Beginning January first, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of getting the smokable flowers (or “buds”) of the marijuana plant. A bill allowing dispensaries to legally sell the traditional form of cannabis passed in the regular legislative session this year and was signed by the Governor. Agriculture Commissioner Dr. Mike Strain oversees product testing and regulations for medicinal weed…:

CUT 06(10)      “…each 14 days.”

You must have a written recommendation from a doctor or other licensed medical provider to get medical marijuana.

Public health officials & hospital administrators are reminding everyone that an emergency room is NOT the place to go to get a COVID-19 test. ER’s statewide are reporting a surge in non-emergency ER visitors, as cases of the virus surge again. There are a large number of free testing sites set up all over Louisiana. To find one near you go to “ldh.la.gov/coronavirus”.

Baton Rouge state Representative Ted James has been tagged to become the new Regional Administrator of the federal Small Business Administration in the South-Central Region; covering Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. James says he’ll remain in Louisiana and work in the New Orleans Office…:

CUT 04(06)      “…across our region.”

James will take over the job shortly after the New Year starts. He’s been a state lawmaker since 2012. A special election will be called to replace him in the state House.

Add another 12-thousand cases of COVID detected statewide. About 760 are in the hospital right now. Unvaccinated people account for 75-percent of cases.

And now a look at today’s markets…:

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James is stepping down from his seat in the state legislature to accept a federal post by President Joe Biden. James will serve as a Regional Administrator of the Small Business Administration’s South-Central Region. James who is head of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus says he’ll take the helm early next year.
Cut 3 (09) “…early next week.”

Just two days left in 2021 and one of the state’s big stories for this year was LSU’s Title Nine scandal. An independent investigation detailed how the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought the punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

With just a couple of days left in 2021, it’s time to take look back at another eventful year. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

And Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a 1 pm press conference today to discuss the surge in COVID.

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.

Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”

For those who make their initial claim January 1, 2022, or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana: bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:

Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”

Magee says two entire high schools will need to be rebuilt.

Governor John Bel Edwards will discuss the latest surge in COVID cases during a virtual 1 PM press conference. The state health department reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases yesterday as the state identified over nine-thousand new cases. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks to 659.

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

2021 was a wild year for weather. In February, Louisiana was hit by a major winter storm that brought snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures for several days. Utility companies were asking residents to conserve energy to minimize rolling blackouts because of the demand for heat…
cut 11 (09) “…power grid”
For the second straight year, Louisiana was hit by a Category Four storm. Hurricane Ida devasted the bayou and river parishes and also did a number on Tangipahoa Parish. Congressman Garret Graves couldn’t believe the destruction…
Cut 14 (12) “…hurricane.”
Houma Representative Tanner Magee says the recovery has a long way to go…
cut 6 (04) “…better for us”

Legislation approved in June will result in an 11-percent increase in the maximum unemployment benefit amount for Louisianians. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the 28-dollar weekly increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2nd…
cut 9 (11) “…a decade”
For those who make their initial claim on January 1st or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

The recovery from Hurricane Ida will continue into 2022. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says they are still waiting on FEMA trailers to help provide temporary housing and two of their high schools need to be rebuilt…
cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there”

We are taking time today to look at back at the major stories for 2021. In July, state lawmakers held their first veto session in modern times. Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on female athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as lawmakers like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…
Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”
The biggest sports story came in October when LSU athletic director Scott Woodward told Coach Ed Orgeron 2021 is his last as the Tigers football head coach….
cut 15 (09) “….met that standard”
Orgeron also took heat for not being more forthright in what he knew about a sexual harassment case involving former running back Derrius Guice.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana; bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:
Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”
Magee says Ida damaged a large number of businesses; some of whom have rebuilt, but others still struggling.

As a result of legislation approved in June, the maximum weekly benefit an unemployed individual will receive from the state is increasing by 28-dollars to 275 dollars for people who qualify. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s been more than 10 years since the state increased the maximum unemployment benefit…
cut 8 (09) “….their families”
Fiore says individuals filing a claim on or after Sunday will see the increase.

