This evening state lawmakers begin a nine-city tour of public forums on redistricting Louisiana. LRN’s Kevin Gallagher reports…:
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The man accused of fatally shooting one of his relatives and a state trooper in a shooting rampage in the Baton Rouge area earlier this month is now inside a maximum security jail cell at Angola. Matthew Mire was transported to the state’s penitentiary which is an unusual move for an accused killer who is awaiting trial.

Louisiana is spending one-point-three million dollars so that a 60-foot alligator float can take part in the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City for the next three years. The float will feature a blend of New Orleans French Quarter architecture and Creole fashion along with Mardi Gras beads, a Pelican, a riverboat paddle wheel, and a to be named later musical act…
Cut 11 (09) “…to Louisiana.”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says 75-million people will watch the parade.

The state Office of Public Health is holding community vaccination flu clinics in an effort to get more Louisianans vaccinated.
cut 9 (06) “….of the flu”
That’s Doctor David Holcombe who is the Regional Medical Director for Central Louisiana. Holcombe says the upcoming flu season is expected to be more active than usual.

The Louisiana Legislature begins to hold public forums on redistricting as the first forum takes place at 5:30 today on the U-L-M campus. Senate Governmental Affairs Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt says lawmakers will use 2020 census numbers to redraw all areas of representation within the state…
cut 6 (11) “….the judicial system”
Another forum will take place tomorrow in Shreveport and they will continue into January and the final one will be held at the State Capitol.

Walmart and Best Buy are among the major retailers that have already released early Black Friday deals. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says do your research and be patient…
cut 14 (11) “….any particular product”

Free flu shots will be offered around the state in the coming weeks at vaccination clinics operated by the Louisiana Office of Public Health. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

For the first time since July eighth, the state health department is reporting fewer than 400 COVID-19 patients in hospitals across the state. Back on August 17th, Louisiana reported over three thousand COVID hospitalizations. L-D-H reported 38 more COVID deaths on Tuesday and the death toll has increased to 14,388.

This evening state lawmakers begin a nine-city tour of public forums on redistricting Louisiana. LRN’s Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Free flu shots will be offered around the state in the coming weeks at vaccination clinics operated by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Louisiana is going all out for their debut in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Brooke Thorington has more on the one-of-a-kind float sure to make an impression.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The state Legislature begins a series of regional public forums on redistricting today. The first of nine forums takes place at 5:30 Wednesday evening at the UL-Monroe Library Terrace. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt is chair of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. She urges the voting public to attend…:

Cut 4 (10) “…representation going forward.”

Every ten years, after the Census is taken, state lawmakers must meet to redraw districts to better represent the demographics of the state, while maintaining a balance of the numbers of people represented within those areas. Senator Hewitt says the forums will help legislators to better do their job…:

Cut 5 (12) “…communities of interest together.”

Redistricting will get underway in early 2022. Hewitt says lawmakers have a responsibility to redraw ALL areas of representation within the state…:

Cut 6 (11) “…the judicial system.”

Other early evening public redistricting forums are lined up for Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Covington, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans, Shreveport & Thibodaux. For a schedule, go to “redist.legis.la.gov”

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It’s time to take advantage of getting a free flu shot at one of the community vaccination clinics operated by the Louisiana Office of Public Health.  These will be taking place over the coming weeks, one of them today at the OPH unit in Rapides Parish.  Dr. David Holcombe is OPH medical director for central Louisiana.

Cut 7 (08) “…and wants them.”

When a clinic is offered in your area, bring some ID, your insurance card if you have one, but the shots are free of charge to the patient regardless.

Dr. Holcombe says there’s a lot of interest when OPH stages these one-day vaccination clinics around the state.

Cut 8 (09) “…is pretty astonishing.”

While Covid-19 shots will also be offered during the clinic, Holcombe encourages you to get a flu shot given the death toll that the flu racks up annually, 16-hundred in Louisiana last year alone, with the national figure possibly rising to the tens of thousands.

Cut 9 (06)  “…of the flu.”

The flu shot is recommended for everyone over six years of age who doesn’t have a complicating condition.

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Louisiana is going all out for the 95^th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. In an effort to draw tourists to the state Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says a 60-foot-long alligator-themed float will debut to an audience of more than 20 million and it’s not like the Bayou State doesn’t know a thing or two about parade floats.

Cut 10 (06)  “…mount opening.” 

The float will feature a blend of New Orleans French Quarter architecture and Creole fashion along with Mardi Gras beads, a Pelican, a riverboat paddle wheel, and a to be named later musical act from the state performing on “Celebration Gator.”

Cut 11 (09) “…to Louisiana.”

Nungesser says it’s the first of a three-year commitment in the beloved parade and “Celebration Gator” will also appear in a promotional campaign made for a celebrity with appearances in the Big Apple.

Cut 12 (09) “…promote Louisiana.”

Visit Louisiana-Radio-Network-dot com to see a rendering of the float.

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In case you haven’t noticed, some stores are getting a head start on so-called Black Friday deals, teasing low-price offerings even before November rolls around. LSU Professor Dan Rice says we’ve seen this movie before but in a modified way.

Cut 13 (07) “…the supply chain.”

The most noticeable deals being offered early are coming from Best Buy and Walmart. Both stores plan to be closed Thanksgiving Day, not giving the real Black Friday shoppers a jump on the traditional first day of low-price Christmas deals.

Rice says to do your research and be patient when it comes to Black Friday deals.

Cut 14 (11)  “…any particular product.”

Professor Rice says many folks will be deal-shopping early as a form of what he calls revenge-buying.

Cut 15 (10)  “..never get again.”

