Tis the season to stay healthy. State health officials say this is the worst flu season in five years and COVID cases are surging again. 4500 new cases at last count. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says take precautions against both illnesses now…:

CUT 05(12)      “…severe disease.”

He says at least get a COVID test before attending holiday gatherings.

As another insurance company leaves the state, another 36-thousand homeowners will be forced to go with the state’s last resort property insurer, Louisiana Citizens…which is pretty costly. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon…:

CUT 11(07)      “…and consumers.”

He says, if you need assistance the Department of Insurance will guide you any way they can.

30-year-old political newcomer Davante Lewis defeated three-term incumbent Lambert Boissiere for a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission Saturday. More from Marsanne Golsby…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby.”

The New Orleans Pelicans won their seventh straight last night as they defeated the Suns 129 to 124. New Orleans also beat Phoenix Friday in the Smoothie King Center, and with an 18-and-8 record the Pels sit atop the NBA Western Conference.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is hopeful another incentive program will alleviate the state’s insurance crisis. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 03(33)      “…Thorington.”

A 15-year-old was killed and two 14-year-olds were injured in a shooting at a birthday party in Bogalusa Friday night. Bogalusa Police say the shooting happened around 9:40 Friday at a house on Warren Street. They have few other details to share at this time. An investigation is underway.

Longtime District 3 Public Service Commission member Lambert Boissierre was defeated in Saturday’s runoff by 30-year-old Davante Lewis. Once sworn in, Lewis says he wants to work toward using more renewable energy and relying less on oil & gas. He says, currently, only 2-percent of our power comes from so-called green energy…:

CUT 15(08)      “…the grid.”

Research ongoing at Nicholls State University shows that low oxygen levels in waterways makes for smaller crawfish…which makes for less satisfactory eating. Biosciences professor Chris Bonvillain says mudbugs can survive with very little O2, but the result is unsatisfactory…:

CUT 08(12)      “…smaller eggs.”

The study was done among wild crawdads in the Atchafalaya.

In Saturday’s election, 30-year-old political newcomer Davante Lewis defeated three-term incumbent and fellow Democrat Lambert Boissiere for a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Marsanne Golsby reports…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Golsby.”

Something of a shocker in Shreveport as Republican Tom Arceneaux is elected Mayor with 56-percent of the popular vote. Shreveport is a strongly Democrat city, so Arceneaux’s win over state Senator Greg Tarver is seen as a surprise.

COVID cases are on the rise and flu is at its highest level in 5 years, so the Louisiana Department of Health is strongly encouraging residents to get boosters and vaccines before holiday gatherings. LDH reported nearly 4500 new Covid cases in its last count. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…:

CUT 04(13)      “…COVID-19”

He recommends you get your flu shot and at least a COVID test before going to family gatherings.

It would only make sense that the state’s favorite crustacean is the topic of ongoing research at Nicholls State. Biosciences Associate Professor Chris Bonvillain says they’ve been looking at how water quality and low oxygen levels impact wild crawfish in the Atchafalaya Basin…:

CUT 07(12)      “…at a time.”

Lower oxygen makes for smaller mudbugs

As Florida’s legislature begins a special session today to address the state’s property insurance crisis, thousands of Louisiana property owners are forced to find new private insurance carriers as many companies are either folding or no longer writing policies in Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a possible solution is an incentive program, similar to the one used after Katrina and Rita, which led to new private insurance companies in Louisiana…:

CUT 10(06)      “…last resort.”

United Property & Casualty just became the 10^th company to exit Louisiana; forcing even more homeowners to go to the state-run insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens.

Davante Lewis unseated three term Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere in a Saturday runoff election for the District Three Public Service Commission seat. Lewis says his first priority will be to try to reinstate a rule the PSC repealed in 2018 allowing net metering for solar power. He says net metering credits solar panel owners for the electricity they add to the grid…:

CUT 14(06)      “…credit back.”

Louisiana is seeing Covid cases rise, and the worst flu season in 5 years. Michelle Southern reports now is the time to get updated on vaccines before the holidays…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Southern.”

…and now today’s markets.

As flu cases continue to rise, Louisiana health officials are urging us to get flu shots…and COVID boosters – as soon as possible. LSU health’s Dr. Catherine O’Neal says, with the holidays coming, you want to avoid getting or spreading the viruses. She says, as we age, the body’s memory of the last vaccine wanes sooner so it’s important to get boosted…:

CUT 06(11)      “…get it today.”

Dr. O’Neal says the same also applies to your small kids.

State Wildlife & Fisheries says bird flu is turning up in wild birds in numerous parishes. LWF’s Dr. Jim LaCour says the virus spreads easily from bird-to-bird…:

CUT 09(07)      “…better part of a year.”

Bird flu poses little risk to you or I.

State Police credit two Good Samaritans with saving the lives of a family whose car went off an Assumption Parish road Wednesday and plunged into deep muddy water. Trooper 1^st Class Ross Brennan says Jeff Lapeyrouse, of Bourg, and Chase Dupre, of Chauvin, were in another vehicle, witnessed the crash and stopped to help. He says they waded into the chilly water and mud mix, and were able to open a door from the outside and get the family out before the Toyota sedan was completely submerged…:

CUT 13(09)      “…right before Christmas.”

Yet another property insurance company announces it is leaving Louisiana. This time, it’s Florida-based UPC – United Property & Casualty – who cover about 36-thousand homes in the state. The state Department of Insurance says UPC is the 10^th property insurer to exit the state due to high cost of the settling hurricane claims. They advise UPC customers to watch for mail from the company and call them if you have un-resolved claims.

