Louisiana ended the year by reporting another ten-thousand new COVID cases and hospitalizations increased to 881. Brooke Thorington reports Governor Edwards is holding off on issuing another mask mandate…
cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state epidemiologist with the Louisiana Department of Health has recommended a halt to extracurricular activities at schools because of the latest surge in COVID cases but the LHSAA says it will not halt their winter sports seasons.

The new year brings a change to the state’s medical-marijuana program as eligible patients can now buy it in smokeable form. Houma Representative Tanner Magee authored the legislation that made it legal for the state’s nine licensed pharmacies to dispense the flower form of marijuana…
Cut 13 (12) “…usually wants.”

Another unseasonable warm day today, but a cold front arrives tonight in north Louisiana. There’s a slight risk for severe weather ahead of the front and State Climatologist Barry Keim says this arctic blast will push temperatures below freezing…
cut 8 (11) “…on Monday morning”
Lows will be in the mid-20s in north Louisiana on Monday.

Another warm day today, but a strong cold front is on its way. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 6 (13) “….and some hail”
Keim says it will be much colder tomorrow and temperatures will get below freezing Sunday night into Monday morning.

The New Year brings changes to the state’s tax code. Jason DeCuir (dih-KWEER) is a partner at Advantous, a tax consulting firm in Baton Rouge. He says a big change is with state income tax rates, after voters last fall approved lowering individuals’ tax rates in exchange for losing their deduction for federal taxes paid…:
Cut 7 (11) “…taxes that they pay.”
DeCuir says corporate state income taxes were also reduced.

Lafayette City Court judge Michelle Odinet has resigned after she was suspended for shouting racial slurs in a video taken inside her home. Odinet’s family was watching home security video of an attempted burglary. In her resignation letter, Odinet says she’s sorry for the pain she’s caused to the community…
cut 11 (12) “…to come”
That’s Odinet’s attorney Dane Ciolino.

The Tournament of Roses Parade is set to roll in Pasadena, California and for the first time, Louisiana will have a float in the parade as a way to promote tourism to the Bayou State. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says since its the Rose Parade, the float is covered with flowers or plants…
cut 9 (12) “…green with parsley”
The Louisiana “Feed Your Soul” float features cypress trees, pelicans, alligators, jazz, and New Orleans; all represented with natural plant materials.

The state reported nearly 10-thousand new COVID cases yesterday and the number of people hospitalized as a result of the virus is up to 881. At this time there is no statewide mask mandate in place, but Governor John Bel Edwards says one could be coming…
cut 12 (11) “…before that happens”

Embattled Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet has stepped down from the bench as a result of a viral video where she allegedly used a racial slur as her family watched a home security video of an attempted burglary at her home. Odinet’s Attorney Dane Ciolino says the judge takes full responsbility and knows this is the right course of action…
cut 10 (11) “…of the community”
In her resignation letter, Odinet says she’s sorry.

Louisiana will be a feature in the 133rd Annual Tournament of Roses Parade this morning. Kevin Gallagher has more…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Another warm day today, but there is a slight risk for severe weather as the state will soon experience a big change in temperatures. A strong cold front will drop temperatures into the 40s on Sunday for north Louisiana and 50s for south Louisiana. Much of the state will be below freezing on Monday morning.

The Lafayette city court judge under fire for a video in which she can be heard off-camera uttering a racial slur resigns – effective immediately. The cell phone video, shot inside Judge Michelle Odinet’s home, shows a TV screen on which people are watching home security video of someone attempting to burglarize the house. That’s when the inflammatory words are heard. Odinet had been on forced leave without pay. Her resignation is immediate.

Celebrating the New Year with fireworks? Ashley Rodrigue, with the state Fire Marshal’s office, has a few safety tips. Like never use them when you’ve been drinking, don’t let kids light or handle them and be sure to properly quench the stuff after you’re done…:

CUT 05        (11)    “…trash can.”

In a press event yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the ongoing surge in COVID cases – many of them the Omicron variant. The state added over 12-thousand new cases Wednesday and over 9-thousand Thursday. About 760 are hospitalized with the virus. Mr. Edwards says this time he is asking Louisianans to mask back up, to keep more people from failing ill…:

CUT 14        (11)    “…a loved one.”

