The first case of the Omicron variant has been detected in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health says the individual lives in the greater New Orleans area and recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are still a lot of unknowns with this variant…:
Cut 8 (10) “…fully vaccinated.”
Until there’s more data, Kanter says it’s hard to predict what kind of impact the Omicron variant will have in Louisiana. Officials are addressing an outbreak of the virus on a cruise ship that docked in New Orleans Sunday. 17 cases were identified on the ship including one of a crew member suspected of being the Omicron variant.

Governor John Bel Edwards wants to add the Covid vaccine to a list of required shots needed to attend K-12 schools, which is opposed by mostly GOP lawmakers who are gathering today for an oversight hearing to stop the proposal. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year.

A Louisiana Congressman is introducing a bill that would erase student loan debt for survivors of disasters who also took out an SBA loan during recovery efforts:
Cut 3 (35) “I’m Dave Brannen”

LSU football will have another game this season as they will play in the Texas Bowl in Houston against Kansas State on January 4th. UL-Lafayette will face Marshall in the New Orleans Bowl on December 18th.

17 people on a cruise ship coming back to port in New Orleans have tested positive for Covid. The State Department of Health said one case among the crew is identified as the Omicron variant, though that individual is not from the state and never got off the ship.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the first case of the variant in Louisiana has been detected from an individual in the Greater New Orleans area. He says they have increased lab sequencing to detect Omicron variant, but the message to the public remains…:
Cut 9 (09) “booster shot”
In Louisiana just below 50-percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

New US travel restrictions are back starting today. Anyone headed here will be required to show evidence of a negative test for the virus within one day of boarding their flight instead of 3.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman..:
Cut 5 (10) “their policies”
The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force.

ULM hopes to help the statewide nursing shortage with a new agreement with Louisiana’s 2-year colleges and tech schools…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The state has its first known case of the Omicron Variant. The Louisiana Department of Health says that individual lives in the greater New Orleans area and recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the variant is significant because it has some 50 mutations from the original virus…:
Cut 7 (11) “crucial question”
Officials from federal, state, and local agencies are also addressing an outbreak on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans Sunday. 17 cases were identified among passengers and crew including one probable case of Omicron from a worker on the ship who isn’t from Louisiana.

State Police say two people were killed and five injured in a crash involving 2 large pickup trucks Saturday night in Lafourche Parish. The two who died are identified as 23-year-old Thomas Hernandez and 22-year-old Santos Garcia, both of Slidell.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today and hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis. The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman of the seven-member committee…:
Cut 4 (12) “situations”
Foil anticipates a second meeting to allow for public input.

UL-Monroe seeks to help the statewide nursing shortage with a groundbreaking degree transfer program. Dr. Don Simpson is Dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences. He says they’ve forged an agreement with the state’s 12 community & tech colleges with associate nursing degree programs to allow those nurses to easily pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at ULM…:
Cut 10 (11) “credentials as a nurse”

The first case of the Omicron variant in Louisiana has been detected, and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stresses vaccinations and boosters…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

And the Louisiana Department of Health says testing confirmed 17 cases of Covid-19 have been identified on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans on Sunday, and this includes 1 probable case of Omicron among the crew. They said that person is not a Louisiana resident and did not leave the ship.

A Congressman from Louisiana is introducing a bill that would erase student loan debt for survivors of disasters who also took out an SBA loan during recovery efforts. The measure by Congressman Troy Carter is called the, “No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act.”
CUT 13 (07) “have a restart”
He says a double debt burden hurts our economy and additionally burdens those struggling to recover from COVID-19 and natural disasters.

The Southeastern Conference announced Sunday LSU will play in the Texas bowl where they will face Kansas State at NRG Stadium in Houston on January 4th. This marks the 21st time in the last 22 years the Tigers have been selected to a bowl game.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the omicron variant of COVID-19 at a press conference Friday morning. Just a week ago, the World Health Organization declared it a “variant of significance” and now it’s detected in a handful of cases in five states. Edwards says it’s not in Louisiana that we know of and detection is underway…:

CUT 03(10)      “…as possible.”

The Governor says the larger number of Louisiana’s COVID cases are the Delta variant.

Deer hunters! Want a chance to win a $1000 gift card? Just submit whatever deer you bag to the state Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for testing. LDWF Vet Jim LaCour says they’re looking for signs of Chronic Wasting Disease, after deer as close as Union County, Arkansas have been found to have it…:

CUT 06(06)      “…concerning to us.”

Baiting of fields is banned starting Monday. Keep that in mind as well.

Ochsner Health facilities in Louisiana & Mississippi fire almost 300 employees who haven’t complied with their COVID shot policy. Tulane Health Care Economist Charles Stoecker says Ochsner’s policy isn’t really all that strict given the alternative provisions for those who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19…:

CUT 13(11)      “…be tested weekly.”

About 99-percent of Ochsner’s nearly 30-thousand employees HAVE gotten COVID shots.

Early voting for the December 11^th election wraps up Saturday night at 6. There are only ballots to be cast in 38 parishes. Many have run-offs for local elected positions like judgeships. Some have tax and bond proposals. St. Tammany voters will decide whether or not to allow a gambling casino resort complex in Slidell. Download the GeauxVote app to see your local ballot. Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday. Election Day comes one week later.

