Some school system leaders are frustrated with the state’s policy of quarantining any student who has “close contact” with a confirmed COVID case for two weeks. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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The governor along with healthcare providers are asking you to not gather around the table with Thanksgiving unless it’s only with immediate household members. Brooke Thorington has more.

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A New Orleans super krewe invents a virtual way to let the good times in 2021, Brooke Thorington explains.

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Some school system leaders say the state’s policy of 14-day quarantines for students who had “close contact” with someone who tested positive for COVID goes too far. Rapides Parish Superintendent Jeff Powell told a House committee they’ve had 227 students test positive out of 22,000l, but those cases have resulted in 4,000 students quarantined.

Cut 4 (11) “…home.”

“Close contact” is defined by 15 minutes of exposure at less than six feet of distance from a confirmed positive case. Mask usage is not considered under this policy.

Powell says they’ve had five percent of their staff test positive, but due to current rules, every one of those 102 positive cases has resulted in an average of 40 students and staff quarantined.

Cut 5 (09) “…postive.”

The superintendents of West Baton Rouge, Ascension, and Livingston school systems also spoke against the policy.

Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews says the over-zealous policy is detrimental to a student’s long-term education and social health.

Cut 6 (09) “…school”

A Louisiana Department of Health statement says LDH is not recommending any changes to policy, particularly when the state is seeing a third surge in cases.

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The governor along with health care providers are pleading with residents to hold Thanksgiving gatherings with immediate household members only, otherwise, they fear a post-holiday spike as the state is already seeing increased hospitalizations due to COVID outbreaks. Our Lady of the Lake Pulmonologist Dr. Abdulla Moosa…

Cut 7 (11)  “…to spikes.”

Thanksgiving is traditionally is one of the largest travel periods in the US when families gather around the table, however, this year the gathering increases the chances of spreading COVID to family members, and it could be fatal for those that are vulnerable. In addition to post-holiday spikes, Dr. Moosa says in-home gatherings are also responsible.

Cut 8 (10) “…people’s houses.”

Dr. Moosa says while it’s hard to envision yet another holiday out of the norm, it’s critical that we all work together and abide by mitigation efforts until the population is vaccinated.

Cut 9 (11) “…community effort.”

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Baker native and LSU grad Linda Thomas-Greenfield has been tapped to be President-elect Joe Biden’s Ambassador to the United Nations, pending Senate approval next year.

The 35-year veteran diplomat, who is black, was born in Baker in 1952. Famed Democratic political consultant James Carville, a fellow LSU alumnus, celebrates the announcement.

Cut 10 (12) “…accountable”

In an interview from 2019, Thomas-Greenfield said when she was a child it was common for the KKK to burn crosses in the yards of local Black families.

Carville says it’s a moment that should make every LSU grad proud, and gives LSU students a fantastic role model.

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Thomas-Greenfield graduated from LSU with a bachelor’s in Political Science in 1974.

Thomas-Greenfield joins Congressman Cedric Richmond in the Biden Administration. Carville says she joins the long list of Louisiana political luminaries…

Cut 12 (12) “…our programs.”

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The Krewe of Bacchus will roll virtually in 2021 and fans of the big New Orleans parade will be able to follow along on February 14th on an app that will also allow them to catch throws. Bacchus captain Clark Brennan on how the free smartphone app will entertain revelers

Cut 13 (09) “…silver doubloons.”

Brennan says after you catch throws virtually, you’ll collect your stash in person, even utilize curbside pick-up.

Cut 14 (09) “…the den.” 

The app, which was conceived by a Bacchus member and developed by another, will allow users to even trade virtual throws each Sunday during Carnival season and then on February 14^th, Bacchus goes virtual with their parade. Brennan explains what to expect.

Cut 15 (12)“…playing music.” 

The “Throw Me Something Bacchus!” mobile smartphone app will be available on Jan. 6th.

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Saints Coach Sean Payton would not say whether Taysom Hill will start at quarterback this Sunday when New Orleans travels to Denver. Payton says Hill played well and was complimented by good play from his teammates…

Cut 16 (22) “…football team.”

