Governor John Bel Edwards says we are days away from the first Louisiana residents receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Edwards says once the F-D-A gives its approval, the state will administer 39-thousand doses to front-line health care workers and nursing home residents…
cut 9 (10) “….number”
The Pfizer vaccine which is close to FDA approval requires a second shot 21 days after the first shot.

A high COVID-19 positivity rate has led to the cancellation of the St. James Parish Christmas Eve bonfires. Parish President Pete Dufrense says they worked diligently on a plan for crowd control, but rising case numbers worked against them…
cut 15 (12) “….manipulated”
There are 1,529 COVID patients in the hospital statewide.

Seventeen Republican Attorneys General have joined a Texas lawsuit challenging election results in four battleground states won by President-elect Joe Biden. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A State Police Trooper has been arrested for allegedly using excessive force during an arrest in Ouachita Parish in May of 2019. 30-year-old Jacob Brown faces one count each of aggravated second-degree battery and malfeasance in office. State Police say they began investigating the incident when they received a civil lawsuit in October alleging Brown engaged in excessive and unjustifiable actions.

Governor John Bel Edwards says it is possible we could be administering COVID vaccines to frontline healthcare workers as early as late this weekend. Edwards says a panel of medical experts has recommended to the FDA that the Pfizer vaccine receive emergency authorization.…
Cut 7 (09) “…vaccine.”
Edwards is hopeful that 159-thousand people could receive the first of their two injections by the end of December.

But a vaccine arriving in Louisiana is not enough to prevent the cancellation of the Christmas Eve bonfires on the levees in St. James Parish. Parish President Pete Dufresne says the parish issued permits for the construction of the bonfires, but that was before cases spiked…
cut 14 (10) “…next week”

Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has filed a legal brief with the U-S Supreme Court urging the Justices to look into the conduct of the Presidential election in Pennsylvania. The document supports a complaint filed by the State of Texas. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy has said Joe Biden won the election and hopes this issue can be settled so that the country can come together again…
cut 12 (12) “….served”
Cassidy says Americans should be able to trust the electoral process, and this issue may need to go before the Supreme Court for that to occur.

Governor Edwards says the first COVID vaccinations in Louisiana are set to begin very, very soon. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

_______________________________

Seventeen Republican Attorneys General have joined a Texas lawsuit challenging election results in four battleground states won by President-elect Joe Biden. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

__________________________________________

St. James Parish cancels bonfires on the levees, Brooke Thorington reports on the difficult decision to scrap the event.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

__________________________________________

The Bossier City arena has a new name as it’s now known as the Brookshire (Brook-shear) Grocery Arena. The Tyler, Texas-based chain replaces CenturyLink as the naming rights sponsor. Brookshire Grocery CEO Brad Brookshire says they are thrilled about this new partnership.

Cut 4 (07) “…the BGA.”

The grocery chain signed a ten-year commitment with the 4,000 seat multi-purpose arena. COO Trent Brookshire says a lot of work when into the new logo for the arena.

Cut 5 (11) “…in Bossier.”

Trent Brookshire says the once the COVID era ends the BGA will be a major tourist attraction again.

Cut 6 (09) “…stands for.”

Brookshire Grocery has been in the Bossier City-Shreveport area for 60 years.

________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says it is possible we could be administering COVID vaccines to frontline healthcare workers as early as late this weekend.

A panel of medical experts Thursday submitted its recommendation to the FDA that the Pfizer vaccine be given emergency authorization. Edwards says that means…

Cut 7 (09)  “…vaccine.”

Edwards says the vaccine is staged and ready to be shipped to locations that have been selected throughout the state.

Cut 8 (11) “…UPS.”

Edwards says we expect to receive about 39,000 doses within the next few days, followed by 40,000 the next week. He says unlike other states and the feds, we will be using all doses upon arrival.

Cut 9 (10) “…number.”

