LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport Tuesday. About 50 people were on hand when the former skipper of the Fighting Irish touched down in Tiger Country.

Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”

A press conference introducing Kelly is at noon today, and Louisiana Tech will introduce their new coach, Texas Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Cumbie at noon also.  And Garth Brooks will be Callin Baton Rouge April 30^th for a concert at Tiger Stadium.

The highly transmissible Omicron variant from South Africa is a growing concern. Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says while studies of the variant are ongoing there has been an alarming increase in hospitalizations in South Africa, but the nation also has a vaccination rate of only 30-percent.

Cut 15 (12)  “..unvaccinated.”

Ochsner and other health officials are encouraging more people to get fully vaccinated and for those who already are get booster shots.

The man who’s been Mayor of Pineville since 1999 is stepping down. Mayor Clarence Fields announces he will not seek re-election next year to a seventh term in office. 66-year-old Fields says he was recently diagnosed with a vision problem and – if not for that – he likely would have run again.

Cut 4 (08) “…what led to it. “

LSU has called a noon press conference today to introduce Brian Kelly as the Fighting Tigers new football coach. This fan is excited that Kelly has left Notre Dame to take over the LSU program and he gives a lot of credit to athletic director Scott Woodward for getting the deal done…
cut 9 (12) “….no brainer”
Kelly’s ten-year contract also includes six-figure bonuses, two cars and a loan of up to one-point-two million dollars to buy a home.

Meanwhile, Louisiana teacher pay ranks 12th out of 16 states in the South according to the latest report from the Southern Regional Education Board. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says pay is an issue, but so is…
cut 11 (06) “…decision making”
Still, Carter says the battle will go on for higher pay with the hope that Governor Edwards can get teacher pay increased to the regional average by the end of his second term in January 2024.

News of the highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant has Ochsner health officials on alert and advising the public on how to prepare. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana has once again extended the Shot for 100 vaccine incentive campaign. Residents who receive their first COVID shot at a community-based site through December 31st can receive 100-dollars. Over 34-thousand people in Louisiana have received 100-bucks through the program.

A new report shows Louisiana still has a ways to go to reach the Southern Regional Average for teacher pay…
cut 2 (34) “….I’m Dave Brannen”

A federal judge in Louisiana has blocked President Biden’s vaccine mandate for health care workers nationwide. Judge Terry Doughty issued the ruling after reviewing a multi-state lawsuit led by Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. Doughty wrote the Biden Administration doesn’t have the authority to bypass Congress in issuing such a mandate.

Brian Kelly will be introduced today as the Tigers new head football coach during a press conference at noon. About 50 fans gathered at the Baton Rouge Airport yesterday to welcome Kelly and his family to their new home. This fan can’t believe the winningest coach in Notre Dame history is now leading the Fighting Tigers…
cut 8 (11) “….I’m excited”

Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields says he’s not seeking a seventh term in office and he will retire when his current term comes to an end on June 30th…
cut 6 (10) “…until then”
Fields was a recent inductee into the Louisiana Justice Hall of Fame and is credited with revitalizing Pineville business, leading improvements to the Rapides Parish city’s infrastructure & recreational departments, and bringing new commercial and residential developments.

A new survey from the Southern Regional Education Board shows teacher pay in Louisiana ranks 12th of 16 states in the South. According to the S-R-E-B, the average salary for Louisiana teachers is 51-thousand dollars, while the regional average is 55-thousand dollars. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says it’s important to keep raising teacher pay…
cut 10 (10) “….seeking higher pay”
Carter says it will be up to the governor, state lawmakers and educators to work together to see that the state allocates the additional state funding.

The highly transmissible Omicron COVID variant from South Africa is a growing concern among health officials. Ochsner Health Medical Director of Infection Control and Prevention, Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says fortunately the vaccines can be tweaked easily if needed.
Cut 13 (09) “…this variant.”
Ochsner Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says preliminary data from Israel shows the Pfizer vaccine retains adequate efficacy against the Omicron variant.

LSU’s new head football coach Brian Kelly received a warm welcome at the Baton Rouge airport yesterday as dozens of fans were on hand when the winningest coach in Notre Dame history touched down in Tiger Town
Cut 1 (33) “…at Notre Dame nowadays.”

It was a deadly four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend across Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt tells us 16 people died in ten fatal crashes investigated by state police across the state. He says there’s been an upward trend this year in this kind of carnage on the highways.

