For a second straight day, Louisiana sets a record for a single-day increase in COVID-19 cases. The state reported over 12-thousand new cases today after reporting nine-thousand cases on Wednesday. Governor John Bel is encouraging Louisiana residents to re-think their New Year’s Eve plans if they planned on ringing in 2022 with a large group of people. He prefers if Louisiana residents celebrated the new year with their immediate family…

Cut 13 (10) “. is “

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is stepping down from his seat to accept a federal post by President Joe Biden. James will serve as Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s South-Central Region. James who is head of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus says he’ll take the helm early next year.

Cut 3 (09) “…early next week.”

Beginning January first, the flower or smokable form of medical marijuana will be available and legal for patients in Louisiana. A bill allowing dispensaries to legally sell the traditional form of cannabis passed in the regular legislative session this year. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medical marijuana.

 Cut 6 (10) “…14 days.” 

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is nearing half-billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says there is a televised Powerball event on Friday night (New Year’s Eve), and a, East Feliciana Parish man is one of five finalists to win a big pot of cash…:

Cut  11 (12)  “…of the year!” 

Governor John Bel Edwards encourages Louisiana residents to avoid large New Year’s celebrations as the state reports another single-day high 12-thousand new cases. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Palermo.”

Officials with Louisiana hospitals are asking the public to NOT come to an emergency room seeking a COVID test, or any other minor medical issue. There are any number of urgent care facilities and COVID testing sites around the state for that. To find one near you, go to “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus.”

Beginning January 1^st, patients who use medical marijuana will have the option of getting the raw, smokable plant flowers at the state’s 9 medical cannabis pharmacies. State Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain oversees the program, and says – like with previous edibles, oil and sublinguals – you’ll need a doctor’s written recommendation to get it. Dr. Strain says medical weed – like any other agricultural product – is thoroughly checked out before distribution…:

CUT 08(07)      “…sole for consumption.”

Smokable cannabis was added to the state medical marijuana law in the last legislative session.

State Police have determined that the man who drove down I-49 the wrong way last week, and crashed into a vehicle head-on – killing three siblings – was indeed driving drunk. 54-year-old John Lundy was also killed in that crash. LSP says his blood alcohol level was three time the legal limit. Sisters and brother Lindy, Kamryn and Christopher Simmons were killed in that wreck.

As COVID cases in Louisiana begin another surge, Governor Edwards urges residents to mask up again, but falls short of renewing a mandate. The state Department of Health reports more than 12-thousand more cases of the virus in just a day. 762 persons are hospitalized with COVID, and about 75-percent of them are not vaccinated. The Governor says this surge is just getting started…:

CUT 12(12)      “…anyone.”

He asks us to mask back up while indoors, but has not made that a mandate

Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James will leave the legislature to take an assignment as regional head of the Small Business Administration. James says his territory will cover Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico…but he’ll remain in the state and work from an office in New Orleans…:

CUT 04(06)      “…across our region.”

A special election will be called to replace James in the legislature.

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is nearing half-billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the last time a Powerball jackpot was hit was October 4^th, when the jackpot was nearly $700-million. As of now, Saturday night’s drawing is worth about $480-million with a lump sum payout of $347-million, and could easily grow much higher between and Saturday night. She says those jackpots are growing much more quickly because of new Powerball policies…:

CUT 10(09)      “…so does that jackpot.”

Starting January 1^st medical marijuana patients will be able to buy the smokable raw for of the herb. Until now, only edibles, oils, tinctures and dissolvable gels were available. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medical marijuana, and says you must have a prescription from a licensed medical provider to legally use marijuana in Louisiana…:

CUT 07(09)      “…processed form.”

Medical marijuana in its natural form is cheaper to process compared to the other forms.

