Governor John Bel Edwards says despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule he still plans to do so. The rule will go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability for their child to opt-out.
Cut 13 (10) “…change that.”
For now, the COVID vaccine would only be added to the list of shots required to attend school for those 16 and up, since the F-D-A has fully authorized the vaccine for those 16 and older.

State lawmakers gather in Lake Charles today for the LegisGator Luncheon. The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild will begin a lobbying push to convince lawmakers to change the regulations in place for the craft brewing industry. Cary Koch says Louisiana is in a “last mover” position when it comes to locally produced beer and he hopes today’s billboard campaign in Lake Charles will help spur legislators into action.
Cut 12 (10) “…in the dust.”

A helicopter crashed onto I-10 yesterday over the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish in foggy conditions. Officials say the pilot was the lone fatality and the chopper also knocked out electricity for area residents when it hit an Entergy Louisiana transmission line.

If you still have to mail Christmas gifts and you want them to arrive in time the deadlines are approaching. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Could DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City reopen now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The pilot of a Bell 407 helicopter is presumed dead after the aircraft crashed early this afternoon on the eastbound lanes of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. John’s Parish.  No other vehicles were said to be involved and officials say fog may have played a role in the tragedy.  The FAA is on the scene investigating.  The chopper was left in blackened rubble after obviously bursting into flames. Traffic on I-12 East is being diverted until the crash scene can be investigated and cleared.

A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (11) “…Turner didn’t.”

In May 2019 Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division and part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints

State Police are investigating the fiery crash of a privately owned helicopter this afternoon on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge outside New Orleans. St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says calls about the crash came in just after 1 p.m…:

CUT 27(11)      “…unforeseeable future”

Eastbound I-10 traffic is being re-routed to U.S. 51 and/or U.S. 61. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire. So far no word on how many were inside or if any survived.

Looking for work in the tech field? The state Department of Economic Development is having a virtual job fair Wednesday. Recruitment Director Jamie Nakamoto says look for it on your favorite social media site and simply register to take part. She says there are numerous jobs they want to fill…:

CUT 13(10)      “…fastest-growing sector.”

At the State Capitol Monday, lawmakers heard from a State Police detective, Al Paxton, who investigated the strange roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Congressman Clay Higgins office says the U.S. Representative is resting comfortably today, after what’s described as a “successful surgical procedure” this morning at a hospital in Lafayette. Higgins will spend the next few weeks recovering.

Governor John Bel Edwards says, despite a legislative committee voting to reject it, he and the Department of Health will add COVID-19 shots to the list of vaccines required for kids to get into school. No kid will be forced if their parents submit a written opt-out.

Traffic on the busy I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge outside the New Orleans area came to a grinding halt this afternoon, when a privately owned helicopter crashed onto the roadway. State Police are on the scene, and say the fiery wreck happened around 1 p.m.; perhaps due to fog. We don’t yet know how many people were in the chopper or if any survived.

The state Health Department says 650-thousand eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123-thousand 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Dr. Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine…:

CUT 09(06)      “…your child.”

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID vaccine administered in Louisiana.

State Police officers who were involved in the roadside arrest and subsequent death of Ronald Green two years ago were asked to testify Monday before a state legislative committee, but failed to show up. One LSP officer who did was Sgt. Al Paxton who investigates allegations of wrongdoing. He spoke of trouble getting troopers to hand over their body cam footage, reluctance to be interviewed and more, which he says frustrates him…:

CUT 05(03)      “…I won’t lie.”

Police body camera footage of Greene’s arrest was made public by the Associated Press in May of this year, two years after his death.

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s going back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the license holder.”

Unless Diamond Jacks can reopened within the 60 days, they can lose their license. Certainly someone will want it.

A helicopter crashed and burned today on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge in St. John parish. Eastbound traffic is closed while the fiery wreck is investigated. About 20-thousand Entergy customers lost power at about the same time as the crash. It’s unknown of the two are in fact related. So far no reports of injuries or deaths.

