The Saints are cleaning out their lockers today as New Orleans failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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The Sabine Parish community of Peason is recovering after an EF-2 tornado hit Sunday morning. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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New CDC guidance for those who received their two doses of the Pfizer vaccine, you are now encouraged to be boosted at five months out from your last dose, instead of six months. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says boosters are vital with the highly contagious Omicron variant.

Cut 3 (10) “…with Omicron.”

The CDC also recommends that everyone ages 12 and up should be boosted. Kanter the CDC added boosters to the younger age group for two reasons.

Cut 4 (09) “…Omiocron variant.”

Kanter says the CDC is also now highly recommending a third dose of the vaccine for those ages five to eleven if they are moderately or severely immunosuppressed.

Cut 5 (11) “…of vaccine.”

As with any vaccine Kanter recommends that you speak with your personal physician.

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For the first time since the 2016 season, the Saints are not playoff-bound. New Orleans beat Atlanta Sunday, but the 49ers come from behind win over the Rams keeps the Black and Gold out of the postseason, despite a winning record. Coach Sean Payton says it’s a disappointing end to a difficult season…

 Cut 6 (07) “…all season” 

After the Saints defeated the Falcons 30-20, they raced into the locker room to watch the conclusion of the Rams-49ers game, only to see San Francisco win in overtime. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says it was tough to watch…

Cut 7 (12) “…somebody else’s hands.” 

It was a trying season as the Saints spent the first month of the regular season re-located because of Hurricane Ida, suffered numerous injuries to key players, an NFL record 58 different starters, and used four quarterbacks. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan says it would have been an amazing story if they got into the playoffs…

Cut 8 (09) “…be with the family.” 

The Saints end the year with a 9-8 record.

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The Sabine Parish community of Peason is recovering after being hit early Sunday by a tornado. Sabine Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brad Walker says the twister hit just before 5 a.m., when most people were still asleep in their beds…:

Cut 9 (11) “…registered as an EF-2.”

Walker says about 15 homes – some mobile homes and some houses – were severely damaged or even destroyed. A number of barns and other structures also took damage. He says, despite that, no one killed…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…to be expected.”

Peason is located on state highway 118, southeast of Many. Walker says cleanup is underway and rebuilding will begin once the power has been restored…:

Cut  11 (10)  “…may be a little longer.” 

Walker says the community came together to help one another after the disaster. Six people were hurt; a couple of them seriously injured … but Walker is grateful there were no fatalities.

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Lafayette Police say a Mardi Gras float reported stolen Saturday has been found. LPD spokesperson Sgt. Robin Green says the 40-foot long double-deck float was taken sometime Friday night from a Lucille Avenue address. She says even though the float has been found, they still want the person who took it…:

Cut 12 (11) “…please contact us.”  

The float was mostly decorated for parades and even bore signs from sponsors. It was located abandoned in a remote part of St. Martin Parish. She says the float had some moderate damage to the decorations and structure, and she feels for the owner…:

Cut 13 (07) “…up and running. “

Green says, despite finding the float, Lafayette Police still want to apprehend the person who stole it. She asks persons with information to call Lafayette P.D. of Lafayette Crimestoppers at 318-232-TIPS. She says someone HAS to know something…:

Cut 14 (07)  “…have been something.” 

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various Covid missions. Michelle Southern reports their work continues in 2022…

Cut 1 (30) “Michelle Southern reporting.”

