Thanksgiving Weekend state police responded to 15 fatal crashes. Troop C’s area alone in southeast Louisiana, last month there were 13 deaths from fatal crashes. So, they are working with several agencies like Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre in hopes of curbing impaired driving.

Cut 12 (09) “…commit a murder”  

They are asking the public to call them when they see an impaired driver.

A Legislative Budget Committee approves spending $23-million in federal funds to modernize aging water and sewerage systems in small towns and rural parishes. House Appropriations Chair Jerome Zeringue says they currently have about 300-million dollars and they plan to approve more projects early next year…

Cut 10 (11)  “…that’s available”

Many of you may still be able to score a hundred bucks just for getting your first COVID shot in Louisiana. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

Fans of Buffalo Bills cornerback Tre’Davious White chipped in to show their appreciation for the football player in a big way after he was injured Thanksgiving Day in the Saints game. The Bills Mafia raised more than $100 thousand to stop hunger in his hometown of Shreveport. White had already donated 1000 turkeys in Shreveport and the Mafia followed his lead.

Louisiana’s Shot for $100 program will continue through the end of December with more than 34-thousand 100-dollar debit cards distributed so far to those receiving their initial COVID-19 vaccination. Sheree Taillon with the program says college students are rolling up their sleeves in fear of classes being canceled.

Cut 3 (10) “…climbed very quickly.”

St. Tammany Parish President Mike Cooper says it’s a bogus rumor that a second casino will be built in the parish if voters approve a proposition allowing a casino to be built in Slidell. Cooper is asking all registered voters to vote on December 11^th…

Cut 13 (09) “…from day one.”

Early voting continues through Saturday.

The US Supreme Court heard two hours of oral arguments Wednesday on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, if upheld it could lead to the high court overturning Roe v. Wade, which then would ban nearly all abortions in Louisiana. Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life is hopeful abortion rights will be overturned.

Cut 7 (12) “…from abortion.”

Michelle Erenberg, (Erin-berg) President of Lift Louisiana, a women’s advocacy group that also defends the right to abortion says, attorneys on behalf of the abortion clinic in Mississippi did an excellent job covering issues of the case.

Cut 8 (13) “…is critical.”

The court’s decision is expected in June.

Louisiana’s attorney general is cautiously optimistic that the Biden administration will fall flat in all of its vaccine mandate attempts targeting healthcare facilities and businesses employing more than 100 people.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff’s Office says 60-year-old Cedric West of Minden was killed Wednesday when the dump truck he was driving collided into the path of a Northbound Amtrak train just south of Amite.

Complaints are mounting against insurance companies following Hurricane Ida. American Policyholder Association, Executive Director Doug Quinn believes the state while doing a good job in its oversight of the insurance industry, something is missing from the mix.

Cut  16 (12) “…the insurance carriers.”

Quinn says several insurance companies are delaying payment and dragging out the claims process.

St. Tammany Parish councilman Mike Lorino says the proposition on the December 11th ballot for a casino in Slidell would result in just one casino in the parish and any claims it would result in multiple casinos are not true.

Cut 12 (10) “…bogus.”

The Gaming Control Board approved moving the license of a Bossier City casino to Slidell, but the St. Tammany Parish Council agreed to let voters decide if the $325-million project could move forward.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking a victory lap after federal Judge Terry Doughty granted his request for a preliminary injunction blocking a Biden administration vaccine mandate targeting healthcare facilities. Landry says he’s optimistic about an appeal of the ruling.

Cut 4 (12) “…the OSHA mandate. “

Complaints are mounting against insurance companies following Hurricane Ida. American Policyholder Association, Executive Director Doug Quinn attended a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Cut 14 (09)  “…the claims process.”

Quinn says there’s also been the problem of multiple adjusters for a single property which can complicate and slow payment of legitimate claims.

St. Tammany Parish officials want to stop a rumor about the parish-wide vote to allow a gambling casino to be built in Slidell. St. Tammany President Mike Cooper says it’s not true that voting “yes” opens the door for more gaming venues, the vote only addresses the proposed Camellia Bay complex.

