Senator Bill Cassidy tweets “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Many are trying to get a rapid COVID test before Thanksgiving dinner and forgo advice from health officials to not gather outside their immediate household. Brooke Thorington has more

cut 2 (29) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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It’s the time of year when many are traveling over the river and thru the woods to gather for Thanksgiving, and those traveling via automobile are seeing the lowest gas prices in five years. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the average price for a gallon of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $1.84 at the pump.

Cut 3 (07)  “…by vehicle.”

Redman says it’s all about demand, which is much less than in years past for Thanksgiving, due to the pandemic and fledgling economy.

Cut 4 (10)   “…pretty low.”  

Redman expects gas prices to keep dropping, as prices in December in January tend to be the best for gas. As for next spring, when demand typically increases, predicting prices at the pump are questionable.

Cut 5  (12) “…get to it” 

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Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win.

Cassidy tweeted “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy has always been pragmatic.

Cut 6 (09) “…pragmatism.”

Cassidy also tweeted that the Trump campaign has not presented the kind of evidence of mass voter fraud needed to change the results of the election.

Stockley says there’s little political downside to conceding at this point.

Cut 7 (09) “..legitimately.”

Cassidy strolled to reelection for another six-year term on November 3^rd, winning 59 percent of the vote.

Stockley says as more states certify their results and Biden’s electoral vote lead grows it’s only a manner of days, or at most weeks before most of the rest of the delegation joins Cassidy.

Cut 8 (11) “..same.”

Biden appears set for 306 electoral votes, and a popular vote lead somewhere north of four percent.

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As Thanksgiving approaches many are attempting to get tested in advance for COVID so they can enjoy a traditional holiday gathering, however, Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says nothing is foolproof when it comes to the coronavirus.

Cut 9 (12) “…still risk”

Kanter says while there are several types of rapid tests available for COVID, even in one of the most secure places in the US with access to the most significant testing, the virus is still able to spread.

Cut 10 (09) “….on testing.”

Dr. Kanter believes the best thing for Thanksgiving is to celebrate with immediate household only and he’s following his own advice.

Cut 11 (13) “….next year.”

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Governor Edwards says due to the state’s surging COVID case numbers we will be moving back to a “modified” Phase Two.

Edwards says the new restrictions are very similar to what we had for most of the summer.

Cut 12 (11) “..maximum” 

A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at indoor events, with a maximum of 150 people allowed at outdoor events.

Bars will be banned from operating in any parish with a greater than five percent positivity rate, down from the current ten percent limit. Edwards also says stadium capacity will be coming down…

Cut 13 (07) “…required”

Stadiums in some parishes had been allowed to increase their capacity up to 50 percent. This change particularly impacts high school football playoff games set to begin Friday.

The order takes effect Wednesday and will last until at least December 23^rd, but Edwards warns he’s likely to extend the order through the end of the year.

Cut 14 (13) “..before us” 

School restrictions will remain unchanged, and any new restrictions will be left up to the local districts.

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.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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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.

Cut 11 (09) “…accountable.”

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.”