State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the Omicron surge has peaked in Louisiana, but there’s still a lot of COVID circulating in the state. But Kanter says the number of COVID cases will remain high for the next few weeks…

CUT 12(07)      “…we are now”

76-hundred new cases of coronavirus are reported by LDH today. Almost 2200 are in the hospital, and about 73-percent of them are not fully vaxxed.

A 65-year-old Church Point woman becomes the state’s 13^th house fire victim so far this year. The Acadiana Parish home caught fire early this morning. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says firefighters are pretty sure that the home had no working smoke detectors…:

CUT 08(07)      “…save lives.”

Have you checked YOURS lately?

For the first time since 2004, the LSU athletic department lost money. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02(32)      “…David Grubb.”

Not everyone is looking back at Saints coach Sean Payton with love. A writer for BarStool Sports says “pump the brakes” on putting Payton in the Hall of Fame. He also wrote that Payton “weaseled out of his contract” with the team.

Data about the different kinds of damage done by Hurricane Ida continues to come in. State Wildlife & Fisheries report some 280-million fish killed in inland waters by the storm. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01  (33)        “…Brooke Thorington.”

A Livingston Parish couple are in jail for allegedly robbing local dollar stores. Deputies say they hit a Dollar General Wednesday and robbed a Dollar Tree store about ten days earlier. They’re both being held pending bonds of a 100-k each.  (What did they expect to get from a dollar store?)

A house fire in the Acadia Parish town of Church Point claims the life of a 65-year-old woman, making her the 13^th die in a fire so far this year. State Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says an official cause of the fire remains undetermined but they are looking at several potential causes; including an electrical wiring problem…:

CUT 07(11)      “…an unattended candle.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury returns an indictment for the woman accused of tossing two of her kids off a bridge over Cross Lake last September. One of Ureka Black’s children survived, one didn’t. She’s now formally charged with 2^nd-degree murder and attempted murder.

Folks in St. Tammany Parish were scratching their heads this morning at a huge presence of local law enforcement and FBI units in Mandeville. Mandeville cops say the FBI was conducting a “law enforcement action”, and there is no threat to the general public.

The woman who blew a whistle on sexual misconduct at LSU, then filed a $50-million lawsuit against them has been fired by the university. Sharon Lewis had a high-ranking position in the Tiger Athletics department. She alleges harassment at the hands of former football coach Les Miles. Tiger Rag.com broke the story and Editor Adam Hunsaker says he got an email from Lewis’ attorney about her termination..:

CUT 09 (11)      “…continue for some time.”

Lewis was fired by A.D. Scott Woodward on January 5^th.

At least one state teachers union is on board with Governor Edwards proposed budget plan that gives each teacher a $1500 pay raise. Louisiana Association of Educators President Tia Mills says that sum is a good start and a show of good faith by Mr. Edwards. She says even more surplus money could be determined by state revenue estimators – meaning possibly even bigger raises, and she looks forward to the debate in the regular legislative Session, starting in March…:

CUT 05 (06)      “…win for educators.”

Hold on to your phones. Mobile sports wagering is set to go live in Louisiana this Friday. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 01 (32)      “…David Grubb.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins made it official today; the veteran SPD cop, who’s been serving as interim chief for seven months, will be the new Chief of Police. The city council is expected to approve Wayne Smith’s new position in short order.

Firefighter in Livingston parish were called to a local home, where they successfully saved the lives of two baby goats. The kids were having trouble breathing. Firemen gave them oxygen through a special animals mask, and they’re going to be OK.

Governor Edwards proposed budget for the fiscal year that starts in July contains money for teacher pay raises of $1,500, and $750 for support staff. Reaction so fare is mixed with some calling the figures a pittance and a slap in the face of educators, However, Louisiana Association of Educators President Dr. Tia Mills says it’s a step in the right direction…:

CUT 03(11)      “…our ultimate goal.”

