Tougher coronavirus restrictions go into effect today as the state is seeing a third surge of COVID-19 cases. The modified Phase Two will result in bars closing, fewer people inside restaurants and gyms, and new limits on the size of gatherings. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says they are once again concerned about capacity at hospitals…

Cut 3 (12)  “…opened up”

The order will last until at least December 23^rd

The Louisiana Restaurant Association fears these new restrictions will cripple the industry just in time for the holidays. LRA President Stan Harris says the type of restaurants that are impacted the most are sit-down venues as opposed to fast-food restaurants and he feels the outlook on receiving any aid is bleak.

Cut 10 (10) “….right now.”

The Lake Charles “Mayor’s Turkey Challenge” helps 2,000 needy families in the hurricane-ravaged city get turkeys in time for Thanksgiving. The drive saw people donate money to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana to help buy the birds. Mayor Nic Hunter says one out of state business in particular made a big impact.

Cut 12 (11) “..succsess” 

Hunter says initially they only expected to receive a few hundred birds.

Former LSU football player and Baton Rouge staple Ruffin Rodrigue has passed away.  Rodrigue played offensive line for the Tigers from 1986-89, earning All-SEC honors in 1988.  LSU coach Ed Orgeron remembers Rodrigue’s time in the purple and gold.

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re all crushed.”

New coronavirus restrictions go into effect as the state moves into a modified Phase two. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “  I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reported 1,234 COVID-19 cases today and 27 additional deaths. Hospitalizations from the virus increased by 25 bringing the total to 1,077. Vent usage also increased by three to 116.

Modified Phase Two restrictions mean restaurants must reduce capacity from 75 to 50-percent. President of Louisiana Restaurant Association, Stan Harris says LDH contract tracing shows industrial settings topping the list of community spread and feels the restaurant industry is being targeted unfairly.

Cut 9 (10) “…Tiger Stadium.”

Harris predicts 20 to 30 percent of restaurants that close today will not reopen.

Former LSU football player and Baton Rouge staple Ruffin Rodrigue has died. Rodrigue played offensive line for the Tigers from 1986-89, and owned the popular eatery Ruffino’s Restaurant in both Baton Rouge and Lafayette. LSU coach Ed Orgeron was friends with Rodrigue.

Cut 7 (09) “..supported LSU.”

Phase Two modified restrictions that go into effect today means restaurants will once again have to make major adjustments and just as we approach the holiday season. President of Louisiana Restaurant Association, Stan Harris, predicts 20 to 30 percent of restaurants in the state will close permanently as a result.

Cut 8 (12) “..financial peril.”

Restaurants must reduce maximum capacity from 75 to 50-percent and the new order essentially closes most bars across the state.

Former LSU football player and Baton Rouge staple Ruffin Rodrigue has passed away.  Rodrigue played offensive line for the Tigers from 1986-89, earning All-SEC honors in 1988.  LSU coach Ed Orgeron remembers Rodrigue’s time in the purple and gold.

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re all crushed.”

An effort to deliver turkeys to residents in the beleaguered City of Lake Charles is a big success, with the “Mayor’s Turkey Challenge” bringing over 2,000 birds to needy residents. Mayor Nic Hunter says after the town got smashed by Hurricanes Laura and Delta they found a lot of folks in need of help for Thanksgiving. They set a modest goal, and blew right past it…

Cut 11 (12) “….**laugh**”

The drive saw people donate money to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana to help buy the birds, along with a major donation from Houston based Ceva Logistics. The turkeys were distributed last week by the United Way to families who were most in need in the area.

The state moved back into Phase Two, but a modified form that leaves schools and churches unaffected while most other businesses will have to limit capacity to 50 percent, down from the current 75 percent. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says that’s because COVID hospitalizations have doubled since early October. He says the new restrictions are not just because we are entering the holiday season…

Cut 4 (09)   “…take some action”  

The order remains in effect at least until December 23^rd but Governor Edwards warned he is likely to extend the order at that point. The Governor says the good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel with LDH expecting vaccinations to begin by mid-December. Stacy Hall, Director of the Office of Public Health Immunization Program says they are waiting on federal guidance on who gets vaccinated first

Cut 10 (11) “…top two.”

Overall holiday travel is expected to be less this Thanksgiving however if you are taking to the skies, preparation is key in a pandemic.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Three people, two of them from out of state, are under arrest in the death of an unidentified Lake Charles woman found in a burning vehicle in DeQuincy. Morgan Douglas of Andalusia, Alabama faces the second degree murder charges along with arson and obstruction while his two coworkers, Dixon Fife of Lake Charles, and Michael Roberts of Jacksonville, Florida faces a number of charges including accessory after the fact to second degree murder.

Governor Edwards says the state’s move back into a modified Phase Two should persuade people against gathering with others outside their household for the holidays. Edwards says the holidays are here, but holiday parties are a recipe for disaster right now.

Cut 14 (08) “…dangerous.” 

