Louisiana’s temporary shelter assistance program for victims of Hurricane Ida continues to make progress. Frustrated with FEMA’s ability to get it done quickly, the state took charge; ordering almost 2100 travel trailers for folks whose homes were ravaged by the Labor Day Weekend storm. GOHSEP acting director Casey Tingle says the current pace of the trailers being newly occupied is about 40 a day…:

CUT 13(07)      “…into their units.”

Please drive safely if traveling for the Thanksgiving holiday. AAA says they expect a hefty 13-percent increase in highway travel starting … well, now. State Police Trooper Ross Brannen reminds us that law men will be out in force, as part of the federal Click It or Ticket campaign…:

CUT 08(12)      “…that proper seatbelt.”

…and oh yes, they’ll be watching for speeders and impaired drivers as well. Last Thanksgiving holiday eight people died on Louisiana roadways.

Early voting opens Saturday for the Dec. 11 Louisiana open general election and runs through Saturday, December 4th. Polls are closed Sunday. Some areas of the state have literally NO ballot on which to vote. Others have important runoffs and local option votes.

Local Christmas tree farmers say this season is shaping up to be their busiest ever. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

According to Triple-A, Thanksgiving travel is up 13-percent and law enforcement is concerned the increase in travel could lead to a large number of motor vehicle crashes. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says during last year’s Thanksgiving holiday period nearly 800 people were injured and eight people killed in crashes in Louisiana…:

CUT 06(07)      “…these roadways.”

“Real tree, or not real tree … that is the question.” Christmas tree farmers say they’re already off to a busy start with more people decorating earlier this season. For those determined to have a certain type of tree, listen up. Kay Gersch of Yawn Station Christmas Tree Farm in Livingston Parish says Fraser fir trees are hard to come by…:

CUT 10(11)      “…eight foot.”

If you like to cut your own, there are a good supply of those, despite the impact of Hurricane Ida last summer.

The state-run Hurricane Ida temporary sheltering program continues to move ahead, though at a slower pace than many would like. Casey Tingle is acting director of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who run the trailer program. He says they are making progress, 3 months after the storm…:

CUT 14(09)      “…to do that.”

When it comes to preparing your holiday meal, and then storing what’s left over …temperature and timing are everything. Meredith Caruthers is with the U.S. Department of Agriculture…:

CUT 04(14)      “…than two hours.”

The USDA notes that improper prep and leftover storage leads to about 48-million Americans getting sick from foodborne illness. Up to 3000 a year can actually die.

The state’s Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program is continuing to move forward with more than 13-hundred travel trailers already placed in the hardest-hit parishes for those affected by the storm.

CUT 12(05)      “…families leased in.”

That’s GOHSEP acting director, Casey Tingle, who says the state purchased nearly 2100 of the trailers under the program announced by Governor Edwards in early October, because FEMA’s temporary housing plan was taking too long.

A Kenner man pleads guilty to an airline baggage scam that netted him about a half-million bucks from 180 separate false claims. 31-year-old Pernell Jones Jr would fly under a fraudulent I.D., then claim his luggage was lost; collecting reimbursement settlements from five different airlines. Jones could face decades behind bars at sentencing in February.

We all want to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner this year, but without the proper food preparation steps, you could be cooking up a foodborne illness. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brannen.”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance Senior Health Insurance Information Program said it is urging Medicare customers to ignore unsolicited calls offering to help them switch to a different Medicare plan during the ongoing Medicare Open Enrollment. The callers are scammers and often the insured ends up in a worse plan than what they had; often at higher cost. Just hang up.

The Louisiana Department of Health is proposing to add COVID-19 vaccines to the list of required shots for some students. It’s a move Governor John Bel Edwards supports…:

CUT 11(09)      “…age 16 and above.”

Kids as young as 5 are getting the shots now, under the Emergency Use Authorization, but the pandemic seems to be waning. Attorney General Jeff Landry says adding COVID shots to the state’s immunization requirements amounts to “bullying” and vows to fight it.

