The state reports an alarming 9,378 new COVID cases today, a jump of more than 5,000 from Tuesday. The number does not include at-home COVID test results. Hospitalizations also increased dramatically by 145 patients in one day to 659. Current hospitalizations are up 142% from a week ago. Health officials are encouraging all, regardless of vaccination status to mask indoors.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting after Lake Charles PD exchanged gunfire with 22-year-old Christopher Thomas. As with all police officer-involved shootings in the state, LSP is investigating. Trooper Derek Senegal says they’ll seek out any surveillance video which may help in the investigation.

Cut 5 (14) “…put together a report.”

After a five-hour standoff in Delhi the suspected gunman in the first fatal shooting during homecoming on the campus of Grambling State is now in custody. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says they had been looking for 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll, aka “Rabbit” since October 13^th. Reichardt says multiple agencies assisted in Tuesday’s standoff with Carroll.

Cut 7 (09) “…even better.”  

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says, after talking with Madden quite a bit, he sent the Madden family one. That quickly became a tradition of its own.

Cut 10 (07)  “…Christmas as well.”

For the unenlightened, a “turducken” is a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey. The dish has become a holiday table tradition for many across the state.

The suspected gunman in an October shooting on Grambling University’s campus has been apprehended. More on that from Michelle Southern.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The state reports a huge jump in COVID hospitalizations, today 659 patients a 145 jump from the previous day, and 142% increase in one week. 77-percent of the hospital patients are not vaccinated. More than 93-hundred new cases are also reported today, that does not include home test results.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Trooper Derek Senegal says it began with LCPD officers called to an address where 22-year-old Christopher Thomas fired shots into a home twice; the second time hitting someone inside then fled on foot. Officers later found Thomas at another residence, where they tried to negotiate his surrender.

Cut 4 (12) “…he actually died.”

The man who introduced NFL great John Madden to one of his favorite dishes – the TURDUCKEN – mourns the passage of the football legend. New Orleans butcher Glenn Mistich says he first met Madden in 1996, during the Saints – Rams game. During an appearance on WWL radio, the subject of the “turducken” came up…:

Cut 9 (12) “…the All-Madden Team.”

A “turducken” is a chicken, stuffed inside a duck, stuffed inside a turkey.

After a five-hour standoff, the suspected gunman in the first homecoming shooting on the campus of Grambling State is now in custody. State Trooper Michael Reichardt says they had been looking for 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll, aka “Rabbit” since October 13^th. He says the US Marshal’s located Carroll in a home in Delhi.

 Cut 6 (09) “…custody.” 

One person was killed in the October shooting and another was injured. Carroll is being held in the Lincoln Parish Jail.

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says it began with LCPD officers called to an address where a man had fired shots into a home twice; the second time hitting someone inside.-

Cut 3 (11) “…fled on foot.”

They caught up with Thomas at another residence.

2021 saw some volatility in Louisiana politics. Kevin Gallagher talks with a political analyst…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Omicron is forcing 12 Office of Motor Vehicle locations in Louisiana to close temporarily. Before you need to do any business at the OMV officials are urging you to check their website to see if the office is open or not. They are also urging those who need to visit an open location to do so only if necessary and to first see if you can resolve your needs online.

The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases Tuesday with hospitalizations rising to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says many of the patients are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms…:
Cut 13 (11) “emphasize”
He says based on data from the state health department, 80-percent of those hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated.

COVID was once again the big story in Louisiana in 2021 and so was the Title Nine scandal that rocked LSU as reports came out that the university failed to handle sexual misconduct complaints properly. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says many state legislators look at LSU differently now…
cut 6 (12) “….is talk to them”

Friday night is New Year’s Eve which is a big night for people to light their own fireworks. Jaise Templet sells fireworks in Ascension Parish and says most shoppers tend to wait until December 31st to make purchases for the evening and while the warm weather could help sales, the potential for rain could hamper things also.
Cut 9 (08) “…this season.”