A State Police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite Monday. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton says his recommendations were ignored by superiors. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson asks Paxton about gathering key evidence – body cam footage of incidents…:

CUT 04(08)      “…yes ma’am.”

Officers who were directly involved in the Greene arrest were asked to appear before the committee and did not.

Could Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City reopen, now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says the event is tomorrow and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field…:

CUT 12(10)      “…hiring right now.”

LSP Sgt Albert Paxton a detective who investigates excessive force of State Police, including the 2019 death of Ronald Greene addresses members of a Senate Oversite Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says this event takes place Wednesday and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field. To register, look up LED FastStart on a social media site such as Twitter and fill out the form for the career fair that takes place from 11 am to 2 pm tomorrow.

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but is frustrated with the false statements about the COVID vaccine. She says the COVID vaccine or any other approved vaccine is not responsible for autism in children or fertility issues…

Cut  11 (11)  “…maintain your fear”  

With St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association says it’s not a requirement in the state that all 15 riverboat licenses be active, should Diamond Jacks remain closed, but it’s likely that a request for proposals will go out should the license be forfeited.

Cut 8 (10) “…and project proposals.”

A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (11) “…Turner didn’t.”

In May 2019 Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division where part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association says as it stands now the license holder of Diamond Jacks must continue operation of the facility within 60 days of losing the St. Tammany election unless something else can be worked out with the Gaming Control Board:

Cut 7 (13) “…certainly could ask.”  

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID. The Edwards administration plans to add the COVID-19 vaccine to the list of shots that a child needs in order to attend school. Dr. Catherine O’Neal of Our Lady of the Lake says if not required parents may never get their children vaccinated against COVID…

Cut 10 (07)  “…this pandemic.”

The state can only require COVID vaccines for those 16 and up because the Pfizer vaccine has received full FDA approval for that age group.

The Saints will face their NFC South rival the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night. Since Tom Brady arrived in Tampa, New Orleans is 3-0 against the Buccaneers in regular-season games. Defensive end Marcus Davenport was asked why the Black and Gold have had success against Brady and the Bucs…
cut 29 (19) “…pretty fine”
The Saints are big underdogs heading into Sundays’ game as Tampa Bay is favorite by 11.

According to the Athletic’s Max Olson, former LSU Quarterback Max Olson is looking at transferring to Texas A-and-M. University High four-star cornerback Austin Ausberry has committed to Auburn. Ausberry is ranked as the 13th best player in the state for the Class of 2022. He’s the son of former LSU linebacker and not athletic administrator Verge Ausberry.

The 19th ranked LSU men’s basketball hosts Northwestern State in a game that looks to be a blowout in favor of the Tigers. The Bayou Bengals are 9-and-0 while the Demons are two and eight. Tip-off in Baton Rouge is at six.

In other action, the Ragin Cajuns are at 14th ranked Louisville, ULM visits Stephen F Austin and Louisiana Tech hosts LSU-Shreveport at 6:30.

Longtime TCU special teams’ coordinator-slash-coach Dan Sharp has been named assistant head coach and special teams coach at Louisiana Tech. Bulldogs head coach Sonny Cumbie says Sharp has been in charge of some of the most well-coached, explosive special teams’ units he’s seen.

Cajuns starting running back Chris Smith is questionable for Saturday’s New Orleans Bowl against Marshall. Coach Michael Desormeaux says Smith is dealing with a banged-up knee. He’s rushed for a team-high 855 yards and eight touchdowns this season.

Mona Hardin the mother of Ronald Greene who died two and a half and years ago during a traffic arrest involving state police addressed the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight on Monday. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The oversight committee requested last week that Superintendent of LSP Colonel Lamar Davis have the officers who were involved with the arrest of Greene attend Monday’s meeting, but none appeared.

After St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association:

Cut 6  (12)      “…the license holder.”

Duty says that answer will be hashed out between the license holder and the state’s Gaming Control Board should the choice be not to reopen Diamond Jacks.

The state health department says 650,000 eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123,000 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Doctor Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine

Cut 9 (06) “…your child”

O’ Neal says the risks of COVID-19 to children far outweigh the risks of vaccination.