The U.S. Supreme Court has blocked the White House COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses. Six conservative justices voted for the block, while 3 liberal justices voted against. Loyola University law professor Dan Ciolino says he doesn’t see it as a purely partisan decision…:
Cut 13 (13) “…a democratic president.”
Brandon Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at grocery stores across Louisiana and Mississippi, says the Supreme Court got this one right. He says he’s not against the vaccine — but whether or not his workers get the shot is their business…:
CUT 15 (06) “the vaccine itself”
But the court did rule to uphold the mandate to require the vaccine for employees of health care providers.

New data shows the number of Louisianans who smoke cigarettes is at an all-time low. A report from the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living says the percentage of adults who smoke is down to just over 18-percent; down from about 22-percent in 2019. TFL director Dr. Earl Benjamin Robinson says this is great news:
Cut 10 (06) “contextualize that drop”
For help kicking the tobacco habit, visit “QuitWithUsLA.org”.

The Louisiana Marathon is coming back to Baton Rouge for its 11th year. Thousands of runners from all over the world are expected to be in this weekend. Officials say the Louisiana Marathon weekend generates between $2 million and $4 million in economic impact each year.

The state continues to urge the public to remain vigilant as Louisiana’s Covid numbers are hitting levels not seen since the pandemic first started. Of 17-thousand cases reported Wednesday, LDH says 1-in-4 were kids under 18. Tulane University epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says youngsters may not be as severely affected by the virus, but they can still transmit it – even if vaccinated…:
CUT 9 (10) “learn the best”
Other countries are seeing this latest surge begin to drop but Hassig says it’s too early to call when that will happen here.

Police in New Orleans say detectives located a headless torso inside a deep freezer that was hooked up to a bus in the backyard of a residence in the 9th Ward. The man who lived there, Benjamin Beale, is behind bars on various charges including obstruction of justice in relation to the case. Authorities were searching for Beale’s estranged wife, but the remains have yet to be identified and cause of death, including murder, has not been established. The investigation is ongoing.

St. Tammany Parish voters rejected a proposal to move a Bossier City casino license to Slidell which means that casino needs to reopen within 60 days of the failed measure. State Gaming Control Commissioner Ronnie Johns says Diamond Jacks has an uphill battle as its run down, and…:
Cut 15 (09) “staff in place”
He says Diamond Jack’s will present their plan to the Gaming Control Board on February 17th for approval.

Low housing inventory in Louisiana and lots of buyers means the real estate market here is very hot right now. Amy Fennell with the Louisiana Realtors Association says sellers are receiving multiple offers so they should get the help of someone with experience…:
CUT 12 (12) “looking for it”
She says supply chain issues have drastically slowed the construction of new homes.

The Covid Pandemic is surging in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards has called a news conference this morning to address it. On Wednesday, the state reported 17-thousand new COVID cases, with about 2 thousand in the hospital. The Omicron variant is less severe, and some say that could signal the surge may be ending, but Tulane Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig is more cautious…:
Cut 8 (08) “to call it yet”
Of the 2000 people hospitalized with the virus, 75-percent are not fully vaccinated.

Overdose deaths in Louisiana were rising at alarming rates even before the pandemic but it’s only gotten worse. New data suggests from 2019 to 2020 overdoses increased more than 50 percent in Louisiana. Ben Miller, President of Well Being Trust, says if you suspect a loved one is an addict, you should ask them about it…:
CUT 6 (11) “may not”

After voters rejected a plan to move a Bossier City casino license to Slidell in December, what becomes of the original casino? Kevin Gallagher asks the Gaming Control Commissioner:
Cut 3 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

An art teacher from St. James Parish has been arrested in two parishes this week on charges including sex crimes involving a juvenile. 50-year-old Lisa Samuels was first booked with a DWI in Ascension Parish before being brought to St. James where she was booked with molestation of a juvenile and indecent behavior with juveniles.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a news conference for 10:30am after the state recorded another single-day high number of COVID cases..:
Cut 2 (27) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

New Orleans Police say a man is behind bars after detectives found a dismembered body in a freezer on his property inside a school bus in the 9th Ward. They say 34-year-old Benjamin Beale is booked on several drugs and weapons charges along with obstruction of justice. Cops were searching the man’s home in relation to the disappearance of a woman named Julia Dardar who has been missing since at least last November. This investigation is ongoing.

A study from the National Center for Health Statistics finds from 2019 to 2020 drug overdose deaths increased more than 50-percent in Louisiana. Ben Miller, President of Well Being Trust, says the pandemic made things worse, but this has been a growing problem for some time…:
Cut 4 (11) “attention to”
He says if something isn’t done now, these terrible trends will continue.

