At the State Capitol, a panel of lawmakers voted refusal of Governor Edward’s plan to mandate COVID vaccines to the list of immunizations required for school kids. The Health & Welfare Committee voted 13-2 against the proposal, which would have allowed parents to opt out if they so choose. State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says he still feels the COVID jab is a personal choice…:

CUT 03  (09)        “…of their kid.”

In a written statement, the Governor says he still intends to push the shot requirement through.

An East Feliciana Parish man has a one-in-five chance of becoming a millionaire on New Year’s Day. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says 29 Louisiana finalists were randomly selected and their names sent to Powerball…:

CUT 12(10)      “…of the Year promotion.”

Aaron Rose lives in Slaughter. He and his friends and family will be seen on TV on New Year’s Eve as the big money is given away.

Today marks 80 years since the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, in which 46 Louisianans died. Rosehn (Roseann) Gipe is director of the U.S.S. Kidd Museum in Baton Rouge, where remembrance ceremonies took place. She says it’s important to always observe these…:

CUT 07(07)      “…in the world.”

Today also marks 100 days since Hurricane Ida came ashore as a strong Category 4 storm, wreaking havoc on coastal parishes and some further inland, like St. Charles Parish, where parish president Matt Jewell says recovery is still limping along. He says he knows residents are frustrated with the pace of receiving temporary housing trailers, since the state took over the program…:

CUT 10(09)      “…cold at night.”

Jewell says St. James is still operating a group site temporary home for storm victims.

Not one, but two remembrance ceremonies marking important events that happened on December 7^th were held on the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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It’s been 100 days since Ida made landfall and in St. Charles Parish, trailers are slowly coming in because many still need shelter. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The Health and Welfare Committee voted 13-2 against Governor Edward’s plan to add COVID vaccines to the list of scheduled shots required for students. Like other vaccines, families have the choice to opt out, and students can still attend school. State Superintendent Cade Brumley maintains the vaccine is a personal choice.

Cut 3 (09) “…their kid.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement that he still plans to add the COVID vaccine to the school schedule Fall of 2022, that right now would only apply to students 16 and older because it’s only FDA approved for that age group. Brumley says the governor will have to consider testimony heard at the meeting Monday and…

Cut 4 (09) “…school children.”

If the vaccine requirement does go into effect Brumley says they will assist those parents who choose not to vaccinate their children against COVID.

Cut 5 (10) “…do so.”

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Two remembrance ceremonies were held today on the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum, one to mark the 80^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor where 46 Louisianans lost their lives. The other was held to remember the 17 crew members who died when the Coast Guard buoy tender White Alder collided with another vessel on the Mississippi River on December 7, 1968.

 Cut 6 (09) “..lost in that.” 

That’s museum executive director Rosehn Gipe.

Gipe says it’s important to hold these types of ceremonies so memories don’t fade on what happened on such fateful days, whether it be the bombing of Pearl Harbor or the terrorist attack on the U.S. in 2001.

Cut 7 (07) “…in the world.”  

Gipe talks about how the USS Kidd came to be named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd Sr.

Cut 8 (12) “…as it sank.”

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Today marks the 100^th day of Hurricane Ida recovery. St. Charles Parish President Matt Jewell says temporary housing is still a problem for residents, and the parish’s group site home is still up and running. Jewell says the group site was the first one because the parish took the initiative to begin the site and now it’s being operated by the state.

Cut 9 (12) “…been put out.”

Jewell anticipates they will end up with approximately 500 trailers for the parish. And while he knows residents are frustrated with the pace of receiving trailers he says since the state took over the program.

Cut 10 (09)  “…cold at night”

Even months later Jewell says there are St. Charles Parish residents living in mold-infested homes and some are even using their car as shelter.

Cut  11 (12)  “..their coverage.”  

Jewell says the parish continues to make strides with recovery with streets and roads and hopes that in the near future housing issues will be resolved.

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An East Feliciana Parish man has a one-in-five chance of becoming a millionaire on New Year’s Day. It started with a multi-state Powerball “First Millionaire of the Year” promotion; asking players to enter the drawing with a photo of their Powerball ticket. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kimberly Chopin says 29 Louisiana finalists were randomly selected and their names sent to Powerball…:

Cut 12 (10) “…of the Year promotion.”  

