The state transportation department announces Louisiana is receiving 36-million in federal dollars to help improve airports across the state. Michelle Southern has more…:

CUT 01(30)      “….Southern.”

Police in Jeanerette say a seven-year-old boy is dead, from an accidental shooting inside a car Wednesday night. Police Chief Dusty Vallot says a teen, also riding in the car, was looking at a gun, when it went off accidentally; hitting the younger child in the head. The boy was airlifted to a hospital, but didn’t survive. An investigation is underway.

A case of suicide by cop? Lawmen were called when 44-year-old Chantel Myers, of the town of Pitkin, first threatened to kill law officers and then herself. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says a responding officer was trying to reason with the disturbed woman, but – when she raised a weapon – he was forced to respond in kind. Myers was shot once and killed. Craft says Ms. Myers left a suicide note and was on the phone with someone; telling them what she was about to do…:

CUT 07(12)      “…call our dispatcher.”

Craft calls the incident a tragedy for all involved.

State Police dentify the man killed in an officer-involved shooting in Pointe Coupee Parish Wednesday night. 48-year-old Jessie Gaither had reportedly tried to torch a home in the town of Fordoche, when he approached an officer with a knife in his hand. He was Tased, but then he drew a gun, causing the officer to fire. He was pronounced dead at the scene. LSP is investigating, as they do all officer-involved shootings.

Things ended tragically for 44 year old Chantel Myers when she threatened to kill law enforcement and then herself. Vernon Parish Sheriff Sam Craft says when officers responded to a home in Pitkin Tuesday night, they tried to build a rapport with Meyers but her hostile behavior placed a deputy in peril.

Cut 24 he did :12

Craft says the victim had a history of mental illness and drug abuse.

There’s a 34-percent increase in holiday traveling this year compared to last and Triple-A’s Don Redman says and while gas prices are significantly higher than a year ago, that’s not likely to be the lone determining factor for folks opting for holiday travel.

Cut 5 (08) “…their personal economies.”

Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America says more than half a million Louisianans, including one in five children, struggle with hunger. Berg says it’s ironic that a state known for its amazing culinary leads the nation in hunger and despite what some might say hunger is a political and a partisan issue.

Cut 9 (12)  “…pro-hunger.”

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail via Priority Mail Express if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says put plenty of bubble wrap in your packages and if you’re shipping a battery-operated item…

Cut 15 (09)  “…investigate it.”

Visit USPS.com for office hours at your local post office.

The roadways are about to get a lot busier as folks head out for the holidays. Reporter Dave Brannen spoke with Triple-A’s Don Redman…:
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Dave Brannen”

As the Omicron COVID variant takes a foothold in Louisiana, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approves Pfizer’s new COVID-19 treatment pill. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans…:
Cut 11 (11) “in which it was tested”
Pfizer’s Paxlovid is available only with a prescription from your doctor.

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton has a few mailing tips to help your packages arrive on time, like a clearly printed address label with the correct zip code, and…:
Cut 14 (07) “packages as well”
He says use Priority Mail Express if you want guaranteed delivery by Saturday.

One person is dead following an officer involved shooting in Pointe Coupee Parish, according to State Police. They say cops were dispatched to a residence in Fordoche responding to a domestic dispute when they encountered an armed subject. The man was shot and killed in an incident involving a Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s deputy and a Livonia police officer and LSP is handling the investigation and processing the scene as it is not yet clear who fired the fatal shot.

As cases of COVID’s Omicron variant grow in Louisiana, the FDA approves a pill to mitigate the virus’s impact…:
Cut 3 (31) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

AAA says the roads are going to be packed this Christmas, with most folks heading out of town starting today. Spokesman Don Redman…:
Cut 6 (10) “in your destination”
He says they predict a 34 percent increase in Holiday travel over last year.

A recent study shows Louisiana continues to have one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America says the pandemic amplified the problem, but it’s been an ongoing issue here due to low wages and inadequate safety net programs in the state…:
Cut 8 (12) “legitimate”
He says the 67-percent drop in food insufficiency in Louisiana coincided with the massive boost in federal food and cash aid.

