The Louisiana Supreme Court orders Judge William Morvant to rehear a case involving a State House petition seeking to override the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. A new trial date has not been set but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder expects it will be soon

Cut 8 (09) “…with this.”

Morvant ruled it unconstitutional because both chambers did not sign the petition.

A four-year-old was killed in a New Iberia house fire early Monday morning. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the cause of the fire is still under investigation but so far they’ve got two theories as to what caused the tragedy.

Cut 12 (11) “…contributed” 

Rodrigue says no smoke alarms were found on the premises.

President Trump’s surprise 180 on the COVID Relief Bill last night perplexes Congressman Garret Graves.  Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is now in the ICU battling COVID-19. Letlow was transferred from a hospital in Monroe to Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. On Friday is was announced the former chief of staff for outgoing Congressman Ralph Abraham tested positive. Letlow is reportedly in stable condition and receiving remdesivir and steroids. Letlow was elected to Congress in the December 5^th runoff.

The Louisiana Supreme Court orders a Baton Rouge judge to rehear a case involving a State House petition that seeks to override the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s glad Judge William Morvant will hear the case again…

Cut 6 (07) “…legislation”

On November 12^th Morvant ruled a petition signed by a majority of House members was unconstitutional.

President Trump vetoes a millitary spending bill citing its foreign aid components and threatens to veto a COVID relief bill due to the 600 dollar stimulus check being too small. Congressman Garret Graves says the move shocked him…

Cut 4 (11)  “… asked for”  

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden is reportedly the new head football at the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) ….I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The founder of Stine Home and yard, J.W. Stine, has passed away at the age of 102. After flying planes in World War Two Stine came back home to southwest Louisiana and made a series of investments in Sulphur real estate that eventually yielded the Starlin Lumber Company in the 1950s. That company morphed into Stine Home, and the businesses 11 stores across the state.

5^th Congressional District Congressman-elect Luke Letlow is now in the ICU battling COVID-19. Earlier this week the former chief of staff for outgoing Congressman Ralph Abraham announced he had tested positive and was in the hospital. Letlow is reportedly in stable condition at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and receiving remdesivir and steroids.

President Trump’s surprise 180 on the COVID Relief Bill last night perplexes Congressman Garret Graves. 

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Baton Rouge Judge William Morvant has been ordered by the state Supreme Court to rehear a case involving a State House petition that claims to have the legal authority to override the Governor’s COVID public health restrictions. On November 12^th Morvant ruled a petition signed by a majority of House members was unconstitutional. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the petition process was signed into law in the early 2000s…

Cut 7 (12) “..right now.”

The Senate rejected calls to circulate a similar petition.

A four-year-old was killed in a New Iberia house fire after panicking and running away as the family escaped the house. Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says in situations like a house fire it is common for children to get scared so teach them a plan…

Cut 14 (09) “..see” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court orders a Baton Rouge judge to rehear a case involving a State House petition that seeks to override the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s glad Judge William Morvant will hear the case again…

Cut 6 (07) “…legislation”

On November 12^th Morvant ruled a petition signed by a majority of House members was unconstitutional. The Supreme Court says the ruling was premature.

President Trump threatens to veto a spending bill containing COVID relief, saying the stimulus checks aren’t big enough and there’s too much foreign aid spending in it. Congressman Garret Graves was surprised…

Cut 3 (13)  “…his request.”

Trump called the 600 dollar stimulus checks disgraceful and called for 2,000 dollars instead.

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden will reportedly become the next head football coach at U-L-M. Bowden coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998, winning 47 games in six seasons. . Monroe News-Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says it’s a surprise to see the Warhawks hire a 64-year-old coach…

Cut 9 (12) “..weekend came.”

Bowden also had a successful three-year stint at North Alabama. His last head coaching job was at Akron where he went 32-and-52 in seven seasons.

If you plan on holding an outdoor Christmas celebration, be prepared for temperatures 10 to 12 degrees below normal…

cut 14 (09) “….Christmases”

State Climatologist Barry Keim says highs will be in the 50s on Christmas Day as a strong cold strong front moves through today.

Amazon selects Carencro as the site of its first fulfillment center in Louisiana, with the 500 job facility expected to open a year from now. The company’s Director of Fulfillment Mark Marzano calls it a state of the art facility.

Cut 11 (11) “..wiring.”

Amazon is investing 100 million dollars in the facility and starting wages will be 15 dollars an hour.

When COVID vaccines are more widely available to the public you might wonder who’s paying for them, especially after the pandemic has hurt so many financially. Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical Director Dr. Jeremy Wiggington says the federal government is paying for the vaccine itself with CARES Act funding, but there is a fee to administer the shot.

Cut 6 (09) “…to members.”

The coaching staff shakeup is underway at LSU as Bo Pelini is out as the Tigers defensive coordinator. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Tigers offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is also on the move. He’s retired from an on field coaching position and is being reassigned within the organization.

Governor Edwards announces that the state will remain in Modified Phase 2 restrictions for the next three weeks.

