We’re only a day away from Christmas and state officials are asking residents who have made plans to gather for the holiday outside of their immediate household to cancel those plans. COVID hospitalizations are at their highest level since April and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says our red levels of community spread mean any large gathering statistically will have one infectious person…

Cut 10 (07) “…accurate.”

COVID deaths now total 7,272.

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won the runoff for the 5^th district Congressional seat, has been moved into the ICU but is reportedly in stable condition with COVID. Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis tested positive late Tuesday and is reportedly suffering mild symptoms. And a spokesperson for the Lt. Governor says Billy Nungesser is recovering nicely from COVID-19.

2020 Retail sales have been a mixed bag according to LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice. He says while online sales were up dramatically only some brick-and-mortar stores did better than in the past, Rice says athletic stores, bicycle shops, and home improvement stores are doing well. Other holiday staples however are not.

Cut 8 (10) “…from home.”

64-year-old Terry Bowden is the new football coach at ULM. The former Auburn coach has a big task in front of him as he takes over a program that failed to win a game in 2020 at a school that has the smallest athletic budget among FBS schools. But Bowden says he’s ready for the challenge…

Cut 12 (14) “…grinder.”

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns the data shows we are most likely in the middle of the most dangerous part of the pandemic, even as vaccines have trickled into the state. The Department of Health reported 46 new COVID fatalities today, the first three days of the week we had in three days in a row of over 50 COVID deaths…

Cut 9 (07) “…before.”

Our total number of fatalities from COVID is 7,272

Students, parents, and loved ones are mourning the loss of a Lafayette special education teacher. 53-year old Michelle Suire died on Tuesday from COVID-19 complications. The beloved teacher taught first through third graders at S.J. Montgomery Elementary. The Lafayette Parish Teachers Union posted a tribute to Suire on Facebook who leaves behind a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year old son.

This year’s last-minute Christmas Eve shopping could be easier on your wallet than in the past. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says procrastinators might actually find bargains because foot traffic was down as much as 90 percent for some stores.

Cut 6 (08) “…still.”

The Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission has enlisted a 50-foot permanent alligator bonfire display that goes by the name of Saint. Executive Director Buddy Boe says bonfires are lit annually on Christmas Eve along the levee to guide Papa Noel, to children’s homes along the river. Boe says Saint will serve as a landmark this year to guide Papa because COVID canceled tonight’s bonfires.

Cut 5 (08) “…pandemic.”

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace.

We started this work week with three straight days of over 50 COVID death and today the state reports 46 fatalities. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns that may not be letting up in the near future…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

LDH reports 2,562 COVID cases this Christmas Eve. Hospitalizations are down 42 to 1,633 hospitalizations. 46 fatalities were also reported today. The state will not post numbers again until Sunday in observance of Christmas.

Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot alligator bonfire in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says the gator goes by the name of Saint.

Cut 3 (10)  “…our history.”  

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace and Boe encourages tourists to visit and take photos.

This year more retailers began Black Friday deals before and after the day after Thanksgiving to entice shoppers and in hopes of making up for lost sales earlier in the pandemic. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says overall this holiday season sales are up and down. He says online sales are thru the roof this year, as for stores….

Cut 7 (12)  “…have that.”

The Ragin Cajuns are 14 point favorites to win Saturday’s First Responders Bowl game against UTSA and it looks like that line may be moving even higher with news that the Roadrunners head coach will have to sit the game out in quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. Coach Jeff Traylor did say he’s feeling fine, just emotionally crushed that he won’t be able to be there.

The Pelicans start their season off in style with an impressive 113-99 win over the Raptors in the Canadian team’s temporary new home in Tampa. Newly extended forward Brandon Ingram ran the show with 24 points 11 assists and nine boards and while Zion Williamson’s first sophomore effort was mostly contained at 15 points and ten boards due to constant double teams. The Pels play the Heat on Christmas Day.

