07:30 LRN NEWSCAST DECEMBER 23

Holiday traffic was light in 2020 as Covid was keeping folks home, but that is not the case this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says they expect a 34 percent increase in those on the roadways this Christmas, starting today…:
CUT 4 (08) “vaccinations and boosters”
Nationwide, 109 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holidays.

In another step towards getting the pandemic under control, the FDA has approved a new Covid-19 pill by Pfizer. “Paxlovid” is a major breakthrough, according to Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans….:
CUT 12 (09) “fortunate that it is”
The drug is authorized for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID in adults and kids 12 and up at high risk for progressing to severe illness. It is not authorized for post-exposure prevention, or in people who are already hospitalized with the virus.

One in five children in Louisiana suffers from hunger. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say they were called to investigate a fatal shooting involving a deputy with the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office and a Livonia Police Department officer. One person is deceased on the scene of an incident where multiple agencies responded in Fordoche. No officers were injured and the LSP Crime Lab is processing everything for evidence right now. More on this as it develops.

4 Saints players were voted to the Pro Bowl: defensive back J.T. Gray, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were selected to the NFC squad to play in the NFL’s All-Star game.