Cut 3 (10) “…impaired or unrestrained.”

Last year, Reichardt says the death toll was significantly lower with eight people dying in seven crashes investigated by state police.

The deadline for Medicare Annual Enrollment or to make changes is a week away. Ann Booth of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says anyone who has Medicare Parts A and B, on disability, or 65 and older will need to either enroll or make changes to their existing plan by next Tuesday.

Cut 9 (10) “…for 2022.”

If you have questions call 1-800-568-1417.

The 2021 hurricane season is going out like a lamb with the tropics quiet but proved to be a lion for a good part of the official six-month storm period.  Colorado State University’s predictions were pretty much on the mark. CSU research scientist, Phil Klotzbach.

Cut 12 (08) “…which had 28.”  

Seven of the named storms and two hurricanes made landfall in the continental U.S., including Cat 4 Ida that slammed the central Louisiana coast in late August causing billions of dollars in damage.

The new head football coach of the LSU Tigers arrived in Baton Rouge this afternoon. He’s Brian Kelly who racked up a 113 to 40 won-loss record while leading the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, guiding the team to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years. He’s agreed to a decade-long contract worth 95 million dollars.

Sad and alarming news is out about the Thanksgiving holiday weekend traffic. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(33)      “…Brannen.”

Recently convicted of sex crimes, former St. Tammany Parish sheriff Jack Strain will plead guilty to federal charges in a bribery and kickbacks scheme involving the parish jail’s Work Release program. The 16-count indictment was announced in August 2019. So far Strain has not commented publicly on the matter.

LSU has hired one of the winningest coaches in college football to lead the Tigers. Brian Kelly leaves South Bend, Indiana, for Baton Rouge after a 113-40 record at Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kelly should succeed at LSU after guiding the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years…:

CUT 06(10)      “…any better.”

Kelly’s 10-year deal is worth a reported $95-million plus incentives.

The deadline for Medicare Annual Enrollment or to make changes is a week away. Ann Booth of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says their agents look at the three P’s in advising the ideal Medicare plan for an individual, they consider provider, pharmacy benefit, and the plan value…:

CUT 11(12)      “…choosing a plan.”

Call them at 800-568-1417 or visit bcbsLAplan.com/Medicare

LSU announces Notre Dame’s Brian Kelly as the new Tigers head football coach. Can one of college ball’s winningest coaches bring another national title to Baton Rouge? Here’s Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 02(30)      “…Palermo.”

District 3 Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’ll sit out the 2022 Washington DC Mardi Gras bash, due to COVID restrictions. All attendees of the late January events must pass a coronavirus screening. In a letter to colleagues, Higgins says he is (quote) “stunned that the Mystick Krewe has apparently determined that free Americans are unable to be trusted with their own medical decisions,″ He says his staff will gladly help constituents who want to attend.

The deadline for Medicare Annual Enrollment, or to make changes, is a week away. Ann Booth, of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana, says you need to either enroll or make changes by next Tuesday. Booth says choosing a plan can be hard & overwhelming at times, but they offer help to guide you in making your decision as to what’s best for you…:

CUT 10(11)      “…get their questions answered.”

Say bye-bye to the 2021 Hurricane Season; going out with quiet tropics and zero activity. This past season Louisiana felt the impact of several tropical storms and two hurricanes, including Cat 4 Ida which did billions in damage. Colorado State hurricane expert Dr. Phil Klotzbach says climate change will just mean more strong storms in our future…:

CUT 14(09)      “…little bit stronger.”

Unless drivers make some changes when they’re behind the wheel this holiday season, more carnage can be expected on the state’s highway as seen over this year’s four-day Thanksgiving weekend.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

______________________________________

LSU has announced Brian Kelly as its new head football coach. Jeff Palermo one of the winningest coaches in college football will try to bring another national title to Tiger Town…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

______________________________________

It was a deadly four-day Thanksgiving holiday weekend across Louisiana. Trooper Michael Reichardt tells us 16 people died in ten fatal crashes investigated by state police across the state. He says there’s been an upward trend this year in this kind of carnage on the highways.

Cut 3 (10) “…impaired or unrestrained.”

Last year, Reichardt says the death toll was significantly lower with eight people dying in seven crashes investigated by state police.

Trooper Reichardt, there are two sure-fire ways to decrease the chance of being involved in crashes, be they fatal or not.