State Police Troop C says two Good Samaritans are to thank for saving a family of four after their vehicle went off the road and into a canal. Trooper 1st Class Ross Brennan says the Toyota sedan went off Highway 182 in Assumption Parish and could not get their doors open. Two men – Jeff Lapeyrouse (LAP-uh-roos) and Chase Dupre witnessed the crash and jumped to action…:

CUT 12(08)      “…to safety.”

Brennan says Troop C will nominate the men for the LSP’s annual Lifesaver Award.

Wild birds in Calcasieu Parish have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza; more commonly known as bird flu. It was first found in blue wing teal. State Wildlife & Fisheries agents say it poses a relatively low risk for people, but can and has killed thousands of wild birds in the Gulf South. It’s also linked to the deaths or forced destruction of millions of livestock birds in other states.

Health experts are urging the public to get their flu shot and boosted for COVID as soon as possible. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

…and now today’s markets…

After responding to four overdose deaths in a 72-hour period over the weekend, police in Monroe have one suspect in custody. Detective Matt Schmitz says 47-year-old Jarrell Lee Walker has been arrested and charged with the deaths of two persons who were found deceased on December third.

CUT 06 (07) “…illicit drug.”

Walker faces several charges including two counts of negligent homicide. Schmitz says they are still waiting on toxicology reports, and they believe fentanyl is uspected to be involved in the deaths.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day; the anniversary of the Japanese attack on a U.S. naval base in Hawaii that triggered the U.S. to enter World War II. On this 81st anniversary, a Louisiana sailor who died that day – Seaman Houston Temples of Varnado – is finally being laid to rest. His surviving niece, Shirley Hayman says the family is gratified…:

CUT 11 (07) “…coming home.”

Three members of the Southern University marching band were killed in an overnight crash with a big rig. It happened on I-49 North in Natchitoches Parish. We have few details at this time, but will update the story through the afternoon.

Can these unseasonably warm days so close to Christmas have a chilling effect on holiday shopping? Brooke Thorington asks an expert…:
CUT 03 (03) “…Thorington.”

After 81 years, a Louisiana sailor is properly laid to rest today. Seaman 1st Class Houston Temples, of Varnado, was killed in the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on this day in 1941. Today he will be buried in Bogalusa. His niece Shirley Temples Hayman recalls a letter he sent home while he served in the Navy…:

CUT 09(07)      “…my country.”

Hayman and family members are extremely proud of Temples’ military service and they are very grateful to be able to honor his memory. The funeral will take place at 2 pm at Ponemah Cemetery in Bogalusa.

The weather is pretty warm, considering Christmas is just a couple weeks away. Does a muggy holiday season affect holiday spending? LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says yes it can…just as lousy wet weather can affect in-store shopping…:

CUT 13(07)      “…online shopping.”

He says hot winter weather even slows online buying because we just don’t FEEL like Christmas.

A new round of federal small business assistance will bring over $ 100 million to Louisiana’s locally-owned businesses. More from Whitney Thomas…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thomas.”

A former Catholic church deacon in Metairie pleads guilty indecent behavior with a juvenile. Virgil Wheeler III took a plea deal for molesting a boy from 2000 through 2002, which will mean he gets 5 years on probation. He must also register as a sex offender and have no future contact with his victim.

Help is on the way for Louisiana small businesses who are struggling with inflation, labor shortages and more. The U.S. Treasury has approved $113-million in aid, in the form of venture capital, seed capital, low-interest loans and more.  Governor John Bel Edwards says it part of a larger $10-billion federal program for small businesses nationwide. Edwards says a great many locally-owned businesses are struggling in the wake of hurricanes in 2020 and ’21…plus the pandemic…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…federal partners.”

Louisiana Economic Development will administer the program. Information is online at “LouisianaSSBCI.com”

A Louisiana man is under arrest in Utah, after stealing a car then crashing it into a utility pole. 26-year-old Malcolm Van Buren reportedly led cops on a high speed chase leading up to the crash. When caught he told Utah Highway Patrol officers that “demons were after him” and were going to kill him. They suspected drug impairment and a test found high levels of meth in his blood.

On this December the 7^th, afternoon high temperatures will reach into the 80’s. Can the unseasonably warm temperatures change how one shops for the holiday season? Brooke Thorington asks an expert…:

CUT 03(32)      “…Thorington.”

Inflation is causing delays in big road projects on DOTD’s slate. Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says a new I-10 interchange project just south of Baton Rouge is now about $14-million over budget due to rising costs of…everything. An I-210 project at Nelson Road in Lake Charles in now  $40-million over budget.

Today is Pearl Harbor Day; the day the Japanese attacked a U.S. Naval base in Hawaii triggering America’s entry into World War II. The remains of a Louisiana sailor who died at Pearl Harbor 81 years ago will have a proper burial burial today…:

CUT 02  (33)   “…Thorington.”

amid mounting pressure over rising crime and unhappy staff, New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson announced yesterday that he will retire as of December 22nd. Some saw the announcement as a surprise; others not so much. a Search for Ferguson’s replacement is getting underway.

The U.S. Treasury approves Louisiana’s application for up to $113-million in support for the state’s small business owners; a part of the $10-billion state Small Business Credit Initiative. The program will give financial help to “mom & pops” in the form of venture capital, seed capital low-interest loans and more. Governor John Bel Edwards says this is great news…:

CUT 04   (07)   “…capital investment.”

Find out more about the assistance at “LouisianaSSBCI.com”

District 2 Congressman Troy Carter says he hopes the agreement signed between Governor Edwards and French officials last week will help bridge the gaps between advocates for clean energy and those who prefer relying on fossil fuels…:

CUT 07   (10)   “…a better way.”