Louisiana ranks 50th in the America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report. Whitney Thomas reports a dramatic rise in overdose death rates is a main factor…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Whitney Thomas”

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It’s the busiest week of the year for the post office and the deadlines for mailing cards and packages are approaching. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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The governor’s office announces a public-private partnership that will result in a one-point-eight billion dollar port expansion in the New Orleans area. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The United Health foundation has released its America’s Health Rankings for 2022 and Louisiana is ranked dead last at 50. A major reason for Louisiana’s poor ranking is that drug deaths rose by 50% between 2019 and 2020.

United Health Foundation Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ravi Johar says Louisiana has a high premature death rate.

Cut 4 (06)  “…drug deaths”

The report highlights improvements, challenges, and disparities in the health and well-being of Americans across all 50 states. Johar says the state also suffers with a high prevalence of physical inactivity with a 30% rate.

Cut 5 (11) “…that sort.”

Louisiana also ranks low for STD rate, high risk HIV behaviors, and 48th for teen birth. Dr. Johar says the report serves an important purpose.

Cut 6 (10)  “…to address .” 

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This week is expected to be the busiest week of the year for the United States Postal Service. The deadline for mailing greeting cards and first-class packages, if you want them to arrive before Santa, is December 17^th. USPS spokesperson David Walton says you’ll want to have things ready to ship by Saturday if not sooner.

Cut 7 (08) “…the holidays.”

The postal service typically hires extra workers for the holiday season, but Walton says they didn’t have to hire as many because they increased their number of full-time employees throughout the year. Walton says so far things are running as smoothly as possible.

Cut 8 (09)  “…of year.”

And because the post office is expecting 250 million people to visit post offices during the holiday season this year some post offices have extended hours for customers to drop off packages and delivery workers are working longer days also.

Cut 9 (09)  “…time change.”

The deadline for Priority Mail Express Military service is Friday, December 16^th. The deadline for Priority Mail is December 19^th and for Priority Mail Express the deadline is December 23^rd.

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St. Tammany Parish leaders have placed a time capsule inside the Slidell Museum featuring items from the COVID pandemic, like toilet paper, a mask, a Covid-19 test, letters from students, and news s coverage of the surge in cases and deaths. Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer says the time capsule should remain locked for 100 years

Cut 10 (06) “…we faired.” 

The collection also showcases things like horrific death tolls, the start of quarantine, and software such as zoom. But Cromer says parish leaders 100 years from now will also learn how show how resilient people were through the pandemic

Cut 11 (09)  “…but forever.”

Cromer says this pandemic changed his appreciation for first responders, educators, and hospital workers. The mayor says 100 years from now he wants people to know… 

Cut 12 (11) “…apart of.”

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Plans are in place to build a one-point-eight billion dollar state-of-the-art container facility on the Mississippi River in St. Bernard Parish that would create more than 17-thousand new jobs by 2050. Port NOLA President Brandy Christian says a large marine terminal operator called Ports America and Switzerland-based Mediterranean Shipping Company are the private investors

Cut 13 (08) “…make it a reality.”

The governor’s office says the construction of the terminal will be supported by a substantial commitment from Port NOLA, as well as state and federal funding sources.

Christian says the facility will be capable of handling ultra-large container vessels which will help Louisiana attract new investment from companies competing globally

Cut 14 (10)  “…by container”

Governor John Bel Edwards says this port expansion will benefit manufacturing, agribusiness and energy workers. Christian says the new Louisiana International Terminal will be able to serve vessels of all sizes…

Cut 15 (11)  “…through container shipping”

The U-S Army Corps of Engineers is conducting an environmental review process. Barring unforeseen delays, construction would begin in 2025 and the first berth would open in 2028.

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There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for most of north Louisiana and all of central Louisiana this afternoon and tonight. State Climatologist Barry Keim says tornadoes will be possible…

Cut  16 (07)  “..southeast Louisiana” 

Keim says make sure your wireless emergency alerts are turned on ahead of the expected severe weather…

Cut 17 (10) “….the situation” 

A Republican will lead the city of Shreveport for the first time in more than 20 years. Jeff Palermo has more on Saturday’s stunning results in the Shreveport mayoral run-off…

Cut 1(29)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

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If you were confused by the proposed constitutional amendments on Louisiana’s ballot this year, experts think they have figured out why. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (29)  “…I’m  Marsanne Golsby”

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Republican Tom Arceneaux defeated Democrat Greg Tarver in Saturday’s Shreveport mayoral run-off election. Arceneaux received 56-percent of the vote to Tarver’s 44-percent. LSU Shreveport political science professor Jeffrey Sadow says Arceneaux did a better job in getting his base to the polls…

Cut 3 (06) “…ten points better” 

Arceneaux is an attorney and former Shreveport councilman. Tarver will remain a state senator representing a portion of Caddo Parish.