Hundreds of workers at Ochsner Health facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi are fired for not getting the COVID vaccine, though 99 percent of all staff members have. Tulane Health Care Economist, Charles Stoecker (STECK-er)…”

CUT 12(08)      “…COVID to you.”

Most of the 280 people terminated are contract employees who work on an as-needed basis. Those employees in good standing would be eligible for rehire once they get the jab.

State Police say they’ve been busy nabbing drug runners on state highways. In the last month, they’ve made dozens of arrests and seized over $6-million in illegal drugs. Trooper William Huggins says despite that it is hard to tell how much they’re NOT catching…:

CUT 11(08)      “…focused on it.”

Governor Edwards held a briefing today to discuss the Omicron variant which was designated a “variant of concern” just a week ago. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in Ascension Parish say a man found shot to death inside a pickup on I-10 late Thursday night was victim of a dispute that started miles away. The bullet-riddled vehicle was stopped in the roadway near the Highway 73 exit; blocking all three lanes. The driver was alive, the passenger dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the latest COVID news and the omicron variant today. Though there are no cases in Louisiana yet, He says state health officials are looking for it. Mr. Edwards says this all reinforces the message to get COVID shots or a booster if you’re 18 or older…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…and deaths.”

Only 49-percent of the state has been vaccinated. He says that’s too few.

Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport has fired at least seven employees for not getting the COVID-19 jab. A spokesman says that’s fewer than 5-percent of the facility’s workforce.

Cops in New Orleans are investigating a spate of vehicle burglaries of cars parked while fans watched the Saints play the Cowboys. Security video shows the thieves smashing glass to get into the cars.

Over the past 30 days Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than $6-million in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. State Police Trooper William Huggins says most of what was seized is crystal meth…:

CUT 10(08)      “…4.6-million.”

They’ve also seized about 577 pounds of illegal marijuana. Over 26 related arrests have been made in the past month.

State Wildlife & Fisheries experts are watching for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer; an affliction spreading in many northern states and some down south. LDWF Veterinarian Jim LaCour wants hunters to submit what deer they bag for testing for CWD…:

CUT 08(12)      “…it is present.”

CWD can be fatal in white-tail deer and other animals. Baiting of fields is banned in Moorehouse and Union Parishes beginning next Monday, as it promotes herding and snout-near-snout contact.

Many of you may still be able to score a hundred bucks just for getting your first COVID shot in Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01         (30)    “…Brannen.”

The New Orleans Saints go into tonight’s matchup with the Dallas Cowboys minus three starters. Alvin Kamara, Ryan Ramczyk, and Terron Armstead are out with knee injuries. Quarterback Taysom Hill has been nursing a foot injury but IS expected to start for the Black & Gold tonight. Kickoff is 7:20 in the Dome.

With oil prices dropping of late, Louisiana drivers and others nationwide are hoping that’ll mean a drop in gasoline prices, sooner rather than later. AAA’s Nick Chabarria says it usually takes a while for the transition to lower prices to show up at the pump…:

CUT 06(07)      “…pump as well.”

Crude oil is $15 cheaper than a week ago. The statewide average for regular gas is $3.10; down 2 cents from last week.

A Legislative Budget Committee approves spending $23-million in federal funds to modernize very old water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. House Appropriations Chair Jerome Zeringue says this round of money will fund 29 projects, but there’s more work to be done…:

CUT 09(08)      “…those projects.”

Louisiana’s “Shot for 100” program, which pays you a hundred bucks for getting your COVID shot, will continue for a third month. Started in October, the program offers a pre-loaded $100 VISA or Mastercard if one gets the jab at certain state-sponsored locations. Program boss Sheree Taillon says college students can get the cash, even if they’ve had one shot already, but they only have until the 10^th of this month…:

CUT 05(08)      “…for one card.”

To find out where to get yours, go to “ShotFor100.com”

A Legislative Budget Committee approves spending $23-million in federal money to modernize very old water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. House Appropriations Chair Jerome Zeringue says local governments must apply for the funding, and they need to demonstrate their need for rebuilding…:

CUT 11(12)      “…maintain it.”

This past Thanksgiving holiday weekend went on record as a deadly one. State Police say they’ll work with parish and local LEO’s to identify impaired and distracted drivers and intervene. LSP Troop C Commander Lanny Bergeron says expect to see more lawmen & women on the highways, now through New Years…:

CUT 14(08)      “do to combat.”

Cops in Monroe have a message for motorists: “lock up your car.” Vehicle burglaries have sharply increased in the area, so they remind you to always lock up, never leave anything of value in plain sight inside the car, and be aware of any on-foot activity when leaving your car in a parking lot.

Now, here’s one Falcon that will be welcome in New Orleans. Film and TV star Anthony Mackie, also known as The Falcon in Disney-Marvel movies, will get a warm welcome when he appears next month at the FAN EXPO; January 7th rhough the 9th at the Morial Convention Center. Mackie is scheduled to be there Sundaty, the 9^th.