Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is days away from administering COVID vaccinations. Matt Doyle has the story…
cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The governor also says he will not make it mandatory for people to get a COVID vaccine, but he hopes most Louisiana residents will want it. Edwards says he’s not expecting much resistance early on, since front line health care workers who have been taking care of coronavirus patients are among the first group to get vaccinated.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joins 16 other Attorneys General in supporting a lawsuit filed by Texas challenging the legitimacy of mail-in ballots in battleground states. Senator Bill Cassidy has tweeted there’s no evidence presented yet that would overturn Joe Biden’s victory, but says it is important for legitimate claims to be fully aired out.
Cut 10 (10) “…issue.”
The lawsuit challenges results in Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan.

The Bossier City arena has a new name as it’s now known as the Brookshire (Brook-shear) Grocery Arena. The Tyler, Texas-based chain replaces CenturyLink as the naming rights sponsor. Brookshire Grocery CEO Brad Brookshire says they are thrilled about this new partnership.
Cut 4 (07) “…the BGA.”
The naming rights deal is for 10 years and it’s the first time the grocery food store chain has purchased the naming rights of a building.

Governor John Bel Edwards says we are days away from the first Louisiana residents receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Edwards says once the F-D-A gives its approval, the state will administer 39-thousand doses to front-line health care workers and nursing home residents…
cut 9 (10) “….number”
The Pfizer vaccine which is close to FDA approval requires a second shot 21 days after the first shot.

A high COVID-19 positivity rate has led to the cancellation of the St. James Parish Christmas Eve bonfires. Parish President Pete Dufrense says they worked diligently on a plan for crowd control, but rising case numbers worked against them…
cut 15 (12) “….manipulated”
There are 1,529 COVID patients in the hospital statewide.

Seventeen Republican Attorneys General have joined a Texas lawsuit challenging election results in four battleground states won by President-elect Joe Biden. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A State Police Trooper has been arrested for allegedly using excessive force during an arrest in Ouachita Parish in May of 2019. 30-year-old Jacob Brown faces one count each of aggravated second-degree battery and malfeasance in office. State Police say they began investigating the incident when they received a civil lawsuit in October alleging Brown engaged in excessive and unjustifiable actions.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it is possible we could be administering COVID vaccines to frontline healthcare workers as early as late this weekend. Edwards says a panel of medical experts has recommended to the FDA that the Pfizer vaccine receive emergency authorization.…
Cut 7 (09) “…vaccine.”
Edwards is hopeful that 159-thousand people could receive the first of their two injections by the end of December.

But a vaccine arriving in Louisiana is not enough to prevent the cancellation of the Christmas Eve bonfires on the levees in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says the parish issued permits for the construction of the bonfires, but that was before cases spiked…
cut 14 (10) “…next week”

Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a legal brief with the U-S Supreme Court urging the Justices to look into the conduct of the Presidential election in Pennsylvania. The document supports a complaint filed by the State of Texas. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has said Joe Biden won the election and hopes this issue can be settled so that the country can come together again…
cut 12 (12) “….served”
Cassidy says Americans should be able to trust the electoral process, and this issue may need to go before the Supreme Court for that to occur.

The state health department reported its single highest day for the number of new COVID-19 cases yesterday with 4,339. Dr. Tina Stefanski, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says cases were already on an uptick and there are even more cases as a result of gatherings on Thanksgiving…
Cut 13 (12) “…cases reported.”

An FDA panel is expected to vote today on whether to authorize Pfizer’s COVID vaccine in the United States. Assistant Dean for Transitional Research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Doctor Lucio Meile says the panel will review the results of both the FDA’s and Pfizer’s findings on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine…
cut 4 (06) “…granted’
Vaccines could be given out in Louisiana early next week.

LHSAA and Northwestern State officials are expected to meet today about the upcoming Prep Football Classic, which will be held in Natchitoches from December 27th to the 30th. Demons Atheltic Director Greg Burke says they are excited to host the event…
cut 10 (10) “…and coaches”
The LHSAA announced on Tuesday that it’s moving the Prep Classic from New Orleans to Natchitoches.

Will Congress agree on a coronavirus relief bill before the Christmas holiday? There’s a disagreement over whether taxpayers should receive another direct payment and also whether the federal government should provide states with more financial aid. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says current proposals are weighted towards bigger states…
cut 9 (09) “…has”

Governor Edwards provides an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 at 2:30 today. It comes one day after the state reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases, 4,339. Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says it’s critically important to follow the mitigation measures, wearing a mask, staying home when feeling sick or have been exposed and keeping social distance…
cut 15 (09) “….behavior”
An FDA advisory panel is scheduled to vote today on whether to recommend the approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. Doctor Lucio Meilie with the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, says we are a few days away from the vaccine being used in the United States…
cut 6 (10) “…meeting”

Congress is reportedly closing in on a deal for a near trillion-dollar COVID relief bill. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LHSAA and Northwestern State officials meet today in Natchitoches to discuss plans for the Prep Football Classic, which will kick off on December 27th. Northwestern State Atheltic Director Greg Burke believes they can pull it off even though they have less than three weeks to prepare…
cut 11 (09) “…way possible”

Louisiana has hit a new high for the most coronavirus cases reported in a single day as the state health department reported 4,339 new cases yesterday. It comes as we are two weeks past Thanksgiving when many families gathered for the holiday. Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the state office of public health, says the state is reporting 1,537 COVID patients in the hospital and that number is also expected to rise…
cut 14 (09) “….their illness”

There is hope on the horizon as an advisory panel meets today to decide whether the Pfizer COVID vaccine should receive emergency approval for use in the United States. Doctor Lucio Miele with the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, says data shows good results for the vaccine and once the panel makes its recommendation, the ball will be in the F-D-A’s court…
cut 5 (06) “….does’

Northwestern State University is busy preparing for the LHSAA Football Prep Classic at the end of the month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There will be no Christmas eve bonfires on the levee in St. James Parish as the annual celebration has been canceled for this year. Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete has announced the city will prohibit all parades for the 2021 carnival season. Jefferson Parish is looking at moving Mardi Gras parades to Memorial Day weekend.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there could be an agreement on a COVID relief bill sometime next week. The price tag is reportedly 916 billion dollars. Graves says much of that is another round of the Payroll Protection Program and funding for COVID response and vaccine distribution.
Cut 7 (08) “…individuals.”
The White House backs a plan to send 600-dollar direct payments to most Americans, but the proposal eliminates a 300-dollar per week unemployment benefit.

The state health department reported its single highest day number of COVID-19 cases yesterday with 4,339 new cases. Acadiana Region Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says cases were already on an uptick and there are even more cases as a result of gatherings on Thanksgiving…
Cut 13 (12) “…cases reported.”

The Pfizer vaccine will undergo a crucial committee hearing today to determine if it will gain emergency approval and be available next week. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”