Amid controversy over federal authorities treating parents concerned over what their kids are taught in schools as “domestic terrorists”, Louisiana District 5 Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces the Parents Bill of Rights Act; geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school. She says many schools in the nation and in Louisiana are already practicing what’s in her bill, but it would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending…:

CUT 14         (11)    “…activity at school.”

The state Department of Health proposes a mandate that kids get the COVID vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now the FDA only approves shots for kids 16 and older, but the vaccine has been OK’ed for kids as young as five as part of pandemic emergency use only. A legislative hearing on the proposal is coming next month.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.  More from Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01(30)      “…Palermo.”

The federal Department of Justice says it’s giving New Orleans just over $7-million to accommodate hiring more cops. The money will mean NOPD can add about 30 new officers, at a time when they have a serious manpower issue … and burgeoning street crime.

Governor Edwards tells U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the double hit of two hurricanes in 2020. The Governor says his office is anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the state can spend it…:

CUT 03         (13)    “…we get started.”

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says he thinks Ochsner will come out on top here, given that Louisiana is an “at will” state when it comes to employment…:

CUT 08         (07)    “private employer mandate.”

A hearing on the matter is set for December 7^th.

The Biden Administration’s $1.75-trillion Build Back Better plan passed the U.S. House by a 7 vote margin today. Included in the bill are billions for social programs, like free childcare, universal pre-school, Pell Grants for collegians and more. District 2 Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter is happy with the passage..:

CUT 09         (10)    “…their education.”

However, Louisiana Association of Business & Industry President Stephen Waguespack feels Congress has gone spend-crazy in a dangerously unstable economy…:

CUT 10         (10)    “…back on track.”

The bill heads to the Senate, where it is sure to be amended.

A proposal from the Louisiana Department of Health would mandate that children get the COVID-19 vaccine in order to attend schools and day cares pending the shot’s further approval by federal regulators. Right now, the FDA only approves the shots for those 16 and older. Using the vaccine on younger kids is OK, but only as a temporary emergency measure.

President Biden’s Build Back Better Plan passed in the U.S. House today. Brooke Thorington has more on the $1.75-trillion bill…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

A traffic stop on U.S. 190 in West Baton Rouge Parish turned into a big drug bust, as deputies found 4 kilos of heroin stashed in a vehicle. That’s about 40-thousand doses. The driver, Felipe Fuentes, of New Mexico, was booked with improper lane usage, illegal window tint and possession of Schedule I narcotics

Louisiana GOP Congresswoman Julia Letlow is introducing the Parents Bill of Rights Act that’s geared toward further opening the line of meaningful dialog between families and their child’s school…:

CUT 13(12)      “…boards and educators.”

Letlow says the legislation would also bring more transparency to a school’s budget and spending.

St. Tammany Parish residents who oppose a multi-million dollar casino in Slidell are happy this afternoon, after the Court of Appeals ruled late yesterday that a lawsuit, alleging it was unconstitutional to put the casino on a December 11th ballot, must be heard by a judge before Election Day. The casino had hired Drew Brees to help get public support for bringing gaming to the parish. Voters banned gaming in St. Tammany in 1996.

The Louisiana Supreme Court will be the next stop for two combined cases challenging Ochsner Health’s mandate that all its workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

32-year old Ben Burford a former New Orleans police officer who was fired over a rape accusation pleads guilty to a lesser offense. Burford was initially charged with third-degree rape but it’s been amended to indecent behavior with a juvenile older than 13, which calls for a maximum of seven years.

The Biden Build Back Plan passed in the House this morning and critics of the $1.75 trillion bill say it will only discourage many from entering the workforce. Congressman Troy Carter says he respectively disagrees and because the bill provides funding for childcare which will allow more parents to return to work.

Cut  11 (10)  “…my party.”  

Opponents say the bill will cost an estimated $1.6 trillion and it’s the largest non-emergency spending measure since the 60s. President of business group LABI Stephen Waguespack says instead of helping the economy, which is at its highest in over 30 years, the BBB will do the opposite.

Cut 12 (07) “…right now.”  

The bill now heads to the Senate.

The legal battle over if Ochsner Health can require employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor, Dane Ciolino, expressed surprise when the state’s 2^nd Court of Appeals sided with Shreveport Ochsner employees opposed to the vaccine mandate, blocking it last month.

Cut 7 (11) “….and can’t do.”  

A hearing is set for December 7^th.

The Biden Build Back Better Plan passed in the House this morning. The $1.75 trillion bill will assist working families with things like childcare costs. Opponents say the bill will cost an estimated $1.6 trillion. President of business group LABI Stephen Waguespack says Congress needs to stop sending in this economy.

Cut 10 (10)  “…back on track.”

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Developers of a proposed casino resort and youth sports complex in Slidell need voter approval and hope a former New Orleans Saint can help them get it. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

The Biden Build Back Better Plan passed in the House this morning. The $1.75 trillion bill addresses climate change and there’s funding to assist working families with childcare costs and it creates a universal preschool program. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter is the only Louisiana member of the House delegation who voted for the legislation
Cut 9 (10) “…their education.”
The proposal heads to the U-S Senate. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’ll vote against it, because he calls it reckless tax-and-spending spree legislation.

The legal tussle over whether Ochsner Health can require its employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination should be resolved next month by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Loyola University law professor, Dane Cilioni, says in this case that the justices will consider…
Cut 6 (10) “…them very quickly.”
A hearing on the matter is set for December 7th.

