The state reported nearly 10-thousand new COVID cases yesterday and the number of people hospitalized as a result of the virus is up to 881. At this time there is no statewide mask mandate in place, but Governor John Bel Edwards says one could be coming…
cut 12 (11) “…before that happens”

Embattled Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet has stepped down from the bench as a result of a viral video where she allegedly used a racial slur as her family watched a home security video of an attempted burglary at her home. Odinet’s Attorney Dane Ciolino says the judge takes full responsbility and knows this is the right course of action…
cut 10 (11) “…of the community”
In her resignation letter, Odinet says she’s sorry.

Louisiana will be a feature in the 133rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade this morning. Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Another warm day today, but there is a slight risk for severe weather as the state will soon experience a big change in temperatures. A strong cold front will drop temperatures into the 40s on Sunday for north Louisiana and 50s for south Louisiana. Much of the state will be below freezing on Monday morning.

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is stepping down from his seat in the state legislature to accept a federal post by President Joe Biden. James will serve as a Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s South-Central Region. James who is head of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus says he’ll take the helm early next year.
Cut 3 (09) “…early next week.”

Just two days left in 2021 and one of the state’s big stories for this year was LSU’s Title Nine scandal. An independent investigation detailed how the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought the punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

2021 was a wild year for weather. In February, Louisiana was hit by a major winter storm that brought snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures for several days. Utility companies were asking residents to conserve energy to minimize rolling blackouts because of the demand for heat…
cut 11 (09) “…power grid”
For the second straight year, Louisiana was hit by a Category Four storm. Hurricane Ida devasted the bayou and river parishes and also did a number on Tangipahoa Parish. Congressman Garret Graves couldn’t believe the destruction…
Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane.”
Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the recovery has a long way to go…
cut 6 (04) “…better for us”

Legislation approved in June will result in an 11-percent increase in the maximum unemployment benefit amount for Louisianians. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the 28-dollar weekly increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2nd…
cut 9 (11) “…a decade”
For those who make their initial claim on January 1st or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

The recovery from Hurricane Ida will continue into 2022. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they are still waiting on FEMA trailers to help provide temporary housing and two of their high schools need to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there”

We are taking time today to look at back at the major stories for 2021. In July, state lawmakers held their first veto session in modern times. Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on female athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…
Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”
The biggest sports story came in October when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told Coach Ed Orgeron 2021 is his last as the Tigers football head coach….
cut 15 (09) “….met that standard”
Orgeron also took heat for not being more forthright in what he knew about a sexual harassment case involving former running back Derrius Guice.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana; bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:
Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”
Magee says Ida damaged a large number of businesses; some of whom have rebuilt, but others still struggling.

As a result of legislation approved in June, the maximum weekly benefit an unemployed individual will receive from the state is increasing by 28-dollars to 275 dollars for people who qualify. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s been more than 10 years since the state increased the maximum unemployment benefit…
cut 8 (09) “….their families”
Fiore says individuals filing a claim on or after Sunday will see the increase.

2021 saw its fair share of big stories including a Title Nine scandal that rocked LSU. An independent investigation shined more light on allegations that the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought that punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

COVID was a big story in 2021 and it will be in 2022. Yesterday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported over nine-thousand new cases, which is a single-day record high for the pandemic. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports on the recovery…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.
Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”
Fiore says right now there are more than 28-thousand jobs available through the L-W-C Hire website.

It’s time to look back at 2021 and it got off to a rocky start on January 6th, when thousands of angry President Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol causing damage to the building, and five officers who attempted to hold back the rioters died and their deaths linked to the riot. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is disgusted by what he saw…
Cut 10 (11) “…sediition.”
In February, a massive winter storm brought snow, ice, and some of the coldest temperatures on record to the Bayou State. Entergy’s John Hawkins asked customers to conserve energy as rolling blackouts were put in place, because of the demand for heat…
Cut 11 (09) “…power grid.”
Get ready for a big change in the weather, a strong cold front will hit the state on Saturday, strong storms are possible and highs in the 30s and 40s on Sunday.