Many of you are more than ready for sports book apps to go live in Louisiana. Well that happens Friday. State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says a lot of moving parts came together to get it done…:

CUT 06(13)      “…ready to go.”

Nine parishes voted to reject mobile sports betting, and the apps available will be geo-fenced so they won’t work there.

The announced retirement of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has many speculating who the Biden administration will nominate to fill the empty seat, and how quickly that will happen. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the President will likely pick someone middle-aged for the job, as Donald Trump did when he nominated 48-year-old Amy Coney Barrett…:

CUT 13(07)      “…is any indication.”

Mr. Biden has already said he’d appoint the first black woman to the High Court.

Today’s COVID numbers from LDH: 8700 new cases today, with 2200 in the hospital. 72-percent of those are not fully vaxxed. 48 more deaths were reported as well.

Residents of New Orleans are wondering what caused a loud boom over the city Tuesday night. Nearby Belle Chasse Naval Air Station says no supersonic planes were in flight at the time, NASA’s Michoud Assembly facility says it wasn’t them. The FAA, the Coast Guard, the airport … no one has an explanation of what residents heard. Many said it was so loud it shook their home.

Tiger Rag.com broke the news Tuesday that LSU Title IXC whistleblower Sharon Lewis has been fired, months after filing suit against the university. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

A shelter-in-place order has been lifted, after an explosion at Westlake Chemical in Calcasieu Parish. Officials say an empty Ethylene Dichloride tank exploded around 10:45, starting a fire. Six people were hurt in the blast, but all are expected to be OK. The fire is out and now an investigation into the cause can begin.

Liberal U-S Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is stepping down from the bench. And while the court will remain majority conservative, Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the White House won’t to waste too much time appointing a successor. Now, there’s been some speculation that Democrats might want add more justices to stack the 6-3 conservative court in their favor. President Biden appointed a commission to look into it, and Ciolino says their report was not well received at the White House or Congress…:

CUT 14(09)      “…to happen.”

Mobile sports betting goes live Friday in Louisiana. That is outside the nine parishes who voted to reject it. State Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says he expects this to be one of the busiest sports betting weekends of the year…:

CUT 07(10)      “…gonna go live.”

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton says he is leaving the team. The winningest coach in Saints history, Payton has led the team to over 150 wins, seven division titles and a national championship. Canal Street Chronicle Editor Ross Jackson says Payton’s legacy will be a lasting one…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…by Sean Payton.”

In a press conference, Payton said he won’t rule out eventually returning to coaching someday.

State Police say a man shot & killed by Lafayette cops Sunday night was goi9ng for his gun, and so the shooting appears to be justified. Trooper Tom Gossen says the suspect stole a car, and at some point tried to flee officers on foot. That’s when they saw he had a gun and was reaching for it…:

CUT 10  (05)        “…in this.”

The shooting remains under investigation, but preliminary findings show it to a clean shoot.

With the rise in COVID Omicron cases, AARP Louisiana calls for immediate action to get elderly people at nursing homes – and staff – vaxxed and boosted. State director Denise Bottcher says there were over 100 confirmed COVID cases among staff in the first two weeks of January and over 50 residents tested positive…:

CUT 03  (10)        “…not fully vaccinated.”

She says only about 12-percent of staff have had a booster.

We’re getting some reaction to Governor Edwards’ proposal to use surplus money to give all public school teachers a $1500 pay raise. Some are calling it a slap in the face of teachers who are underappreciated and seriously underpaid. Others say $1500 is a good start, but it needs to be more. Teachers in Louisiana are paid an average of $51,500 per year, which is 12th among 16 Southern states. The national average teacher salary is over $64-thousand.

State Police say the man who was shot & killed by a Lafayette Police Officer Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette PD tried to apprehend the man after he allegedly stole a vehicle. Gossen says during the foot chase one of the officers attempted to use a taser…:

CUT 09(12)      “…visible gun.”