_____________________________________________________

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry joins 16 other Attorneys General in supporting a lawsuit filed by Texas challenging the legitimacy of mail-in ballots in battleground states.

Senator Bill Cassidy has tweeted there’s no evidence presented yet that would overturn Biden’s win, but says it is important that if there are legitimate claims that they are fully aired out.

Cut 10 (10) “…issue.”

The lawsuit challenges results in Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. Those states were key in President-elect Joe Biden’s path to winning over 270 electoral votes.

Cassidy says it is vital that Americans trust the electoral process, and it may be that this issue needs to go before the highest court in the land to do that.

Cut 11 (07) “…be it.”

Cassidy says he hopes this issue can be settled so that the country can come together again.

Cut 12 (12) “…served.”

__________________________

St James Parish’s annual Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee have been extinguished for 2020, due to a high positivity rate of COVID cases. Parish President Pete Dufresne (Duh-fren) says large outdoor events are only permitted if the positivity rate remains below 15-percent. As of Wednesday morning, the bonfires were a go with only an 8-percent positivity rate.

Cut 13 (12) “…St James Parish.”

Dufresne says many have questioned the issuing of permits to construct bonfires if there was a possibility of canceling the event.  He says the decision was made before Thanksgiving,

Cut 14 (10) “…next week.” 

The tradition of lighting bonfires to guide Papa Noel on Christmas Eve goes back to the late 1800s and the annual event in St. James Parish attracts thousands. Dufresne says they worked diligently on a plan for crowd control, but rising case numbers worked against them.

Cut 15 (12)“…manipulated.” 

The parish will issue permit refunds and requests that the construction of bonfires be discontinued.

_______________________________________________

Two quarterbacks who like to run the football will face off Sunday when the Saints visit the Eagles. Taysom Hill will make his fourth straight start at quarterback for New Orleans, while rookie QB Jalen Hurts will make his first NFL start for Philadelphia. Hill has rushed for 178 yards in his four starts and he’s impressed with what Hurts did in college

Cut 16 (10) “…as a player.”

Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins on facing a quarterback who is making his first NFL start…

cut 17 (29) “…give or take.”

Jenkins spent six seasons in Philadelphia winning a Super Bowl in February of 2018. The veteran is looking forward to returning to Lincoln Financial Field…

cut  18 (20) “…the opportunity.”

_____________________________________________________

LSU is once again big underdogs heading into Saturday’s SEC match-up against sixth-ranked Florida. The Gators are averaging 42 points a game and feature one of the best tight ends in the country in Kyle Pitts. Tigers head coach Ed Orgeron…

cut 19 (18) “…lot of speed.”

Linebacker Jabril Cox expects LSU will give good effort despite the team’s struggles this season

cut 20 (29) “….look forward.”

A panel of medical experts have given their seal of approval of the Pfizer COVID vaccine to the FDA, clearing the way for the feds to grant emergency approval of the vaccine within the next 24 hours potentially. Governor Edwards says it is certainly possible that we could be vaccinating people in Louisiana by late Sunday.

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban for this season in an effort to lessen the penalties it could receive from the NCAA for rules violations. 

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

D.C. lawmakers are increasingly confident a new roughly 900-billion-dollar COVID relief bill will soon be passed after the two major parties disagreed parts of the bill.  Senator Bill Cassidy says an agreement is right around the corner.

Cut 11 (08) “…divides”

The only hangs are over whether the deal should include a stimulus check or boosted unemployment, and whether businesses should receive a liability shield against potential COVID lawsuits.

Two brothers wanted for the shooting death of a gas station clerk in Kenner were arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says they’ve been searching for 28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers since committing the cold-blooded killing on November 30th

Cut 12 (11) “..zero reasons.” 

Two brothers wanted for the shooting death of a gas station clerk in Kenner were arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says they’ve been searching for 28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers since committing the cold-blooded killing on November 30th

Cut 12 (11) “..zero reasons.” 

