Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns the data shows we are most likely in the middle of the most dangerous part of the pandemic, even as vaccines have trickled into the state. The Department of Health reported 46 new COVID fatalities today, the first three days of the week we had in three days in a row of over 50 COVID deaths…

Cut 9 (07) “…before.”

Our total number of fatalities from COVID is 7,272

Students, parents, and loved ones are mourning the loss of a Lafayette special education teacher. 53-year old Michelle Suire died on Tuesday from COVID-19 complications. The beloved teacher taught first through third graders at S.J. Montgomery Elementary. The Lafayette Parish Teachers Union posted a tribute to Suire on Facebook who leaves behind a 19-year-old daughter and a 17-year old son.

This year’s last-minute Christmas Eve shopping could be easier on your wallet than in the past. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says procrastinators might actually find bargains because foot traffic was down as much as 90 percent for some stores.

Cut 6 (08) “…still.”

The Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission has enlisted a 50-foot permanent alligator bonfire display that goes by the name of Saint. Executive Director Buddy Boe says bonfires are lit annually on Christmas Eve along the levee to guide Papa Noel, to children’s homes along the river. Boe says Saint will serve as a landmark this year to guide Papa because COVID canceled tonight’s bonfires.

Cut 5 (08) “…pandemic.”

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace.

We started this work week with three straight days of over 50 COVID death and today the state reports 46 fatalities. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns that may not be letting up in the near future…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

LDH reports 2,562 COVID cases this Christmas Eve. Hospitalizations are down 42 to 1,633 hospitalizations. 46 fatalities were also reported today. The state will not post numbers again until Sunday in observance of Christmas.

Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot alligator bonfire in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says the gator goes by the name of Saint.

Cut 3 (10)  “…our history.”  

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace and Boe encourages tourists to visit and take photos.

This year more retailers began Black Friday deals before and after the day after Thanksgiving to entice shoppers and in hopes of making up for lost sales earlier in the pandemic. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says overall this holiday season sales are up and down. He says online sales are thru the roof this year, as for stores….

Cut 7 (12)  “…have that.”

President Trump follows thru with his threat and he’s vetoed the $900 Billion Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill. Republican Congressman Garret Graves, says he’s baffled over Trump’s about-face because it is very well documented that his objections were requests that Trump and his administration wanted in the bill.

Cut 4 (11)  “… asked for”  

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is now in the ICU battling COVID-19. Letlow was transferred from a hospital in Monroe to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. On Friday is was announced the former chief of staff for outgoing Congressman Ralph Abraham tested positive. Letlow is reportedly in stable condition and receiving remdesivir and steroids. Letlow was elected to Congress in the December 5^th runoff.

A four-year-old was killed in a New Iberia house fire early Monday morning. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the cause of the blaze is still under investigation. She says no smoke alarms were found on the premises and the only reason other members of the household survived was because one of them woke up to the smell of smoke.

Cut 13 (10)“away”

Former Auburn Head Coach Terry Bowden is the new head football coach at U-L-M. Bowden coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998, winning 47 games in six seasons. Bowden takes over a program that went 0-10 in 2020.  Monroe News-Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says the Warhawks are also short on players and financial resources…

Cut 11 (06) “..got him one”

Terry Bowden is the son of legendary Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden

Louisiana Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has been transferred to the intensive care unit at Ochsner LSU Health in Shreveport to continue treatment for COVID-19. Letlow was being treated at a hospital in Monroe. A spokesperson for Letlow says the 40-year-old is in stable condition. Letlow was elected in a December runoff to fill his former boss Ralph Abraham’s seat.

President Trump’s threat to not sign the $900 Billion Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill took Republican Congressman Garret Graves by surprise. Graves says this bill is long overdue and that Republicans asked for the same things that are in this bill back in July, but it was stonewalled then by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Cut 5  (12) “…as possible.” 

If the President fails to sign the legislation by Monday government funding would lapse at midnight.

A four-year-old was killed in a New Iberia house fire early Monday morning. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the cause of the fire is still under investigation but so far they’ve got two theories as to what caused the tragedy.

Cut 12 (11) “…contributed” 

Rodrigue says no smoke alarms were found on the premises.

