Despite voting for President Biden’s recently passed Infrastructure Bill, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he cannot support the “Build Back Better” bill. Cassidy says the Democrats are disingenuously selling the legislation to American’s as costing about $2-trillion, and the Congressional Budget Office scores the act otherwise.

Cut 5 (11) “…when adjusted for inflation.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule he still plans to do so. The rule will go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability for their child to opt-out.

Cut 13 (10) “…change that.”
For now, the COVID vaccine would only be added to the list of shots required to attend school for those 16 and up, since the F-D-A has fully authorized the vaccine for those 16 and older.

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”  

LSU has also signed dynamic defensive end Quency Wiggins from Madison Prep High School.

We are 10 days away from Christmas and the options to mail gifts, so they’ll arrive on time are about to be limited.  USPS Spokesperson David Walton says today is the last day to send packages via retail ground to arrive before December 25^th.

Cut 7 (09) “…less expensive.”

Walton says this week is their busiest mailing, shipping, and delivery week of the year and they are estimating to deliver 29 million packages each day this week.

Despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule Governor Edwards says he still plans to do so. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder told members of House Health and Welfare that asking parents to fill out forms to opt-out of the vaccine is too cumbersome.

Cut 14 (12)  “…for schools.”

It would go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability to have their child opt-out of the vaccine.

Most of the state’s lawmakers are in Lake Charles today for the annual Legislator luncheon.  Executive director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, Cary Koch on some of the problems facing craft brewers in the state.

Cut  11 (12)  “…big beer world.”  

Koch is hoping to influence lawmakers about their concerns at the luncheon.

Despite voting for President Biden’s recently passed Infrastructure Bill, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he cannot support the Social Safety Net and Climate Bill, also called “Build Back Better.” Cassidy says D.C. Democrats are more interested in “cementing legacies than improving the economy…”

Cut 4 (12) “…would strongly oppose.”

We are 10 days away from Christmas and today is the deadline to mail packages via retail ground, Saturday for priority mail and if you’ve really procrastinated USPS Spokesperson David Walton says then you need to send them by the 23^rd so you won’t earn the title of Grinch this year but get ready to pay for it.

Cut 9 (09)  “…Christmas Day.”

For tips and to get an idea of how much it will cost you can use the click and ship feature at USPS.com

Governor Edwards is moving forward with plans to require the COVID-vaccine shot for children to attend school. A helicopter pilot is dead after his chopper crashed on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway yesterday. Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet is in hot water after a video surfaced that shows people inside her home using the “N” word.

Senator Bill Cassidy met with the media yesterday and talked about the President’s Build Back Better bill. Kevin Gallager has more…
cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Most of the state’s lawmakers are in Lake Charles today for the annual Legisgator luncheon and will be seeing billboards urging the legislature to help Louisiana craft brewers catch up with the rest of the nation. Cary Koch is executive director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild:
Cut 10 (12) “…host weddings.”
Koch fears that without craft beer reform in the Bayou State, the struggling industry could be here today and gone tomorrow.

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 shots needed to attend school. The rule will go into effect for the next school year and it would only pertain to ages that have FDA approval for COVID vaccines, which is 16 and up. Edwards says it’s vital for young people to be vaccinated…
cut 15 (11) “….dealing with the pandemic”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he can’t support President Biden’s one-point-seven trillion-dollar Build Back Better bill. Cassidy says the legislation is filled with temporary government programs…
cut 6 (12) “…..keep the price tag lower”

Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet is facing calls for her to step down after a video taken from her home shows several people using the “N” word while watching a video of an attempted burglary on their property. Odinet says she was sedated at the time of the video and has zero recollection of the video and the disturbing language used in it.

Louisiana craft brewers are looking for some help from state lawmakers. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule he still plans to do so. The rule will go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability for their child to opt-out.
Cut 13 (10) “…change that.”
For now, the COVID vaccine would only be added to the list of shots required to attend school for those 16 and up, since the F-D-A has fully authorized the vaccine for those 16 and older.

State lawmakers gather in Lake Charles today for the LegisGator Luncheon. The Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild will begin a lobbying push to convince lawmakers to change the regulations in place for the craft brewing industry. Cary Koch says Louisiana is in a “last mover” position when it comes to locally produced beer and he hopes today’s billboard campaign in Lake Charles will help spur legislators into action.
Cut 12 (10) “…in the dust.”

A helicopter crashed onto I-10 yesterday over the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish in foggy conditions. Officials say the pilot was the lone fatality and the chopper also knocked out electricity for area residents when it hit an Entergy Louisiana transmission line.

