LRN PM Newscall November 24

Senator Bill Cassidy tweets “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Many are trying to get a rapid COVID test before Thanksgiving dinner and forgo advice from health officials to not gather outside their immediate household. Brooke Thorington has more

cut 2 (29) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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It’s the time of year when many are traveling over the river and thru the woods to gather for Thanksgiving, and those traveling via automobile are seeing the lowest gas prices in five years. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $1.84 at the pump.

Cut 3 (07)  “…by vehicle.”

Redman says it’s all about demand, which is much less than in years past for Thanksgiving, due to the pandemic and fledgling economy.

Cut 4 (10)   “…pretty low.”  

Redman expects gas prices to keep dropping, as prices in December in January tend to be the best for gas. As for next spring, when demand typically increases, predicting prices at the pump are questionable.

Cut 5  (12) “…get to it” 

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Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win.

Cassidy tweeted “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy has always been pragmatic.

Cut 6 (09) “…pragmatism.”

Cassidy also tweeted that the Trump campaign has not presented the kind of evidence of mass voter fraud needed to change the results of the election.

Stockley says there’s little political downside to conceding at this point.

Cut 7 (09) “..legitimately.”

Cassidy strolled to reelection for another six-year term on November 3rd, winning 59 percent of the vote.

Stockley says as more states certify their results and Biden’s electoral vote lead grows it’s only a manner of days, or at most weeks before most of the rest of the delegation joins Cassidy.

Cut 8 (11) “..same.”

Biden appears set for 306 electoral votes, and a popular vote lead somewhere north of four percent.

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As Thanksgiving approaches many are attempting to get tested in advance for COVID so they can enjoy a traditional holiday gathering, however, Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says nothing is foolproof when it comes to the coronavirus.

Cut 9 (12) “…still risk”

Kanter says while there are several types of rapid tests available for COVID, even in one of the most secure places in the US with access to the most significant testing, the virus is still able to spread.

Cut 10 (09) “….on testing.”

Dr. Kanter believes the best thing for Thanksgiving is to celebrate with immediate household only and he’s following his own advice.

Cut 11 (13) “….next year.”

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Governor Edwards says due to the state’s surging COVID case numbers we will be moving back to a “modified” Phase Two.

Edwards says the new restrictions are very similar to what we had for most of the summer.

Cut 12 (11) “..maximum” 

A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at indoor events, with a maximum of 150 people allowed at outdoor events.

Bars will be banned from operating in any parish with a greater than five percent positivity rate, down from the current ten percent limit. Edwards also says stadium capacity will be coming down…

Cut 13 (07) “…required”

Stadiums in some parishes had been allowed to increase their capacity up to 50 percent. This change particularly impacts high school football playoff games set to begin Friday.

The order takes effect Wednesday and will last until at least December 23rd, but Edwards warns he’s likely to extend the order through the end of the year.

Cut 14 (13) “..before us” 

School restrictions will remain unchanged, and any new restrictions will be left up to the local districts.