The state health department reported the largest one day increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital since April. Hospitalizations increased by 92 to 1,516. The state also reported 24-hundred new coronavirus cases and 45 deaths bringing Louisiana’s death toll to 6,652.

Louisiana dry ice manufacturers are preparing for the rollout of the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”

Ochsner Hospital for Children is one of 24 systems around the nation that’s been selected to participate in a Pfizer COVID vaccine trial for children ages 12 to 17. Ochsner Principal Investigator, Doctor Julia Garcia-Diaz on why a trial is needed involving just kids.
cut 14 (07) “….works”
Garcia says the goal is to enroll about two-thousand children nationwide.

Georgia native and LSU freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is reportedly home sick and looking to transfer. This latest news is another troubling sign for a program that seems to be falling apart. LSU still has two more games left on its schedule and Athletics Director Scott Woodward has said the Tigers are also interested in playing in a bowl game. But Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says this program is ready for the offseason to start…
Cut 11 (08) “…with staff.”

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says they are waiting for an out of state law firm to complete its investigation into how the school has handled claims of sexual misconduct. In many cases, former LSU football players were involved. Some details have come out and there are students who believe some LSU administrators should be fired, but Galligan says…
cut 8 (10) “…right”
Husch Blackwell says it will complete its investigation in February.

The state health department has adopted the revised COVID quarantine guidelines. So Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the state office of public health, says if you’ve been exposed to COVID, you should quarantine for ten days as opposed to 14 days…
cut 5 (11) “…zero risk”
Stefanski says if you show no symptoms and after five days test negative, you can leave quarantine after seven days.

The state department of corrections says it has a brand new Louisiana Reentry Workforce Job Portal aimed at connecting potential employers with highly-trained inmates reentering society. Assistant Secretary for Reentry Rhett Covington says the post-release job program is the first of its kind and takes advantage of the over 1,300 certifications inmates have received in the last two years.
Cut 12 (08) “…that way.”
The portal is being promoted by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

Congressman Mike Johnson says the FCC is investing $342 million over the next decade to bring broadband internet to almost 176-thousand residents in rural Louisiana. Johnson says the FCC’s Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will allow existing telecommunications companies to access this funding…
Cut 13 (11) “…service.”

Governor Edwards will be at the White House this afternoon to participate in a COVID-19 vaccine summit. The summit will feature President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence to discuss how the vaccine will be produced and distributed. Edwards is expected to provide his perspective on Louisiana will distribute and adminster the COVID vaccine.

Meanwhile, the state health department adopts new CDC quarantine guidelines…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU interim president Thomas Galligan says they’ve handed over 60 files to a law firm that’s been hired to look into how the university has handled accusations of sexual misconduct and sexual violence involving students…
cut 9 (08) “…for them”
Many of the allegations are against former LSU football players, notably ex- running back Derrius Guice. They were brought to light in an investigative piece written by the USA Today.

Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest more than 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access to 176-thousand Louisianians in rural areas. Johnson says some view bringing high-speed internet to rural areas as the equivalent of providing electricity and telephone service in the 18 and 19-hundreds.
Cut 14 (06) “…21st century.”
The funding will be distributed through the F-C-C’s newly-established Rural Digital Opportunity Fund.

The state health department says it’s following the C-D-C’s lead and relaxing its COVID-19 quarantine guidelines. The policy extends to schools as well so many teachers and students would only have to quarantine for seven days instead of 14 days if they are exposed to COVID-19, but test negative after five days. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski…
cut 6 (10) “…wearing masks”

Here’s some good news, especially in this world of virtual learning. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson announces the federal government will invest 342-million dollars over the next ten years to expand broadband access in rural Louisiana…
cut 15 (08) “…too long”
Johnson says the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund will help provide broadband to nearly 176-thousand Louisianians.

The fallout from a USA Today report detailing mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations at LSU continues as the school hands over 60 plus case files containing allegations to a firm investigating the situation. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU could be losing another one of its playmakers on offense. Freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is reportedly homesick and the Georgia native is set to transfer.

The Monroe News-Star reports Grambling Coach Broderick Fobbs and former Ragin Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth could be candidates for ULM’s head coaching vacancy.

Another star LSU player is reportedly leaving the program. Several media outlets say freshman tight end Arik Gilbert is really, really homesick. Sources say the Georgia native was not at practice yesterday and the Tigers second-leading receiver could enter the transfer portal as early as today.

This news broke after Coach Ed Orgeron met with the media for his regular Monday Press Conference. Orgeron was asked about convincing draft-eligible players to return to LSU. Coach O admits there are some guys who are dead set in leaving early for the NFL draft and the others who are on the fence are receiving a sales pitch…
cut 17 (18) “….drafted higher”
LSU is at sixth-ranked Florida on Saturday night.

ULM Athletic Director Scott McDonald says the school and head football coach Matt Viator have mutually agreed to part ways. The Warhawks are 0-10 and have not led in any game this season. The Monroe News-Star says possible replacements include Grambling coach Broderick Fobbs, Southeastern Louisiana Coach Frank Scelfo, and former Cajuns Coach Mark Hudspeth.

The Cajuns are losing inside linebacker coach Austin Armstrong. He has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Southern Miss. Napier says Armstrong will still coach for the Cajuns in the Sun Belt Championship game on December 19th…
cut 20 (26) “…for that”

The Louisiana Health Department adopts revised CDC guidelines to shorten the quarantine period following a COVID exposure. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski says the recommendation of a 14-day quarantine is not always practical.
Cut 4 (07) “…school.”
Under the new policy, a person who comes in a contact with a person who tests positive for COVID should quarantine for ten and as few as seven days with a negative test, as opposed to 14 days.

LSU turns over 60 plus case files of alleged incidents of sexual misconduct committed by students to a law firm investigating the school’s alleged mishandling of those allegations. Interim President Tom Galligan says all of the documents forwarded to Husch Blackwell are from a period between 2016 and 2018.
Cut 7 (09) “…reports.”

The Louisiana Department of Corrections unveils a new program that allows inmates nearing their release date to apply for jobs. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state health department announces it’s adopting the C-D-C’s updated guidance that calls for a shorter COVID quarantine period. Instead of 14 days, it’s now ten days or as few as seven with a negative test for those who may have been exposed. Several school superintendents have been pushing to minimize the number of days teachers and students must miss because of positive tests and contact tracing.

DOTD has created trash sculptures as a visual reminder to stop littering. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 2 (29) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The lone constitutional amendment on Saturday’s ballot was soundly rejected by voters as it failed on a 76-24 vote. The amendment would have allowed out-of-state residents to sit on college management boards…
cut 7 (09) “….amendment”
That’s Jeremy Alford, publisher of LA-politics-dot-com. The Louisiana Republican Party came out against the amendment claiming it would lead to rich outsiders doing political favors in an effort to receive such an appointment from the governor.

Metairie Republican Eric Skrmetta has been re-elected to a third and final six-year term on the Public Service Commission, which regulates utility companies. Skrmetta says his goal is to keep utility rates in Louisiana among the lowest in the nation…
cut 12 (12) “…that status”
Skrmetta defeated Democrat Allen Borne, a lawyer from New Orleans, in Saturday’s run-off election.