The state has seen its highest single-day spike in COVID cases since the pandemic started. Over 9-thousand cases were reported Wednesday by the state Department of Health. Prior to that, the highest single-day number was 7500. Right now 659 people statewide are in the hospital with the coronavirus.

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.”

One of Louisiana’s Most Wanted fugitives is now behind bars. After a 5-hour standoff, the man suspected of the first of two fatal shootings on the Grambling University campus has been apprehended. State Police Trooper Mike Reichardt says 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll has been in the wind since mid-October. U.S. Marshalls caught up with him Tuesday at a home in Delhi. Reichardt says with Carroll’s capture, all three suspected shooters have now been caught..:

CUT 08(11)      “…are in jail.”

LSU Head Coach Brian Kelly names Matt House as his new Defensive Coordinator. House is currently linebackers coach at Kansas City, and has worked with collegiate programs at Kentucky, FIU and Pitt. Baton Rouge sports radio host Matt Moscona says House looks like a solid hire…:

CUT 12(09)      “…NFL experience.”

House will stay with the Chiefs until their season ends, then move to Baton Rouge.

The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases yesterday and hospitalizations rose to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says outcomes are better among those who are vaccinated and even though some folks may not be happy about it, the shot isn’t going anywhere…:
Cut 15 (11) “influenza”

When looking back at some of the big political stories that came out of 2021 in Louisiana, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy’s seeming turn on Donald Trump then vote on a big Democrat spending bill stands out. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says those actions by Cassidy made him less popular at home…:
CUT 5 (13) “Republicans in Louisiana”

The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have located the 2-year-old who disappeared with his father over the Christmas weekend causing State Police to issue an endangered child alert. They say Carson Hollingsworth was found in good condition at a camp in St. Martin Parish and the father, Orin Hollingsworth was arrested for cruelty to a juvenile.

If you’re planning to end the year with a bang, you might want to shop earlier than usual for your fireworks, thanks to supply chain issues…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Omicron variant is surging in Louisiana resulting in another 43-hundred reported cases on Tuesday…:
Cut 3 (32) “Jeff Palermo”

Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army has had to meet more demands with fewer resources since the pandemic. Spokesperson Aimee Murry says many people lost their homes this year in Louisiana due to eviction moratoriums ending and Hurricane Ida…:
Cut 11 (07) “out on the streets”
You can get a full list of services on their website.

State Police confirms a suspect involved in the Grambling State University homecoming shooting on Oct. 13 has been arrested. They say 18-year-old Jatavious “Rabbit” Carroll is booked on charges of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, and one count of possessing a weapon on school property. The shooting injured a 16-year-old juvenile and led to the death of 19-year-old Damarius Murphy, both of Rayville.

The Covid surge might keep you home for your New Year’s Celebrations, but you might want to go buy fireworks early. Jaise Templet (Jace Tom-play), owner of 621 Fireworks in Gonzales, says while the pandemic has caused supply chain issues, it hasn’t hurt business…:
CUT 8 (11) “five years”
He says the best stuff is going to go quick so the sooner you load up the better.

Like many states, Louisiana is being hit hard with the Omicron Covid variant right now — but local health leaders say research shows this mutation is less dangerous for most people. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroua says poor outcomes remain among people who are not vaccinated…:
CUt 14 (07) “put on a ventilator”
The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases yesterday with hospitalizations rising to 514.

If you’ve got business to knock out with the OMV, you may have to do it online. State officials say several field offices across the Louisiana are currently closed due to Covid and are encouraging you to visit expresslane.org instead of trying to go in person.

The LSU football team has a new defensive coordinator. Coach Brian Kelly announced Wednesday the hiring of Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House.

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting in Lake Charles. They say initial reports show local cops in Southwest Louisiana were responding to a pair of shootings late Monday when a man opened fired at them causing the officers to shoot back. 22-year-old Christopher Thomas of Lake Charles was pronounced dead at a local hospital and no other injuries were reported. Local agencies ask State Police to investigate shootings by their officers.

What were some of Louisiana’s top political stories of the past year? Political analyst and pollster Bernie Pinsonat says one of the biggest was a failed veto override session by state lawmakers. Among bills vetoed by Governor Edwards, a transgender athletes ban and a bill allowing concealed carry of a weapon without a permit. Pinsonat says the override blow up caused a big rift between the parties at the Capitol…:
Cut 4 (14) “chairmanships in the House“
Another big political story of 2021 was Senator Bill Cassidy seemingly turning on Donald Trump and then voting for a big Democrat spending bill.

The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases Tuesday with hospitalizations rising to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says many of the patients are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms…:
Cut 13 (11) “emphasize”
He says based on data from the state health department, 80-percent of those hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated.

Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army has had to meet more demands with fewer resources since the pandemic. Spokesperson Aimee Murry…:
Cut 10 (11) “no season”
You can also visit their website to find local services.

