020 would bring about a major reduction in auto insurance rates within a year…:

CUT 09(12)      “…would notice.”

But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the bill contained no mandates for a reduction of auto insurance premium costs…:

CUT 10(11)      “…49 states.”

Holl says, if you have to sue your auto insurance company, good luck with that.

In Sabine Parish this morning, the aftermath of an EF-2 tornado that tore through the Peason community Sunday morning. Dozens of structures destroyed or badly damaged and at least six people hurt; some seriously.

Are you wearing masks while indoors due to COVID? If so, are you wearing the proper kind. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says a simple cloth mask provides only minimal protection against spreading the virus. He says you NEED a KN95 or N95 mask, which are a lot easier to find now…:

CUT 15(11)      “…them online.”

The CDC has also said simple cloth masks are not effective is protecting you or others from the virus.

Speaking of the virus, nearly 900 Louisiana National Guard men and women continue to serve in the pandemic response. Cindy Haygood leads the Guard’s COVID Task Force. She says they’ve been doing so for the past 22 months…:

CUT 06(09)      “…of this community.”

The Guard have administered over a half-million tests and given over 230-thousand vaccine shots during the pandemic.

A tornado touched down Sunday morning in the Sabine Parish community of Peason; doing extensive damage and injuring at least six people. Sabine sheriff’s deputies say, however, no one is reported dead. The National Weather Service says the twister was an EF-2 in magnitude, with a base a half-mile wide in places. At least 30 homes, businesses and farm structures were badly damaged.

Louisiana colleges and universities are making sweeping changes to their sexual misconduct policies after new state laws were passed last year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says one big change is that virtually ALL staff and faculty are now mandatory reporters, should they be aware of sexual harassment or assault…:

CUT 11(06)      “…grounds for termination”

The 2021 legislature took action last year when LSU was found to have failed in addressing widespread sexual abuse complaints. Dr. Reed says since that time, there has been extensive training of employees on hearing such complaints and acting accordingly

A 5-year-old boy was pronounced dead Sunday, after he was found unresponsive in a swimming pool at a Lake Charles home. Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies say foul play is not suspected and categorize the death as a tragic accident.

The Louisiana National Guard is continuing to support COVID missions around the state in 2022, at the direction of Governor John Bel Edwards. Cindy Haygood is the Task Force COVID commander with the Guard. She says the Omicron surge has led to a huge increase in test site demand throughout the state…:

CUT 04(11)      “…out there.”

Haygood says Guardsmen have administered more than 542,000 COVID tests, 206,300 vaccines since the start of the pandemic

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s still important to continue to wear face coverings to reduce transmission and because of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, you might want to rethink the type of mask you’re wearing. Kanter says while cloth masks help protect those around you…:

CUT 14  (09)        “…KN95 masks.”

He says KN95’s and N95’s are much easier to find than they were last year.

A tornado tore through Sabine Parish early Sunday morning, doing extensive damage to over 30 structures and leaving six people injured; some pretty badly. Sabine Parish deputies say no deaths have been reported due to the twister. The majority of the damage was to the Peason Community off state Highway 118.

Real Reform of Louisiana is calling out the insurance commissioner and those who said auto insurance rates would drop after the passage of tort reform in 2020. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

The Saints did their part but didn’t get the help they needed from the Rams who blew a 17-point lead against San Francisco and it’s the 49ers not New Orleans headed to the playoffs. The Black & Gold finish the season with a 9-8 record.

A tornado touched down in the Sabine Parish town of Peason Sunday morning; injuring six people when it tore into their mobile home. The National Weather Service says the twister was an EF-2 in magnitude and was a half-mile across in places. The Sabine sheriff’s office says no one was reported killed. At least 30 homes were destroyed.

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various Covid missions. Michelle Southern reports their work continues in 2022…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

According to ValuePenguin’s State of Auto Insurance in 2022, Louisiana will see car insurance rates increase faster than the national average. Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana says despite a promise that tort reform measures passed in the 2020 legislative session would decrease rates, so far, they haven’t…:

CUT 07(12)      “…in the country”

When asked about the ValuePenguin’s report Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s not familiar with them…:

CUT 08(12)      “…they would know.”

The New Orleans Saints finished their regular season with a 30-to-20 win over Atlanta Sunday, but the LA Rams did not beat San Francisco; meaning the Saints will not be going to the NFL playoffs.