Arceneaux’s win over Tarver, a Black Democrat, is considered an upset since 57-percent of the city’s residents are Black. But Sadow says Tarver has a lot of detractors…

Cut 4 (10)  “…to many enemies” 

With Arceneaux’s election, Shreveport, Monroe and Alexandria are led by white mayors, despite a majority Black population in those cities. Sadow says current Shreveport mayor Adrian Perkins is unpopular and similar situations occurred in Monroe and Alexandria, where Friday Ellis and Jacques Roy are the mayors…

Cut 5 (12) “…go together”

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Saturday voters added three more constitutional amendments to Louisiana’s 48-year-old constitution. Over the years, voters have been asked to consider 308 amendments. As of Saturday, they have approved 206 of them.

Public Affairs Research Council Steven Procopio says PAR has struggled to find a pattern that explains voter behavior.

Cut 6 (08)  “…passed.”

He says one thing is clear:  the number of people who bother to vote on proposed amendments is less than the bigger races at the top of the ballot. PAR says since 2012, when Louisiana had major statewide races at the top of the ballot, at least 2 percent, and sometimes more than 6 percent fewer people  voted on the first amendment compared to those voting for president, senator, or governor.

Cut 7 (09)  “…dont know.”

Procopio says there are too many proposed amendments and they’re too complicated. PAR puts out guides before each election to try to help, but he says PAR’s research can only do so much.

Cut 8 (08)  “…super laws“

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The average price of a gallon of regular gas in the Bayou State today is $2.84. That’s quite a drop compared to this time six months when the state recorded its highest average at $4.56 a gallon. Triple A spokesperson Nick Chabbari says today’s average is down about 45 cents from a month ago.

Cut 9 (09) “… this year.” 

Chabarri credits market stability for the continued drop in prices at the pump.

Cut 10 (08) “…oil prices.” 

He says the Russian invasion of Ukraine was largely responsible for the disruption in the global oil supply, especially during the summer months, but that appears to have stabilized.

Barring any major disruptions in the market, Chabarri believes we will continue to see gas prices drop.

Cut 11 (10)  “…gasoline demand.”

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The LaSalle Parish Sheriff’s Office is offering a $5,000 reward to try to solve a murder that happened two years ago in Jena. Detective Brant King says on October 23^rd, 2020, deputies found Leon Turner dead of an apparent gunshot wound.

Cut 12 (07) “…black pants” 

King says they need the public’s help because they haven’t had any recent tips and want to bring some closure to the victim’s family.

Cut 13 (05) “…come forward”  

To phone in an anonymous tip, call 318-992-7300.

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There was a shooting at the courthouse in Franklin this morning, but officials are releasing very few details. St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office spokesperson David Spencer says it happened inside a courtroom just before 9:00 am and State Police is handling the investigation.

Cut 14 (08)   “…more information.”

Spencer would only confirm one person was shot, and State Police would release more information as it becomes available.

Cut 15 (03) “…by ambulance.”

Our affiliate KQKI is reporting there was a struggle in the courtroom between a deputy and a person in custody and the individual who struggled with the officer was fatally shot. State Police is handling the investigation.

Louisiana is seeing Covid cases rise, and the worst flu season in 5 years. Michelle Southern reports now is the time to get updated on vaccines before the holidays…:

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Michelle Southern.”

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In Saturday’s election, 30-year-old political newcomer Davante Lewis defeated three-term incumbent Lambert Boissiere for a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission. Both are Democrats. Marsanne Golsby has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is hopeful another incentive program will alleviate the state’s insurance crisis. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Covid cases are on the rise and flu is at its highest level in 5 years, so the Louisiana Department of Health is strongly encouraging residents to get boosters and vaccines before holiday gatherings. LDH reported nearly 4500 new Covid cases in its last count. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…COVID-19.”

Kanter says at the start of the month, over 10% of healthcare visits in Louisiana were for flu-like illness. He says now is the time to take precautions…:

Cut 5 (12) “…severe disease.”

The updated COVID-19 boosters are formulated to offer continued protection against the original strain while also offering new protection against the Omicron and other variants. Kanter says getting the shots now will give your body time to bolster immunity before the height of gatherings…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…holidays.” 

Louisiana residents should also consider getting tested ahead of gatherings. Home testing kits are widely available or you can call 211 to find a test site near you.

