COVID cases are surging in Louisiana, with 2,111 confirmed new cases being reported today by the Louisiana Department of Health. Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to speak at 230 on the rising case count, and address a White House Coronavirus Task Force report for the state that has us in the red for overall case growth.

Due to this the state is asking people not to gather outside their household for Thanksgiving. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that means even if you’ve received a negative rapid test.

Cut 9 (12) “…still risk” (Cut at 3 seconds in)

That task force report included language that calls for “significant behavior change” amongst Louisiana residents, mandatory mask usage in public, and a “significant reduction in capacity” for businesses. It notes half of all parishes have high, uncontrolled levels of community spread. The state has also more than doubled the number of new cases it has per 100,000 residents this week as compared to last week.

Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says  as more states certify their results and Biden’s electoral vote lead grows it’s only a manner of days, or at most weeks before most of the rest of the delegation joins Cassidy.

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Biden appears set for 306 electoral votes.

Gas prices continue to stay under two dollars across the state, with the average for a gallon in Louisiana at just 1.84. AAA spokesperson Don Redman expects gas prices to continue to drop but says predicting the price heading into next spring could be tough.

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Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Cassidy tweeted “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy has always been pragmatic.

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Cassidy also tweeted that the Trump campaign has not presented the kind of evidence of mass voter fraud needed to change the results of the election.

If you’re driving to meet the family for Thanksgiving you’ll be enjoying some of the lowest gas prices in years, and 40 cents a gallon lower than it was last year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says it’s the pandemic economy…

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Healthcare officials and the Governor are begging residents not to meet up with family outside their household for Thanksgiving as the state reports another 2,120 confirmed positive COVID cases today. Brooke Thorington has more.

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It’s the time of year when many are traveling over the river and thru the woods to gather for Thanksgiving, and those traveling via automobile are seeing the lowest gas prices in years. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the average price a gallon in Louisiana is $1.84 at the pump.

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The Krewe of Bacchus will roll virtually next year, and fans of the big New Orleans parade will be able to follow along on February 14th on an app that will also allow them to catch throws. Bacchus captain Clark Brennan says after you catch throws virtually, you’ll collect your stash in person, even utilize curbside pick-up.

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The app is called “Throw Me Something Bacchus!” and will be available for download Jan. 6th.

Some school system leaders are frustrated with the state’s policy of quarantining any student who has “close contact” with a confirmed COVID case for two weeks. Matt Doyle has the story.

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The state has surpassed one-thousand coronavirus patients in the hospital. It’s the first time since August that Louisiana hospitals have had this large of a coronavirus patient count. The state reported 24 more deaths Monday bringing the death toll to 6,039. Governor Edwards holds a COVID media briefing at 2:30 today.

Some school system leaders say the state’s policy of 14-day quarantines for students who had “close contact” with someone who tested positive for COVID goes too far. EvenBossier City Representative Raymond Crews says the over-zealous policy is detrimental to a student’s long-term education and social health.

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LDH is not recommending any changes to the policy.

President-elect Joe Biden has picked LSU grad and Baker native Linda Thomas-Greenfield as the next U-S ambassador to the United Nations. LSU alumnus and famed Democratic political consultant James Carville says Thomas-Greenfield is a great role model for LSU students…

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The Louisiana Hospital Association is asking the public to do its part to help keep COVID infections down over the Thanksgiving weekend. Our Lady of the Lake Pulmonologist Doctor Abdulla Moosa says not only are we seeing post-holiday spikes in cases but this year the gathering around the table increases the chances of spreading COVID to family members

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The Krewe of Bacchus will roll virtually in 2021 and fans of the big New Orleans parade will be able to follow along on February 14th on an app that will also allow them to catch throws. Bacchus captain Clark Brennan on how the free smartphone app will entertain revelers.

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The “Throw Me Something Bacchus!”smartphone app will be available on Jan. 6th.

