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.”

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Louisiana records another single-day high number of COVID cases. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (27) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

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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.” 

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The most recent data from the National Center for Health Statistics indicates that from 2019 to 2020 drug overdose deaths increased more than 50-percent in Louisiana. Ben Miller, President of Well Being Trust, reviewed the numbers and says overdose deaths were increasing well before the pandemic.

Cut 4 (11) “…attention to.” 

And Miller says they’ve also seen an alarming increase in street or synthetic opioid overdose deaths increase by 56-percent compared to prescription opioids.

Cut 5 (08) “…a concern.”

Miller says we are better able to control opioid prescriptions, but synthetic use is increasing.

If you have a friend of a loved one that you suspect is an addict, Miller says the first step is to simply ask them about it.

Cut 6 (11) “…may not.”

And have a connection to care for them, be able to put them in touch with a professional so they can get the help they need.

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Louisiana records another single-day high number of coronavirus cases reported. On Wednesday, the state Department of Health reported 17-thousand new cases of COVID, with about 2-thousand in the hospital. Tulane University epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says that number is alarming, but remember it does not represent one single day of test results…:

Cut 7 (10) “…in this big number.”

Great Britain, and other parts of the U.S., are reporting cases counts beginning to slow down. They say the Omicron variant is less severe and could signal the beginning of an end for the pandemic. Dr. Hassig is more cautious…:

Cut 8 (08) “…to call it yet.”

Of the 17-thousand cases reported Wednesday, LDH says 1-in-4 were among kids under 18. Dr. Hassig says youngsters may not be as severely affected by the virus, but they can still transmit it – even if vaccinated…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…they can learn the best.”

Of the 2000 people hospitalized with the virus, 75-percent are not fully vaccinated.

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While the temps might have cooled in Louisiana the housing market sure hasn’t. Typically, this time of year home sales slow down, but that hasn’t been the case since the pandemic. Louisiana Realtors Association Director of Business and Professional Development Amy Fennell says a low inventory of homes continues to drive the market.

Cut 10 (11) “…lots of buyers.”

It remains a seller’s market and in some places, it’s more exacerbated than others. Fennell says areas of the state recovering from recent natural disasters are seeing even higher demand for homes.

Cut  11 (07)  “…bayou area.”  

Fennell says supply chain issues have drastically slowed the construction of new homes and also postponed the remodeling of existing homes.

And because it remains a seller’s market as opposed to a buyer’s market, and some sellers are entertaining multiple offers. Fennell says if you’re looking to buy in order to have a competitive advantage you need to have the guidance of an experienced Realtor.

Cut 12 (12) “…looking for it.”

Another bonus to working with a Realtor is they have knowledge of homes that are about to be listed and many sales are negotiated before a sign is even placed in the yard.

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With voters in St. Tammany Parish rejecting a proposal to move a Bossier City casino license to Slidell last month, 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.”

Johns says Diamond Jacks has petitioned for a short extension to get together their re-opening plan for approval. He says the Gaming Control Board has granted the extra days…:

Cut 14 (15)  “…are gonna be.”

Johns says Diamond Jack’s will present their plan to the Gaming ControlBoard on February 17^th for approval. He says the casino has been allowed to get a bit run down and will need some TLC in order to compete; something to Board must heavily weigh. He says that isn’t all Diamond Jack’s is up against…:

Cut 15 (09)  “…staff in place.”

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LSU football has added two potential starters to its defensive secondary with the help of the transfer portal. Arkansas safety Joe Foucha and Ragin Cajuns cornerback Mekhi Gardner have posted on social media they will transfer to LSU. Foucha started 33 games at Arkansas over three years and last season had two interceptions and 7.5 tackles for a loss. The Athletic’s Brody Miller says Foucha is one of the better SEC safeties you’ll find

Cut  16 (20) “…creative with.”

LSU’s depth in the defensive secondary has been depleted due to players transferring, entering the NFL draft early, or guys who have used up their eligibility. Miller expects LSU will go after several other players in the transfer portal, including another Arkansas defensive back…

Cut 17 (21) “ ..seeing”

Miller says there’s a real possibility LSU will sign over a dozen transfers…

Cut 18 (14) “ ..back” 

With three declared candidates for the U.S. Senate seat this fall, a Louisiana political expert handicaps the race – as it is now. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Sen. John Kennedy announced today he raised in $3.3 million in the final quarter of 2021. Going into 2022, Kennedy has raised a total of $18.2 million for his Senate campaign and has $11 million cash on hand.

Special Session to redistrict Louisiana begins February 1^st. Governor Edwards has stated he feels Louisiana should have a second majority-minority congressional district. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says doing so without gerrymandering will be the real task.

Cut  11 (14)  “…where the dilemma is.”

Persons of Color represent nearly a third of Louisiana voters, so a second minority district is mathematically called for.

A teacher in the St. James Parish school system has been arrested on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles and molestation of a juvenile. Sheriff Willy Martin says they started investigating 50-year-old Lisa Samuels after the victim called the state’s child abuse hotline…

Cut 12 (08) “…the victim.”  

