The state moved back into Phase Two, but a modified form that leaves schools and churches unaffected while most other businesses will have to limit capacity to 50 percent, down from the current 75 percent. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says that’s because COVID hospitalizations have doubled since early October. He says the new restrictions are not just because we are entering the holiday season…

Cut 4 (09)   “…take some action”  

The order remains in effect at least until December 23^rd but Governor Edwards warned he is likely to extend the order at that point. The Governor says the good news is that there is light at the end of the tunnel with LDH expecting vaccinations to begin by mid-December. Stacy Hall, Director of the Office of Public Health Immunization Program says they are waiting on federal guidance on who gets vaccinated first

Cut 10 (11) “…top two.”

Overall holiday travel is expected to be less this Thanksgiving however if you are taking to the skies, preparation is key in a pandemic.

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Three people, two of them from out of state, are under arrest in the death of an unidentified Lake Charles woman found in a burning vehicle in DeQuincy. Morgan Douglas of Andalusia, Alabama faces the second degree murder charges along with arson and obstruction while his two coworkers, Dixon Fife of Lake Charles, and Michael Roberts of Jacksonville, Florida faces a number of charges including accessory after the fact to second degree murder.

Governor Edwards moves the state back into a “modified Phase Two” that restricts most businesses to 50 percent capacity, closes nearly all bars, and cuts down on stadium capacity in areas that were allowed to have up to 50 percent previously…

Cut 13 (07) “…required”

A maximum of 75 people will be allowed at indoor events, with a maximum of 150 people allowed at outdoor events. The order takes effect Wednesday and will last until at least December 23^rd.

Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation members to concede that Joe Biden won the presidential race. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says he’s not surprised Cassidy was the first…

Cut 6 (09) “…pragmatism.”

Many are trying to get a rapid COVID test before Thanksgiving dinner and forgo advice from health officials to not gather outside their immediate household. Brooke Thorington has more

cut 2 (29) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

The weather forecast for Thanksgiving looks like it will be rainy for much of the state Thursday. Because of this Governor Edwards is asking people to cancel all Thanksgiving gatherings with people outside of your immediate household, even if you planned out a socially distanced outdoor event. Once the rain begins falling it is likely people will flock indoors where transmission is 20 times more likely than outdoors.

COVID cases are surging in Louisiana, with 2,111 confirmed new cases being reported today by the Louisiana Department of Health. Governor John Bel Edwards is scheduled to speak at 230 on the rising case count, and address a White House Coronavirus Task Force report for the state that has us in the red for overall case growth.

Due to this the state is asking people not to gather outside their household for Thanksgiving. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that means even if you’ve received a negative rapid test.

Cut 9 (12) “…still risk” (Cut at 3 seconds in)

That task force report included language that calls for “significant behavior change” amongst Louisiana residents, mandatory mask usage in public, and a “significant reduction in capacity” for businesses. It notes half of all parishes have high, uncontrolled levels of community spread. The state has also more than doubled the number of new cases it has per 100,000 residents this week as compared to last week.

Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win. ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says  as more states certify their results and Biden’s electoral vote lead grows it’s only a manner of days, or at most weeks before most of the rest of the delegation joins Cassidy.

Cut 8 (11) “..same.”

Biden appears set for 306 electoral votes.

Gas prices continue to stay under two dollars across the state, with the average for a gallon in Louisiana at just 1.84. AAA spokesperson Don Redman expects gas prices to continue to drop but says predicting the price heading into next spring could be tough.

Cut 5  (12) “…get to it” 

Senator Bill Cassidy becomes the first member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge President-elect Joe Biden’s win. Cassidy tweeted “I voted for President Trump, but Joe Biden won. The transition should begin for the sake of the country.” ULM Poli Sci Professor Joshua Stockley says Cassidy has always been pragmatic.

Cut 6 (09) “…pragmatism.”

Cassidy also tweeted that the Trump campaign has not presented the kind of evidence of mass voter fraud needed to change the results of the election.

If you’re driving to meet the family for Thanksgiving you’ll be enjoying some of the lowest gas prices in years, and 40 cents a gallon lower than it was last year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says it’s the pandemic economy…

Cut 4 (10)   “…pretty low.”  

Healthcare officials and the Governor are begging residents not to meet up with family outside their household for Thanksgiving as the state reports another 2,120 confirmed positive COVID cases today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A Winnfield Republican is attempting to get his colleagues to back legislation that would raise the state’s gas tax in an effort to address Louisiana’s crumbling roads and bridges. Representative Jack McFarland says we have a 14 billion dollar backlog of projects, and DOTD is set to run out of money.

Cut 14 (10) “..applicable” 

The bill, set to be brought in the spring regular session, would see a ten-cent increase in the first year after passage, and two cents additionally per year until 2033.

Thanksgiving meals will be a little bit cheaper this year. Louisiana Farm Bureau spokesperson Avery Davidson says factoring in a turkey, and a number of sides you’ll be coming in about two dollars less than you did last year.

Cut 3 (08)  “…4-percent.”

Car dealers were bracing for a rough year, however, president of the Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association Will Green says it was not as bad as anticipated. Green says they’ve sold more vehicles than expected because consumers bought cars to avoid public transportation and dealers offered great incentives.

Cut 6 (09) “…we thought.”

Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says he’s feeling better after testing positive for COVID-19 last week. The coach believes he caught the virus while coaching the Cajuns to a win over South Alabama on November 14th…

Cut 11 (11) “….of problems.”

The school says Napier began to exhibit symptoms on Tuesday night, and he says the hardest part is not being able to attend practice.

The sales tax holiday in Louisiana is underway, today and tomorrow, the first 25-hundred on most purchases are exempted from the 4.45-percent state sales tax. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says the legislature’s decision to bring the holiday back to assist residents and business owners recovering from hurricanes and the pandemic is vital.

Cut 4 (10) “in sales tax”

Governor Edwards is urging residents not to plan a large holiday party. Edwards says gatherings for Thanksgiving should be small, with only members of your immediate household. The governor says an extended family dinner with nine people in the Shreveport-Bossier area led to tragedy as one of the attendees had COVID.

Cut 7 (11) “sadly died”

As COVID cases increase so are hospitalizations and Baton Rouge physician is urging the public to take the pandemic seriously. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections has decided to not allow family visits during the week of Thanksgiving due to rising COVID-19 cases across the state and in its prison system.  Infection rates of COVID-19 have been lower across Louisiana’s prison system in recent weeks, but the DOC decided it was safer to not allow visitors at this time.