The state Supreme Court has ordered Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet off the bench without pay. Odinet was captured on video reportedly using racial slurs while watching security video of a man trying to break into her home. The story has made national headlines. Odinet is suspended while the investigation of her acts plays out. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says it is indeed rare for the state’s high court to take such an action…:

CUT 03  (15)        “…racial slurs.”

Saturday is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS spokesman David Walton advises using clear block printing on labels; not cursive, so handler can be assured of getting it there on time…:

CUT 10(05)      “…little difficult.”

After only three-thousand fans attended the New Orleans Bowl last year, bowl officials are hoping for about ten times that number Saturday night, as U-L Lafayette faces Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says they are expecting a competitive game between the Thundering Herd and a nationally ranked Ragin Cajuns team…:

CUT 07(07)      “…offensive weapons.”

This is ULL’s 6^th appearance in the 21-year history of the New Orleans Bowl.

You knew this was coming: New Orleans mayor LaToya Cantrell is now mandating that kids ages 5-11 have COVID vaccine shots to be in NOLA public schools. The requirement goes into full effect February 1^st. Kids must have at least one shot by January 3^rd.  Parents unsure or unhappy with the vaccine will have an opt-out.

An autopsy of former New Orleans Saint Glenn Foster shows he did not die of natural causes, but was strangled. Foster was, at the time, in police custody in Alabama. Now the question emerges, who killed him and when?

The Louisiana Supreme Court took action today to suspend Lafayette City Court Judge Michele Odinet. The action comes following her admitted use of the N-word to describe a person seen on home security video allegedly attempting to burglarize her home last Saturday. The video of the incident went viral. Odinet’s attorney says Odinet is still weighing a decision on whether to resign or not.

Saturday is the last day to use priority mail so your packages will arrive on time for Christmas. Brooke Thorington has some tips…:

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

There’s word that former Saints defensive lineman Glenn Foster Jr. did not die of natural causes, but rather from strangulation. That’s the conclusion of an independent autopsy performed by medical examiner, Dr. Michael Baden. He says he found evidence of “neck compressions and strangulation.” Foster was found dead in a police cruiser after being transported to a medical facility near Tuscaloosa, Alabama. That happened a day after his arrest for speeding, say his attorneys. During his incarceration, authorities say Foster got into a fight with another inmate over a pair of socks.

After only having three-thousand fans at the New Orleans Bowl last year, bowl officials are hoping for over 30-thousand fans to attend Saturday night’s game between U-L Lafayette and Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says to expect a lot of Ragin Cajun fans in the Big Easy this weekend…

 Cut 6 (05) “…holiday time period” 

Sean Payton won’t be coaching the Saints this weekend when they meet the Buccaneers.  He’s been sidelined after testing positive for COVID-19

Saturday is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says another way to avoid being a Grinch, make sure you use a sturdy box to mail your gifts. As much as you may want to recycle boxes when it comes to packages, they might not make the journey safely.

Cut 9 (12) “…use those.”

The governor’s office announced this morning that Temium USA is planning a 98-million dollar expansion of its facility at the Port of Caddo-Bossier in northwest Louisiana. The company plans to retain 157 jobs and create 35 new positions. Temium is adding a second coil coating paint line with an annual capacity of 120-thousand tons, a capacity increase of the more than 50 percent. Construction of the expansion is expected to begin in the first quarter of next year and wrap up by mid-2024.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit this week against Gov. John Bel Edwards seeking to prevent Edwards from adding COVID vaccines to the list of shots students are required to receive to attend schools and universities. One of the plaintiffs in the suit is Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews.

Cut 3 (12) “….himself.” 

With respect to the litigation, Edwards says he’s not surprised that a suit has been filed.

Cut 4 (13) “….sort it out.”

Edwards stated he followed proper procedures and in adding the COVID vaccine school schedule, however, Crews disputes that and says it’s the legislature that makes laws.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry filed a lawsuit this week against Gov. John Bel Edwards from adding COVID vaccines to the list of shots students are required to receive to attend school.

Edwards says he followed proper procedures, but One of the plaintiffs in the suit is Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews. Crews says it’s the legislature that makes laws.

Cut 5 (09) “…laws here.”

Edwards says he wonders where the state would be vaccination-wise if there wasn’t opposition.

Cut 6 (14) “…promoting vaccinations”

Edwards says he expects the administrative procedures act will be upheld.

Senator John Kennedy says the increase in crime across the country is at the hands of liberals. After George Floyd Kennedy says, mayors in America’s most liberal cities permitted rioting and looting and called for a general de-funding of police.

Cut 15 (07)  “…always the gun’s fault.”

Tomorrow is the last Saturday in which to get your Christmas shopping done and retail experts predict over 148-million consumers will be shopping on Super-Saturday. National Retail Federation spokesperson Katherine Cullen says for many – Super Saturday is the “last hurrah…”

Cut 7 (14) “…big holiday celebration.”

Saturday is also the Priority Mail deadline for packages to be mailed so they’ll arrive in time for Christmas.

The City Court Judge from Lafayette who was caught on tape using racial slurs in a video posted to social media is being called on to step down from her post by Governor John Bel Edwards. Judge Michele Odinet’s lawyer, Dane Ciolino, says his client is hoping she can be forgiven…:
CUT 11 (06) “this conduct”
Ciolino says Odinet is petitioning the state Supreme Court and the Judiciary Commission asking taht she be placed on an indefinite unpaid leave for now.