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Real Reform of Louisiana is calling out the insurance commissioner and those who said auto insurance rates would drop after the passage of tort reform in 2020. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Louisiana’s public colleges make big changes to help assure students are not made victims of sexual misconduct. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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The Louisiana National Guard is continuing to support Covid missions around the state in 2022, at the direction of Governor John Bel Edwards. Cindy Haygood is the Task Force Covid commander with LANG. She says the Omicron surge has led to a huge increase in test site demand throughout the state…:

Cut 4 (11) “out there” 

886 service members are currently supporting various Covid missions in Louisiana including providing food bank and warehouse support. Haygood says they are working at 28 vaccine sites and administering Covid tests at 31 sites…:

Cut 5 (11) “regions”

Haygood says guardsmen have administered more than 542,000 Covid tests, 206,300 vaccines since the start of the pandemic — and distributed over 42 million pounds of food. She says between the pandemic and hurricanes, many of these soldiers have been activated full-time for nearly 22 months…:

Cut 6 (09) “of this community”

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According to ValuePenguin’s State of Auto Insurance in 2022, Louisiana will see car insurance rate increase faster than the national average. Eric Holl with Real Reform Louisiana says despite a promise that tort reform measures passed in the 2020 legislative session would decrease rates, so far, they haven’t.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the country.”

When asked about the ValuePenguin’s report Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he’s not familiar with them.

Cut 8 (12) “…they could know.” 

ValuePenguin is a personal finance website that researches insurance and other financial topics.

When the tort reform was debated in the 2020 session, Holl says there were claims passage would bring about a major reduction in auto insurance rates within a year.

Cut 9 (12)  “…would notice.”

Donelon counters that the bill contained no mandates for in a reduction of auto insurance premium costs.

Cut 10 (11) “…49 states.”

Donelon says the tort reforms measures passed were an effort to address the highest in America claims to litigation ratio that the state suffers from. Holl says policyholders now actually have fewer rights as a result of tort reform if they’re in a battle with their auto insurance carrier.

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Louisiana colleges and universities are making sweeping changes to their sexual misconduct policies after new state laws were passed last year. Higher Education Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says one big change is that virtually ALL staff and faculty are now mandatory reporters, should they be aware of sexual harassment or assault…:

Cut  11 (06)  “…grounds for termination.”  

The 2021 legislature took action last year when LSU was found to have failed in addressing widespread sexual abuse complaints. Dr. Reed says since that time, there has been extensive training of employees on hearting such complaints and acting accordingly. She says 188 confidential advisors are now in place at Louisiana schools, to hear the complaints and report them up the line for appropriate action…:

Cut 12 (08) “…keep students safe.”

The new laws require agreements between campus officials and law enforcement to assure sexual abuse complaints are properly investigated. It also requires staff and faculty undergo training in properly handling such complaints. Dr. Reed says administrators will also be held responsible if complaints are ignored and “swept under the rug”…:

Cut 13 (10) “…can say “we did not know'”

Reed says the overall effect will be a safer and more secure environment in which to get an education.

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State Health Officer says it’s so important to wear face coverings to reduce transmission and because of the highly transmissible Omicron variant, you might want to rethink the type of mask you’re wearing. Kanter says while cloth masks help protect those around you…

Cut 14 (09)  “…KN95 masks.”

When the pandemic began it was extremely difficult to find face coverings. But over time Kanter says the N95 and KN95 masks are not as scarce as they once were.

Cut 15 (11)  “…them online.”

Kanter says he personally wears a KN95 mask because it’s more comfortable but either a KN95 or N95 mask provides equal protection.

Cut  16 (11) “…of them.”

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After dropping the SEC opener to Auburn, the 21st ranked LSU men’s basketball team is now 2-1 in league play after beating Kentucky and Tennessee last week. The Tigers knocked off the Volunteers in front of a sold out crowd on Saturday 79-67. Forward Darius Days says losing to Auburn turned into a good thing…

Cut 17 (17) “ …keep rolling.”

LSU is at Florida on Wednesday and they’ll host Arkansas on Saturday. Coach Will Wade says his team need to keep getting better…

Cut 18 (20) “ ..locked in .” 