D.C. lawmakers are increasingly confident a new roughly 900 billion dollar COVID relief bill will soon be passed. The White House is pushing for a new round of stimulus checks in lieu of federally boosted unemployment, but Senator Bill Cassidy says this isn’t a stimulus bill…

Cut 10 (09) “…rent.”

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban as a way to punish itself for violating NCAA rules. It’s the first time LSU will not participate in the postseason since 1999. But LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says the NCAA may not look at this as a serious punishment…

Cut 3 (12)  “…this seasons gone.”

The FDA is expected to vote today on emergency approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine and next week the Moderna vaccine.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says with two COVID vaccine options on the cusp of being approved when asked which one you should take he says the first one that’s offered.

Cut 7 (09) “..effective.”

The state reports 25-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and 40 fatalities.

Louisiana’s Senior Senator provides an update on negotiations over a 900 billion dollar plus COVID relief bill that includes another round of PPP and federally boosted unemployment payments. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder sets February 6^th as a special election to fill the vacant seat of Republican Stephen Dwight of Lake Charles. Dwight resigned from the District 35 House seat after winning a fall election to become the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney. District 35 represents Beauregard and Calcasieu parishes.

The FDA is expected to give emergency approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine and next week they will vote on the Moderna vaccine.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says this is very good news considering the spike in cases we are seeing.

Cut 6 (07) “…encouraging.”

LSU has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban, for NCAA rules violations. Back in October, LSU decided to cut its number of available scholarships by eight over the next two years, reduce the number of allowable recruiting visits, and ban former player Odell Beckham Junior for two years. USA Today Network reporter Glen Guilbeau says the NCAA may add to these penalties when they complete their investigation

Cut 4 (08)   “…asked for.”  

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban for this season in an effort to lessen the penalties it could receive from the NCAA for rules violations.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

_______________________________________

Louisiana’s Senior Senator provides an update on negotiations over a 900 billion dollar plus COVID relief bill that includes another round of PPP and federally boosted unemployment payments. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_____________________________

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban as a way to punish itself for violating NCAA rules. It’s the first time LSU will not participate in the postseason since 1999. But LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says the NCAA may not look at this as a serious punishment…

Cut 3 (12)  “…this seasons gone.”

Back in October, LSU also decided to cut its number of available scholarships by eight over the next two years, reduced the number of allowable recruiting visits, and banned former wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior for two years. Guilbeau says the NCAA may add to these penalties when they complete their investigation

Cut 4 (08)   “…asked for.”  

Guilbeau says the NCAA has been investigating LSU for a recruiting violation committed by Ed Orgeron in January 2019, Beckham handing out a fistful of cash to players after the national championship game, and a booster providing former LSU football player Vadal Alexander’s parents with a no-show job.

Cut 5  (12) “…gave up.” 

_____________________________________________

Today the FDA is expected to vote on emergency approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine and next week they will vote on the Moderna vaccine.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says this is good news considering we are seeing a spike in cases, hospitalizations, and deaths.

Cut 6 (07) “…encouraging.”

With two COVID vaccine options on the cusp of being approved when asked which one should you take Dr. Lopez says to take the first one that is offered to you.

Cut 7 (09) “…effective.”

Lopez says both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two inoculations, 21 and 28 days apart respectively. Lopez stresses the importance of taking both shots for maximum protection.

Cut 8 (12) “…these vaccines.”

______________________________________________

D.C. lawmakers are increasingly confident a new roughly 900 billion dollar COVID relief bill will soon be passed.

Senator Bill Cassidy says one big sticking point left is Republicans want businesses to be shielded from COVID-related lawsuits, and Democrats want to ensure if someone has a claim they have a right to sue.

Cut 9 (10) “…pandemic.”

Cassidy was a part of the bipartisan team that resuscitated negotiations that had collapsed pre-Presidential election with a trimmed-down bill including some priorities from both parties.

