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.”

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says we could have an agreement on a COVID relief bill in Washington sometime next week. An initial bipartisan relief proposal did not include any stimulus checks, but the White House has stepped in requesting at least 600-dollar direct payments. Graves says it’s one of the four biggest issues left.

Cut 8 (11) “…approach.”

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”  

Two Barksdale Air Force Base B-52 bombers were part of a show of force in the Middle East today. The two planes were assigned to the 2^nd Bomb Wing operated in the U. S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Air Force routinely flies aircraft to promote regional security in the area.

The state reported the largest single-day increase in COVID cases Wednesday at 4,339, none of the cases were backlogged. Governor Edwards will hold a briefing today at 2:30, he attended the White House Coronavirus Summit Meeting on Tuesday. A White House Task Force report indicates the state is in the red zone for the virus with a statewide positivity rate of 10.7 percent.

The Pfizer vaccine will undergo a crucial committee hearing today to determine if it will gain emergency approval and be available next week. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (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.”

Northwestern State is prepping to host the LHSAA Football Prep Classic the annual championship will be December 27^th through the 30^th.  Northwestern athletic director Greg Burke says the university had record enrollment this fall and hosting the Prep Classic is a perfect opportunity to showcase the campus and recruit students.

Cut 12 (11) “…popular choice.”

The state health department reported its single highest day for the number of new COVID-19 cases yesterday with 4,339. Dr. Tina Stefanski, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says cases were already on an uptick and there are even more cases as a result of gatherings on Thanksgiving…
Cut 13 (12) “…cases reported.”

An FDA panel is expected to vote today on whether to authorize Pfizer’s COVID vaccine in the United States. Assistant Dean for Transitional Research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Doctor Lucio Meile says the panel will review the results of both the FDA’s and Pfizer’s findings on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine…
cut 4 (06) “…granted’
Vaccines could be given out in Louisiana early next week.

LHSAA and Northwestern State officials are expected to meet today about the upcoming Prep Football Classic, which will be held in Natchitoches from December 27th to the 30th. Demons Atheltic Director Greg Burke says they are excited to host the event…
cut 10 (10) “…and coaches”
The LHSAA announced on Tuesday that it’s moving the Prep Classic from New Orleans to Natchitoches.

Will Congress agree on a coronavirus relief bill before the Christmas holiday? There’s a disagreement over whether taxpayers should receive another direct payment and also whether the federal government should provide states with more financial aid. Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says current proposals are weighted towards bigger states…
cut 9 (09) “…has”

Governor Edwards provides an update on the state’s response to COVID-19 at 2:30 today. It comes one day after the state reported its largest single-day increase in COVID cases, 4,339. Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the Louisiana Office of Public Health, says it’s critically important to follow the mitigation measures, wearing a mask, staying home when feeling sick or have been exposed and keeping social distance…
cut 15 (09) “….behavior”
An FDA advisory panel is scheduled to vote today on whether to recommend the approval of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine for emergency use. Doctor Lucio Meilie with the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, says we are a few days away from the vaccine being used in the United States…
cut 6 (10) “…meeting”

Congress is reportedly closing in on a deal for a near trillion-dollar COVID relief bill. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LHSAA and Northwestern State officials meet today in Natchitoches to discuss plans for the Prep Football Classic, which will kick off on December 27th. Northwestern State Atheltic Director Greg Burke believes they can pull it off even though they have less than three weeks to prepare…
cut 11 (09) “…way possible”

Louisiana has hit a new high for the most coronavirus cases reported in a single day as the state health department reported 4,339 new cases yesterday. It comes as we are two weeks past Thanksgiving when many families gathered for the holiday. Doctor Tina Stefanski, with the state office of public health, says the state is reporting 1,537 COVID patients in the hospital and that number is also expected to rise…
cut 14 (09) “….their illness”

There is hope on the horizon as an advisory panel meets today to decide whether the Pfizer COVID vaccine should receive emergency approval for use in the United States. Doctor Lucio Miele with the LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine, says data shows good results for the vaccine and once the panel makes its recommendation, the ball will be in the F-D-A’s court…
cut 5 (06) “….does’

Northwestern State University is busy preparing for the LHSAA Football Prep Classic at the end of the month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There will be no Christmas eve bonfires on the levee in St. James Parish as the annual celebration has been canceled for this year. Thibodaux Mayor Tommy Eschete has announced the city will prohibit all parades for the 2021 carnival season. Jefferson Parish is looking at moving Mardi Gras parades to Memorial Day weekend.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says there could be an agreement on a COVID relief bill sometime next week. The price tag is reportedly 916 billion dollars. Graves says much of that is another round of the Payroll Protection Program and funding for COVID response and vaccine distribution.
Cut 7 (08) “…individuals.”
The White House backs a plan to send 600-dollar direct payments to most Americans, but the proposal eliminates a 300-dollar per week unemployment benefit.

