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.

In Livingston Parish jury deliberations are underway in the trial of 42-year-old Melanie Curtain, the woman accused of raping and videotaping a drugged woman during a 2014 assault, allegedly directed by former Livingston Parish sheriff’s deputy Dennis Perkins. Perkins was arrested two years ago along with his now ex-wife Cynthia Perkins and will be tried next year for a combined 150 counts alleging they raped two children, an adult and produced child pornography

With Chronic Wasting Disease detected in Arkansas, which can be fatal to white-tailed deer, State Veterinarian Jim LaCour with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says they are issuing a ban on baiting and feeding in nearby Moorehouse and Union parishes beginning December 6.

Cut 7 (13) “…possibly through saliva.”  

Governor John Bel Edwards addresses the Omicron variant at a press conference this morning. It was just a week ago when the World Health Organization declared it a variant of significance and now it’s been detected in five states. Edwards says it’s not in Louisiana that we know of, and detection is underway.

Cut 3 (10) “…as possible.”

Edwards says as far as we know 100% of cases in the state are from the Delta variant.

Public Service Commission member Foster Campbell has been vocal about LSU’s hiring Brian Kelly and the amount of money he will be paid. While most of the LSU coach’s compensation comes from private funding, Campbell feels investing over $100 million in a ten-year coaching contract sends a poor message about LSU…:

Cut 9 (11)  “…I don’t agree.”

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.”  

For the first time in the Sean Payton era the Saints have lost five in a row. It was another frustrating night for the offense as Quarterback Taysom Hill threw four interceptions in a 27-17 loss to Dallas. The Black and Gold’s record has fallen to five and seven and they are now tied with Carolina for last place in the NFC South. Hill says the team will not give up on the season…
cut 27 (17) “…disappointing”
New Orleans doesn’t play again until December 12th when they visit the New York Jets. They could use the extra days to get healthy, Alvin Kamara, Terron Armstead, Ryan Ramczyk and Marcus Davenport did not play last night because of injuries and they’ve all missed multiple games. Hill also injured his finger in last night’s game and it appeared to impact his passing.

The Ragin Cajuns attempt to win their first Sun Belt championship in football when they host Appalachian State tomorrow at 2:30. U-L Lafayette is making its third appearance in the Sun Belt title game, but it’s the first time they’ve hosted. Coach Billy Napier is counting on Cajun nation to make a difference…
cut 19 (14) “….on Saturday”
Even though U-L Lafayette beat the Mountaineers 41-13 in October, the Cajuns enter Saturday’s game as a three-point underdog.

Southeastern Louisiana is a 15-point underdog heading into tomorrow’s second-round FCS matchup against James Madison. The Dukes have one of the top defenses in the FCS.

Tonight in the LHSAA playoffs, Neville is looking to reach the Class 4A state title game for the first time since 2016. The Tigers are hosting Warren Easton.

Louisiana is getting a shot at having clean drinking water where it may not exist for one reason or another.
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

At this hour, Governor John Bel Edwards is providing an update on the state’s response to COVID-19. Edwards says the omicron variant has not been detected in Louisiana so far, but that doesn’t mean it’s not here. Omicron variant has been detected in five states.

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 Moorehouse and Union parishes beginning December 6.

Monroe Representative Patricia Moore, who also serves on the House Transportation Committee says she’s hopeful a portion of the federal infrastructure funds will go towards easing congestion along Interstate 20 between Monroe and West Monroe by adding a lane in each direction…
cut 10 (08) “…look at”
Moore says she hopes to hear in a couple of weeks that funding will be available to widen I-20 in the Monroe area.

Never at a loss for words, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell shares his feelings on new LSU football coach Brian Kelly receiving an annual salary of 10-million dollars a year. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Saints lost their fifth straight last night as quarterback Taysom Hill threw four interceptions in a 27-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Tomorrow, the Ragin Cajuns will attempt to win its first Sun Belt Championship in football. U-L Lafayette hosts Applachian State at 2:30.

Ventrue Global announces plans to invest over ten billion dollars to develop an L-N-G facility in Cameron Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the project will result in at least 200 direct new jobs that will pay six-figure salaries. Pierson says they also estimate the project will result in over 800 indirect jobs…
cut 5 (12) “…2,300 new jobs”
And the state says the facility will feature clean energy technology that will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide emissions.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the state is set to receive 101-million dollars this fiscal year to improve drinking water systems. Cassidy says access to clean drinking water is a problem and he’s heard the complaints…
cut 14 (09) “…supporting that”
Cassidy says the state should expect to receive another 100-million dollars each year over the next four years as a result of the infrastructure bill.

Republican Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana will receive 101 million dollars from the recently approved federal infrastructure bill that will go to local governments who struggle to provide clean drinking water to their residents…
cut 15 (13) “…to it”
And Cassidy says Louisiana can expect similar water infrastructure funding for the next four years.

