As Governor Edwards moves forward with a mandate for school children to have COVID shots, Senator John Kennedy says COVID vaccinations should be an individual’s choice and government mandates are unconstitutional…
Cut 7 (13) “…a vaccine mandate.”
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews have filed a lawsuit against the state’s plan to require COVID vaccines for students 16 and up in order to attend school. Meanwhile, Governor Edwards was asked if the omicron variant could ruin Mardi Gras plans. Edwards says it’s too early to tell, but he encourages everyone five years old and up to get vaccinated and if fully vaccinated get a booster…
cut 12 (12) “…fully vaccinated”

The Edwards administration and legislative leaders have reached a deal to fund Superdome renovations. The financial plan will use 27-million dollars in pandemic aid and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Saints will also put up their own money…
cut 15 (11) “….to the dome”
Dardenne says the Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District will cough up 246-million dollars for the renovations that are scheduled to be completed before New Orleans hosts the Super Bowl in 2025.

On the opening day of the early signing period, LSU football signed 13 players. Ten players are from the state, including four offensive linemen.

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter began his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” in the state today.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Authorities now say it will be Sunday when Entergy crews repair power lines that were damaged in that Tuesday afternoon helicopter crash on I-10 along the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge.  The pilot killed in the copter crash has been identified as 42-year-old Joshua Hawley of Galvez.

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus.  Dr. Hassig indicates that the clinical jury is still out on just how dangerous Omicron is compared to the known impact of the Delta variant.

Cut 7 (11) “…that were unvaccinated.”  

Today, the state reported 48 new Omicron cases in Louisiana, bringing the total to 93, 77 probable and 16 confirmed.

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. The passenger surrendered peacefully, but Trooper Thomas Gossen said the driver had other ideas.

Cut 9  (09) “…and abandoned the vehicle.”

Deputies found the 41-year-old Lafayette man at a home suffering from gunshot wounds.

Louisiana District 2 Congressman Troy Carter begins visiting cities in his district to explain how the $7-billion in federal Infrastructure Bill funds earmarked for Louisiana will improve things. His first stop was in Eastern New Orleans at the Green Bridge, which he says is so desperately in need of attention…:

CUT 03(10)      “…badly needed repairs.”

Carter will be in Grammercy Thursday and Baton Rouge Friday. Carter was the state U.S. House delegation’s only “yes” vote on the Infrastructure Bill.

The early signing period for college football has begun and LSU is out of the gate – recruiting two top players in the state: Neville High offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More QB Walker Howard. Howard says he’s stoked to play for new head coach Brian Kelly…:

CUT 12(12)      “…we’re headed.”

As the COVID Omicron variant starts popping up in Louisiana and other states – Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig fears yet another surge in the virus…:

CUT 06(12)      “…probable Omicron definition.”

COVID has been linked to over 800-thousand deaths in the U.S.; a little under 15-thousand in the Bayou State. Dr. Hassig think another indoor mask mandate is called for.

We now know the identity of the helicopter pilot killed in Tuesday’s fiery crash on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway near New Orleans. 32-year-old Joshua Hawley, of Livingston Parish, was on his way to New Orleans Lakefront Airport when he clipped a high tension power line and went down in eastbound lanes of the interstate bridge.

The April 30^th Garth Brooks concert in Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge has sold a record 102-thousand tickets; making it the 2^nd-largest selling stadium concert in U.S. history. Only a 2014 George Strait concert in Dallas has sold more.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near the Lafayette Parish town of Duson. Trooper Tom Gossen tells LRN deputies investigated a vehicle with a suspected stolen license. A passenger gave up peacefully, but the driver bolted. Officers tracked him down at a building near Duson. Trooper Gossen explains how they did that…:

CUT 11(11)      “…hospital for treatment.”

Gossen says deputies fired on the man as he drove his vehicle AT them.

Ascension Parish D.A. Ricky Babin says he’ll seek the death penalty for the man accused of murdering State Trooper Adam Gaubert and another woman – 37-year-old Pam Adair – back in October. Matthew Mire is also accused of shooting and injuring a third person in a spate of violence that occurred in Ascension and Livingston parishes. Gaubert was shot ambush-style while sitting in his patrol car, filling out reports.

