6:30 LRN Newscast December 11

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.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban as a way to punish itself for violating NCAA rules. But LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says the NCAA may not look at this as a serious punishment…
Cut 3 (12) “…this seasons gone.”
Back in October, LSU also decided to cut its number of available scholarships by eight over the next two years, reduced the number of allowable recruiting visits, and banned former wide receiver, Odell Beckham Junior, for two years.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Tech is planning to play in a bowl game after it finishes the regular season Saturday at T-C-U. Head Coach Skip Holtz says is not expecting a lengthy stay at the bowl site…
cut 28 (09) “…go home”
Tech is 5-and-3 on the season.

Saints linebacker Demario Davis is the club’s nominee for the NFL’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which honor’s a player for their community service work as well as their excellence on the field. Davis leads the team in tackles and off the field he’s involved in community service, youth engagement, faith-based and social justice initiatives in New Orleans and in his home state of Mississippi. Davis says being nominated for this award in 2020 means a little more..
cut 20 (25) “…definite blessing”
Davis and the Saints are getting ready to visit Philadelphia on Sunday. New Orleans is seeking its tenth straight win, while the struggling Eagles are set to start rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback.

9:30 LRN Newscast December 10

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”

8:30 LRN Newscast December 10

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”

7:30 LRN Newscast December 10

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.

6:45 LRN Sportscast December 10

LSU has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban on its football program. So that means no bowl game for the Tigers for the first time since 1999. This punishment is in addition to the sanctions the university levied on itself in October when the school announced its cutting eight scholarships over the next two years, reducing recruiting visits and banning former wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior from the facility for two years. The NCAA is investigating the football program over allegations that a booster provided the parents of a former football player with a no-show job, Beckham’s handing out of cash after the national championship, and a recruiting violation committed by Head Coach Ed Orgeron in January 2019.

The Saints will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, who will start rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback. Coach Sean Payton says his defense will need to be ready for a different offense due to Hurts’ ability to run the ball.
cut 19 (15) “…hadn’t seen.”

Louisiana Tech will take on T-C-U on Saturday. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says he plans to continue playing two quarterbacks, Luke Anthony and Aaron Allen…
cut 17 (19) “…to play”
Holtz says Anthony will start on Saturday and he considers Allen a co-starter.

Louisiana Tech won its 10th straight home game last night as Bulldogs dribbled past Southeastern Louisiana 78-69. Kalob Ledoux led the way with 24 points, while Amorie Archibald added 16 points. Pape Diop had 15 points for S-L-U.

ULM lost at the buzzer last night as Davion Buster nailed a 40-foot three-pointer to give Lamar a 63-60 win over the Warhawks. ULM led by as many as 13 points in the second half.

Tulane trounced Southern Miss 58-38, Arkansas crushed Southern 79-44. LSU’s game against South Florida on Saturday has been canceled but the Tigers will now play Sam Houston State on Monday.

6:30 LRN Newscast

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.”

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed today that star freshman tight end Arik Gilbert has opted out for the remainder of the season. Orgeron is not sure if Gilbert will be back next year…
cut 7 (07) “….next year”
Gilbert reportedly was homesick and his mother drove in from Georgia to talk with him this week. LSU linebacker Jabril Cox says he can understand why Gilbert may need a break.
cut 18 (28) “…get through it”
LSU is at Florida State on Saturday.

The state high school football championship games are being moved to Natchitoches and are set to run for four days from December 27th to the 30th. Matt Doyle has the story.
voicer 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A contact tracing issue has forced the LSU men’s basketball team to cancel its scheduled game versus South Florida on Saturday in Atlanta. But the Tigers have already found an opponent to make up that missed game. LSU will host Sam Houston State on Monday.

Tonight, Southeastern Louisiana is at Louisiana Tech, Southern visits Arkansas and Tulane hosts Southern Miss.

