A two-vehicle crash in Ouachita Parish leaves a teen driver dead and his passenger in serious condition. State Police says 17-year-old Logan Temple blew a stop sign and was broadsided by a big dump truck. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The dump truck driver was not hurt. Trooper Michael Reichardt says this is the worst time of year for families to lose loved in car accidents & he offers some advice…:

CUT 05  (06)        “…drink and drive.”

Reichardt says a toxicology sample was obtained from Temple and is being submitted for analysis. The crash remains under investigation.

Early data from Moderna says their vaccine can provide better protection from the Omicron variant of COVID, by way of producing more antibodies. LSU infectious disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says more of us need to treat the third shot as part of the vaccination; not just a booster…:

CUT 08(11)      “…advantage of them.”

New Orleans Mardi Gras parades will go on next year, according to Mayor LaToya Cantrell. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Brannen.”

More troubles for Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet – now on forced leave without pay following a viral video of a woman purported to be her using racial slurs. The D.A. in Orleans Parish has ordered a review of every case handled by Odinet when she worked there in the 1990’s. D.A. Jason Williams says the video calls her impartiality into question.

Moderna says preliminary data indicates their booster can increase neutralizing antibody levels by 37-fold compared to without a booster and should decrease severe infection from Omicron. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

State police say 17-year-old Logan Temple of Wisner is dead after driving unrestrained through a stop sign in Ouachita Parish yesterday afternoon near Monroe where his Honda Civic was hit broadside on the driver’s side by a Mack dump truck. A buckled-up passenger in his car suffered serious injuries. The truck driver was not hurt. Trooper Michael Reichardt offers this advice:

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Renewed word today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews, though all crews will roll on their scheduled days. Mayor Cantrell downplayed the need to cancel Mardi Gras 2022 even though COVID appears to be tightening its grip once again on Louisiana.

Cut  11 (10)  “…our people vaccinated.”  

She says no crews have opted to cancel their parades because of COVID.

Today is the first day of winter and the climate prediction center predicts a warmer and drier than normal winter. State Climatologist Barry Keim says La Nina climate conditions will bring the Bayou State above-average temperatures and dry conditions through February

Cut 12 (11) “..United States.”  

Keim says we’ll experience what should be a mild winter starting with above-normal temperatures for Christmas …

State police continue to investigate a fatal two-vehicle accident in Ouachita Parish that left a teen dead and a passenger in his car seriously injured when they collided with a dump truck Monday. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the victim is 17-year-old driver Logan Temple and a deadly crash involving a young person during the holidays is always tough.

Cut 4 (08) “…a happy time.”

Preliminary data from Moderna indicates their COVID booster shot increases antibody levels against the Omicron variant. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says Moderna’s booster announcement models data released from Pfizer and their booster shot.

Cut 7 (12) “…prove it.”  

Reconfirmation today from New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell that Mardi Gras 2022 will take place as scheduled with route changes made for some crews and all crews are expected to roll on their scheduled days. Cantrell offered this example:

Cut 9 (13) “…avenue and Prytania.”

She says public safety will be of utmost concern and that she believes Mardi Gras can be carried off safely despite the uptick in COVID cases nationwide given that 80 percent of local residents have been vaccinated and by urging others to be tested, vaccinated, and to wear masks to protect themselves and other parade-goers.

Preliminary data from Moderna indicates their COVID booster shot increases antibody levels against the Omicron variant. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says while it’s still early data and hasn’t undergone a thorough scientific review…

 Cut 6 (10) “…and older” 

On Monday state health officials said the growing number of COVID cases are indicative of the beginning of a fifth surge.

State police continue to investigate a deadly two-vehicle accident Monday afternoon in Ouachita Parish that left a teen dead and a passenger in his car seriously injured. Trooper Michael Reichardt:

Cut 3 (10) “…Mack dump truck.”

The 17-year-old driver, from Wisner, was not wearing a seatbelt while his passenger was.

The price tag for improving Louisiana’s roadways keeps rising and that’s causing a lot of number crunching at the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

Owners of the Teal Jones Group say they are evaluating the possibility of a 110.5-million-dollar southern yellow pine lumber plant in Plain Dealing. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project would support 125 direct jobs and 369 indirect jobs in Bossier Parish.

