The state health department reported 65 more COVID-19 deaths today. Jeff Palermo has the latest coronavirus numbers…

cut 2 (30) ….I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

A Legislative Auditors report finds LDH’s COVID-19 dashboard numbers and daily reporting to be accurate, with only an estimated point four percent of all reported tests likely being duplicates. It did raise issues with the lag between when tests are conducted in the field and when the results are sent to LDH.

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The “Christmas Star” will be out in the Louisiana sky tonight after sunset. LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it’s not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together, and the best viewing of the so-called Star is tonight after dusk, but it will be visible until the 25^th. So why the “Christmas” star?

Cut 13 (12)“…it’s planets.”

Your next chance to see the “star” will be in 2080.

The Shreveport based Independence bowl has been called off this year after the organization couldn’t find a team to take on Army, who had agreed to play the game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says five teams from the PAC-12 decided not to play in a bowl game this season, reducing their options…

Cut 4 (07 )  “.line-up”  

The State Department of Education plans to use eight million dollars provided by the state legislature from CARES Act funding to purchase 23-hundred new Chromebooks for public school students. Superintendent Cade Brumley says they are working on a plan to purchase and distribute the devices to school systems in need by next Spring.

Cut 7 (12) “…in the field.”

Louisiana will receive just under 80,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over the next three days. They will go to nursing homes, tier two hospitals, and medical first responders. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says right now you won’t have a choice on which vaccine you’ll get, either Pfizer or Moderna, but the truth is they’re both just as effective and safe…

Cut 10 (09) “…vaccine.”

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. The I-Bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid to play in the bowl game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s crushing that this annual holiday tradition cannot happen this year

Cut 3 (10)  “..didn’t happen.”

Fans who purchased tickets, can request a refund or roll over the purchase to next year’s game.

After sunset tonight you will definitely want to take a look at the western skies and view a phenomenon dubbed the Christmas Star.  LSU Professor of Astronomy Dr. Tabetha Boyajian (boy-ah-gin) says it is not actually a star but planets Jupiter and Saturn aligning closer together, they will appear within a tenth of a degree from each other.

Cut 12 (10) “…to see.” 

If you miss it tonight you’ll have to wait until 2080.

The Louisiana Department of Education plans to use eight million dollars provided by the state legislature to purchase new computers for public school students. Superintendent Cade Brumley on how the funding originated.

Cut 6 (11) “…spring semester.”

They plan to purchase 23-hundred Chromebooks.

Louisiana will receive 79,500 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine over the next three days. 35,900 of those will head to nursing homes and the remaining 43,600 are being sent to tier two hospitals and medical first responders. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter celebrated the news…

Cut 9 (10) “… us.”

Last week the state received about 40,000 doses of Pfizer’s vaccine and is expecting just under 30,000 doses this week.

A Grant Parish Representative tore into the insurance industry for what he says is a concerted effort to lowball customers on their hurricane damage settlements. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state reports 1,111 COVID cases today and 65 additional deaths.

COVID cases are surging in Louisiana and Governor Edwards warns residents that it is just not safe to gather for holiday celebrations outside of your immediate household. He says levels of community spread are high in every corner of the state.

Cut 4 (09) “…contagious.”

State officials are concerned that adding a post-Christmas surge on top of our current post-Thanksgiving surge could start to overwhelm our healthcare capacity.

Scammers are hard at work as the state vaccinates tens of thousands of frontline healthcare workers. Louisiana Attorney General’s Office spokesperson Cory Dennis warns you to be wary of strange offers like…

Cut 7 (11)  “…after that.”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is helping residents who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic with a program called “Reboot Your Career.” LCTCS System President Dr. Monty Sullivan says if you’re out of a job join the 1,500 workers who’ve already completed the program and are moving into their new careers.

Cut 14 (12) “…to have.” 

For more information about the program visit the Louisiana Community and Technical College website and search for Reboot Your Career.

For the first time in 44 years, the Independence Bowl will not be played in Shreveport on Saturday. The I-Bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid to play in the bowl game. I-Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson says it’s crushing that this annual holiday tradition can not happen this year

Cut 3 (10)  “..didn’t happen.”

Governor John Bel Edwards continues to implore residents to do what they can to keep the virus from spreading until the vaccine is readily available next spring. The current Phase Two order is set to expire Wednesday, and the Governor says to expect, at the very least, that the current level of restrictions will be extended into 2021…

Cut 6 (07) “…for sure.”

Louisiana Attorney General’s Office warns of vaccine scams where con-artists play on your anxiety about the pandemic. Cory Dennis, AG office spokesperson, warns scam-artists will contact you by phone, text, email, or even showing up at your door claiming to be from the government.

Cut 9 (11) “…emergency”

Contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud at if you’ve been a victim of such frauds or visit www.justice.gov/coronavirus

Freshman Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says there’s a lot of “disturbing” evidence that home insurance companies are shortchanging customers with hurricane damage on their settlement offers. Firment says the problem is really prevalent once your claim moves from the local level up to corporate headquarters.

Cut 12 (06) “…disturbing.”

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is helping residents who’ve lost their jobs during the pandemic with a program called “Reboot Your Career.” LCTCS President Dr. Monty Sullivan says with unemployment claims at record levels and says being able to offer options for those who’ve lost their jobs is vital.

Cut 13 (12) “…begin with.”

For more information about the program visit the LCTCS website search for Reboot Your Career.