The state Department of Health reports over 12-thousand new cases of COVID-19 detected in a day; leaving little doubt that another surge is definitely underway. LDH also reports 762 people are in the hospital with COVID symptoms. Of those, about 75-percent have not been vaccinated. At a news conference just minutes ago, Governor John Bel Edwards said with a surge clearly beginning, it’s very important to wear a mask when indoors, and outdoors in situations where one cannot socially distance.

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night’s drawing is nearing half-billion dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the last time a Powerball jackpot was hit was October 4^th, when the jackpot was nearly $700-million…:

CUT 09(12)      “…really fine.”

The drawing is Saturday night at 10.

Starting January 1^st, medical marijuana patients will have the choice of using the smokable form of the herb. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

One more COVID story: three lions at the New Orleans Audubon Zoo have tested positive for the coronavirus. The animals are said to be suffering from runny nose and coughs, but are otherwise OK. The trio of cats have been quarantined while other big cats are tested. Zoo officials say they may have gotten it from a keeper.

Beginning January first, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of getting the smokable flowers (or “buds”) of the marijuana plant. A bill allowing dispensaries to legally sell the traditional form of cannabis passed in the regular legislative session this year and was signed by the Governor. Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medicinal weed…:

CUT 06(10)      “…each 14 days.”

You must have a written recommendation from a doctor or other licensed medical provider to get medical marijuana.

Public health officials & hospital administrators are reminding everyone that an emergency room is NOT the place to go to get a COVID-19 test. ER’s statewide are reporting a surge in non-emergency ER visitors, as cases of the virus surge again. There are a large number of free testing sites set up all over Louisiana. To find one near you go to “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus”.

Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James has been tagged to become the new Regional Administrator of the federal Small Business Administration in the South-Central Region; covering Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. James says he’ll remain in Louisiana and work in the New Orleans Office…:

CUT 04(06)      “…across our region.”

James will take over the job shortly after the New Year starts. He’s been a state lawmaker since 2012. A special election will be called to replace him in the state House.

Add another 12-thousand cases of COVID detected statewide. About 760 are in the hospital right now. Unvaccinated people account for 75-percent of cases.

And now a look at today’s markets…:

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is stepping down from his seat in the state legislature to accept a federal post by President Joe Biden. James will serve as a Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s South-Central Region. James who is head of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus says he’ll take the helm early next year.
Cut 3 (09) “…early next week.”

Just two days left in 2021 and one of the state’s big stories for this year was LSU’s Title Nine scandal. An independent investigation detailed how the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought the punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

With just a couple of days left in 2021, it’s time to take look back at another eventful year. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

And Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a 1 pm press conference today to discuss the surge in COVID.

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.

Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”

For those who make their initial claim January 1, 2022, or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana: bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:

Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”

Magee says two entire high schools will need to be rebuilt.

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

2021 was a wild year for weather. In February, Louisiana was hit by a major winter storm that brought snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures for several days. Utility companies were asking residents to conserve energy to minimize rolling blackouts because of the demand for heat…
cut 11 (09) “…power grid”
For the second straight year, Louisiana was hit by a Category Four storm. Hurricane Ida devasted the bayou and river parishes and also did a number on Tangipahoa Parish. Congressman Garret Graves couldn’t believe the destruction…
Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane.”
Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the recovery has a long way to go…
cut 6 (04) “…better for us”

Legislation approved in June will result in an 11-percent increase in the maximum unemployment benefit amount for Louisianians. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the 28-dollar weekly increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2nd…
cut 9 (11) “…a decade”
For those who make their initial claim on January 1st or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

The recovery from Hurricane Ida will continue into 2022. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they are still waiting on FEMA trailers to help provide temporary housing and two of their high schools need to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there”

We are taking time today to look at back at the major stories for 2021. In July, state lawmakers held their first veto session in modern times. Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on female athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…
Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”
The biggest sports story came in October when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told Coach Ed Orgeron 2021 is his last as the Tigers football head coach….
cut 15 (09) “….met that standard”
Orgeron also took heat for not being more forthright in what he knew about a sexual harassment case involving former running back Derrius Guice.