The state reports 3,705 new COVID-19 cases today. 51 fatalities have been added to the state death toll and hospitalizations are up with 1,647 reported. Vaccine data has been added to the LDH dashboard with just over 22 thousand administered. Governor Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30, the status of Modified Phase 2 restrictions which expires tomorrow is expected to be announced.

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. He says most health insurance companies will pay the fee but if you don’t have insurance you might be charged.

Cut 7 (09) “…the vaccination.”

Vaccines should be widely available to the public next spring.

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 every single market except Hammond gained jobs month-to-month…

Cut 12 (08) “…pandemic.” 

Month-to-month the state is up 18,500 jobs from October.

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”  

The athletic department has already laid off employees and reduced salaries due to the pandemic.

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 but there is a fee to administer the shot.

Cut 6 (09) “…to members.”

He says If you do not have insurance you will most likely have to pay the administrative fee.

Included in the $900 billion Pandemic Relief bill are provisions to assist the struggling restaurant industry.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the bill gives a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program for restaurants that include loan forgiveness and 24-weeks to spend the capital.

Cut 13 (10) “…to borrow.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that lab delays in reporting COVID test results are hampering the state’s contact tracing program. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a briefing this afternoon at 2:30. He’s expected to announce the status of Modified Phase 2 Restrictions, which expires tomorrow. Yesterday the state reported 65 new fatalities, the highest daily total since July. New numbers will be released at noon.

UK authorities have put southeast England in a hard quarantine after discovering a new, more infectious strain of coronavirus spreading through the population. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says with the vaccine rollout underway it’s vital those in the area be tested rigorously…

Cut 7 (07)  “…strain.”

Other concerns include fears that current diagnostic tests and antibody treatments may not be as effective against this new strain.

A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that COVID test results are not getting reported to the Department of Health fast enough for effective contact tracing. Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says a recommendation from the report is that LDH to better identify who the slow reporting labs are…

Cut 12 (09) “…reporting.”

LDH says they already have such measures in place.

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”

LSU says Pelini has accepted a one-time payment, but an exact amount was not given.

Included in the $900 billion Pandemic Relief bill are provisions to assist the struggling restaurant industry.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says this bill offers enhanced access to PPP for companies with less than 300 employees which focuses relief on smaller eating establishments on the verge of bankruptcy.

Cut 15 (08)“…important.”

Harris says the pandemic has forced 1 in 6 restaurants to close their doors.

A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus is spread in southeast England. Matt Doyle spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans professor about the concerning news…

 Cut 1 (296) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that lab delays in reporting COVID test results are hampering the state’s contact tracing program. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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The latest relief bill from Congress adds extra provisions to assist the already starving restaurant industry. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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To keep residents of Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes from going without a Christmas meal, Second Harvest is distributing holiday staples today thanks to a sizable donation from Chevron. Second Harvest Food Bank Spokesperson Natasha Curley says they will be giving away food at the Lake Charles Civic Center from 10 until noon.

Cut 4 (10) “…our community.”

Second Harvest has already provided more than three million meals to the area since the hurricanes. Curley says Chevron’s additional donation of $50 thousand for today’s distribution shows their ongoing commitment to the area.

Cut 5 (12) “…challenging times.”

Curley says the economic downturn of the pandemic had already increased demand for food banks and two devastating hurricanes only added to the challenge for southwest Louisiana.

Cut 6 (10) “…very devastating.”

If you’d like to donate to Second Harvest you can visit their webpage at no-dash-hunger-dot org

www.no-hunger.org

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UK authorities had to put southeast England in a hard quarantine over the weekend after discovering a new, more infectious strain of coronavirus spreading through the population.

LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Dr. Fred Lopez says with the vaccine rollout underway it’s vital those in the area be tested rigorously…

Cut 7 (07)  “…strain.”

Other concerns include fears that current diagnostic tests and antibody treatments may not be as effective against this new strain.

Lopez warns it is quite possible that this new strain could cross the Atlantic and begin plaguing the US. For example, the pandemic may have begun in China, but for America…

Cut 8 (10) “…plane.”

While reports indicate it is at least 70 percent more infectious it does not appear to be any more deadly.

Lopez says healthcare professionals have a lot of work to do containing and studying the new strain, but for the general public…

Cut 9 (10) “…transmission.”

