7:30 LRN newscast December 21

The CDC says the Omicron variant is now the dominant strain in the US and health officials in Louisiana say they are seeing an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

President Biden will deliver a primetime speech tonight discussing his administration’s plan for combating the rise in cases as a result of the Omicron variant. According to a press release from the White House, FEMA is responsible for a medical surge facility in Shreveport.

Inflation is expected to take a hit on roadway projects in Louisiana. That word comes from State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson who says two projects have already been rejected, including plans to repair I-20 through Bossier City because the projected price tag has increased nearly 50 percent.
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No decision has been made on when the project might be re-bid.

Louisiana scores among the Top Ten states in the U.S. for the integrity of its elections. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ranking by the Heritage Foundation is a testament to the hard work of his staff, and local registrars…:
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The 2021 Election Integrity Scorecard looks at the management of absentee voting, vote counting practices, and verification of identity and citizenship.