The Louisiana Farm Bureau says families can expect to spend an average of 57-dollars for a classic holiday meal for ten, which is eleven dollars cheaper than the national average. The dinner consists of 14 main items including sweet potatoes. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says even those veggies cost less in Louisiana than the national average…
cut 6 (07) “….the national average”
Davidson says you can even pay less by buying directly from a grower of sweet potatoes.

With the holidays approaching, Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging those 18 and older and have been vaccinated against COVID to consider getting a booster shot…
cut 8 (07) “…the disease”
Health officials say vaccine immunity has been shown to drop after six months on the two-dose vaccines, and two months after the one-dose vaccine

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has been named the new Chairman of House Education. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Governor Edwards has two public events on his calendar today. He’ll be in Lafayette this morning for a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the I-10 widening project from I-49 to Breaux Bridge. This afternoon, Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter will join the governor in Baton Rouge for a housing announcement for people affected by last year’s hurricanes and the May floods.

Louisiana is the recipient of a one-point-five million dollar federal grant to address human trafficking. Louisiana is one of two states selected for the 2021 grant and two years ago received $1.2 million. The multi-year grant will fund the Louisiana Child and Youth Trafficking Collaborative and Accessibility Initiative.
Cut 11 (11) “…care coordination.”
That’s Doctor Dana Hunter, executive director of the newly created Office of Human Trafficking Prevention.

As we move into the holiday season, Governor Edwards continues to encourage COVID vaccinations and for those who already are, he’s also touting booster shots. Edwards says last year’s holiday gatherings brought about a surge in cases.
Cut 7 (12) “…it is to do it.”

Thanksgiving arrives Thursday, and while what goes into making the meal for the day may cost a bit, Louisiana residents are paying less than the national average….
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The legal hurdles over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, expressed surprise when the state’s 2^nd Court of Appeals sided with Shreveport Ochsner employees opposed to the vaccine mandate, blocking it last month.

Cut 7 (11) “….and can’t do.”  

Ciolino predicts that Ochsner Health will emerge victorious in the state Supreme Court case given that Louisiana is an “at will” state when it comes to employment.

The Biden Build Back Better Plan passed in the House this morning after an hours-long speech overnight delayed the vote. The $1.75 trillion bill will assist working families with childcare for about 300,000 young children, provide universal pre-school and Pell Grant awards. Congressman Troy Carter says it’s so important to educate children even before kindergarten during their formative years

Cut 9 (10) “…their education.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

——————————-

Governor Edwards told U-S Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the 2020 hurricanes. Edwards says they are anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the grant dollars can be used. Edwards was in D-C earlier this week seeking additional money for southwest Louisiana. He believes the trip will help pay dividends…

Cut 5 (06) “.through Congress.”

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school. She says the legislation would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending.

Cut 14 (11) “…activity at school.” 

Letlow notes that many schools in the nation and in Louisiana are already practicing what’s in her bill.

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says in this case that the justices will consider…

 Cut 6 (10) “…them very quickly.” 

A hearing on the matter is set for December 7^th.

Governor Edwards told the U-S Housing and Urban Development Secretary the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the 2020 hurricanes. Much of the money will go to storm victims who need help to rebuild their homes and businesses. He says 90-million of the allocation is also required to pay efforts…

Cut 4 (06) “…as well.”

Edwards was in Washington earlier this week seeking additional money for southwest Louisiana.

The Biden Build Back Better Plan passed in the House Friday morning after an overnight delay on the vote. Brooke Thorington has more on the $1.75 trillion bill to support working families.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Police in the Vermilion Parish town of Maurice are working their first homicide case in about 70 years.  It happened Friday afternoon when investigators say 53-year-old Kevin Chargois was found shot to death in a roadway of the town. Robert St. Julien, said to be the man’s third cousin, and who initially reported the crime, was arrested after questioning on a charge of second-degree murder. No word on what the motive for the shooting was.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.  More from Jeff Palermo.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Biden Build Back Plan passed in the House Friday and critics of the $1.75 trillion bill say it will only discourage some from entering the workforce. Congressman Troy Carter says he respectively disagrees because the bill provides funding for childcare which will allow more parents to return to work. Opponents say the bill will cost an estimated $1.6 trillion and it’s the largest non-emergency spending measure since the 60s.

Governor Edwards told U-S Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the 2020 hurricanes. Edwards says they are anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the grant dollars can be used.

Cut 3 (13) “…we get started.”

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school.

Cut 13 (12) “…boards and educators.”

