Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins is tonight’s Undercover Boss on CBS. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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If you want to visit a state park but roughing it is not your thing, then Lt Governor Billy Nungesser suggests Glamping.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Tulane University will soon be more accessible for low- and middle-income families in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more

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

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The Mayor of Shreveport, Adrian Perkins, will feature on tonight’s episode of the long-running CBS hit Undercover Boss.

Perkins goes undercover and around town working shifts and mingling with city employees. He says the toughest gig he worked was at the fire department.

Cut 4 (12) “…fire.”

Perkins also worked with the police, park maintenance team, and at a youth recreation center.

Perkins plays “Wayne”, a man who looks nearly twice the 35-year-old’s age. The Mayor says no one suspected a thing…

Cut 5 (11) “…going for.”

Perkins says the show is going to be a lot of fun and pretty humorous but it comes with a good message.

Cut 6 (10) “…this city.”

Undercover Boss will air tonight at 8 PM on CBS.

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Glamping is the latest trend to come to Louisiana State Parks. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says the camping fad is an innovative partnership with Tentrr to increase accommodation options at eight state parks in the Bayou State. So what exactly is Glamping…

Cut 7 (08)  “…a heater.”

Nungesser says state parks have experienced a 45-percent increase in visits this year as part of the Sunshine Plan to revitalize the tourism industry and Glamping is the newest initiative. The 60 unique glampsites feature safari-style tents and queen-sized cots. The spacious tents are strategically placed in distinctive settings throughout the parks.

Cut 8 (06) “…of them.”

Nungesser wants to entice all tourists to enjoy Glamping. Tents that are wheelchair accessible, senior, and pet-friendly are also available to rent.

Glampers will also have access to park facilities such as showers and toilets.

Nungesser hopes to attract Glamping aficionados to the state and lure more Louisianans to the great outdoors for Staycations.  The budget-friendly trend will be available for December bookings beginning today

Cut 9 (07) “…pretty incredible.”

For more information go to www.LAstateparks.com/glamping

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Tulane University will be more affordable and accessible next fall for low and middle-income Louisiana families. The Louisiana Promise initiative will allow students whose families make less than $100,000 to attend debt-free. Tulane President Michael Fitts acknowledges the private university’s tuition is costly.

Cut 10 (11) “…loan free.”

Tuition at the university is just shy of $51-thousand per semester.

Fitts says students come from all over the world and the country to attend Tulane, but only 11-percent of undergraduate students are from the Bayou State. The Louisiana Promise initiative will change that for Fall 2021 students.

Cut 11 (09) “…of Louisiana.”

Fitts says the future of Tulane and Louisiana are inextricably linked and the Louisiana Promise initiative is an investment both.

Cut 12 (09) “…of Louisiana.”

Tulane is partnering with community-based organizations to inform students of scholarship opportunities.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry plans to appeal a ruling made Thursday by a state judge declaring a House petition overturning the Governor’s public health emergency order unconstitutional.

Landry says Judge William Morvant had already made up his mind before the hearing and positioned the case to be heard in the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Cut 13 (12) “….strikes.”

The case was triggered by the signing of a legislative petition in October by 65 Republican members of the State House that claimed to have the authority to end the ongoing pandemic restrictions and orders. The petition came after Legislative efforts to limit the Governor’s public health authority failed.

Morvant decided the petition was unconstitutional because it only involved one chamber of the Legislature, that being the House. Landry has this advice for petition supporters in the meantime…

Cut 14 (10) “…petition.” 

Last month Senate President Page Cortez says there was little support for a similar petition in the Upper Chamber because members did not believe the order should be overturned.

Edwards Administration Executive Counsel Matthew Block says the petition could have been dangerous had its constitutionality been upheld.

Cut 15 (11) “.. they’re working.”

Edwards has described the petition as “reckless” and “irresponsible”.

Block says it’s clear under the state constitution that you need both the Senate and House to create and enact laws.

Cut 16 (07) “…times.”

The 2003 statute that established the petition process had not been used by lawmakers or challenged, until now.