A Tulane epidemiologist says she’s concerned about yet another surge in COVID-19. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(35)      “…Brannen.”

Are we to be held responsible for what someone says while in our home? A Lafayette judge is under fire, after confirming a video making the Internet rounds was in fact shot in her home. It depicts people not seen on camera watching security video of a burglar being caught outside the judge’s home. At one point, people can be heard using racial slurs. The local NAACP says Judge Michelle Odinet needs to resign over it. She says that voice heard was not her.

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana and dozens of other states in the nation, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig fears another surge. She says Louisiana would be wise to re-implement an indoor mask mandate, even though such mandates are often ignored…:

CUT 08(07)      “…can reduce spread.”

LDH says almost 200 people across the state are hospitalized with COVID right now. Well over 80-percent have not been vaccinated.

State Police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. Trooper Tom Gossen says the driver fled the scene then abandoned the car, but was tracked down later at a home near Duson…:

CUT 10(08)      “…driver did not.”

Gossen says he drove AT officers, who fired their weapons. He is expected to recover.

The eastbound I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge near New Orleans re-opened at around 2 this morning, after a helicopter crash closed it down for over 12 hours. The pilot was the only one aboard, when the aircraft hit a power line and went down, bursting into flame. The pilot was killed. Entergy says they and State Police will close the highway down again Sunday, to restore that severed power line. Meanwhile hundreds of customers in Jefferson parish are still without power.

New Orleans District 2 Congressman Troy Carter begins a tour today of cities in his district; explaining how the $7-billion in Infrastructure funds Louisiana will receive will improve his district. Carter says the federal money means long-overdue projects, like the New Orleans Water and Sewer System, can now get off the ground…:

CUT 05(12)      “…those projects forward.”

Carter was the only one of Louisiana’s six congressmen to vote FOR the Infrastructure Bill.

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” in the state today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A Tulane epidemiologist is expressing concern about yet another surge in COVID-19. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter begins a tour today, visiting cities in his district and explaining how the seven billion dollars in Infrastructure funds Louisiana will receive will improve structures in his district. First up on his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” a stop in New Orleans East at the Green Bridge which he says is so desperately in need of repairs.

Cut 3 (09) “…needed repairs.”

On Thursday Carter says he will visit the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy and highlight the need for repairs for that bridge in St. James Parish. On Friday Carter will be in Baton Rouge to address proposed transit and rail funding projects for the state.

On Monday Carter will visit Southern University in Baton Rouge and discuss how infrastructure funds can assist minority-owned businesses.

Cut 4 (11) “…African American businesses.”

The $1.2 trillion dollar bill was signed a month ago today by President Biden. Carter says with guaranteed funding coming to the state, long-overdue projects like the New Orleans Water and Sewer System can now get off the ground.

Cut 5 (11) “…projects forward.”

Carter was the only member of the Louisiana delegation in the House of Representatives in DC to support the bill.

__________________________________

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana and dozens of other states in the nation, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus that’s already killed more than 800,000 people in the U.S.

 Cut 6 (12) “…the Omicron definition.” 

Dr. Hassig believes the state should move back to an indoor mask mandate to lessen the chance of Omicron spreading.

Dr. Hassig indicates that the clinical jury is still out on just how dangerous Omicron is compared to the known impact of the Delta variant.

Cut 7 (11) “…that were unvaccinated.”  

Omicron is said to be a highly transmissible variant of COVID, and given that and a persistent slow rise in the state, Dr. Hassig says Louisiana would be wise to re-implement an indoor mask mandate, even though such mandates are often ignored.

Cut 8 (07) “…can reduce spread.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says nearly two hundred people are currently hospitalized with COVID and 88-percent had not been fully vaccinated. The total death toll from COVID in the state since the start of the pandemic is now just shy of 15-thousand.

______________________________________________________

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. The passenger surrendered peacefully, but Trooper Thomas Gossen said the driver had other ideas.

Cut 9 (09) “…abandoned the vehicle.”

Deputies found the 41-year-old Lafayette man at a home suffering from gunshot wounds. He’s hospitalized with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

Trooper Gossen says when deputies first encountered the vehicle and its two occupants they were in front of a building in the 100-block of Charbonnet Road near Duson.