In a recent news conference, US Senator John Kennedy addressed the alarming rise in the crime rate in Louisiana. He says it’ll be up to voters to replace leaders who are soft on crime, because “what you allow is what will continue”…:
Cut 16 (14) “… a rise in crime. Duh!”

Tomorrow is a big shopping day, or the “Super-Saturday” before Christmas. Retail experts predict over 148-million consumers will be shopping, whether in stores or online. National Retail Federation spokesperson Katherine Cullen says tomorrow is a big day for last minute shoppers, but some people just find Super Saturday invigorating…:
Cut 9 (09) “what they’re looking for”
Cullen says the average shopper will spend nearly $900 on holiday gifts.

The Saints have got a big game Sunday as they travel to Tampa to face Tom Brady and The Buccaneers. But Safety Malcom Jenkins says they can’t just focus on Brady as former LSU star running back Leonard Fournette is also a force to be reckoned with on the Bucs team…:
CUt 19 (12) “their offense”
The game kicks off at 7:20pm.

Lafayette City Court Judge Michele Odinet is no longer denying she used a racial slur on tape while reviewing security footage of an attempted robbery on her home:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Dave Brannen”

Governor John Bel Edwards said at his year end news conference Thursday he supports 2 minority House districts in Louisiana ahead of a planned special session in February by lawmakers to redraw congressional lines. Mr. Edwards said it’s only fair as one third of Louisiana’s residents are black.

U.S. Senator John Kennedy says the disturbing increase in crime across Louisiana – and the country – falls at the feet of liberals and progressives. During his most recent news conference, the Senator was asked about his views on the spikes in criminal activity…:
Cut 14 (09) “de-fund and disrespect police movement”
Louisiana has three cities listed among the nation’s Twenty Worst Cities for Violent Crime; Shreveport, Baton Rouge & New Orleans. Baton Rouge has already set an all-time record for murders within a calendar year.

Tomorrow is the last shopping Saturday before Christmas which is thus dubbed, “Super-Saturday.” National Retail Federation spokesperson Katherine Cullen says even though supply chain issues had folks getting gifts as early as September, the stores will still be packed tomorrow…:
Cut 8 (09) “early start this year”
Popular gifts this year: clothing, toys, electronics, and, of course, gift cards.

The Louisiana judge who was caught on tape repeatedly using a racial slur while she was reviewing security video of an attempted burglary at her home has admitted it. Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet’s attorney is Dane Ciolino…:
CUT 10 (12) “admittedly has said”
He says his client is taking an unpaid leave of absence while she considers her next steps. Governor John Bel Edwards on Thursday called for Odinet’s resignation:
Cut 13 (05) “of the judiciary”
Police say a 59-year-old black man was arrested and charged in the robbery of Odinet’s home.

Meanwhile, also at his year-end news conference Thursday Mr. Edwards announced he supports 2 minority districts among Louisiana’s 6 when congressional lines are redrawn during a special session planned for February. He said it would be only fair as 1/3 of Louisiana’s residents are black.

Tomorrow is the last Saturday in which to get your Christmas shopping done; the so-called Super Saturday. Retail experts predict over 148-million consumers will be shopping, whether in stores or online. National Retail Federation spokesperson Katherine Cullen says for many – especially those with full-time jobs – Super Saturday is their “last hurrah”..:
Cut 7 (14) “big holiday celebration”
Cullen says the average shopper will spend nearly $900 on holiday gifts.

It looks like these crazy warm temperatures will hang on through Saturday afternoon as a cold front moves into the state. Temps across most of Louisiana will still be in the upper 70s to low 80s today, but after the front brings storms through tomorrow night, high temperatures Sunday and Monday are slated to be in the upper 50s to low 60s.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Bossier City Representative Ramond Crews have filed a lawsuit against Governor John Bel Edwards in an attempt to block Covid vaccines from being required for kids to attend schools. Crews says it’s a shame this matter has to be taken to court…:

Sports betting is off to profitable start in Louisiana. More than $27 million in sports bets were placed in the state over the first two months, and casinos collected $5 million in that time, according to officials.

Big news for Tiger fans today, fifth-year senior Quarterback Myles Brennan says he’ll return to the Purple and Gold after entering the NCAA transfer portal earlier this year. Louisiana Radio Network Sports Director Jeff Palermo says the future is bright for Brennan.

Cut 12 (16) “…full season.”  

The Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana is looking for volunteers to help plant 600 trees in Lake Maurepas near Manchac this weekend weather permitting. Communications Director James Karst says volunteers 16 and older will travel by boat to plant various types of trees.

Cut 9 (10) “…to restore habitats.”

To register visit the group’s events webpage at www.crcl.org.

Louisiana’s Teen Vax Campaign is looking for volunteers to become vaccine youth ambassadors. The group’s Ritney Castine says you can be 12 to 17 to help lead the state’s effort to improve the Bayou State’s vaccination rates. He says the ambassadors, who will meet monthly with public health professionals, will be a plus for the Teen Vax Campaign.

Cut 4 (08) “…Department of Health.”

Castine says the youth ambassadors of the Louisiana Teen Vax Campaign will help students to distinguish the truth about being vaccinated from the misconceptions.

Governor John Bel Edwards held his year-end press conference this afternoon. He covered a variety of events that impacted the state in 2021 from the pandemic, hurricanes, infrastructure funds, and COVID vaccinations to name a few. Edwards halfheartedly joked this might not be his last briefing of the year…

 Cut 6 (10) “…in 2022.” 

Edwards wished Louisianans a safe and happy holiday season.