2021 saw some volatility in Louisiana politics. Kevin Gallagher talks with a political analyst…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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If you’re planning to end the year with a bang, you might want to shop earlier than usual for your fireworks, thanks to supply chain issues. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Omicron variant is surging in Louisiana resulting in another 43-hundred reported cases on Tuesday. Jeff Palermo has the latest…

Cut 3 (32) “…Jeff Palermo” 

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What were some of Louisiana’s top political stories of the past year? Political analyst and pollster Bernie Pinsonat says one of the biggest was a failed veto override session by state lawmakers. Among bills vetoed by Governor Edwards, a transgender athletes ban and a bill allowing concealed carry of a weapon without a permit. Pinsonat says the override blow up caused a big rift between the parties at the Capitol…:

Cut 4 (14) “….chairmanships in the House. “

Another big political story of 2021 was Senator Bill Cassidy seemingly turning on Donald Trump and then voting for a big Democrat spending bill. Pinsonat says Cassidy was re-elected in 2020 on Trump’s highly popular coattails – then voted to impeach him. Pinsonat says his “yea” vote on the multi-billion Infrastructure Bill made him less than popular here at home too…:

Cut 5 (14) “…Republicans in Louisiana.”

Pinsonat says Cassidy will likely NOT seek re-election in 2026.

A big story that was political in nature was the big Title IX scandal at LSU, wherein allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct – at the main campus, the sports program and at LSU Health in Shreveport – were, more or less, given a legislative whitewash. Pinsonat says the way LSU handled the matter and the way they treated alleged victims was outrageous…:

Cut 6 (12) “…is talk to them.”

Pinsonat says lawmakers unhappy with LSU’s conduct in the matter could decide to cut the university’s funding.

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If you’re looking to light up the skies for New Year’s Eve fireworks retailers advise making your purchases sooner than later. Jaise Templet (Jace Tom-play) owner of 621 Fireworks in Gonzales says shipping delays have impacted retailers since Independence Day.

Cut 7 (10) “…4th of July.”

Templet says while the pandemic has hurt the industry supply chain wise, it’s also increased their business. Because many public fireworks displays were canceled over super spreader concerns, more individuals are enjoying the pastime at home.

Cut 8 (11) “… past five years.”

As for New Year’s Eve sales, Templet says most shoppers tend to wait until December 31^st to make purchases for the evening and while the warm weather could help sales, the potential for rain could hamper things also.

Cut 9 (08)  “…this season.”

And be sure to take proper safety precautions when setting off fireworks and be sure they are legal in your city and/or municipality.

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Like other charitable organizations, the Salvation Army has had to meet more demands with fewer resources since the pandemic. Spokesperson Aimee Murry says their employees and volunteers have stepped up to help serve those in need.

Cut 10 (11)  “…no season.”

The Salvation Army provides a wide range of services from homeless shelters, veterans services to disaster relief. Murry says many lost their homes this year in Louisiana due to eviction moratoriums ending and Hurricane Ida.

Cut  11 (07)  “…out on the streets.”  

The pandemic has also impacted the number of volunteers to assist with their annual Red Kettle campaign. Murry says for those looking to donate before the end of the year or any time of year, you can do so virtually on their website at SalvationArmyUSA-dot org.

Cut 12 (09) “…your community.”

You can also visit their website to find local services.

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The state health department reported 43-hundred new COVID cases yesterday and hospitalizations rose to 514. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor Julio Figueroa, says many of the patients are experiencing cold and flu-like symptoms…

Cut 13 (11) “…emphasize.”

Figueroa says a vast majority of these cases are the Omicron variant and they are seeing fewer cases of shortness of breath or loss of taste or smell. He says based on data from the state health department, 80-percent of those hospitalized with COVID are unvaccinated…

Cut 14 (07)  “…put on a ventilator.”

According to the Louisiana Health Department, 35 COVID patients are on a ventilator. Health professionals continue to urge the unvaccinated to get vaccinated and those vaccinated to get their booster shot. Figueroa says the COVID vaccine is here to stay…

Cut 15 (11)  “…influenza.”

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The LSU men’s basketball team tips off SEC play tonight and the Tigers will face their biggest challenge of the season as the Bayou Bengals 11the ranked Auburn. The War Eagles are 11-and-1 and led by forward Jabari Smith, who is averaging 16 points a game. LSU Coach Will Wade says Smith could be the number one pick in next year’s NBA draft…

Cut  16 (13) “…phenenomal player”

The undefeated Tigers have yet to play a true road game. Wade says Auburn Arena is not an easy place to play for a visitor….

Cut 17 (18) “ …great fans.”

Both teams are averaging around 80 points a game, while the Tigers lead the SEC in field goal percentage defense at 34-percent, while Auburn is 39-percent. Wade says if LSU can’t score 70 points, they probably don’t win…

Cut 18 (23) “ ..puncher’s chance” 

The CDC revises isolation guidelines for those who test positive COVID from 10 days to five days, that’s if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask for at least five more days. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the five days begin the day you receive your positive results.

