Holiday traffic was light in 2020 as Covid was keeping folks home, but that is not the case this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says they expect a 34 percent increase in those on the roadways this Christmas, starting today…:
CUT 4 (08) “vaccinations and boosters”
Nationwide, 109 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holidays.

In another step towards getting the pandemic under control, the FDA has approved a new Covid-19 pill by Pfizer. “Paxlovid” is a major breakthrough, according to Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans….:
CUT 12 (09) “fortunate that it is”
The drug is authorized for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID in adults and kids 12 and up at high risk for progressing to severe illness. It is not authorized for post-exposure prevention, or in people who are already hospitalized with the virus.

One in five children in Louisiana suffers from hunger. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say they were called to investigate a fatal shooting involving a deputy with the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office and a Livonia Police Department officer. One person is deceased on the scene of an incident where multiple agencies responded in Fordoche. No officers were injured and the LSP Crime Lab is processing everything for evidence right now. More on this as it develops.

4 Saints players were voted to the Pro Bowl: defensive back J.T. Gray, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were selected to the NFC squad to play in the NFL’s All-Star game.

As the Omicron COVID variant grows in Louisiana, the FDA approves Pfizer’s new COVID-19 treatment pill. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans. He says this an “extraordinary step forward” in treating the coronavirus and its variants…:
Cut 10 (07) “hospitalization or death”
The oral treatment called Paxlovid is available only with a prescription from your doctor. Treatment must begin within five days of onset of symptoms.

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says send Priority Mail Express…:
Cut 13 (06) “Christmas Day”
USPS says no shipping delays are expected for people shipping last minute.

A recent study shows Louisiana continues to have one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, says more than half a million Louisianans, including one in five children, struggle with hunger:
Cut 7 (12) “leftover food”
He says you can help by donating food, time or money, and every little bit helps.

The Vernon Parish Sherrif’s Office says a woman was killed in a deputy-involved shooting Tuesday after allegedly pointing a weapon and pursuing one of the officers. They indicate a male subject told cops 44-year-old Chantel Myers was threatening to commit suicide, and when deputies attempted to deescalate the situation at a residence in the area of Pitkin, the woman charged at officers with a gun in an aggressive manner threatening to harm them. A deputy fired his weapon fatally striking Myers. The matter is under investigation.

Hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.

Cut 3 (10) “…doing much better.”

Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, the sixth highest in the nation.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s still waiting on the CDC to provide some guidance on how much protection a person may have from COVID if previously infected by COVID. Cassidy says based on worldwide research there is some natural immunity for those who recover from COVID…Cassidy isn’t sure why the CDC seems reluctant to look into natural immunity, but the senator, who is also a physician, believes it does provide some protection from future infection…

Cut 14 (11) “..were infected.” 

As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.

Cut 9 (10) “…food products available.”

The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.

Louisiana U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s looking to the Centers for Disease Control to offer up some guidance on how safe from COVID a person may be if they’ve already had it. He says worldwide research suggests previous exposure and illness can produce a natural immunity. Cassidy has suggested to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky they should look into that. He says she verified other countries are saying, “yes, natural immunity is a thing”…:

CUT 13  (11)        “…or restaurant.”

The federal Food & Drug Administration approves a new pill to take for COVID from Pfizer. Called “Paxlovid”, it reduced serious symptoms by about 89-percent in human testing. It’ll be available by prescription only, and is expected to be in pretty short supply at first … as production of the pills ramps up. COVID Omicron cases are on the rise in Louisiana and across the country.

KNOE in Monroe reports a man wanted for murdering a woman in the Ouachita Parish city back in November has been apprehended in Houston. 32-year-old Nelson Bridges is accused of the shooting death of 29-year-old Jessica Lee on November 15^th. He’ll be extradited back to Ouachita, where he’ll face a 2^nd-degree murder charge.

The U.S. Census Bureau says Louisiana continues to lose people to other states; a trend that’s been going on for years. More on that from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Brannen.”

Along with state offices resuming the requirement of face masks indoors, hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies as well. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02 (33)      “…Thorington.”

You remember the Shreveport woman who tossed her kids off a bridge into Cross Lake back in September; killing one of them? Ureka Black is charged with murder and attempted murder. Her arraignment, which was scheduled for today, has been pushed back until late January. Her lawyers have filed a sanity motion, and that psych evaluation will take that long.

