Booster shots are now available and depending on which one you got, your age and or medical conditions dictate if you need one. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Jury selection begins today in the aggravated rape trial of former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain. The 58-year-old was indicted in 2019 on eight counts of sex crimes involving juveniles. The alleged incidents date back as far as 1975. The trial is expected to last a couple of weeks.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports the first two constitutional amendments on the November 13th ballot. Amendment One would authorize a centralized state tax collecting authority. …:
Cut 10 (10) “…their support for this.”
Edwards says he also supports Amendment two which would lower the state’s income tax rate, but do away with the ability to deduct federal income taxes paid.

The Angola Prison Rodeo was not held this month, but Louisiana’s State Penitentiary will hold an Arts and Crafts Show on December fourth. Corrections Secretary Jimmy Leblanc says now that COVID numbers are more stable they wanted to hold a scaled-down event to boost morale and give attendees a chance to buy one-of-a-kind goods.
Cut 14 (08) “…exposed to.”
Tickets go on sale today at angola-rodeo-dot-com.

COVID vaccine booster shots have been authorized for both the Moderna and Pfizer two-dose vaccines now and State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says a booster should be given six months or more after the second dose of your vaccine to provide additional protection.

Cut 23 (08) “…severe illness.”

The booster is recommended for those 65 and older, or persons 18 and older with an underlying health condition or who work and/or live in a setting that puts them at greater risk.

Today is the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton talks about the kind of prescription meds and one other thing that you’ll be able to turn in during the Drug Takeback event.

Cut 4 (07) “…out of it.”

No illegal drugs will be accepted and that goes also for syringes and liquids.  The Drug TakeBack takes place until two this afternoon.  For a drop off location near year visit the website DEA.gov.

Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says it’s going to take multiple conversations to change the mind of an individual who’s hesitant about the COVID vaccine and they are working on a person-by-person approach versus changing a demographic.

Cut  11 (11)  “…step of the way.”  

The October breakdown of 43 states by the Kaiser Foundation indicates 49% of Whites are vaccinated in Louisiana, 51% of Blacks, 56% of Hispanics, and 84% of the Asian population are vaccinated.

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to increase across the nation. Graves says it makes no sense with the President asking OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production instead of here at home.

Cut 12 (08) “…in America.”  

In terms of a resolution with the Biden Administration on energy production in general, Graves feels they are very far off because the administration is more focused on renewable energy at the moment.

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder wants to see the legislative leadership make a decision on how the state plans to contribute financially to the proposed improvements to the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A Baton Rouge man is facing five years behind bars after being sentenced on federal charges of setting two fires at a strip mall in Alexandria in 2019.  Jasmine Roberson entered a guilty plea this past June.  He was convicted of torching the mall on behalf of a prison inmate who had put money into the strip mall and was looking to collect insurance money.  Roberson initially set fire to the wrong business.

Today marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs at the time, no questions asked.

Cut 3 (08) “….a proper way.”

Singleton says the collection points will not be accepting illegal drugs, such as marijuana, and syringes and liquids will not be accepted either. The Drug Takeback event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today. Visit www.dea.gov for a list of locations.

A Kenner mom may opt to sue after her child received a COVID-19 shot without her permission at East Jefferson High School on Wednesday. The 16-year-old was vaccinated after a mobile clinic from Ochsner Health pulled onto the campus, but legally the student couldn’t consent to the shot, something that a parent must do for those under 18-years of age.  WWL-TV report the attorney for the parent labeled the situation “lawless behavior.”

Cox communication is blaming voltage issues for reported outages in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and surrounding areas yesterday. The problem has been mostly resolved and customers may have to restart their modem to get back up and running.

The DEA is holding its 21^st Drug Takeback event this today..

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to increase across the nation. Graves says it makes no sense with the President asking OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production instead of here at home.

Cut 12 (08) “…in America.”  

A planned 450-million-dollar renovation to the Ceasars’ Superdome in the Big Easy is at least temporarily hobbled financially. The state has only committed two-point-five-million of 90-million dollars in funding for the project, leaving State Treasurer John Schroder looking for direction from the legislature.

Cut 6 (09) “…of New Orleans.” 

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of Blacks vaccinated for COVID is higher than whites. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation 51-percent of Blacks are vaccinated compared to 49-percent of whites. Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says their hard work to remove barriers for minorities to get vaccinated has shown results.

Cut 9 (07) “…happy about it.”

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of Blacks vaccinated for COVID is slightly higher than whites. Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says their hard work to remove barriers for minorities to get vaccinated has shown results. While Hood says they are celebrating a victory, their work is far from over due to the state’s low overall vaccination rate.

Cut 10 (11)  “…to do.” 

Saturday marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs no questions asked.

Cut 3 (08) “….a proper way.”

For a list of sites go to TakeBackDay-dea-gov

A planned 450-million-dollar renovation to the Ceasars’ Superdome in the Big Easy is at least temporarily crippled financially. The state has only committed two-point-five-million of 90-million dollars in funding for the project. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s been difficult on the Superdome funding issue for a variety of reasons, including whether the facility is even a state asset.

Cut 7 (09) “….used a lot.”  

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to increase across the nation. Graves says it makes no sense with the President asking OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production instead of here at home.

Cut 12 (08) “…in America.”  

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration over rapidly rising gasoline & diesel fuel prices. He says he’s concerned that the Biden White House has gutted U.S. oil & gas production while focusing on policies to develop renewable energy sources…:

CUT 13(07)      “…they get better.”

