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.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

_______________________________________

Governor Edwards implores business owners to recommit to COVID safety as cases surge statewide…

cut 2 (29) ….I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_____________________________

Congressional negotiators will work over the weekend on a COVID-19 economic relief package that Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped put together. Cassidy says a central element of the legislation is 300-billion dollars in aid for businesses…

Cut 3 (11)  “..remain employed.”

The 900-billion dollar measure would also boost unemployment benefits by 300-dollars a week. Cassidy says the proposal also contains money for renters and help out landlords who are not getting regular rent checks

Cut 4 (11)   “..bit longer”  

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

Cut 5  (09) “…there too.” 

_______________________

Saints Coach Sean Payton says Drew Brees will start at quarterback against Kansas City on Sunday after missing the last four games with multiple rib fractures and a punctured lung. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Brees’ returns to the field as New Orleans battles Green Bay for the top seed in the NFC playoffs…

Cut 6 (08) “…week off.”

The Saints and Packers are 10-3, but the Packers own the tie breaker, since they won in New Orleans in September.

Detillier says the Saints have been testing Brees’ durability in practice, but there’s no way to simulate what the Chiefs will try to do to him on Sunday

Cut 7 (10) “…quarterback.”

Kansas City is only 21^st in the league in sacks per game at just under two.

Detillier says having Brees return ahead of schedule gives you some insight into how Coach Sean Payton views the Taysom Hill experiment.

Cut 8 (07) “…playing him.”

Kickoff against the 12-1 Chiefs is set for 3:25 in the Dome.

______________________________________________

The discount you’ve seen with your auto insurance is coming to an end. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s not necessarily an increase in rates, it’s the end of rebates 38 insurance companies gave to policyholders in the state due to reduced driving during the pandemic.

Cut 9 (08) “… year.”

Donelon says stay-at-home orders early in the pandemic decreased the number of motorists on the roads which also reduced the number of traffic accidents.

Cut 10 (10) “…policyholders.”

Personal auto insurance premiums decreased on average 6-percent due to the pandemic and as those rebates come to an end, Donelon explains it’s not an increase in your rate.

Cut 11 (08) “…rate increase.”

______________________________________________

An animated Governor Edwards begged business owners at a Resilient Louisiana Commission meeting to start taking the pandemic seriously again as cases surge statewide.

Edwards says he knows this is tough but recommitting to requiring people to mask up and socially distance in stores is vital right now.

Cut 12 (11) “…today.” 

The state is just shy of reaching 7,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Edwards says the public’s response to this third wave of the virus will be judged by later generations.

Cut 13 (08)“…respond.”

Edwards says this should be an exciting time for the state now that the first vaccines have been rolled out, but…

Cut 14 (09) “…work.” 

On his monthly talk show, Governor Edwards went after Attorney General Jeff Landry for his participation in a lawsuit that sought to overturn the results of the Presidential election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________

A Shreveport man serving a life sentence for selling two bags of marijuana has been released after 12 years in Angola. Brooke Thorington spoke with the Innocence Project New Orleans.

cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_____________________________

On his monthly talk show Governor Edwards said it’s past time everyone accepts President-elect Joe Biden won the November election.

Edwards says it’s hard to justify holding out considering just earlier this week the Electoral College gave Biden 306 votes.

Cut 3 (11)  “..loser.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is the only member of the Louisiana Republican Congressional Delegation to publicly acknowledge Biden’s win.

Edwards bemoaned what he called a “fruitless” effort by some Republican Attorneys General, including Jeff Landry, to challenge the legitimacy of votes in key battleground states.

Cut 4 (13)   “..evidence”  

Over the weekend the US Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit filed by the Texas AG challenging those votes.

Edwards says it is vital for our democracy that these results be accepted.

Cut 5  (07) “…unify” 

36 percent of all voters and 77 percent of Trump voters in a recent Fox News poll believe the election was stolen from the President.

_______________________

Fate Winslow is a free man after serving 12-years in prison for selling marijuana to an undercover police officer in Shreveport for 20-dollars. Winslow was sentenced to life in prison in 2008 because he was a fourth-time habitual offender. Innocence Project New Orleans Executive Director Jee Park says Winslow was released on the grounds of ineffective counsel.

