Governor John Bel Edwards says the current coronavirus restrictions will remain in place through at least January 13th. That means, restaurants, gyms, salons, casinos and malls must limit their maximum occupancy to 50-percent, churches are restricted to 75-percent occupancy. Edwards is concerned the number of COVID patients in the hospital is at its highest number since April…
cut 8 (11) “…trouble’

Speaking of traveling, AAA is anticipating at least 34 million fewer Americans will travel this holiday season, a decline in travel of at least 29-percent. Spokesperson Nick Chabarria says they still expect as many as 84- million Americans will travel during the holidays and a vast majority will do so by car…
cut 5 (09) “…pandemic”
Chabarria says airline travel is down nearly 60-percent from last year.

500 new jobs are coming to Acadiana as Amazon has announced plans to build a fulfillment center in the Lafayette Parish city of Carencro. Lafayette Economic Development Authority CEO Gregg Gothreaux says the one-point-one million square foot facility will be located on the former Evangeline Downs site near I-10 and I-49…
cut 12 (11) “…the south”

There’s a slight risk for severe weather in south Louisiana today as a strong cold front approaches. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this front will bring us colder temperatures for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day…
cut 15 (10) “…outside”
But the first concern is the potential for severe weather today. Strong storms are expected this afternoon and into tonight in south Louisiana. There’s a marginal risk for central Louisiana.

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the current Modified Phase Two restrictions for at least another three weeks citing the state’s high number of COVID hospitalizations, which have exceeded the level reached during the second surge in July. Edwards says the state is seeing a plateau of reported COVID-like illness and declining test positivity rates, but…
Cut 7 (04) “…quo”
So that means the statewide mask mandate stays in effect through January 13th. Restaurants, retail businesses and gyms will also remain limited to 50-percent indoor capacity and most bars will stay closed.

If you plan on holding an outdoor Christmas celebration, be prepared for temperatures 10 to 12 degrees below normal…
cut 14 (09) “….Christmases”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 50s on Christmas Day as a strong cold strong front moves through today. There’s a slight chance for severe weather in south Louisiana this afternoon into tonight.

This time next year Amazon’s first fulfillment center in the state will be up and running in Lafayette Parish, Brooke Thorington on how it will impact Acadiana…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Jefferson Parish Coroner says an airplane passenger’s cause of death was respiratory failure due to COVID-19. 69-year-old Isaias Hernandez of Los Angeles was on a flight from Orlando to L-A on December 14th when the flight was diverted to New Orleans because Hernandez needed medical attention. An emergency medical technician who gave C-P-R to Hernandez has also tested positive.

Procrastinators might be able to find that last-minute Christmas gift on sale this year, Brooke Thorington explains.

 Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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We started this work week with three straight days of over 50 COVID death. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns that may not be letting up in the near future…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot bonfire alligator in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says the gator goes by the name of Saint.

Cut 3 (10)  “…our history.”  

Saint is a smaller version of the 78-foot alligator bonfire that was constructed last year and made headlines. Boe says Saint is a reminder of the bonfire custom that was extinguished this year due to high positivity rates of COVID.

Cut 4 (09) “…right now.”

The bonfires are constructed by locals and lit on Christmas Eve to guide Papa Noel, also known as Santa to children’s homes along the river. Boe says Saint the alligator will serve as a landmark this year to guide Saint Nick.

Cut 5 (08) “…pandemic.”

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace and Boe encourages tourists to visit and take photos with the alligator.

https://lariverparishes.com/bonfirecountry/

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This year’s last-minute Christmas Eve shopping could be easier on your wallet than in the past. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says procrastinators might actually find bargains today because foot traffic was down as much as 90 percent for some stores.

Cut 6 (08) “…still.”

This year more retailers began Black Friday deals before and after the day after Thanksgiving to entice shoppers and in hopes of making up for lost sales earlier in the pandemic. Rice says overall this holiday season sales are up and down. He says online sales were thru the roof this year, as for stores….

Cut 7 (12)  “…have that.”

The types of items in demand changed from in years past, Rice says athletic stores, bicycle shops, and home improvement stores are doing well. Other holiday staples however are not.

Cut 8 (10) “…from home.”

Rice says for many small retailers holiday sales will decide their fate after a rough year adapting to the pandemic.

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Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns the data shows we are most likely in the middle of the most dangerous part of the pandemic, even as vaccines have trickled into the state.

The Department of Health reported 68 new COVID fatalities yesterday, three days in a row that we’ve had over 50 COVID deaths reported in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (07) “…before.”

Our total number of deaths as of this morning is 7,226

Kanter is asking people who’ve still made Christmas plans outside their household to cancel them. He says any large gathering statistically will have one infectious person…

Cut 10 (07) “…accurate.”

Every parish is still in the red for COVID test positivity rates.