2021 saw its fair share of big stories including a Title Nine scandal that rocked LSU. An independent investigation shined more light on allegations that the school failed to properly investigate sexual misconduct claims against former football players. No one lost their job at LSU, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought that punishment was weak…
cut 12 (07) “…truth again”
The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as president at Oregon State.

COVID was a big story in 2021 and it will be in 2022. Yesterday, the Louisiana Department of Health reported over nine-thousand new cases, which is a single-day record high for the pandemic. COVID hospitalizations have tripled in two weeks.

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports on the recovery…:
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.
Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”
Fiore says right now there are more than 28-thousand jobs available through the L-W-C Hire website.

It’s time to look back at 2021 and it got off to a rocky start on January 6th, when thousands of angry President Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol causing damage to the building, and five officers who attempted to hold back the rioters died and their deaths linked to the riot. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is disgusted by what he saw…
Cut 10 (11) “…sediition.”
In February, a massive winter storm brought snow, ice, and some of the coldest temperatures on record to the Bayou State. Entergy’s John Hawkins asked customers to conserve energy as rolling blackouts were put in place, because of the demand for heat…
Cut 11 (09) “…power grid.”
Get ready for a big change in the weather, a strong cold front will hit the state on Saturday, strong storms are possible and highs in the 30s and 40s on Sunday.

One of the state’s Most Wanted fugitives is behind bars, after a five-hour standoff with LEO’s Tuesday in Delhi. 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll was wanted for an October 13^th shooting on Grambling University’s campus that took the life of Damarius Murphy. State Trooper Mike Reichardt says multiple agencies cooperated to bring Carroll in..:

CUT 07  (09)        “…even better.”

Two other suspects in that case were already in jail.

State Police are looking into a fatal police shooting in Lake Charles. Officers confronted 22-year-old Christopher Thomas for shooting into a home twice in one night; wounding one person. When he fired on them, the LEOs fired back – killing him. Trooper Derek Senegal says the investigation will seek out any surveillance video that could help..:

CUT 05  (14)        “…a report.”

A Baton Rouge teen faces charges after shooting and killing his father inside the family home this morning. Police say 43-year-old Mohammed Aziz was found dead, after his 17-year-old son heard a loud noise and started shooting. He’s been initially charged with negligent homicide, pending an investigation.

The New Orleans butcher who introduced NFL great John Madden to the Louisiana “turducken” mourns the passing of the football legend. Brooke Thorington has that…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Thorington.”

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana. Kevin Gallagher reports ion the recovery progress…:

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

___________________________________

Beginning Sunday, the maximum weekly unemployment benefit will increase to $275. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

___________________________________

With just a couple of days left in 2021, it’s time to take look back at another eventful year. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher” 

___________________________________

It has been 4 months since Category Four Hurricane Ida impacted Louisiana; bringing destruction to the state’s southeastern coastal parishes. Houma state Representative Tanner Magee says Terrebonne Parish still has a large number of residents living in makeshift accommodations…:

Cut 4 (10) “….nort really come yet.”

Magee says Ida damaged a large number of businesses; some of whom have rebuilt, but others still struggling. He also feels sorry for Terrebonne Parish students, who’ve been challenged with COVID protocols and now the setbacks of a major hurricane…:

Cut 5 (09) “…mobile classrooms there.”

Magee says two entire high schools will need to be rebuilt, and he’s unsure where the money to do that will come from.

After four months of hard work and suffering, Magee says Terrebonne still has “a long way to go” in recovering from Hurricane Ida…:

Cut 6 (04) “…better year for us.”

____________________________________________

For the first time in a decade, Louisiana’s unemployment benefit will increase by eleven percent. The new amount goes into effect Sunday and the maximum weekly benefit for those who qualify will be $275. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says it’s welcome news for recipients.

Cut 7 (05) “…to find.”

The increase was approved in the 2021 regular legislative session, in exchange for the governor agreeing to end the federal supplemental weekly benefit of $300, five weeks early. Fiore says the maximum weekly benefit will increase by $28.

Cut 8 (09) “…their families.”

Fiore says the increase is only applicable to claims filed on or after January 2^nd.

Cut 9 (11)  “…a decade.”