Cut 4 (10) “…inside your car.”

Trooper Reichardt says the doubling of the death toll on the state’s highways during the Thanksgiving weekend was no doubt due in part to more people traveling this year than last because of COVID keeping people at home.

Cut 5 (08) “..a downward spiral.”

With the holiday season upon us, Reichardt says you can expect to see the highways more crowded from now until the end of the year, with his biggest piece of advice to buckle up while traveling.

__________________________________

LSU has hired one of the winningest coaches in college football to lead the Tigers. Brian Kelly leaves South Bend, Indiana, for Baton Rouge after a 113-40 record at Notre Dame. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Kelly should succeed at LSU after guiding the Fighting Irish to the College Football Playoffs in two of the last three years…

 Cut 6 (10) “..any better” 

LSU athletics director Scott Woodward has built a reputation as someone who can hire a successful coach away from another school. Higgins says he did it again with the all-time winningest coach at Notre Dame…

Cut 7 (12) “…no baggage.”  

Kelly has agreed to a 10-year, 95-million dollar contract plus incentives. Higgins says that’s the kind of money it took to get Kelly…

Cut 8 (08) “…getting a guy”

LSU will formally introduce Kelly tomorrow at noon.

______________________________________________________

The deadline for Medicare Annual Enrollment or to make changes is a week away. Ann Booth of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Louisiana says anyone who has Medicare Parts A and B, on disability, or 65 and older will need to either enroll or make changes to their existing plan by next Tuesday.

Cut 9 (10) “…for 2022.”

Booth says choosing a plan can be difficult and overwhelming at times, but they are offering a free service to help guide you in making an educated decision about which Medicare plan is best for you.

Cut 10 (11)  “…answered.”

The number to call is 1-800-568-1417 or visit bcbsLAplan.com/Medicare

Booth says agents look at the three P’s in advising the ideal Medicare plan for an individual, they consider provider, pharmacy benefit, and the plan value.

Cut  11 (12)  “…choosing a plan.”  

______________________________________________

The 2021 hurricane season is going out like a lamb with the tropics quiet but proved to be a lion for a good part of the official six-month storm period.  Colorado State University’s predictions were pretty much on the mark. CSU research scientist, Phil Klotzbach.

Cut 12 (08) “…which had 28.”  

Seven of the named storms and two hurricanes made landfall in the continental U.S., including Cat 4 Ida that slammed the central Louisiana coast in late August causing billions of dollars in damage.

Klotzbach says the CSU researchers found the final months of hurricane season surprisingly less active than expected.

Cut 13 (11) “…come to fruition.”

Klotzbach says with climate change will come the potential for not necessarily fewer storms, but stronger ones.

Cut 14 (09) “…little bit stronger.” 

Klotzbach says that when it comes to climate change, sea-level rise is something scientists are more concerned about rather than its impact on tropical weather.

It was a deadly Thanksgiving holiday weekend across Louisiana. State Trooper Michael Reichardt tells us 16 people died in ten fatal crashes over the four-day period across Louisiana. This time last year that number was nearly HALF that. Trooper Reichardt says that’s probably because so many more people were ready to travel after COVID restrictions were lifted…:

CUT 05(08)      “…a downward spiral.”

LSU’s new head coach will be Brian Kelly, the winningest coach in the history of Notre Dame. Kelly’s agreed to a 10-year, $95-million deal plus incentives. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says that’s the kind of money it took to make it happen…:

CUT 08(08)      “…getting a guy.”

The university make the official announcement Wednesday.

The 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season goes out with a fizzle today. The tropics are quiet and have been for a couple weeks. Looking back, Colorado State University hurricane researcher Dr. Phil Klotzbach says these final weeks were much quieter than expected…:

CUT 13(11)      “…come to fruition.”

Klotzbach warns we should be prepared for more storms to be stronger at landfall, like Hurricane Ida in August.

Longtime Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields announces he will not seek re-election for another term. He says his retirement will be effective in June of next year. Among his accomplishments as leader, he’s credited with rejuvenating Pineville’s business, recreation, and infrastructure and residential and commercial development. Fields has been Mayor of Pineville since 1999.

A 7-year-old Shreveport girl is in the hospital with a traumatic brain injury; the result of a severe beating. Two teenage boys – 13 and 14 – are arrested for the crime.