The state health department reported 48 more COVID-19 deaths on Sunday and the state has surpassed seven-thousand deaths to 7,042. The current Modified Phase Two order is set to expire Wednesday and Governor John Bel Edwards says expect at the very least that the current level of restrictions will be extended into 2021…
cut 6 (07) “….for sure”
An announcement on possible changes to coronavirus restrictions is expected tomorrow.

Freshman Pollock Representative Gabe Firment says there’s “disturbing” evidence home insurance companies are shortchanging customers with hurricane damage on their settlement offers. Firment says it starts by replacing traditional adjusters with technology.
Cut 10 (07) “…remotely.”
Firment, who has been adjuster for 20 years, says he’s insurance providers also make the appeals process a nightmare.

Looking to “Reboot Your Career?” The Louisiana Community and Technical College System is helping to do just that and in fields looking for workers. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the state added 18,500 seasonally adjusted nonfarm jobs from October to November as the unemployment rate dropped by one-point-one percent. But as of last month, the state still had 90-thousand fewer jobs as of November 2019.

Governor Edwards asks Louisiana residents not to gather outside their household for Christmas this year. Edwards says if you are planning on a regular Christmas celebration, you are making a big mistake. He says every single parish is experiencing high levels of community spread.
Cut 4 (09) “…contagious.”
Yesterday, the state health department reported 37-hundred more coronavirus cases since Friday, 48 more deaths, bringing the death toll to 7,042. COVID patients in the hospital declined by 13 to 1,534.

The Louisiana Attorney General’s Office is warning the public about COVID vaccine scams. AG spokesperson Cory Dennis says the fraudsters are making false claims like…
Cut 7 (11) “…after that.”
The governor’s office anticipates receiving 79,500 doses of the Moderna vaccine this week after receiving FDA approval on Friday night.

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System believes it will retrain five-thousand workers who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic by its April target through its “Reboot Your Career” program. LCTCS President Dr. Monty Sullivan says offering options for those who’ve lost their jobs is vital.
Cut 13 (12) “…begin with.”
Before the end of the year, Sullivan says 1,500 workers will have completed the program. For more information visit the L-C-T-C-S website and search for Reboot Your Career.

Governor John Bel Edwards begged business owners at a Resilient Louisiana Commission meeting to start taking the pandemic seriously again as cases surge statewide.  Edwards says the public’s response to this third wave of the virus will be judged by later generations.

Cut 13 (08) “respond”

The State is just shy of reaching 7,000 Covid-19 deaths.

Congressional negotiators will work over the weekend on a Covid-19 economic relief package that Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has helped put together.  It could provide 200 billion dollars in aid for businesses.

There’s also discussion about a second 600-dollar stimulus check, but Cassidy says he has not been part of those talks.

Cut 5 (09) “there too”

Saints quarterback Drew Brees will start Sunday against the Chiefs, his first game back in action in just over a month.  Jeff Palermo has the story

Cut 1

LSU will play Ole Miss on Saturday as they host the Rebels in Tiger Stadium for the season finale.  LSU is currently 4-5 on the season with a chance to finish the season with a .500 record.  Under first year head coach Lane Kiffin, the Rebels are 4-5 on the season with a high-powered offense, led by quarterback Matt Corral.  The game is at 2:30

Governor John Bel Edwards implores business owners to recommit to Covid safety as cases surge statewide…

Cut 2

The high school football semi-finals took place last night and in 5A Acadiana shut out Destrehan 23-0.

In 4A Carencro rolls over Neville 49-7 and Karr takes down Warren Easton 35-13.

For the 3A matchups, Union Parish squeaks out a victory over Lake Charles College Prep 43-42.

In 2A Many dominates General Trass 83-36.

Finally in 1A Oak Grove blows out Homer 59-12.

Drew Brees will start at quarterback on Sunday when the Saints take on Kansas City after sitting out the past four weeks on injured reserve.

The 10-3 Saints have the second seed in the NFC, just a tiebreaker behind Green Bay.  Saints Analyst Mike Detillier says Brees’ health is important.

Cut 6 (08) “week off”

Discounted car insurance rates are coming to an end for customers so that’s why you might be seeing higher premiums.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it’s not necessarily an increase in rates, it’s the end of rebates 38 insurance companies gave to policyholders in the state due to reduced driving during the pandemic.

Cut 9 (08) “year”

An animated Governor Edwards asked business owners to start taking the pandemic seriously again as cases surge statewide.

Edwards says he knows this is tough but recommitting to requiring people to mask up and socially distance in stores is vital right now.

Cut 12 (12) “today”

Discounted car insurance rates are coming to an end for customers so that’s why you might be seeing higher premiums.  Personal auto insurance premiums decreased by an average of 6-percent due to the pandemic and as those rebates come to an end, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon explains it’s not an increase in your rate.

Cut 11 (09) “rate increase”

Drew Brees will start at quarterback for the Sunday afternoon game against the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs after sitting out the past four weeks on injured reserve.

Saints Analyst Mike Detillier says having Brees return ahead of schedule gives you some insight into how coach Sean Payton views the Taysom Hill experiment.

Cut 8 (07) “playing him”

LSU finishes the regular season on Saturday by host Ole Miss.  The Rebels have an efficient offense that leads the SEC in yards per game and averages almost 40 points per game.  LSU center Liam Shanahan says it would be great to end the season on a high note.

Cut 18 (09) “this offseason”