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden will be the next head football coach at U-L-M. Bowden coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998, winning 47 games in six seasons. He’s the son of legendary Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden. Monroe News-Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says the Bowden name brings attention to the Warhawk football program

Cut 10 (09) “…right now”

Bowden takes over a program that went 0-10 in 2020.

President Trump’s threat to not sign the $900 Billion Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill took Republican Congressman Garret Graves, he says Trump’s about-face in last night’s taped speech regarding the Relief Bill is surprising because it is very well documented that his objections were requests his administration wanted in the bill.

Cut 4 (11)  “… asked for”  

The Louisiana Supreme Court orders Judge William Morvant to rehear a case involving a State House petition seeking to override the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. A new trial date has not been set but House Speaker Clay Shexnayder expects it will be soon

Cut 8 (09) “…with this.”

Morvant ruled it unconstitutional because both chambers did not sign the petition.

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden is the new head football at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports 2,976 new COVID-19 cases today and 68 fatalities.

Procrastinators might be able to find that last-minute Christmas gift on sale this year, Brooke Thorington explains.

 Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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We started this work week with three straight days of over 50 COVID death. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns that may not be letting up in the near future…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

 __________________________________________

Despite being unable to hold tonight’s annual bonfires on the levee due to COVID restrictions, the Louisiana River Parishes Tourist Commission enlisted a 50-foot bonfire alligator in hopes it will become a tourist attraction. Executive Director Buddy Boe says the gator goes by the name of Saint.

Cut 3 (10)  “…our history.”  

Saint is a smaller version of the 78-foot alligator bonfire that was constructed last year and made headlines. Boe says Saint is a reminder of the bonfire custom that was extinguished this year due to high positivity rates of COVID.

Cut 4 (09) “…right now.”

The bonfires are constructed by locals and lit on Christmas Eve to guide Papa Noel, also known as Santa to children’s homes along the river. Boe says Saint the alligator will serve as a landmark this year to guide Saint Nick.

Cut 5 (08) “…pandemic.”

Saint is located near the visitor’s center in LaPlace and Boe encourages tourists to visit and take photos with the alligator.

https://lariverparishes.com/bonfirecountry/

__________________________________________

This year’s last-minute Christmas Eve shopping could be easier on your wallet than in the past. LSU Marketing Professor Dan Rice says procrastinators might actually find bargains today because foot traffic was down as much as 90 percent for some stores.

Cut 6 (08) “…still.”

This year more retailers began Black Friday deals before and after the day after Thanksgiving to entice shoppers and in hopes of making up for lost sales earlier in the pandemic. Rice says overall this holiday season sales are up and down. He says online sales were thru the roof this year, as for stores….

Cut 7 (12)  “…have that.”

The types of items in demand changed from in years past, Rice says athletic stores, bicycle shops, and home improvement stores are doing well. Other holiday staples however are not.

Cut 8 (10) “…from home.”

Rice says for many small retailers holiday sales will decide their fate after a rough year adapting to the pandemic.

_____________________

Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter warns the data shows we are most likely in the middle of the most dangerous part of the pandemic, even as vaccines have trickled into the state.

The Department of Health reported 68 new COVID fatalities yesterday, three days in a row that we’ve had over 50 COVID deaths reported in Louisiana…

Cut 9 (07) “…before.”

Our total number of deaths as of this morning is 7,226

Kanter is asking people who’ve still made Christmas plans outside their household to cancel them. He says any large gathering statistically will have one infectious person…

Cut 10 (07) “…accurate.”

Every parish is still in the red for COVID test positivity rates.

But Kanter says we won’t be in this mess for too much longer. He says over ten thousand people have been confirmed vaccinated, with the real number likely a good bit higher.

Cut 11 (09) “…want to be.”

_____________________________________

64-year-old Terry Bowden is the new football coach at ULM. The former Auburn coach has a big task in front of him as he takes over a program that failed to win a game in 2020 at a school that has the smallest athletic budget among FBS schools. But Bowden says he’s ready for the challenge…

Cut 12 (14) “…grinder.”

