The Louisiana Department of Health is proposing to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of required shots for some students. It’s a move Governor John Bel Edwards supports.

Cut 9 (08) “…the covid vaccines.”

Edwards says it will be mandated to the extent that other vaccines are mandated but only when the FDA gives the vaccine full authorization for children.

It’s said that parents could opt out of the requirement for their child by simply signing a statement of exemption.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is clearly opposed to the COVID-19 mandate for students.

Cut 10 (08)  “…abuse and bullying.”

The proposal will be reviewed by the state’s Health and Welfare Committee before a decision is made to move forward. A date for the committee meeting has not been set.

President Biden orders 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve in an effort to reduce gas prices, but if you’re hoping this will impact your Thanksgiving travel, it won’t. The barrels won’t hit the market until mid to late December. LSU Center for Energy Studies, Executive Director David Dismukes says prices were already on course to correct themselves.

Cut 4 (08) “…administration’s part.”

As the pandemic continues to wane, the cruise business is picking back up in places like New Orleans. Jessica Ragusa, communications director with the Port of New Orleans, says next year should be a record year for cruising out of the Big Easy.

 Cut 6 (07) “…ever had there.” 

By comparison in 2019, there were 251 cruises out of New Orleans, involving both ocean-going vessels and river cruises.

If Lt Governor Billy Nungesser gets his wish, the state’s first float to appear in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will steal the show. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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State Republican lawmakers are coming out against a Health Department proposal to require COVID shots for kids to attend schools. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Tens of millions of people are traveling away from home, or perhaps to home, this Thanksgiving holiday weekend with the highways guaranteed to be crowded as they do.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Louisiana is marking its second-largest season over-the-month increase in employment in decades. That’s the word from Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates who says the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Ida has had a large impact on the state’s employment situation with a seasonally-adjusted non-farm gain of more than 34 thousand jobs in October.

Cut 4 (06) “…back to 1990. “

The largest gains were seen in leisure and hospitality, as well as construction. The jobless rate for October was five-point-four percent, a decline of point-four-percent.

Cates says construction jobs in the state went up by 82-hundred in October, a month-over-month gain coupled with a year-over-year gain of nearly six-thousand jobs.

Cut 5 (13) “…a great thing.”

While a lot of people are shrugging off going back to work because of the pandemic or other reasons, Cates notes the Workforce Commission has a laundry list of job openings up for grabs.

Cut 6 (10) “…for jobs there.”

She says New Orleans and Baton Rouge added the most jobs September to October than any other metro areas in the state, with Alexandria the only MSA to lose jobs, 200 of them during the same period.

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Louisiana’s first entry in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade will make history Thursday as the longest float in the parade. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says Celebration Gator, a 60-foot-long float, will proudly represent the state and promote tourism.

Cut 7 (09) “…this float.”

Not only will it be the longest, but New Orleans native and the jazz artist to receive the most Grammy nominations ever at 11, Jon Batiste will be performing on the $1.3 million float.

Nungesser says because Louisiana knows a thing or two about parades, he wanted to make sure Celebration Gator has that wow factor. And while in the Big Apple the float will make several media appearances promoting the Bayou State.

Cut 8 (09) “…been through.”

Louisiana has lost millions in tourism revenue due to the pandemic and now with people itching to travel again, Nungesser says Celebration Gator is our new mascot to lure visitors back.

Cut 9 (11)  “…with Macy’s.”

Thursday’s appearance in the parade is the first of a three-year commitment. The parade starts at 9 AM Thanksgiving and can be seen on CBS and NBC.

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Republican state legislators are voicing opposition to a Department of Health proposal to require COVID-19 shots for kids to attend schools. The mandate would apply only to age groups approved by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for non-emergency use situations – which is currently 16 and older. However, Baton Rouge area state Senator Bodi White says mandating shots for any age group is wrong…:

Cut 10 (07)  “…forced to opt out.”

The LDH proposal would allow parents to opt-out of their kids having the shots, by signing a statement of exemption. Senator White feels the vaccines are still in an experimental stage, and mandating injections for huge numbers of kids without knowing the possible negative side effects is un-wise…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…by doing it also.”  

