Louisiana’s attorney general is cautiously optimistic that the Biden administration will fall flat in all of its vaccine mandate attempts targeting healthcare facilities and businesses employing more than 100 people.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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The Supreme Court’s six conservative justices indicated they would uphold Mississippi’s abortion ban which could then limit abortions in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A lot of folks apparently have not had a good run with their insurers while trying to settle Hurricane Ida property damage claims.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is taking a victory lap after federal Judge Terry Doughty granted his request for a preliminary injunction blocking a Biden administration vaccine mandate targeting healthcare facilities. Landry says he’s optimistic about an appeal of the ruling.

Cut 4 (12) “…the OSHA mandate. “

That mandate involved businesses employing 100 or more workers to ensure their employees are vaccinated against COVID or are tested regularly beginning January 4th. It was stayed by the Fifth Circuit early last month.

In attempting to impose vaccine mandates on both businesses and healthcare facilities, Landry believes Biden is stepping outside his sandbox.

Cut 5 (09) “…violate the constitution.”

Landry says he expects Biden to lose all of his vaccine mandate proposals.

Landry says he’s heard figures that upwards of 30 percent of healthcare workers are choosing to exit their jobs rather than being required to be vaccinated. He says that’s a problem.

Cut 6 (06) “…that’s problematic.”

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services vaccine mandate rule requires most of those working at healthcare facilities to be vaccinated against COVID.

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The US Supreme Court heard two hours of oral arguments Wednesday on Mississippi’s 15-week abortion ban, if upheld it could lead to the high court overturning Roe v. Wade, which then would ban nearly all abortions in Louisiana. Ben Clapper, Executive Director of Louisiana Right to Life is hopeful abortion rights will be overturned.

Cut 7 (12) “…from abortion.”

Michelle Erenberg, (Erin-berg) President of Lift Louisiana, a women’s advocacy group that also defends the right to abortion says, attorneys on behalf of the abortion clinic in Mississippi did an excellent job covering issues of the case.

Cut 8 (13) “…is critical.”

Clapper says if the ban is upheld it opens the door for individual states to make their own laws regarding abortion rights, and in Louisiana, abortions would be banned, but in the meantime…

Cut 9 (12)  “…Post-Roe Louisiana.”

Erenberg says as they await the court’s decision which is expected in June….

Cut 10 (13)  “…abortion access.”

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St. Tammany Parish officials want to dispel misconceptions about an upcoming parish-wide vote on allowing a gambling casino resort complex to be built in Slidell. St. Tammany President Mike Cooper says rumors run rampant that voting “yes” would open the door for multiple gaming establishments, but he says this vote only addresses the proposed Camellia Bay complex and nothing else. Cooper says the state Gaming Control Board confirms this…:

Cut  11 (13)  “…to relocate.”  

The state Gaming Control Board has approved moving a Bossier City casino license to Slidell, but the St. Tammany Parish Council agreed to let voters decide whether the $325-million project could move forward. Parish Council chairman Mike Lorino says information floating about that says the vote would allow more than one casino to operate are just not true…:

Cut 12 (12) “…it’s bologna (baloney)..”

Lorino says there are a limited number of casino contracts in our state, and if another wanted to move to St. Tammany it would take another vote of the people to approve it.

A lawsuit sought to block the public vote on allowing camellia bay to move forward, but last week the state Supreme Court ruled the vote could go on. Early voting is currently underway on that December 11^th ballot. Parish President Mike Cooper urges St. Tammany voters to cast their ballots, whether for it or against it…:

Cut 13 (09) “…from day one.”

If approved by voters, Camellia Bay would be built near the I-10 Twin Spans, and feature a gaming floor, events and concert venues, restaurants, a hotel and a multi-acre youth sports facility.

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Complaints are flying against insurance companies following Hurricane Ida. Doug Quinn, executive director of the American Policyholder Association, attended a legislative hearing Wednesday.

Cut 14 (09)  “…the claims process.”

He tells us there’s also been the problem of multiple adjusters investigating damage to a single property which further complicates and slows, or derails, the payment of legitimate claims. Several major insurers say they have closed the majority of their claims, but that doesn’t confirm any money was paid out.

Quinn says one of the more significant problems with getting damage claims settled is when multiple adjusters show up to investigate.

Cut 15 (10)  “..a good claim.”

Quinn believes the state, while doing a good job in its oversight of the insurance industry, something is missing from the mix.

Cut  16 (12) “…the insurance carriers.”