COVID tests sites are swamped, so he says – if you cannot get tested, act as if you ARE positive and take precautions.

Get ready for the cold weather to return over the holiday weekend. By Monday morning we should see low temperatures in the mid-to-upper 20’s in northern parishes and the low-to-mid 30’s in the south. So get those coats back out.

Judge Michelle Odinet, the Lafayette city court judge who was caught on a viral video using a racial slur, has resigned. In her letter to the Chief Justice of the state Supreme Court, Odinet says she takes full responsibility for her “hurtful words” and apologizes for any trouble she’s caused..

The Great Holiday Heat Wave of 2021 is almost over. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will begin moving across Louisiana in the afternoon and evening of New Year’s Day. He says some Saturday precipitation could even be somewhat severe in the northern half of the state. He says the cooling continues through the weekend…:

CUT 07 (09)      “…of the state.”

By Monday, you can expect frigid temperatures to the work week.

Amid the recent surge of COVID cases and hospitalizations in Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards implores residents to take proper precautions in an effort to reduce transmission of the virus but fell short of reinstating a mask mandate. He says even though a mask mandate is not in place it doesn’t mean one should ignore their vital use to mitigate COVID…:

CUT 13 (11)      “…wear a mask.”

He says get vaccinated and/or get necessary boosters and stay healthy.

Meanwhile the state Department of Health is urging schools to keep a handle on the spread of the Omicron virus by canceling all extracurricular activities. Sports events, cheerleading, band, music and theater –after school social functions like dances. All of it. Again, it’s a recommendation; NOT a mandate.

Be prepared for temperatures statewide to take a huge nosedive. By Monday morning, northern parishes could see a hard freeze, and the mercury will go into the lower 30’s in the south.

The Lafayette City Court Judge reportedly heard using racial slurs on a viral video has resigned. Judge Michelle Odinet has been under fire ever since a video surfaced of persons watching an attempted burglary on home security video and using a derogatory term for the black suspect. She had been on forced leave without pay due to the incident.

Governor John Bel Edwards addressed the Omicron variant COVID surge during his latest press event. Brooke Thorington has more…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Thorington.”

Louisiana will be on display to the world tomorrow, in the 133^rd Tournament of Roses Parade. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is in Pasadena, California helping to prepare the Louisiana “Feed Your Soul” float, which will feature over 34-thousand flowers and a host of parade riders made up of real Louisiana heroes…:

CUT 10(13)      “…help after hurricanes.”

The Saints face a must-win situation on Sunday in order to make the playoffs, when they host the Carolina Panthers in the final home game of the year. But the Black and Gold have won only once inside the Dome this year. Offensive tackle James Hurst can’t pinpoint why they haven’t been more successful in New Orleans…:

CUT 15(20)      “…cheer about”

Governor John Bel Edwards took to Zoom on Thursday to implore residents to take Covid precautions this New Year’s as cases surge. He says it’s no fun to wear a mask and he’s not issuing a mandate, but it’s better to be safe than sorry:
Cut 14 (11) “watching a loved one”
The state reported over 12-thousand cases Thursday.

The New Year will also mark the end of the 2021 Louisiana winter heat wave. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a significant cold front will begin moving across the state the afternoon and evening of New Year’s Day…:
Cut 6 (13) “and some hail”
He says the first freeze of 2022 will occur Sunday into Monday.

If there’s one thing Louisiana knows it’s floats and the state will be showcasing a Bayou State themed one in the Rose Parade Saturday morning. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says his office worked hard to make arrangements for our state to take part in the parade, with a first-of-its-kind entry…:
Cut 11 (08) “we’re real excited”
He says everything on the float is organic even though it might look like paint. The New Year’s Day Rose Parade broadcast begins 10am our time.

If you’re going to be shooting fireworks to ring in 2022, state officials are urging you to play it safe. Fire Marshal’s Office spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says be sure to detonate your fireworks at least 200 feet away from any structures and vehicles — and be mindful in hurricane impacted areas…:
Cut 4 (10) “flammable as well”
Happy New Year.