17 people on a cruise ship coming back to port in New Orleans have tested positive for Covid. The State Department of Health said one case among the crew is identified as the Omicron variant, though that individual is not from the state and never got off the ship.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the first case of the variant in Louisiana has been detected from an individual in the Greater New Orleans area. He says they have increased lab sequencing to detect Omicron variant, but the message to the public remains…:
Cut 9 (09) “booster shot”
In Louisiana just below 50-percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

New US travel restrictions are back starting today. Anyone headed here will be required to show evidence of a negative test for the virus within one day of boarding their flight instead of 3.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman..:
Cut 5 (10) “their policies”
The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force.

ULM hopes to help the statewide nursing shortage with a new agreement with Louisiana’s 2-year colleges and tech schools…:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The state has its first known case of the Omicron Variant. The Louisiana Department of Health says that individual lives in the greater New Orleans area and recently traveled within the US. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the variant is significant because it has some 50 mutations from the original virus…:
Cut 7 (11) “crucial question”
Officials from federal, state, and local agencies are also addressing an outbreak on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans Sunday. 17 cases were identified among passengers and crew including one probable case of Omicron from a worker on the ship who isn’t from Louisiana.

State Police say two people were killed and five injured in a crash involving 2 large pickup trucks Saturday night in Lafourche Parish. The two who died are identified as 23-year-old Thomas Hernandez and 22-year-old Santos Garcia, both of Slidell.

The Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight will hold their first meeting today and hear from LSP Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis. The committee was formed after several reports of excessive force. Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil is chairman of the seven-member committee…:
Cut 4 (12) “situations”
Foil anticipates a second meeting to allow for public input.

UL-Monroe seeks to help the statewide nursing shortage with a groundbreaking degree transfer program. Dr. Don Simpson is Dean of the ULM College of Health Sciences. He says they’ve forged an agreement with the state’s 12 community & tech colleges with associate nursing degree programs to allow those nurses to easily pursue their Bachelor of Science in Nursing at ULM…:
Cut 10 (11) “credentials as a nurse”

The first case of the Omicron variant in Louisiana has been detected, and State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter stresses vaccinations and boosters…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

And the Louisiana Department of Health says testing confirmed 17 cases of Covid-19 have been identified on a cruise ship that arrived in New Orleans on Sunday, and this includes 1 probable case of Omicron among the crew. They said that person is not a Louisiana resident and did not leave the ship.

A Congressman from Louisiana is introducing a bill that would erase student loan debt for survivors of disasters who also took out an SBA loan during recovery efforts. The measure by Congressman Troy Carter is called the, “No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act.”
CUT 13 (07) “have a restart”
He says a double debt burden hurts our economy and additionally burdens those struggling to recover from COVID-19 and natural disasters.

The Southeastern Conference announced Sunday LSU will play in the Texas bowl where they will face Kansas State at NRG Stadium in Houston on January 4th. This marks the 21st time in the last 22 years the Tigers have been selected to a bowl game.

Nearly 300 workers at Ochsner Health in Louisiana and Mississippi have been fired for not coming into compliance with the firm’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, though 99 percent of additional staff members have. Tulane Health Care Economist, Charles Stoecker, says the Ochsner Health vaccination policy isn’t really all that strict given the alternative provisions for those who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cut 13 (11) “…be tested weekly.”

The Omicron Covid-19 variant is now in Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health late Friday reported the state’s first probable case of the variant that has now spread to at least nine states and nearly three dozen countries.  The Louisiana person infected with the variant is said to be in the Greater New Orleans Area and had traveled within the U.S. recently. The LDH says Omicron may be more transmissible than previous strains of the virus and may carry an increased risk of reinfection compared to other variants.

Today is your last chance to vote early in the December 11^th election. While quite a few parishes don’t have anything to vote on, there are more than 30 others that do, ranging from candidate runoffs to various propositions. Long-time Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman is seeking to hold onto his seat against a progressive Democrat.  St. Tammany Parish voters are casting ballots to decide the fate of parish’s first-ever casino in what has become a battle royale between supporters and opponents.

