Governor Edwards tells U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the double hit of two hurricanes in 2020. The Governor says his office is anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the state can spend it…:

CUT 03         (13)    “…we get started.”

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he thinks Ochsner will come out on top here, given that Louisiana is an “at will” state when it comes to employment…:

CUT 08         (07)    “private employer mandate.”

A hearing on the matter is set for December 7^th.

The Biden Administration’s $1.75-trillion Build Back Better plan passed the U.S. House by a 7 vote margin today. Included in the bill are billions for social programs, like free childcare, universal pre-school, Pell Grants for collegians and more. District 2 Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter is happy with the passage..:

CUT 09         (10)    “…their education.”

However, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry President Stephen Waguespack feels Congress has gone spend-crazy in a dangerously unstable economy…:

CUT 10         (10)    “…back on track.”

The bill heads to the Senate, where it is sure to be amended.

A proposal from the Louisiana Department of Health would mandate that children get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now, the FDA only approves the shots for those 16 and older. Using the vaccine on younger kids is OK, but only as a temporary emergency measure.

President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan passed in the U.S. House today. Brooke Thorington has more on the $1.75-trillion bill…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

A traffic stop on U.S. 190 in West Baton Rouge Parish turned into a big drug bust, as deputies found 4 kilos of heroin stashed in a vehicle. That’s about 40-thousand doses. The driver, Felipe Fuentes, of New Mexico, was booked with improper lane usage, illegal window tint and possession of Schedule I narcotics

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school…:

CUT 13(12)      “…boards and educators.”

Letlow says the legislation would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending.

St. Tammany Parish residents who oppose a multi-million dollar casino in Slidell are happy this afternoon, after the Court of Appeals ruled late yesterday that a lawsuit, alleging it was unconstitutional to put the casino on a December 11th ballot, must be heard by a judge before Election Day. The casino had hired Drew Brees to help get public support for bringing gaming to the parish. Voters banned gaming in St. Tammany in 1996.

The state Public Service Commission looks at ways to help prevent massive power outages after numerous weather-related events have tested the state’s power grids. Brooke Thorington has more..:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

New Orleans Police arrest five people – all minors – for carjacking a ride share driver Wednesday night in the city’s Gentilly area. Cops say the group of four boys and one girl ordered the ride via an app, and when the driver arrived, they pulled a gun and stole his Jeep Cherokee. Kids today, right?

Senator John Kennedy says, if you’re angry about the increased cost of gas, food and everything else, the finger of blame points straight at the Biden Administration. On the Senate floor Wednesday, Kennedy said Biden’s proposed remedy for the economy is folly…:

CUT 14(12)      “…we have now.”

Kennedy hopes his Democrat colleagues will give up on what he calls “another extremist spending bill.”

A dark chapter from the Louisiana history books is being rectified, as the state Pardon & Parole Board earlier this week granted a posthumous pardon to Homer Plessy, a black man whose crime was riding a “whites only” car on a train to Covington back in the Jim Crow era. Governor Edwards’ office is planning a ceremony to sign the pardon. He spoke of it during his statewide radio show…:

CUT 11(08)      “…have been a crime.”

No date for the ceremony has yet been announced.

Senator John Kennedy went off on the Biden White House as the root cause of the huge spikes in the cost of almost everything. Speaking on the Senate floor, Kennedy says the increase in gasoline, groceries and consumer goods & services are the direct result of Biden fiscal & energy policies…:

CUT 13(10)      “…exploding our debt?”

He says the proposed $2-trillion Reconciliation Bill will drive inflation up further.

There is a near-total lunar eclipse happening overnight tonight: one of the longest lasting in years. LSU Astronomy professor Geoff Clayton says start watching around midnight, and it should reach its peak at about 3 a.m. He says it should be quite a show…:

CUT 05(10)      “…at sunset.”

Let’s hope skies are clear enough tonight to enjoy it.