Louisiana is experiencing a serious shortage of blood. Ochsner Health pathologist Dr. Aimee Goodier (GOO-dyay) says blood donations have been on the decline for some time now, even before the pandemic. She says donation sites are aware of the fear donors might have about COVID and they are taking extra precautions…:

CUT 08(09)      “…loved ones.”

All blood types are needed and you can donate once every 8 weeks. Give it some thought.

Two people are under arrest in the Rapides Parish town of Ball, in connection with the weekend murder of 27-year-old Deven Brooks. Ball Police say Terrence Lavalais and Jamaria Randle – both 21 and both from Alexandria – are charged with 2^nd degree murder and aggravated kidnapping. Brooks was shot in the head and dumped near the Red River in Alexandria. His body was found Tuesday.

A teacher in the St. James Parish school system is arrested on charges of indecent behavior with juveniles. St. James Sheriff Willy Martin says the victim contacted the state’s child abuse hotline, which led to 50-year-old Lori Samuels’ arrest. Martin says there are potentially more victims…:

CUT 13(12)      “…this investigation.”

Samuels has taught art in St. James schools since 2009.

State lawmakers call a Special Session on Redistricting Louisiana to begin February 1^st. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Governor Edwards’ ask for a second majority-minority congressional district will likely be a source of controversy…:

CUT 10(14)      “…he MAY veto it.”

The state Legislature will convene a Special Session to redistrict Louisiana on February 1^st. After a U.S. Census is conducted, lawmakers must meet to draw up new districts for the U.S. House, plus the state House & Senate, Public Service Commission and the court system. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says Louisiana didn’t gain or lose a large number of people, so the overall job for legislators shouldn’t be difficult…:

CUT 09(11)      “…the whole state.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has publicly stated he feels Louisiana should have a second majority-minority congressional district. Pinsonat says creating that U.S. House district without gerrymandering will be a big chore.

New Orleans cops carrying out a search warrant at a 9^th Ward home found the mutilated remains of a female in a freezer. The resident, 34-year-old Benjamin Beale, was arrested and charged with a list of offenses. Officers found a headless torso and a power saw with bits of flesh on the blade. Police were searching the home for clues to the disappearance of a woman who’s been missing for a month.

A Donaldsonville school teacher is arrested for alleged sexual contact with a minor. St. James Sheriff Willy Martin says they started investigating 50-year-old Lisa Samuels after the victim called the state’s child abuse hotline…:

CUT 12(08)      “…the victim.”

A social media account belonging to Samuels says she’s an art teacher for St. James Parish schools and has been since 2009.

There are now three declared candidates for the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Louisiana this fall. They are incumbent Republican John Kennedy, Democrat challenger Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers, also a Democrat. U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says the pair have been hammering on Kennedy’s “no” vote on the recently passed Infrastructure Bill, but they’ll need to do better defeat Kennedy…:

CUT 05(13)      “…push back on that.”

The state health department says Louisiana has set another one-day record for COVID infections. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

Cut 02  (30)      “…Palermo”

Meanwhile, schools in Lincoln Parish will be closed starting tomorrow due to the Omicron surge. They’ll remain closed until after the MLK Day holiday next Monday. A number of school systems statewide are going to virtual learning – at least temporarily – as the number of positive cases keeps growing.

As reported yesterday, U.S. Senator John Kennedy now has two Democrat challengers for the fall election. They are Bunkie resident Luke Mixon, a Navy vet and airline pilot, and Gary Chambers, a Baton Rouge businessman and advocate. UL-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says anyone challenging Kennedy has an uphill climb…:

CUT 04(12)      “…to be very safe.”

Have you donated blood recently? Apparently neither have a lot of people. There’s a shortage of blood both here in Louisiana and across the USA. Ochsner Pathologist Dr. Aimee Goodier (GOOD-yay) says that’s very bad. She says, in addition to accident victims and trauma patients, there are also cancer patients who could need transfusions … and other scenarios…:

CUT 07(11)      “…little bit more volume.”

She urges us all to consider donating blood at any nearby blood center.

There are now three declared candidates for the 2022 U.S. Senate race in Louisiana this fall. They are incumbent Republican John Kennedy, Democrat challenger Luke Mixon and Gary Chambers, also a Democrat. U.L.-Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says he thinks Kennedy has a clear advantage. He has millions in his campaign fund and can easily raise millions more…:

CUT 03(12)      “…a factor in the race.”

Cross says if a challenger can raise enough campaign money, there is a chance Kennedy could be sent home.

Police in New Orleans discovered a headless human female torso while serving a search warrant on a 9^th Ward home. The body was found in a cooler in an old school bus parked next to the house. 34-year-old Ben Beale has been booked on a list of charges. Police had a warrant to look for clues to a woman’s disappearance. It’s unknown if the body IS that woman, or someone else.

There’s a global shortage of blood and Louisiana is not the exception. Ochsner Pathologist Dr. Aimee Goodier says it’s a dire situation and when a trauma patient could require anywhere from six to twelve units of blood if there are multiple accidents the supply could easily be depleted…:

CUT 06(10)      “…same time.”

Blood donations have been on the decline for some time now, even before the pandemic.