___________________________________

A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that COVID test results are not getting reported to the Department of Health fast enough for effective contact tracing.

Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says laboratories are not reporting all results to LDH within the legally mandated 24 hour time period. For 20 percent or more of tests…

Cut 10 (09) “…plus.”

The report did discover that the COVID numbers on the LDH dashboard are accurate and not being over-reported. The Auditor’s office estimates only point four percent of reported tests are duplicates.

The report found that the labs’ failure to not only report results but include adequate information to identify positive patients is significantly hampering the effectiveness of contact tracing.

Cut 11 (06) “…timely.”

Another issue noticed was that many large organizations like professional sports teams and major employers that mass test regularly were not reporting their data to LDH. The report suggests that could be artificially increasing the statewide positivity rate, a claim LDH strongly disagreed with.

The report makes some recommendations for addressing the issue. Magee says one is for LDH to better identify who the slow reporting labs are…

Cut 12 (09) “…reporting.”

LDH disagreed with some of the report’s suggestions, saying that receiving some outdated testing results was likely unavoidable given the onboarding process for new labs and that they already have procedures in place to address slow reporting labs.

___________________________________________________

Included in the $900 billion Pandemic Relief bill are provisions to assist the struggling restaurant industry.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the bill gives a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program for restaurants that include loan forgiveness and 24-weeks to spend the capital.

Cut 13 (10) “…to borrow.”

Harris says the pandemic has been devastating to the restaurant industry in Louisiana forcing one in six eateries to close their doors and he fears that the number is growing. Harris says while they appreciate Congresses’ latest round of relief for many restaurants it is too late.

Cut 14 (07) “…liquidity.” 

Harris says this bill offers enhanced access to PPP for companies with less than 300 employees which focuses relief on smaller eating establishments on the verge of bankruptcy.

Cut 15 (08)“…important.”

Almost 90-percent of restaurants report a decline in sales this year with revenue down 36-percent on average.

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After watching Saints quarterback Drew Brees struggle to complete passes in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City, some in Who Dat nation wonder if the 41-year-old should have waited another week. Brees says he felt good while warming up for the Eagles game the week before and he also admits he doesn’t like not playing

Cut 16 (11) “…sense of urgency.”

The loss against the Chiefs was the second in a row for the Black and Gold. Brees says winning the final two games of the regular season is important as they look to build up momentum heading into the postseason

cut 17 (26) “…playoffs.”

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Tulane will face a 6-and-2 Nevada Wolfpack team in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at 2:30 PM in Boise. The Wolfpack finished third in the Mountain West Conference after starting the season 5-0. They rank second in the Mountain West in passing and Green Wave Coach Willie Fritz says Nevada will challenge their defense

cut  18 (15) “…downfield.”

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine is entering the state this week. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 65 COVID-19 fatalities today, the largest daily total since July and the statewide total of confirmed deaths is 6,775. Hospitalizations are just shy of 16-hundred and Congressman-elect Luke Letlow has been admitted to the hospital with COVID, on Friday he tested positive.

The State Department of Education plans to use eight million dollars provided by the state legislature from CARES Act funding to purchase 23-hundred new Chromebooks for public school students. Superintendent Cade Brumley says they are working on a plan to purchase and distribute the devices to school systems in need by next Spring.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the field.”

After sunset tonight you will want to take a look at the western skies and view a phenomenon dubbed the Christmas Star.  LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it is not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together.

Cut 12 (10) “…to see.” 

If you miss it tonight, you’ll have to wait until 2080.

The State Department of Education plans to use eight million dollars provided by the state legislature from CARES Act funding to purchase 23-hundred new Chromebooks for public school students. Superintendent Cade Brumley says they are working on a plan to purchase and distribute the devices to school systems in need by next Spring.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the field.”

Louisiana will receive just under 80,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over the next three days. They will go to nursing homes, tier two hospitals, and medical first responders. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says right now you won’t have a choice on which vaccine you’ll get, either Pfizer or Moderna, but the truth is they’re both just as effective and safe…

Cut 10 (09) “…vaccine.”

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. The I-Bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid to play in the bowl game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s crushing that this annual holiday tradition cannot happen this year

Cut 3 (10)  “..didn’t happen.”