The state health department reported its single highest day number of COVID-19 cases yesterday with 4,339 new cases. Acadiana Region Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says cases were already on an uptick and there are even more cases as a result of gatherings on Thanksgiving…
Cut 13 (12) “…cases reported.”

The Pfizer vaccine will undergo a crucial committee hearing today to determine if it will gain emergency approval and be available next week. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Pfizer vaccine will undergo a crucial committee hearing today likely determining whether it will gain emergency approval and be available next week. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Congress is reportedly closing in on a deal for a near trillion-dollar COVID relief bill. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Northwestern State University in Natchitoches will host the LHSAA Football Prep Classic at the end of the month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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A committee of medical experts will hold a public panel today likely determining whether or not the Pfizer vaccine is cleared for emergency approval by the FDA.

The panel will review the results of both the FDA’s and Pfizer’s findings on the efficacy and safety of the vaccine. LSU Health New Orleans Genetics Department Chair Lucio Meile (Me-lay)…

Cut 4 (06) “…granted.”

Meile is a former FDA employee.

Once the panel makes its recommendation Meile says the ball will be in the FDA’s court…

Cut 5 (06) “…does.”

The FDA has already posted its review of the vaccine publicly. Meile says that review “looks extremely good”, but the report also warns some suffer heavy, temporary side effects after their second shot.

Meile says the FDA emergency approval of the vaccine is expected to happen very shortly after the panel submits its recommendation.

Cut 6 (10) “…meeting.”

A CDC committee will meet Friday and Sunday to finalize plans on who to vaccinate first. If both committees wrap their work up by the end of the weekend shots could start being put in arms early next week.

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Congressman Garret Graves feels we could have an agreement in place on a COVID relief bill in Washington sometime next week.

The price tag is reportedly around 900 billion dollars. Graves says much of that is another round of the Payroll Protection Program and funding for COVID response and vaccine distribution.

Cut 7 (08)  “…individuals.”

An initial bipartisan relief proposal did not include any stimulus checks, but the White House has stepped in requesting at least 600 dollar direct payments. Graves says it’s one of the four biggest issues left.

Cut 8 (11) “…approach.”

Under the Trump Administration proposal, the checks would be in lieu of restarting federally boosted unemployment payments.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi says a deal can’t be done without another round of aid to state governments, but Graves says current proposals are too weighted towards big states.

Cut 9 (09) “…has.”

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The LHSAA announced this week they are moving the annual Football Prep Classic from the Superdome to Northwestern State in Natchitoches. Due to COVID capacity restrictions and the risk of cancellation, the games have been moved. Northwestern State Athletic Director Greg Burke says they are pleased to be hosting the event.

Cut 10 (10) “…and coaches.”

The championship typically lasts three days but this year will be four days, December 27th through the 30th.

Burke says LHSAA had discussed a while back hosting the prep classic as a back-up and on Tuesday it was official. Burke says despite the short timeline with help from the city they can pull off the event.

Cut 11 (09) “…way possible.”

LHSAA says at Northwestern they’ll be able to sell 4,250 tickets a game for the Prep Classic versus current capacity restrictions at the Dome and the possibility the City of New Orleans might not allow fans in the stadium.

Burke says Northwestern State had record enrollment this fall and hosting the Prep Classic is a perfect opportunity to showcase the campus and recruit students.

Cut 12 (11) “…popular choice.”

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The department of health reported its single highest day number of COVID-19 cases Wednesday with 4,339 new cases. Acadiana Region Medical Director Dr. Tina Stefanski says cases were already on an uptick and now we are beginning to see spikes from Thanksgiving, two weeks ago today.

Cut 13 (12) “…cases reported.”

In addition to the highest daily number of new cases and we are just below the second wave peak of 1,600 hospitalizations at 1,537.  Stefanski says we haven’t seen the full effect of Thanksgiving on our healthcare system.

Cut 14 (09) “…their illness.” 

The availability of COVID vaccines for the general public is still six months away, Stefanski says until then we have to remain diligent.

Cut 15 (09)“…behavior.” 