LSU freshman runningback Kevontre Bradford was arrested late Tuesday for allegedly shoplifting from a West Baton Rouge Parish Walmart. Bradford was issued a misdemeanor and did not comment on the charge, only saying the situation was a misunderstanding.

The Saints continue their push for the 1^st seed in the NFC playoffs Friday against the Vikings in the Dome. The Vikings aren’t having a great season at 6-8 but have been the bane of the Black and Gold’s existence the past few years and Saints safety Malcom Jenkins says it’s obvious their record doesn’t reflect their high level of talent…

29

The Saints are a game in a half back of the Packers for the 1^st seed, the only bye week in the playoffs.

Former Auburn coach Terry Bowden has been tapped to run ULM’s struggling football program. The team didn’t win a game this season under Matt Viator and a number of players have entered the transfer portal. Bowden says the plan is to re-recruit them back…

Cut 14 (14) “…they get.” 

The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting 22,108 people are confirmed to have received their first vaccine, although Governor Edwards has indicated the real number is likely a good bit higher. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says we’re making good progress in the vaccination program…

Cut 11 (09) “…want to be.”

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, who won the runoff for the 5^th district Congressional seat, has been moved into the ICU but is reportedly in stable condition.

Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis tested positive late Tuesday and is reportedly suffering mild symptoms.

A spokesperson for the Lt. Governor says Billy Nungesser is recovering nicely from COVID-19.

UTSA’s head coach Jeff Traylor has tested positive ahead of his team’s Saturday game against UL Lafayette in the First Responders Bowl. The game is reportedly still set to go on.

LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says lagging retail store foot traffic means Christmas Eve anyone who still needs to buy gifts will likely be able to find a few steals if they feel up to braving in-person shopping. Rice says some shops like athletic retailers and home improvement stores are doing just fine but other holiday staples are not.

Cut 8 (10) “…from home.”

Rice says this last bit of the holiday shopping season will make or break many sellers.

Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot bonfire alligator in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says Saint is a reminder of the bonfire custom that was extinguished this year due to high positivity rates of COVID.

Cut 4 (09) “…right now.”

Saint is a smaller version of the 78-foot alligator bonfire that was constructed last year and made headlines.

We’re only a day away from Christmas and state officials are asking residents who have made plans to gather for the holiday outside of their immediate household to cancel those plans. COVID hospitalizations are at their highest level since April and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says our red levels of community spread mean any large gathering statistically will have one infectious person…

Cut 10 (07) “…accurate.”

Our total number of COVID deaths as of this morning is 7,226.

ULM is cheering as the team hires former Auburn coach Terry Bowden to take over the football program. ULM didn’t win a game this season but Bowden isn’t phased…

Cut 12 (14) “…grinder.”

Procrastinators might be able to find that last-minute Christmas gift on sale this year, Brooke Thorington explains.

 Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

5^th District Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has been moved into the ICU as he battles COVID-19. Letlow was in a hospital bed in Monroe but has been transferred to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. The Congressman announced Friday that he had tested positive and was moved into the hospital over the weekend. He’s reported in stable condition and receiving remdesivir and steroids.

The Pelicans opened their season last night in Tampa against the Raptors with a highly impressive 113-99 win. Newly extended forward Brandon Ingram took control of the squad putting up 24 efficient points on a near triple-double and guard JJ Reddick erupted for 23 points off the bench.

Newly acquired center Steven Adams may have had a fairly tame 8/3/8 stat line but easily passed the eye test on defense and with his screening.

Zion Williamson’s sophomore year opened with a fairly quiet but highly efficient 15 points and 10 rebounds. Toronto’s plan to double him every time he touched the ball limited his opportunities.

The team still has a lot to work on before they play the Heat tomorrow, as they turned the ball over an eye-watering 27 times.

Brutal loss yesterday for La. Tech in the New Orleans Bowl. Georgia Southern pummeled the Bulldogs on the ground for 322 yards rushing to win the game 38-3. Tech QB Aaron Allen tossed three picks on only 41 yards passing.