The coroner in St. Charles Parish nails down causes of death for two bodies found in drainage ditches in the town of Boutte within days of each other. On December 17^th, the remains of 31-year-old Ellington Lockett were discovered. He was stabbed to death. Just three days later, 52-year-old Leroy Houston, Jr. was found. He died of natural causes, exacerbated by illegal drugs in his system. The former’s murder is under investigation.

If you haven’t done the Christmas dinner grocery shopping yet, be prepared to pay a good bit more. Inflation of food items is at about 6.8-percent compared to last year. Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says he doesn’t anticipate any break in prices soon…:

CUT 11  (08)        “…we call input costs.”

Serving turkey? Expect to pay about 8-percent more. Beef is up nearly 21-percent this year.

Salvation Army of Lafayette says they’re behind their holiday donation goal, so they’ll stay out; ringing the bells and thanking you for your generosity right through New Year’s Eve. You can donate online at “Lafyettekettle.org”

Unfortunate news: one of Louisiana’s top exports is PEOPLE. U.S. Census data shows our state ranked fifth in the country for outmigration of populace. From July 2020 to July 2021, the Bayou State lost over 27-thousand people. Demographer Greg Rigamer says if the trend continues, the state will lose another seat in Congress eventually…:

CUT 05  (05)        “…a probability.”

Louisiana went from seven congressional districts to six after the 2010 Census.

Face mask requirements are returning to state offices and agencies, AND to Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge, where infectious disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says get the jab and/or booster and mask up, because treatment options are limited right now…:

CUT 08  (09)        “…short supply”

She also urges you get tested for a COVID variant before spending holiday time with family.

Louisiana U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s waiting for the Centers for Disease Control to provide guidance on the degree of risk from COVID, if one has had it before. He says research worldwide suggests some natural immunity for those who’ve recovered from coronavirus..:

CUT 12  (11)        “…some protection.”

Cassidy says he’s uncertain why CDC seems reluctant to publicly discuss natural immunity.

Doing some last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner? Some tips to help from state Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain; particularly if you’re serving a turkey…:

CUT 10  (09)        “…wonderful Christmas time.”

Strain says the over 6.8-percent inflation rate is causing a spike in the costs of this year’s Christmas dinner, and he’s not expecting prices to come down anytime soon.

Along with state offices requiring face masks indoors, hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures. Rigamer says people are leaving the state by and large in search of bettering their future.

Cut 4 (09) “…a better life.”

He says that some have also left because of the continuing hit by catastrophic hurricanes.

There’s improvement to report in Louisiana’s job market. So says Ava Cates, Secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission, who notes some of the improvement that’s taken place since Hurricane Ida struck, and despite COVID-19.

Cut 21 (08) “….over the year.”

Cates says the November jobless report shows a slight decline from October, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate now at five-point-one percent.

As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.

Cut 9 (10) “…food products available.”

The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.

Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge is requiring all to wear face masks. Infectious disease specialist at the Lake Dr. Catherine O’Neal while there are reports that symptoms from the Omicron variant aren’t as bad as Delta and not as many are being hospitalized, it’s still too early to know the impacts of the newest variant.

Cut 7 (12) “…everybody has it.”  

And another reason to mask up is because the monoclonal antibody infusion treatments they have are only for the Delta variant.

State epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says the CDC recommends indoor masking for everyone regardless of vaccination status in areas with high or substantial community transmission.

Cut 13 (10) “…of transmission.”

Today the state reports 2,205 new COVID cases and 272 are currently hospitalized an increase of 33-percent from this time last week.

The Census Bureau says Louisiana is continuing to lose people to other states, a trend that’s been going on for years.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

A Louisiana businessman’s legal fight to stop the White House COVID vaccine mandate for employers is going to the U.S. Supreme Court. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

In addition to state offices returning to indoor masking requirements, Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge is requiring all to wear face masks. Infectious disease specialist at the Lake Dr. Catherine O’Neal says the rapid increase in cases forced them to return to face masks.

 Cut 6 (12) “…home for 10 days” 

Governor Edwards extended the indoor mask mandate for state agencies on Tuesday.

Louisiana faces several challenges in its efforts to address domestic violence, according to a Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report. In 2017 Louisiana had the second-highest number of female homicides with more than half killed by an intimate partner. Performance Auditor Kristen Jacobs says adequate shelter for victims is a major issue.

Cut 10 (11)  “…the state.”

Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.

Cut 3 (10) “…doing much better.”

Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, sixth highest in the nation.