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Linebacker Kwon Alexander is eligible to make his Saints debut on Sunday when New Orleans hosts San Francisco. The Saints acquired Alexander in a deal with the 49ers before the trade deadline. The former LSU Tiger is 30-years-old and was a Pro Bowler in 2018. Safety Malcolm Jenkins is impressed with Alexander’s athletic ability

cut 17 (15) “…better defense.”

After appearing in the Super Bowl last season, the 49ers have been hit with a bunch of injuries and enter Sunday’s game with a four and five record. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s not taking San Fran lightly

cut 18 (18) “..doing that.”

The Saints enter the game relatively healthy as wide receiver Michael Thomas is set to play in his second straight game after missing six straight contests with ankle and hamstring injuries. Running Back Alvin Kamara says when Thomas is on the field, opposing defenses have to account for him…

cut 19 (15) “… it’s complimentary.”

FDA approval for a COVID vaccine could come as early as by the end of the year but most folks will not get a shot for months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Governor John Bel Edwards wins a legal battle as a state judge rejects an effort by Republicans in the Louisiana House to cancel his emergency coronavirus orders. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A Baton Rouge pediatrician faces a simple battery charge after he allegedly hit and verbally assaulted a Southern University student while she was walking near the LSU Lakes. Baton Rouge police spokesman Sergeant L’Jean Mckneely says 54-year old Shane McKinney was questioned yesterday after he was identified as a suspect.

Cut 3 (12)  “…battery arrest”  

McKinney issued a statement from his attorney claiming he’s innocent and allegations that he threw a punch and made racially offensive comments are not true.

Mckneely says so far they have not determined a motive that led to the incident.

Cut 4 (09)   “…chest area.”  

McKinney’s statement says the physician’s elbow contacted the accuser as she jogged by on a narrow sidewalk and that simple battery requires intentional use of force or violence. As for if the incident involved racial language Mckneely says they don’t have enough evidence.

Cut 5  (12) “…that charge.” 

McKinney’s attorneys are requesting anyone to come forward with video footage of the incident.

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A number of coronavirus vaccines look like they’re nearing completion and state officials are game-planning how to make sure you can get one as soon as they are available.

State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the first people to get a vaccine will be frontline healthcare workers who have contact with COVID patients.

Cut 6 (09) “…employees”

Right behind that group will be “essential workers”.

Welch says a vaccine could begin being administered to frontline healthcare workers at their workplace in Louisiana within days of it receiving FDA approval. Then for the general public…

Cut 7 (11) “…vaccine.”

Welch says there are indications that everyone in the general public will have access to the vaccine by late-spring.

There’s some concern that many folks just won’t trust the vaccine. Welch says the best way to address those fears is to show people the trial data proving the vaccine is safe.

Cut 8 (11) “..patients.”

Welch also mentioned that a robust adverse event reporting system is in place that would alert the public should concerns be raised about any of the many coming vaccines.

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Hurricane Zeta knocked out power to more than 480,000 Entergy Customers, and two weeks later power has been restored.  Entergy Spokesperson David Freese with Entergy says it took a large team to get power restored.

Cut 9 (08) “…Louisiana.”

Freese says their quick response was key in getting power restored quickly.

Cut 10 (08) “….storm “

Zeta marked the third major restoration effort in Louisiana following a hurricane. Freese says the utility company will seek other avenues before placing restoration fees on customers’ bills…

Cut 11 (08) “….assistance”

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State Judge William Morvant rules a petition signed by Republicans in the Louisiana House to end the governor’s coronavirus emergency order is unconstitutional. Loyola of New Orleans University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says not having the Senate back the petition was the key point…

Cut 12 (07) “…effect of law” 

Senate President Page Cortez did not urge Senators to sign the petition, because he didn’t think the state needed to loosen the restrictions.

Ciolino says today’s ruling is a victory for the governor, but the state’s highest court will likely have to weigh in…

Cut 13 (10) “…first ciruit.”

Today’s decision means the state’s mask mandate, limits on gatherings, and capacity restrictions on businesses remain in place. Ciolino says based on today’s ruling, Judge Morvant believes the emergency orders have the force the law, and the House and Senate must agree to revoke those orders…

Cut 14 (05) “…not sufficient.”