Amid the recent surge of COVID cases in Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards implores residents to take proper precautions this New Year’s but fell short of reinstating a mask mandate..:
Cut 12 (11) “before that happens”
He says those who are vaccinated and/or boosted are less likely to be hospitalized if they get sick.

State officials are also encouraging you to play it safe when setting off fireworks for New Year’s Eve. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the firework ordinances in your area first…:
Cut 3 (08) “sorts of places”
She says it should go without saying that anyone lighting fireworks should not be drinking.

State Police say intoxication was determined to be a major factor in a quadruple fatality crash that occurred in St. Landry Parish on December 17th. They say test results confirmed the at-fault driver, 54-year-old John Lundy of Georgia, was three times the legal limit of intoxication. Lundy died and so did 3 siblings from Jeanerette in the vehicle he hit head on driving the wrong way on I-49: 20-year-old Lindy Rae Simmons, 16-year-old Chris Simmons and 14-year-old Kamryn Simmons.

The state will be a featured in the 133rd Annual Rose Parade Saturday morning.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

In response to the surge in Covid cases, Governor John Bel Edwards held a final briefing in 2021. Brooke Thorington reports…:
CUT 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say an elderly man and woman died in a two-vehicle crash in Grant Parish Thursday afternoon. They say 82-year-old John Watz and 79-year-old Sharon Watz of Pollock were towing a camper trailer on Highway 165 near La. Highway 524 when for unknown reasons their vehicle struck another vehicle that was parked on the side of the road. The Watz’ were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Great Holiday Heat Wave of 2021 is almost over. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the New Year holiday will usher in more winter-like temps….:
Cut 8 (11) “on Monday morning”
He says there is a slight risk for severe weather before the front moves in Saturday, mostly across Northern Parishes.

Louisiana becomes the first state to be featured in the New Year’s Tournament of Roses Parade. Speaking from Pasadena, California where the massive float is being assembled, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they main rule they must follow for entry is that everything on the structure be made of flowers or plants…:
CUT 9 (12) “green with parsley”
The Rose Parade broadcast Saturday begins at 10am.

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages Louisiana residents to avoid large New Year’s celebrations as the state reports another single-day high 12-thousand new cases. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Officials with Louisiana hospitals are asking the public to NOT come to an emergency room seeking a COVID test, or any other minor medical issue. There are any number of urgent care facilities and COVID testing sites around the state for that. To find one near you, go to “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.”

Beginning January 1^st, patients who use medical marijuana will have the option of getting the raw, smokable plant flowers at the state’s 9 medical cannabis pharmacies. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain oversees the program, and says – like with previous edibles, oil and sublinguals – you’ll need a doctor’s written recommendation to get it. Dr. Strain says medical weed – like any other agricultural product – is thoroughly checked out before distribution…:

CUT 08(07)      “…sole for consumption.”

Smokable cannabis was added to the state medical marijuana law in the last legislative session.

State Police have determined that the man who drove down I-49 the wrong way last week, and crashed into a vehicle head-on – killing three siblings – was indeed driving drunk. 54-year-old John Lundy was also killed in that crash. LSP says his blood alcohol level was three time the legal limit. Sisters and brother Lindy, Kamryn and Christopher Simmons were killed in that wreck.

As COVID cases in Louisiana begin another surge, Governor Edwards urges residents to mask up again, but falls short of renewing a mandate. The state Department of Health reports more than 12-thousand more cases of the virus in just a day. 762 persons are hospitalized with COVID, and about 75-percent of them are not vaccinated. The Governor says this surge is just getting started…:

CUT 12(12)      “…anyone.”

He asks us to mask back up while indoors, but has not made that a mandate

Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James will leave the legislature to take an assignment as regional head of the Small Business Administration. James says his territory will cover Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico…but he’ll remain in the state and work from an office in New Orleans…:

CUT 04(06)      “…across our region.”

A special election will be called to replace James in the legislature.

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is nearing half-billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the last time a Powerball jackpot was hit was October 4^th, when the jackpot was nearly $700-million. As of now, Saturday night’s drawing is worth about $480-million with a lump sum payout of $347-million, and could easily grow much higher between and Saturday night. She says those jackpots are growing much more quickly because of new Powerball policies…:

CUT 10(09)      “…so does that jackpot.”

Starting January 1^st medical marijuana patients will be able to buy the smokable raw for of the herb. Until now, only edibles, oils, tinctures and dissolvable gels were available. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medical marijuana, and says you must have a prescription from a licensed medical provider to legally use marijuana in Louisiana…:

CUT 07(09)      “…processed form.”

Medical marijuana in its natural form is cheaper to process compared to the other forms.

The state Department of Health reports over 12-thousand new cases of COVID-19 detected in a day; leaving little doubt that another surge is definitely underway. LDH also reports 762 people are in the hospital with COVID symptoms. Of those, about 75-percent have not been vaccinated. At a news conference just minutes ago, Governor John Bel Edwards said with a surge clearly beginning, it’s very important to wear a mask when indoors, and outdoors in situations where one cannot socially distance.

