Moderna says preliminary data indicates their booster can increase neutralizing antibody levels by 37-fold compared to without a booster and should decrease severe infection from Omicron. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State police say 17-year-old Logan Temple of Wisner is dead after driving unrestrained through a stop sign in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon near Monroe where his Honda Civic was hit broadside on the driver’s side by a Mack dump truck. A buckled-up passenger in his car suffered serious injuries. The truck driver was not hurt. Trooper Michael Reichardt offers this advice:

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Renewed word today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews, though all crews will roll on their scheduled days. Mayor Cantrell downplayed the need to cancel Mardi Gras 2022 even though COVID appears to be tightening its grip once again on Louisiana.

Cut  11 (10)  “…our people vaccinated.”  

She says no crews have opted to cancel their parades because of COVID.

Today is the first day of winter and the climate prediction center predicts a warmer and drier than normal winter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina climate conditions will bring the Bayou State above-average temperatures and dry conditions through February

Cut 12 (11) “..United States.”  

Keim says we’ll experience what should be a mild winter starting with above-normal temperatures for Christmas …

You might think putting a puppy or kitten under the tree will be a memorable Christmas gift, but it might not go over as well as you hope. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you have autism, you can now have a driver’s license that indicates you have the medical problem. Matthew Boudreaux, Public Information Director for the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, says the designation was approved by the legislature.

Cut 3 (10) “…on their license.”

The autism indicator will appear below the driver’s picture.

State police are investigating an in-custody death that occurred Sunday in Bogalusa. The deceased is identified as 28-year-old Eric Nelson, a resident of the city, who had been involved in a single-vehicle crash. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office that Nelson had several felony outstanding felony warrants and was tasered as he attempted to flee the scene.  Nelson complained of respiratory problems later and died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Five people are dead as the result of two-related accidents Friday night on I-49 in St. Landry Parish. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the first wreck was caused by a wrong-way driver from Dallas, Georgia. 54-year-old John Lundy was killed as was the driver of the other vehicle and two other passengers. Trooper Gossen explains how 86-year-old Billy Lee of Texas became a victim that night as the other accident scene was being investigated on I-49 South.

Cut 10 (10)  “…was diverting traffic.”

The trooper sustained minor injuries.

State police are investigating an in-custody death that occurred Sunday in Bogalusa. The deceased is identified as 28-year-old Eric Nelson, a resident of the city, who had been involved in a single-vehicle crash. The Washington Parish Sheriff’s office that Nelson had several felony outstanding felony warrants and was tasered as he attempted to flee the scene.  Nelson complained of respiratory problems later and died while receiving treatment at the hospital.

Five people are dead as the result of two-related accidents Friday night on I-49 in St. Landry Parish. Trooper Thomas Gossen says the first wreck was caused by a wrong-way driver from Dallas, Georgia. 54-year-old John Lundy was killed as was the driver of the other vehicle and two other passengers. Trooper Gossen explains how 86-year-old Billy Lee of Texas became a victim that night as the other accident scene was being investigated on I-49 South.

Cut 10 (10)  “…was diverting traffic.”

The trooper sustained minor injuries.

If you have autism, you can now have a driver’s license that indicates you have the medical diasgnosis. Matthew Boudreaux, with the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, says the designation was approved by the legislature. The autism indicator will appear below the driver’s picture.  Boudreaux on why the autism indicator can prove both helpful to the holder of the license and a law enforcement officer, given that the person with autism may express themselves differently.

Cut 4 (10) “…potentially dealing with.”

Who doesn’t love a Christmas photo of a puppy or kitten under the tree but in reality the gift of a pet for is not always ideal. Lafayette Animal Shelter and Care Center Supervisor Shelly Delahoussaye (Dela-who-see) says another option you might want to see if your local shelter offers a fostering program where they can come home with you on a temporary basis.

Cut 8 (09) “…home environment.”

