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.

The ciy of New Orleans website posted today that parades will not be allowed during Mardi Gras 2021. Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s spokesperson, Beau Tidwell, says current COVID guidelines restrict gatherings of more than 250 people and that will likely not change in time for the Carnival season…
cut 10 (10) “…alternatives”

U-S Representative Cedric Richmond announced today that before January 20th he will resign as a member of Congress to become a senior adviser to President-Elect Joe Biden…
Cut 3 (09) “…want it”
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.

The state health department reported 25-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital rose to 874. That’s a 121 patient increase in just four days. Governor John Bel Edwards is asking residents to follow the mitigation measures in order to reduce transmission of the virus…
cut 13 (11) “…anybody”
Edwards is asking families to not plan for large Thanksgiving gatherings.

Health officials say there is light at the end of the tunnel with Pfizer and Moderna releasing statements that say early studies show their COVID vaccines are showing an effective rate above 90-percent. But Associate Professor at Tulane’s School of Medicine Doctor Lisa Morici says we don’t know if the vaccines can prevent transmission…
cut 8 (11) “…been vaccinated”

After much speculation, New Orleans Congressman Cedric Richmond is leaving the U.S. House of Representatives to be a senior adviser to President Joe Biden. Richmond says it was not an easy decision to leave Congress after he was just re-elected to a sixth term…
cut 5 (12) “…Black and Gold”
Richmond believes he’ll be in a better position to bring much-needed resources back to Louisiana as a special adviser to the president.

We are seeing many more schools move back to virtual instruction as coronavirus cases are spiking. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley advises parents to implement a predictable schedule, provide a quiet learning space. and non-screen related activities as well…
cut 14 (06) “..same page”

With Moderna’s announcement that its COVID-19 shot provides strong protection against the coronavirus, there are now two experimental COVID-19 vaccines that are showing strong 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 Hurricanes Laura and Delta as well as a coronavirus pandemic. So on Friday and Saturday, you will not have to pay the 4.45 state sales tax on most items.