But Kanter says we won’t be in this mess for too much longer. He says over ten thousand people have been confirmed vaccinated, with the real number likely a good bit higher.

Cut 11 (09) “…want to be.”

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64-year-old Terry Bowden is the new football coach at ULM. The former Auburn coach has a big task in front of him as he takes over a program that failed to win a game in 2020 at a school that has the smallest athletic budget among FBS schools. But Bowden says he’s ready for the challenge…

Cut 12 (14) “…grinder.”

Bowden has a history of building winning programs. He coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998 and won 45 games. His last head coaching was at Akron from 2012 and 2018. He says when took over the Zips football program it was in bad shape..

Cut 13 (12) “…another bowl.”

The 2020 season was a disaster for the Warhawks who saw numerous players leave and their season kept getting interrupted by COVID cases. Several players have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and Bowden says his task is to re-recruit the players on the current roster…

Cut 14 (14) “…they get.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the state’s Phase Two coronavirus restrictions, which includes the statewide mask mandate, to January 13th. Edwards says hospitalizations have exceeded the level reached during the second surge in July. He says it’s clear we still have a lot of work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel…
cut 9 (07) “….here yet”
The state health department reported yesterday that 22-thousand health care workers have been vaccinated.

Traditionally today is one of the busiest travel days of the year but Triple-A estimates 34 million fewer Americans arel traveling this holiday season. Spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-berry-ah) says many people are heeding the health warnings and staying home.
Cut 4 (07) “…overall travel.”
Chaberria says air travel is down 60-percent from last year.

The first Amazon fulfillment center in Louisiana will be in Lafayette Parish, the online giant will construct the center in Carencro. Gregg Gothreaux, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority says it’s a big boost for the area and not just because they will hire 500 employees.
Cut 10 (11) “…a year.”
Construction of the fulfillment center is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 and Gothreaux says hiring will begin three months prior to opening.

LSU’s coaching staff will look much different in 2021 as offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive line coach Bill Johnson are retiring as on-field coaches and will remain with the program as analysts.

Today is normally one of the busiest travel days of the year,  however, AAA says the pandemic is expected to decrease travel by 29-percent.

 Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana will remain in the current Modified Phase Two until January 13^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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This time next year Amazon’s first fulfillment center in the state will be up and running in Lafayette Parish, Brooke Thorington has more on how it will impact the area.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Traditionally today is one of the busiest travel days of the year but the pandemic has changed most traditions in 2020. AAA estimated 34 million fewer Americans will travel for the holiday season as COVID cases continue to rise. AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-berry-ah) says many American’s are heeding the health warnings and staying home.

Cut 4 (07) “…overall travel.”

While fewer Americans are traveling compared to last year as many as 84.5 million may still travel today through January 3^rd. Chabarria says the majority of those travelers will be making a road trip.

Cut 5 (09) “…pandemic.”

Regionally travelers in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma are expected to total 9.2 million, down 27-percent from last year.

If you are traveling by car, Chabarria says gas prices are down about 20 to 30 cents compared to last year and the average price per gallon in Louisiana is $1.94

Cut 6 (09) “…head out.”

AAA says air travel is down 60-percent from last year. Cruise, bus, and train travel is down 88-percent.

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Governor Edwards extends the current Modified Phase Two restrictions for at least another three weeks citing the state’s high number of COVID hospitalizations and new case counts.

Edwards says we’re starting to see plateauing rates of reported COVID-like illness across all medical regions and declining test positivity rates, but…

Cut 7 (04)  “…quo”

For the first time in over a month, the state’s overall percent positivity rate is under 10 percent, sitting at 9.3 percent.

Edwards says we are flattening the curve but unfortunately the curve has flattened out at a dangerously high level and it’s likely we will experience a post-holiday surge…

Cut 8 (11) “…trouble”

1,647 COVID patients are in the hospital right now, the highest number since April.

So restaurants will remain capped at 50 percent capacity, indoor gatherings limited, and most bars will remain shut, but Edwards says there is light at the end of the tunnel…

Cut 9 (07) “…yet.”

Churches and schools will still be allowed to operate under Phase Three restrictions. The proclamation went into effect today.

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The first Amazon fulfillment center in Louisiana will be in Lafayette Parish, the online giant will construct the center in Carencro.  Gregg Gothreaux, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority says it’s a big boost for the area and not only because they’ll be hiring 500 employees.

Cut 10 (11) “…a year.”

Construction of the fulfillment center is expected to complete by the end of 2021 and Gothreaux says hiring will begin three months prior to opening.

Cut 11 (07) “…etc.”

The fulfillment center will be located on the former Evangeline Downs site in Carencro, Gothreaux explains why that location was chosen.

Cut 12 (11) “…the south.”

Gothreaux says FastStart and the LEDA will hold job fairs in the spring and summer to hire local employees.