Preparations are underway for Governor Edwards’ signing of a document officially pardoning the late Homer Plessy for the crime of trying to sit in the white section of a segregated train headed to Covington, way back in the 1890’s. The posthumous pardon for Plessy – who died in 1925 – was unanimously granted by the state Pardons & Parole Board. Governor Edwards says the signing ceremony is being planned to include descendants of those involved in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Plessy v. Ferguson…:

CUT 10(09)      “…we possibly can.”

A date for the governor’s signing of the pardon has not been announced.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau says that Thanksgiving in Louisiana is cheaper this year than the national average; about $11.00 less than the national average for a Thanksgiving feast for 10. In numbers, that’s $57.41. The national average is $68.72; $8.61 higher than last year’s national average.

The Public Service Commission is looking at ways to help prevent massive power outages like the ones that plagued the state in February and then again with Hurricane Ida. District 2 Commissioner Craig Greene says they want to research such options like burying power lines underground, to see if it reduces outages…:

CUT 06(09)      “…into resiliency.”

Other members say whatever is done, it must be with an eye on not costing rate payers a ton of money.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy was in rare form on the Senate floor; railing against the Biden White House for the steep increases in the cost of …just about everything…:

CUT 12(09)      “…figure that out.”

Kennedy calls trying to fix inflation with more spending is an idea that simply won’t work.

If you prefer celestial events to getting some shuteye, then you’re invited to jump out of bed for a near-total lunar eclipse early tomorrow morning. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(29)      “…Brannen.”

A West Baton Rouge Parish deputy hopes fellow lawmen can help him catch the persons who shot and killed his pet pig, Mr. Willie. Sgt. Ryan Polansky says a nearby video camera caught images of a man and woman in a white Nissan sedan before and after the animal was killed. He advises the culprits to turn themselves in.

The state’s Public Service Commission looks at ways to help prevent massive power outages, after numerous weather-related events have tested the state’s power grids. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02  (31)        “…Thorington.”

A Farmerville man is a “guest” of the Union Parish jail after crashing his pickup truck through the wall of the Union Parish Library. Farmerville Police say 36-year-old Mickey Mitchell was driving while impaired, in possession of drugs and had no auto insurance at the time. He’s also charged as a Fugitive from Justice due to four outstanding warrants.

Preparations are underway for Governor Edwards’ signing of a document officially pardoning the late Homer Plessy for the then-19^th century crime of trying to sit in the white section of a segregated train headed to Covington. The governor was asked about the pardon on Wednesday’s “Ask the Governor” statewide radio program…:

CUT 09(05)      “…historically significant.”

The posthumous pardon was unanimously granted to Plessy, who died in 1925, last week by the Louisiana Pardons and Parole Board.

You may want to either stay up really late, or GET up really early to have a look at tonight’s near-total lunar eclipse. It should start around midnight and LSU Astronomy professor Geoff Clayton says it’ll reach its peak at about 3 a.m…:

CUT 04(09)      “…probably won’t notice.”

Hopefully our skies will be clear by that time, so we can enjoy it.

The Public Service Commission is looking at ways to help prevent massive power outages like the ones that plagued the state in February and then again with Hurricane Ida. District 3 Commissioner Lambert Boissiere says weather-related events are getting more powerful, and there’s a great need to increase the reliability of the power grid in the state … but they want to make sure it doesn’t financially strain consumers as well…:

CUT 08(09)      “…better for rate payers.”

If the skies clear in time, we’re in for terrific sky show as a near total eclipse of the moon will occur in the wee small hours tomorrow morning. LSU Astronomy professor Geoff Clayton tells what we can expect to see…:

CUT 03(11)      “…moon gets darker.”

The earth’s shadow will be cast on the moon; starting at about 2:45 and peaking at around 3 tomorrow morning.

Senator John Kennedy unloaded both barrels on the Biden Administration over runaway inflation, border security, gas prices and more. On inflation, Kennedy calls it an “economic cancer” for which the Biden administration is proposing a remedy the senator says just won’t work…:

CUT 14(12)      “…we have now.”

Kennedy made the remarks on the senate floor.

