The Louisiana Department of Health will no longer be promoting seasonal vaccines like flu, COVID and mpox, as the department is prohibiting workers from doing so. Rosemary Westwood, who broke the story for NPR; says that is something that the department had regularly done, especially since the start of the COVID pandemic.

Cut 5 (12) “…to get them.” 

In a statement, the Department of Health says its position now is that seasonal vaccines should be individual choices.

More families in Louisiana are going hungry. Joel Berg with Hunger Free America says a new report shows that a quarter of a million Louisianians live in households that can’t afford enough food – that’s an increase of 10-percent since the summer of 2021.

Cut 7 (09) “…terms of hunger.”

More than 1 in 4 Louisiana third graders – 27-percent – scored well below state reading targets on a fall assessment. Deputy Superintendent Jenna Chaisson (CHASS-on) says these screeners give them valuable information for where students are in their reading comprehension.

Cut 12 (13) “…literacy skills…”

Under a new state law, third graders who score well below reading targets do not get promoted to fourth grade.

Some encouraging job numbers for Louisiana. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state added four-thousand non-farm jobs last month and more than 20-thousand non-farm jobs in the last year. Emily DiPalma with the Louisiana Workforce Commission says a few sectors led the way in job growth.

Cut 14 (09) “…over the year.”

The Louisiana Department of Health is prohibiting workers from promoting seasonal vaccines like flu, COVID and monkey pox. That includes advertising, promoting on social media, giving media interviews and holding vaccine events. Rosemary Westwood broke the story for NPR; she says part of the directive comes from state Surgeon General Ralph Abraham.

Cut 4 (11) “…including masking.”

L-D-H says its position now is that seasonal vaccines and other practices like wearing masks and social distancing should be individual choices. The state agency will continue to stress the need for childhood immunizations.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added over 20-thousand jobs in the past year, but the state’s unemployment rate also rose, increasing from four percent last November to four-point-three percent. But L-W-C’s Emily Dipalma says that’s nothing to be concerned about…

Cut 13 (08) “…consider full employment”

Twenty-seven percent of Louisiana third graders scored well below a reading screener in the fall. But Sean Richardson reports schools will be aggressive in trying to get these students to read at grade level…

Cut 2 (36) “…I’m Sean Richardson.”

State Police is investigating a fatal police shooting in Hammond on Saturday night. Authorities say a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Deputy fatally shot 48-year-old Timothy Douglas of Ponchatoula, who was allegedly driving a stolen vehicle and got into a physical altercation with cops during a police chase.

The Louisiana Health Department is leaving it up to individuals to decide whether they should get a COVID-19 or a flu vaccine. In years past, LDH has led campaigns to get the public vaccinated against the flu and COVID. Rosemary Westwood from N-P-R has done extensive reporting on this issue and says this new policy is not in writing, which puts L-D-H workers in an uncomfortable position…

Cut 6 (07) “…not okay”

The Louisiana Department of Education says 27-percent of third graders scored well below on a reading test this fall. Deputy Superintendent of Education Jenna Chaisson says this is why they ask kindergartners through third-grade to take a reading screener…

Cut 11 (10) “…how to read”

Third-graders  still scoring well-below on their end of year reading tests could possibly be held back.

Louisiana is on a winning streak of sorts in job growth. Colleen Crain has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Colleen Crain.”

The U-S department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana and its Department of Corrections, claiming the state is not releasing prisoners when they should be released. The suit says some incarcerated individuals spend weeks and months in prison beyond their release date. Attorney General Liz Murrill says she looks forward to fighting this because the safety of Louisianians is a top priority.

The Louisiana Department of Health is prohibiting its workers from promoting seasonal vaccines. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Governor Landry tells the Advocate Newspaper he’s frustrated that the legislation he signed earlier this year has not resulted in a drop in homeowners insurance rates. Homeowners insurance rates have increased on average by six percent this year. Landry is open to a special session on insurance reform but wants to see proposed legislation that will reduce rates.

According to a report from Hunger Free America, more than 450-thousand Louisiana residents didn’t have enough to eat over two one week periods in August and September this year, that’s an 18-percent increase from a similar study done in 2021. But Hunger Free America CEO Joel Berg says 75-percent of those families that participated in the state’s Sun Bucks program say it helped them buy more fruits and vegetables…

Cut 8 (14) “….really did help”

The Landry administration first refused to participate in the summer EBT program, but changed its mind after hearing from state lawmakers who said Louisiana should take advantage of federal dollars to help low income families pay for groceries during the summer months.