Cut 6 (12) “…excessive.”

Park says IPNO has been working for about a year to overturn the sentence due to ineffective counsel and working with the Caddo Parish District Attorney.

Cut 7 (10) “…after September 2008”

Winslow had three previous felony convictions but they were nonviolent offenses. Park says the 53-year-old spent almost a quarter of his life behind bars for selling two bags of marijuana valued at 20 bucks…

Cut 8 (09) “…for food.”

Winslow is the third individual IPNO has freed this year through its new Unjust Punish Project. Park also noted that the crime Winslow was convicted of is no longer a crime in 16 states and the District of Columbia

______________________________________________

Tomorrow is the last day to ship a Christmas present via USPS First-Class Mail and have it arrive in time for Christmas.

USPS spokesperson Albert Ruiz says it’s vital you ship that package ASAP because a lot more packages are getting shipped this season than in prior years.

Cut 9 (08) “…last year”

The priority mail deadline is December 19^th.

Ruiz says USPS workers are doing overtime hours to meet the massive demand this year.

Cut 10 (07) “…week”

If you wait any longer than tomorrow your final and most expensive option for a Christmas delivery is Priority Mail Express, due by December 23^rd. Ruiz says using that option might not get it in time for Christmas Eve, but…

Cut 11 (08) “…as well”

______________________________________________

ExxonMobil is looking at investing 240-million dollars into its Baton Rouge refinery and a decision on whether to proceed would be made next year. Exxon’s Baton Rouge refinery manager Gloria Moncada says they plan to install new technology into the refinery that’s been around for 110 years…

Cut 12 (11) “…refinery emissions” 

Baton Rouge Exxon Mobil refinery employs 13-hundred workers. Moncada says the project would not add permanent jobs, but it would provide hundreds of construction jobs…

Cut 13 (09)“…middle of 2021.”

Moncada says in order for the project to be approved, they need local governments in East Baton Rouge to grant them a property tax break through the Industrial Tax Exemption Program…

Cut 14 (13) “…project funding” 

Moncada says they also plan to use the state’s workforce development training program known as FastStart.

Senator Bill Cassidy says the historic pace of COVID vaccine development, is a triumph of the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed. Matt Doyle has more

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________

A second miner has been found dead following Monday’s roof collapse at the Avery Island salt mine. Don Molino has more…

cut 2 (27) …I’m Don Molino”  

_____________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says the Trump Administration’s Operation Warp Speed should be praised for producing a COVID vaccine in record time. Cassidy says the program built an innovative way to fast-track development and set a precedent for future vaccine research.

Cut 3 (08)  “..months.”

The first vaccines were administered in Louisiana on Monday, just 275 days after the state suffered its first COVID death.

But that rapid pace of development has many Americans fearing the vaccine is not safe. Cassidy says if you feel that way talk to one of the nurses that got vaccinated this week.

Cut 4 (09)   “..them”  

Cassidy says he would take the vaccine if offered but expects he is far down the priority list due to his prior infection and likely current immunity.

Cassidy says vaccine compliance will be the key to ending this pandemic and restarting the economy.

Cut 5  (11) “..go down” 

_____________________________________________

A new wasp species has been discovered by a grad student at the LSU Ag Center and has been named Joeburrowi, after former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.  Entomologist Nathan Lord with the LSU Ag Center says the name is appropriate due to the insect’s unique pattern.

Cut 6 (11) “…number one”

Ilgoo Kang discovered the wasp during LSU’s championship run.  Lord says it’s a great way for his student to honor Burrow.

Cut 7 (10) “…after Joe”

This particular species is very rare, as Lord says so far this is the only Wasp of its kind that has been discovered.

Cut 8 (10) “…border of Thailand.”

______________________________________________

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has doubled down on his comments that New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell had Christian performer  Lauren Daigle of Lafayette booted from Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve television show.  A NOLA.com report contradicted that claim, but Nungesser says he confirmed Daigle’s participation with ABC before Cantrell found out about the proposed performance from Jackson Square…

Cut 9 (09) “…New Orleans.”