Powerball selected Aaron Rose, of Slaughter, as one of only FIVE finalists for a January 1^st drawing for a million dollars. Chopin says, as one of those finalists, Mr. Rose has already scored a nice list of prizes…:

Cut 13 (13) “…at Party City and more.”

The prize package is to help Rose throw a big New Year’s Eve party for family & friends. Rose will be seen – live from his home – on the annual “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” telecast with the other four finalists, from Illinois, Iowa and Pennsylvania, to see who wins the $1-million prize. With 20-percent odds of winning, Rose could become Louisiana’s newest millionaire. Did he tell Chopin what he’d do if he won all that money…?

Cut 14 (13) “…for first responders.” 

Governor Edwards issued a statement that he still plans to add the COVID vaccine to the school schedule Fall of 2022, even after Health and Welfare voted 13-2 to against it. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the governor will have to consider testimony heard at the meeting Monday and…

Cut 4 (09) “…school children.”

The USS Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum in Baton Rouge held two ceremonies today, one to mark the 80^th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor where 46 Louisianans died and when 17 crew members perished in 1968 when the Coast Guard vessel White Alder collided with another on the Mississippi. Museum executive director Rosehn Gipe.

Cut 6 (09) “..lost in that.” 

A milestone in Louisiana State Police cadet training hit a historic mark this week. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

The Health and Welfare Committee voted 13-2 Monday against Governor Edward’s plan to add COVID vaccines to the list of scheduled shots required for students. Like other vaccines, families have the choice to opt out and students could still attend school. State Superintendent Cade Brumley maintains the vaccine is a personal choice.

Cut 3 (09) “…their kid.”

Governor Edwards issued a statement that he still plans to add the COVID vaccine to the school schedule in Fall of 2022 that right now would only apply to students 16 and older because it’s only FDA approved for that age group.

LSU reports that Louisiana reported its fewest number of vehicle crash injuries ever, but there was a sharp increase in traffic fatalities. 

Cut 21 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Sixty-four men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the Louisiana State Police. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot says the new class gathered for the first time Sunday afternoon and has about six months of initial training. Among other things, cadets will undergo training aimed at implicit bias recognition.

Cut 9 (10)  “…into these cadets.”

According to Lt. Fontenot, one of the more important and timely matters of concern is the training the cadets will receive in the lawful use of force.

A Pearl Harbor remembrance ceremony will be held shortly at the USS Kidd Veterans Memorial and Museum in Baton Rouge. It’s scheduled to get underway at 11:55 this morning. The original USS Kidd was one of the most decorated warships of World War II. The Kidd was named after Rear Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, Sr. who was killed during the Pearl Harbor attack while onboard the USS Arizona.

House Health and Welfare heard from both sides Monday concerning Governor Edwards’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the list of shots required to attend schools next fall, for ages 16 and older. The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor could overturn the decision. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says those who choose not to be vaccinated can opt out.

Cut 4 (10) “…philosophical reasons. “

State Superintendent Cade Brumley maintains the vaccine is a personal choice and says if the vaccine requirement does go into effect, they will assist those parents who choose not to vaccinate their children against COVID.

Cut 5 (10) “…do so.”

Brumley says the governor will have to consider testimony heard at the meeting Monday and the committee’s vote.

Early voting for the December 11^th primary ended on Saturday and one of the most followed issues is the bid by a group to win approval to build a gambling resort near Slidell. Pollster John Couvillon says the gaming proposal boosted early voting in St. Tammany Parish:

Cut  11 (07)  “…in the primary.”  

Couvillon also says he doesn’t believe an endorsement by Saints ex QB Drew Brees will sway voters.

Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest vehicle crash injuries but also produced the most fatalities since 2008. The Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety at LSU says 828 people were killed in crashes involving vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says bicycle fatalities increased by more than 54-percent…

Cut 15 (09)  “..risky behavior.”

Lawmakers in the House Health and Welfare Committee reject a plan by Governor John Bel Edwards to add the Covid vaccine to the list of shots required in order to attend K-12 public schools. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter argued that students can opt-out and still attend school
Cut 6 (07) “the intent of this”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor has said he plans to veto that decision.

