Saturday marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs at the time, no questions asked. He says turning in unwanted opioids could help prevent someone else from getting their hands on them…:

CUT 05(11)      “…for these periods”

For a location near you go to “takebackday.dea.gov”

Lawmakers have stymied efforts do a $450-million renovation of the Caesars’ Superdome – at least temporarily. They have only committed to a fraction of the $90-million in funding to assure the projects gets underway. State Treasurer John Schroder says there’s no immediate deadline looming, but the clock is ticking for the legislature and Bond Commission…:

CUT 08(09)      “…give them some direction”

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of black people getting the COVID vaccination is higher than whites. The percentage is 51% to 49%, according the Kaiser Family Foundation. Assistant Health Secretary Kim Hood says it’s not that easy to convince doubters to get the shot..:

CUT 11(11)      “…step of the way.”

When vaccines first became available, minorities were among the most hesitant to get them. Hood says outreach efforts are working.

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to rise. He says it makes no sense for the President to ask OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production, when he has ended it here at home…:

CUT 12(08)      “…right here in America.”

Graves feels the Biden White House’s focus on so-called “green” energy suggests no easy resolution to our pain at the pump.

The percentage of unvaccinated individuals in Louisiana hospitals has dropped from the upper 90s to the mid-80s. Brooke Thorington asks a professional as to why the vaccine could be perceived as waning…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana is the only state where fewer whites are getting COVID vaccinations than blacks or other non-whites. This offers some hope to public health officials that outreach efforts are indeed working.

Well over a year after Hurricane Laura devastated Lake Charles and the surrounding area, recovery is still a challenge. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says his city holds a record of sorts for disasters…:

CUT 06(07)      “…in American history.”

In 2020 alone, Lake Charles was hit by Hurricane Laura, then Delta only weeks later. Federal help has been slow in coming. Hunter says about 8-precent of his city still lives outside the area since the storms and may never return.

New Orleans Police report another shooting on Interstate 10; this one fatal. Officers say a car crash Wednesday night near the Morrison Road exit was caused by a wounded driver suffering multiple gunshots. They believe he was shot from a moving car two exits earlier. The victim died at a nearby hospital. Just days ago, a person was shot and wounded on I-10 near the Superdome.

Encouraging news on coronavirus in Louisiana; the percentage of persons hospitalized with the virus and not vaccinated is declining. At the height of the 4^th wave of COVID that number was in the high 90-percentile. Now it’s in the mid-80’s. Doctor Lucio Miele with LSU Health New Orleans says it’s another indicator of the need for booster shots because immunity naturally drops over time…:

CUT 03(10)      “…after vaccination.”

The FDA has approved a mix & match approach for using any of the three vaccines as a booster.

The Louisiana Gaming Control Board unanimously approves an application from the online sports betting site Fan Duel. We are the 47^th state to approve Fan Duel. So how soon might sports betting be generally available? Gaming Commissioner Ronnie Johns…:

CUT 10(09)      “…we’ll see.”

Have you budgeted Christmas this year? The National Retail Federation says most of us will spend about $1000. But the NRF’s Katherine Cullen says – because of supply chain disruptions – about 50% of us will start holiday shopping well before November even gets here…:

CUT 14(06)      “….39-percent.”

She says about 57% of us plan to do most of our shopping online. Surprised?

One of four violent teen offenders, who attacked guards and escaped from the East Baton Rouge Juvenile Detention Center last week, is still at large. Investigators believe that Malik Williams is getting help from a girlfriend, Shamika Holloman, in staying on the lam. Cops say pinging of her cell phone shows she drove from Monroe to Baton Rouge to pick him up. Are a warrant is out for her arrest as well.

At the height of the fourth COVID wave, the percentage of those unvaccinated and in the hospital in Louisiana hovered in the upper 90s but now it’s dropped to 86-percent. Doctor Lucio Miele with LSU Health New Orleans says one factor for the percentage drop among those hospitalized and unvaccinated is the virus mutates quickly…:
CUT 04 (08) “…infecting humans.”
Miele says this also illustrates the need to for periodic COVID booster shots.