Cut  11 (13)  “…to relocate.”  

Fans of Buffalo Bills corner back Tre’Davious White showed up to cheer the football player in a big way after an injury in the Thanksgiving game against the Saints. The Bills Mafia raised more than $100 thousand to stop hunger in his hometown of Shreveport. White had already donated 1000 turkeys to his hometown and the Mafia followed his lead.

Brian Kelly was introduced as LSU’s new football coach. Jeff Palermo has the highlights…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

And Louisiana Tech has hired Sonny Cumbie as their next head football coach. Cumbie spent the past season at Tech Texas as their offensive coordinator. He replaces outgoing coach Skip Holtz, La Tech finished 3-9 this season.

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says while unemployment has improved the state is still down 132,000 jobs, and he estimates that up to 85,000 have left the workforce in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (13) “…fundamentally.”

Country music fans are thrilled to hear Garth Brooks will be coming to Tiger Stadium April 30th. It will be his only appearance in Louisiana on his upcoming tour. Visit Baton Rouge head Paul Arrigo says the show is sure to be an economic boon for the Capital Area.

Cut 8 (09) “…those seats filled.”

Tickets go on sale December 10^th.

LSU introduced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach today. Kelly has spent the last 12 years at Notre Dame and LSU fans have only been able to watch his work from afar as Kelly has coached his whole life in the Midwest. LSU athletics director Scott Woodward expects Tiger Nation will love him because he wins…

Cut 12 (07) “..is win”  

Former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain is facing up to ten years in a federal lockup after pleading guilty today to one of 16 corruption counts in a kickback scheme related to his privatizing of an inmate work release program. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, says Strain’s plea comes as no surprise.

Cut 9 (09) “…these federal charges.”

When country music star Garth Brooks plays his fan-favorite hit “Callin Baton Rouge” on April 30th, it will have extra meaning. Michelle Southern explains…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Michelle Southern.”

The Coast Guard is searching for a crew member of the American Queen that went overboard shortly after 2:00 AM in the Mississippi River. The Coast Guard is searching in Baton Rouge near the campus of LSU along the river by water and air. Information on how the crew member fell overboard or their identity has been released.

According to Louisiana Tech’s Center for Economic Research’s first Economic Abstract of the state’s economy, employment has increased but it’s not at pre-pandemic levels yet. Center Director Dr. Patrick Scott says there are two ways to possibly increase the workforce.

Cut 3 (12) “…policy response.”

Scott says he doesn’t see the pandemic resolving anytime soon.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.

Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”

Hospitalizations in South Africa are increasing with the variant.

The announcement and arrival of LSU’s newest hire Brian Kelly as head football coach is met with excitement and shock as about 50 of the purple and gold faithful gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport to greet the former Norte Dame coach. After two mediocre seasons, the news of Kelly at the helm renews hope in the program.

Cut 7 (12) “…(two voices) why we’re out here.”

Louisiana ranks 12^th in teacher pay among 16 states in the South and Larry Carter, President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, says the state needs to at least reach the regional average of 55-thousand-dollars. Carter says while strides have been made with Governor Edwards’ support it still falls short.

Cut 12 (13) “…the other 16.”

Teacher pay is on the mind of the man who heads up the state’s teacher’s union. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

LSU’s new football coach Brian Kelly will reportedly be paid $95 million over a 10-year period and with incentives, it makes him the highest-paid coach at a public institution. A press conference announcing his hire is scheduled for noon today.

Clarence Fields the Mayor of Pineville since 1999 says he won’t seek a 7^th term. After 22 years of public service, he looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. He says the decision to retire next June was a difficult one after he was diagnosed with a vision problem.

Cut 5 (07) “…under the circumstances.”

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is raising concerns. Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says when news of the new variant broke over the holidays it was a reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

Cut 14 (07)  “…be prepared.”

Health officials are encouraging more people to get vaccinated and those who are get booster shots before the variant arrives in the US.

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport Tuesday. About 50 people were on hand when the former skipper of the Fighting Irish touched down in Tiger Country.

Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”

A press conference introducing Kelly is at noon today, and Louisiana Tech will introduce their new coach, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie at noon also.  And Garth Brooks will be Callin Baton Rouge April 30^th for a concert at Tiger Stadium.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is a growing concern. Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says while studies of the variant are ongoing there has been an alarming increase in hospitalizations in South Africa, but the nation also has a vaccination rate of only 30-percent.

Cut 15 (12)  “..unvaccinated.”

Ochsner and other health officials are encouraging more people to get fully vaccinated and for those who already are get booster shots.

The man who’s been Mayor of Pineville since 1999 is stepping down. Mayor Clarence Fields announces he will not seek re-election next year to a seventh term in office. 66-year-old Fields says he was recently diagnosed with a vision problem and – if not for that – he likely would have run again.

Cut 4 (08) “…what led to it. “

Unless drivers make some changes when they’re behind the wheel this holiday season, more carnage can be expected on the state’s highway as seen over this year’s four-day Thanksgiving weekend.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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LSU has announced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach. Jeff Palermo one of the winningest coaches in college football will try to bring another national title to Tiger Town…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

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It was a deadly four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend across Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt tells us 16 people died in ten fatal crashes investigated by state police across the state. He says there’s been an upward trend this year in this kind of carnage on the highways.

Cut 3 (10) “…impaired or unrestrained.”

Last year, Reichardt says the death toll was significantly lower with eight people dying in seven crashes investigated by state police.

Trooper Reichardt, there are two sure-fire ways to decrease the chance of being involved in crashes, be they fatal or not.

Cut 4 (10) “…inside your car.”

Trooper Reichardt says the doubling of the death toll on the state’s highways during the Thanksgiving weekend was no doubt due in part to more people traveling this year than last because of COVID keeping people at home.

Cut 5 (08) “..a downward spiral.”

With the holiday season upon us, Reichardt says you can expect to see the highways more crowded from now until the end of the year, with his biggest piece of advice to buckle up while traveling.

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LSU has hired one of the winningest coaches in college football to lead the Tigers. Brian Kelly leaves South Bend, Indiana, for Baton Rouge after a 113-40 record at Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kelly should succeed at LSU after guiding the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years…

 Cut 6 (10) “..any better” 

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward has built a reputation as someone who can hire a successful coach away from another school. Higgins says he did it again with the all-time winningest coach at Notre Dame…

Cut 7 (12) “…no baggage.”  

Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract plus incentives. Higgins says that’s the kind of money it took to get Kelly…

Cut 8 (08) “…getting a guy”

LSU will formally introduce Kelly tomorrow at noon.

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The deadline for Medicare Annual Enrollment or to make changes is a week away. Ann Booth of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says anyone who has Medicare Parts A and B, on disability, or 65 and older will need to either enroll or make changes to their existing plan by next Tuesday.

Cut 9 (10) “…for 2022.”

Booth says choosing a plan can be difficult and overwhelming at times, but they are offering a free service to help guide you in making an educated decision about which Medicare plan is best for you.

Cut 10 (11)  “…answered.”

The number to call is 1-800-568-1417 or visit bcbsLAplan.com/Medicare

Booth says agents look at the three P’s in advising the ideal Medicare plan for an individual, they consider provider, pharmacy benefit, and the plan value.

Cut  11 (12)  “…choosing a plan.”  

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The 2021 hurricane season is going out like a lamb with the tropics quiet but proved to be a lion for a good part of the official six-month storm period.  Colorado State University’s predictions were pretty much on the mark. CSU research scientist, Phil Klotzbach.

Cut 12 (08) “…which had 28.”  

Seven of the named storms and two hurricanes made landfall in the continental U.S., including Cat 4 Ida that slammed the central Louisiana coast in late August causing billions of dollars in damage.

Klotzbach says the CSU researchers found the final months of hurricane season surprisingly less active than expected.

Cut 13 (11) “…come to fruition.”

Klotzbach says with climate change will come the potential for not necessarily fewer storms, but stronger ones.

Cut 14 (09) “…little bit stronger.” 

Klotzbach says that when it comes to climate change, sea-level rise is something scientists are more concerned about rather than its impact on tropical weather.