US Senator and physician, Bill Cassidy says currently there are four active COVID-19 vaccine trials going forward, He anticipates a vaccine will be approved by the end of the year or first of January.
Cassidy says an independent board, not the government or pharmaceutical companies, is monitoring the effectiveness of the vaccines and they will decide if the vaccines should move forward in the approval process.
Cut 5 (09) “…vaccine work”

Governor Edwards extends the current Phase Three pandemic public health restrictions until December 4th.
This comes as opponents are challenging the restrictions in court.
Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says much of the rise in cases is being traced back to small, intimate gatherings between friends and family where people aren’t masking up.
Cut 12 (10) “…elsewhere”.

Shell announces it will shutter its Convent refinery by the end of the month, laying off 700 workers and costing the St. James Parish government an estimated 24 million dollars a year in tax revenue.
Parish President Pete Dufresne says Shell told the parish the closure was due to the site’s lack of profitability and that they have been working to find an interested buyer for the location since July.
Cut 8 (13) “…reopen”

Saints running back Alvin Kamara has been playing at an MVP level this season, but he and the Black and Gold face a tough test on Sunday night in Tampa Bay against a Buccaneers squad that ranks number one in rush defense, allowing just 70 yards a game. The winner of Sunday night’s game in Tampa will have the inside track on winning the NFC South.