Governor John Bel Edwards has extended the state’s Phase Two coronavirus restrictions, which includes the statewide mask mandate, to January 13th. Edwards says hospitalizations have exceeded the level reached during the second surge in July. He says it’s clear we still have a lot of work to do, but there is light at the end of the tunnel…
cut 9 (07) “….here yet”
The state health department reported yesterday that 22-thousand health care workers have been vaccinated.

Traditionally today is one of the busiest travel days of the year but Triple-A estimates 34 million fewer Americans arel traveling this holiday season. Spokesperson Nick Chabarria (Cha-berry-ah) says many people are heeding the health warnings and staying home.
Cut 4 (07) “…overall travel.”
Chaberria says air travel is down 60-percent from last year.

The first Amazon fulfillment center in Louisiana will be in Lafayette Parish, the online giant will construct the center in Carencro. Gregg Gothreaux, CEO of the Lafayette Economic Development Authority says it’s a big boost for the area and not just because they will hire 500 employees.
Cut 10 (11) “…a year.”
Construction of the fulfillment center is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 and Gothreaux says hiring will begin three months prior to opening.

LSU’s coaching staff will look much different in 2021 as offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive line coach Bill Johnson are retiring as on-field coaches and will remain with the program as analysts.

Big economic development news as Amazon plans on building a 100 million dollar fulfillment center in Carencro next year. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (31) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state health department reports vaccines have been administered to 22-thousand health care workers. The state plans to update that number twice a week on it’s coronavirus dashboard found on the department of health’s website. The governor is holding a COVID-19 briefing at this hour.

Bo Pelini is out after just one season as LSU’s defensive coordinator after the Tigers defense had a historically bad season. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Pelini also left LSU after 2007, but that was after winning a national title…
cut 5 (12) “…very beginning”
There’s also a report that offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger will retire as an on-field coach and be reassigned to another position.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state last month had 90-thousand fewer jobs than the previous November. The New Orleans metro area is responsible for about half of that number. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the city’s job losses are historic…
cut 14 (12) “…bust

Governor John Bel Edwards will provide a COVID-19 update today and with the current modified Phase 2 order set to expire Wednesday, the governor is expected to announce what restrictions will be in place for the next month. With the state still reporting a significant number of cases, Edwards has said he does not expect a loosening of restrictions.

A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus is spreading in England. Matt Doyle spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans professor about the concerning news…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that COVID test results are not getting reported to the state Health Department fast enough for effective contact tracing. Data Analytics Manager Chris Magee says laboratories are not reporting all results to LDH within the legally mandated 24 hour time period…
Cut 10 (09) “…plus.”
The report did discover that the COVID numbers on the LDH dashboard are accurate and not being over-reported.

From 10 AM until noon at the Lake Charles Civic Center, the Second Harvest Foodbank will hand out holiday meals. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Natasha Curley says Calcasieu and Cameron Parish families have been through a lot and they can use this food…
cut 6 (10) “…very devasting”
Curley thanks Chevron for providing 50-thousand dollars to make today’s food distribution a reality.

A Legislative Auditor’s report raises concerns that lab delays in reporting COVID test results are hampering the state’s contact tracing program. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court has sent a legal dispute between Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana House of Representatives over COVID restrictions back to district court. The state’s highest court says Judge William Morvant should have had a full hearing before ruling on the constitutionality of a House petition that seeks to cancel the governor’s mask mandate, business restrictions, and limits on crowd size.

The 900-billion dollar pandemic relief bill approved by Congress last night contains money for struggling businesses, including restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the bill gives a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program for restaurants that include loan forgiveness and 24-weeks to spend the capital.
Cut 13 (10) “…to borrow.”
The legislation also includes increased unemployment benefits and a 600-dollar stimulus check for most people.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Southwest Louisiana will hand out holiday meals to struggling families in Calcasieu and Cameron Parishes at the Lake Charles Civic Center from 10 AM to noon today. Second Harvest Food Bank spokesperson Natasha Curley says a 50-thousand donation from Chevron made today possible…
cut 5 (12) “….challenging times”

A new audit from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s Office has found the state health department’s Coronavirus dashboard is not overreporting cases or deaths, but many labs are not reporting their data on a timely basis. Data analytics manager Chris Magee says the late reporting and inadequate information to identify positive patients is hampering contact tracing…
cut 11 (06) “…timely”

Flights from London are still landing in the United States even though health officials in the U-K has found a new strain of the coronavirus that is 70-percent more infectious. LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Professor Doctor Fred Lopez says there’s a good chance this strain makes its way into the United States…
cut 8 (10) “…plane”
While reports indicate it is at least 70 percent more infectious, it does not appear to be any more deadly.

The latest COVID relief bill from Congress adds extra provisions to assist a struggling restaurant industry. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

This latest federal stimulus package is also expected to provide Louisiana colleges and public schools with more federal aid. According to the Advocate, the state could be in line for one-point-six billion dollars, with one-point-one billion dollars for public schools and 385-million dollars for higher education.

Congress has approved a 900-billion dollar pandemic relief package that will provide money to struggling businesses, like restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says he appreciates the latest round of relief but for many restaurants, it is too late…
cut 14 (07) “…liquidity”
The legislation also contains a temporary 300-dollar per week supplemental jobless benefit and a 600-dollar direct stimulus payment to individuals.

Hurricane weary Cameron and Calcasieu Parish residents can get a Christmas meal today as Second Harvest is distributing holiday staples thanks to a sizable donation from Chevron. Second Harvest Food Bank Spokesperson Natasha Curley says they will give away food at the Lake Charles Civic Center from 10 until noon.
Cut 4 (10) “…our community.”
Chevron donated 50-thousand dollars to the cause.

A new, more infectious strain of coronavirus is spreading in southeast England. Matt Doyle spoke with an LSU Health New Orleans professor about the concerning news…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The overhaul of the LSU coaching staff has started. Defensive coordinator Bo Pelini and the Tigers have mutually agreed to part ways. Safeties Coach Bill Busch, defensive line coach Bill Johnson and passing game coordinator Scott Linehan are reportedly out.