A three-vehicle crash along Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish Monday took the life of an eight-year-old, and is now under investigation. Trooper Casey Wallace says it happened just before 8 am Monday when a car waiting to turn left across traffic was struck from behind by a commercial vehicle…:

CUT 13(09)      “…exact road.”

Three others in the car were injured. So far, no charges for the driver.

In an effort to reduce gasoline prices President Biden orders 50 million barrels to be released from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. But is it too little, too late? Here’s Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

There have been a rash of carjackings in the city of New Orleans in the past week; seven to be precise – making for a total of 240 so far this calendar year. These are often at gunpoint and can happen at traffic lights, or even when pumping gas. This comes as the city proclaims the city a safe place to visit for the holidays.

President Biden orders 50 million barrels of oil to be released from the strategic reserve in an effort to reduce energy costs. LSU Center for Energy Studies, Executive Director David Dismukes says the move is a classic example of do-nothing politics…:

CUT 03(11)      “…past January.”

The barrels of oil to be released will not hit the market until mid to late December, so any lower price you may see when pumping gas may be closer to Christmas.

You’re going to be hearing a lot about this: a state Department of Health proposal to require kids have the COVID vaccine to get into schools. Among those strongly opposed to the idea is state Attorney General Jeff Landry, who accuses Governor Edwards of overreach for supporting a mandate for kids 16 and older to have the shots…:

CUT 12(09)      “…parents, not bureaucrats.”

The cruise business is ramping back up in New Orleans as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brannen.”

Deputies in Ouachita parish are seeking a man who fakes being disabled while burglarizing cars in the Monroe area. The guy gets around in a wheelchair, but has been caught on video walking and even running from some of the cars and trucks he’s broken into. The Ouachita sheriff’s Office will gladly take tips that help catch this low-life.

The state Department of Health proposes adding COVID-19 shots to the list of those required for kids to get into public schools. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s all for the idea…:

CUT 09  (08)        “…the COVID vaccines.”

LDH says parents can opt out of the shots for kids by signing an exemption waiver, but Attorney General Jeff Landry is opposed to a mandate…:

CUT 10  (08)        “…abuse and bullying.”

State lawmakers will review the proposal before a decision is made on it; one way or the other.

An 8-year-old child was killed in a rear-end crash on Highway 1 in Avoyelles Parish Monday. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says the driver that hit the car from behind was distracted…:

Cut 14   (06)        “…right now.”

No charges for that driver as yet. A toxicology report is pending.

As the COVID pandemic continue to wane, the cruise business out of New Orleans is picking back up. Jessica Ragusa, with the Port of New Orleans, says cruise lines are taking steps to protect passengers from spread of the coronavirus..:

CUT 07  (07)        “…everything like that.”

Because so many passengers fly into New Orleans and then get on the ship, hotel bookings are expected to increase accordingly.

Scary moments for a real estate agent in Baton Rouge. While showing a house to some prospective buyers, he encountered a woman armed with a knife in an exterior guest house. Then he saw three men with her. He ran into the house and locked himself in. When they failed to break in, the group rummaged through the realtor’s vehicle and stole some of his stuff. Baton Rouge cops are looking for a white Nissan sedan the group used to getaway.

Along with state Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson, Governor Edwards cut the ribbon today on a $125-million widening project of Interstate 10, between I-49 and Breaux Bridge. Adding an extra lane, widened shoulders and a concrete barrier between east and westbound lanes. Edwards say improvements like this benefit almost everyone…:

CUT 11         (09)    “…stop and go traffic.”

According to sportswriter Glenn Guilbeau, with Outkick.com, former LSU defensive coordinator and current Baylor head coach Dave Aranda is the favorite name on the short list to replace Ed Orgeron at LSU. Guilbeau says Aranda is still well thought of in Baton Rouge…:

CUT 13         (08)    “…qualified”

Also on the shortlist: Billy Napier of UL-Lafayette and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell

Nicholls State University is mourning the loss of three students; killed Saturday in a head-on crash in Lafourche Parish. They are 19-year-old Lily Dufrene, and 18-year-olds Michaila Bowling and Hali Coss. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says their vehicle was hit when 39-year-old Joey Clement (CLAY-monn) tried to pass in a no-passing zone. He says Clement is charged with 4^th offense DWI…:

CUT 07         (11)    “…Lafourche Parish jail.”