A teacher in St. James Parish is under arrest for alleged indecent behavior with a juvenile and molestation. St. James deputies arrested 50-year-old Lisa Samuels, of Donaldsonville, after a tip led them to investigate a suspected improper relationship with an underage person. No word on bond, or if Samuels has legal counsel.

Look for a bit of warming as the weekend approaches and some rain on Saturday. Then temperatures will drop again Sunday; reaching the lower 30’s by Monday morning.

There’s a global shortage of blood and Louisiana is not the exception. Ochsner Pathologist Dr. Aimee Goodier says it’s a dire situation and when a trauma patient could require anywhere from six to twelve units of blood if there are multiple accidents the supply could easily be depleted.

 Cut 6 (07) “…on the shelf.” 

Hospitals and blood banks are requesting donations from all blood types. You can donate every eight weeks. If you have had a COVID infection 14 days after symptoms have resolved.

The state reports 1,999 COVID patients are in Louisiana hospitals, and 111 are on ventilators. 3/4s of those patients are unvaccinated. More than 17-thousand new cases have also been tallied, and that does not include positive home test results. Beginning today an indoor mask mandate is in effect for New Orleans.

With three declared candidates for the U.S. Senate seat this fall, a Louisiana political expert handicaps the race – as it is now. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Lincoln Parish Schools will be closed this Thursday and Friday due to an outbreak of COVID, colds, flu, and stomach viruses. Students are scheduled to return to the classroom on Tuesday after the Monday Martin Luther King holiday.

The Governor’s Office announces a federally funded program to help homeowners who were set behind on their mortgage due to the pandemic. Louisiana Office of Community Development spokesperson Gina Campo says the state has received nearly $147-million to give out…:

CUT 04 (11)      “…housing instability.”

About 3000 have already applied. To apply yourself, or to find out more, visit “LAcovidhousing.com”

New Orleans has re-instated its indoor mask mandate, amid the Omicron COVID surge. Businesses in nearby Jefferson Parish say this could mean a surge in dollars for them, as people decide to do business OUTSIDE the Crescent City, especially for the Carnival season. Members of the Jefferson Parish Council say they do not expect to put a mask mandate back into place. Not far away, the city of Baton Rouge also does not plan to demand masks while indoors.

It’s time to put on your dancing shoes and show off your best moves and help Louisiana Public Broadcasting “Save Mardi Gras”. Brooke Thorington explains…:

CUT 03 (33)      “…Thorington.”

Officials in Shreveport have voted to give city workers a 13-percent across-the-board pay increase. The council will rearrange city funds from other areas to pay the additional wages. City workers should start seeing those raises on paychecks by mid-February.

The state should see a slight warming over the next few day, with some rain coming in for the weekend. Behind the rain, another cold front; taking temperatures into low 30’s by Monday morning.

The Governor’s Office announces a federally funded program to help homeowners that are behind on their mortgage due to the pandemic. Louisiana Office of Community Development spokesperson Gina Campo says the state has received nearly $147-million. Homeowners must meet a certain criteria to qualify for up to $25-thousand in mortgage assistance…:

Cut 5 (07) “…servicer or lender.”

For more info visit LAcovidhousing.com

The most recent survey of small business owners indicates that 22-percent of mom-and-pop shops say inflation is the biggest issue they are facing, and the influx in prices has reached levels not seen since the early 80s. State NFIB Director Dawn McVea says inflation is increasing the cost of doing business.

Cut 10 (09) “…to the consumers.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference has officially recognized Louisiana has an additional $840 million dollars in revenues for the current budget year and an additional $765 million for next year’s budget. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…:

Cut 7 (13) “…surrounding the pandemic.”
State economists say the higher-than-expected revenues are the result of hurricane recovery, higher wages, and the economy bouncing back from pandemic-related shutdowns.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is on a mission to “Save Mardi Gras,” and they want you to follow in their steps and create your own video. You just learn the dance and show off your moves.  LPB Executive Producer Linda Midgett they’ll feature some of the best submissions on the air and social media pages.

Cut 14 (08)  “…fun video.”

For more information visit LPB.org/SaveMardiGras

Louisiana has a combined $1.6 billion budget surplus from the last and current fiscal year and the Revenue Estimating Conference has increased revenue projections for next fiscal year by $771 million dollars. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

The Louisiana Legislature has released the official call for a redistricting session. It will begin on February 1st at 5 Pm and must adjourn no later than 6 pm on February 20th.

Louisiana has launched a Mortgage Relief Program to help homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 and behind on their mortgage and at risk of foreclosure. Louisiana Office of Community Development Deputy Executive Director Gina Campo says three-thousand people have already applied. She says you can apply at…
cut 6 (14) “…sign up”
The federal American Rescue Plan is funding the mortgage relief program.

Louisiana Public Broadcasting is on a mission to “Save Mardi Gras 2022” as they’ve started a social media campaign encouraging folks to get vaccinated. LPB Executive Producer Linda Midgett says all you have to do is watch their video, record yourself dancing and upload it to social media.
Cut 13 (11) “…do the dance.”
For more information go to LPB-dot-org-slash-SAVEMARDIGRAS.