Governor Edwards wants to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots to attend public schools K-12 and higher education. But it’s garnered opposition at the House Health and Welfare Committee. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus is showing up in more and more places. Mississippi is reporting a case of Omicron where the individual was fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.

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

Cut 7 (10) “…much trouble.”  

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. 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.

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.”

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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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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.

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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 overnight…

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.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year. Edwards says but it’s also part of a larger effort to battle the pandemic.

Cut 5 (10) “…18 or below.”

A House Health And Welfare Committee meeting is underway, receiving public input from the governor’s plan for schools. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder voiced his opposition to adding the COVID vaccine to attend schools.

Cut 9 (14) “…for schools.”

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. Committee Chair, Baton Rouge Representative Franklin Foil says they anticipate public input at their next oversite committee.

The first case of the COVID-19  Omicron variant has been detected in Louisiana and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stresses vaccinations and boosters.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is holding its first meeting today and will hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says their primary goal will be to determine if legislation needs to be enacted to reduce excessive force among police officers and as a legislative branch, they have oversight authority.

Cut 21 (10) “…their policies.”

Congressman Troy Carter is proposing legislation that would erase student loan debt equal to that of any SBA loans taken out to recover from a disaster since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s called the ‘No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act”.

Cut 13 (07) “…have a restart.”

Stats show that the nation has nearly 43-million borrowers owing one-point-five-nine billion dollars in federal student loans.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools. 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 (12) “…as well.”

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

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight is holding its first meeting today and will hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis about policies to address excessive force. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil says it could result in future legislation…

Cut 6 (12) “…allegations of excessive force.”

UL-Monroe is helping with the nursing shortage with a degree transfer program. Dr. Don Simpson, Dean of the ULM College of health sciences says those with an associate nursing degree can work on their Bachelor of Science of nursing at ULM and because it’s online, anyone from anywhere in Louisiana can apply…:

Cut  11 (08)  “…where they want to be.”  

Congressman Troy Carter is proposing legislation that would erase student loan debt equal to that of any SBA loans taken out to recover from a disaster since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s called the ‘No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act.” Carter compares the Act to the U.S. forgiving the indebtedness of countries.

Cut 14 (09)  “…on their feet.

Carter says forgiving student loan debt would provide immediate financial relief to millions of Americans.

The first case of the Omicron variant has been detected in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health says the individual lives in the greater New Orleans area and recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are still a lot of unknowns with this variant…:
Cut 8 (10) “…fully vaccinated.”
Until there’s more data, Kanter says it’s hard to predict what kind of impact the Omicron variant will have in Louisiana. Officials are addressing an outbreak of the virus on a cruise ship that docked in New Orleans Sunday. 17 cases were identified on the ship including one of a crew member suspected of being the Omicron variant.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools, which is opposed by mostly GOP lawmakers who are gathering today for an oversight hearing to stop the proposal. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year.

A Louisiana Congressman is introducing a bill that would erase student loan debt for survivors of disasters who also took out an SBA loan during recovery efforts:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Dave Brannen”

LSU football will have another game this season as they will play in the Texas Bowl in Houston against Kansas State on January 4th. UL-Lafayette will face Marshall in the New Orleans Bowl on December 18th.

17 people on a cruise ship coming back to port in New Orleans have tested positive for Covid. The State Department of Health said one case among the crew is identified as the Omicron variant, though that individual is not from the state and never got off the ship.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the first case of the variant in Louisiana has been detected from an individual in the Greater New Orleans area. He says they have increased lab sequencing to detect Omicron variant, but the message to the public remains…:
Cut 9 (09) “booster shot”
In Louisiana just below 50-percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

New US travel restrictions are back starting today. Anyone headed here will be required to show evidence of a negative test for the virus within one day of boarding their flight instead of 3.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman..:
Cut 5 (10) “their policies”
The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force.

ULM hopes to help the statewide nursing shortage with a new agreement with Louisiana’s 2-year colleges and tech schools…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The state has its first known case of the Omicron Variant. The Louisiana Department of Health says that individual lives in the greater New Orleans area and recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the variant is significant because it has some 50 mutations from the original virus…:
Cut 7 (11) “crucial question”
Officials from federal, state, and local agencies are also addressing an outbreak on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans Sunday. 17 cases were identified among passengers and crew including one probable case of Omicron from a worker on the ship who isn’t from Louisiana.

State Police say two people were killed and five injured in a crash involving 2 large pickup trucks Saturday night in Lafourche Parish. The two who died are identified as 23-year-old Thomas Hernandez and 22-year-old Santos Garcia, both of Slidell.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today and hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis. The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman of the seven-member committee…:
Cut 4 (12) “situations”
Foil anticipates a second meeting to allow for public input.

UL-Monroe seeks to help the statewide nursing shortage with a groundbreaking degree transfer program. Dr. Don Simpson is Dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences. He says they’ve forged an agreement with the state’s 12 community & tech colleges with associate nursing degree programs to allow those nurses to easily pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at ULM…:
Cut 10 (11) “credentials as a nurse”

The first case of the Omicron variant in Louisiana has been detected, and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stresses vaccinations and boosters…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

And the Louisiana Department of Health says testing confirmed 17 cases of Covid-19 have been identified on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans on Sunday, and this includes 1 probable case of Omicron among the crew. They said that person is not a Louisiana resident and did not leave the ship.

A Congressman from Louisiana is introducing a bill that would erase student loan debt for survivors of disasters who also took out an SBA loan during recovery efforts. The measure by Congressman Troy Carter is called the, “No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act.”
CUT 13 (07) “have a restart”
He says a double debt burden hurts our economy and additionally burdens those struggling to recover from COVID-19 and natural disasters.

The Southeastern Conference announced Sunday LSU will play in the Texas bowl where they will face Kansas State at NRG Stadium in Houston on January 4th. This marks the 21st time in the last 22 years the Tigers have been selected to a bowl game.

Nearly 300 workers at Ochsner Health in Louisiana and Mississippi have been fired for not coming into compliance with the firm’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, though 99 percent of additional staff members have. Tulane Health Care Economist, Charles Stoecker, says the Ochsner Health vaccination policy isn’t really all that strict given the alternative provisions for those who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cut 13 (11) “…be tested weekly.”

The Omicron Covid-19 variant is now in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health late Friday reported the state’s first probable case of the variant that has now spread to at least nine states and nearly three dozen countries.  The Louisiana person infected with the variant is said to be in the Greater New Orleans Area and had traveled within the U.S. recently. The LDH says Omicron may be more transmissible than previous strains of the virus and may carry an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants.

Today is your last chance to vote early in the December 11^th election. While quite a few parishes don’t have anything to vote on, there are more than 30 others that do, ranging from candidate runoffs to various propositions. Long-time Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is seeking to hold onto his seat against a progressive Democrat.  St. Tammany Parish voters are casting ballots to decide the fate of parish’s first-ever casino in what has become a battle royale between supporters and opponents.

Over the past 30 days, Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than six million dollars in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. Trooper William Huggins says the makeup of the drug seizures during the traffic stops was large quantities of meth.

Cut 10 (08)  “…4.6 million”

Huggins says it’s hard to tell if more drugs are crossing the state’s highways.

Cut  11 (08)  “..focused on it.”  

During the traffic stops over the past month, troopers seized 577 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated one-point-six-million dollars.