Cut 10 (09)  “…additional days.”

Gas forecasters predict prices at the pump will get worse before they get better. GasBuddy head petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says prices in 2022 could linger around the $4 mark should we move past the Omicron variant and the economy continue to hold.

Cut 3 (10) “…this spring.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $2.99.

As we say “goodbye” to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on a topsy-turvy year for Louisiana weather. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

36-year old Robert Perry, III is being held at the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on cruelty to animal charges after he allegedly shot and killed a woman’s two pugs after the two had an argument. The dog owner had asked police to escort her back to a home in Central where they found each dog with a single gunshot wound. Police say Perry also sent a photograph of one of the dogs to a close family member of the owner.

A suspect in a fatal shooting that occurred during homecoming week on the Grambling State campus has turned himself into authorities after a standoff in Delhi. Jatavious “Rabbit” Carroll gave himself up after armed officers and SWAT teams surrounded a home on Valley Street.

The forecast for relief at the gas pump remains grim and predictions for spring even more depressing. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

As we say “goodbye” to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on a topsy-turvy year for Louisiana weather. Keim says – without a doubt – the top weather story was Hurricane Ida…:
Cut 6 (14) “…of 1856.”
Hitting Number Two on Keim’s list, was the outbreak of Arctic air that helped produce an ice storm in February that shut down much of the state for several days.

Miami shut down the Saints offense last night as New Orleans fell to Miami 20-3 in a game where the Black and Gold was severely short-handed because of a number of players that tested positive for COVID. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says rookie quarterback Ian Book was overwhelmed by the pressure he received from a Miami defense that feasted on a makeshift offensive line…
cut 13 (10) “..last night’
The Saints host Carolina this Sunday.

The CDC revises isolation guidelines for those who test positive COVID from 10 days to five days, that’s if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask for at least five more days. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says when the CDC looked at the data the virus appears to be most contagious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.

Cut 9 (07) “…symptoms develop.”

The isolation period for healthcare workers is asymptomatic was also reduced from 10 to seven days.

COVID hospitalizations top 500 in Louisiana today, for a total of 514 an increase of 65 from the previous day. LDH also reports 4,313 new cases and eight new fatalities.

This week, the City of Shreveport and along with the city and parish office in East Baton Rouge Parish reinstated mask requirements inside city /parish offices.

Gas forecasters predict prices at the pump will get worse before they get better. GasBuddy head petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says right now we’re paying the most we have at the pump in some seven years due to supply being unable to keep up with demand. And by Memorial Day we could see prices go to $4 a gallon.

Cut 5 (06) “…strong economy.”

Positive COVID tests and injuries took a W over the Saints last night and so did Miami. The Dolphins outscored the Black and Gold 20-3. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says the score could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the defense. But he says without a stable offensive line you don’t have a chance at winning…

Cut 14 (13) “…you ain’t winning.” 

The Centers for Disease Control has revised isolation & quarantine guidelines for those who test positive for COVID. What was once 10 days is now 5, provide the person is showing no symptoms and that they wear a mask for five days after isolating for five. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Fred Lopez says CDC guidelines are a bit different if you are a health care professional…:

CUT 11          (10)    “…the isolation.”

Gasoline prices are likely to continue to rise as we head into 2022. GasBuddy analyst Patrick DeHaan says oil prices are moving upward and there is optimism that demand for oil may begin to pick up as well…:

CUT 04          (10)    “…head higher.”

He says we could see $4 a gallon by Memorial Day.

2021 certainly saw a lot of … interesting weather in Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Ida in August was far & away the biggest weather story, but some others are worth looking back on too. Like the tornado outbreak that occurred last April. Keim says rarely has the state seen so many twisters within a 48-hour period…:

CUT 08          (11)    “…and northern Louisiana.”

Three men from Sulphur, in Calcasieu Parish, are under arrest for stealing catalytic converters from peoples’ vehicles. The devices can net a thief from $200 to $500, but cost the vehicle owner a lot more to replace. All three men are charged with theft and property damage. Their bail ranges from $60-thousand to $160-thousand. It’s unknown if any of them have made bail.

The forecast for relief at the gas pump remains grim and predictions for spring even more depressing. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01           (33)     “…Thorington.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has reinstated face mask orders for all city facilities and employees. Perkins himself has tested positive for the coronavirus and is currently in quarantine. Also, St. Martin Parish has reinstated mask rules as cases surge across the state.

As we say goodbye to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on some of the past year’s biggest weather events. He says Hurricane Ida in August was without a doubt the most significant, but there was also Tropical Storm Claudette; the first Louisiana storm to actually form OVER land. Keim also cites last February’s Arctic air blast…:

CUT 07           (13)     “…Lake Charles sixteen.”

Shreveport posted a record-low 1 degree during that winter storm.