Letlow says education is not a job parents or schools can do by themselves.

The Biden Build Back Plan passed in the House this morning and critics of the $1.75 trillion bill say it will only discourage some from entering the workforce. Congressman Troy Carter says he respectively disagrees and because the bill provides funding for childcare which will allow more parents to return to work.

Cut  11 (10)  “…my party.”  

Opponents say the bill will cost an estimated $1.6 trillion and it’s the largest non-emergency spending measure since the 60s. President of business group LABI Stephen Waguespack says instead of helping the economy, which is at its highest in over 30 years, the BBB will do the opposite.

Cut 12 (07) “…right now.”  

The bill now heads to the Senate.

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says in this case that the justices will consider…

 Cut 6 (10) “…them very quickly.” 

A hearing on the matter is set for December 7^th.

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school. She says the pandemic and virtual education allowed more parents to witness their child’s curriculum and inspired the legislation.

Cut 15 (09) “…should have input.” 

Amid controversy over federal authorities treating parents concerned over what their kids are taught in schools as “domestic terrorists”, Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces the Parents Bill of Rights Act; geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school. She says many schools in the nation and in Louisiana are already practicing what’s in her bill, but it would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending…:

CUT 14         (11)    “…activity at school.”

The state Department of Health proposes a mandate that kids get the COVID vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now the FDA only approves shots for kids 16 and older, but the vaccine has been OK’ed for kids as young as five as part of pandemic emergency use only. A legislative hearing on the proposal is coming next month.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.  More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

The federal Department of Justice says it’s giving New Orleans just over $7-million to accommodate hiring more cops. The money will mean NOPD can add about 30 new officers, at a time when they have a serious manpower issue … and burgeoning street crime.

Governor Edwards tells U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the double hit of two hurricanes in 2020. The Governor says his office is anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the state can spend it…:

CUT 03         (13)    “…we get started.”

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he thinks Ochsner will come out on top here, given that Louisiana is an “at will” state when it comes to employment…:

CUT 08         (07)    “private employer mandate.”

A hearing on the matter is set for December 7^th.

The Biden Administration’s $1.75-trillion Build Back Better plan passed the U.S. House by a 7 vote margin today. Included in the bill are billions for social programs, like free childcare, universal pre-school, Pell Grants for collegians and more. District 2 Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter is happy with the passage..:

CUT 09         (10)    “…their education.”

However, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry President Stephen Waguespack feels Congress has gone spend-crazy in a dangerously unstable economy…:

CUT 10         (10)    “…back on track.”

The bill heads to the Senate, where it is sure to be amended.

A proposal from the Louisiana Department of Health would mandate that children get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now, the FDA only approves the shots for those 16 and older. Using the vaccine on younger kids is OK, but only as a temporary emergency measure.

President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan passed in the U.S. House today. Brooke Thorington has more on the $1.75-trillion bill…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

A traffic stop on U.S. 190 in West Baton Rouge Parish turned into a big drug bust, as deputies found 4 kilos of heroin stashed in a vehicle. That’s about 40-thousand doses. The driver, Felipe Fuentes, of New Mexico, was booked with improper lane usage, illegal window tint and possession of Schedule I narcotics

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school…:

CUT 13(12)      “…boards and educators.”

Letlow says the legislation would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending.

St. Tammany Parish residents who oppose a multi-million dollar casino in Slidell are happy this afternoon, after the Court of Appeals ruled late yesterday that a lawsuit, alleging it was unconstitutional to put the casino on a December 11th ballot, must be heard by a judge before Election Day. The casino had hired Drew Brees to help get public support for bringing gaming to the parish. Voters banned gaming in St. Tammany in 1996.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

32-year old Ben Burford a former New Orleans police officer who was fired over a rape accusation pleads guilty to a lesser offense. Burford was initially charged with third-degree rape but it’s been amended to indecent behavior with a juvenile older than 13, which calls for a maximum of seven years.

The Biden Build Back Plan passed in the House this morning and critics of the $1.75 trillion bill say it will only discourage many from entering the workforce. Congressman Troy Carter says he respectively disagrees and because the bill provides funding for childcare which will allow more parents to return to work.

Cut  11 (10)  “…my party.”  

Opponents say the bill will cost an estimated $1.6 trillion and it’s the largest non-emergency spending measure since the 60s. President of business group LABI Stephen Waguespack says instead of helping the economy, which is at its highest in over 30 years, the BBB will do the opposite.

Cut 12 (07) “…right now.”  

The bill now heads to the Senate.