Legislation approved in June will result in an 11-percent increase in the maximum unemployment benefit amount for Louisianians. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the 28-dollar weekly increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2nd…
cut 9 (11) “…a decade”
For those who make their initial claim on January 1st or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

The recovery from Hurricane Ida will continue into 2022. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they are still waiting on FEMA trailers to help provide temporary housing and two of their high schools need to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there”

We are taking time today to look at back at the major stories for 2021. In July, state lawmakers held their first veto session in modern times. Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on female athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…
Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”
The biggest sports story came in October when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told Coach Ed Orgeron 2021 is his last as the Tigers football head coach….
cut 15 (09) “….met that standard”
Orgeron also took heat for not being more forthright in what he knew about a sexual harassment case involving former running back Derrius Guice.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana; bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:
Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”
Magee says Ida damaged a large number of businesses; some of whom have rebuilt, but others still struggling.

As a result of legislation approved in June, the maximum weekly benefit an unemployed individual will receive from the state is increasing by 28-dollars to 275 dollars for people who qualify. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s been more than 10 years since the state increased the maximum unemployment benefit…
cut 8 (09) “….their families”
Fiore says individuals filing a claim on or after Sunday will see the increase.

2021 saw its fair share of big stories including a Title Nine scandal that rocked LSU. An independent investigation shined more light on allegations that the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought that punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

COVID was a big story in 2021 and it will be in 2022. Yesterday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported over nine-thousand new cases, which is a single-day record high for the pandemic. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports on the recovery…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.
Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”
Fiore says right now there are more than 28-thousand jobs available through the L-W-C Hire website.

It’s time to look back at 2021 and it got off to a rocky start on January 6th, when thousands of angry President Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol causing damage to the building, and five officers who attempted to hold back the rioters died and their deaths linked to the riot. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is disgusted by what he saw…
Cut 10 (11) “…sediition.”
In February, a massive winter storm brought snow, ice, and some of the coldest temperatures on record to the Bayou State. Entergy’s John Hawkins asked customers to conserve energy as rolling blackouts were put in place, because of the demand for heat…
Cut 11 (09) “…power grid.”
Get ready for a big change in the weather, a strong cold front will hit the state on Saturday, strong storms are possible and highs in the 30s and 40s on Sunday.

One of the state’s Most Wanted fugitives is behind bars, after a five-hour standoff with LEO’s Tuesday in Delhi. 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll was wanted for an October 13^th shooting on Grambling University’s campus that took the life of Damarius Murphy. State Trooper Mike Reichardt says multiple agencies cooperated to bring Carroll in..:

CUT 07  (09)        “…even better.”

Two other suspects in that case were already in jail.

State Police are looking into a fatal police shooting in Lake Charles. Officers confronted 22-year-old Christopher Thomas for shooting into a home twice in one night; wounding one person. When he fired on them, the LEOs fired back – killing him. Trooper Derek Senegal says the investigation will seek out any surveillance video that could help..:

CUT 05  (14)        “…a report.”

A Baton Rouge teen faces charges after shooting and killing his father inside the family home this morning. Police say 43-year-old Mohammed Aziz was found dead, after his 17-year-old son heard a loud noise and started shooting. He’s been initially charged with negligent homicide, pending an investigation.

The New Orleans butcher who introduced NFL great John Madden to the Louisiana “turducken” mourns the passing of the football legend. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports ion the recovery progress…:

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

___________________________________

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

With just a couple of days left in 2021, it’s time to take look back at another eventful year. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

___________________________________

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana; bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:

Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”

Magee says Ida damaged a large number of businesses; some of whom have rebuilt, but others still struggling. He also feels sorry for Terrebonne Parish students, who’ve been challenged with COVID protocols and now the setbacks of a major hurricane…:

Cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there.”

Magee says two entire high schools will need to be rebuilt, and he’s unsure where the money to do that will come from.

After four months of hard work and suffering, Magee says Terrebonne still has “a long way to go” in recovering from Hurricane Ida…:

Cut 6 (04) “…better year for us.”