For those who make their initial claim January 1, 2022, or before, the maximum weekly benefit amount is still $247.

___________________________________________

It’s time to look back at 2021 and it got off to a rocky start on January 6th, when thousands of angry President Trump supporters stormed the U-S Capitol causing damage to the building and five officers who attempted to hold back the rioters have died and their deaths linked to the riot. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is disgusted by what he saw…

Cut 10 (11)  “…sediition.”

In February, a massive winter storm brought snow, ice, and some of the coldest temperatures on record to the Bayou State. Entergy’s John Hawkins asked customers to conserve energy as rolling blackouts were put in place, because of the demand for heat…

Cut  11 (09)  “…power grid.”  

In March, LSU released a 150-page report that investigated several cases where LSU failed to properly handle sexual misconduct complaints involving former football players. No one was fired for their roles, but two high-ranking athletic department employees were suspended. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson thought the punishment was weak

Cut 12 (07) “…truth again.”

The fallout cost former football coach Les Miles’ job at Kansas State and former LSU President F King Alexander resigned as a president of Oregon State.

In July, state lawmakers held their first-ever override veto session as Republican legislators were upset the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit a biological male from competing on girl athletic teams. But the veto override effort failed as a few Republicans and Democrats like New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis said the legislation was not needed…

Cut 13 (09) “…to college.”

For the second straight year, Louisiana was hit by a Category Four storm. Hurricane Ida devasted the bayou and river parishes and also did a number on Tangipahoa Parish. Congressman Garret Graves couldn’t believe the destruction…

Cut 14 (12)  “…hurricane.”

Less than two years from winning a national championship and guiding LSU to a perfect 15-0 season, Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron was told in October he would not return for the 2022 season. Athletics Director Scott Woodward says mediocre play on the football field would not be accepted…

Cut 15 (09)  “…met that standard.”

___________________________________________

The Saints activated eleven players from the COVID list including quarterbacks Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill. New COVID protocols in the NFL allow vaccinated players to return earlier if their symptoms go away. Coach Sean Payton was asked if he was concerned if players would hide their symptoms in order to come back to the field earlier…

Cut  16 (13) “…they feel.”

Payton expects Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian will be back for Sunday’s game. The coach was also asked on Wednesday about the offensive line’s performance…

Cut 17 (30) “ …we will.”

The Saints will host the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. New Orleans lost to Carolina in week two, but since then the Panthers have really struggled and the return of Cam Newton hasn’t helped the offense or the firing of Joe Brady as offensive coordinator…

Cut 18 (18) “ …rely on the tape” 

State Police are investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in Lake Charles. Troop D spokesman Trooper Derek Senegal says LCPD was called to a home that had been fired upon twice. A person was wounded in the second event. Senegal says the suspect, 22-year-old Christopher Thomas fled to another home, where police confronted him and tried to negotiate. He says Thomas retreated back into the house…:

CUT 04(12)      “…he actually died.”

State Police investigate all officer-involved shootings.

After a five-hour standoff, the last man wanted a fatal shooting on the Grambling campus in October is in custody. Trooper Mike Reichardt says 18-year-old Jatavious Carroll – aka “Rabbit” – had been in the wind for over two months, but marshals caught up with him Tuesday in Delhi..:

CUT 06(09)      “…custody.”

Two other suspects in that case were already behind bars.

Starting January 1^st, medical marijuana patients in Louisiana will have the option of smoking the herb. State lawmakers – with Governor’s agreement – expanded the medicinal cannabis law to include the smokable marijuana plant flowers as an approved treatment for numerous ailments. Until now only oils, tinctures, edibles and oral dissolvables have been available. One must have a doctor’s recommendation to get medical marijuana, and it is still only available in ten dispensaries statewide.

Sports news: new LSU head football coach Brian Kelly names Matt House as his new Defensive Coordinator.            House is currently the linebackers coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Baton Rouge sports radio talk show host Matt Moscona says KC defensive back Tyrann Mathieu gives House a shining endorsement…:

CUT 13(09)      “…with it.”

House will remain with Kansas City through the end of the NFL season, then make the moved to LSU.