The investigation is still underway, but at least now they know the officer was justified in firing his weapon.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton is standing down. After leading the team through 15 seasons, with over 150 wins and a national championship, Payton says he’ll retire. Canal Street Chronicle editor Ross Jackson says he thinks this is not so much about abandoning the team…:

CUT 12(15)      “…like the latter.”

Payton is the winningest coach in Saints history.

The pandemic continues to plague the restaurant industry and the Omicron variant is no different. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brooke Thorington.”

An oil & gas industry career fair is coming next month to the Cajundome in Lafayette. Companies like Haliburton, Ecoserv, Baker Hughes, Helix Energy and many more will have representatives there to talk with applicants. Mark the calendar for Wednesday, February 9^th at 9am at the Cajundome.

A New Orleans sports reporter and the NFL Network are reporting Saints head coach Sean Payton will announce he is retiring from pro football today. David Grubb has more…:

CUT 02  (32)        “…David Grubb.”

A Baton Rouge man who barricaded himself inside his burning home Sunday night, and fired shots at police and firemen as they tried to respond, was killed by a self –inflicted gunshot; not by burning or smoke. A coroner’s report on the remains of 41-year-old Kendrick Holland were conclusive. Holland’s reason for his actions are unknown.

With a large number of seniors living in nursing homes and other assisted living facilities facing potential infection from the COVID-19 Omicron variant, AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get them vaxxed. The AARP has been following CDC data closely, and Bottcher sees a straight line between vaccination and boosters to lower spikes among nursing home residents…:

CUT 05(10)      “…longterm care residents.”

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris, who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the pandemic and its effects. He says they still very much need Restaurant Revitalization Funds replenished. He says restaurants are hemorrhaging employees to other lines of work…:

CUT 08(10)      “…same worker.”

Are COVID Omicron cases beginning to peak in Louisiana? State health officials report new cases are down 28-percent from just last Friday. President of Ochsner Health Warner Thomas says – based on their data – the peak number of hospitalizations as a result of the Omicron surge was reached nearly two weeks ago in New Orleans and for other regions of the state…:

CUT 05(11)      “…plateau.”

Just over 2300 are hospitalized with COVID. About 64-percent of them are un-vaxxed, 30-percent have had two shots, but no booster … and only six percent are completely boosted…:

The Own Your Own Health 13-week wellness challenge gets started today; an opportunity to form a team and compete against others in step and weight loss challenges. Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Rudy Macklin…:

CUT 09(09)      “…signed up.”

Find more on “ldh.la.gov”

Governor John bel Edwards outlined his proposed state budget for the fiscal year that starts July 1^st, and it contains money for all levels of education, including $1500-a-year teacher pay raises. His plan also includes $750 raises for school & teacher support staff.

LAdualEnrollment.com hopes to encourage more students to take advantage of dual enrollment and advance their college or tech school degrees. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has dropped. The Louisiana Health Department reports 2,304 people are in hospital with COVID, a decrease of 177 from last Friday. That’s a 28-percent drop. President of Ochsner Health, Warner Thomas, says staffing has been a major challenge over the last 45 days, due to the Omicron surge…:

CUT 04(11)      “…entire system.”

The state reported 51 more COVID deaths today.

A Baton Rouge teen faces charges after accidentally shooting his 3-year-old brother. Police say the 16-year-old was in illegal possession of the handgun that went off unintentionally; hitting the toddler. The child’s wounds were non-life-threatening.

Need help in claiming the federal expanded child tax credit? Go online for help to ChildTaxCredit.gov.

Still concerned about having a proper mask to help stop the spread of COVID? Here’s a useful tip in knowing a real N95 or KN95 from a counterfeit one: real approved masks have bands that go all the way around your head and neck. Cheaper fakes usually have ear loops. Which is not to say those masks provide no protection.

The NFL Network reports Saints Coach Sean Payton is not committed to returning to the sidelines next season. David Grubb on whether Payton will be back for his 16th season…:

CUT 01(32)      “…David Grubb.”