The Covington High student, seen on a viral video attacking & beating a disabled school teacher back in October, says she is not guilty by reason of insanity. That was 18-year-old Larriana Jackson’s plea in court Wednesday. She’s charged with felony battery on a school teacher and cruelty to the infirm. Two others are charged with posting the violent video on TikTok.

Louisiana residents are worried about them. Some have already gotten them. I’m talking about steep increases in the cost of the National Flood Insurance coverage. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, whose office has no control over the FEMA NFIP, says one thing that troubles him is the federal agency has no model for “grandfathering” of lower rates for very low risk properties…:

CUT 11(08)      “…done away with.”

He says it may be possible to shop around a find private flood insurance cheaper than the federal market.

A multi-parish joint sheriff’s operation arrests several individuals they say were responsible for a large amount of the crystal meth being sold on the streets of Iberville, Assumption, Ascension and East Baton Rouge Parishes. Three people – two men and a woman – were taken in and over 25 pounds of drugs confiscated.

There are plenty of storylines to go around as the LHSAA prep classic kicks off tomorrow in the Caesars Superdome. Jeff Palermo has a preview…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

More displaced hospital and medical workers are suing over losing their jobs due to a COVID vaccine mandate. A group of nurses & staff fired last week from Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport have lawyered up and plan to file suit. An attorney for the group says Shriner’s actions were (quote) “egregious and lawless.”

A Coushatta cop looks to be in trouble with the law, after state wildlife agents busted up a nighttime deer hunt.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(35)      “…Brannen.”

Thibodaux Regional Health has opened its new 80-thousand square foot cancer diagnosis and treatment center. On hand for ceremonies was Lt. Governor Bill Nungesser, who says the facility will serve Lafourche and seven other nearby parishes…:

CUT 03  (09)        “…and service.”

In addition to staying open amid Hurricane Ida’s fury, the center also provided meals for storm victims and first responders.

The LHSAA Prep Football Classic starts tomorrow in the Caesar’s Superdome. Among key games, Many High’s Tigers look to repeat a Class 2A championship, as they face Amite at 3:30 Friday. Many beat Amite’s Warriors 34-30 in quarterfinals last season, and Tigers Coach Jess Curtis expects a similar outcome this year…:

CUT 13  (09)        “…on Friday”

Also on tap: Ouachita Christian vs. Southern Lab at noon, and New Iberia’s Westgate faces Warren Easton in the night game.

Supply chain issues continue to frustrate the country and worry people about getting those holiday gifts delivered on time. Worry not, says federal Labor Secretary Martin Walsh. He says store shelves should remain stocked and packages should get there on time. He says initiatives in the President’s Drive Safe Act should help with supply and with truckers to deliver…:

CUT 14(06)      “…across the nation.”

On-the-job burnout; it’s an all too real ailment in medical terms. It even has its own billing code for treatment … and according to a 2019 study by LSU Health in New Orleans it affects more than half of all health care workers in the state. Radiologist Dr. Brad Speiler led the study and says it’s an illness that affects loads of mainstream professions too…:

CUT 08(10)      “…higher notes.”

Speiler says the COVID pandemic has only made things worse.

The state Department of Health says as many as 13 new cases of the Omicron COVID variant are detected within the state. Nine cases in the New Orleans area, two in Baton Rouge and 2 in northwestern Louisiana. That brings to total Omicron cases to 17. CDC says a Pfizer booster shot will help defend against it.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson announces he’s entering the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Purple and Gold. Johnson’s decision comes as a surprise, after starting 11 games this past season. Assistant Tiger Rag Editor William Weathers says Johnson’s decision means Garrett Nussmeier will likely start in the upcoming bowl game…:

CUT 03(09)      “…by a walk-on.”

LSU plays Kansas State in the Texas Bowl on January 4^th.

The state Supreme Court will hear the case of a Baton Rouge area pastor that refused to shut down church services during the COVID lockdown. Tony Spell is fighting criminal charges for violating Governor Edwards’ limits on gatherings in 2020. The case made national headlines; some painting Spell as a careless nut, and some depicting him as a hero putting faith over public policy. Spell alleges the governor’s order violate the right to assemble under the First Amendment. A hearing date has not been set.

