A Tulane University epidemiologist says the big spike in COVID cases over the holiday weekend indicates just how contagious the Omicron variant is.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01         (33)    “…Thorington.”

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the COVID quarantine recommendation from 10 days to just 5 days. Experts are now saying blanket mask orders and reacting to infections numbers are using old metrics, and what’s more relevant now are numbers of deaths and hospitalizations.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the customers of two property insurers who were placed into receivership last month have found new coverage. Those companies are Access Home Insurance and State National Fire Insurance. Donelon says a new company (whose name has not yet been publicly disclosed) will take on most of those 30-thousand policies, pending approval today in a Baton Rouge courtroom. Donelon says they hope to have the deal sealed by Friday…:

CUT 11(11)      “…on a seamless basis.”

Police in New Orleans seek the person who shot & killed a 7-year-old girl Sunday, while she was riding in a car with her mom. They’re looking for a newer model Chevy pickup; white and silver and will gladly accept tips.

Your plans for New Year’s Eve may be under threat of lousy weather again this year. Forecasters say they expect thundershowers to cross the Gulf South Friday and into Saturday; bringing in cooler temperatures by late Sunday night and Monday morning.