If you still have to mail Christmas gifts and you want them to arrive in time the deadlines are approaching. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Could DiamondJacks Casino in Bossier City reopen now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The pilot of a Bell 407 helicopter is presumed dead after the aircraft crashed early this afternoon on the eastbound lanes of the Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. John’s Parish.  No other vehicles were said to be involved and officials say fog may have played a role in the tragedy.  The FAA is on the scene investigating.  The chopper was left in blackened rubble after obviously bursting into flames. Traffic on I-12 East is being diverted until the crash scene can be investigated and cleared.

A state police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite and told lawmakers his recommendations were ignored by his superiors. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton answered a series of questions by Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson.

Cut 3 (11) “…Turner didn’t.”

In May 2019 Major Jason Turner was in charge of the criminal investigation of officers and head of the investigation into Greene’s death. Turner was later promoted by LSP Superintendent Lamar Davis to head of the Criminal Investigative Division and part of his job was to see how other states managed use of force complaints

State Police are investigating the fiery crash of a privately owned helicopter this afternoon on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge outside New Orleans. St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre says calls about the crash came in just after 1 p.m…:

CUT 27(11)      “…unforeseeable future”

Eastbound I-10 traffic is being re-routed to U.S. 51 and/or U.S. 61. The aircraft was completely destroyed by the fire. So far no word on how many were inside or if any survived.

Looking for work in the tech field? The state Department of Economic Development is having a virtual job fair Wednesday. Recruitment Director Jamie Nakamoto says look for it on your favorite social media site and simply register to take part. She says there are numerous jobs they want to fill…:

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

At the State Capitol Monday, lawmakers heard from a State Police detective, Al Paxton, who investigated the strange roadside death of Ronald Greene in 2019. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Thorington.”

Congressman Clay Higgins office says the U.S. Representative is resting comfortably today, after what’s described as a “successful surgical procedure” this morning at a hospital in Lafayette. Higgins will spend the next few weeks recovering.

Governor John Bel Edwards says, despite a legislative committee voting to reject it, he and the Department of Health will add COVID-19 shots to the list of vaccines required for kids to get into school. No kid will be forced if their parents submit a written opt-out.

Traffic on the busy I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge outside the New Orleans area came to a grinding halt this afternoon, when a privately owned helicopter crashed onto the roadway. State Police are on the scene, and say the fiery wreck happened around 1 p.m.; perhaps due to fog. We don’t yet know how many people were in the chopper or if any survived.

The state Health Department says 650-thousand eligible children in Louisiana are not vaccinated against COVID, while 123-thousand 5-to-17 year-olds have completed the vaccine series. Dr. Catherine O’ Neal at Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge is a mother and understands parents’ concerns, but they shouldn’t worry about this vaccine…:

CUT 09(06)      “…your child.”

Today marks the one-year anniversary of the first COVID vaccine administered in Louisiana.

State Police officers who were involved in the roadside arrest and subsequent death of Ronald Green two years ago were asked to testify Monday before a state legislative committee, but failed to show up. One LSP officer who did was Sgt. Al Paxton who investigates allegations of wrongdoing. He spoke of trouble getting troopers to hand over their body cam footage, reluctance to be interviewed and more, which he says frustrates him…:

CUT 05(03)      “…I won’t lie.”

Police body camera footage of Greene’s arrest was made public by the Associated Press in May of this year, two years after his death.

St. Tammany voters’ rejection of Pacific Peninsula’s proposal to use its gambling license for a casino resort near Slidell, it’s going back to Diamond Jacks in Bossier City. Wade Duty, executive director of the Louisiana Casino Association…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the license holder.”

Unless Diamond Jacks can reopened within the 60 days, they can lose their license. Certainly someone will want it.

A helicopter crashed and burned today on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge in St. John parish. Eastbound traffic is closed while the fiery wreck is investigated. About 20-thousand Entergy customers lost power at about the same time as the crash. It’s unknown of the two are in fact related. So far no reports of injuries or deaths.

A State Police detective who investigated if troopers used excessive force in the death of Ronald Greene answered questions from the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversite Monday. LSP Sgt. Albert Paxton says his recommendations were ignored by superiors. Monroe Representative Katrina Jackson asks Paxton about gathering key evidence – body cam footage of incidents…:

CUT 04(08)      “…yes ma’am.”

Officers who were directly involved in the Greene arrest were asked to appear before the committee and did not.

Could Diamond Jacks Casino in Bossier City reopen, now that the Camellia Bay Resort Casino project in Slidell was voted down by voters in St. Tammany Parish? Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

LED FastStart is holding yet another virtual career fair. Jamie Nakamoto is the Director of Recruitment and says the event is tomorrow and targets those seeking jobs in the tech field…:

CUT 12(10)      “…hiring right now.”