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A major low-pressure system is moving into the state and will make for a near-freezing Christmas with a state high of about 50 degrees for the day.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says while we may be enjoying moderate temperatures right now come tomorrow the high will only be about 50…

Cut 13 (11) “…degrees.”

The low-pressure system will be out of our hair starting Saturday with temperatures returning to normal by Sunday.

Keim says those Christmas temperatures will be 10 to 12 degrees below the long-term normal for that time of year.

Cut 14 (09) “…Christmases.” 

But still nowhere near the all-time Christmas low that was experienced in 1983 where the state saw a maximum temperature of 25 degrees and a minimum of 11 degrees.

A lot of families were hoping for milder temperatures so they could gather together outside for a COVID-safer Christmas. Keim says unfortunately this isn’t great socially distancing weather.

Cut 15 (10)“…outside.”

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The Pelicans begin a new season tonight as they face the Raptors in Tampa which the temporary home this season for the Toronto-based franchise. New Orleans fans are excited about Zion Williamson’s second season in the NBA and Williamson is predicting it will be a good one…

Cut 16 (20) “…we’ll figure it out.”

Williamson reportedly dropped 25 pounds in the offseason as the number one pick was limited during his rookie season because of a knee injury and conditioning. Williamson says he feels more comfortable this year…

Cut 17 (17) “…ready to go.”

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Louisiana Tech is seeking its seventh straight bowl victory when it takes on Georgia Southern in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl this afternoon. Aaron Allen will make his first start at quarterback since the season opener. Coach Skip Holtz says they are not asking Allen to be a hero…

Cut  18 (18) “…gives you.”

Tech has a 5-4 record, while Georgia Southern is 7-5. The Eagles run a triple-option offense and Holtz says it’s not easy to get ready for the running attack

Cut 19 (19) “…back side.”

Amazon selects Carencro as the site of its first fulfillment center in Louisiana, with the 500 job facility expected to open a year from now. The company’s Director of Fulfillment Mark Marzano calls it a state of the art facility.

Cut 11 (11) “..wiring.”

Amazon is investing 100 million dollars in the facility and starting wages will be 15 dollars an hour.

When COVID vaccines are more widely available to the public you might wonder who’s paying for them, especially after the pandemic has hurt so many financially. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the federal government is paying for the vaccine itself with CARES Act funding, but there is a fee to administer the shot.

Cut 6 (09) “…to members.”

The coaching staff shakeup is underway at LSU as Bo Pelini is out as the Tigers defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Tigers offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is also on the move. He’s retired from an on field coaching position and is being reassigned within the organization.

Governor Edwards announces that the state will remain in Modified Phase 2 restrictions for the next three weeks.

Governor Edwards extended Modified Phase Two coronavirus restrictions for another three weeks. Hospitalizations and case numbers continue to remain high as we go into the Christmas holidays. Edwards encouraged residents to not gather outside their immediate household.

Big economic development news as Amazon plans on building a 100 million dollar fulfillment center in Carencro next year. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Bo Pelini is out as defensive coordinator. LSU announced last night that Pelini and the school have mutually parted ways with two years left on his contract, which puts his buyout at five-point-two million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says financial resources might be tight as Coach Ed Orgeron looks for a new defensive coordinator

Cut 4 (10 )  “.which happens”  

LSU also announced that Steve Ensminger and Bill Johnson will retire from on-field coach duties.

When COVID vaccines are more widely available to the public you might wonder who’s paying for them, especially after the pandemic has hurt so many financially. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the federal government is paying for the vaccine itself with CARES Act funding, but there is a fee to administer the shot.

Cut 6 (09) “…to members.”

Governor Edwards announces that the state will remain in Modified Phase 2 restrictions for the next three weeks. Modified Phase two caps sporting events at twenty-percent capacity. Restaurants, gyms, casinos, and non-essential retail limited are limited to fifty percent capacity. The Governor also encouraged residents not to gather outside their immediate household for Christmas.

After a historically bad season for the LSU defense, Bo Pelini is out as defensive coordinator. The school announced last night that Pelini and LSU mutually parted ways with two years left on his contract, which puts his buyout at five-point-two million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says a change had to be made

Cut 3 (11)  “…somewhere”

There’s also a report that offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will retire as an on-field coach and be reassigned to another position.

As COVID vaccines continue to be shipped frontline healthcare workers are the first to be vaccinated. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the vaccines will be rolled out in phases based on one’s age and health risks and it will likely take several months before the COVID vaccines are widely available like the flu shot.

Cut 8 (08) “…and pharmacies.”

The vaccines are being paid for with federal CARES act funding but the administrative fee for the shot is not covered.

Amazon selects Carencro as the site of its first fulfillment center in Louisiana, with the 500 job facility expected to open a year from now. Governor John Bel Edwards says the location is the perfect site for a shipping hub.

Cut 10 (11) “…49.”

Amazon currently employs about 1,500 Louisianans.