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New LSU football Coach Brian Kelly says he had no plans on leaving Notre Dame, where he’s the winningest coach in school history. But Kelly says when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward described his vision for the future of LSU Football, Kelly says he wanted to be a part of it

Cut 17 (17) “ take on” 

Kelly says he’s impressed with the leadership that’s in place at LSU with William Tate as president and Woodward in charge of athletics…

Cut 18 (18) “..for me”  

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New Louisiana Tech football coach Sonny Cumbie described his vision for Bulldog football during his introductory press conference on Wednesday. Cumbie is described as having an innovative offensive mind after serving as an offensive coordinator at both Texas Tech and TCU. The former Red Raiders Q-B wants La Tech to have an explosive and physical offense…

Cut 19 (26)  “..make plays”  

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Taysom Hill will get the start at quarterback tonight when the Saints look to snap a four-game losing streak when they host Dallas. Hill hasn’t played since a November 14th loss when he injured his foot. Since then Hill has been managing his partial plantar fascia tear and is excited for another chance to be the starting quarterback…

Cut 20 (22) “.football games” 

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport Tuesday. About 50 people were on hand when the former skipper of the Fighting Irish touched down in Tiger Country.

Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”

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Teacher pay is on the mind of the man who heads up the state’s teacher’s union. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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News of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant of COVID has Ochsner health officials on alert and advising the public on how to prepare. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The man who’s been Mayor of Pineville since 1999 is stepping down. Mayor Clarence Fields announces he will not seek re-election next year to a seventh term in office. The 66-year-old Fields says he was recently diagnosed with a vision problem and – but for that – he would have likely wanted to run again…:

Cut 4 (08) “…what led to it. “

Fields was first appointed to that office in 1999; succeeding Leo Deslatte when he resigned from office. He was formally elected in 2000 and has served ever since. Fields says, after almost 25 years of service, he looks forward to spending more time with his children and grandchildren. He says the decision to stand down was a difficult one…:

Cut 5 (07) “…under the circumstances.”

Fields was a 2021 inductee into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and is credited with revitalizing Pineville business, leading improvements to the Rapides Parish city’s infrastructure & recreational departments and bringing new commercial and residential developments. He says his sixth term in office ends June 30, 2022…:

Cut 6 (10) “…until then.”

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The announcement and arrival of LSU’s newest hire Brian Kelly as head football coach is met with excitement and shock as about 50 of the purple and gold faithful gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport to greet the former Norte Dame coach. After two mediocre seasons, the news of Kelly at the helm renews hope in the program.

Cut 7 (12) “…(two voices) why we’re out here.”

After the news of Lincoln Riley being hired by USC and Billy Napier to Florida, Tiger fans were growing anxious when a new coach had not been named after the final game of the regular season Saturday. For some, the hire came out of the blue.

Cut 8 (11) “…I’m excited.”

While some questioned if LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward would be able to bring in a big name after high-profile candidates made commitments elsewhere, landing Kelly has restored their faith in Woodward.

Cut 9 (12)  “…no brainer.”

Kelly will be officially announced at a noon press conference today.

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With Louisiana ranking 12^th in teacher pay among the 16 states in the South, Larry Carter, who heads up the Louisiana Federation of Teachers, is sounding off about the need for the state to at least reach the regional annual salary average of just over 55-thousand-dollars.

Cut 10 (10)  “…seeking higher pay.”

Carter says it will be up to the governor, state lawmakers and educators to work together to see that the state allocates the additional state funding. The current average pay for the more than 40-thousand teachers in the state is just over 51-thousand-500-dollars and that’s helping to lead to teacher shortages in some school districts.

The President of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says the state needs to get to work on upping the pay of the tens of thousands of teachers in the state.  Larry Carter says the average pay is just over 51-thousand-500-dollars, thousands below the southern regional average of more than 55-thousand. That’s helping fuel a teacher shortage in the state. He says teachers surveyed didn’t rank pay as the most important issue:

Cut  11 (06)  “…educational decision making.”  

Still, Carter says the battle will go on for higher pay with the hope that Governor Edwards can get teacher pay increased to the regional average by the end of his second term in January 2024.

Carter says while strides with Governor Edwards’ support have been made to improve teacher pay in Louisiana, it still falls far short of regional average pay for instructors in 16 southern states.

Cut 12 (13) “…the other 16.”

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The highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.

Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”

Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says preliminary data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine retains adequate efficacy against the Omicron variant. She says when news of the new variant broke over the holidays it was a reminder that the pandemic is far from over.

Cut 14 (07)  “…be prepared.”

By prepared, Kemmerly touts vaccines and booster shots for those 18 and older who were fully vaccinated more than six months ago. And because it takes 14 days to receive the full benefit of the vaccines, health providers encourage you to get boosted sooner than later and before the Omicron variant reaches Louisiana.

Kemmerly says while studies of Omicron are ongoing there has been an alarming increase in hospitalizations in South Africa, but the nation also has a vaccination rate of only 30-percent.

Cut 15 (12)  “..unvaccinated.”

To date the Omicron variant has not been detected in the US, however, cases have been reported in Canada.

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Saints Coach Sean Payton has yet to name a starter for tomorrow night’s home game against Dallas. Taysom Hill is expected to start as he’s been taking the first-team reps at Q-b, but he’s also battling a foot injury. Payton says the injury is getting better….

