House Health and Welfare heard from both sides Monday concerning Governor Edwards’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools next fall, for ages 16 and older. The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor could overturn the decision. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who choose not to be vaccinated can opt out.

Cut 4 (10) “…philosophical reasons. “

State Superintendent Cade Brumley maintains the vaccine is a personal choice and says if the vaccine requirement does go into effect, they will assist those parents who choose not to vaccinate their children against COVID.

Cut 5 (10) “…do so.”

Brumley says the governor will have to consider testimony heard at the meeting Monday and the committee’s vote.

Early voting for the December 11^th primary ended on Saturday and one of the most followed issues is the bid by a group to win approval to build a gambling resort near Slidell. Pollster John Couvillon says the gaming proposal boosted early voting in St. Tammany Parish:

Cut  11 (07)  “…in the primary.”  

Couvillon also says he doesn’t believe an endorsement by Saints ex QB Drew Brees will sway voters.

Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest vehicle crash injuries but also produced the most fatalities since 2008. The Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU says 828 people were killed in crashes involving vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says bicycle fatalities increased by more than 54-percent…

Cut 15 (09)  “..risky behavior.”

Lawmakers in the House Health and Welfare Committee reject a plan by Governor John Bel Edwards to add the Covid vaccine to the list of shots required in order to attend K-12 public schools. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter argued that students can opt-out and still attend school
Cut 6 (07) “the intent of this”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor has said he plans to veto that decision.

Saturday is an election day and one of the most hot button issues is one in St. Tammany Parish over whether or not to build a casino in Slidell. Pollster John Couvillon says the proposal to build the 325-million-dollar facility helped boost early voting there, while other municipalities in the state saw a lower turnout…:
Cut 11 (07) “in the primary”
He doesn’t believe Drew Brees’ support of the project will have much of an impact on swaying voter opinion.

Sixty-four men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the Louisiana State Police. The instruction they’ll receive will include firearm proficiency, tactical driving and impaired driving detection, as well as leadership values that exemplify LSP Core Values. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot the lessons also include:
Cut 9 (10) “into these cadets”
He says training also includes that of lawful use of force — a policy matter that was reviewed Monday by a group of state senators amid excessive use of force controversies within LSP.

LSU legend Glenn Dorsey will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame today. A native of Gonzales, Dorsey is the most decorated defensive player in school history and becomes LSU’s 10th player to the Hall.

Emotions ran high in the House Health and Welfare Committee Monday where lawmakers are trying to stop a proposal by the governor to add the Covid vaccine to the required immunzations list to enter public school. The state argued that parents could still opt out, but the opposition arguments included that from David Oats, a realtor, who indicated he had treatments for the virus on hand…:
Cut 7 (11) “need no vaccine”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition of the shot, but the governor has said he plans to override.

St. Tammany Parish voters will have a chance on Saturday’s ballot to decide whether to gamble on building a new casino in Slidell, a matter that’s been one of the more contentious on the obscure December 11th Election Day. Pollster John Couvillon says the Parish has a strong anti-gambling history..:
CUT 12 (13) “of casino gambling”

A cruise ship carrying at least 17 passengers and crew members with breakthrough COVID infections when it docked in New Orleans has set sail again with new passengers. Nine crew members and eight passengers were infected when the ship arrived Sunday, according to state officials.

Tulane University announced Monday a graduate student tested positive for the strain of the Covid virus identified as Omicron.

A milestone in Louisiana State Police cadet training hit a historic mark this week. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Dave Brannen”

Health and Welfare heard from both sides on the Governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the shot schedule for schools’ next fall. Brooke Thorington has more..:
Cut 1 (37) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

During a Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight Monday, Superintendent Lamar Davis admitted the agency still has a lot of work to do in implementing changes with regards to education on use of excessive force. Information from this and future meetings among these Senators is expected to produce legislation that will be considered in next year’s session.

Meanwhile, 64 men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the State Police. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot says the group is excited…:
Cut 8 (10) “into a team”
If you’d like to apply for Cadet Class 101 that begins training next year visit laspc.dps.louisiana.gov.

Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest motor vehicle crash injuries, but 2020 also produced the most fatalities since 2008. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the pandemic resulted in fewer cars on the road, which resulted in fewer crashes, but there were more high-risk drivers…
Cut 14 (09) “seat belts”
He said bicycle and pedestrian fatalities also rose in 2020.

Lawmakers in the House Health and Welfare Committee reject a plan by Governor John Bel Edwards to add the Covid vaccine to the list of shots required in order to attend K-12 public schools. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter argued in favor of the vaccine plan, and added…
Cut 4 (10) “philosophical reasons”
New Orleans resident Michelle Wags says she opposes the rule because she already feels like an outcast for her vaccine stance as it is…:
CUT 5 (09) “you guys”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor is expected to override the decision and move forward with the plan.

Louisiana reported its fewest number of vehicle crash injuries ever in 2020, but there was a sharp increase in traffic fatalities. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Southern University has a new head football coach. The school announced Monday it has hired Eric Dooley, a former longtime assistant for the Jags who just led Prairie View to a SWAC championship.