The Jeanerette Police Department says a 7 year old has died after being shot in the head Wednesday while inside a vehicle. They say investigators are still gathering information about circumstances surrounding the shooting, but it does appear to be accidental. The young boy was sitting inside the vehicle when a 15 year old located a gun and was handling it when it discharged by mistake, striking the child.

Holiday traffic was light in 2020 as Covid was keeping folks home, but that is not the case this year. AAA spokesman Don Redman says they expect a 34 percent increase in those on the roadways this Christmas, starting today…:
CUT 4 (08) “vaccinations and boosters”
Nationwide, 109 million people are expected to travel 50 miles or more for the holidays.

In another step towards getting the pandemic under control, the FDA has approved a new Covid-19 pill by Pfizer. “Paxlovid” is a major breakthrough, according to Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans….:
CUT 12 (09) “fortunate that it is”
The drug is authorized for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID in adults and kids 12 and up at high risk for progressing to severe illness. It is not authorized for post-exposure prevention, or in people who are already hospitalized with the virus.

One in five children in Louisiana suffers from hunger. Brooke Thorington has more:
Cut 2 (32) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say they were called to investigate a fatal shooting involving a deputy with the Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office and a Livonia Police Department officer. One person is deceased on the scene of an incident where multiple agencies responded in Fordoche. No officers were injured and the LSP Crime Lab is processing everything for evidence right now. More on this as it develops.

4 Saints players were voted to the Pro Bowl: defensive back J.T. Gray, defensive end Cameron Jordan, running back Alvin Kamara and cornerback Marshon Lattimore were selected to the NFC squad to play in the NFL’s All-Star game.

As the Omicron COVID variant grows in Louisiana, the FDA approves Pfizer’s new COVID-19 treatment pill. Dr. Benjamin Springgate is with LSU Health in New Orleans. He says this an “extraordinary step forward” in treating the coronavirus and its variants…:
Cut 10 (07) “hospitalization or death”
The oral treatment called Paxlovid is available only with a prescription from your doctor. Treatment must begin within five days of onset of symptoms.

Today is the last day to send gifts in the mail if you want them to arrive for Christmas. USPS Spokesperson David Walton says send Priority Mail Express…:
Cut 13 (06) “Christmas Day”
USPS says no shipping delays are expected for people shipping last minute.

A recent study shows Louisiana continues to have one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the country. Joel Berg, CEO of Hunger Free America, says more than half a million Louisianans, including one in five children, struggle with hunger:
Cut 7 (12) “leftover food”
He says you can help by donating food, time or money, and every little bit helps.

The Vernon Parish Sherrif’s Office says a woman was killed in a deputy-involved shooting Tuesday after allegedly pointing a weapon and pursuing one of the officers. They indicate a male subject told cops 44-year-old Chantel Myers was threatening to commit suicide, and when deputies attempted to deescalate the situation at a residence in the area of Pitkin, the woman charged at officers with a gun in an aggressive manner threatening to harm them. A deputy fired his weapon fatally striking Myers. The matter is under investigation.

Hospitals are beginning to reinstate mask policies. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (33)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Louisiana is continuing an unfortunate trend of losing population to other states according to Census Bureau data.  Demographer Greg Rigamer says economic factors primarily played a role in the Bayou State ranking fifth in out-migration comparing 2020 to 2021 figures.

Cut 3 (10) “…doing much better.”

Louisiana’s percent of population decline for the year-long period was six-tenths of a percent, the sixth highest in the nation.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s still waiting on the CDC to provide some guidance on how much protection a person may have from COVID if previously infected by COVID. Cassidy says based on worldwide research there is some natural immunity for those who recover from COVID…Cassidy isn’t sure why the CDC seems reluctant to look into natural immunity, but the senator, who is also a physician, believes it does provide some protection from future infection…

Cut 14 (11) “..were infected.” 

As you head out to do your last-minute shopping for Christmas dinner, Mike Strain, Louisiana’s AG Secretary, says you really shouldn’t have much trouble finding what you need, including the right size turkey.

Cut 9 (10) “…food products available.”

The only downside to all this is inflation has pushed up the price of most everything you’ll need for your meal.