State Police say an arrest has been made in the October fatal shooting that occurred on the campus of Grambling State University. 18-year-old Jatavious “Rabbit” Carroll was located at a residence in Delhi and was booked into the Lincoln Parish Jail on warrants accusing him of 2nd degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old and attempted second degree murder of a 16-year-old.

If you’re looking to light up the skies for New Year’s Eve fireworks, retailers advise making your purchases sooner than later. Jaise Templet (Jace Tom-play) owner of 621 Fireworks in Gonzales…:
Cut 7 (10) “4th of July”
He says demand for retail fireworks has also been higher due to the pandemic keeping more folks home creating their own show.

The Centers for Disease Control has revised isolation & quarantine guidelines for those who test positive for COVID. What was once 10 days is now 5, provide the person is showing no symptoms and that they wear a mask for five days after isolating for five. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Fred Lopez says CDC guidelines are a bit different if you are a health care professional…:

CUT 11          (10)    “…the isolation.”

Gasoline prices are likely to continue to rise as we head into 2022. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says oil prices are moving upward and there is optimism that demand for oil may begin to pick up as well…:

CUT 04          (10)    “…head higher.”

He says we could see $4 a gallon by Memorial Day.

2021 certainly saw a lot of … interesting weather in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Ida in August was far & away the biggest weather story, but some others are worth looking back on too. Like the tornado outbreak that occurred last April. Keim says rarely has the state seen so many twisters within a 48-hour period…:

CUT 08          (11)    “…and northern Louisiana.”

Three men from Sulphur, in Calcasieu Parish, are under arrest for stealing catalytic converters from peoples’ vehicles. The devices can net a thief from $200 to $500, but cost the vehicle owner a lot more to replace. All three men are charged with theft and property damage. Their bail ranges from $60-thousand to $160-thousand. It’s unknown if any of them have made bail.

The forecast for relief at the gas pump remains grim and predictions for spring even more depressing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01           (33)     “…Thorington.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has reinstated face mask orders for all city facilities and employees. Perkins himself has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently in quarantine. Also, St. Martin Parish has reinstated mask rules as cases surge across the state.

As we say goodbye to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on some of the past year’s biggest weather events. He says Hurricane Ida in August was without a doubt the most significant, but there was also Tropical Storm Claudette; the first Louisiana storm to actually form OVER land. Keim also cites last February’s Arctic air blast…:

CUT 07           (13)     “…Lake Charles sixteen.”

Shreveport posted a record-low 1 degree during that winter storm.

A COVID-depleted New Orleans Saints roster, coupled with an untried rookie quarterback contributed to the Black & Gold’s 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins last night. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says QB Ian Book was simply overwhelmed, as the Dolphins pass rush chewed up a makeshift Saints offensive line…:

CUT 13           (10)     “…last night.”

The Saints face Carolina at home next Sunday.

Gas forecasters predict prices at the pump will get worse before they get better. GasBuddy head petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says prices in 2022 could linger around the $4 mark should we be able to move past the Omicron variant and the economy continue to hold…:

CUT 03(10)      “…this spring.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $2.99.

As we say “goodbye” to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on a topsy-turvy year for Louisiana weather. Keim says – without a doubt – the top weather story of the past year was Hurricane Ida…:

CUT 06(14)      “…of 1856.”

Also in Keim’s top weather stories, an arctic blast last February that took temperatures in north Louisiana down into single digits, and a two storm that spawned a dozen tornados last April.

New Orleans Police seek the person or persons responsible for shooting & killing a 7-year-old girl Sunday night in Algiers. Little Dillan Burton was riding in a car with her mom when a bullet penetrated the vehicle; striking her in the back. NOPD asks anyone with information to come forward.

The CDC revises isolation guidelines for those who test positive for COVID from 10 days to five days, that’s if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask for at least five more days. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says when the CDC looked at the data the virus appears to be most contagious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop…:

CUT 09(09)      “…symptoms develop.”

For a testing location near you, Google the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

A Tulane University epidemiologist says the big spike in COVID cases over the holiday weekend indicates just how contagious the Omicron variant is.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01         (33)    “…Thorington.”

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the COVID quarantine recommendation from 10 days to just 5 days. Experts are now saying blanket mask orders and reacting to infections numbers are using old metrics, and what’s more relevant now are numbers of deaths and hospitalizations.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the customers of two property insurers who were placed into receivership last month have found new coverage. Those companies are Access Home Insurance and State National Fire Insurance. Donelon says a new company (whose name has not yet been publicly disclosed) will take on most of those 30-thousand policies, pending approval today in a Baton Rouge courtroom. Donelon says they hope to have the deal sealed by Friday…:

CUT 11(11)      “…on a seamless basis.”

Police in New Orleans seek the person who shot & killed a 7-year-old girl Sunday, while she was riding in a car with her mom. They’re looking for a newer model Chevy pickup; white and silver and will gladly accept tips.

Your plans for New Year’s Eve may be under threat of lousy weather again this year. Forecasters say they expect thundershowers to cross the Gulf South Friday and into Saturday; bringing in cooler temperatures by late Sunday night and Monday morning.