A family spokesperson for Edwin Edwards says the former governor has received a good prognosis for recovery as he battles double pneumonia…
cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU interim president Thomas Galligan released a statement today saying its troubling to face the prospect LSU may have mishandled alleged cases of abuse and sexual assault. It’s in response to a USA Today article that provided several examples of LSU not following through on social misconduct allegations.

Pfizer will reportedly file paperwork tomorrow with the Food and Drug Administration for emergency approval of its coronavirus vaccine that’s shown 95-percent effectiveness. It’s possible the vaccine could be made available to Louisiana next month. Governor John Bel Edwards says they have a plan in place but there are some challenges…
cut 11 (12) “…stored at”
Edwards says Pfizers COVID vaccine also requires two injections, three weeks apart.

Tomorrow and Saturday Louisiana consumers will not have to pay state sales taxes on most purchases as a sales tax holiday will be in effect. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the holiday exempts the first 25-hundred dollars of most purchases from Louisiana’s 4.45-percent state sales tax…
Cut 6 (06) “…the telephone”
But the holiday does not cover vehicle purchases or meals.

A family spokesperson for Edwin Edwards says the former four term-Governor appears to be improving but remains hospitalized with double pneumonia. This is the second time the 93-year old has been admitted in the last week. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says despite Edwards’ age and diagnosis he’s doing well.
Cut 12 (11) “..quite good”
Edwards is expected to stay in the hospital into the weekend.

Drugmaker Pfizer will reportedly plan to file as early as tomorrow for emergency use with the FDA for their COVID-19 vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s 100-percent confident once vaccines are FDA approved, they are safe for use.
Cut 9 (08) “…in place.”
The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital rose sharply today from 886 to 929.

Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says expects debate on tax reform during the 2021 regular session. Nelson would like to see the state income tax repealed and give parishes greater flexibility to raise property taxes to offset revenue losses on the local level…
cut 4 (09) “….funding”
Nelson says eliminating the state sales tax will help attract businesses to this state.

Louisiana residents will get a tax break tomorrow and Saturday as there’s a state sales tax holiday. You will not have to pay the state’s 4.45 percent sales tax on the first 25-hundred dollars for most consumer purchases. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the holiday does not cover vehicle purchases or meals.
Cut 7 (06) “…sales tax.”
It’s the first sales tax holiday in Louisiana in two years as they were suspended to help the state get out of a budget hole.

There’s a discussion among some Republican lawmakers about eliminating the state income tax as a way to attract more businesses and grow the state’s population. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Jim Shannon”

The man convicted of fatally shooting former Saints star Will Smith will receive a new trial. Cardell Hayes’ conviction is being tossed out because the verdict was not unanimous among the 12-person jury. The U-S Supreme Court has ruled split jury verdicts in felony trials is unconstitutional.

Tomorrow and Saturday Louisiana consumers will not have to pay state sales taxes on most purchases as a sales tax holiday will be in effect. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the legislation passed in the last special session exempts the first 25-hundred dollars of most purchases from Louisiana’s 4.45-percent state sales tax…
cut 6 (06) “…the telephone”
But the holiday does not cover vehicle purchases or meals.

The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns football game on Saturday against Central Arkansas has been canceled because of COVID cases and contact tracing within the U-L Lafayette football program. Athletics Director Bryan Maggard…
cut 15 (11) “,…naturally”
And here’s another COVID cancellation. No Christmas Parade in Pineville next month.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is back in the hospital today. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, says the 93-year-old has been diagnosed with double pneumonia and is expected to remain in the hospital for the next few days. He was in the hospital over the weekend as well but released after he was treated for a head cold.

A new self-test for COVID receives emergency FDA approval. Brooke Thorington speaks with a physician on the pros and cons.
cut 2 (30) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Representative Mike Johnson is moving up the GOP ranks in Congress as he’s been elected as the vice-chair of the House Republican Conference. Johnson says building back the nation’s economy from the coronavirus pandemic is a major priority and they will push back against the desire of Democrats to raise taxes…
Cut 3 (10) “…the economy”
President-elect Joe Biden has discussed raising taxes on households that make more than 400-thousand dollars.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Lafayette to speak at a deployment ceremony for Louisiana National Guard soldiers who belong to the 256th Infantry Brigade. This is the third deployment to the Middle East for the 256th since nine-eleven. Edwards says he has confidence they will execute their mission well…
Cut 8 (10) “..your service”

The state health department has reported 22-hundred new coronavirus cases today bringing the state’s total to nearly 210-thousand. Louisiana is also reporting 28 more COVID-19 deaths and the number of COVID-19 patients has increased by 12.

As COVID cases continue to spike, the state health department says flu wise the state is in good shape. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Former Governor Edwin Edwards has returned to the hospital as the 93-year-old is suffering from double pneumonia.

Governor John Bel Edwards was in Lafayette this morning to personally thank members of the 256th Infantry Brigade who are deploying to the Middle East in support of U-S Central Command operations. Edwards reminded them that they are the best national guard in the United States
Cut 6 (08) “…and response”
About two-thousand guardsmen are participating in the mission and deployment ceremonies have been taking place over the last week.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson has been elected as vice-chair of the House Republican Conference. Johnson was just elected to his third term and he expects the new Congress will attempt to pass a massive infrastructure bill. But how will the federal government pay for it…
cut 4 (12) “….long term”

U-S Representative Cedric Richmond announced today he will resign from his 2nd district Congressional seat before January 20th to become a senior adviser to President-Elect Joe Biden. Richmond says he’ll have an office in the West Wing and he says he’ll fight to bring much-needed federal resources to Louisiana.
Cut 4 (12) “..have here”

The state reported another 25-hundred new coronavirus cases today and the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital increased to 874. That’s up 121 patients over the last four days. With the Thanksgiving holiday next week, Governor John Bel Edwards is concerned about large family gatherings. The governor says he comes from a family with eight children and they are not getting together this year…
Cut 14 (11) “..very, very high.”

With Moderna’s announcement that its COVID-19 shot provides strong protection against the coronavirus, there are now two experimental COVID-19 vaccines showing promising early results. Jim Shannon has more…
cut 2 (31) … I’m Jim Shannon.”

This Friday and Saturday will be a state sales tax holiday. State lawmakers approved the sales tax holiday as a way to provide relief for Louisiana residents recovering from Hurricanes Laura and Delta as well as a coronavirus pandemic. So on Friday and Saturday, you will not pay the 4.45-percent state sales tax on most purchases.