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.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees reportedly has multiple fractured ribs on both sides of his chest and a collapsed lung. According to ESPN’s Ed Werder, Brees actually fractured three ribs in the Tampa game and two more on Sunday in the win over San Francisco. ESPN is also reporting the most optimistic return is in two or three weeks, but the injuries could take much longer to heal.

A USA Today article highlights several cases of LSU mishandling sexual misconduct complaints against students. The report says LSU athletic officials received complaints about former running back Derrius Guice for over a year and at least seven LSU officials had direct knowledge former wide receiver Drake Davis was physically abusing his girlfriend. USA Today and LSU beat reporter, Glen Guilbeau says athletic director Scott Woodward needs to make sure future claims are properly investigated…
Cut 4 (09) “…long time.”

Saturday’s scheduled game between Louisiana Tech and ULM has been called off, because of COVID-19 related issues with the Warhawk football team. The Bulldogs who had to postpone last Saturday’s game at Rice said they would have been ready to play.

After beating South Alabama 38-10 on Saturday, the 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns are playing their best football of the season. Coach Billy Napier would like to keep it that way through the Sun Belt championship game on December 19…
cut 18 (13) “…direction today”

Tulane won its third straight on Saturday as the Green Eave defeated Army 38-12. Coach Willie Fritz…
cut 19 (13) “…these dues”
Tulane is at 25th ranked Tulsa on Thursday night.

There is more promising news today regarding a potential COVID-19 vaccine. Moderna says early data shows its vaccine is nearly 95-percent effective. This comes on the heels of Pfizer saying that its vaccine is showing signs of being 90-percent effective. Governor John Bel Edwards says one or more vaccine could be available by the end of next month…
cut 9 (10) “..to make a difference”
Edwards says in the meantime he’s asking residents to follow the mitigation measures that have shown to work.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards is home after a two-night stay at a Baton Rouge hospital. Edwards went to Our Lady of the Lake on Friday, because of breathing issues, but it turns it out it was just a bad head cold. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, says the 93-year-old has had bouts with pneumonia but remains a vibrant senior citizen.
Cut 8 (07) “..than ever,”

The USA Today published a lengthy story today detailing cases where LSU may have looked the other way when it comes to allegations of sexual abuse against females involving LSU football players. The university issued a statement saying it does not tolerate sexual assault or any form of abuse, but Glen Guilbeau, with the USA Today Network, says their actions do not follow those words…
cut 5 (10) “….particularly the athletic department”
Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s confident the university is working to address policies and processes when allegations arise.

A year ago today, Governor John Bel Edwards was elected to a second term in office as he defeated Republican Eddie Rispone in a close race. Since then Edwards has to deal with a pandemic and several hurricanes, plus he’s clashed with a Republican-controlled state legislature. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says coronavirus relief dollars have helped to make sure the budget remains in a good shape…
cut 14 (09) “…afloat”