Louisiana argues its case against White House vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Meanwhile the State Supreme Court has ruled that private employers have the right to fire workers who don’t get the Covid shot. Ochsner employees filed the suit after the health system issued a vaccine requirement. But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the supreme court ruled Ochsner can make its own rules…:
Cut 14 (07) “like Ochsner”

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news not just for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire, but everyone benefits since those homeowners could have ended up with taxpayer-funded Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance.
Cut 7 (11) “December 1st”
For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website.

It’s a must-win for the Saints on Sunday as they have to beat the Falcons and the 49ers also need to lose to the Rams in order for New Orleans to get the final spot in the NFC playoffs. Saints Coach Sean Payton..:
Cut 15 (12) “for success”
Kickoff is at 3:25.

Louisiana attorneys argued their case against White House COVID vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. We are among several states granted injunctions by lower courts to stop the enforcement of the rules. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill believes the Biden administration orders are an overreach…:
Cut 9 (15) “a COVID shot”
Federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are absolutely appropriate…:
CUT 11 (09) “Medicaid patients”
A ruling by the Justices is forthcoming.

Meanwhile Louisiana’s Supreme Court just ruled Friday that private employers can under law fire workers who refuse to get the shot.

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various Covid missions. LANG Task Force Covid Commander Cindy Haygood says they are working at 28 vaccine sites and administering Covid tests at 31 sites…:
CUT 18 (11) “regions”
She says as of this week guardsmen have administered more than 542,000 Covid tests and 206,300 vaccines.

Good news for hunters today. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says chronic wasting disease was not detected in more than 300 white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. LDWF biologist Director Scott Durham says this means the baiting ban is now no more…:
CUT 3 (05) “to hunt”
Hunters across the state are still encouraged to continue submitting deer samples to LDWF.

The state Supreme Court rules private employers can fire workers who refuse to get the Covid vaccine. 2 months ago, a lower court ruled the Ochsner Health system cannot force employees to get the shot. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says at-will work laws in Louisiana give employers a lot of freedom…:
Cut 13 (10) “employees”
The ruling applies to all private employers, not just healthcare facilities.

The Louisiana National Guard is continuing to support Covid missions around the state in 2022. Cindy Haygood is the Task Force Covid commander with LANG. She says the Omicron surge has led to a huge increase in test site demand throughout the state…:
CUT 17 (11) “out there”
She says 886 service members are currently supporting various Covid missions in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints travel to face the Falcons tomorrow and New Orleans must win to make the playoffs, and the Rams need to beat the 49ers. Running Back Alvin Kamara says they’ve been working hard:
CUT 16 (15) “locked in”
Kickoff is 3:25pm.

Louisiana went before the U.S. Supreme Court to argue against the Biden Administration’s COVID vaccine mandates for bigger businesses and health care workers. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the White House orders are a clear overreach…:

Cut 9 (15) “…a COVID shot.”

She calls the mandate an unprecedented “bureaucratic power move.” But federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are wholly appropriate…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…Medicaid patients.” 

Louisiana and other states are asking the High Court to uphold injunctions against enforcing the mandates.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Plaintiffs argued the state’s medical consent law gives adults the ability to refuse medical treatment, Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the Supreme Court correctly determined the law only applies to the relationship between a health care provider and a patient…

Cut 14 (07)  “…Ochsner.” 

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says SafePoint will cover any insurance claims made on or after December 1^st. As for claims prior to December, particularly those from Ida…

Cut 8 (07) “…per claim.” 

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website

Approximately 30,000 homeowner’s policyholders in Louisiana – of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent – will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire for more than three years…:

CUT 06(10)      “…until renewal.”

As policies come up for renewal, beginning in March 2022 they will be rewritten using SafePoint’s policy forms and rates.

Shreveport is a concerned as to whether there will be enough police to handle security for Mardi Gras parades coming next month. In an interview with KEEL radio, Interim Chief Wayne Smith said they will (quote) ”utilize every available option that we have and work harder with what we have.” He says they may ask partner law enforcement agencies for assistance.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana’s at-will employment laws give Ochsner Health or any other private employer the ability to fire a worker who refuses the COVID vaccine…:

CUT 13(10)      “…employees.”

A large group of Ochsner employees filed the lawsuit. They now must either comply or find work someplace else.

Sunday is a must-win for the New Orleans Saints, as they have to beat the Falcons AND the Rams must beat the 49ers in order for the Saints to get into the NFL playoffs. Coach Sean Payton does NOT expect Atlanta to lie down and give them the win…:

CUT 15(12)      “…for success.”