White sits on Senate Health & Welfare which will soon review the LDH COVID proposal. He also is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and says, if LDH insists on giving unproven shots to small kids, the committee can spend their budget elsewhere…:

Cut 12 (09) “…have to do that.”

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The Thanksgiving holiday travel crunch is upon us with experts predicting more than 53 million people will hit the air, roads and waterways to share the love and dinner with others.

Cut 13 (07) “…turn to cruises.”

That’s Triple-A’s Don Redman who says the travel volume predicted is within five percent of 2019 pre-pandemic levels and marks the highest single-year increase in 16 years. He says air travel is up 80 percent over last year to a volume of just over four million passengers.

Redman advises those traveling by car to make sure they’re aware of what COVID-19 restrictions might be in place along their route and destination.

Cut 14 (09)  “…on your highway.”

He says the height of highway travel for the holiday weekend should begin this afternoon into the evening hours.

Redman says for those traveling by air, there are bargains to be found for the flight itself, but you may face higher expenses elsewhere.

Cut 15 (09)  “…about four percent.”

As for gas prices, they are holding mostly steady in Louisiana right now, with the statewide average price of regular at around three-13 a gallon compared to a dollar-81 last year at this time.

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Before the 23rd ranked Ragin Cajuns host Appalachian State in the Sun Belt championship game, they’ll host ULM this Saturday, looking for their eleventh straight win. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says they are not looking past their matchup against the Warhawks…

Cut  16 (20) “..play for”

The Ragin Cajuns beat ULM 70-20 last season for their third straight win over the Warhawks. Napier says they have a much different team this year under first-year head coach Terry Bowden…

Cut 17 (25) “ some games” 

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Two teams that can use a win will face off tomorrow night in the Superdome when the Saints host the Bills. New Orleans has lost three in a row, while Buffalo has lost three of its last five and quarterback Josh Allen is coming off a bad performance in a 41-15 defeat to the Colts. Allen threw for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan on defending Allen…

Cut 18 (15) “..the game”  

The Saints defense allowed over 240 yards rushing to Philadelphia last Sunday and Jordan says they have to be a better run defense from this point forward…

Cut 19 (19)  “…on that”  

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It should be an emotional night inside Tiger Stadium on Saturday night when LSU hosts Texas A-and-M. It will be the final game for Ed Orgeron as coach of the Tigers inside Death Valley and it’s also the final home game for many players like defensive tackle Glen Logan. Logan wants to win for Coach O…

Cut 20 (14) “.to us” 

The Louisiana Department of Health is proposing to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of required shots for some students. It’s a move Governor John Bel Edwards supports…:

CUT 11(09)      “…age 16 and above.”

Kids as young as 5 are getting the shots now, under the Emergency Use Authorization, but the pandemic seems to be waning. Attorney General Jeff Landry says adding COVID shots to the state’s immunization requirements amounts to “bullying” and vows to fight it.

A three-vehicle crash along Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish Monday took the life of an eight-year-old, and is now under investigation. Trooper Casey Wallace says it happened just before 8 am Monday when a car waiting to turn left across traffic was struck from behind by a commercial vehicle…:

CUT 13(09)      “…exact road.”

Three others in the car were injured. So far, no charges for the driver.

In an effort to reduce gasoline prices President Biden orders 50 million barrels to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. But is it too little, too late? Here’s Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

There have been a rash of carjackings in the city of New Orleans in the past week; seven to be precise – making for a total of 240 so far this calendar year. These are often at gunpoint and can happen at traffic lights, or even when pumping gas. This comes as the city proclaims the city a safe place to visit for the holidays.

President Biden orders 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve in an effort to reduce energy costs. LSU Center for Energy Studies, Executive Director David Dismukes says the move is a classic example of do-nothing politics…:

CUT 03(11)      “…past January.”

The barrels of oil to be released will not hit the market until mid to late December, so any lower price you may see when pumping gas may be closer to Christmas.