A lot of football analysts thought Payton was making a mistake by starting Hill over Jameis Winston as Hill was making his first NFL start at QB, while Winston has started 20 games. Payton on why he thinks there was so much negative reaction after it got out that Hill would start

cut 17 (30) “….what it is.”

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After getting a much-needed win against Arkansas last weekend, LSU is now preparing for fifth-ranked Texas A-and-M, who they play this Saturday in College Station. Quarterback Kellen Mond has led the Aggies to a five and one record. Coach Ed Orgeron says their goal is to get pressure on Mond…

cut 18 (14) “…contain him.”

Despite the win over the Hogs, LSU’s much-maligned defense still allowed 13 yards per pass play. Orgeron says they have to limit the large chunk plays…

cut 19 (13) “…knows that.”

Orgeron says Texas A-and-M has a great running attack

cut 20 (26) “…this year.”

The American Farm Bureau Federation says based on its survey the cost of a home-cooked Thanksgiving dinner is about two dollars cheaper this year. Taylor Sharp spoke with Louisiana Farm Burea Association spokesperson Avery Davidson

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In the spring, state lawmakers will likely debate a bill that would raise 300 million dollars a year for road and bridge work by increasing the gas tax. Matt Doyle has more.

cut 2 (30) … I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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A national survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation finds the cost of the Thanksgiving dinner is slightly lower this year. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says the cost of a Thanksgiving dinner at home will cost you two dollars less…

Cut 3 (08)  “…4-percent.”

A reason for the decline is that turkeys are a little cheaper this year…

Cut 4 (09)   “…other items.”  

Even though the overall cost is down, Davidson says there are some side dishes that could cost more than normal.

Cut 5  (07) “…16-cents.” 

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Car dealers were bracing for a rough year, however, president of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association Will Green says it was not as bad as anticipated. Green says they’ve sold more vehicles than expected because consumers bought cars to avoid public transportation and dealers offered great incentives.

Cut 6 (09) “…we thought.”

Green says dealers adjusting to serve customers in the pandemic made a difference, like offering more incentives and low-interest rates along with improving the digital retail experience of automobiles.

Cut 7 (12) “…anticipated year.”

Green says many don’t understand the domino effect of auto sales, for example, if a plant or parts center is not operating at full capacity due to the pandemic, you’ll see fewer cars on the lot for sale.

Cut 8 (12) “..levels go.”

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Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says he’s feeling better after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. The school says Napier began to exhibit symptoms on Tuesday night and the 41-year-old says it got worse on Thursday

Cut 9 (09) “…couple days”

Napier says Friday is the last day of isolation and he plans to travel separately from the team to Monroe for Saturday’s game against the ULM Warhawks. The coach says he now feels like a million bucks, but remains away from the team…

Cut 10 (12) “….or staff.”

Napier says the hardest part is not being able to attend practice. The coach believes he caught the virus while coaching the Cajuns to a win over South Alabama on November 14th…

Cut 11 (11) “….of problems.”

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Winnfield Representative Jack McFarland will introduce legislation in next year’s session to raise money to fix state roads and bridges via a gas tax increase.

McFarlands’ bill would raise the gas tax ten cents a gallon initially, and two cents per year until 2033, ultimately raising about 300 million dollars. McFarland says he needs the public’s trust.

Cut 12 (11) “..revenue” 

Senate President Page Cortez has voiced skepticism that any gas tax increases will pass during his four-year term. The state gas tax currently sits at 20 cents a gallon, the 7^th lowest in the nation as of July according to the Tax Foundation. Passage would require approval from two-thirds of the House and Senate.

The bill is called the Government Reform and Transportation Act. McFarland says along with raising the taxes it also seeks input from lawmakers on ways to reform DOTD.

Cut 13 (08) “…as well”

McFarland says Louisiana’s crumbling roads and bridges are driving new and existing businesses away, and without new funds, DOTD is set to run out of money.

Cut 14 (10) “..applicable” 

Louisiana currently has a 14 billion dollar backlog of road and bridgework. Within the last year Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi have all passed tax increases of one kind or another aimed at funding road work.