Cut  16 (18) “…from there”

Hill was a full participant in practice yesterday according to the team’s injury report. Running back Alvin Kamara was limited, but Mark Ingram was a full participant for the second straight day after missing last Thursday’s game. Ingram expects to play against the Cowboys and hopes his running mate Kamara will join him…

Cut 17 (23) “ hands on deck” 

The Saints are looking to break a four-game losing streak when they face the Cowboys. Payton says every NFL season has its bumps in the road…

Cut 18 (20) “..kind of thing”  

The 2021 Hurricane Season officially ends today and after a wild ride for Louisiana two seasons in a row, it’s welcome news. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The question remains on what a person’s natural immunity to the virus is after contracting COVID-19. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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A new Louisiana State Police training academy class begins this weekend. Kevin Gallagher has more on that…:

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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Hurricane season officially ends today but according to State Climatologist Barry Keim we could still see a disturbance in the month of December, but it’s highly unlikely. Keim says the 2021 hurricane season was the third busiest on record with 21 named storms, seven were hurricanes, and four of which were major.

Cut 4 (10) “…past season. “

Keim says the record book goes back 170 years to 1851.

Of the four major hurricanes this year, Ida was one that ravaged parts of southeast Louisiana. Keim says while Ida proved the levee system in the New Orleans metropolitan area is sound, she devastated other towns.

Cut 5 (11) “…took place.”

Keim says things really began to ramp up in 1995 and we’ve experienced above-normal seasons ever since. Last year Louisiana was impacted by five storms, Tropical Storm Cristobal, and Hurricanes Laura, Marco, Delta, and Zeta. This year three storms have left their mark with Tropical Storm Claudette, and Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas.

Cut 6 (07) “..unprecendented.”

Keim says this is the first time we’ve had two back-to-back seasons with 21 or more named storms.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is expressing concern that federal health officials are not looking into how long one can expect to remain naturally immune to COVID-19 after getting it. He believes it’s due to incompetence on the part of such agencies as the CDC and the NIH.

Cut 7 (08) “…not to know.”

Cassidy says the CDC has not really done a great job with the COVID crisis, critical of the agency’s director who he says is running the operation via ZOOM from home.

Cassidy theorizes on why the CDC is not plunging into trying to determine a person’s natural immunity to COVID after contracting the virus and surviving it.

Cut 8 (13) “…won’t do it.”

Just like investigating crime, an effort should be underway to determine how much people are protected from the coronavirus by way of natural immunity.

Cut 9 (13)  “…in that direction.”

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The 100^th Louisiana State Police cadet class starts this Sunday. LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis says this academy comes at a good time, as they are about 200 troopers shy of ideal manpower…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…mission of public safety.”

Col. Davis acknowledges some problems State Police have had in recent years with use of force in roadside encounters; especially with persons of color. The new academy class of 65 cadets includes 10 females and reflects cultural diversity as well, which Davis feels can only be a good thing…:

Cut  11 (14)  “…is value added.”  

Col. Davis says LSP will do everything necessary to change any negative behavior by troopers they encounter. A number of troopers have been fired in recent years for said behavior. Davis says use of any force accounts for less than one percent of roadside encounters and assistance. He says the new class of well-trained troopers will improve public safety…:

Cut 12 (14) “…supposed to be done.”

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Today is Giving Tuesday a tradition that began in 2012 and like last year the need is great in Louisiana. Interim Red Cross Communications Director for Louisiana, Caroline Fountain says with two devastating hurricane seasons back-to-back, a donation to the Red Cross is greatly welcomed.

Cut 13 (11) “…to go.”

Fountain says the easiest way to donate is to go to RedCross-dot-org backslash holiday. And it’s a perfect solution if you’re having trouble thinking of a gift to give someone this year.

Cut 14 (11)  “…your behalf.”

And Fountain says your monetary donation goes a long way…

Cut 15 (09)  “…a difference.”

Giving Tuesday is a day to volunteer or donate to your favorite charity.

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Outgoing U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier will coach his final game in Cajun Field this Saturday when the Cajuns host Appalachian State in the Sun Belt Conference Championship game. Napier has accepted the head coaching at Florida, but he has the utmost respect for the residents of Acadiana…

Cut  16 (19) “…thankful we are”

Even though Napier accepted the head coaching job at Florida, he made it known that he wanted to coach U-L Lafayette in the Sun Belt title. He says the new job will not be a distraction…

Cut 17 (15) “ these things” 

Meanwhile, U-L Lafayette athletics director Bryan Maggard says he would like to have a new coach in place by December 15th, which is when recruits for the Class 2022, can sign national letters of intent…

Cut 18 (22) “..student atheltes”  

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Louisiana Tech athletics director Eric Wood is also looking for a new football coach after firing Skip Holtz. Wood says they would like to make a higher sooner than later…

Cut 19 (21)  “..possible”  

Wood says he’s looking for someone that will care for their student-athletes and will work well with the Ruston community. He says the main qualification is a coach that will bring a winning football program to La Tech…

Cut 20 (18) “.of the program”