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It would only make sense that the state’s favorite crustacean is the topic of ongoing research at Nicholls State. Biosciences Associate Professor Chris Bonvillain says they’ve been looking at how water quality and low oxygen levels impact wild crawfish in the Atchafalaya Basin.

Cut 7 (12) “…at a time.”

And while crawfish are surviving in waters with low-oxygen levels, Bonvillain says they’re maturing smaller in size as a result.

Cut 8 (12)  “…smaller eggs.”

Preliminary studies show low oxygen produces fewer eggs and Bonvillain says the next phase of research will look at egg size. He says unhealthy crawfish tend to produce fewer eggs…

Cut 9 (05)  “…as well.”

Bonvillian says he’s also received feedback from Louisiana crawfish farmers who say they too are seeing smaller crawfish than in the past.

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Florida’s Legislature begins a special session today to address the state’s property insurance crisis. Thousands of Louisiana property owners are forced to find new private insurance carriers as many companies are either folding or no longer writing policies in Louisiana. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says a possible solution, is an incentive program, similar to the one used after Katrina and Rita, which led to new private insurance companies in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (06) “…last resort.” 

Louisiana lawmakers are waiting to see how much money the Revenue Estimating Conference says is available for such a program. The REC is meeting this week.

Donelon says yes, it’s dire but not as bad as it was after Katrina, and it’s not just that some companies have left the state entirely….

Cut 11 (07)  “…consumers.”

After Katrina and Rita, Donelon says the state faced a $23.3 billion crisis with a million claims. The last two hurricane seasons total $14 billion and 800-thousand claims.

While those without coverage are forced to turn to Citizens the state’s insurer of last resort, Donelon is hopeful incentives will resolve the insurance crisis.

Cut 12 (12) “…in Citizens today.”

At least 10 insurance companies have left the state in the last year.

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Thirty-year-old progressive policy advocate Davante Lewis unseated three term Public Service Commissioner Lambert Boissiere in a Saturday runoff election for the District Three Public Service Commission seat. Lewis is the first openly LGBTQ person to win elective office in Louisiana, but he does not think his sexual orientation was as a factor in the race.

Cut 13 (13) “…affect them.”

Lewis, of Baton Rouge,  says anger about high utility bills and a desire for more renewable energy helped him. He won with 59 percent of the vote. The fifty-seven-year-old Boissiere, of New Orleans, was supported by prominent Democrats including Congressman Troy Carter and Governor John Bel Edwards.

The race received national attention. Lewis was supported by powerful national environmental groups who mounted a massive grassroots campaign and poured money into the race.

Lewis says his first priority will be to try to reinstate a rule the PSC repealed in 2018 allowing net metering for solar power. He says net metering credits solar panel owners for the electricity they add to the grid.

Cut 14 (06)  “…credit back.”

Lewis says only two percent of the energy used in Louisiana comes from renewable sources.

Cut 15 (08)  “…the grid.”

Lewis’s election doesn’t change the commission’s political ratio. There are still three Republicans and two Democrats.

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The 2022 Prep Classic saw two of the state’s winningest coaches win a state championship. Jim Hightower has been involved in over 500 games and he’s never seen a finish like the one he experienced on Friday as his St. Thomas More Cougars rallied from 10 points down in the final two minutes to stun Lafayette Christian 52-48. Hightower says it was a wild finish…

Cut  16 (16)  “..pretty special” 

Louisiana’s winningest coach, J-T Curtis, captured his 27th state championship on Saturday night as the John Curtis Patriots blanked Brother Martin 23-0 nothing. Curtis saw his veer offense grind out a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter, which set the tone…

Cut 17 (11) “….played very hard” 

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The Pelicans won their seventh straight last night as they defeated the Suns 129 to 124. New Orleans also beat Phoenix on Friday in the Smoothie King Center and with an 18-and-8 record the Pels have the best record in the Western Conference. Zion Williamson says it a nice accomplishment for December…

Cut 18 (15) “…deep team” 

Williamson has been outstanding during this seven game winning streak and he scored 35 points in yesterday’s overtime win. In O-T, Pelican fans chanted “M-V-P” when Zion was at the free throw line. Williamson says he loves feeling the love from the home fans…

Cut 19 (18) “….way they do”

Williamson has scored 30 or more points four times during this seven-game winning streak. Coach Willie Green is impressed with the former number one pick is doing, especially after missing all of last year with a foot injury…

Cut 20 (20) “…with us”

The Pels begin a three-game road trip in Utah on Tuesday.