The NOLA.com report has ABC and Daigle sources that claim the Grammy-winning Christian music artist was never offered a slot on the program in the first place, calling the accusations “categorically false”.

Nungesser exected Daigle to play the gig until Cantrell sent a letter to ABC attacking the singer for participating in an illegal, crowded, and mostly unmasked French Quarter Christian concert.

Cut 10 (10) “…channel.”

Nungesser says after he was told Daigle would not be a part of the show he pulled the state’s support for the program. The Fleur Dis Lis is still set to drop New Year’s Eve in New Orleans as ABC looks set to work directly with the City instead.

Nungesser says the City needs to bounce back with a big tourism year in 2021, so…

Cut 11 (03) “…forward”

______________________________________________

The Louisiana Insurance Department says they’ve received over 700 consumer complaints from hurricane victims this year, with over 600 of them coming from policyholders who suffered Hurricane Laura damage. Deputy Commissioner for the Office of Consumer Services Jeffrey Zewe says 450 of the complaints are closed…

Cut 12 (08) “…relief done.” 

Zewe says they still have 250 disaster complaints open and most of the complaints are the result claim delays and estimate amounts. He says the estimate from an adjuster is just an estimate on what it will cost to repair the damage

Cut 13 (11)“…additional payment.”

Zewe says right after Hurricane Laura they received a lot of calls from policyholders about the amount of the hurricane deductible…

Cut 14 (14) “…that issue” 

As the state waits on more vaccines to come into Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards expresses concern that hospitals are getting stretched to their limit. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy warns that a 748 billion dollar bipartisan COVID relief bill is American’s only hope of getting some aid from Congress before the Christmas break. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (28) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_____________________________

The Louisiana Attorney General is warning residents about an increase in “porch pirates” stealing Christmas packages from front doors.

AG’s office spokesperson Emmie Fuson says if your package gets stolen contact your local authorities but just know it is a difficult crime to solve. She says your best bet in solving that crime is…

Cut 3 (08)  “..camera.”

But Fuson says preventing your package from being stolen in the first place should be your top priority. She’s got a few tips for avoiding that potential heartbreak…

Cut 4 (11)   “..alerts”  

Fuson also recommends having a trusted neighbor pick up your packages once you get a delivery alert that they have arrived.

And the best way to guarantee your package makes it safely under the Christmas Tree is for you to handle it yourself.

Cut 5  (10) “..possession” 

_____________________________________________

The state health department reported 50 more COVID-19 deaths today bringing the death toll to 6,895. The number of COVID patients hospitalized increased by 70 and there are nearly 16-hundred COVID patients in the hospital. Governor John Bel Edwards says he was on a call with CEOs of the state’s largest hospitals this week

Cut 6 (07) “…so forth”

Edwards says there’s been a surge in COVID patients following Halloween and Thanksgiving and it’s important to avoid another surge following Christmas. He says the best way to preserve capacity is by following the mitigation measures…

Cut 7 (12) “…patients”

Edwards says the state will receive 39-thousand Pfizer vaccines this week and another 40-thousand next week. He says the Moderna coronavirus vaccine which is up for F-D-A approval this week, will be available for Louisiana nursing home residents starting on December 28th…

Cut 8 (10) “…these vaccines.”

______________________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers either pass a 748 billion dollar bipartisan COVID relief bill or nothing will get done before Congress’ Christmas break.

Cassidy worked on this legislation with a few of the more centrist Democrat and Republican Senators and House members. He says with split chambers this is American’s only hope for relief…

Cut 9 (10) “.in town.”

The legislation does not include another stimulus check. A separate effort is ongoing to force a vote on a new round of 1,200 dollar direct payments.

Cassidy highlighted the two biggest pieces of the bill…

Cut 10 (10) “…businesses.”

That new round of PPP would include restaurants and music venues. Food assistance, rental assistance, and vaccine distribution funds are also included.

Cassidy says the bill actually features very little new spending.