LRN PM Newscall December 9

New Orleans based data analyst Jeff Asher’s analyst proves the flu is in no way comparable to COVID. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

Forty percent of the American’s say they won’t be vaccinated for COVID… but can they lose their job over it? Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Statewide in the eight and a half months since our first COVID linked fatality, we’ve had enough COVID deaths to fill eight average flu seasons.

Those numbers come from New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher who says when extrapolating current rates out to 12 months COVID will likely rival cancer and heart disease deaths.

Cut 3 (09)  “…astounding.”

The average flu season was taken by averaging flu deaths every year between 2012 and 2016 which came out to 765.

Asher says the high number of COVID fatalities came despite a historic effort to prevent the spread.

Cut 4 (09)   “…diseases.”  

Louisiana has the fifth-highest number of COVID fatalities per capita in the nation.

The state reports 6,684 COVID deaths. Asher says that number is likely undercounting the real total.

Cut 5  (10) “..reported.” 

_____________________________________________

Rumors have swirled that LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert would opting out of the remainder of the season, and head coach Ed Orgeron confirmed that Gilbert has left the team. Orgeron says he spoke with Gilbert yesterday

Cut 6 (11) “..transferring.”

While Gilbert has not announced any plans to transfer, Orgeron says LSU will re-recruit him to get him back next season.

Cut 7 (07) “..next year.”

There were also reports that Gilbert was homesick and his mother came in from Georgia to speak with him this week. The mental health of players has also been brought up during this difficult season. Orgeron says the school does a great job addressing mental health issues.

Cut 8 (11) “…go through.”

______________________________________________

Sixty percent of people questioned by a Pew Research Survey say they plan to get vaccinated for COVID. But for the other 40 percent can your employer require you to be inoculated? According to Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino in Louisiana the short answer is yes.

Cut 9 (07) “…to COVID.”

Ciolino says exceptions would be, for example, if an employee has a collective bargaining agreement, or they could be protected under certain federal laws if they have a disability, a sincere religious belief…

Cut 10 (08) “…accommodation.”

Health experts say vaccine mandates are to be expected in some professions such as healthcare and public education. Ciolino says this is not the first time the issue has gone to court.

Cut 11 (08) “…apply here.”

______________________________________________

Two are dead and three injured including a four-year-old after a shooting incident in Lacombe Tuesday.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Captain Scott Lee says shortly after 10 AM yesterday deputies were called to the 28-thousand block of Palmer Drive…

Cut 12 (05) “…guns.” 

Scott says the homeowner was not struck by gunfire, but two of the four-armed people who entered his house were fatally shot and the other two wounded…

Cut 13 (08) “…recovery.”

It’s unclear if any of the alleged home invaders actually fired their weapons. Scott says the incident is still under investigation.

Cut 14 (05) “…scene.” 

Sheriff Randy Smith says this was an isolated incident and all partied involved have been accounted for.

11:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards expects the state will begin COVID vaccinations within 48 hours of receiving its first shipment. Edwards says health care workers are the first priority…
cut 28 (14) “…EMS workers”
Edwards expects 79-thousand vaccines will be available in Louisiana once the F-D-A gives approval, possibly as early as tomorrow.

Sixty percent of people questioned by a Pew Research Survey say they plan to get vaccinated for COVID. But for the other 40 percent can your employer require you to be inoculated? According to Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino in Louisiana the short answer is yes.
Cut 9 (09) “…to COVID.”
The only exception would be if an employee has a disability or religious belief that could protect them under certain federal laws.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed today that star freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert has opted out for the remainder of the season. Orgeron says he met with Gilbert yesterday…
cut 6 (12) “…transferring”
Gilbert is the seventh player to opt out this season.

New U-S Census Bureau data finds the marriage and divorce rates have declined since 2009 in Louisiana and across the nation. LSU Health New Orleans Professor Clinical Psychiatry Doctor Richard Costa says younger people are feeling less pressure to get married, which has led to fewer marriages and bad breakups…
cut 14 (10) “..best’