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is nearing half-billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the last time a Powerball jackpot was hit was October 4^th, when the jackpot was nearly $700-million…:

CUT 09(12)      “…really fine.”

The drawing is Saturday night at 10.

Starting January 1^st, medical marijuana patients will have the choice of using the smokable form of the herb. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

One more COVID story: three lions at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo have tested positive for the coronavirus. The animals are said to be suffering from runny nose and coughs, but are otherwise OK. The trio of cats have been quarantined while other big cats are tested. Zoo officials say they may have gotten it from a keeper.

Beginning January first, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of getting the smokable flowers (or “buds”) of the marijuana plant. A bill allowing dispensaries to legally sell the traditional form of cannabis passed in the regular legislative session this year and was signed by the Governor. Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medicinal weed…:

CUT 06(10)      “…each 14 days.”

You must have a written recommendation from a doctor or other licensed medical provider to get medical marijuana.

Public health officials & hospital administrators are reminding everyone that an emergency room is NOT the place to go to get a COVID-19 test. ER’s statewide are reporting a surge in non-emergency ER visitors, as cases of the virus surge again. There are a large number of free testing sites set up all over Louisiana. To find one near you go to “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus”.

Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James has been tagged to become the new Regional Administrator of the federal Small Business Administration in the South-Central Region; covering Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. James says he’ll remain in Louisiana and work in the New Orleans Office…:

CUT 04(06)      “…across our region.”

James will take over the job shortly after the New Year starts. He’s been a state lawmaker since 2012. A special election will be called to replace him in the state House.

Add another 12-thousand cases of COVID detected statewide. About 760 are in the hospital right now. Unvaccinated people account for 75-percent of cases.

And now a look at today’s markets…:

One of the state’s Most Wanted fugitives is behind bars, after a five-hour standoff with LEO’s Tuesday in Delhi. 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll was wanted for an October 13^th shooting on Grambling University’s campus that took the life of Damarius Murphy. State Trooper Mike Reichardt says multiple agencies cooperated to bring Carroll in..:

CUT 07  (09)        “…even better.”

Two other suspects in that case were already in jail.

State Police are looking into a fatal police shooting in Lake Charles. Officers confronted 22-year-old Christopher Thomas for shooting into a home twice in one night; wounding one person. When he fired on them, the LEOs fired back – killing him. Trooper Derek Senegal says the investigation will seek out any surveillance video that could help..:

CUT 05  (14)        “…a report.”

A Baton Rouge teen faces charges after shooting and killing his father inside the family home this morning. Police say 43-year-old Mohammed Aziz was found dead, after his 17-year-old son heard a loud noise and started shooting. He’s been initially charged with negligent homicide, pending an investigation.

The New Orleans butcher who introduced NFL great John Madden to the Louisiana “turducken” mourns the passing of the football legend. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says LCPD was called to a home that had been fired upon twice. A person was wounded in the second event. Senegal says the suspect, 22-year-old Christopher Thomas fled to another home, where police confronted him and tried to negotiate. He says Thomas retreated back into the house…:

CUT 04(12)      “…he actually died.”

State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings.

After a five-hour standoff, the last man wanted a fatal shooting on the Grambling campus in October is in custody. Trooper Mike Reichardt says 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll – aka “Rabbit” – had been in the wind for over two months, but marshals caught up with him Tuesday in Delhi..:

CUT 06(09)      “…custody.”

Two other suspects in that case were already behind bars.

Starting January 1^st, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of smoking the herb. State lawmakers – with Governor’s agreement – expanded the medicinal cannabis law to include the smokable marijuana plant flowers as an approved treatment for numerous ailments. Until now only oils, tinctures, edibles and oral dissolvables have been available. One must have a doctor’s recommendation to get medical marijuana, and it is still only available in ten dispensaries statewide.

Sports news: new LSU head football coach Brian Kelly names Matt House as his new Defensive Coordinator.            House is currently the linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Baton Rouge sports radio talk show host Matt Moscona says KC defensive back Tyrann Mathieu gives House a shining endorsement…:

CUT 13(09)      “…with it.”

House will remain with Kansas City through the end of the NFL season, then make the moved to LSU.

One of the state’s Most Wanted fugitives is now behind bars. Michelle Southern has more..:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

A new report lists Louisiana among the ten worst states in the U.S. for overall road conditions. The report by Consumer Affairs Research ranks us 8^th-worst for things like poor upkeep of bridges, lack of safety features & and insufficient funding for upgrades and maintenance. This likely comes as no surprise to most Louisiana motorists.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says it began with LCPD officers called to an address where a man had fired shots into a home twice; the second time hitting someone inside…:

CUT 03(11)      “…fled on foot.”

They caught up to Thomas at another home and tried to negotiate, but when he fired on them, officers fired back – killing him. LSP investigates all officer-involved shootings.

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says Madden loved the dish and raved about it during game broadcasts; leading to huge spikes in sales…:

CUT 11(15)      “…and my business.”

Mistich says he will miss Madden, whom he’s called a friend since the late 1990’s.