We all know job burnout can be a serious problem, but it can be even worse among health care workers. So says a study by LSU Health’s Dr. Brad Speiler, who says burnout affects over 50-percent of health care professionals. He says burnout is considered an illness, with its own billing code…:

CUT 06(07)      “…the health care crisis.”

He says COVID has only made it worse.

Tucked inside the infrastructure bill recently signed by the President, there’s a pilot program to lower the age for interstate truckers from 21 to 18.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brannen.”

Who didn’t love the good old buffet at Popeye’s? It’s the end of an era as the very last Popeye’s buffet anywhere – on Pinhook Road in Lafayette – has closed for good. Blame the COVID pandemic and the closure of Popeye’s dining room to guests. Management says – even after the pandemic – it will not return.

Deputies in Bienville Parish are working with the Human Society and local vets to rescue and help a number of animals left in starving conditions at a Lake Bistineau home. Authorities say the two persons living there were arrested and jailed, but made no arrangements to assure the 11 dogs, some lizards and a few pythons were properly cared for. The animals were in danger of starving to death. A few of them did. The residents will face 15 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

No doubt, we are all feeling the stress from supply chain issues across the country, but here’s some comfort from your federal government: U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh says the problem will most likely begin to correct itself in early 2022. He says two main issues contribute to the backlog of goods..:

CUT 13(04)      “…warehouse jobs.”

Walsh says the government has assurances that store shelves will not empty out between now and Christmas.

For the 9^th year in a row, Louisiana makes a notorious list of the nation’s Top Ten Judicial Hellholes; the most litigious places with the worst civil law environments. The American Tort Reform Foundation compiles the list and for 2020 Louisiana is Number Six; down from Number Five last year. Tort reforms were passed in the 2020 legislature, but they’ll take a few years to affect the legal environment.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson drops a stunner: he is leaving LSU! More from Jeff Palermo..:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

Supply chain issues are a growing frustration across the country – especially as we all wait for holiday gift deliveries. U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh says that’s a legitimate concern, but if you are worried it will severely impact the holiday gift-giving season … don’t be..:

CUT 12(09)      “…a great thing.”

Walsh says the supply chain issues will likely unkink in early 2022.

Here’s another thing that could help with that: federal legislation to lower the age for interstate truckers from 21 to 18; meaning more drivers would be available to haul those goods to market. Louisiana Motor Transport association director Renee Amar likes the idea..:

CUT 09(12)      “…state lines currently.”

A pilot program for the age change is in the Infrastructure Bill signed into law recently by the President.

We now know more about the death of former New Orleans Saints defensive end Glenn Foster, who died this week while in police custody for alleged assault & robbery in Pickens Country, Alabama. Court records indicate Foster attacked a cellmate while attempting to steal the man’s socks. It remains unclear what happened to Foster between the time of the alleged attack and the time of his death, the next day.

We’ve all heard about labor shortages within the health care industry. Some are lost due to sickness, some fired for not complying with COVID rules … and then there’s burnout. A 2019 LSU study indicates about half of health care professionals suffer from job burnout. Study lead Dr. Brad Speiler says radiologists make up an even higher percentile, perhaps because they spend much of their day in darkly lit rooms; mostly sitting down…:

CUT 07(10)      “…as a radiologist.”

Dr. Speiler is himself a radiologist.

The infrastructure bill signed into law recently by President Biden also contains a pilot program that would lower the age for interstate truckers from 21 to 18.  More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Brannen.”

Cops in Baton Rouge seek a woman who brandished then fired a gun inside a beauty supply store. The store’s owner was confronting her for shoplifting a wig, when she pulled the piece, fired a round into the ceiling then pointed the gun at the owner. Security cams caught good images and Crimestoppers is taking tips.

An LSU Health study indicates job burnout is very real; especially for healthcare professionals. The 2019 research project shows that fully half of health workers burn out for various reasons. Dr. Brad Speiler, who led the study, says the phenomenon affects other mainstream professions as well…:

CUT 08(10)      “…higher rates.”