Health and Welfare heard from both sides on the Governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the shot schedule for schools next fall. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (37) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A milestone in Louisiana State Police cadet training hit a historic mark this week. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Data out of LSU reports that Louisiana reported its fewest number of vehicle crash injuries ever, but there was a sharp increase in traffic fatalities. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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House Health and Welfare heard from both sides concerning Governor Edwards’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools next fall, for ages 16 and older. The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor could overturn the decision. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who choose not to be vaccinated can opt-out.

Cut 4 (10) “…philosophical reasons. “

Michelle Wags, a New Orleans resident spoke in opposition and says she’s being treated as a second-class citizen in her hometown because of vaccine requirements and pleaded to the committee to vote no.

Cut 5 (09) “…you guys.”

Monroe Representative Michael Echols pressed Kanter on the intent of the vaccine requirements for schools and that it would force those who are unvaccinated to leave the classroom. Kanter responded that students can opt-out and still attend school

Cut 6 (07) “… the intent of this.”

David Oats, an Air Force Veteran, and Realtor told the committee he had treatments for the virus available to pass out to anyone who’s interested and because there are treatments the vaccines are obsolete.

Cut 7 (11) “…need no vaccine.”

The committee meeting began at 10 AM Monday morning and continued for the remainder of the day.

____________________________________________

Sixty-four men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the Louisiana State Police. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot says the new class gathered for the first time Sunday afternoon and has about six months of initial training to undergo.

Cut 8 (10) “…into a team.”

The instruction they’ll receive will include firearm proficiency, tactical driving and impaired driving detection, as well as leadership values that exemplify LSP Core Values. Graduating troopers then undergo ten to 16 weeks of field training before beginning their careers.

Lt. Fontenot says the cadets will undergo training aimed at implicit bias recognition.

Cut 9 (10)  “…into these cadets.”

According to Lt. Fontenot, one of the more important and timely matters of concern is the training the cadets will receive in the lawful use of force.

Cut 10 (10)  “…mitigate those.”

If you’d like to apply for Cadet Class 101 that begins training next year visit laspc.dps.louisiana.gov.

__________________________________________________

Early voting for the December 11^th primary ended on Saturday and one of the most followed issues on any ballot in the state is the bid by a group to win approval to build a gambling resort near Slidell.  Pollster John Couvillon says the proposal to build the 325-million-dollar facility helped boost early voting in St. Tammany Parish:

Cut  11 (07)  “…in the primary.”  

Couvillon, himself, is expecting a majority of St. Tammany voters to give a thumbs-down to the Camellia Bay casino, the parish having a strong anti-gambling history.

Cut 12 (13) “…of casino gambling.”

Couvillon is of the opinion that voters will largely side with what officials, especially those in law enforcement, think about opening a land-based casino in St. Tammany Parish.

Cut 13 (10) “…have respect for.”

He doesn’t believe ex-Saint Drew Brees’s support of the project, which would include a sports complex for kids, is having much of an impact on swaying voter opinion in favor of the casino operation.

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Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest motor vehicle crash injuries, but 2020 also produced the most fatalities since 2008. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the pandemic resulted in fewer cars on the road, which resulted in fewer crashes, but there were more high-risk drivers…

Cut 14 (09)  “…seat belts”

According to the Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU, 828 people were killed in crashes involving motor vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians. Lambert says the data found that bicycle crash fatalities increased by more than 54-percent…

Cut 15 (09)  “..risky behavior.”

Lambert says pedestrian fatalities were up by 19-percent. He says these statistics are in line with national figures that show a sharp increase in fatalities even though there were fewer drivers on the road because of the pandemic…

Cut  16 (09) “…normally do”

A House Health And Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject the Governor’s effort to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools in Louisiana.  Attorney General Jeff Landy says it’s an overreach of the Department of Health because they are also dictating who can attend K-12 public schools.

Cut 10 (07)  “…0f Health”

Parents have the ability to request permission for their child to opt-out of the vaccine requirement for any of the vaccines on the shot list for schools.

Governor Edwards says he still stands by the plan to add the COVID vaccine for the school year beginning August 2022. Right now, it only applies to ages 16 and older because it’s only received full authorization for that age group by the FDA. Several opponents of the vaccine requirement voiced their opinions at the committee meeting today.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight held its first meeting reviewing L-S-P’s use of force policies as the state agency has come under fire after several documented cases of Troopers beating up Black motorists. Colonel Lamar Davis says several changes have been made since his appointment, but unfortunately, some of the changes can’t take place overnight…

Cut 13 (10) “…those things.”

Davis has headed up the LSP for just over a year.

Hurricane victims from this year and last continue to struggle with insurance companies on getting paid for their storm claims. Houma Senator Mike Fesi advises frustrated policyholders to call the Louisiana Department of Insurance and voice your complaints…

Cut 8 (09) “…better satisfaction.”

Governor Edwards wants to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots to attend public schools K-12 and higher education. But opponents to such a move voiced their concerns at today’s House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A special committee made up of state senators began hearings today on the use of force policies that State Police has in place. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools and higher education. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year because it’s only FDA-approved for that age group.