The National Retail Federation estimates consumers will spend just under $1000 on holiday gifts and other purchases this year, which is comparable to last year. But NRF Senior Director of Industry and Consumer Insights, Katherine Cullen says seniors tend to spend more on grandkids, and those playing host to holiday gatherings – as the pandemic downtrends – will of course have to pay for food…:
Cut 13 (11) “…the first time”

More than 400 days after Hurricane Laura devastated the Lake Charles area in 2020, the city is still working to recover. More from Dave Brannen…:
CUT 02 (32) “…Brannen.”

Ouachita Parish deputies arrest a West. Monroe man for allegedly drugging & raping a teen at a Monroe motel. 49-year-old Chase Paul is accused of taking the girl from church to the inn, where he allegedly gave her Xanax and forced himself on her. He’s been booked into the Ouachita Parish jail.

Instances of COVID-19 are easing in Louisiana, that according to Governor John Bel Edwards who was asked about the situation during Wednesday’s “Ask the Governor” show, No decision has been made yet on whether the mask mandate or other mitigation efforts to further curb the spread of the virus in the Bayou State.
Cut 6 (11) “…what we lift.”

Among the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida last August, Lafourche Parish continues on the road to rebuilding. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the progress is slow but steady. Chaisson says storm debris removal is also moving along at a pace, but there is still a great deal to be cleared away. One thing he is happy to report: kids are back in school in Lafourche…:
Cut 11 (14) “…the aftermath as well.”

After several AT&T customers lost service during Hurricane Ida, a representative from the company told PSC commissioners they are asking customers to call them to report outages so they can issue credits. Stephanie Doiron with AT&T told commissioners that determining who was with and without service after Ida made landfall isn’t that easy because of the multiple services they provide, like cable, internet, and phone service.
Cut 14 (08) “…provide credits.”

One of the biggest tourist events in the state is scheduled to return next spring. Festival International which draws 400,000 people to downtown Lafayette is set for April 27th to May 1st. Executive Director Scott Feehan says the five-day event, which was canceled in 2020 and virtual last year, is expected to return to its previous footprint.
Cut 7 (10) “…fantastic event.”

Among the places hit hardest by Hurricane Ida, Lafourche Parish continues its road to rebuilding. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Instances of COVID-19 are easing in Louisiana, that according to Governor John Bel Edwards who was asked about the situation during Wednesday’s “Ask the Governor” show.
It’s noteworthy that 83 percent of those currently hospitalized with COVID have not been fully vaccinated against the virus.
Edwards says figures show that the coronavirus is easing its grip on Louisiana.
Cut 5 (11) “…at one time.”

One of the biggest tourist events in the state is scheduled to return next spring. Festival International which draws 400,000 people to downtown Lafayette is set for April 27th to May 1st. Executive Director Scott Feehan says Louisiana Economic Development also attends the event and invites international companies they are recruiting to come to the Bayou State.
While some large events across the country are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test for entry, Feehan says that’s not really an option for an outdoor festival that is free of tickets and boundaries. With 2022 being the first in-person festival since the pandemic he says they’ll add things like hand sanitizing stations.
Cut 9 (12) “…in person.”

There are two college football games tonight, the Ragin Cajuns are at Arkansas State. U-L Lafayette seeks a 12th straight Sun Belt win on the road. And Tulane is at 21st ranked SMU.

The COVID virus’ fourth surge is waning in Louisiana, but whether that means an end to mask mandates and the like is still to be determined by the governor.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

After several AT&T customers lost service during Hurricane Ida, a representative from the company told PSC commissioners they are asking customers to call them to report outages so they can issue credits. But PSC Commissioner Eric Skrmetta says AT&T should be proactive instead.
Cut 13 (08) “…they were out.”