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With LSU’s top receiver, Kayshon Boutte, going down with a season-ending injury. Someone had to step. Last Saturday it was Jena’s Jaray Jenkins who caught a career-high three touchdown passes in the upset win over Florida…

Cut  16 (15) “get the victory”

LSU is coming off a season-best 321 rushing yards versus Florida. Center Liam Shanahan credits the work of offensive line coach Brad Davis

Cut 17 (18) “ …past weekend.” 

Linebacker Damone Clark says the news that this would be Coach Ed Orgeron’s last season at LSU has not been a distraction…

Cut 18 (08)”…great university.”

The Tigers are facing one of the top offenses in the SEC this Saturday as Ole Miss is averaging 44 points a game. Senior defensive tackle Glen Logan on the matchup with the Rebels…

Cut 19 (19)  “…against them.” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee isn’t mincing words when calling out GOHSEP for their slow progress in setting up trailers for Hurricane Ida victims.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senator Bill Cassidy said on the HBO documentary news series, Axios, that he would not vote for Donald Trump if he ran for President in 2024. He says he made that statement because it was during the Trump presidency when Republicans lost the White House, the U-S House and blames the former President for losing the Senate…

Cut 12 (11) “..Herbert Hoover.”  

Senate Commerce Chairman Rick Ward says he’s yet to hear from utility companies on how much of a surcharge customers will pay for the repair and in some cases the rebuilding of the power distribution system following Hurricane Ida. Entergy Louisiana has said the damages from 2020 hurricanes is two-point-one billion dollars and Ward says Entergy and Cleco are still tabulating Ida damages

Cut 10 (10)  “…pass on” 

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a voluntary mediation program to help settle residential damage claims stemming from Hurricane Ida is being set up through his office.  He says two mediation firms will help resolve damage disputes of up to 50-thousand-dollars at a cost of 600-dollars to the insurer or the policyholder.

Cut 6 (08) “…and their insurers.” 

You can contact the Louisiana Department of Insurance for further information.

If you’re having trouble settling with your insurance company after Hurricane Ida, there’s a new way to try and resolve disputes.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brannen.”

The 95^th annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City will feature a float celebrating our state as the birthplace of jazz, Mardi Gras and our renowned Cajun & Creole food. The Celebration Gator float will be over 60-feet long and be a showcase for Louisiana culture.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rick Ward says the state is still waiting on AT&T to explain why phone service went down right after Hurricane Ida. Ward says they will bring AT&T officials back to the Capitol to get an explanation and assurances a similar outage won’t happen in the future…:

CUT 09(11)      “…looked at.”

Ward also wants to know how much power companies will hit their customers for to recoup hurricane losses.

More frustration in Hurricane Ida-ravaged Terrebonne Parish with the slow pace of getting temporary housing trailers delivered and set up. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says the contractor hired by GOHSEP, APTIM, is not being held accountable for timelines and producing results…:

CUT 04(05)      “…gonna be acceptable.”

The state has purchased 1100 trailers, but so far only 13 have been set up and hooked up.

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Rick Ward says the state is still waiting on AT&T to explain why phone service went down in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Ward says he’s also yet to hear from utility companies on how much of a surcharge customers will pay for the repair and in some cases the rebuilding of the power distribution system following Ida. Ward is 39-years-old and a Republican from Port Allen. He says he is talking with his family about running for governor in 2023. Ward says his ability to work with both major parties could make him an attractive candidate…:

CUT 11(08)      “…right thing.”

A Pineville man accused of killing his own wife back in 2014 has turned himself in. 37-year-old Dustin Parra was indicted buy an Avoyelles Parish grand jury last week with a Second-Degree Murder charge. He’s also charged with Obstruction of Justice for leading investigators to believe Megan Parra committed suicide. His bond is set at $300-thousand.

Senator Bill Cassidy is no fan of former President Donald Trump. On the HBO series “Axios”, Cassidy said he would NOT vote for Trump if he runs for the White House again. He says Trump’s loss a year ago set up the Biden Administration, which has been an economic disaster for America…:

CUT 13(12)      “…win elections.”

Cassidy seems to think Trump could not win if he runs in 2024.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there is now voluntary mediation for those having trouble getting their Hurricane Ida claims resolved. He says the mediation will be handled by one of two groups in Metairie and Baton Rouge…:

CUT 07(10)      “…$600 fee.”

For info, go to “LDI.la.gov”

Having trouble settling with your insurance company after Hurricane Ida? There’s a new way to try and resolve disputes.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brannen.”

The Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office has released the names of the victims shot on last Saturday night, following an apparent argument over a parking charge. 23-year-old Zelanz French was shot and killed; 22-year-old D’Nique Walker wounded. This happened within a couple miles of the Grambling campus, and started with an argument over $5 to park for a nearby party.

Houma State Representative Tanner Magee sends an angry letter to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness; blasting them for their slow progress in getting temporary disaster housing set up for Hurricane Ida victims. 1100 trailers have been purchased, but only a handful have been set up & hooked up…:

CUT 03(02)      “…to this point”

Thirteen. Magee says the contractor hired for the job isn’t communicating with anyone. About 13-thousand storm victims could be in need of temporary trailers.

On the HBO documentary series “Axios”, Senator Bill Cassidy said he would not vote for Donald Trump if he ran for President in 2024. Cassidy says he made that statement because during the Trump presidency Republicans lost the White House, the U.S. House and blames the former President for losing the Senate…:

CUT 12(11)      “…Herbert Hoover.”

Trump responds that “Wacky Bill Cassidy” couldn’t be elected dog-catcher in Louisiana now.