Cut 3 (11) “…as well.”

The move is opposed by mostly GOP lawmakers who are gathering today for an oversight hearing to stop the proposal.

Edwards says because it’s been approved by the FDA for those 16 and older, the public needs to be reminded in order to receive such approval it’s been thoroughly tested.

Cut 4 (10) “…these populations.”

Edwards says but it’s also part of a larger effort to battle the pandemic.

Cut 5 (10) “…18 or below.”

__________________________________

Hurricane victims from 2020 and 2021 continue to struggle with insurance companies on getting paid for their storm damage claims. Houma Senator Mike Fesi says many of his constituents can’t even a call back. Fesi says he’s told insurance providers a little communication is better than no communication at all…

 Cut 6 (11) “..biggest complaint.” 

Fesi says expects a lot of legislation will be considered in the 2022 regular session on how they can force insurance companies to provide timely claims. But he says they have to be careful, because if you put too many regulations on insurance companies they won’t do business in Louisiana anymore…

Cut 7 (10) “…much trouble.”  

Fesi says his best advice for the time being for frustrated policyholders is to call the Louisiana Department of Insurance and voice your complaints…

Cut 8 (09) “…better satisfaction.”

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UPDATE: House Health and Welfare vote 13-2 to reject a rule to add COVID vaccines to the state’s immunization schedule. 

A House Health And Welfare Committee meeting is underway, receiving public input from the governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder voiced his opposition to adding the COVID vaccine to attend schools.

Cut 9 (14) “…for schools.”

Attorney General Jeff Landy says the proposal of adding the vaccine to the shot schedule is an overreach of the Department of Health because they are also dictating who can attend K-12 public schools.

Cut 10 (07)  “…0f Health”

Anti-vaccine activist and attorney Bobby Kennedy Jr, a guest of Landy attended the hearing and told the committee instead of a four-year study, the Pfizer vaccine trial ended at six months and was given authorization by the FDA.

Cut  11 (14)  “..never know.”  

Dr. Kanter stated that’s Kennedy’s presentation of deaths and side effects of the vaccine was a gross misinterpretation of the truth.

______________________________________________

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight held its first meeting today. The senators are reviewing L-S-P’s use of force policies as the state agency has come under fire after several documented cases of Troopers beating up Black motorists. Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields says 99-percent of the state’s Troopers do their job well, while one-percent do not

Cut 12 (08) “…entire bunch”  

Colonel Lamar Davis was named the new Superintendent of State Police 13 months ago. He says several changes have been made since his appointment, but unfortunately some of the changes can’t take place over night…

Cut 13 (10) “…those things.”

Information gathered from this State Police Oversight Committee is expected to produce legislation that will be considered in the 2022 regular session. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux…

Cut 14 (10) “..do that.” 

Several high-ranking LSP officials were also on hand to testify. Boudreaux asked Lt. Colonel Doug Cain about how L-S-P leadership is attempting to change the culture within the department. Cain says they are educating Troopers that everyone has a different life background and consider that when dealing with the public…

Cut 15 (12) “…decision making.” 

Cut  16 (10) “..get your information”

House Health and Welfare vote 13-2 to reject a rule to add COVID vaccines to the state’s immunization schedule.  The new rule would have initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year. Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s part of a larger effort to battle the pandemic.

Cut 5 (10) “…18 or below.”

Anti-vaccine activist and attorney Bobby Kennedy Jr, a guest of Attorney General Jeff Landy attended the committee meeting and told the committee instead of a four-year study, the Pfizer vaccine trial ended at six months and was given authorization by the FDA.

Cut  11 (14)  “..never know.”  

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stated that’s Kennedy’s presentation was a gross misinterpretation of the truth.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight held its first meeting today. The senators are reviewing L-S-P’s use of force policies as the state agency has come under fire after several documented cases of Troopers beating up Black motorists. Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux…

Cut 14 (10) “..do that.” 

Hurricane victims from 2020 and 2021 continue to struggle with insurance companies on getting paid for their storm damage claims. Houma Senator Mike Fesi says many of his constituents can’t even get a call back.

 Cut 6 (11) “..biggest complaint.” 

Fesi says he expects a lot of legislation will be considered in the 2022 regular session on how they can force insurance companies to provide timely claims.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools and higher education. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year because it’s only FDA-approved for that age group.

Cut 3 (11) “…as well.”

A House Health And Welfare Committee meeting is underway, receiving public input from the governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to required shots. Attorney General Jeff Landy says it’s an overreach of the Department of Health because they are also dictating who can attend K-12 public schools.

Cut 10 (07)  “…0f Health”

Parents have the ability to request permission for their child to opt out of the vaccine requirement for any of the vaccines on the shot list for schools.

 A special committee made up of state senators began hearings today on the use of force policies that State Police has in place. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A cruise ship carrying at least 17 passengers and crew members with breakthrough COVID infections when it docked in New Orleans has set sail again with new passengers. Nine crew members and eight passengers were infected when the Norwegian Breakaway arrived on Sunday according to the Louisiana Department of Health.