Graves feels being so focused on “green” energy is not in America’s best interests right now.

Louisiana is the only state with a higher percentage of blacks vaccinated than whites. This is according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s research. Kim Hood, with the state Department of Health, says it shows that their outreach programs – especially to minorities – are working…:

CUT 09(07)      “…happy about it.”

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder wants to see the legislative leadership make a decision on how the state plans to contribute financially to the proposed improvements to the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

A New Orleans school bus driver says she was assaulted by angry parents on her bus and she wants them arrested. Andrea Anderson says the adults were miffed over a bullying incident that happened on the bus, when they suddenly dragged her off the vehicle, and beat and kicked her repeatedly. The incident was captured on cell phone video. NOPD is investigating.

Saturday marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs at the time, no questions asked. He says turning in unwanted opioids could help prevent someone else from getting their hands on them…:

CUT 05(11)      “…for these periods”

For a location near you go to “takebackday.dea.gov”

Lawmakers have stymied efforts do a $450-million renovation of the Caesars’ Superdome – at least temporarily. They have only committed to a fraction of the $90-million in funding to assure the projects gets underway. State Treasurer John Schroder says there’s no immediate deadline looming, but the clock is ticking for the legislature and Bond Commission…:

CUT 08(09)      “…give them some direction”

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of black people getting the COVID vaccination is higher than whites. The percentage is 51% to 49%, according the Kaiser Family Foundation. Assistant Health Secretary Kim Hood says it’s not that easy to convince doubters to get the shot..:

CUT 11(11)      “…step of the way.”

When vaccines first became available, minorities were among the most hesitant to get them. Hood says outreach efforts are working.

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to rise. He says it makes no sense for the President to ask OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production, when he has ended it here at home…:

CUT 12(08)      “…right here in America.”

Graves feels the Biden White House’s focus on so-called “green” energy suggests no easy resolution to our pain at the pump.

A planned 450-million-dollar renovation to the Ceasars’ Superdome in the Big Easy is at least temporarily crippled financially. The state has only committed two-point-five-million of 90-million dollars in funding for the project. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s been difficult on the Superdome funding issue for a variety of reasons, including whether the facility is even a state asset.

Cut 7 (09) “….used a lot.”  

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of Blacks vaccinated for COVID is slightly higher than whites. Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says their hard work to remove barriers for minorities to get vaccinated has shown results. While Hood says they are celebrating a victory, their work is far from over due to the state’s low overall vaccination rate.

Cut 10 (11)  “…to do.” 

The DEA is holding its 21^st Drug Takeback event this Saturday, a time when you can clear your home of unwanted prescription drugs. More from Brooke Thorington.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

If you like your winters cold and wet in Louisiana, you may not get your wish in the coming months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says NOAA is out with its latest predictions showing that a La Nina weather pattern is now in control of what’s to come.

Cut 13 (09) “…with less precipitation.”

Saturday marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs at the time, no questions asked.

Cut 4 (07) “…out of it.”

The event will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and for a list of locations Visit takebackday.dea.gov

Louisiana is the only state where the percentage of Blacks vaccinated for COVID is higher than whites. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation 51-percent of Blacks are vaccinated compared to 49-percent of whites. Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says their hard work to remove barriers for minorities to get vaccinated has shown results.

Cut 9 (07) “…proud of it.”

But Hood says their work is far from over due to the state’s overall low vaccination rate.

A planned 450-million-dollar renovation to the Ceasars’ Superdome in the Big Easy is at least temporarily hobbled financially. The state has only committed two-point-five-million of 90-million dollars in funding for the project, leaving State Treasurer John Schroder looking for direction from the legislature.

Cut 6 (09) “…of New Orleans.” 

He says so far there’s no definitive answer to that question, though the door was left open earlier by the Edwards administration to funnel that much state money into the project.

And the state reports 681 new OCIVD-19 cases and 342 hospitalizations.

The U.S. Senate has passed a recovery and relief bill; amended to be beneficial to Louisiana by our own Senator John Kennedy. He says the bipartisan bill gives states billions for pandemic fiscal relief. Kennedy says Louisiana will get about $4.8-billion of the nearly $2-trillion funded within the bill, but his amendment gives Louisiana choices as to how the federal dollars are spent…:

Cut 6 (09) “…the handcuffs are off.”

When the widow of late Governor Edwin Edwards stated she wanted the former-four term governor to have his final resting place near Huey Long at the State Capitol, it brought to light proposed legislation that’s in the works to allow other former governors to be buried at the capitol. Monroe Representative Michael Echols plans to submit his bill in the 2022 regular legislative session and he welcomes input from state historians and others so the memorial is done properly.

Cut 12 (11) “…appropriate.”

Saturday marks the 21^st edition of the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton of the agency says you’ll be able to drop off a variety of unwanted prescription drugs at the time, no questions asked.

Cut 3 (08) “….a proper way.”

The Drug Takeback event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Visit www.takebackday.dea.gov for a list of locations.

If you like your winters cold and wet in Louisiana, you may not get your wish in the coming months. State Climatologist Barry Keim says NOAA is out with its latest predictions showing that a La Nina weather pattern is now in control of what’s to come, a warmer, drier winter is expected. Keim says there’s some potentially bad news about the formation of the La Nina weather pattern when it comes to the final weeks of Hurricane Season that officially wraps up November 30^th.

Cut 15 (09)  “…of the season.”

Though Keim says any future hurricanes this season should be more of a threat to the east coast rather than the Gulf states.