For the next ten years, new LSU football coach Brian Kelly will be paid about ten million dollars a year to coach the Tigers. Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell believes that kind of money for a football coach is insane…
cut 8 (08) “….on academics”
Campbell wishes the school can raise that kind of money to build a new library on campus.

Venture Global is investing more than $10 billion in a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards will hold a media briefing at 11 AM to discuss COVID-19, including an update on the Omicron variant. So far the variant has not been detected in Louisiana.

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries says chronic wasting disease, which is fatal to deer, was found in a 2.5-year-old female white-tailed deer just north of the Louisiana-Arkansas border.

According to the Advocate newspaper, Ochsner Health has fired 28 employees for refusing to get a COVID vaccine. The state’s largest health system says these workers also refused to seek an exemption. Ochsner tells the Advocate 99-percent of the system’s employees are vaccinated or have been exempted.

Louisiana is getting a shot at having clean drinking water where it may not exist….
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Venture Global announces a plan to invest over ten billion dollars on a new L-N-G facility in Cameron Parish. It will be located to their adjacent Calcasieu Pass terminal. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says Venture Global is also building an L-N-G facility in Plaquemines Parish…
cut 6 (11) “….this facility”
Venture Global says it’s on a mission to produce the cleanest low-cost LNG in North America.

Monroe Representative Patricia Moore, who serves on the House Transportation Committee, is pushing for some of the federal dollars from the massive infrastructure bill to go towards widening I-20 to three lanes in the Monroe area…
cut 12 (07) “…two weeks”
Senate Transportation Chairman Patrick McMath says the expansion of I-20 is a top priority.

Never at a loss for words, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell shares his feelings on new LSU football coach Brian Kelly receiving an annual salary of 10-million dollars a year. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The Saints lost their fifth straight last night as quarterback Taysom Hill threw four interceptions in a 27-17 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Tomorrow, the Ragin Cajuns will attempt to win its first Sun Belt Championship in football. U-L Lafayette hosts Applachian State at 2:30.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana will be receiving $101-million this fiscal year in federal infrastructure funding for addressing the state’s clean water needs. He offers up some of the known problems:
Cut 13 (14) “…with raw sewage.”
Cassidy says the funding from the infrastructure bill will also go towards replacing lead pipes.

Venture Global announces they are investing more than $10 billion in a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says the company already has a $7-billion facility in Calcasieu Parish and the new plant has an added feature.
Cut 4 (12) “…the world. “
Pierson says the project will result in at least 200 new jobs with an average annual salary of 120-thousand dollars plus benefits.

Never at a loss for words, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell is troubled by the new LSU football coach’s ten-year contract. Brian Kelly’s deal with incentives would pay him over $10-million dollars a year.
Cut 7 (08) “…I don’t think that.”
Campbell says it’s not a good message when LSU football fans raise millions of dollars for a coach, while the school’s academic rankings continue to drop.

With Louisiana set to receive billions of dollars to improve roads and bridges, a northeast state lawmaker is pushing for some of that money to go towards expanding I-20 in Monroe to three lanes in each direction from the Stella Street exit to the Well Road exit. Monroe Representative Patricia Moore…
cut 11 (06) “…I-20”
Moore hopes to find out soon if funding from the federal infrastructure bill will be available for this project.

Venture Global is investing more than $10 billion in a new liquefied natural gas facility in Cameron Parish. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana is beginning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to improve water systems in small towns and rural parishes. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

Louisiana’s Shot for $100 program is continuing through the end of December with more than 34-thousand 100-dollar debit cards distributed so far to those receiving their initial COVID-19 vaccination. Sheree Taillon heads up the program and says college students are rolling up their sleeves in fear of classes being canceled if they don’t.

Cut 3 (10) “…climbed very quickly.”

The new Omicron variant of COVID is also expected to increase the response to the Shot for $100 program. The governor is set to have a news conference tomorrow to discuss Omicron and update the state’s response to COVID overall.

With oil prices dropping of late, Louisiana drivers and others nationwide are hoping that’ll mean a drop in gasoline prices, sooner rather than later. Triple A’s Nick Chabarria says it usually takes a while for the transition to lower prices to show up at the pump. He’s optimistic that gas prices will continue slowly dropping as the price of oil declines.

Cut 8 (07) “…at the pump.”

Thanksgiving Weekend state police responded to 15 fatal crashes. Troop C’s area alone in southeast Louisiana, last month there were 13 deaths from fatal crashes. So, they are working with several agencies like Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre in hopes of curbing impaired driving.

Cut 12 (09) “…commit a murder”  

Webre, along with other law enforcement officers, says they can’t do it alone, they need the public to contact them when they see an impaired driver behind the wheel.