Cut 11 (09) “…here”

A separate 160 billion dollar companion bill was also introduced that would include funding for state and local governments suffering from lost revenue. That bill only seems possible if an agreement can be reached on a COVID liability shield for businesses.

______________________________________________

Small businesses in Louisiana continue to struggle with the pandemic. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says they’ve performed 14 surveys and consistently one in four respondents say if the economy doesn’t improve soon, they will have to close their doors. Starns says it’s imperative they receive relief as soon as possible.

Cut 12 (08) “…relief done.” 

Starns says while several small business owners took advantage of Paycheck Protection Program as the pandemic enters its ninth month the PPP loan hasn’t been sustainable.

Cut 13 (11)“…hoped.”

The most recent survey indicates 47-percent of small business owners don’t anticipate business conditions to return to pre-pandemic levels until next year and 36-percent fear it will be 2022 before they rebound.

Starns says 56-percent of small business owners plan to be vaccinated for COVID.

Cut 14 (08) “…to do” 

Starns says however 36-percent of business owners say they will encourage their employees to be vaccinated but not require it.

Governor John Bel Edwards calls today a historic moment as the first frontline healthcare workers in Louisiana received the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

It’s a momentous day in Louisiana as the first COVID vaccinations are administered to healthcare workers. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards was on-site at Ochsner’s Jefferson Parish campus this morning as the first Pfizer COVID vaccinations were administered in Louisiana.

Edwards called it a historic moment.

Cut 3 (06)  “..now.”

The state received thousands of doses Sunday and by Wednesday will have received 39,000 doses total. Next week we’ll receive another shipment of 40,000 doses.

As Edwards spoke healthcare providers were lining up in the background receiving their shots. He called this moment the beginning of the end of the pandemic…

Cut 4 (08)   “..here.”  

Ochsner anticipates being able to vaccinate 88 percent of their COVID unit staff with this first week’s allocation. Other hospitals and healthcare providers have also begun the process of administering vaccines to frontline healthcare workers.

Frontline healthcare workers are first up to get vaccinated, followed by nursing home residents and staff once the Moderna vaccine is approved. Edwards warns…

Cut 5  (09) “…priority” 

_____________________________________________

The first COVID-19 vaccine for the state was administered this morning at Ochsner Health in New Orleans.  Dr. Leonardo Seoane (Swani), a Pulmonary Critical Care Physician who also oversaw clinical trials of the Pfizer vaccine was the first to be inoculated on this historic day.

Cut 6 (12) “…community.”

According to the CDC, Blacks, American Indians, and Latinos are 2.7 times more likely to die from COVID compared to whites.

Dr. Obinna Nnedu (Oh-bee Nah-doo) an Infectious Disease Senior Physician at Ochsner was among the first physicians to receive the Pfizer vaccine, he wanted to reassure the public that might be apprehensive about the vaccine.

Cut 7 (12) “…safe.”

Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Medical Officer at Ochsner reminded those who were vaccinated today to follow up in 21 days with the second shot to receive maximum protection which has been shown to be 95-percent effective with the booster shot.

Cut 8 (09) “…that yet.”

The general public is expected to receive vaccinations next spring.

______________________________________________

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors cast their ballots for President Donald Trump at the Capitol today.

States across the country are certifying President-elect Joe Biden’s win. With that happening, State GOP Chairman Louis Gervich looked towards the future…

Cut 9 (12) “.Republic.”

Biden is expected to receive 306 electoral votes today barring any faithless electors. The United States Supreme Court over the weekend and earlier today rejected President Trump’s legal efforts to overturn the results in certain battleground states won by Biden.

Party member Ross Little Jr. celebrated President Trump’s last four years. He noted the Trump campaign visited Louisiana in 2016 during the great flood despite it not being a battleground.

Cut 10 (06) “…greatly.”

For about four and a half minutes Little Jr. named a list of accomplishments Trump should be celebrated for starting with…

Cut 11 (10) “…wall”

Trump won the state this year with 58 and a half percent of the vote.