One of the biggest tourist events in the state is scheduled to return next spring. Festival International which draws 400,000 people to downtown Lafayette is set for April 27th to May 1st. Executive Director Scott Feehan says The festival usually coincides with Jazz Fest in New Orleans and says some tourists will attend both events. He adds the Festival International features music, art, food from all over the world and they’ve had musical acts from as many as 29 countries perform.
Cut 8 (08) “…and theatre.”

Among the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida last August, Lafourche Parish continues on the road to rebuilding. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says the progress is slow but steady. He says temporary housing solutions for storm victims are beginning to be a reality…:
Cut 10 (10) “…gonna come in.”

Instances of COVID-19 are easing in Louisiana, that according to Governor John Bel Edwards who was asked about the situation during Wednesday’s “Ask the Governor” show. He noted that hospitalizations had climbed to the three-thousand mark back in August during the 4th surge of the virus.
Cut 4 (12) “…the fourth surge.”

One of the biggest tourist events in the state is scheduled to return next spring. Festival International which draws 400,000 people to downtown Lafayette is set for April 27th to May 1st. Executive Director Scott Feehan says the five-day event, which was canceled in 2020 and virtual last year, is expected to return to its previous footprint.
Cut 7 (10) “…fantastic event.”

A representative for AT&T told PSC commissioners that customers who were without service due to Ida will have to call them to receive credit. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Matthew Mire, the man accused in the multi-parish shooting spree that killed two – including a state trooper – has been relocated to Angola State Penitentiary as he awaits trial. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt points out that Mire is simply being housed in Angola; not servicing a sentence there…:

CUT 03(11)      “…state trooper.”

Mire faces charges in Ascension, Livingston and East Baton Rouge parishes. He’s accused of killing two and wounding four others on October 9^th.

Sabine Parish authorities, with some help from the LSU FACES lab, have identified skeletal remains found in a private water well back in 1984. They of those of Lester Rome, a Grand Isle resident who was 58 when he disappeared 35 years ago. Sabine Sheriff’s Detective Chris Abraham says more remains were found in the same well back in April, which led to this positive I.D…:

CUT 12(05)      “…Lester Rome.”

Voters in a handful of parishes in southeast Louisiana need to check ahead before they cast their ballot on November 13^th due to site changes because of Ida. Brooke Thorington explains..:

CUT 01(30)      “…Thorington.”

Eight missing and endangered children have been rescued or recovered in the New Orleans area during a two-month investigation by U.S. Marshals. The operation also resulted in the arrests of 18 people for sex offender registration violations.

Voters in nine southeast Louisiana parishes will not be voting at their usual polling places come November 13^th. The reason? The devastation of Hurricane Ida in late August. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says they will be sending out information to those affected along with local radio ads alerting them of their new voting location…:

CUT 06(06)      “…new locations.”

If you have the GeauxVote app you can get that information there too, or call 800-883-2805.

The FDA could soon move to approve the mixing and matching of COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Lisa Morici with the Tulane School of Medicine says data from overseas indicates a positive response to the mix-and-match approach…:

CUT 11(13)      “…antibody response.”

Sabine Parish authorities with the help of an LSU forensic team have identified the skeletal remains found in a private water well 35 years ago. The remains are Lester Rome of Grand Isle. Jefferson Parish authorities reported him missing in 1984. Detective Chris Abrahams with the Sabine Sheriff’s office says they are searching for information that may lead to the person or persons responsible for Rome’s death…:

CUT 14(10)      “…this case.”

Charges for the 18-year-old Covington woman, captured on viral video earlier this month assaulting a disabled teacher, have been escalated. Larrianna Jackson was originally charged with battery of a school teacher. Add to that felony second-degree battery and cruelty to the infirmed, and Jackson could be facing up to ten years in prison if convicted.

Grambling State University says it will implement a campus-wide curfew, after two recent fatal shootings there. That curfew will be from 9:30 pm until 6am until further notice. ID checks are now in place at campus entry points to restrict non-student access to Grambling.