Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” in the state today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A Tulane epidemiologist is expressing concern about yet another surge in COVID-19. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (34)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter begins a tour today, visiting cities in his district and explaining how the seven billion dollars in Infrastructure funds Louisiana will receive will improve structures in his district. First up on his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” a stop in New Orleans East at the Green Bridge which he says is so desperately in need of repairs.

Cut 3 (09) “…needed repairs.”

On Thursday Carter says he will visit the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy and highlight the need for repairs for that bridge in St. James Parish. On Friday Carter will be in Baton Rouge to address proposed transit and rail funding projects for the state.

On Monday Carter will visit Southern University in Baton Rouge and discuss how infrastructure funds can assist minority-owned businesses.

Cut 4 (11) “…African American businesses.”

The $1.2 trillion dollar bill was signed a month ago today by President Biden. Carter says with guaranteed funding coming to the state, long-overdue projects like the New Orleans Water and Sewer System can now get off the ground.

Cut 5 (11) “…projects forward.”

Carter was the only member of the Louisiana delegation in the House of Representatives in DC to support the bill.

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As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana and dozens of other states in the nation, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus that’s already killed more than 800,000 people in the U.S.

 Cut 6 (12) “…the Omicron definition.” 

Dr. Hassig believes the state should move back to an indoor mask mandate to lessen the chance of Omicron spreading.

Dr. Hassig indicates that the clinical jury is still out on just how dangerous Omicron is compared to the known impact of the Delta variant.

Cut 7 (11) “…that were unvaccinated.”  

Omicron is said to be a highly transmissible variant of COVID, and given that and a persistent slow rise in the state, Dr. Hassig says Louisiana would be wise to re-implement an indoor mask mandate, even though such mandates are often ignored.

Cut 8 (07) “…can reduce spread.”

The Louisiana Department of Health says nearly two hundred people are currently hospitalized with COVID and 88-percent had not been fully vaccinated. The total death toll from COVID in the state since the start of the pandemic is now just shy of 15-thousand.

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State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. The passenger surrendered peacefully, but Trooper Thomas Gossen said the driver had other ideas.

Cut 9 (09) “…abandoned the vehicle.”

Deputies found the 41-year-old Lafayette man at a home suffering from gunshot wounds. He’s hospitalized with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

Trooper Gossen says when deputies first encountered the vehicle and its two occupants they were in front of a building in the 100-block of Charbonnet Road near Duson.

Cut 10 (08)  “…driver did not.”

Instead, he drove towards the deputies, at least one deputy opened fire and wounded the driver before he left the scene and abandoned the vehicle before fleeing into a Lafayette Parish home.

Trooper Gossen talks about how deputies were able to locate the suspect.

Cut  11 (11)  “…hospital for treatment.”  

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Today begins the early signing day period for college football and LSU has signed the top two players in the state. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Campbell says he’s excited to play for new head coach Brian Kelly

Cut 12 (12) “…we’re headed”  

Campbell is a five-star prospect and with LSU losing four starters from its current offensive line, Campbell could see the field sooner than later. He’s eager to learn from offensive line coach Brad Davis…

Cut 13 (09) “…earn my spot.”

According to 24-7 sports, LSU’s recruiting class is ranked 22nd this year, when it usually ranks in the top ten. But LSU signee and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard says don’t sell this class short…

Cut 14 (12) “…get with em soon.” 

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour” in the state today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Authorities now say it will be Sunday when Entergy crews repair power lines that were damaged in that Tuesday afternoon helicopter crash on I-10 along the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge.  It had been scheduled for this morning. The repairs are expected to take about three hours when crews begin work on Sunday.

As the Omicron variant of COVID-19 becomes more prominent here in Louisiana and dozens of other states in the nation, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus.  Dr. Hassig indicates that the clinical jury is still out on just how dangerous Omicron is compared to the known impact of the Delta variant.

Cut 7 (11) “…that were unvaccinated.”  

State police are investigating an officer-involved shooting near Duson in Lafayette Parish. It happened around 7:30 Tuesday morning as sheriff’s deputies investigated a car with a possible stolen license plate. The passenger surrendered peacefully, but Trooper Thomas Gossen said the driver had other ideas.

Cut 9  (09) “…and abandoned the vehicle.”

Deputies found the 41-year-old Lafayette man at a home suffering from gunshot wounds. He’s hospitalized with apparent non-life-threatening injuries.

As the Omicron variant becomes more prominent in Louisiana and dozens of other states, Tulane epidemiologist, Dr. Susan Hassig is fearing yet another surge in the virus that’s already killed more than 800,000 people in the U.S.

 Cut 6 (12) “…the Omicron definition.” 

Dr. Hassig believes the state should move back to an indoor mask mandate to lessen the chance of Omicron spreading.

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter begins his “Building A Better Louisiana Infrastructure Tour.” Today a stop at the Green Bridge in New Orleans tomorrow Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy and on Monday in Baton Rouge he’ll visit Southern University and discuss how infrastructure funds can assist minority-owned businesses.

Cut 4 (11) “…African American businesses.”

Today begins the early signing day period for college football and LSU has signed the top two players in the state. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Campbell says he’s excited to play for new head coach Brian Kelly and he’s eager to learn from offensive line coach Brad Davis…

Cut 13 (10) “…fastest-growing sector.”

Campbell is a five-star prospect and with LSU losing four starters from its current offensive line, Campbell could see the field sooner than later.