____________________________________________

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.

Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”

The increase was approved in the 2021 regular legislative session, in exchange for the governor agreeing to end the federal supplemental weekly benefit of $300, five weeks early. Fiore says the maximum weekly benefit will increase by $28.

Cut 8 (09) “…their families.”

Fiore says the increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2^nd.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a decade.”

For those who make their initial claim January 1, 2022, or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

___________________________________________

It’s time to look back at 2021 and it got off to a rocky start on January 6th, when thousands of angry President Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol causing damage to the building and five officers who attempted to hold back the rioters have died and their deaths linked to the riot. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is disgusted by what he saw…

Cut 10 (11)  “…sediition.”

In February, a massive winter storm brought snow, ice, and some of the coldest temperatures on record to the Bayou State. Entergy’s John Hawkins asked customers to conserve energy as rolling blackouts were put in place, because of the demand for heat…

Cut  11 (09)  “…power grid.”  

In March, LSU released a 150-page report that investigated several cases where LSU failed to properly handle sexual misconduct complaints involving former football players. No one was fired for their roles, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought the punishment was weak

Cut 12 (07) “…truth again.”

The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas State and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as a president of Oregon State.

In July, state lawmakers held their first-ever override veto session as Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on girl athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as a few Republicans and Democrats like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…

Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”

For the second straight year, Louisiana was hit by a Category Four storm. Hurricane Ida devasted the bayou and river parishes and also did a number on Tangipahoa Parish. Congressman Garret Graves couldn’t believe the destruction…

Cut 14 (12)  “…hurricane.”

Less than two years from winning a national championship and guiding LSU to a perfect 15-0 season, Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron was told in October he would not return for the 2022 season. Athletics Director Scott Woodward says mediocre play on the football field would not be accepted…

Cut 15 (09)  “…met that standard.”

___________________________________________

The Saints activated eleven players from the COVID list including quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill. New COVID protocols in the NFL allow vaccinated players to return earlier if their symptoms go away. Coach Sean Payton was asked if he was concerned if players would hide their symptoms in order to come back to the field earlier…

Cut  16 (13) “…they feel.”

Payton expects Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian will be back for Sunday’s game. The coach was also asked on Wednesday about the offensive line’s performance…

Cut 17 (30) “ …we will.”

The Saints will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. New Orleans lost to Carolina in week two, but since then the Panthers have really struggled and the return of Cam Newton hasn’t helped the offense or the firing of Joe Brady as offensive coordinator…

Cut 18 (18) “ …rely on the tape” 

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says LCPD was called to a home that had been fired upon twice. A person was wounded in the second event. Senegal says the suspect, 22-year-old Christopher Thomas fled to another home, where police confronted him and tried to negotiate. He says Thomas retreated back into the house…:

CUT 04(12)      “…he actually died.”

State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings.

After a five-hour standoff, the last man wanted a fatal shooting on the Grambling campus in October is in custody. Trooper Mike Reichardt says 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll – aka “Rabbit” – had been in the wind for over two months, but marshals caught up with him Tuesday in Delhi..:

CUT 06(09)      “…custody.”

Two other suspects in that case were already behind bars.

Starting January 1^st, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of smoking the herb. State lawmakers – with Governor’s agreement – expanded the medicinal cannabis law to include the smokable marijuana plant flowers as an approved treatment for numerous ailments. Until now only oils, tinctures, edibles and oral dissolvables have been available. One must have a doctor’s recommendation to get medical marijuana, and it is still only available in ten dispensaries statewide.

Sports news: new LSU head football coach Brian Kelly names Matt House as his new Defensive Coordinator.            House is currently the linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Baton Rouge sports radio talk show host Matt Moscona says KC defensive back Tyrann Mathieu gives House a shining endorsement…:

CUT 13(09)      “…with it.”

House will remain with Kansas City through the end of the NFL season, then make the moved to LSU.

