A Vernon Parish woman is dead after she threatened to kill deputies and then herself when officers responded to the call. Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 02 (33)      “…Thorington.”

Across the state, in Pointe Coupee Parish, a very similar tragedy as man was shot and killed by LEOs after he drove his car into a home, tried to set it on fire, then turned a weapon of arriving cops. 48-year-old Jessie Gaither was pronounced dead at the scene of the incident. His motives for the violence are unknown. State Police are investigating, as they do with all officer-involved shootings.

State Police and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission have a message for holiday motorists: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” The national highway safety campaign uses federal money to pay for dozens of officers – both state and local –the overtime needed to keep highways safe. Here LHSC Director Lisa Freeman…:

CUT 09 (08)      “…is really at peak.”

Freeman says this is not about money from fines or putting people in jail; it’s about saving lives. Last Christmas holiday saw 181 people killed or hurt in Louisiana traffic crashes.

State wildlife & Fisheries agents report some good news: so far, all deer tested in the state for Chronic Wasting Disease have come back “negative.” So far that is over 270 deer bagged in Union, Morehouse and other parishes near Arkansas, where the disease has been detected. LDWF is still testing. If you want to give them your harvested deer, go to “wlf.louisiana.gov” and look for CWD Testing

The infrastructure bill signed into law by the President last month will mean $36-million to improve 51 of Louisiana’s airports. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says Armstrong International in New Orleans will get the largest piece of that pie, but the rest will be distributed over airfields large and small. The FAA say the backlog of airport modernization and safety projects totals $43-billion. So Wilson says this money is much needed…:

CUT 04(09)      “…effective way.”

New Orleans Police are catching criminals who’ve been carjacking motorists and robbing them at gunpoint. At a press event today, NOPD announced the arrest of three men they say were responsible for numerous such crimes. Police Chief Shaun Ferguson says they don’t seem to be an organized gang, but treat the crimes like some sort of game. He says more arrests are coming.

The holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” highway safety campaign is officially underway and will remain so through the New Year weekend. State Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says extra police patrols – both state and local – will be on the roads looking for impaired drivers … and there will also be random sobriety checkpoints. Freeman says this is the worst time of year to lose a loved one in a crash, and even worse if you’re the cause of a fatal crash…:

CUT 11(08)      “…from the roadway”

Last Christmas holiday, 181 people were killed or injured in traffic crashes in Louisiana.

The New Orleans Saints face Miami at home Monday night, but they’ll do it without their TWO top quarterbacks. Both Taysom Hill and his backup Trevor Siemian have tested positive for COVID-19. This means Monday will be rookie QB Ian Book’s first start as an NFL quarterback. Coach Sean Payton will likely miss the game as well, as he too has the virus.

State Police are investigating two cases that certainly look like “suicide by cop”. First, in Pointe Coupee Parish, where a man crashed his car into a Fordoche home Wednesday night, tried to set it on fire then threatened law officers with a knife and a gun. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 48-year-old Jessie Gaither was shot and killed. He says they are awaiting a blood toxicology test result..:

CUT 14  (11)        “…dictated that”

In Vernon Parish, lawmen had seemingly no choice but to shoot 44-year-old Chantel Myers, after she threatened them with a gun. She too was killed.Deputies were called to the home in Pitkin because Myers had been acting erratically and threatened others, then turned her anger on LEOs when they arrived. Sheriff Sam Craft says he’s taking heat because some say his deputies should have simply walked away…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…get it resolved.”

State Police investigate every officer-involved shooting.

The state transportation department announces Louisiana is receiving 36-million in federal dollars to help improve airports across the state. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Southern.”

A New Orleans man, who was convicted of human trafficking a year ago for a scam in which he tricked women into indulging his diaper fetish, has been arrested again for the same crime. 31-year-old Rutledge Deas IV allegedly faked being mentally challenged to get the women to change his diaper … for a turn-on. A year ago, he got a suspended sentence. He probably won’t be so lucky this time.

A Vernon Parish woman is dead after she threatened to kill deputies and then herself when officers responded to the call. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

The New Orleans Saints say rookie quarterback Ian Book will get his first NFL start Monday night against the Miami Dolphins. Why? Quarterbacks Taysom Hill and his backup, Trevor Siemian, have COVID-19. Head Coach Sean Payton will likely miss the game as well; his second miss due to COVID.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting in Pointe Coupee Wednesday night after an Opelousas man drove his vehicle into a Fordoche home, and then threatened officers. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says a Pointe Coupee Parish deputy and a Livonia PD officer were forced to shoot 48-year-old Jessie Lee Gaither, who first pulled a knife on them, and then a gun. Scrantz says they are still investigating why Gaither crashed into the home and attempted to set it on fire. They’re investigating Gaither’s relationship to the house, it occupants and why he wanted to burn it down…:

CUT 13(10)      “…at that time.”

The incident is under LSP investigation.

State Health Department officials say they now believe the Omicron variant of COVID accounts for over 84-percent of statewide coronavirus cases. The national Centers for Disease Control says Omicron accounts for only 73-percent of cases nationwide … so we are above the curve.

The federal Infrastructure Bill, signed into law last month by the President, contains millions for improvements at 51 airports around the state. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans will get $14-million, while small airports in Minden and Eunice will receive 159-thousand dollars each…:

CUT 03(09)      “…this bill”

He says the FAA encourages airports to prioritize projects that increase safety and sustainability.

The holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is underway. State Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Lisa Freeman says federal dollars are paying for dozens of extra state and local LEO’s to patrol highways; seeking out impaired drivers…:

CUT 09(09)      “…really at peak.”

Coming off a record number of Thanksgiving weekend road fatalities, Freeman says they hope to have far fewer accidents over Christmas.

Deputies in St. Helena Parish seek two men wanted for gunning down an Amite man inside his home Tuesday night. Tyrone Henderson and Dedrick Henderson – ages 25 & 23 – are wanted for 1^st-degree murder. The sheriff’s office says they are armed and dangerous.

The New Orleans Saints take on the red-hot Miami Dolphins Monday night. The Dolphins have won six in a row, only allowing a total of 79 points in those games. New Orleans Acting Head Coach Dennis Allen says Miami is also playing complimentary football on offense…:

CUT 16(22)      “…win games”

Coach Sean Payton will likely not be on hand, due to COVID … and now news that quarterback Taysom Hill his backup Trevor Siemian BOTH have coronavirus and will miss the game. That leaves rookie Ian Book a chance to show his stuff.

The state transportation department announces Louisiana is receiving 36-million in federal dollars to help improve airports across the state. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “….Southern.”

Police in Jeanerette say a seven-year-old boy is dead, from an accidental shooting inside a car Wednesday night. Police Chief Dusty Vallot says a teen, also riding in the car, was looking at a gun, when it went off accidentally; hitting the younger child in the head. The boy was airlifted to a hospital, but didn’t survive. An investigation is underway.

A case of suicide by cop? Lawmen were called when 44-year-old Chantel Myers, of the town of Pitkin, first threatened to kill law officers and then herself. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says a responding officer was trying to reason with the disturbed woman, but – when she raised a weapon – he was forced to respond in kind. Myers was shot once and killed. Craft says Ms. Myers left a suicide note and was on the phone with someone; telling them what she was about to do…:

CUT 07(12)      “…call our dispatcher.”

Craft calls the incident a tragedy for all involved.

State Police dentify the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Pointe Coupee Parish Wednesday night. 48-year-old Jessie Gaither had reportedly tried to torch a home in the town of Fordoche, when he approached an officer with a knife in his hand. He was Tased, but then he drew a gun, causing the officer to fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. LSP is investigating, as they do all officer-involved shootings.

The roadways are about to get a lot busier as folks head out for the holidays. Reporter Dave Brannen spoke with Triple-A’s Don Redman…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Dave Brannen”

As the Omicron COVID variant takes a foothold in Louisiana, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves Pfizer’s new COVID-19 treatment pill. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans…:
Cut 11 (11) “in which it was tested”
Pfizer’s Paxlovid is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton has a few mailing tips to help your packages arrive on time, like a clearly printed address label with the correct zip code, and…:
Cut 14 (07) “packages as well”
He says use Priority Mail Express if you want guaranteed delivery by Saturday.

One person is dead following an officer involved shooting in Pointe Coupee Parish, according to State Police. They say cops were dispatched to a residence in Fordoche responding to a domestic dispute when they encountered an armed subject. The man was shot and killed in an incident involving a Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s deputy and a Livonia police officer and LSP is handling the investigation and processing the scene as it is not yet clear who fired the fatal shot.

As cases of COVID’s Omicron variant grow in Louisiana, the FDA approves a pill to mitigate the virus’s impact…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

AAA says the roads are going to be packed this Christmas, with most folks heading out of town starting today. Spokesman Don Redman…:
Cut 6 (10) “in your destination”
He says they predict a 34 percent increase in Holiday travel over last year.

A recent study shows Louisiana continues to have one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America says the pandemic amplified the problem, but it’s been an ongoing issue here due to low wages and inadequate safety net programs in the state…:
Cut 8 (12) “legitimate”
He says the 67-percent drop in food insufficiency in Louisiana coincided with the massive boost in federal food and cash aid.

The Jeanerette Police Department says a 7 year old has died after being shot in the head Wednesday while inside a vehicle. They say investigators are still gathering information about circumstances surrounding the shooting, but it does appear to be accidental. The young boy was sitting inside the vehicle when a 15 year old located a gun and was handling it when it discharged by mistake, striking the child.

Holiday traffic was light in 2020 as Covid was keeping folks home, but that is not the case this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says they expect a 34 percent increase in those on the roadways this Christmas, starting today…:
CUT 4 (08) “vaccinations and boosters”
Nationwide, 109 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holidays.

In another step towards getting the pandemic under control, the FDA has approved a new Covid-19 pill by Pfizer. “Paxlovid” is a major breakthrough, according to Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans….:
CUT 12 (09) “fortunate that it is”
The drug is authorized for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID in adults and kids 12 and up at high risk for progressing to severe illness. It is not authorized for post-exposure prevention, or in people who are already hospitalized with the virus.

One in five children in Louisiana suffers from hunger. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say they were called to investigate a fatal shooting involving a deputy with the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office and a Livonia Police Department officer. One person is deceased on the scene of an incident where multiple agencies responded in Fordoche. No officers were injured and the LSP Crime Lab is processing everything for evidence right now. More on this as it develops.

4 Saints players were voted to the Pro Bowl: defensive back J.T. Gray, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were selected to the NFC squad to play in the NFL’s All-Star game.