______________________________________________

Two LSU players were named SEC Players of the Week for their performance in the Tigers’ upset win over Florida. Freshman Max Johnson was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after throwing for 239 yards and three scores. The 19-year-old says he was comfortable running the offense

Cut 12 (10) “..game for us” 

Johnson has come off the bench in several games, but this was his first start…

Cut 13 (07)“…for me”

Cade York was named Special Teams Player of the Week. He nailed a game-winning, school-record 57-yard field goal and also made two other field goals. York is glad he had the chance to make history

Cut 14 (09) “…pretty awesome” 

The first Pfizer COVID vaccines are expected to be administered to frontline healthcare workers today. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Much like after nine-eleven when there was a rush to join the military, the pandemic has motivated many to enter the medical field. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

__________________________________________

As cases surge across the state in Shreveport Willis-Knighton Doctor Jennifer Prime plead with residents to mask up and socially distance to stop the spread…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

__________________________________________

Louisiana’s eight Electoral College electors will meet today at 11:30 AM at the Capitol to cast their votes for President Donald Trump.

The state GOP selected the eight electors, one from each of Louisiana’s six Congressional Districts and two at large candidates. Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta represents the 1^st District…

Cut 4 (08) “…electors.”

Skrmetta was selected by the party as a result of being one of the state’s Trump campaign co-chairs.

Skrmetta says it will not take  long for the electors to cast their ballot and sign the paperwork needed to award President Trump the state’s eight electoral votes.

Cut 5 (08) “…Trump.”

President Trump won the state with 59-percent of the vote to President-elect Joe Biden’s 40 percent.

Skrmetta says barring any action by the US Supreme Court we should have an official accounting of who the next President will be today.

Cut 6 (07) “…vote”

Barring judicial intervention, or faithless electors, President-elect Joe Biden will win the Presidency with 306 electoral votes.

________________________

The first Pfizer COVID vaccines arrived in Louisiana Sunday and the state will begin administering them to frontline healthcare workers today. Ochsner received 9,375 of the first wave of doses. Pharmacy Director Heather Maturin says the vials must be kept very cold to remain effective, so once it leaves their deep freezer…

Cut 7 (09)  “…gold”

The state will be receiving 39,000 doses in total for this first week. Another roughly 40,000 Pfizer doses are expected to arrive next week.

Maturin says workers in COVID units will be the first to get vaccinated this week. She says this week’s allotment will have a huge impact.

Cut 8 (09) “…patients.”

The Orleans/Jefferson campus will receive over 5,000 of the doses, with Lafayette and Shreveport getting 1,300 and 3,000 respectively.

Maturin says when these vaccines arrive on-site to be administered today they will be frozen solid at negative 94 degrees. She says personnel have had to train extensively on how to handle it.

Cut 9 (11) “…concentration.”

_____________________________________________________

Medical schools are experiencing an unprecedented surge in applications across the country. The Association of Medical Colleges reports an increase of 18-percent, it’s a phenomenon known as the “Fauci Effect.”  Associate Dean for Admissions at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. Angela McLean says Dr. Anthony Fauci’s leadership has inspired medical leaders of the future.

Cut 10 (09) “…inspiring.”

The surge in applications to medical colleges is comparable to interest in the military after 9/11. McLean says it’s one of the positive effects of the pandemic, more young people motivated to help others.

Cut 11 (12) “…like Fauci.”

The surge in applications has increased the competition to enter medical school with only a specified number of slots for incoming classes. At LSU Health New Orleans Dr. McLean says the limit is 200, however, the Fauci effect isn’t restricted to becoming a physician.

Cut 12 (10) “…all programs.”

Dr. McLean recommends applicants for medical school demonstrate volunteer initiatives that show them helping improve the lives of others.

__________________________

Louisiana is in the midst of a third major wave of COVID cases and medical professionals are begging the public to recommit to masking and social distancing before they run out of healthcare capacity.

Shreveport based Willis Knighton Dr. Jennifer Prime is one of them. She says to date she has cared for 750 COVID patients and lost 92 of them.

Cut 13 (12) “…offer.”