With 2021 coming to a close on Friday, you only have a few more days left to contribute to a charitable cause and get a break on your 2021 tax return, even if you don’t itemize deductions. Salvation Army spokesperson Aimee Murry is asking the public to consider the Salvation Army for their end-of-the-year donation and you can do so at Salvation-ArmyUSA-dot-org…
cut 12 (09) “…your community”

The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases yesterday and hospitalizations rose to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says outcomes are better among those who are vaccinated and even though some folks may not be happy about it, the shot isn’t going anywhere…:
Cut 15 (11) “influenza”

When looking back at some of the big political stories that came out of 2021 in Louisiana, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy’s seeming turn on Donald Trump then vote on a big Democrat spending bill stands out. Pollster Bernie Pinsonat says those actions by Cassidy made him less popular at home…:
CUT 5 (13) “Republicans in Louisiana”

The East Feliciana Parish Sheriff’s Office says they have located the 2-year-old who disappeared with his father over the Christmas weekend causing State Police to issue an endangered child alert. They say Carson Hollingsworth was found in good condition at a camp in St. Martin Parish and the father, Orin Hollingsworth was arrested for cruelty to a juvenile.

If you’re planning to end the year with a bang, you might want to shop earlier than usual for your fireworks, thanks to supply chain issues…:
Cut 2 (34) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Omicron variant is surging in Louisiana resulting in another 43-hundred reported cases on Tuesday…:
Cut 3 (32) “Jeff Palermo”

Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army has had to meet more demands with fewer resources since the pandemic. Spokesperson Aimee Murry says many people lost their homes this year in Louisiana due to eviction moratoriums ending and Hurricane Ida…:
Cut 11 (07) “out on the streets”
You can get a full list of services on their website.

State Police confirms a suspect involved in the Grambling State University homecoming shooting on Oct. 13 has been arrested. They say 18-year-old Jatavious “Rabbit” Carroll is booked on charges of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second degree murder, and one count of possessing a weapon on school property. The shooting injured a 16-year-old juvenile and led to the death of 19-year-old Damarius Murphy, both of Rayville.

The Covid surge might keep you home for your New Year’s Celebrations, but you might want to go buy fireworks early. Jaise Templet (Jace Tom-play), owner of 621 Fireworks in Gonzales, says while the pandemic has caused supply chain issues, it hasn’t hurt business…:
CUT 8 (11) “five years”
He says the best stuff is going to go quick so the sooner you load up the better.

Like many states, Louisiana is being hit hard with the Omicron Covid variant right now — but local health leaders say research shows this mutation is less dangerous for most people. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Julio Figueroua says poor outcomes remain among people who are not vaccinated…:
CUt 14 (07) “put on a ventilator”
The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases yesterday with hospitalizations rising to 514.

If you’ve got business to knock out with the OMV, you may have to do it online. State officials say several field offices across the Louisiana are currently closed due to Covid and are encouraging you to visit expresslane.org instead of trying to go in person.

The LSU football team has a new defensive coordinator. Coach Brian Kelly announced Wednesday the hiring of Kansas City Chiefs linebackers coach Matt House.

State Police is investigating an officer involved shooting in Lake Charles. They say initial reports show local cops in Southwest Louisiana were responding to a pair of shootings late Monday when a man opened fired at them causing the officers to shoot back. 22-year-old Christopher Thomas of Lake Charles was pronounced dead at a local hospital and no other injuries were reported. Local agencies ask State Police to investigate shootings by their officers.

What were some of Louisiana’s top political stories of the past year? Political analyst and pollster Bernie Pinsonat says one of the biggest was a failed veto override session by state lawmakers. Among bills vetoed by Governor Edwards, a transgender athletes ban and a bill allowing concealed carry of a weapon without a permit. Pinsonat says the override blow up caused a big rift between the parties at the Capitol…:
Cut 4 (14) “chairmanships in the House“
Another big political story of 2021 was Senator Bill Cassidy seemingly turning on Donald Trump and then voting for a big Democrat spending bill.

The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases Tuesday with hospitalizations rising to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says many of the patients are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms…:
Cut 13 (11) “emphasize”
He says based on data from the state health department, 80-percent of those hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated.

Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army has had to meet more demands with fewer resources since the pandemic. Spokesperson Aimee Murry…:
Cut 10 (11) “no season”
You can also visit their website to find local services.

State Police say an arrest has been made in the October fatal shooting that occurred on the campus of Grambling State University. 18-year-old Jatavious “Rabbit” Carroll was located at a residence in Delhi and was booked into the Lincoln Parish Jail on warrants accusing him of 2nd degree murder in the death of a 19-year-old and attempted second degree murder of a 16-year-old.

If you’re looking to light up the skies for New Year’s Eve fireworks, retailers advise making your purchases sooner than later. Jaise Templet (Jace Tom-play) owner of 621 Fireworks in Gonzales…:
Cut 7 (10) “4th of July”
He says demand for retail fireworks has also been higher due to the pandemic keeping more folks home creating their own show.