Louisiana reports its single highest day number of new COVID cases since the pandemic began today with 4,339 new cases, none of them from a backlog. As of today Louisiana now has a statewide average of 10.7 percent positivity. In more bad news hospitals are rapidly filling up. In late July during the second wave we peaked at 1,600 COVID hospitalizations statewide, right now were at 1,537.

We’re starting to get a fuller picture of just how lethal this pandemic has been. New Orleans based data analyst Jeff Asher took a look at the numbers and found that between 2012 and 2016 an average of 765 people died of the flu every year. In just nine months we’re up to 6,684 COVID fatalities, and Asher says it’s likely the true number is even higher…

Cut 5  (10) “..reported.” 

Louisiana has the fifth-highest number of COVID fatalities per capita in the nation.

Forty percent of the American’s say they won’t be vaccinated for COVID… but can they lose their job over it?

cut 2 (30) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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.”

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.” 

The four-year-old child in the home is expected to recover. Scott says the homeowner was not struck by gunfire, but two of the four people who entered his house did not leave alive.

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, the short answer is yes because Louisiana is an at-will employment state. Health experts say vaccine mandates are to be expected in professions like healthcare and public education. Ciolino says the courts have already addressed vaccines.

Cut 11 (09) “…apply here.”

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”

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.”

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 (10)  “…astounding.”

The state high school football championship games are being moved to Natchitoches and are set to run for four days from December 27^th to 30^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards expects the state will begin COVID vaccinations within 48 hours of receiving its first shipment. Edwards says health care workers are the first priority…
cut 28 (14) “…EMS workers”
Edwards expects 79-thousand vaccines will be available in Louisiana once the F-D-A gives approval, possibly as early as tomorrow.

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 (09) “…to COVID.”
The only exception would be if an employee has a disability or religious belief that could protect them under certain federal laws.

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron confirmed today that star freshman Tight End Arik Gilbert has opted out for the remainder of the season. Orgeron says he met with Gilbert yesterday…
cut 6 (12) “…transferring”
Gilbert is the seventh player to opt out this season.

New U-S Census Bureau data finds the marriage and divorce rates have declined since 2009 in Louisiana and across the nation. LSU Health New Orleans Professor Clinical Psychiatry Doctor Richard Costa says younger people are feeling less pressure to get married, which has led to fewer marriages and bad breakups…
cut 14 (10) “..best’

Governor Edwards said at the White House Coronavirus vaccine summit that he expects the state will have 79-thousand vaccine doses during the first two weeks of distribution and the first 39-thousand could arrive this week. Edwards says healthcare workers and nursing home residents will get the first shots…
cut 7 (13) “…that confidence”

The LHSAA has a new plan for its state football championships. The Prep Classic will be held in Natchitoches, instead of New Orleans from December 27th to the 30th. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says they made this difficult decision over concerns fans might not be allowed inside the Superdome…
cut 12 (11) “….verses not”

New U-S Census Bureau data shows both the divorce and marriage rates in Louisiana fell significantly from 2009 to 2019. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

During today’s SEC teleconference, Coach Ed Orgeron announced that freshman tight end Arick Gilbert is opting out for the reason of the season. Orgeron hopes that Gilbert will return to the Tigers next season. There are reports the Georgia native is homesick and also banged up from his first season of college football. The Tigers are at 6th ranked Florida on Saturday.

John Bel Edwards was one of four governors to discuss Louisiana’s vaccination distribution plan during an event at the White House yesterday afternoon. Edwards says the state will receive 79-thousand doses during the first two weeks of distribution, with health care workers first in line to get the shots. The governor is confident in the state’s plan to get the vaccines distributed and injected into residents in a timely manner…
cut 29 (09) “…do it at”

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is moving the state football championships from New Orleans to Natchitoches. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says there was no guarantee that fans would be allowed to attend if the games were held in the Superdome, so instead, the Prep Classic will be held at Turpin Stadium…
cut 11 (08) “…per game” (2x)
The Prep Classic will run from December 27th to the 30th.