Prime says she’s having end-of-life discussions with people who you’d never think would die so young.

Cut 14 (07) “…living.” 

She asks everyone to please get back to mitigating the spread. She says she drives home every day to see people coming out of packed restaurants and gyms…

Cut 15 (07)“…their life.”

_______________________________________________

The Saints nine-game winning streak ended last night with a 24-21 upset loss to Philadelphia. New Orleans streak of holding rushers to under 100 yards in a game also came to an end at 55 as the Eagles had two players cross the century mark, Miles Sanders and rookie Jalen Hurts who made his first start at quarterback. Coach Sean Payton says Hurts played well…

Cut 16 (16) “…good job.”

The Saints trailed 17-0 at halftime. New Orleans scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to get back in the game, but never took the lead. Payton blames himself for the team’s performance…

cut 17 (19) “…games today”

The loss drops the Saints record to 10-3 and they also fell out of the top spot in the NFC standings. Green Bay now holds the number one seed with three games left to play. New Orleans Quarterback Taysom Hill threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns, but he also turned it over twice…

cut  18 (18) “…own destiny.”

_____________________________________________________

It’s been a disappointing season for the LSU Tigers, but the Bayou Bengals found a way to pull off a memorable 37-34 upset victory over the sixth ranked Florida Gators in the Swamp. The wins comes on the heels of a 38-point defeat to Alabama, but Coach Ed Orgeron had belief his guys would get a “W” on Saturday night…

cut 19 (19) “…got it done.”

LSU’s maligned defense forced three turnovers, Max Johnson threw three touchdowns in his first collegiate start at quarterback and Cade York made three field goals, including the game-winning 57-yard field goal that goes down as a school record. York knew his celebration before the ball split the uprights…

cut 20 (20) “….to do that.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he will not make it mandatory to get a COVID vaccine nor will he provide financial incentives. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________________

An AARP report from October to mid-November shows 476 new cases among nursing home staff in Louisiana and 17-percent have a PPE shortage. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) …I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

_____________________________

In the past two weeks, six people have died in fires in Louisiana, including the latest fatal fire which occurred in Lafayette Thursday night.  While the causes remain undetermined, State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue believes unsafe heating practices could be factors.

Cut 3 (12)  “…in your home.”

Last year 75 people in Louisiana died due to fires and another 70 lives have been claimed in 2020.  Rodrigue says cooking and heating tips can help keep people safe.

Cut 4 (13)   “…flammable.”  

Rodrigue says it’s important to have a working smoke alarm…

Cut 5  (07) “…get out safely.” 

_____________________________________________

Vaccine rollout is imminent and Governor John Bel Edwards is imploring residents to take it when available.  A Pew poll shows 40 percent of Americans would refuse to take the vaccine if offered. Edwards says he hopes they change their mind but it won’t be mandatory in Louisiana, and…

Cut 6 (06) “…do it.”

The first wave of Pfizer vaccines are expected to be administered to frontline COVID-facing healthcare workers early next week. A vaccine by Moderna is expected to be approved in December as well and that will be given to nursing home residents and staff.

European reports indicate the vaccine has some side effects, but Edwards says he’s reviewed the data and there are vaccines people already take with side effects worse than this…

Cut 7 (11) “…too.”

Those reports indicate the heaviest side effects for the Pfizer vaccine come after taking the booster shot 21 days after you are first vaccinated.

Edwards warns the vaccine won’t be available to the general public until sometime in spring and right now we’re facing a highly concerning spike in cases.

Cut 8 (09) “…holds”

______________________________________________

State Trooper Jacob Brown of Rayville has been charged with one count of Aggravated Second Degree Battery and Malfeasance in Office for allegedly using excessive and unjustifiable force during an arrest of a black man in Ouachita Parish in May of 2019. Trooper Michael Reichhardt says a lawsuit filed by the victim in October started the investigation…

Cut 9 (09) “…at that time.”

A law office in Monroe has identified the victim as Aaron Bowman. They claim Bowman was dragged to the ground and beaten senselessly during the arrest. Reichhardt says the 30-year-old Brown was assisting the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office when he engaged in excessive force…

Cut 10 (04) “…administrative investigation.”