A COVID-depleted New Orleans Saints roster, coupled with an untried rookie quarterback contributed to the Black & Gold’s 20-3 loss to the Miami Dolphins last night. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says QB Ian Book was simply overwhelmed, as the Dolphins pass rush chewed up a makeshift Saints offensive line…:

CUT 13           (10)     “…last night.”

The Saints face Carolina at home next Sunday.

The CDC revises isolation guidelines for those who test positive COVID from 10 days to five days, that’s if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask for at least five more days. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the five days begins the day you receive your positive results.

Cut 10 (09)  “…additional days.”

COVID positive tests and injuries resulted in a dismal performance on offense last night as the Saints fell to the Miami Dolphins 20-3. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says it was not a surprise to see the Saints struggle on offense with rookie quarterback Ian Book and only two starting offensive linemen on the field

Cut 12 (09) “…with the Dolphins”  

Book was sacked eight times.

As we say “goodbye” to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on a topsy-turvy year for Louisiana weather. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

COVID hospitalizations top 500 in Louisiana today, for a total of 514 an increase of 65 from the previous day. LDH also reports 4,313 new cases and eight new fatalities.

Gas forecasters predict prices at the pump will get worse before they get better. GasBuddy head petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan says prices in 2022 could linger around the $4 mark should we be able to move past the Omicron variant and the economy continue to hold…:

CUT 03(10)      “…this spring.”

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Louisiana today is $2.99.

As we say “goodbye” to 2021, State Climatologist Barry Keim looks back on a topsy-turvy year for Louisiana weather. Keim says – without a doubt – the top weather story of the past year was Hurricane Ida…:

CUT 06(14)      “…of 1856.”

Also in Keim’s top weather stories, an arctic blast last February that took temperatures in north Louisiana down into single digits, and a two storm that spawned a dozen tornados last April.

New Orleans Police seek the person or persons responsible for shooting & killing a 7-year-old girl Sunday night in Algiers. Little Dillan Burton was riding in a car with her mom when a bullet penetrated the vehicle; striking her in the back. NOPD asks anyone with information to come forward.

The CDC revises isolation guidelines for those who test positive for COVID from 10 days to five days, that’s if they don’t have symptoms and wear a mask for at least five more days. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says when the CDC looked at the data the virus appears to be most contagious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop…:

CUT 09(09)      “…symptoms develop.”

For a testing location near you, Google the Louisiana Department of Health’s website.

A Tulane University epidemiologist says the big spike in COVID cases over the holiday weekend indicates just how contagious the Omicron variant is.  Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01         (33)    “…Thorington.”

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lowered the COVID quarantine recommendation from 10 days to just 5 days. Experts are now saying blanket mask orders and reacting to infections numbers are using old metrics, and what’s more relevant now are numbers of deaths and hospitalizations.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the customers of two property insurers who were placed into receivership last month have found new coverage. Those companies are Access Home Insurance and State National Fire Insurance. Donelon says a new company (whose name has not yet been publicly disclosed) will take on most of those 30-thousand policies, pending approval today in a Baton Rouge courtroom. Donelon says they hope to have the deal sealed by Friday…:

CUT 11(11)      “…on a seamless basis.”

Police in New Orleans seek the person who shot & killed a 7-year-old girl Sunday, while she was riding in a car with her mom. They’re looking for a newer model Chevy pickup; white and silver and will gladly accept tips.

Your plans for New Year’s Eve may be under threat of lousy weather again this year. Forecasters say they expect thundershowers to cross the Gulf South Friday and into Saturday; bringing in cooler temperatures by late Sunday night and Monday morning.

Amid a surge of COVID Omicron cases the city of Shreveport reinstates its indoor mask mandate for city buildings and agencies. Mayor Adrian Perkins himself has tested positive for COVID. He says the order is in hopes of mitigating further spread, and more measures could be coming…:

CUT 07(10)      “…safe as well.”

Perkins says, if you think you were exposed to anyone who is sick, get tested right away.

State Health Department officials report just over 12-thousand new cases of COVID over the holiday weekend … and that does not include those who did at-home tests. Tulane University epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says we’re seeing a surge that started with the Thanksgiving weekend…:

CUT 04(12)      “…given location.”

Experts say, for the most part, Omicron seems to be more contagious, but less severe.

Hunters are happy to know that, so far, no cases of Chronic Wasting Disease have presented in the Louisiana deer herd. State Wildlife & Fisheries veterinarian Dr. Jim Lacour says nearly 300 deer – submitted by hunters – have been tested, and all are negative…:

CUT 13(09)      “…get things done.”

CWD has been detected in many deer in neighboring Arkansas.

The Saints seemed destined to lose to the Miami Dolphins last night in the Caesars Superdome, due to a COVID-depleted roster. The final score was 20-3, with rookie quarterback Ian Book getting sacked eight times. Head Coach Sean Payton says the COVID losses were so bad, they had guys on field last night who’d never even practiced with the team…:

CUT 15(15)      “…next week’s game.”