New U-S Census Bureau data shows the marriage rate in Louisiana has declined from 17.6 in 2009 to 14.1 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Doctor Richard Costa says the marriage rate has been declining steadily for four decades and increased economic freedom for women is a big reason why…
cut 15 (08) “….to make”
The Census data also shows the divorce rate has also fallen over the last decade.

Virtual instruction has become the new normal as a result of the pandemic and the state department of education announces 26-hundred of its educators and principals have participated in educational workshops to help them engage students through online learning. Assistant superintendent of training and learning, Doctor Jessica Chaisson, says they are impressed with the participation…
cut 6 (08) “…education students”

Governor John Bel Edwards expects the state will begin COVID vaccinations within 48 hours of receiving its first shipment. Edwards says health care workers are the first priority…
cut 8 (14) “…EMS workers”
Edwards says the first shipment of vaccines could arrive at the end of this week, 39-thousand of them, 40-thousand more vaccines could arrive the following week.

Data from the U-S Census Bureau shows the marriage rate in Louisiana has fallen from 17.6 in 2009 to 14.1 in 2019. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Doctor Richard Costa says many millennials are not getting hitched after watching their parents get divorced…
cut 13 (10) “…family unit”
The Census Bureau says the marriage rate has also fallen nationally, along with the divorce rate in Louisiana and across the country.

The state high school football championships are moving from New Orleans to Natchitoches and the nine title games will be played at Turpin Stadium from December 27th to the 30th. LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says the association’s executive committee made this difficult decision over concerns fans might not be allowed inside the Superdome…
cut 12 (11) “….verses not”
Turpin Stadium’s capacity is 15,500 so Bonine expects to sell a maximum of 4,250 tickets per game.

The Louisiana Department of Education says 26-hundred of its teachers and principals have participated in workshops to help provide better virtual instruction to students…
cut 4 (10) “…support teachers”
Assistant Superintendent of Training and Learning, Doctor Jessica Chaisson, says the department has offered two series of workshops, a three-part online training series and the other is a series of webinars to enhance a teacher’s digital learning skills with the help from Google.

During a White House Coronavirus event, Governor John Bel Edwards said the state is planning on receiving 79-thousand COVID vaccinations, with the possibility of 39-thousand doses arriving this week. Edwards says the first priority is hospital workers and then nursing home residents. He says the state also plans to reach underserved communities…
cut 9 (13) “….vaccinations”

The state department of education says over 25-hundred teachers and principals have participated in digital education workshops. Assistant Superintendent of Training and Learning Doctor Jessica Chaisson says these educators also have free access to self-study modules…
cut 5 (09) “…virtual setting”

The state high school football championship games are being moved to Natchitoches and are set to run for four days from December 27th to the 30th. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans is undergoing a name change. It’s part of a 325-million dollar renovation that will turn the building on Canal Street into a casino-hotel called Caesars New Orleans. The plan is to construct a 340-room hotel tower by 2024, along with other expanded amenities at the state’s lone land-based casino.

Governor John Bel Edwards said at the White House Coronavirus vaccine summit that he expects the state will have 79-thousand vaccine doses during the first two weeks of distribution and the first 39-thousand could arrive this week. Edwards says healthcare workers at hospitals and then nursing home residents will get the first shots…
cut 7 (13) “…that confidence”

High School football championship games will be played in Natchitoches later this month, not New Orleans. L-H-S-A-A Director Eddie Bonine says the association’s executive committee decided to move the prep classic over concerns of more stringent capacity restrictions at the Dome…
cut 10 (06) “…Natchitoches”
The Prep Classic will run from December 27th to the 30th.

Virtual instruction is a new normal at Louisiana schools and the state department of education announces over 25-hundred of their educators have participated in digital education workshops. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state department of education instructs teachers and principals on best practices of virtual learning. Brooke Thorington

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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The state high school football championship games are being moved to Natchitoches and are set to run for four days from December 27^th to 30^th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Both the divorce and marriage rates in Louisiana fell significantly from 2009 to 2019. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The state department of education instructs teachers and school leaders on how to improve student engagement in the virtual classroom. Assistant Superintendent of Training and Learning, Dr. Jessica Chiasson says the workshop consists of three learning modules and so far, 2,600 have participated.