Reichhardt says when the investigation determined that Brown did commit the violations, the trooper was promptly arrested.

Cut 11 (08) “…his supervisors.”

______________________________________________

An AARP dashboard report indicates nursing homes in Louisiana face concerning trends.  Data analyzed from October 19^th to November 15^th show an increase in staff cases and an ongoing shortage of staff and PPE. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says community spread is responsible for 476 new staff COVID cases.

Cut 12 (05) “..have COVID.” 

The report indicates a staff shortage of 37-percent and 17-percent of long-term care facilities have less than a week supply of PPE on hand.

The report analyzed data before the Thanksgiving holiday among nursing homes. Botcher says an adequate supply of medical-grade PPE is vital and with only 17-percent of facilities reporting a one-week supply, she fears the worst.

Cut 13 (11)“…PPE.”

Of the statewide death total from COVID, 40-percent of those fatalities are in nursing homes. Healthcare workers and nursing home residents are prioritized to receive vaccinations once authorized by the FDA. Botcher is encouraged but knows the vaccines will take time to show results.

Cut 14 (07) “…population.” 

New Orleans based data analyst Jeff Asher’s analyst proves the flu is in no way comparable to COVID. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________________

Forty percent of the American’s say they won’t be vaccinated for COVID… but can they lose their job over it? Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

_____________________________

Statewide in the eight and a half months since our first COVID linked fatality, we’ve had enough COVID deaths to fill eight average flu seasons.

Those numbers come from New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher who says when extrapolating current rates out to 12 months COVID will likely rival cancer and heart disease deaths.

Cut 3 (09)  “…astounding.”

The average flu season was taken by averaging flu deaths every year between 2012 and 2016 which came out to 765.

Asher says the high number of COVID fatalities came despite a historic effort to prevent the spread.

Cut 4 (09)   “…diseases.”  

Louisiana has the fifth-highest number of COVID fatalities per capita in the nation.

The state reports 6,684 COVID deaths. Asher says that number is likely undercounting the real total.

Cut 5  (10) “..reported.” 

_____________________________________________

Rumors have swirled that LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert would opting out of the remainder of the season, and head coach Ed Orgeron confirmed that Gilbert has left the team. Orgeron says he spoke with Gilbert yesterday

Cut 6 (11) “..transferring.”

While Gilbert has not announced any plans to transfer, Orgeron says LSU will re-recruit him to get him back next season.

Cut 7 (07) “..next year.”

There were also reports that Gilbert was homesick and his mother came in from Georgia to speak with him this week. The mental health of players has also been brought up during this difficult season. Orgeron says the school does a great job addressing mental health issues.

Cut 8 (11) “…go through.”

______________________________________________

Sixty percent of people questioned by a Pew Research Survey say they plan to get vaccinated for COVID. But for the other 40 percent can your employer require you to be inoculated? According to Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino in Louisiana the short answer is yes.

Cut 9 (07) “…to COVID.”

Ciolino says exceptions would be, for example, if an employee has a collective bargaining agreement, or they could be protected under certain federal laws if they have a disability, a sincere religious belief…

Cut 10 (08) “…accommodation.”

Health experts say vaccine mandates are to be expected in some professions such as healthcare and public education. Ciolino says this is not the first time the issue has gone to court.

Cut 11 (08) “…apply here.”

______________________________________________

Two are dead and three injured including a four-year-old after a shooting incident in Lacombe Tuesday.

St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Captain Scott Lee says shortly after 10 AM yesterday deputies were called to the 28-thousand block of Palmer Drive…

Cut 12 (05) “…guns.” 

Scott says the homeowner was not struck by gunfire, but two of the four-armed people who entered his house were fatally shot and the other two wounded…

Cut 13 (08) “…recovery.”

It’s unclear if any of the alleged home invaders actually fired their weapons. Scott says the incident is still under investigation.

Cut 14 (05) “…scene.” 

Sheriff Randy Smith says this was an isolated incident and all partied involved have been accounted for.