According to the Louisiana Tech Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says the study looked at employment & unemployment, costs of goods & services, income levels and more. Of the real estate market, Scott says there HAS been a robust demand for housing, in part due to low-interest rates, but Scott says the market is now beginning to cool…:

CUT 05         (07)    “…relatively well.”

He says the state is still down over 130-thousand jobs from pre-pandemic levels.

Country superstar Garth Brooks will be coming to LSU’s Tiger Stadium for an April 30^th concert; his first time in the Capital City in 24 years. Visit Baton Rouge CEO Paul Arrigo says he expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a positive spotlight on the city…:

CUT 06         (10)    “…over the world.”

LSU formally introduces Brian Kelly as its new head football coach. Kelly has been with Notre Dame for the last 12 years; during which he racked up the university’s highest win rate. Kelly says he’s looking forward to his first experience in Tiger Stadium, but he understands the fans expectations that he win games…:

Cut 14(14)    “…team on the field.”

Kelly’s combined wins in both Divisions 1 and 2 make him the winningest active coach in college football.

The Coast Guard is looking for a man who fell overboard from the American Queen riverboat early this morning on the Mississippi River. A call came in just after 2 a.m. that a crewmember had gone into the water; triggering the search & rescue efforts between mile marker 224 and 230, which are still underway.

The federal Department of Defense says all National Guard members must get the COVID vaccine or obtain an approved waiver or they won’t get paid for federal activities and training. For services within Louisiana, Guardsmen and women are paid with state funds.

Brian Kelly is formally introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

Lawmen in Shreveport are seeking a man who’s been exposing his private parts to passers-by. Cops have obtained security camera video of the man stripping naked in a parking lot on Shreve Park Drive in October. The balding white male was driving a white Chevy extended cab pickup. Crimestoppers will take tips at 318-673-7373.

Former St. Tammany Parish sheriff Jack Strain faces up to ten years in prison, after pleading guilty to a federal charge of corruption and kickbacks related to his privatizing the parish inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he’s not surprised at the guilty plea, as Strain will already be serving time for his November conviction on sexual assault charges. Ciolino says there wasn’t much to gain by forcing Strain to plea to more than one federal corruption charge…:

CUT 11(07)      “…scheme to defraud.”

Strain faces multiple life sentences on the sexual assault convictions.

Country music fans are thrilled to hear Garth Brooks will be coming to Tiger Stadium in late April of next year. It will be his only appearance in Louisiana or Mississippi on the upcoming tour.  Visit Baton Rouge head Paul Arrigo says the show is sure to be an economic boon for the Capital Area…:

CUT 08(09)      “…all those seats filled.”

At about $95 a head, tickets go on sale December 10^th.

LSU introduced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach today. Kelly has spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame and LSU fans have only been able to watch his work from afar as Kelly has coached his whole life in the Midwest. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward expects Tiger Nation will love him because he wins…

Cut 12 (07) “..is win”  

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says Strain’s plea comes as no surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…these federal charges.”

When country music star Garth Brooks plays his fan-favorite hit “Callin Baton Rouge” on April 30th, it will have extra meaning. Michelle Southern explains…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The Coast Guard is searching for a crew member of the American Queen that went overboard shortly after 2:00 AM in the Mississippi River. The Coast Guard is searching in Baton Rouge near the campus of LSU along the river by water and air. Information on how the crew member fell overboard or their identity has been released.

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says while unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000, and Scott says estimates are that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

One of the hottest acts in country music makes his return to Baton Rouge next year for the first time in 24 years. Paul Arrigo, CEO and President of Visit Baton Rouge, says the superstar is set to play Tiger Stadium on April 30^th and expects a spectacular turnout that’ll put a spotlight on the city.

 Cut 6 (10) “..over the world.” 

Tickets for “Callin’ Baton Rouge” starring Brooks will go on sale through Ticketmaster on Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. for an all-inclusive price of 94.95 each with a purchase limit of eight tickets per caller.

With Louisiana ranking 12^th in teacher pay among the 16 states in the South, Larry Carter, who heads up the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, is sounding off about the need for the state to at least reach the regional annual salary average of just over 55-thousand-dollars.

Cut 10 (10)  “…seeking higher pay.”

Carter says it will be up to the governor, state lawmakers and educators to work together to see that the state allocates the additional state funding. The current average pay for the more than 40-thousand teachers in the state is just over 51-thousand-500-dollars and that’s helping to lead to teacher shortages in some school districts.

At this hour, LSU’s new football coach, Brian Kelly, is being introduced to the media at a news conference.

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce.

Cut 3 (12) “…policy response.”

Scott says he doesn’t see the pandemic resolving anytime soon.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.

Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”

Hospitalizations in South Africa are increasing with the variant.

The announcement and arrival of LSU’s newest hire Brian Kelly as head football coach is met with excitement and shock as about 50 of the purple and gold faithful gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport to greet the former Norte Dame coach. After two mediocre seasons, the news of Kelly at the helm renews hope in the program.

Cut 7 (12) “…(two voices) why we’re out here.”

Louisiana ranks 12^th in teacher pay among 16 states in the South and Larry Carter, President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, says the state needs to at least reach the regional average of 55-thousand-dollars. Carter says while strides have been made with Governor Edwards’ support it still falls short.

Cut 12 (13) “…the other 16.”

Teacher pay is on the mind of the man who heads up the state’s teacher’s union. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

LSU’s new football coach Brian Kelly will reportedly be paid $95 million over a 10-year period and with incentives, it makes him the highest-paid coach at a public institution. A press conference announcing his hire is scheduled for noon today.

Clarence Fields the Mayor of Pineville since 1999 says he won’t seek a 7^th term. After 22 years of public service, he looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. He says the decision to retire next June was a difficult one after he was diagnosed with a vision problem.

Cut 5 (07) “…under the circumstances.”

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is raising concerns. Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says when news of the new variant broke over the holidays it was a reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

Cut 14 (07)  “…be prepared.”

Health officials are encouraging more people to get vaccinated and those who are get booster shots before the variant arrives in the US.

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport Tuesday. About 50 people were on hand when the former skipper of the Fighting Irish touched down in Tiger Country.

Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”

A press conference introducing Kelly is at noon today, and Louisiana Tech will introduce their new coach, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie at noon also.  And Garth Brooks will be Callin Baton Rouge April 30^th for a concert at Tiger Stadium.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is a growing concern. Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says while studies of the variant are ongoing there has been an alarming increase in hospitalizations in South Africa, but the nation also has a vaccination rate of only 30-percent.

Cut 15 (12)  “..unvaccinated.”

Ochsner and other health officials are encouraging more people to get fully vaccinated and for those who already are get booster shots.

The man who’s been Mayor of Pineville since 1999 is stepping down. Mayor Clarence Fields announces he will not seek re-election next year to a seventh term in office. 66-year-old Fields says he was recently diagnosed with a vision problem and – if not for that – he likely would have run again.

Cut 4 (08) “…what led to it. “

LSU has called a noon press conference today to introduce Brian Kelly as the Fighting Tigers new football coach. This fan is excited that Kelly has left Notre Dame to take over the LSU program and he gives a lot of credit to athletic director Scott Woodward for getting the deal done…
cut 9 (12) “….no brainer”
Kelly’s ten-year contract also includes six-figure bonuses, two cars and a loan of up to one-point-two million dollars to buy a home.

Meanwhile, Louisiana teacher pay ranks 12th out of 16 states in the South according to the latest report from the Southern Regional Education Board. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says pay is an issue, but so is…
cut 11 (06) “…decision making”
Still, Carter says the battle will go on for higher pay with the hope that Governor Edwards can get teacher pay increased to the regional average by the end of his second term in January 2024.

News of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant has Ochsner health officials on alert and advising the public on how to prepare. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana has once again extended the Shot for 100 vaccine incentive campaign. Residents who receive their first COVID shot at a community-based site through December 31st can receive 100-dollars. Over 34-thousand people in Louisiana have received 100-bucks through the program.

A new report shows Louisiana still has a ways to go to reach the Southern Regional Average for teacher pay…
cut 2 (34) “….I’m Dave Brannen”

A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked President Biden’s vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide. Judge Terry Doughty issued the ruling after reviewing a multi-state lawsuit led by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Doughty wrote the Biden Administration doesn’t have the authority to bypass Congress in issuing such a mandate.

Brian Kelly will be introduced today as the Tigers new head football coach during a press conference at noon. About 50 fans gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport yesterday to welcome Kelly and his family to their new home. This fan can’t believe the winningest coach in Notre Dame history is now leading the Fighting Tigers…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”

Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says he’s not seeking a seventh term in office and he will retire when his current term comes to an end on June 30th…
cut 6 (10) “…until then”
Fields was a recent inductee into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and is credited with revitalizing Pineville business, leading improvements to the Rapides Parish city’s infrastructure & recreational departments, and bringing new commercial and residential developments.

A new survey from the Southern Regional Education Board shows teacher pay in Louisiana ranks 12th of 16 states in the South. According to the S-R-E-B, the average salary for Louisiana teachers is 51-thousand dollars, while the regional average is 55-thousand dollars. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says it’s important to keep raising teacher pay…
cut 10 (10) “….seeking higher pay”
Carter says it will be up to the governor, state lawmakers and educators to work together to see that the state allocates the additional state funding.

The highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.
Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”
Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says preliminary data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine retains adequate efficacy against the Omicron variant.

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport yesterday as dozens of fans were on hand when the winningest coach in Notre Dame history touched down in Tiger Town
Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”