The Louisiana Health Department expects to begin receiving the first COVID vaccine by mid-December. Stacy Hall, Director of the Office of Public Health Immunization Program says they are waiting on guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on who gets vaccinated first. Hall predicts that the public will then be able to receive COVID vaccinations by mid-2021.

Cut 11 (11) “…unexpected happening.”

Hall says healthcare personnel and those most likely to die from COVID will be among the first to be vaccinated.

It’s time to start defrosting that frozen turkey if you want it ready for baking or frying tomorrow. Before you start to defrost that bird, Ag Commissioner Mike Strain wants you to know that they can be covered in salmonella, and washing your bird can spread those germs up to three feet from the sink.

Cut 4 (12) “…poultry.”

Today is typically the one busiest travel days of the year however AAA projects 50-million Americans will travel for Thanksgiving this year a drop from 55 million last year. Louisiana AAA spokesperson Don Redman says if you are traveling by air, even with estimated travel down by 50-percent for airlines this year don’t expect to have an empty seat beside you to stretch out.

Cut 9 (08) “…entire flight.”

Redmond also reminds travelers to check what restrictions are in place for your intended destination COVID-wise.

New coronavirus restrictions on businesses and gatherings go into effect today as the state is experiencing a third surge of COVID-19 cases across all regions of Louisiana. The modified Phase Two as Governor John Bel Edwards calls it, means non-essential businesses like restaurants and retail stores must reduce maximum capacity from 75 to 50-percent. Gatherings will be limited to 75 people indoors and outdoors 150.

Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says these toughened restrictions are needed as COVID hospitalizations have doubled since early October and health care capacity has been stretched thin…
cut 28 (14) “…up stairs”

The Louisiana Health Department is expecting to receive its first shipment of COVID-19 vaccines in mid-December. Both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require cold storage and Director of the Office of Public Health Immunization Program Stacy Hall says they have already tested protocols for distribution…
cut 12 (10) “….the state”
The Pfizer vaccine is expected to receive FDA approval in mid-December.

Turkeys will be cooking in kitchens across the state tomorrow. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says instead of relying on visual cues to determine when your bird is cooked, use a food thermometer…
cut 6 (11) “…breast”

Louisiana moves back today to a modified Phase 2 as the state is seeking a surge in COVID cases and hospitalizations have doubled since October third. The governor’s updated phase proclamation means the number of customers allowed at restaurants, gyms, salons, casinos, malls and other nonessential businesses declines from 75 to 50-percent. Most bars will likely be limited to takeout and indoor gatherings for weddings and other events will be limited to 75 people.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s tired of the pandemic too, but with a vaccine on the horizon, you will not need to keep sacrificing your social life for much longer.
Cut 15 (12)“…us”
The modified Phase Two will remain in effect until at least December 23rd.

The state health department expects to begin COVID-19 vaccine distribution in mid-December. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 2 (30) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

Even though health and government officials advise against it, today is one of the busiest travel days of the year. But Louisiana AAA spokesperson Don Redman says they are anticipating at least a ten-percent decline in travelers…
cut 7 (10) “…earlier anticipated”

New coronavirus restrictions go into effect today as the state moves into a modified Phase Two for at least the next four weeks. Restaurants, gyms, salons, casinos, malls and other nonessential businesses must reduce their occupancy rate to 50-percent. And Governor Edwards continues to make the plea not to have a large Thanksgiving celebration…
cut 13 (12) “….together”
Also, indoor gatherings for weddings and events will be limited to 75 people.

If you are cooking a turkey tomorrow, you better start defrosting it. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says you can either let the bird defrost in your fridge or submerge in cold water…
cut 5 (10) “….30 minutes”

Airports are as full today as they’ve been since March as an estimated two-point-four million Americans will take to the skies this Thanksgiving holiday…
cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Many college students are heading home today. Today is the last day of in-person class and when the fall semester resumes next week, instruction at most schools will take place online in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus. At LSU, in-person classes will resume in January when the spring semester starts.

Louisiana is taking a step back and moving to a modified Phase Two through the end of the year, which means most bars will have to close and most businesses will have to reduce maximum capacity from 75 to 50-percent. The new restrictions go into effect today.

And with hospitalizations and coronavirus cases on the rise, the governor continues to make the case to not have Thanksgiving celebrations with extended family members and with rain in the forecast tomorrow for south Louisiana it will be harder to hold those gatherings…
cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Health Department expects to begin receiving the first COVID vaccine by mid-December. Stacy Hall, Director of the Office of Public Health Immunization Program says they are waiting on guidance from the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices on who gets vaccinated first.
Cut 10 (11) “…top two.”
Hall says another priority group is those with preexisting conditions and most likely to succumb to the virus.

Despite warnings from health and government officials not to gather in large groups, millions of people will travel today to their Thanksgiving destination. AAA anticipates at least a 10-percent drop in travel compared to the previous year. Spokesperson Don Redman says auto travel is expected to decrease by four percent…
cut 8 (09) “….76-percent”