Bowden has a history of building winning programs. He coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998 and won 45 games. His last head coaching was at Akron from 2012 and 2018. He says when took over the Zips football program it was in bad shape..

Cut 13 (12) “…another bowl.”

The 2020 season was a disaster for the Warhawks who saw numerous players leave and their season kept getting interrupted by COVID cases. Several players have entered the NCAA Transfer Portal and Bowden says his task is to re-recruit the players on the current roster…

Cut 14 (14) “…they get.” 

Today is normally one of the busiest travel days of the year,  however, AAA says the pandemic is expected to decrease travel by 29-percent.

 Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Louisiana will remain in the current Modified Phase Two until January 13^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

__________________________________________

This time next year Amazon’s first fulfillment center in the state will be up and running in Lafayette Parish, Brooke Thorington has more on how it will impact the area.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

__________________________________________

Traditionally today is one of the busiest travel days of the year but the pandemic has changed most traditions in 2020. AAA estimated 34 million fewer Americans will travel for the holiday season as COVID cases continue to rise. AAA Spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-berry-ah) says many American’s are heeding the health warnings and staying home.

Cut 4 (07) “…overall travel.”

While fewer Americans are traveling compared to last year as many as 84.5 million may still travel today through January 3^rd. Chabarria says the majority of those travelers will be making a road trip.

Cut 5 (09) “…pandemic.”

Regionally travelers in Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma are expected to total 9.2 million, down 27-percent from last year.

If you are traveling by car, Chabarria says gas prices are down about 20 to 30 cents compared to last year and the average price per gallon in Louisiana is $1.94

Cut 6 (09) “…head out.”

AAA says air travel is down 60-percent from last year. Cruise, bus, and train travel is down 88-percent.

_____________________

Governor Edwards extends the current Modified Phase Two restrictions for at least another three weeks citing the state’s high number of COVID hospitalizations and new case counts.

Edwards says we’re starting to see plateauing rates of reported COVID-like illness across all medical regions and declining test positivity rates, but…

Cut 7 (04)  “…quo”

For the first time in over a month, the state’s overall percent positivity rate is under 10 percent, sitting at 9.3 percent.

Edwards says we are flattening the curve but unfortunately the curve has flattened out at a dangerously high level and it’s likely we will experience a post-holiday surge…

Cut 8 (11) “…trouble”

1,647 COVID patients are in the hospital right now, the highest number since April.

So restaurants will remain capped at 50 percent capacity, indoor gatherings limited, and most bars will remain shut, but Edwards says there is light at the end of the tunnel…

Cut 9 (07) “…yet.”

Churches and schools will still be allowed to operate under Phase Three restrictions. The proclamation went into effect today.

___________________________________

The first Amazon fulfillment center in Louisiana will be in Lafayette Parish, the online giant will construct the center in Carencro.  Gregg Gothreaux, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority says it’s a big boost for the area and not only because they’ll be hiring 500 employees.

Cut 10 (11) “…a year.”

Construction of the fulfillment center is expected to complete by the end of 2021 and Gothreaux says hiring will begin three months prior to opening.

Cut 11 (07) “…etc.”

The fulfillment center will be located on the former Evangeline Downs site in Carencro, Gothreaux explains why that location was chosen.

Cut 12 (11) “…the south.”

Gothreaux says FastStart and the LEDA will hold job fairs in the spring and summer to hire local employees.

___________________________________________________

A major low-pressure system is moving into the state and will make for a near-freezing Christmas with a state high of about 50 degrees for the day.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says while we may be enjoying moderate temperatures right now come tomorrow the high will only be about 50…

Cut 13 (11) “…degrees.”

The low-pressure system will be out of our hair starting Saturday with temperatures returning to normal by Sunday.

Keim says those Christmas temperatures will be 10 to 12 degrees below the long-term normal for that time of year.

Cut 14 (09) “…Christmases.” 

But still nowhere near the all-time Christmas low that was experienced in 1983 where the state saw a maximum temperature of 25 degrees and a minimum of 11 degrees.

A lot of families were hoping for milder temperatures so they could gather together outside for a COVID-safer Christmas. Keim says unfortunately this isn’t great socially distancing weather.