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The Saints did their part but didn’t get the help they needed from the Rams who blew a 17-point lead against San Francisco and its the 49ers not New Orleans headed to the playoffs. After the Saints defeated the Falcons 30-20 they watched from the locker room to watch San Fran win in overtime in Los Angeles. Coach Sean Payton says they were pulling for the Rams hard…

Cut 19 (12“…would be” 

The Saints finish a crazy season with a 9-8 record. The regular season started with the team re-located in the Dallas area because of Hurricane Ida. The Black and Gold used an NFL record 58 starters because of injuries and COVID. And played four quarterbacks. For the second time this year Trevor Siemien had to replace an injured quarterback…

Cut 20 (24) “..proud of”  

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

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Louisiana argues its case against Biden Administration vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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The Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they found no evidence of chronic wasting disease in white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. A baiting ban was issued in those parishes after cases were found in Arkansas. LDWF Biologist Director Scott Durham says the ban is now lifted.

Cut 3 (11) “…not detected.”

Durham says without the help of hunters who submitted deer samples they wouldn’t have been able to safely lift the baiting ban.

Cut 4 (11) “…help us in that.”

Hunters across the state are still encouraged to continue submitting deer samples to LDWF. Durham says CWD is an ongoing issue they consistently monitor.

Cut 5 (10) “…looking for.”

CWD has been detected in the bordering states of Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi.

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Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire for more than three years.

 Cut 6 (10) “…until renewal.” 

As policies come up for renewal, beginning in March 2022 they will be rewritten using SafePoint’s policy forms and rates.

Donelon says not only is it a win for the 30,000 policyholders but taxpayers also because otherwise, those policyholders could end up with taxpayer-funded Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance.

Cut 7 (11) “…December 1st.” 

Donelon says SafePoint will cover any insurance claims made on or after December 1^st. As for claims prior to December, particularly those from Ida…

Cut 8 (07) “…per claim.” 

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website.

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Louisiana attorneys argued their case against White House COVID vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court today. Louisiana is among several states granted injunctions by lower courts to stop enforcement of the mandates. Via Zoom, state Solicitor General Liz Murrill says the Biden administration orders are a clear overreach…:

Cut 9 (15) “…a COVID shot.”

The White House is ordering the shots for all health care workers under the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Failure to comply could result in termination. Murrill argues that the orders will have negative un-intended consequences…:

Cut 10 (10)  “…millions of people.”

Lower courts have also blocked enforcement of White House orders that private companies with 100 or more workers have them vaccinated, or face fines under the federal Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA). Arguing FOR the mandates was federal Deputy Solicitor General Brain Fletcher, who says the orders are wholly appropriate…:

Cut  11 (09)  “…Medicaid patients.” 

Louisiana lawyers say the mandates exceed the CMMS statutory authority and violate several federal statutes and will cost people their jobs. However, Fletcher says Health Secretary Xavier Becerra (ZAY-ve-er Buh SEH-ruh) heavily weighed the options and consequences before agreeing to the mandates…:

Cut 12 (15) “…a deadly pandemic.”  

A ruling by the Justices is forthcoming.

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The Louisiana Supreme Court has ruled hospitals can fire their employees if they do not receive a COVID vaccine. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says Louisiana’s at-will employment laws give Ochsner Health or any other private employer the ability to fire a worker who refuses the COVID vaccine…

Cut 13 (10) “.. employees. “

Dozens of Ochsner employees filed the lawsuit after Ochsner Health announced its workers must get vaccinated or face possible termination.

The plaintiffs argued the state’s medical consent law gives adults the ability to refuse medical treatment. But Ciolino says the Supreme Court correctly determined the medical consent law only applies to the relationship between a health care provider and a patient…

Cut 14 (07)  “…Ochsner.” 

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It’s a must-win for the Saints on Sunday as they have to beat the Falcons and the 49ers also need to lose to the Rams in order for New Orleans to get the final spot in the NFC playoffs. Saints Coach Sean Payton doesn’t anticipate Atlanta will lie down and allow them to win…

Cut 15 (12) “…for success.” 

Saints running back Alvin Kamara says preparation for this Sunday’s game against the Dirty Birds looks good…

Cut  16 (15) “..locked in”