One of the state’s Most Wanted fugitives is now behind bars. Michelle Southern has more..:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

A new report lists Louisiana among the ten worst states in the U.S. for overall road conditions. The report by Consumer Affairs Research ranks us 8^th-worst for things like poor upkeep of bridges, lack of safety features & and insufficient funding for upgrades and maintenance. This likely comes as no surprise to most Louisiana motorists.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says it began with LCPD officers called to an address where a man had fired shots into a home twice; the second time hitting someone inside…:

CUT 03(11)      “…fled on foot.”

They caught up to Thomas at another home and tried to negotiate, but when he fired on them, officers fired back – killing him. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings.

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says Madden loved the dish and raved about it during game broadcasts; leading to huge spikes in sales…:

CUT 11(15)      “…and my business.”

Mistich says he will miss Madden, whom he’s called a friend since the late 1990’s.

The state has seen its highest single-day spike in COVID cases since the pandemic started. Over 9-thousand cases were reported Wednesday by the state Department of Health. Prior to that, the highest single-day number was 7500. Right now 659 people statewide are in the hospital with the coronavirus.

The New Orleans butcher who introduced NFL great John Madden to the Louisiana “turducken” mourns the passing of the football legend. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

One of Louisiana’s Most Wanted fugitives is now behind bars. After a 5-hour standoff, the man suspected of the first of two fatal shootings on the Grambling University campus has been apprehended. State Police Trooper Mike Reichardt says 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll has been in the wind since mid-October. U.S. Marshalls caught up with him Tuesday at a home in Delhi. Reichardt says with Carroll’s capture, all three suspected shooters have now been caught..:

CUT 08(11)      “…are in jail.”

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly names Matt House as his new Defensive Coordinator. House is currently linebackers coach at Kansas City, and has worked with collegiate programs at Kentucky, FIU and Pitt. Baton Rouge sports radio host Matt Moscona says House looks like a solid hire…:

CUT 12(09)      “…NFL experience.”

House will stay with the Chiefs until their season ends, then move to Baton Rouge.

The state reports an alarming 9,378 new COVID cases today, a jump of more than 5,000 from Tuesday. The number does not include at-home COVID test results. Hospitalizations also increased dramatically by 145 patients in one day to 659. Current hospitalizations are up 142% from a week ago. Health officials are encouraging all, regardless of vaccination status to mask indoors.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting after Lake Charles PD exchanged gunfire with 22-year-old Christopher Thomas. As with all police officer-involved shootings in the state, LSP is investigating. Trooper Derek Senegal says they’ll seek out any surveillance video which may help in the investigation.

Cut 5 (14) “…put together a report.”

After a five-hour standoff in Delhi the suspected gunman in the first fatal shooting during homecoming on the campus of Grambling State is now in custody. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says they had been looking for 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll, aka “Rabbit” since October 13^th. Reichardt says multiple agencies assisted in Tuesday’s standoff with Carroll.

Cut 7 (09) “…even better.”  

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says, after talking with Madden quite a bit, he sent the Madden family one. That quickly became a tradition of its own.

Cut 10 (07)  “…Christmas as well.”

For the unenlightened, a “turducken” is a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey. The dish has become a holiday table tradition for many across the state.

The suspected gunman in an October shooting on Grambling University’s campus has been apprehended. More on that from Michelle Southern.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The state reports a huge jump in COVID hospitalizations, today 659 patients a 145 jump from the previous day, and 142% increase in one week. 77-percent of the hospital patients are not vaccinated. More than 93-hundred new cases are also reported today, that does not include home test results.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Trooper Derek Senegal says it began with LCPD officers called to an address where 22-year-old Christopher Thomas fired shots into a home twice; the second time hitting someone inside then fled on foot. Officers later found Thomas at another residence, where they tried to negotiate his surrender.

Cut 4 (12) “…he actually died.”

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says he first met Madden in 1996, during the Saints – Rams game. During an appearance on WWL radio, the subject of the “turducken” came up…:

Cut 9 (12) “…the All-Madden Team.”

A “turducken” is a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey.