News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor John Bel Edwards says unfortunately it’s par for the course.

 Cut 6 (10) “…more variants” 

He says it’s another reminder the pandemic is far from over and more people need to be vaccinated to slow transmission.

It’s Cyber Monday, and Carmen Million, President of the Better Business Bureau of Baton Rouge says before you click on that sale it is your responsibility to investigate that the retailer is credible, and it’s a secure site before you give them your personal information.

Cut 9 (05) “…for secure.”

She also advises that you check product availability with supply chain disruptions and a retailer’s reputation with the BBB.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. FEMA spokesperson Nathan Custer if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so. He says there is no dollar threshold on the amount of damage you can seek help for.

Cut 4 (11) “…to the catastrophic.”

FEMA assistance is decided on a case-by-case basis.

Natchitoches Police are investigating the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old. Police say they were alerted shortly before 8:30 Saturday night of the juvenile who was brought to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with a single gunshot wound. The teen was transported to LSU-Health Shreveport and died as a result of injuries. The shooting remains under investigation and police are asking for any information concerning the incident that happened in the 600 block Winnona Street.

Today is the deadline to register for FEMA disaster relief if your main home suffered damage during Hurricane Ida. Nathan Custer with the agency says that damage can range from the minor to the catastrophic, but if you haven’t registered with FEMA for assistance, you only have hours left to do so:

Cut 3 (07) “…hear from you.”

To register, call 1-800-621-3362 or visit DisasterAssistance.gov on the web.

It’s early voting time in Louisiana for the December 11^th elections. One of the more noteworthy candidate races is taking place in Orleans Parish where LApolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the long-time sheriff finds himself in a battle with a progressive Democrat.

Cut 13 (07) “…battle down there.”

Early voting continues through this Saturday from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor Edwards says we should all be concerned about the newest variant and continue to practice mitigation. He’s hoping and praying the state will not have another surge similar to the one Louisiana experienced in July and August.

Cut 8 (08) “…to use them.”

Covington State Representative Mark Wright will be chairing the Louisiana House Transportation Committee as lawmakers figure out how to best spend federal infrastructure dollars heading to the Bayou State. Wright says when it comes to improving the state’s roadways, much of what needs to be spent and where has already been decided.

Cut 5 (12) “…the books already.”

Wright says he doesn’t want the state’s ports to be forgotten in doling out infrastructure dollars.

News of the highly transmissible Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned and Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s another reminder the pandemic is far from over and everyone needs to help slow transmission.

Cut 7 (10) “…global pandemic.”  

Omicron is now the dominant COVID variant in South Africa, less than two weeks after it was first reported. There have also been cases reported in Canada.

The loss of smell from COVID is a long-term effect for some and Dr. Kevin McLaughlin, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Professor at LSU Health New Orleans says while most do recover their sense of smell in a week or two, some regain an altered sense of smell. Instead of pleasant odors like flowers or fresh fruit…

Cut 12 (12) “…is distorted.”

Chair of the Louisiana House Transportation Committee will also be dealing with federal infrastructure dollars recently approved by Congress. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

It’s the holiday shopping season and LSU, U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State are all looking for head football coaches. Billy Napier has been named the new head coach for Florida and it’s unclear who LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will land as the Tigers new head coach. He’s known for making big-name hires, but the number of big names available is dwindling.

Early voting is underway for the December 11th election. About half of the state’s 64 parishes have local propositions on their ballot including in St. Tammany Parish, where voters are deciding if they want a casino resort in Slidell. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says the proposition is a controversial one…
cut 14 (08) “….got Drew Brees”
Brees publicly supports the proposed project because it includes a 35-million dollar youth sports complex, while law enforcement officials and religious groups say the casino will just bring more crime to St. Tammany.

News of the Omicron variant of COVID has health experts concerned as a number of countries have reported cases of the new variant, including Canada. Governor John Bel Edwards says we should not be surprised…
Cut 6 (10) “…more variants”

The loss of smell from COVID six months or longer is becoming a growing health concern. Brooke Thorington on the dangers of this annoying side effect.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron is relaxing on a Florida beach, while Tiger fans anxiously wait to hear who his replacement will be. A possible candidate, Lincoln Riley, has been hired at USC after a successful run at Oklahoma. Flordia had a vacancy for less than a week as they hired Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier to replace the fired Dan Mullen.

There have been 769-thousand COVID cases in Louisiana and for many patients, they lose the sense of smell for weeks. Doctor Kevin McLaughlin, ear, nose, and throat surgery professor at LSU Health New Orleans says that’s because the cells surrounding the olfactory nerves are damaged…
cut 11 (13) “….and injury”

Covington Representative Mark Wright has been named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee. As a result of the federal infrastructure bill, the state is set to receive an additional seven billion dollars to improve infrastructure and Wright wants to make sure a good portion of that money will go towards updating our ports…
cut 6 (07) “…to focus on”

Who is LSU athletic director Scott Woodward focusing on to be the next head coach at LSU. Florida and USC moved quickly to fill their vacancies.

Early voting is this week for the December eleventh election at select voting locations from 8:30 to 6 PM through Saturday. 29 parishes have no elections, while 26 parishes have only local propositions and seven parishes have local propositions and candidate races. Louisiana pollster John Covillon of JMC Analytics expects turnout to be light statewide…
cut 15 (11) “….by the holidays”
The highest turnout could be in St. Tammany Parish as voters will decide if a casino-resort will be built in Slidell.

It’s Cyber Monday, which concludes a busy holiday shopping weekend. Jill Gonzales from the personal finance website WalletHub warns against the option of deferred interest on credit cards especially if you don’t think you’ll be able to pay it off in the given time period. Gonzales says for example if you don’t pay off the credit in the allotted time…
Cut 9 (08) “…tricky situation.”
She says sometimes deferred interest can make your holiday purchases up to 27 times more expensive than you anticipated.

It’s the holiday shopping season and LSU, U-L Lafayette, Louisiana Tech and Grambling State are all looking for head football coaches. There was speculation the Tigers would hire Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, but instead, the 38-year-old Texas native took the U-S-C job. Ragin Cajun fans are wishing Billy Napier the best after leaving U-L Lafayette for Florida. It’s unclear who LSU athletic director Scott Woodward will tab as the Tigers new head coach. He’s known for making big-name hires, but the number of big names available is dwindling.

Now back to holiday shopping which is in full swing and today is Cyber Monday. Wallethub analyst Jill Gonzales says if you have the option of zero-percent financing for a limited time or an immediate discount…
cut 7 (08) “….interest traps”
She also warns against using the option of deferred interest on credit cards.

The man who’ll chair the Louisiana House Transportation Committee will be dealing with those federal infrastructure dollars recently approved by Congress and the President. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Early voting is this week for the December 11th election. Jeremy Alford of La-Politics-dot-com says the hottest candidate race is in Orleans Parish…
cut 13 (07) “….down there”
In Ouachita Parish, Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown is facing a recall effort.

U-S-C and Florida have filled their college football head coaching vacancies, while LSU’s search continues. The Gators named Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier as their new head coach and the Trojans pulled off a shocker by hiring Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley as their new head coach. Rumorville had Riley leaving the Sooners for LSU.

Besides the shopping and mailing, the holiday season is also bringing us another election. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Covington State Representative Mark Wright was recently named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee. He takes over the panel at a time when the state is set to receive just over seven billion dollars from President Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill…
Cut 4 (09) “…then it’s doubled. “
It remains to be seen where all of the money will go. As Wright understands it, there are three pots of money that will help address roads, bridges, and even the state’s ports.

The loss of smell from COVID for six months or longer is a growing public health concern. Dr. Kevin McLaughlin, Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery Professor at LSU Health New Orleans says a majority of people do recover their sense of smell in a week or two.
Cut 10 (07) “…sense of smell.”
McLaughlin says that’s because your olfactory nerves were damaged by COVID.

A big shopping weekend continues today as merchants are advertising big sales. LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says do your research before you shop…
cut 6 (05) “…getting into”
Rice says the Labor Department has shown price increases over the last year of 13% for TVs, furniture 11% and appliances 7%.

It’s early voting time in Louisiana for the December 11th elections. One of the more noteworthy candidate races is taking place in Orleans Parish where LApolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the long-time sheriff finds himself in a battle with a progressive Democrat….
cut 13 (07) “….battle down there”
In Ouachita Parish, voters in Richwood can recall their mayor Gerald Brown.

The man who’ll chair the Louisiana House Transportation Committee will be dealing with those federal infrastructure dollars recently approved by Congress and the President. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Today is the Bayou Classic between Southern and Grambling inside the Superdome at 4 PM. There’s also a rivalry game in Lafayette today as the 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns host ULM. Tonight is most likely Ed Orgeron’s final game as head coach for the LSU Tigers and speculation is growing Oklahoma’s head coach Lincoln Riley could replace him.

Today is Small Business Saturday and retailers hope to exceed last year’s profits even with a few hurdles. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Early voting for the December 11th election begins today. 38 of the state’s 64 parishes have a local race or issue on their ballot. There’s a run-off election for sheriff in Orleans and voters in St. Tammany will vote on whether a casino can re-locate to Slidell. In Ouachita Parish, Richwood Mayor Gerald Brown is facing a recall effort.

Ed Orgeron is likely coaching his final game as head coach of the LSU Tigers today. ESPN college football writer Chris Low believes LSU athletic director Scott Woodward’s first choice is Texas A-and-M coach Jimbo Fisher…
cut 13 (11) “…who knows”
Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley could be plan B and LSU basketball coach Will Wade and baseball coach Jay Johnson are now following Riley on Twitter and so are current players and recruits.

In other coaching news, Louisiana Tech announced today will be Skip Holtz’s final game as head coach of the Bulldogs after nine seasons.

The Bayou Classic kicks off today at 4 PM in the Superdome. Southern and Grambling both have losing records. But the schools’ bands plan to put on a great show at halftime. Bayou Classic organizer Dottie Belletto…
cut 12 (08) “…on game day”

We have entered the second Holiday shopping season while in the COVID pandemic, and with record-high inflation. How will that affect your holiday shopping? LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says store shelves could look a bit sparse, with supply chain issues. He feels online shopping will be huge again this year but says, even so, it pays to get started now.
Cut 4 (11) “…into the stores. “
Today is Small Business Saturday and State director of the National Federation of Independent Business, Dawn McVea says this year it’s more important than ever to shop locally. Last year $19.8 billion was spent at small retailers and they hope to exceed that this year.
Cut 7 (07) “…shop small.”
Small Business Saturday is an initiative that began in 2010 by American Express.

Early voting for the December 11th election begins today at 8:30. For voters in 29 parishes there are no elections but Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics-dot-com says there are some races to keep an eye on even though it’s a small ballot for the other 34 parishes…
voicer 3 (23) “…I’m Dave Brannon”

Today is the final day of the college football regular season. Could be Ed Orgeron’s last game as head coach of the LSU Tigers when they host Texas A-and-M tonight. It will be Skip Holtz’s final game as head coach of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Holtz is out after nine seasons. And the Bayou Classic is today at 4 PM between Southern and Grambling.