Over the past 30 days, Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than six million dollars in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. Trooper William Huggins says the makeup of the drug seizures during the traffic stops was large quantities of meth.

Cut 10 (08)  “…4.6 million”

Huggins says it’s hard to tell if more drugs are crossing the state’s highways.

Cut  11 (08)  “..focused on it.”  

During the traffic stops over the past month, troopers seized 577 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated one-point-six-million dollars.

It’s now Louisiana’s turn to be concerned about Omicron. That’s the latest of the COVID-19 variants that’s now sweeping parts of the globe and has infected individuals in at least nine states, including Louisiana. The Louisiana Department of Health reported late Friday that a person in the Greater New Orleans Area had become infected with the Omicron variant while traveling within the United States. State Health Officer Joe Kanter says the “single best action you can take to protect yourselves” from the virus is to be vaccinated or boosted

Concerns are growing in the state about the possibility of Chronic Wasting Disease infecting white-tailed deer in Louisiana.  This after CWD was found in one of the animals in Union County, Arkansas.

 Cut 6 (06) “..concerning to us.” 

That’s State Veterinarian Jim LaCour with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries who says the agency has issued a ban on baiting and feeding in nearby Morehouse and Union parishes beginning December 6.  CWD is a neurodegenerative disease of white-tailed deer that can prove fatal to the deer and other animals.

————————-

280 workers at Ochsner Health in Louisiana and Mississippi have been fired for not coming into compliance with the firm’s COVID-19 vaccination policy, though 99 percent of additional staff members have. Tulane Health Care Economist, Charles Stoecker, posed this question when asked about the situation.

Cut 12 (08) “…covid to you”  

Most of the 280 people terminated are contract employees who work on an as-needed basis.

Early voting wraps up today in Louisiana for the December 11^th election. The Secretary of State isn’t predicting early voting will create much of a turnout except in certain areas, such as New Orleans and St. Tammany Parish. Incumbent Orleans Parish sheriff Marlin Gusman is facing a progressive Democrat in his runoff for the post. While in St. Tammany, voters are deciding whether to allow a gambling resort to set up shop near Slidell, the project valued at 325-million-dollars. To this date, St. Tammany voters have been against having casino operations in their parish.

State health officials are reporting the first probable case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in Louisiana. The Department of Health says it involves an individual in the greater New Orleans area who recently traveled within the United States. The Omicron variant has now been detected in nine states and 30 countries. State Health Officer, Dr. Joe Kanter, says news of Omicron in Louisiana is cause for concern, but not panic.

Regardless of variants, Governor Edwards says the best protection is to be fully vaccinated, which includes children five and older and when applicable a booster shot for individuals 18 and older.

Cut 5 (13) “…and death.”

Currently, Edwards says only 49-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated.

CWD, or Chronic Wasting Disease which is fatal to deer, is becoming a growing concern in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Over the past 30 days, Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than six million dollars in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. Trooper William Huggins says on Wednesday a traffic stop in St. Tammany Parish led to the discovery of a large quantity of suspected meth.

Cut 9 (06) “…of suspected methamphetamine.”

The street value of the haul is estimated at more than two million dollars. A Texas man was arrested on drug-related charges.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the Omicron variant and so far, the variant has not been found in Louisiana. Edwards explained that the Department of Health has established a network of laboratories and they are proactively sequencing positive PCR tests.

Cut 4 (08) “…any other variant.”

The variant has been detected in five other states.

Over the past 30 days, Louisiana State troopers have seized more than six million dollars in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops. Trooper William Huggins says on Wednesday a stop in St. Tammany Parish led to the discovery of a large quantity of suspected meth.

Cut 9 (06) “…of suspected methamphetamine.”

Over the past month, troopers seized 577 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated one-point-six-million dollars.

CWD, or Chronic Wasting Disease that can infect, sicken, or even prove fatal to white-tailed deer is becoming a growing concern in Louisiana.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Deputies in Ascension Parish say a man found shot to death inside a pickup on I-10 late Thursday night was the victim of a dispute that started miles away. The bullet-riddled vehicle was stopped in the roadway near the Highway 73 exit; blocking all three lanes. The driver was alive, the passenger dead at the scene. An investigation is ongoing.