Just in time for Thanksgiving travel, gasoline prices come down a bit; about a penny and a half since last week, and down 4-cents since last month. Currently at a statewide average of $3.09 for regular. GasBuddy.com’s Patrick DeHaan says it’s about oil prices; right now at $85 a barrel…:

CUT 03         (10)    “…ahead of Thanksgiving.”

Seven people lost their lives over the weekend in two fatal crashes in Lafourche and Terrebonne Parishes involving suspected drunk drivers. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Palermo.”

A woman in the Caddo Parish town of Keithville is under arrest after an infant in her care tested positive for methamphetamine. The child was taken to a hospital by a family member, and a blood test confirmed the meth in the child’s system. 24-year-old Tiffany Wilson is charged with aggravated battery.

Governor John Bel Edwards, DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson and other officials cut ribbons today on the recently completed widening of Interstate 10, between I-49 and Breaux Bridge. The project was a $125-million investment, says the governor…:

CUT 09(12)      “…westbound traffic.”

He says improvements of this kind sends a positive message to out-of-state business interests looking to invest in Louisiana.

Sports reporter Glen Guilbeau with Outkick-dot-com reports Baylor Head Coach Dave Aranda, Louisiana’s Billy Napier and Iowa State’s Matt Campbell are the three finalists to replace Ed Orgeron as LSU’s head coach. Guilbeau says Aranda, who spent four years as LSU’s defensive coordinator, is the front-runner…:

CUT 12(12)      “…what Woodward wants.”

The 45-year-old Aranda is in his second season as head coach of the Bears and has them in contention for a Big 12 championship with a nine and two record. He left LSU to go to Baylor in 2019.

Folks at Nichols State University are mourning the deaths of three students killed in Saturday crash in Lafourche Parish. State Police Trooper Ross Brennan says they believe 39-year-old Joey Clement (CLAY-monn) was impaired when his pick-up truck slammed into an SUV…:

CUT 06         (11)    “…that crash.”

The victims are identified as 19-year-old Lily Dufrene and 18-year-olds Hali Coss and Michaila Bowling. Clement is charged with FOURTH offense DWI.

Governor Edwards and other officials today marked the completion of a $125-million I-10 widening project between I-49 and Breaux Bridge; marking nearly a billion dollars spent on intestates during his governorship. The governor says spending money on such infrastructure projects is beneficial to the motoring public…:

CUT 10         (09)    “…to travel here.”

Here’s something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving week: gasoline prices have dropped slightly. Patrick DeHaan with GasBuddy.com says regular gas is down about a penny & a half this week, and down about 4-cents from last month. DeHaan says if you’re traveling out-of-state for the holiday be prepared for some sticker shock…:

CUT 05         (05)    “…higher prices.

The national average price of regular gas is $3.41. The statewide average is $3.09.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting last night in Metairie. They says last night at about 10, a trooper observed a man walking with a gun in one hand and a knife in the other. When he attempted to question the man, the suspect fled on foot. At some point during the chase, officers with the East Jefferson Levee District joined in. When the suspect turned suddenly and pointed his gun at them, all three officers fired; killing the man. The matter is under investigation

Amid controversy over federal authorities treating parents concerned over what their kids are taught in schools as “domestic terrorists”, Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces the Parents Bill of Rights Act; geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school. She says many schools in the nation and in Louisiana are already practicing what’s in her bill, but it would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending…:

CUT 14         (11)    “…activity at school.”

The state Department of Health proposes a mandate that kids get the COVID vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now the FDA only approves shots for kids 16 and older, but the vaccine has been OK’ed for kids as young as five as part of pandemic emergency use only. A legislative hearing on the proposal is coming next month.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.  More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

The federal Department of Justice says it’s giving New Orleans just over $7-million to accommodate hiring more cops. The money will mean NOPD can add about 30 new officers, at a time when they have a serious manpower issue … and burgeoning street crime.