Cut 15 (10)“…outside.”

_____________________________________

The Pelicans begin a new season tonight as they face the Raptors in Tampa which the temporary home this season for the Toronto-based franchise. New Orleans fans are excited about Zion Williamson’s second season in the NBA and Williamson is predicting it will be a good one…

Cut 16 (20) “…we’ll figure it out.”

Williamson reportedly dropped 25 pounds in the offseason as the number one pick was limited during his rookie season because of a knee injury and conditioning. Williamson says he feels more comfortable this year…

Cut 17 (17) “…ready to go.”

 ___________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is seeking its seventh straight bowl victory when it takes on Georgia Southern in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl this afternoon. Aaron Allen will make his first start at quarterback since the season opener. Coach Skip Holtz says they are not asking Allen to be a hero…

Cut  18 (18) “…gives you.”

Tech has a 5-4 record, while Georgia Southern is 7-5. The Eagles run a triple-option offense and Holtz says it’s not easy to get ready for the running attack

Cut 19 (19) “…back side.”

Governor Edwards extended Modified Phase Two coronavirus restrictions for another three weeks. Hospitalizations and case numbers continue to remain high as we go into the Christmas holidays. Edwards encouraged residents to not gather outside their immediate household.

Big economic development news as Amazon plans on building a 100 million dollar fulfillment center in Carencro next year. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Bo Pelini is out as defensive coordinator. LSU announced last night that Pelini and the school have mutually parted ways with two years left on his contract, which puts his buyout at five-point-two million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says financial resources might be tight as Coach Ed Orgeron looks for a new defensive coordinator

Cut 4 (10 )  “.which happens”  

LSU also announced that Steve Ensminger and Bill Johnson will retire from on-field coach duties.

When COVID vaccines are more widely available to the public you might wonder who’s paying for them, especially after the pandemic has hurt so many financially. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the federal government is paying for the vaccine itself with CARES Act funding, but there is a fee to administer the shot.

Cut 6 (09) “…to members.”

Governor Edwards announces that the state will remain in Modified Phase 2 restrictions for the next three weeks. Modified Phase two caps sporting events at twenty-percent capacity. Restaurants, gyms, casinos, and non-essential retail limited are limited to fifty percent capacity. The Governor also encouraged residents not to gather outside their immediate household for Christmas.

After a historically bad season for the LSU defense, Bo Pelini is out as defensive coordinator. The school announced last night that Pelini and LSU mutually parted ways with two years left on his contract, which puts his buyout at five-point-two million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says a change had to be made

Cut 3 (11)  “…somewhere”

There’s also a report that offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will retire as an on-field coach and be reassigned to another position.

As COVID vaccines continue to be shipped frontline healthcare workers are the first to be vaccinated. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the vaccines will be rolled out in phases based on one’s age and health risks and it will likely take several months before the COVID vaccines are widely available like the flu shot.

Cut 8 (08) “…and pharmacies.”

The vaccines are being paid for with federal CARES act funding but the administrative fee for the shot is not covered.

Amazon selects Carencro as the site of its first fulfillment center in Louisiana, with the 500 job facility expected to open a year from now. Governor John Bel Edwards says the location is the perfect site for a shipping hub.

Cut 10 (11) “…49.”

Amazon currently employs about 1,500 Louisianans.

Amazon has selected Carencro as the site of its first fulfillment center in Louisiana, with the 500-job facility expected to open a year from now. Governor Edwards says Amazon is investing 100 million dollars in the Lafayette Parish project.

Cut 9 (13) “..things.”

The state unemployment rate fell 1.1 percent from October to 8.3 percent in November as we continue slowly regaining jobs lost earlier in the pandemic. Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says the unemployment rate is still just over three percent higher than it was a year ago, but we’re gaining back many of those lost jobs.

Cut 13 (11)“…services”

The coaching staff shakeup is underway at LSU as Bo Pelini is out as the Tigers defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Governor is holding a briefing at 2:30 today. The state reported 37-hundred new COVID-19 cases and 51 additional fatalities from the virus. Modified Phase 2 restrictions are set to expire tomorrow. Edwards is expected to discuss the future status of current pandemic restrictions.