Samantha Brennan testified in a Baton Rouge courtroom yesterday arguing that the full police records involving a sexual misconduct complaint she filed against former LSU running back Derrius Guice should be released. Brennan claims Guice took a partially naked picture of her in 2016 and shared it with others without her permission.

The Louisiana Hospital Association is asking that the public not to gather around the dinner table for Thanksgiving unless it’s just immediate family members….
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The organizers of Bacchus announces plans for 2021. They will not a physical parade in New Orleans, but they plan to have a virtual one. Bacchus Captain Clark Brennan…
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You can also catch virtual throws that you can collect at a physical location. A Throw Me Something App will be available on January sixth in order to watch the virtual parades every Sunday during the carnival season.

LSU grad and Baker native Linda Thomas-Greenfield will serve as U-S Ambassador to the United Nations in President-elect Joe Biden’s administration. Fellow LSU alumnus and famed Democratic political consultant James Carville…
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Several school superintendents went before the House health committee asking if the quarantine rules can be relaxed. Rapides Parish Superintendent Jeff Powell says for every student who tests positive 18 of them are sent home for two weeks to quarantine…
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A state health department spokesperson says they are following CDC guidance on quarantine and not recommending any changes to the K-through-12 guidance at this time.

The Louisiana Hospital Association is asking the public to continue wearing masks and practice social distancing in order keep infections down at Thanksgiving. Our Lady of the Lake Pulmonologist Doctor Abdulla Moosa…
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Governor Edwards will provide on the state’s response to COVID at 2:30 today.

The General Services Administration has recognized President-elect Joe Biden as the apparent winner of the November third election, which formally starts the transition of power. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy tweeted out the transition should begin as President Trump’s legal team has not presented evidence of massive fraud for the election to be overturned.

A New Orleans super krewe invents a virtual way to let the good times roll in 2021. Brooke Thorington explains.
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Some school system leaders are frustrated with the state’s policy of quarantining any student who has “close contact” with a confirmed COVID case for two weeks. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state has surpassed one-thousand coronavirus patients in the hospital. It’s the first time since August that Louisiana hospitals have had this large of a coronavirus patient count. The state reported 24 more deaths Monday bringing the death toll to 6,039. Governor Edwards holds a COVID media briefing at 2:30 today.

President-Elect Joe Biden has selected LSU grad and Baker native Linda Thomas-Greenfield as the Ambassador to the United Nations in the next administration. Fellow LSU alumnus and famed Democratic political consultant James Carville…
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Thomas-Greenfield previously served as ambassador to Liberia under President George W Bush and assistant secretary of state for African affairs under President Obama.

One of the biggest Mardi Gras parades will have virtual parades every Sunday during the carnival season with a new app called “Throw Me Something Bacchus.” Bacchus Captain Clark Brennan says on the app you can see images of floats, listen to marching bands and catch digital throws…
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The app will be available on January sixth.

Some school system leaders say the state’s policy of 14-day quarantines for students who had “close contact” with someone who tested positive for COVID goes too far. Rapides Parish Superintendent Jeff Powell told a House committee they’ve had 227 students test positive out of 22,000, but those cases have resulted in 4,000 students quarantined.
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But the state health department says there are no plans of changing the policy, particularly when the state is seeing a third surge.

The Louisiana Hospital Association is asking the public to do its part to help keep COVID infections down over the Thanksgiving weekend. Our Lady of the Lake Pulmonologist Doctor Abdulla Moosa says they’ve already seen several post-holiday spikes…
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Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy Tweeted last night that with Michigan certifying its election results, Joe Biden has over 270 electoral college votes and the transition should begin for the sake of the country. Cassidy says President Trump’s legal team has not presented evidence of massive fraud to overturn the election.

President-elect Joe Biden has picked LSU grad and Baker native Linda Thomas-Greenfield as the next U-S ambassador to the United Nations. LSU alumnus and famed Democratic political consultant James Carville says Thomas-Greenfield is a great role model for LSU students…
cut 11 (07) “…living proof”