Cut 10 (08)  “…driver did not.”

Instead, he drove towards the deputies, at least one deputy opened fire and wounded the driver before he left the scene and abandoned the vehicle before fleeing into a Lafayette Parish home.

Trooper Gossen talks about how deputies were able to locate the suspect.

Cut  11 (11)  “…hospital for treatment.”  

______________________________________________

Today begins the early signing day period for college football and LSU has signed the top two players in the state. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Campbell says he’s excited to play for new head coach Brian Kelly

Cut 12 (12) “…we’re headed”  

Campbell is a five-star prospect and with LSU losing four starters from its current offensive line, Campbell could see the field sooner than later. He’s eager to learn from offensive line coach Brad Davis…

Cut 13 (09) “…earn my spot.”

According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s recruiting class is ranked 22nd this year, when it usually ranks in the top ten. But LSU signee and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard says don’t sell this class short…

Cut 14 (12) “…get with em soon.” 

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” in the state today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Authorities now say it will be Sunday when Entergy crews repair power lines that were damaged in that Tuesday afternoon helicopter crash on I-10 along the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge.  It had been scheduled for this morning. The repairs are expected to take about three hours when crews begin work on Sunday.

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana and dozens of other states in the nation, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus.  Dr. Hassig indicates that the clinical jury is still out on just how dangerous Omicron is compared to the known impact of the Delta variant.

Cut 7 (11) “…that were unvaccinated.”  

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. The passenger surrendered peacefully, but Trooper Thomas Gossen said the driver had other ideas.

Cut 9  (09) “…and abandoned the vehicle.”

Deputies found the 41-year-old Lafayette man at a home suffering from gunshot wounds. He’s hospitalized with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

As the Omicron variant becomes more prominent in Louisiana and dozens of other states, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus that’s already killed more than 800,000 people in the U.S.

 Cut 6 (12) “…the Omicron definition.” 

Dr. Hassig believes the state should move back to an indoor mask mandate to lessen the chance of Omicron spreading.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour.” Today a stop at the Green Bridge in New Orleans tomorrow Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy and on Monday in Baton Rouge he’ll visit Southern University and discuss how infrastructure funds can assist minority-owned businesses.

Cut 4 (11) “…African American businesses.”

Today begins the early signing day period for college football and LSU has signed the top two players in the state. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Campbell says he’s excited to play for new head coach Brian Kelly and he’s eager to learn from offensive line coach Brad Davis…

Cut 13 (10) “…fastest-growing sector.”

Campbell is a five-star prospect and with LSU losing four starters from its current offensive line, Campbell could see the field sooner than later.

Governor Edwards will hold his last monthly call-in radio show for the year today. Ask the Governor will air live at 2pm.

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his Building Back a Better Louisiana Tour today, explaining how the seven billion dollars in Infrastructure funds will help areas in his district. First up is a stop in New Orleans East at the Green Bridge this afternoon which he says is so desperately in need of repairs.

Cut 3 (10) “…needed repairs.”

On tomorrow Carter will visit the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy.

The U-S Post Office says today is the last day to send packages via retail ground to arrive before Christmas Day. USPS spokesperson David Walton says the deadline to send a package by Priority Mail is Saturday and cost-wise he says it’s still a bargain…

Cut 8 (06) “…70 pounds.”

Walton says procrastinators, they can use Priority Mail express as late as December 23rd and still have their gift arrive by Christmas Day.

Despite objection from a Louisiana House committee, Governor Edwards is moving forward with plans to add the COVID vaccine to the required school shots list. It would go in effect for the next school year and would only apply for ages that have FDA approval which is 16 and up. Edwards says it’s vital for young people to be vaccinated…

Cut 15 (11)  “…dealing with the pandemic”
the Governor’s monthly call-in radio show, Ask the Governor is today at 2 o’clock.

And announced Interstate closures where a helicopter crashed Tuesday afternoon near New Orleans have been postponed now until Sunday. Areas along I-10 near the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge that were set to close today for repairs beginning at 11 am today and last for three hours have been moved to Sunday so Entergy can repair power lines that were damaged in the fatal helicopter crash.