It will be warmer today, but rain moves into the state for Christmas Eve into Christmas Day.

The US Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Louisiana on Friday, accusing the state of incarcerating people beyond their release dates. The lawsuit accuses the state and the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections for holding prisoners weeks and months past when they should have been released.  We’re told the suit is the result of a multi-year investigation.

Changes in Louisiana’s tax code are expected to erase a 400-million-dollar budget deficit for the new fiscal year. That’s according to the Public Affairs Research Council. And PAR projects its general fund forecast for the 2026-27 fiscal year to go from 11.87-billion dollars to 12.2-billion. But Par President Steven Procopio says it’s all speculative.

Cut 11 (14) “…were down 50.”

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Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire has joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad, marking a homecoming for the Baton Rouge native and two-time Super Bowl champ.  The Saints signed Edwards-Helaire because of a potentially season-ending injury to starting running back Alvin Kamara, Now Edwards Helaire is getting ready.

Cut 14 (15) “…total package.”

If you’ve waited until now to start your Christmas shopping, it’ll be hit or miss on whether you’ll get a good price on those gifts. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says in some instances, you will need to do your homework to figure out if you’re getting a good deal.

Cut 5 (13) “…relative to that”

Bob Marlin is no longer the head coach of the Cajuns men’s basketball team. Jeff Palermo reports on why Marlin was fired during the middle of the season…

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Ville Platte Police Chief Perry Thomas was nicked on the back of the foot and two others were injured when shotgun shells ricoheted in an accidental shooting.  The Chief had responded to a call from a family that found a shotgun in their yard and he was removing it when the firearm accidentally discharged.  We’re told two residents were hit in the leg but both are recovering at home after being treated and released.

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If you’ve waited until now to start your Christmas shopping, it could be hit or miss on whether you’re getting a good price on those gifts. Experts say Christmas lights may be on sale now, but they’ll be at a much bigger discount after Christmas. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a good deal on hot items, LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says not only would you be less likely to find a good deal, you’re also less likely to find the item in stock.

Cut 4 (07) “…out of luck.”

Many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About 40-percent of U.S. adults do not have a reward card and the ones who do aren’t using their rewards. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman says Rossman says find out how many points or rewards you have and come up with a plan to use them.

Cut 8 (06) “…use them too.”

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana is forecasting the state to turn a deficit into a surplus for the next fiscal year.  PAR President Steven Procopio says the changes in the tax code going into effect are expected to erase a 400-million-dollar budget deficit for the new fiscal year that begins in July. Procopio says a lot of that added revenue comes from the increase in the state sales tax.

Cut 10 (09) “…the general fund.”

The Social Security fairness act has passed in the Senate. Co Sponsored by Louisiana Republican Congressman Garrett Graves, the House passed the measure back in early November.  And this week, Senator Bill Cassidy, and 72 other Senators invoked  “cloture” which forced the Senate to limit debate.  It sailed past the Senate by a vote of 76 to 20.  It heads next to the White House.

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If you’ve waited until now to start your Christmas shopping, it could be hit or miss on whether you’re getting a good price on those gifts. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says whether prices will drop before Christmas depends on the item.

Cut 3 (11) “…a higher price.”

A new Bankrate survey says many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey.  Cash back is the favorite feature for 50-percent of existing cardholders. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman says if you’re thinking of getting a credit card, that’s the way to go to keep it simple

Cut 7 (10) “…everything you buy.”

Time is running out to do your Christmas shopping. Andrew Greenstein has details on what’s out there and at what cost.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

Many Americans are missing out on credit card rewards, according to a recent Bankrate survey. About 40-percent of U.S. adults do not have a reward card and the ones who do aren’t using their rewards. Bankrate Senior Analyst Ted Rossman…

Cut 6 (10) “…real money here.”

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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana is forecasting the state to turn a deficit into a surplus for the next fiscal year.

Cut 9 (05)  “…increase in revenue,”

PAR President Steven Procopio says the changes in the tax code going into effect are expected to erase a 400-million-dollar budget deficit for the new fiscal year that begins in July.

Former Kansas City Chiefs running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire is coming home.  The former LSU standout who helped lead the team to a 2018 national championship has joined the New Orleans Saints practice squad.  Edwards-Helaire on coming back to Louisiaiana.

Cut 12 (12) “…no better time.”