The state Supreme Court will hear cases challenging employer COVID shot mandates in a couple weeks. The cases are from plaintiffs at hospitals in Lafayette and Shreveport, and the court agreed to expedite review because some workers are facing possible termination within weeks. The High court will hear oral arguments on December 7^th.

St. Helena Parish deputies are seeking a burglar who broke into an elderly man’s home last night and shot the resident with his own gun. The 72-year-old victim is expected to recover.

If you’re an adult who is fully vaccinated, the state recommends you get a booster shot as the Holidays approach. State health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter explains why it’s a good idea to get a COVID booster shot even if you are fully vaccinated..:
Cut 15 (08) “…bit with time”
You can choose any vaccine for the boost.

Louisiana receives an F on the latest March of Dimes report card on preterm births. That’s due to the rate of 13-percent. Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is the state medical director of the Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She says Louisiana is moving in the right direction to change this as a new aid in preterm births is the doula registry established this year requiring midwifery services be covered by insurance…:
CUt 6 (05) “next year”

Governor John Bel Edwards reacts to the fates of two Constitutional amendments decided by voters last Saturday. Both proposals were part of significant tax reforms planned by the state legislature last spring. On his monthly radio program, “Ask the Governor”, Mr. Edwards says the approval of Amendment Two is a big step in streamlining the state income tax code…:
Cut 8 (07) “…revenue neutral overall”
Voters rejected Amendment One, to set up a single, central state sales tax collection agency rather than the 54 the state has currently.

A 75-year-old Louisiana man who has spent about 58 years of his life in prison for the shooting death of an East Baton Rouge Parish sheriff’s deputy when he was 17 was granted parole Wednesday by the Louisiana Parole Board. They say the release of Henry Montgomery, follows a 2012 Supreme Court ruling that mandatory life sentencing without parole for juveniles was cruel and unusual punishment. The Louisiana Parole Board had reviewed Montgomery’s parole request two times previously.

The state has officially given the green light for a Covid booster shot for all adults who are fully vaccinated. There’s concern that family gatherings for the Holidays could cause another surge. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Canter on who is eligible for the boost…:
CUT 14 (11) “two months ago”
The booster shots are free and are available just about everywhere medical services are administered. Canter says you can choose any shot you want for the additional protection.

A cold front is moving through the state today bringing showers mainly in the morning, then it’s going to get chilly. The rain will move out Friday, but morning lows will be in the mid 30s in North Louisiana, and mid 40s in South Louisiana. Things are looking good for playoff games tomorrow night though and forecasters say we can expect a delightful weekend.

Governor John Bel Edwards reacts to the failure of one Constitutional Amendment and the success of another. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana still has room to improve its rate of preterm births as the annual March of Dimes reports gives the state an F. Dr. Veronica Gillispie-Bell is the state medical director of the Perinatal Quality Collaborative. She says Louisiana does have programs in place to help reduce preterm birth rates…:
CUT 5 (09) “committee”
She’s optimistic the report card for Louisiana will improve next year.

The state Department of Health is recommending fully vaccinated adults get a COVID booster. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter…:
Cut 13 (10) “…level of protection”
He says those eligible can choose whichever vaccine they want for the booster.

Governor John Bel Edwards reacts to the fates of two Constitutional amendments decided by voters last Saturday. Both proposals were part of significant tax reforms planned by the state legislature last spring…:
Cut 7 (09) “…that’s regrettable”
The comments were made on Mr. Edwards’ monthly radio show, “Ask The Governor,” where he said he supported both changes. Under Amendment 2 which did pass, state income tax brackets go down, but taxpayers’ deduction of federal income taxes paid will go away.

Even though the March of Dimes gave Louisiana an F for its high preterm birth rate, health officials are hopeful things will improve soon…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Every year an awareness event takes places nationally encouraging smokers to quit lighting up. Kenneth Saucier (So-cee-a) with the Office of Behavioral Health says 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with lung cancer are smokers, and COPD is linked with smoking…
Cut 11 (09) “…overall health”