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the omicron variant of COVID-19 at a press conference Friday morning. Just a week ago, the World Health Organization declared it a “variant of significance” and now it’s detected in a handful of cases in five states. Edwards says it’s not in Louisiana that we know of and detection is underway…:

CUT 03(10)      “…as possible.”

The Governor says the larger number of Louisiana’s COVID cases are the Delta variant.

Deer hunters! Want a chance to win a $1000 gift card? Just submit whatever deer you bag to the state Department of Wildlife & Fisheries for testing. LDWF Vet Jim LaCour says they’re looking for signs of Chronic Wasting Disease, after deer as close as Union County, Arkansas have been found to have it…:

CUT 06(06)      “…concerning to us.”

Baiting of fields is banned starting Monday. Keep that in mind as well.

Ochsner Health facilities in Louisiana & Mississippi fire almost 300 employees who haven’t complied with their COVID shot policy. Tulane Health Care Economist Charles Stoecker says Ochsner’s policy isn’t really all that strict given the alternative provisions for those who choose not to get vaccinated against COVID-19…:

CUT 13(11)      “…be tested weekly.”

About 99-percent of Ochsner’s nearly 30-thousand employees HAVE gotten COVID shots.

Early voting for the December 11^th election wraps up Saturday night at 6. There are only ballots to be cast in 38 parishes. Many have run-offs for local elected positions like judgeships. Some have tax and bond proposals. St. Tammany voters will decide whether or not to allow a gambling casino resort complex in Slidell. Download the GeauxVote app to see your local ballot. Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday. Election Day comes one week later.

Hundreds of workers at Ochsner Health facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi are fired for not getting the COVID vaccine, though 99 percent of all staff members have. Tulane Health Care Economist, Charles Stoecker (STECK-er)…”

CUT 12(08)      “…COVID to you.”

Most of the 280 people terminated are contract employees who work on an as-needed basis. Those employees in good standing would be eligible for rehire once they get the jab.

State Police say they’ve been busy nabbing drug runners on state highways. In the last month, they’ve made dozens of arrests and seized over $6-million in illegal drugs. Trooper William Huggins says despite that it is hard to tell how much they’re NOT catching…:

CUT 11(08)      “…focused on it.”

Governor Edwards held a briefing today to discuss the Omicron variant which was designated a “variant of concern” just a week ago. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Thorington.”

Deputies in Ascension Parish say a man found shot to death inside a pickup on I-10 late Thursday night was victim of a dispute that started miles away. The bullet-riddled vehicle was stopped in the roadway near the Highway 73 exit; blocking all three lanes. The driver was alive, the passenger dead at the scene. An investigation is underway.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the latest COVID news and the omicron variant today. Though there are no cases in Louisiana yet, He says state health officials are looking for it. Mr. Edwards says this all reinforces the message to get COVID shots or a booster if you’re 18 or older…:

CUT 05  (13)        “…and deaths.”

Only 49-percent of the state has been vaccinated. He says that’s too few.

Shriners Hospital for Children in Shreveport has fired at least seven employees for not getting the COVID-19 jab. A spokesman says that’s fewer than 5-percent of the facility’s workforce.

Cops in New Orleans are investigating a spate of vehicle burglaries of cars parked while fans watched the Saints play the Cowboys. Security video shows the thieves smashing glass to get into the cars.

Over the past 30 days Louisiana State troopers say they’ve seized more than $6-million in illegal narcotics during numerous traffic stops across the state. State Police Trooper William Huggins says most of what was seized is crystal meth…:

CUT 10(08)      “…4.6-million.”

They’ve also seized about 577 pounds of illegal marijuana. Over 26 related arrests have been made in the past month.

State Wildlife & Fisheries experts are watching for Chronic Wasting Disease in deer; an affliction spreading in many northern states and some down south. LDWF Veterinarian Jim LaCour wants hunters to submit what deer they bag for testing for CWD…:

CUT 08(12)      “…it is present.”

CWD can be fatal in white-tail deer and other animals. Baiting of fields is banned in Moorehouse and Union Parishes beginning next Monday, as it promotes herding and snout-near-snout contact.