Saturday is an election day and one of the most hot button issues is one in St. Tammany Parish over whether or not to build a casino in Slidell. Pollster John Couvillon says the proposal to build the 325-million-dollar facility helped boost early voting there, while other municipalities in the state saw a lower turnout…:
Cut 11 (07) “in the primary”
He doesn’t believe Drew Brees’ support of the project will have much of an impact on swaying voter opinion.

Sixty-four men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the Louisiana State Police. The instruction they’ll receive will include firearm proficiency, tactical driving and impaired driving detection, as well as leadership values that exemplify LSP Core Values. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot the lessons also include:
Cut 9 (10) “into these cadets”
He says training also includes that of lawful use of force — a policy matter that was reviewed Monday by a group of state senators amid excessive use of force controversies within LSP.

LSU legend Glenn Dorsey will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame today. A native of Gonzales, Dorsey is the most decorated defensive player in school history and becomes LSU’s 10th player to the Hall.

Emotions ran high in the House Health and Welfare Committee Monday where lawmakers are trying to stop a proposal by the governor to add the Covid vaccine to the required immunzations list to enter public school. The state argued that parents could still opt out, but the opposition arguments included that from David Oats, a realtor, who indicated he had treatments for the virus on hand…:
Cut 7 (11) “need no vaccine”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition of the shot, but the governor has said he plans to override.

St. Tammany Parish voters will have a chance on Saturday’s ballot to decide whether to gamble on building a new casino in Slidell, a matter that’s been one of the more contentious on the obscure December 11th Election Day. Pollster John Couvillon says the Parish has a strong anti-gambling history..:
CUT 12 (13) “of casino gambling”

A cruise ship carrying at least 17 passengers and crew members with breakthrough COVID infections when it docked in New Orleans has set sail again with new passengers. Nine crew members and eight passengers were infected when the ship arrived Sunday, according to state officials.

Tulane University announced Monday a graduate student tested positive for the strain of the Covid virus identified as Omicron.

A milestone in Louisiana State Police cadet training hit a historic mark this week. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Dave Brannen”

Health and Welfare heard from both sides on the Governor’s plan to add the COVID vaccine to the shot schedule for schools’ next fall. Brooke Thorington has more..:
Cut 1 (37) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

During a Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight Monday, Superintendent Lamar Davis admitted the agency still has a lot of work to do in implementing changes with regards to education on use of excessive force. Information from this and future meetings among these Senators is expected to produce legislation that will be considered in next year’s session.

Meanwhile, 64 men and women are now taking part in Cadet Class 100 of the State Police. Lieutenant Robert Fontenot says the group is excited…:
Cut 8 (10) “into a team”
If you’d like to apply for Cadet Class 101 that begins training next year visit laspc.dps.louisiana.gov.

Louisiana set a record last year for the fewest motor vehicle crash injuries, but 2020 also produced the most fatalities since 2008. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission spokesperson Mark Lambert says the pandemic resulted in fewer cars on the road, which resulted in fewer crashes, but there were more high-risk drivers…
Cut 14 (09) “seat belts”
He said bicycle and pedestrian fatalities also rose in 2020.

Lawmakers in the House Health and Welfare Committee reject a plan by Governor John Bel Edwards to add the Covid vaccine to the list of shots required in order to attend K-12 public schools. The new rule would initially only apply to students 16 and up at the start of the 2022 school year. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter argued in favor of the vaccine plan, and added…
Cut 4 (10) “philosophical reasons”
New Orleans resident Michelle Wags says she opposes the rule because she already feels like an outcast for her vaccine stance as it is…:
CUT 5 (09) “you guys”
The committee voted 13-2 to reject the addition, but the governor is expected to override the decision and move forward with the plan.

Louisiana reported its fewest number of vehicle crash injuries ever in 2020, but there was a sharp increase in traffic fatalities. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

Southern University has a new head football coach. The school announced Monday it has hired Eric Dooley, a former longtime assistant for the Jags who just led Prairie View to a SWAC championship.