The White House is pushing for a new round of stimulus checks in lieu of federally boosted unemployment, but Cassidy says this isn’t a stimulus bill…

Cut 10 (09) “…rent.”

Negotiators seemingly have agreed that the Payroll Protection Program must be refunded, and re-administered with a more targeted focus for businesses most impacted by the pandemic.

Cassidy says an agreement is right around the corner.

Cut 11 (08) “…divides.”

______________________________________________

Two brothers wanted for the shooting death of a gas station clerk in Kenner were arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says they’ve been searching for 28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers since committing the cold-blooded killing on November 30th

Cut 12 (11) “..zero reason.” 

Glaser says the 30-year-old clerk was executed on his knees after complying with every order from the robbers. The chief says they wanted to provide justice to the victim’s family…

Cut 13 (10)“…behind bars.”

Glaser says the suspects are originally from Tennessee but moved to Kenner two years ago with their mother. He says Loggins is the suspected gunman and he’s already spent a good part of his life behind bars

Cut 14 (10) “…apprehended them.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers are narrowing down the framework of a new COVID relief bill but one big sticking point left is Republicans want businesses to be shielded from COVID-related lawsuits, and Democrats want to ensure if someone has a claim they have a right to sue.

Cut 9 (10) “…pandemic.”

Cassidy says a deal could be cut as soon as this afternoon.

28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers have been arrested in the shooting death of a Kenner gas station clerk. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says Loggins is the suspected gunman and he’s already spent a good part of his life behind bars

Cut 14 (10) “…apprehended them.” 

The two were arrested in Tennessee.

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban for this season in an effort to lessen the penalties it could receive from the NCAA for rules violations.  Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp.”  

A planned capacity expansion for New Orleans Saints games has been put on hold as the state seeing an explosion in new COVID cases. The plan was to allow 15,000 people into the Dome for Sunday night’s game against the Chiefs, but the team will instead be at 3,000.

D.C. lawmakers are increasingly confident a new roughly 900-billion-dollar COVID relief bill will soon be passed after the two major parties disagreed parts of the bill.  Senator Bill Cassidy says an agreement is right around the corner.

Cut 11 (08) “…divides”

The LSU football program has self-imposed a one-year bowl ban to punish itself for violating NCAA rules. Reporter for the USA Today Network Glen Guilbeau says the NCAA has been investigating the program for a recruiting violation committed by Ed Orgeron, Odell Beckham Jr handing out cash to players and a booster providing former player Vadal Alexander’s parents with a no-show job.

Cut 5  (12) “..gave up.” 

Two brothers wanted for the shooting death of a gas station clerk in Kenner were arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser they’ve arrested 28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers after the cold-blooded killing on November 30^th. Glaser says Loggins, the suspected gunman has already spent a good part of his life behind bars.

Cut 14 (10) “…apprehended them.” 

LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says he’s very encouraged by data from both the Pfizer and Modera COVID vaccines. Lopez says both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines require two inoculations, 21 and 28 days apart respectively, and stresses the importance of taking both shots for maximum protection.

Cut 8 (12) “..these vaccines.”

Two brothers wanted for the shooting death of a gas station clerk in Kenner were arrested in Memphis, Tennessee. Kenner Police Chief Michael Glaser says they’ve been searching for 28-year-old Lamonte Loggins and 29-year-old Eric Rodgers since committing the cold-blooded killing on November 30th

Cut 12 (11) “..zero reasons.” 

The FDA is expected to vote today on emergency approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine and next week the Moderna vaccine.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says with two COVID vaccine options on the cusp of being approved when asked which one you should take he says the first one that’s offered.

Cut 7 (09) “..effective.”

The state reports 25-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and 40 fatalities.

Louisiana’s Senior Senator provides an update on negotiations over a 900 billion dollar plus COVID relief bill that includes another round of PPP and federally boosted unemployment payments. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”