The state health department is reporting 2,081 COVID hospitalizations today an increase of 82 from Wednesday. Governor John Bel Edwards says hospitalizations among children from the Omicron variant are also on the rise and he dispels any rumors that COVID is not impacting children.
Cut 6 (11) “…than Delta surge.”
Edwards says some of those children admitted are between the ages of 0-to four, which are not eligible to be vaccinated.

With voters in St. Tammany Parish rejecting a proposal to move a Bossier City casino license to Slidell, what becomes of that casino? State Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says state law dictates that Diamond Jack’s casino must re-open within 60 days of the failed referendum…:
Cut 13 (08) “…very short extension.”
Johns says the board will meet week to decide whether to grant that extension.

A new study finds drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020 increased across the nation by 31-percent and in Louisiana, it’s even worse. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Hammond Police Department reports a homeless man that had fallen asleep inside a dumpster was killed when he was crushed by a garbage truck compactor. They say the man, identified as 42-year-old Jermaine Watts, was likely trying to escape the cold in the dumpster when the compactor was activated.