You’re going to be hearing a lot about this: a state Department of Health proposal to require kids have the COVID vaccine to get into schools. Among those strongly opposed to the idea is state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who accuses Governor Edwards of overreach for supporting a mandate for kids 16 and older to have the shots…:

CUT 12(09)      “…parents, not bureaucrats.”

The cruise business is ramping back up in New Orleans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brannen.”

Deputies in Ouachita parish are seeking a man who fakes being disabled while burglarizing cars in the Monroe area. The guy gets around in a wheelchair, but has been caught on video walking and even running from some of the cars and trucks he’s broken into. The Ouachita sheriff’s Office will gladly take tips that help catch this low-life.

The state Department of Health proposes adding COVID-19 shots to the list of those required for kids to get into public schools. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s all for the idea…:

CUT 09  (08)        “…the COVID vaccines.”

LDH says parents can opt out of the shots for kids by signing an exemption waiver, but Attorney General Jeff Landry is opposed to a mandate…:

CUT 10  (08)        “…abuse and bullying.”

State lawmakers will review the proposal before a decision is made on it; one way or the other.

An 8-year-old child was killed in a rear-end crash on Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish Monday. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the driver that hit the car from behind was distracted…:

Cut 14   (06)        “…right now.”

No charges for that driver as yet. A toxicology report is pending.

As the COVID pandemic continue to wane, the cruise business out of New Orleans is picking back up. Jessica Ragusa, with the Port of New Orleans, says cruise lines are taking steps to protect passengers from spread of the coronavirus..:

CUT 07  (07)        “…everything like that.”

Because so many passengers fly into New Orleans and then get on the ship, hotel bookings are expected to increase accordingly.

Scary moments for a real estate agent in Baton Rouge. While showing a house to some prospective buyers, he encountered a woman armed with a knife in an exterior guest house. Then he saw three men with her. He ran into the house and locked himself in. When they failed to break in, the group rummaged through the realtor’s vehicle and stole some of his stuff. Baton Rouge cops are looking for a white Nissan sedan the group used to getaway.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and several GOP legislators are pushing back against a Louisiana Department of Health proposal to require the COVID vaccine among the vaccines needed for children to attend school. Currently, children five and up can get a COVID vaccine, but Governor Edwards says as of now, the vaccine requirement will only be for teenagers…
cut 11 (09) “…16 and above”
The FDA has yet to fully approve the COVID vaccine for those under 16.

A three-vehicle crash yesterday morning along Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish that claimed the life of an eight-year-old remains under investigation. State Trooper Casey Wallace says the child that died was a passenger in a vehicle attempting to turn left into a private drive and was struck from behind by a commercial vehicle…
cut 13 (09) “..exact road”
Wallace says the child was restrained in the vehicle but was pronounced dead at the scene.

In an effort to reduce gasoline prices President Biden orders 50 million barrels to be released from the strategic reserve. Brooke Thorington has more from an energy expert who says it’s too little, too late.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The cruise ship industry is returning to New Orleans. Port of New Orleans spokesperson Jessica Ragusa says they expect a record 285 sailings next year and nearly one-million passenger movements, which is great news for the Big Easy’s economy…
cut 8 (05) “…passengers are spending”
She says that includes 300-thousand hotel room nights alone over a year’s time in New Orleans, with most guests traveling into the city from out of state.

President Biden orders 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve to reduce prices at the pump. Supply versus demand has been driving up prices and LSU Center for Energy Studies, Executive Director David Dismukes says it’s not a favorable market to invest in petroleum because of clean energy policies enacted by the Biden administration

Cut 5 (08) “…energy prices.”

The barrels being released won’t hit the market until mid-to-late December.

House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski says based on conversations he’s had with lawmakers, he’s not expecting major changes to the political boundaries for the state’s six U-S House Districts…

Cut 9 (13)  “…to make ‘em work.”
Stefanski says adjustments will have to be made because of the population growth in urban areas, and a decline in rural areas.

The cruise business is ramping back up in New Orleans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Dave Brannen.”