Federal health officials say the Omicron variant is now the dominant variant and state officials say COVID cases are on the rise again raising fears of a new surge. State Epidemiologist Dr. Theresa Sokol…

Cut 7 (11) “…to last.”
COVID hospitalizations have increased over the last four days as there are now 241 people hospitalized statewide with the virus.

Inflation is expected to take a hit on roadway projects in Louisiana. That word comes from State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson who says two projects have already been rejected, including plans to repair I-20 through Bossier City because the projected price tag has increased nearly 50 percent.

Cut 10 (12)  “…the COVID pandemic.”

Louisiana scores among the Top Ten states in the U.S. for the integrity of its elections. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ranking by the Heritage Foundation is a testament to the hard work of his staff and local registrars.

Cut 13 (12) “…voter registration.”
The 2021 Election Integrity Scorecard looks at the management of absentee voting, vote counting practices, and verification of identity and citizenship.

The School of Engineering at the University of New Orleans receives the largest gift to an academic college in the school’s history of $5-million from Dr. Bobby and Lori Savoie. UNO Spokesperson Adam Norris says Savoie has stated the gift is not about what UNO has done in the past but what it can bring to the future of UNO.

Cut 6 (11) “..years to come.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says COVID numbers are showing the start of another surge. We tend to see a sharp increase in cases following holiday gatherings and State Epidemiologist Theresa Sokol says it’s imperative we all practice mitigation, and more individuals get vaccinated and/or boosted.

Cut 9 (12)  “…vaccinated people.”

Inflation is expected to take a hit on roadway projects in Louisiana. DOTD Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says two projects have already been rejected because the projected price tag increased almost 50 percent. He says similar scenarios are expected leading to a potential change in plans to widen I-10 and construction of a new Mississippi River bridge.

Cut  11 (11)  “…time of investment.”  

Louisiana scores among the Top Ten states for election integrity according to the Heritage Foundation and receives high marks on the 2021 Election Integrity Scorecard for such things as voter ID implementation, management of absentee voting, and vote counting practices. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it’s rewarding to have both sides of the political fence agree the state is doing a good job.

Cut 14 (12)  “…are happy as well.”

The School of Engineering at the University of New Orleans receives the largest gift to an academic college in the school’s history of $5-million. UNO Spokesperson Adam Norris says Dr. Bobby and Lori Savoie made the donation and the donation will allow others to receive degrees from the university.

Cut 5 (12) “…and students.”

COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again as the Omicron variant has become the dominant COVID variant in the country. State Epidemiologist Doctor Theresa Sokol says the number of COVID patients hospitalized last week was below 200 and now it’s up to 265…
cut 8 (05) “….every day”

Louisiana is among the states rated highest for election integrity. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 3 (31) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Louisiana has a 15-billion dollar backlog of road and bridge repairs and inflation creates another issue in getting these projects done. The state department of transportation recently had to postpone a couple of projects, because the bids came in 50-percent higher than the estimate. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says there will have to be a give-and-take on considering the bids submitted and the overall projects themselves.
Cut 12 (11) “…these larger bids.”
Wilson says the primary factors driving costs up are labor and raw materials

A UNO grad has donated five million dollars to the school’s college of engineering…
cut 4 (07) “,…history”
That’s UNO spokesperson Adam Norris who says the five million dollar donation came from Doctor Bobby and Lori Savoie. Dr. Savoie earned a doctorate in engineering and applied sciences from UNO in 2009.

The CDC says the Omicron variant is now the dominant strain in the US and health officials in Louisiana say they are seeing an increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

President Biden will deliver a primetime speech tonight discussing his administration’s plan for combating the rise in cases as a result of the Omicron variant. According to a press release from the White House, FEMA is responsible for a medical surge facility in Shreveport.

Inflation is expected to take a hit on roadway projects in Louisiana. That word comes from State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson who says two projects have already been rejected, including plans to repair I-20 through Bossier City because the projected price tag has increased nearly 50 percent.
Cut 10 (12) “…the COVID pandemic.”
No decision has been made on when the project might be re-bid.

Louisiana scores among the Top Ten states in the U.S. for the integrity of its elections. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the ranking by the Heritage Foundation is a testament to the hard work of his staff, and local registrars…:
Cut 13 (12) “…voter registration.”
The 2021 Election Integrity Scorecard looks at the management of absentee voting, vote counting practices, and verification of identity and citizenship.