Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the latest COVID news and the omicron variant today. Though there are no cases in Louisiana yet, He says state health officials are looking for it. Mr. Edwards says this all reinforces the message to get COVID shots or a booster if you’re 18 or older…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…and deaths.”

Only 49-percent of the state has been vaccinated. He says that’s too few.

Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport has fired at least seven employees for not getting the COVID-19 jab. A spokesman says that’s fewer than 5-percent of the facility’s workforce.

Cops in New Orleans are investigating a spate of vehicle burglaries of cars parked while fans watched the Saints play the Cowboys. Security video shows the thieves smashing glass to get into the cars.

Over the past 30 days Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than $6-million in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. State Police Trooper William Huggins says most of what was seized is crystal meth…:

CUT 10(08)      “…4.6-million.”

They’ve also seized about 577 pounds of illegal marijuana. Over 26 related arrests have been made in the past month.

State Wildlife & Fisheries experts are watching for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer; an affliction spreading in many northern states and some down south. LDWF Veterinarian Jim LaCour wants hunters to submit what deer they bag for testing for CWD…:

CUT 08(12)      “…it is present.”

CWD can be fatal in white-tail deer and other animals. Baiting of fields is banned in Moorehouse and Union Parishes beginning next Monday, as it promotes herding and snout-near-snout contact.