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet off the bench without pay while she’s investigated for racial slurs on a video that went viral and has garnered national headlines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A heads up for I-10 travelers on Sunday. Weather permitting, state transportation officials say the Bonnet Carre Spillway in both directions will tentatively be closed between noon and 5 p.m. to allow Entergy to reinstall overhead transmission lines following Tuesday’s fatal helicopter crash

Saturday is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS spokesperson David Walton says another way to avoid being a Grinch is to make sure you use a sturdy box to mail your gifts. As much as you may want to recycle boxes when it comes to packages, they might not make the journey safely.

Cut 9 (11) “…use those.”

COVID is responsible for moving Saints Head Coach Sean Payton from the sidelines for a second time. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will be making the calls for Sunday’s game against defending Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay.  Allen says they got the word Friday morning that Payton tested positive for COVID.

Cut 12 (15) “…the game.”  

Kickoff in Tampa Sunday is 7:20 PM.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet off the bench without pay while she’s investigated for racial slurs on a video that went viral and has garnered national headlines. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Saturday is the last day to use priority mail so your packages will arrive on time for Christmas. Brooke Thorington has some tips.

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet off the bench without pay while she’s investigated for making racial slurs on a video that went viral and has garnered national headlines. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says such a suspension by the Supreme Court is rare.

Cut 3 (14) “…inappropriate racial slurs.”

Borghardt says he expects the suspension could drag out for some time while she’s investigated since the judge does have the right to defend herself. In her defense, Odinet stated earlier she was on a sedative and didn’t remember making such statements when watching surveillance footage of an alleged burglary outside of her home.

Cut 4 (11) “…making racial slurs.”

Borghardt says it’s not an ideal situation whatsoever.  You don’t want a jurist overseeing proceedings when they could have perceived biased against a person or community.

Cut 5 (10) “..to decide.”

Judge Ronnie Cox has been appointed to replace Odinet while she’s on leave.

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After only having three-thousand fans at the New Orleans Bowl last year, bowl officials are hoping for over 30-thousand fans to attend Saturday night’s game between U-L Lafayette and Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says to expect a lot of Ragin Cajun fans in the Big Easy this weekend…

 Cut 6 (05) “…holiday time period” 

Cicero says they expect five to ten thousand from Marshall to also attend the game. He says they are expecting a competitive game between the Thundering Herd and a nationally ranked Ragin Cajuns team….

Cut 7 (06) “…offensive weapons.”  

This is the Cajuns first appearance in the New Orleans Bowl since 2016 and the sixth all-time in the 21-year history of the bowl game. Cicero says the New Orleans Bowl has become a staple during the bowl season and brings tourists to the city…

Cut 8 (09) “…down the line.”

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Saturday is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS spokesperson David Walton says another way to avoid being a Grinch is to make sure you use a sturdy box to mail your gifts. As much as you may want to recycle boxes when it comes to packages, they might not make the journey safely.

Cut 9 (11) “…use those.”

Walton also advises that you print clearly your to and from labels for your packages instead of using cursive or messy handwriting so your packages will arrive at their intended destination.

Cut 10 (05)  “…lilttle difficult.”

And while you think guessing a zip code is better than not having one, Walton says making a guess will most likely keep your packages from getting under the tree on time.

Cut  11 (10)  “…shipped off to.”  

Walton recommends a visit to USPS.com and searching for the correct zip code, and like with your suitcase when you travel, it’s also a good idea to put an address label on the inside of your package in case the outer one is damaged.

You can also use the click it and ship it feature to find out how much it will cost to ship your gifts.

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COVID is responsible for moving Saints Head Coach Sean Payton from the sidelines for a second time. Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen will be making the calls for Sunday’s game against defending Super Bowl Champions Tampa Bay.  Allen says they got the word Friday morning that Payton tested positive for COVID.

Cut 12 (15) “…the game.”  

In March of 2020, Payton tested positive for COVID, and once again adjustments are being made on the field in his absence this year, as COVID makes its way through professional locker rooms.

Allen says Payton has communicated with staff how things should operate on Sunday and so far, coaching wise it’s only Payton out for Sunday, but they are ready to make more adjustments if needed.

Cut 13 (11) “…have to adjust.”