Louisiana received its first doses of Moderna’s COVID vaccine today and expects to receive just shy of 80,000 doses by the close of business Wednesday. About 36,000 of those will head to nursing homes and the remaining 44,000 will be sent to tier two hospitals and medical first responders. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s a great step forward…

Cut 9 (10) “… us.”

Last week the state received about 40,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine.

Eight million dollars in funding left over from the CARES act will be used to purchase 23-hundred Chromebooks for K-12 students. Superintendent Cade Brumley says they are working on a plan to purchase and distribute the devices to school systems in need by next spring.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the field.”

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. The I-Bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid to play in the bowl game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s crushing that this annual holiday tradition can not happen this year

Cut 3 (10)  “..didn’t happen.”

The “Christmas Star” will be out in the Louisiana sky tonight after sunset. LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it’s not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together, and the best viewing of the so-called Star is tonight after dusk, but it will be visible until the 25^th. So why the “Christmas” star?

Cut 13 (12)“…it’s planets.”

The Moderna COVID vaccine is now in Louisiana with about 80,000 doses expected to arrive in the Bayou State by Wednesday afternoon. That means we’ve got two vaccines in circulation locally. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says they’re both effective but Moderna doesn’t need to be kept as cold…

Cut 11 (08) “..after that.”

Nursing home staff and residents, medical first responders, and tier two hospitals will be receiving this week’s shipment.

Eight million dollars in surplus state funds will be used to purchase Chromebooks for K-12 students. Superintendent Cade Brumley says virtual instruction hasn’t been flawless but this should help…

Cut 8 (11) “…and deserve.”

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. Army was lined up to play a PAC-12 team but no Pac-12 teams were available. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says they tried to find a school outside of the Pac-12 to play Army, but no luck

Cut 5  (11) “…slots” 

Fans who purchased tickets, can request a re-fund or roll over the purchase to next year’s game.

After sunset tonight you’ll definitely want to take a look at the western skies and view a phenomenon dubbed the Christmas Star.  LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says you won’t need a telescope to view the once in a lifetime event and try to find a location without tall trees, buildings, and bright lights for best viewing.

Cut 14 (07) “…like that” 

If you miss it tonight you won’t have another chance until 2080.

The state health department reported 65 more COVID-19 deaths today. Jeff Palermo has the latest coronavirus numbers…

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A Legislative Auditors report finds LDH’s COVID-19 dashboard numbers and daily reporting to be accurate, with only an estimated point four percent of all reported tests likely being duplicates. It did raise issues with the lag between when tests are conducted in the field and when the results are sent to LDH.

____________________________

The “Christmas Star” will be out in the Louisiana sky tonight after sunset. LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it’s not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together, and the best viewing of the so-called Star is tonight after dusk, but it will be visible until the 25^th. So why the “Christmas” star?

Cut 13 (12)“…it’s planets.”

Your next chance to see the “star” will be in 2080.

The Shreveport based Independence bowl has been called off this year after the organization couldn’t find a team to take on Army, who had agreed to play the game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says five teams from the PAC-12 decided not to play in a bowl game this season, reducing their options…

Cut 4 (07 )  “.line-up”  

COVID cases are surging in Louisiana and Governor Edwards warns residents that it is just not safe to gather for holiday celebrations outside of your immediate household. He says levels of community spread are high in every corner of the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…contagious.”

State officials are concerned that adding a post-Christmas surge on top of our current post-Thanksgiving surge could start to overwhelm our healthcare capacity.

Scammers are hard at work as the state vaccinates tens of thousands of frontline healthcare workers. Louisiana Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Cory Dennis warns you to be wary of strange offers like…

Cut 7 (11)  “…after that.”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is helping residents who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic with a program called “Reboot Your Career.” LCTCS System President Dr. Monty Sullivan says if you’re out of a job join the 1,500 workers who’ve already completed the program and are moving into their new careers.

Cut 14 (12) “…to have.” 

For more information about the program visit the Louisiana Community and Technical College website and search for Reboot Your Career.

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. The I-Bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid to play in the bowl game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s crushing that this annual holiday tradition can not happen this year

Cut 3 (10)  “..didn’t happen.”

Governor John Bel Edwards begged business owners at a Resilient Louisiana Commission meeting to start taking the pandemic seriously again as cases surge statewide.  Edwards says the public’s response to this third wave of the virus will be judged by later generations.

Cut 13 (08) “respond”

The State is just shy of reaching 7,000 Covid-19 deaths.

Congressional negotiators will work over the weekend on a Covid-19 economic relief package that Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped put together.  It could provide 200 billion dollars in aid for businesses.

There’s also discussion about a second 600-dollar stimulus check, but Cassidy says he has not been part of those talks.

Cut 5 (09) “there too”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will start Sunday against the Chiefs, his first game back in action in just over a month.  Jeff Palermo has the story

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LSU will play Ole Miss on Saturday as they host the Rebels in Tiger Stadium for the season finale.  LSU is currently 4-5 on the season with a chance to finish the season with a .500 record.  Under first year head coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels are 4-5 on the season with a high-powered offense, led by quarterback Matt Corral.  The game is at 2:30