Fans who purchased tickets, can request a refund or roll over the purchase to next year’s game.

After sunset tonight you will definitely want to take a look at the western skies and view a phenomenon dubbed the Christmas Star.  LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it is not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together, they will appear within a tenth of a degree from each other.

Cut 12 (10) “…to see.” 

If you miss it tonight you’ll have to wait until 2080.

The Louisiana Department of Education plans to use eight million dollars provided by the state legislature to purchase new computers for public school students. Superintendent Cade Brumley on how the funding originated.

Cut 6 (11) “…spring semester.”

They plan to purchase 23-hundred Chromebooks.

Louisiana will receive 79,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over the next three days. 35,900 of those will head to nursing homes and the remaining 43,600 are being sent to tier two hospitals and medical first responders. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter celebrated the news…

Cut 9 (10) “… us.”

Last week the state received about 40,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine and is expecting just under 30,000 doses this week.

A Grant Parish Representative tore into the insurance industry for what he says is a concerted effort to lowball customers on their hurricane damage settlements. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state reports 1,111 COVID cases today and 65 additional deaths.

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to implore residents to do what they can to keep the virus from spreading until the vaccine is readily available next spring. The current Phase Two order is set to expire Wednesday, and the Governor says to expect, at the very least, that the current level of restrictions will be extended into 2021…

Cut 6 (07) “…for sure.”

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office warns of vaccine scams where con-artists play on your anxiety about the pandemic. Cory Dennis, AG office spokesperson, warns scam-artists will contact you by phone, text, email, or even showing up at your door claiming to be from the government.

Cut 9 (11) “…emergency”

Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at if you’ve been a victim of such frauds or visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Freshman Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says there’s a lot of “disturbing” evidence that home insurance companies are shortchanging customers with hurricane damage on their settlement offers. Firment says the problem is really prevalent once your claim moves from the local level up to corporate headquarters.

Cut 12 (06) “…disturbing.”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is helping residents who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic with a program called “Reboot Your Career.” LCTCS President Dr. Monty Sullivan says with unemployment claims at record levels and says being able to offer options for those who’ve lost their jobs is vital.

Cut 13 (12) “…begin with.”

For more information about the program visit the LCTCS website search for Reboot Your Career.

Governor Edwards implores business owners to recommit to COVID safety as cases surge statewide…

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Louisiana will receive fewer doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine next week than previously promised. The state was told originally it would receive 40-thousand doses instead the state will receive 28, 275.  Other states are also reporting a shortage in doses to be shipped next week.

Discounted car insurance premiums are coming to an end for customers so that’s why you might be seeing a higher bill. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says stay-at-home orders early in the pandemic decreased the number of motorists on the roads which also reduced the number of traffic accidents.

Cut 10 (10) “…policyholders”

Personal auto insurance premiums decreased on average 6-percent and those rebates are now ending

Drew Brees will start at quarterback for the Sunday afternoon game against Kansas City after sitting out the past four weeks on injured reserve. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says the Saints have been testing Brees’ durability in practice, but there’s no way to simulate what the Chiefs will try to do to him Sunday.

Cut 7 (10) “…quarterback”

Kickoff is 3:25 in the Dome

An animated Governor John Bel Edwards begged business owners at a Resilient Louisiana Commission meeting to start taking the pandemic seriously again as cases surge statewide. Edwards says this should be an exciting time for the state now that the first vaccines have been rolled out, but…

Cut 14 (09) “…work.” 

Edwards says the public’s response to this third wave of the virus will be judged by later generations.

You might be wondering why you’ve seen an increase in your auto insurance bill. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s not a rate increase but the end to rebates that were extended during the pandemic.

Cut 11 (08) “…rate increase.”

Rates on average were rebated 6 percent earlier this year.

Reports indicate Drew Brees will start Sunday against the Chiefs, his first game back in action in just over a month. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The Ragin Cajuns have been declared co-Sun Belt Conference Champions after the league title game was canceled because of COVID issues with the Coastal Carolina football team. As for in the Bayou State three state officials announced they’ve tested positive for COVID this week they are Congressman-Elect Luke Letlow, Congressman Cedric Richmond, and Lt Governor Billy Nungesser.