The housing market in Louisiana is booming. Louisiana Realtors Association Director of Business and Professional Development Amy Fennell says “For Sale” signs don’t stay up long:
Cut 10 (11) “lots of buyers”
She says because things are so hot right now it’s best to use a realtor if you’re selling a home because you’re likely to get multiple offers.

Governor John Bel Edwards has called a news conference for 10:30am to give the latest on the state’s Covid numbers which recorded another single day high of cases Wednesday at 17-thousand. The state Department of Health says that’s with about 2-thousand in the hospital. Tulane University epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says that number does not represent one single day of test results…:
Cut 7 (10) “in this big number”
Of the 2000 people hospitalized with the virus, 75-percent are not fully vaccinated.

With voters in St. Tammany Parish rejecting a proposal to move a Bossier City casino license to Slidell, what becomes of that casino? State Gaming Control Commissioner Ronnie Johns says state law dictates that Diamond Jack’s casino must re-open within 60 days of the failed referendum…:
Cut 13 (08) “…very short extension.”
Its license is for one of 15 state riverboat casinos.

A new study finds drug overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020 increased across the nation by 31-percent and in Louisiana, it’s even worse. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Hammond Police Department reports a homeless man that had fallen asleep inside a dumpster was killed when he was crushed by a garbage truck compactor. They say the man, identified as 42-year-old Jermain Watts, was likely trying to escape the cold in the dumpster when the compactor was activated.

Louisiana argues its case against White House vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court…:
Cut 2 (29) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Meanwhile the State Supreme Court has ruled that private employers have the right to fire workers who don’t get the Covid shot. Ochsner employees filed the suit after the health system issued a vaccine requirement. But Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the supreme court ruled Ochsner can make its own rules…:
Cut 14 (07) “like Ochsner”

Approximately 30,000 homeowner policyholders in Louisiana of two insurance companies deemed to be insolvent will now have coverage under SafePoint Insurance. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says this is great news not just for those who had policies with Access Home or State National Fire, but everyone benefits since those homeowners could have ended up with taxpayer-funded Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance.
Cut 7 (11) “December 1st”
For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Insurance’s website.

It’s a must-win for the Saints on Sunday as they have to beat the Falcons and the 49ers also need to lose to the Rams in order for New Orleans to get the final spot in the NFC playoffs. Saints Coach Sean Payton..:
Cut 15 (12) “for success”
Kickoff is at 3:25.

Louisiana attorneys argued their case against White House COVID vaccine mandates before the U.S. Supreme Court Friday. We are among several states granted injunctions by lower courts to stop the enforcement of the rules. State Solicitor General Liz Murrill believes the Biden administration orders are an overreach…:
Cut 9 (15) “a COVID shot”
Federal Deputy Solicitor General Brian Fletcher says the mandates are absolutely appropriate…:
CUT 11 (09) “Medicaid patients”
A ruling by the Justices is forthcoming.

Meanwhile Louisiana’s Supreme Court just ruled Friday that private employers can under law fire workers who refuse to get the shot.

Nearly 900 soldiers and airmen with the Louisiana National Guard are mobilized throughout the state in support of various Covid missions. LANG Task Force Covid Commander Cindy Haygood says they are working at 28 vaccine sites and administering Covid tests at 31 sites…:
CUT 18 (11) “regions”
She says as of this week guardsmen have administered more than 542,000 Covid tests and 206,300 vaccines.

Good news for hunters today. The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says chronic wasting disease was not detected in more than 300 white-tailed deer samples taken in Morehouse and Union parishes. LDWF biologist Director Scott Durham says this means the baiting ban is now no more…:
CUT 3 (05) “to hunt”
Hunters across the state are still encouraged to continue submitting deer samples to LDWF.

The state Supreme Court rules private employers can fire workers who refuse to get the Covid vaccine. 2 months ago, a lower court ruled the Ochsner Health system cannot force employees to get the shot. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says at-will work laws in Louisiana give employers a lot of freedom…:
Cut 13 (10) “employees”
The ruling applies to all private employers, not just healthcare facilities.

The Louisiana National Guard is continuing to support Covid missions around the state in 2022. Cindy Haygood is the Task Force Covid commander with LANG. She says the Omicron surge has led to a huge increase in test site demand throughout the state…:
CUT 17 (11) “out there”
She says 886 service members are currently supporting various Covid missions in Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries lifts a baiting ban in Union and Morehouse Parishes after not finding chronic wasting disease in any of the local deer:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Saints travel to face the Falcons tomorrow and New Orleans must win to make the playoffs, and the Rams need to beat the 49ers. Running Back Alvin Kamara says they’ve been working hard:
CUT 16 (15) “locked in”
Kickoff is 3:25pm.