Hurricane Ida storm victims have until a week from Monday, November 29th, to register for FEMA disaster assistance. FEMA spokesperson Nathan Custer says they’ve already distributed hundreds of millions of dollars…
cut 12 (06) “…one billion dollars”
Some of the money is going for emergency home repairs and some of it for temporary housing. To register go to FEMA-dot-gov.

Meanwhile, the state of Louisiana is waiting on the federal government to promulgate the rules for how the state can spend 595-million in disaster recovery dollars recently approved by Congress. Governor Edwards says most of the money will go to storm victims who need help rebuilding homes and businesses. He says 90-million dollars is required to go towards mitigation efforts..
Cut 4 (06) “…as well.”
Edwards is also optimistic more federal recovery dollars will be made available to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from Hurricane Laura.

Governor Edwards told U-S Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge the state is ready to spend 595-million dollars in federal disaster recovery funds to help southwest Louisiana rebuild from the 2020 hurricanes. Edwards says they are anxious for the feds to issue rules on how the grant dollars can be used.

Cut 3 (13) “…we get started.”

Voters in St. Tammany Parish will soon decide the future of the proposed Camellia Bay Casino, Resort and youth sports complex. Developers have brought in a heavy hitter to help win them over; former Saints quarterback Drew Brees. In a recorded message, Brees concentrates on the benefits of the youth sports part of the development.

Cut 13 (11) “…that same opportunity.”
Opponents fear the casino would increase in crime

Rapides Parish Schools is said to be laying the groundwork for growing the next generation of teachers in the state. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on December seventh on whether Ochsner Health’s vaccine mandate is constitutional. District judges initially dismissed the lawsuit, but an appeals court in Shreveport issued a restraining order against the mandate preventing Ochsner from taking action against employees who are unvaccinated.

State lawmakers took Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain to task for the slow pace of expanding medical marijuana products. Strain told the Medical Marijuana Commission that he’s putting public safety first, but Kenner Representative Debbie Villio accused Strain of micromanaging…

Cut 4 (10) “…pharmacy. “
Patients appeared before the commission complaining about the lack of access and the high cost of medical marijuana. The smokeable form is supposed to be available in January and that will help lower the cost.

St. Tammany Parish voters will decide on December 11^th the future of the proposed Camellia Bay Casino, Resort, and youth sports complex. Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees threw his support behind the initiative in a taped message.

Cut 14 (07)  “…St. Tammany Parish.”

The Rapides Parish Schools is the latest district to receive the “Models of Excellence” designation from the Louisiana Department of Education. State Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley on why the “Models of Excellence” award was established.

Cut 8 (09) “…others to follow.”

He says students can earn dual enrollment credit, graduating high school with enough credentials and micro-credentials to immediately begin work as paraprofessionals

FEMA is reaching out to those who have registered for help from the agency but have yet to hear anything back. Nate Custer with FEMA says if you’re still waiting to get help from the agency be sure to check back on what might be holding things up.

Cut 10 (09)  “…on their situation.”

He says if you feel you’ve been forgotten somehow or need to provide new information call FEMA’s Disaster Helpline at 800-621-3362.

Some state lawmakers claim Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is moving too slowly when it comes to expanding the state’s medical-marijuana program. Kenner Representative Debbie Villio says Strain’s office is causing delays in getting the product from the grower to the pharmacy to the patients. She says it’s resulting in a lack of access and higher costs for medical marijuana. But Strain told the Louisiana Radio Network…
cut 5 (05) “…absolutely safe”
The grievances against Strain were laid out at the Medical Marijuana Commission Meeting. Baton Rouge Representative Scott McKnight says they will continue to examine if Strain is overregulating the medical marijuana market…
cut 6 (11) “….the consumer”
The smokeable form of medical marijuana becomes legal in Louisiana in January.

Former Saints Quarterback Drew Brees is behind the effort to build casino-resort-sports-complex in St. Tammany Parish.
cut 15 (05) “….yes on the December 11th”
Peninsula Pacific has proposed building a 350-million dollar casino-resort in Slidell. But it needs voter approval, because in 1996, St. Tammany voted to ban gaming of any kind. Brees says he’s backing the project because it also includes a 35-million dollar sports complex for the youth.

Over 500-thousand people in 25 parishes that suffered damages to their property as a result of Hurricane Ida have applied for FEMA assistance…
cut 11 (05) “….539-thousand registrations”
That’s FEMA spokesperson Nate Custer says much of the money is going towards emergency home repairs or temporary housing. The deadline for Ida victims to apply for disaster assistance is November 29th.

State lawmakers took Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain to task for the slow pace of expanding medical marijuana products. Strain told the Medical Marijuana Commission that he’s putting public safety first, but Kenner Representative Debbie Villio accused Strain of micromanaging…
cut 4 (10) “…pharmacy”
Patients appeared before the commission complaining about the lack of access and the high cost of medical marijuana. The smokeable form is supposed to be available in January and that will help lower the cost.

The Rapides Parish School system has received the Models of Excellence award from the department of education for a program that’s helping to develop 40 students into becoming teachers one day. Superintendent of Education Doctor Cade Brumley hopes other school systems look at what Rapides is doing…
cut 9 (08) “…worthy profession”

Developers of a proposed casino resort and youth sports complex in Slidell need voter approval and hope a former New Orleans Saint can help them get it. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns says eight casinos regulated by the state are accepting legal sports bets, while seven other casinos have applications pending. Five casinos have yet to apply and Johns says they have another six weeks to submit an application. He says the ability to place a bet online is still in the works.