64-year-old former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, son of Florida State legend Bobby Bowden, has been hired to try to reconstitute ULM’s failing football program. The school is reeling after a winless 2020 under recently fired coach Matt Viator’s reign and several players have entered the transfer portal, but Bowden says he’s ready for the challenge…

Cut 12 (14) “…grinder.”

Bowden has a history of building winning programs. He coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998 and won 45 games. His last head coaching was at Akron from 2012 and 2018. He says when took over the Zips football program it was in bad shape..

Cut 13 (12) “…another bowl.”

It’ll be a tough challenge as ULM has the smallest athletic budget of any FBS school.

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns the data shows we are most likely in the middle of the most dangerous part of the pandemic, even as vaccines have trickled into the state. The Department of Health reported 68 new COVID fatalities yesterday…

Cut 9 (07) “…before.”

Our total number of deaths as of this morning is 7,226

In a surprise move ULM hires former Auburn coach, 64-year-old Terry Bowden son of Florida State great Bobby Bowden, to run the team. He’s in charge of reassembling the squad after recently fired Matt Viator’s disastrous winless season. Bowden says he’ll need to re-recruit players back to the squad…

Cut 14 (14) “…they get.” 

This year’s last-minute Christmas Eve shopping could be easier on your wallet than in the past. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says procrastinators might actually find bargains today because foot traffic was down as much as 90 percent for some stores.

Cut 6 (08) “…still.”

Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot bonfire alligator in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says the gator goes by the name of Saint.

Cut 3 (10)  “…our history.”  

Saint is a smaller version of the 78-foot alligator bonfire that was constructed last year and made headlines.

The 2020 Atlantic Hurricane season is finally over and southwest Louisiana residents are breathing a sign of relief after being slammed with two named storms in a six week period earlier this year. Lake Charles is still recovering and Mayor Nic Hunter says while it may take a few months for things to start returning to normal the good news is local industries have committed to sticking around…

Cut 7 (12) “..back.”

A freeze warning will be in effect for all of the state expect the New Orleans metro area tomorrow morning. That means heater will be fired up in many homes for the first time this season and State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue reminds you to check your smoke detectors…

Cut 4 (11)   “…our website”  

In Kenner, a 30-year old gas station clerk was brutally murdered early this morning after cooperating with two men that robbed the store. Kenner PD Lt. Michael Cunningham says Abd Del Ghader Sylla was killed when two men entered the station on Williams Boulevard as if they were shopping then approached the clerk with a gun and demanded cash.

Cut 9 (12) “…no reason.”

Photos of the suspects are posted on the Kenner PD’s Facebook page.

Today is Cyber Monday, one of the largest online shopping days of the year. Carmen Million with the Better Business Bureau of South-Central Louisiana says according to an Accenture Holiday Shopping Survey more people are shopping online this year than before.

Cut 12 (12) “…COVID disease.” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court orders Judge William Morvant to rehear a case involving a State House petition seeking to override the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. A new trial date has not been set but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder expects it will be soon

Cut 8 (09) “…with this.”

Morvant ruled it unconstitutional because both chambers did not sign the petition.

A four-year-old was killed in a New Iberia house fire early Monday morning. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the cause of the fire is still under investigation but so far they’ve got two theories as to what caused the tragedy.

Cut 12 (11) “…contributed” 

Rodrigue says no smoke alarms were found on the premises.

President Trump’s surprise 180 on the COVID Relief Bill last night perplexes Congressman Garret Graves.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is now in the ICU battling COVID-19. Letlow was transferred from a hospital in Monroe to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. On Friday is was announced the former chief of staff for outgoing Congressman Ralph Abraham tested positive. Letlow is reportedly in stable condition and receiving remdesivir and steroids. Letlow was elected to Congress in the December 5^th runoff.