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Louisiana Tech was scheduled to play Baylor from the Big 12 to open its football season, but that game never happened because of COVID, so it only makes sense that the Bulldogs conclude their regular season by facing TCU on Saturday in a game that was recently scheduled. Coach Skip Holtz on the Horned Frogs

Cut 16 (19) “…football team.”

Holtz calls TCU one of the better teams in the Big 12, even though they are 5-and-4 on the season and unranked. Tech has been playing two quarterbacks. Luke Anthony and Aaron Allen and Holtz say that will not change on Saturday as he wants to continue to develop both guys

cut 17 (19) “…to play.”

Holtz says Anthony will start on Saturday, he considers Aaron Allen a co-starter. Tech enters the game with a 5-and-3 record and he expects to play in a bowl game, but the bowl experience this year will be much different…

cut  18 (22) “…go home.”

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The Saints will visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, who will start rookie Jalen Hurts at quarterback.  Coach Sean Payton says his defense will need to be ready for a different offense due to Hurts’ ability to run the ball.

cut 19 (15) “…hadn’t seen.”

Sunday will be a big game safety Malcolm Jenkins, who’s in his second stint with the Saints, after playing six seasons in Philadelphia. Payton says he regrets letting Jenkins leave after the 2013 season…

cut 20 (11) “…here we go.”

Statewide since our first COVID linked fatality in March, we’ve had enough COVID deaths to fill eight average flu seasons. The numbers come from New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher who says he averaged flu deaths every year from 2012 to 2016 and the average is 765.  Asher says the high number of COVID fatalities came despite a historic effort to prevent the spread.

Cut 4 (09)   “…diseases”  

Can you lose your job if your employer requires a COVID vaccine and you refuse? According to Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino in Louisiana the short answer is yes. He says exceptions would be, for example, if an employee has a collective bargaining agreement, or protected under certain federal laws if they have a disability, a sincere religious belief…

Cut 10 (08) “…accommodation.”

Two are dead and three injured including a four-year-old after a shooting incident in Lacombe Tuesday. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Captain Scott Lee says four people allegedly entered a home with guns, two of them were shot dead, two were injured…

Cut 13 (08) “…recovery.”

LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is opting out for the remainder of the football season. With all of the opt-outs in college football this season, the mental health of athletes has been in the spotlight, and coach Ed Orgeron says the school does a great job addressing mental health issues.

Cut 8 (12) “…go through”

Statewide in the eight and a half months since our first COVID linked fatality, we’ve had enough COVID deaths to fill eight average flu seasons. Those numbers come from New Orleans-based data analyst Jeff Asher who says when extrapolating current rates out to 12 months COVID will likely rival cancer and heart disease deaths.

Cut 3 (09)  “…astounding.”

The average flu season was taken by averaging flu deaths every year between 2012 and 2016 which came out to 765.

Sixty percent of people questioned by a Pew Research Survey say they plan to get vaccinated for COVID. But for the other 40 percent can your employer require you to be inoculated? According to Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino in Louisiana the short answer is yes.

Cut 9 (07) “…to COVID.”

Rumors have swirled that LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert would opting out of the remainder of the season, and head coach Ed Orgeron confirmed that Gilbert has left the team. Orgeron says he spoke with Gilbert yesterday

Cut 6 (11) “..transferring.”

Two are dead and three injured including a four-year-old after a shooting incident in Lacombe Tuesday. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Captain Scott Lee says shortly after 10 AM yesterday deputies were called to the 28-thousand block of Palmer Drive…

Cut 12 (05) “…guns.” 

All four men were shot, two died, and two taken to the hospital. The child was inside the home when shot and is expected to make a full recovery.

The state reported the single day highest number of new COVID cases today at 4,339 cases.  Tomorrow will two weeks from Thanksgiving, when health officials urged the public not to gather outside their immediate household to reduce the spread. The state also reports 32 new fatalities, 1,537 are currently hospitalized

New Orleans based data analyst Jeff Asher’s report proves the flu is in no way comparable to COVID. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Two are dead and three injured including a four-year-old after a home invasion and shooting incident in Lacombe Tuesday. St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Captain Scott Lee says it’s unclear if any of the alleged home invaders actually fired their weapons. Scott says the incident is still under investigation.

Cut 14 (05) “…scene.” 

Scott says the four-year-old child in the home is expected to recover, but two of the four-armed people who entered the house were fatally shot and the other two wounded.

LSU freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert is opting out of the remainder of the season. While Gilbert has not announced any plans to transfer, Coach Ed Orgeron says LSU will re-recruit him to get him back next season.

Cut 7 (07) “..next year.”