At the height of the fourth COVID wave, the percentage of those unvaccinated and in the hospital in Louisiana hovered in the upper 90s but now it’s dropped to 86-percent. Doctor Lucio Miele with LSU Health New Orleans says one factor for the percentage drop among those hospitalized and unvaccinated is the virus mutates quickly…:
CUT 04 (08) “…infecting humans.”
Miele says this also illustrates the need to for periodic COVID booster shots.

The National Retail Federation estimates consumers will spend just under $1000 on holiday gifts and other purchases this year, which is comparable to last year. But NRF Senior Director of Industry and Consumer Insights, Katherine Cullen says seniors tend to spend more on grandkids, and those playing host to holiday gatherings – as the pandemic downtrends – will of course have to pay for food…:
Cut 13 (11) “…the first time”

More than 400 days after Hurricane Laura devastated the Lake Charles area in 2020, the city is still working to recover. More from Dave Brannen…:
CUT 02 (32) “…Brannen.”

Ouachita Parish deputies arrest a West. Monroe man for allegedly drugging & raping a teen at a Monroe motel. 49-year-old Chase Paul is accused of taking the girl from church to the inn, where he allegedly gave her Xanax and forced himself on her. He’s been booked into the Ouachita Parish jail.