Cut 4 (10) “…support teachers.”

Teachers now have free access to three 60-minute self-study modules to improve their virtual instruction. The modules offer tips, templates, and strategies to use in the virtual classroom. Chiasson says it’s vital instructors take time to get to know their students.

Cut 5 (09) “…virtual setting.”

Chiasson says while the pandemic and hurricanes have presented challenges this year, Louisiana teachers continue to provide high-quality virtual instruction.

Cut 6 (08) “…students.”

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Governor John Bel Edwards was one of four governors to attend the White House Vaccine Summit Tuesday. US Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said out of all COVID vaccination plans submitted to the CDC, governors of the top four states were invited. Edwards praised members of the Vaccination Action Collaborative for their work on the state’s plan.

Cut 7 (13)  “…that confidence.”

Edwards says following FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine the state will receive 49,000 doses then another 40,000 doses the following week. Edwards says within 48 hours of receiving the second allocation they will begin shots in arms.

Cut 8 (14) “…EMS workers.”

The Louisiana Department of Health said 73,000 people who live or work in long-term care facilities is included in the first phase of the vaccine rollout, which is expected to stretch into January.

Edwards shared the state’s vaccination plan to reach underserved communities. He says the state already has a head start with the mass flu vaccination exercises and COVID-19 testing.

Cut 9 (13) “…vaccinations.”

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The 2020 high school football Prep Classic state championships are being moved from the Superdome to Northwestern State in Natchitoches.

LHSAA director Eddie Bonine says it costs half a million dollars to rent the Dome for the games and they usually only break about even. He says current capacity restrictions just wouldn’t have worked…

Cut 10 (06) “…Natchitoches.”

Bonine says they usually sell about 35 to 42-thousand tickets for the games, this year even a best-case scenario put that number far below that.

Bonine says New Orleans also could not commit to even allowing fans in the stadium by late December, and move to Natchitoches gives them a plan set in stone…

Cut 11 (08) “…(x2) per game.”

The games will be held over a four day period from December 27^th to 30^th. Usually the championships only last three days.

It’s the first time the games won’t be played in the Dome since 2005 after Katrina, and Bonine says he understands how important it is to give the kids a world-famous venue…

Cut 12 (11) “…verses not.”

It’s only the second time the games haven’t been played in the Dome since they were first hosted there in 1981.

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The marriage rate in Louisiana was down about 20 percent from 2009 to 2019.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Psychiatry Dr. Richard Costa says most of the change in the marriage rate is due to millennials, who saw their boomer parents get divorced at historic rates.

Cut 13 (10) “…family unit.”

In Louisiana, the marriage rate in 2019 was 14.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over, nationally the marriage rate was is 16.1 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over.

Along with declining marriage rates, the divorce rate also declined by about 27 percent from 2009 to 2019. Costa says that’s because younger people are feeling less pressure to make hasty decisions.

Cut 14 (10) “…best.” 

In 2019 the divorce rate in Louisiana was 7.3 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over and the divorce rate nationally was 7.6 per 1,000 women aged 15 and over.

The marriage rate has been declining steadily for about four decades now. Costa says a big part of that is increased economic freedom for women.

Cut 15 (08)“…to make.” 

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What is going on with the LSU football program? After a dream season, it’s been a nightmare 2020 campaign. There’s a belief Coach Ed Orgeron has lost the team, the culture that Orgeron built to bring a national championship is gone and the players are out for themselves. 30-year-old LSU punter Zach Von Rosenberg says the locker room is still together

Cut 16 (20) “…against Florida”

Star freshman tight end Arick Gilbert is the latest player who could leave the program. Gilbert is reportedly dealing with home sickness and the physical grind of a tough season. Veteran offensive Liam Shanahan says the team is here for Gilbert

cut 17 (20) “…mind’s at.”

LSU linebacker Jabril Cox says he can understand why Gilbert might be having thoughts of leaving…

cut  18 (28) “.get through it.”