As the Omicron COVID variant grows in Louisiana, the FDA approves Pfizer’s new COVID-19 treatment pill. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans. He says this an “extraordinary step forward” in treating the coronavirus and its variants…:
Cut 10 (07) “hospitalization or death”
The oral treatment called Paxlovid is available only with a prescription from your doctor. Treatment must begin within five days of onset of symptoms.

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says send Priority Mail Express…:
Cut 13 (06) “Christmas Day”
USPS says no shipping delays are expected for people shipping last minute.

A recent study shows Louisiana continues to have one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, says more than half a million Louisianans, including one in five children, struggle with hunger:
Cut 7 (12) “leftover food”
He says you can help by donating food, time or money, and every little bit helps.

The Vernon Parish Sherrif’s Office says a woman was killed in a deputy-involved shooting Tuesday after allegedly pointing a weapon and pursuing one of the officers. They indicate a male subject told cops 44-year-old Chantel Myers was threatening to commit suicide, and when deputies attempted to deescalate the situation at a residence in the area of Pitkin, the woman charged at officers with a gun in an aggressive manner threatening to harm them. A deputy fired his weapon fatally striking Myers. The matter is under investigation.