LSU quarterback Max Johnson says he’s intending to transfer after two seasons with the Tigers. Surprising, as he started 11 games this season, says Tiger Rag editor William Weathers. The move leaves LSU with only Garrett Nussmeier at QB, so who else could Coach Brian Kelly get? Weathers says one possibility is getting Myles Brennan to transfer back…:

CUT 05(10)      “…philosophically.”

As expected, Governor John Bel Edwards isn’t changing his stance regarding Covid shot rules for public school students. The proposal was rejected by a House Committee this week, but Mr. Edwards says requiring kids 16 and older to receive the shot is necessary because minors still can get sick from Covid…:
CUT 15 (14) “the parental opt-out”
Edwards says he will continue to push to have the vaccines required for all public schools.

A man in Slidell is busted by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly hauling in more than 13-hundred pounds of shrimp without a license. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck says it’s no secret you can’t shrimp without a commercial permit…:
Cut 8 (05) “of that opportunity”
34-year-old Michael Daigle Jr. faces a fine of up to 500 dollars and 90 days in jail for each offense.

According to a report in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, Louisiana has seen a near 70-percent drop in opioid prescriptions for post-op patients since drug laws were tightened up in 2017. That’s when Louisiana had the nation’s 5th highest opioid prescribing rate. The study was led by LSU Health New Orleans professor Dr. Peter Krause who says public awareness also helped
Cut 5 (11) “…same direction.”
Krause says while the study only observed prescribing trends among orthopedic surgeons, he’s hopeful it’s making an impact in the opioid epidemic.

LSU Quarterback Max Johnson announces he’s entering the transfer portal after spending two seasons with the Purple and Gold. Johnson’s decision comes as a surprise after starting 11 games this past season. It’s unknown how new head football coach Brian Kelly feels about this.

Governor John Bel Edwards still plans to move forward with a rule to add the Covid shots to public school immunization list starting with 16-year old’s next year. On Monday, the House Health & Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject the proposal. But Mr. Edwards says he’s listening to concerns, however we’re still in a pandemic…:
Cut 14 (10) “…can weigh in again.”
As with other vaccines, parents would be allowed to opt out.

If you’d like to work for a company like Hubig’s Pies in New Orleans or the Bollinger Shipyard in Houma, LED FastStart is holding a virtual career fair for just such manufacturing jobs today. Career Fair Coordinator Jamie Nakamoto says this is a first of its kind event for the manufacturing sector with many jobs open:
Cut 12 (11) “leadership positions available”
The fair starts at 11am and you can get details online at OpportunityLouisiana.com.

Quarterback Max Johnson announces a surprise decision saying he’s transferring from LSU. Jeff Palermo has the story…:
cut 16 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Baton Rouge area pastor who made national headlines when he was charged for holding large gatherings early in the pandemic will have his case heard by the state’s highest court. A state district judge had previously refused to dismiss the charges against Tony Spell for violating 2020 pandemic gathering limits. But the Supreme Court agreed Tuesday to hear the case. No date has been set.

Governor John Bel Edwards doesn’t seem too concerned about legislative push-back on mandating COVID shots for kids in schools. On Monday, the House Health & Welfare Committee voted 13-2 to reject the proposal, but Mr. Edwards says he doesn’t necessarily need their approval…:
Cut 13 (14) “and dis-information”
Edwards says he will continue to push to have the vaccines required for all public schools.

There’s little sympathy for people who steal packages during Christmastime and one Livingston Parish judge has sentenced a man who assaulted a UPS employee in December of 2020 to 109 years in prison. Jeremy McDavis terrorized the delivery driver last year with a semi-automatic weapon and forced him to remove packages from the UPS truck and load them into thief’s vehicle. The robber then lead police on a dangerous several mile long chase before crashing. DA Scott Perrilloux says the punishment is appropriate also considering McDavis’ long criminal history.

A recent out of LSU Health New Orleans shows a significant drop in opioid prescriptions:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

A man in Slidell is busted by the state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for allegedly hauling in more than 13-hundred pounds of shrimp without a license. LDWF spokesman Adam Einck identifies the suspect as says 34-year-old Michael Daigle Jr…:
CUT 7 (11) “fishing licenses”