Allen says it’s never ideal being forced to make coaching adjustments, but having head football coach experience he’s prepared and looking forward to being in charge and says the remaining staff is prepping accordingly.

Cut 14 (12) “…managing the game.” 

Kickoff in Tampa Sunday is 7:20 PM.

The Louisiana Supreme Court took action today to suspend Lafayette City Court Judge Michele Odinet. The action comes following her admitted use of the N-word to describe a person seen on home security video allegedly attempting to burglarize her home last Saturday. The video of the incident went viral. Odinet’s attorney says Odinet is still weighing a decision on whether to resign or not.

Saturday is the last day to use priority mail so your packages will arrive on time for Christmas. Brooke Thorington has some tips…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

There’s word that former Saints defensive lineman Glenn Foster Jr. did not die of natural causes, but rather from strangulation. That’s the conclusion of an independent autopsy performed by medical examiner, Dr. Michael Baden. He says he found evidence of “neck compressions and strangulation.” Foster was found dead in a police cruiser after being transported to a medical facility near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That happened a day after his arrest for speeding, say his attorneys. During his incarceration, authorities say Foster got into a fight with another inmate over a pair of socks.

After only having three-thousand fans at the New Orleans Bowl last year, bowl officials are hoping for over 30-thousand fans to attend Saturday night’s game between U-L Lafayette and Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says to expect a lot of Ragin Cajun fans in the Big Easy this weekend…

 Cut 6 (05) “…holiday time period” 

Sean Payton won’t be coaching the Saints this weekend when they meet the Buccaneers.  He’s been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19

Saturday is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says another way to avoid being a Grinch, make sure you use a sturdy box to mail your gifts. As much as you may want to recycle boxes when it comes to packages, they might not make the journey safely.

Cut 9 (12) “…use those.”

The governor’s office announced this morning that Temium USA is planning a 98-million dollar expansion of its facility at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in northwest Louisiana. The company plans to retain 157 jobs and create 35 new positions. Temium is adding a second coil coating paint line with an annual capacity of 120-thousand tons, a capacity increase of the more than 50 percent. Construction of the expansion is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year and wrap up by mid-2024.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit this week against Gov. John Bel Edwards seeking to prevent Edwards from adding COVID vaccines to the list of shots students are required to receive to attend schools and universities. One of the plaintiffs in the suit is Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews.

Cut 3 (12) “….himself.” 

With respect to the litigation, Edwards says he’s not surprised that a suit has been filed.

Cut 4 (13) “….sort it out.”

Edwards stated he followed proper procedures and in adding the COVID vaccine school schedule, however, Crews disputes that and says it’s the legislature that makes laws.

Big news for Tiger fans today, fifth-year senior Quarterback Myles Brennan says he’ll return to the Purple and Gold after entering the NCAA transfer portal earlier this year. Louisiana Radio Network Sports Director Jeff Palermo says the future is bright for Brennan.

Cut 12 (16) “…full season.”  

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is looking for volunteers to help plant 600 trees in Lake Maurepas near Manchac this weekend weather permitting. Communications Director James Karst says volunteers 16 and older will travel by boat to plant various types of trees.

Cut 9 (10) “…to restore habitats.”

To register visit the group’s events webpage at www.crcl.org.

Louisiana’s Teen Vax Campaign is looking for volunteers to become vaccine youth ambassadors. The group’s Ritney Castine says you can be 12 to 17 to help lead the state’s effort to improve the Bayou State’s vaccination rates. He says the ambassadors, who will meet monthly with public health professionals, will be a plus for the Teen Vax Campaign.

Cut 4 (08) “…Department of Health.”

Castine says the youth ambassadors of the Louisiana Teen Vax Campaign will help students to distinguish the truth about being vaccinated from the misconceptions.

Governor John Bel Edwards held his year-end press conference this afternoon. He covered a variety of events that impacted the state in 2021 from the pandemic, hurricanes, infrastructure funds, and COVID vaccinations to name a few. Edwards halfheartedly joked this might not be his last briefing of the year…

 Cut 6 (10) “…in 2022.” 

Edwards wished Louisianans a safe and happy holiday season.