Governor Edwards will hold his last monthly call-in radio show for the year today. Ask the Governor will air live at 2pm.

Second Congressional District Congressman Troy Carter begins his Building Back a Better Louisiana Tour today, explaining how the seven billion dollars in Infrastructure funds will help areas in his district. First up is a stop in New Orleans East at the Green Bridge this afternoon which he says is so desperately in need of repairs.

Cut 3 (10) “…needed repairs.”

On tomorrow Carter will visit the Veterans Memorial Bridge in Gramercy.

The U-S Post Office says today is the last day to send packages via retail ground to arrive before Christmas Day. USPS spokesperson David Walton says the deadline to send a package by Priority Mail is Saturday and cost-wise he says it’s still a bargain…

Cut 8 (06) “…70 pounds.”

Walton says procrastinators, they can use Priority Mail express as late as December 23rd and still have their gift arrive by Christmas Day.

Despite objection from a Louisiana House committee, Governor Edwards is moving forward with plans to add the COVID vaccine to the required school shots list. It would go in effect for the next school year and would only apply for ages that have FDA approval which is 16 and up. Edwards says it’s vital for young people to be vaccinated…

Cut 15 (11)  “…dealing with the pandemic”
the Governor’s monthly call-in radio show, Ask the Governor is today at 2 o’clock.

And announced Interstate closures where a helicopter crashed Tuesday afternoon near New Orleans have been postponed now until Sunday. Areas along I-10 near the Bonnet Carre Spillway Bridge that were set to close today for repairs beginning at 11 am today and last for three hours have been moved to Sunday so Entergy can repair power lines that were damaged in the fatal helicopter crash.

Despite voting for President Biden’s recently passed Infrastructure Bill, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he cannot support the “Build Back Better” bill. Cassidy says the Democrats are disingenuously selling the legislation to American’s as costing about $2-trillion, and the Congressional Budget Office scores the act otherwise.

Cut 5 (11) “…when adjusted for inflation.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule he still plans to do so. The rule will go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability for their child to opt-out.

Cut 13 (10) “…change that.”
For now, the COVID vaccine would only be added to the list of shots required to attend school for those 16 and up, since the F-D-A has fully authorized the vaccine for those 16 and older.

Today begins the early signing day period for college football and LSU has signed the top two players in the state. Neville offensive tackle Will Campbell and St. Thomas More Quarterback Walker Howard. Campbell says he’s excited to play for new head coach Brian Kelly

Cut 12 (12) “…we’re headed”  

LSU has also signed dynamic defensive end Quency Wiggins from Madison Prep High School.

We are 10 days away from Christmas and the options to mail gifts, so they’ll arrive on time are about to be limited.  USPS Spokesperson David Walton says today is the last day to send packages via retail ground to arrive before December 25^th.

Cut 7 (09) “…less expensive.”

Walton says this week is their busiest mailing, shipping, and delivery week of the year and they are estimating to deliver 29 million packages each day this week.

Despite a House committee’s vote against adding the COVID vaccine to the school immunization schedule Governor Edwards says he still plans to do so. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder told members of House Health and Welfare that asking parents to fill out forms to opt-out of the vaccine is too cumbersome.

Cut 14 (12)  “…for schools.”

It would go into effect for the Fall of 2022 school year and like all vaccines, parents have the ability to have their child opt-out of the vaccine.

Most of the state’s lawmakers are in Lake Charles today for the annual Legislator luncheon.  Executive director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild, Cary Koch on some of the problems facing craft brewers in the state.

Cut  11 (12)  “…big beer world.”  

Koch is hoping to influence lawmakers about their concerns at the luncheon.

Despite voting for President Biden’s recently passed Infrastructure Bill, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he cannot support the Social Safety Net and Climate Bill, also called “Build Back Better.” Cassidy says D.C. Democrats are more interested in “cementing legacies than improving the economy…”

Cut 4 (12) “…would strongly oppose.”

We are 10 days away from Christmas and today is the deadline to mail packages via retail ground, Saturday for priority mail and if you’ve really procrastinated USPS Spokesperson David Walton says then you need to send them by the 23^rd so you won’t earn the title of Grinch this year but get ready to pay for it.

Cut 9 (09)  “…Christmas Day.”

For tips and to get an idea of how much it will cost you can use the click and ship feature at USPS.com

Governor Edwards is moving forward with plans to require the COVID-vaccine shot for children to attend school. A helicopter pilot is dead after his chopper crashed on the I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway yesterday. Lafayette Judge Michelle Odinet is in hot water after a video surfaced that shows people inside her home using the “N” word.

Senator Bill Cassidy met with the media yesterday and talked about the President’s Build Back Better bill. Kevin Gallager has more…
cut 1 (34) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Most of the state’s lawmakers are in Lake Charles today for the annual Legisgator luncheon and will be seeing billboards urging the legislature to help Louisiana craft brewers catch up with the rest of the nation. Cary Koch is executive director of the Louisiana Craft Brewers Guild:
Cut 10 (12) “…host weddings.”
Koch fears that without craft beer reform in the Bayou State, the struggling industry could be here today and gone tomorrow.

The U-S Post Office says today is the last day to send packages via retail ground to arrive before Christmas Day. USPS spokesperson David Walton says the deadline to send a package by Priority Mail is Saturday and cost-wise he says it’s still a bargain…
cut 8 (06) “….70 pounds”
Walton says procrastinators, they can use Priority Mail express as late as December 23rd and still have their gift arrive by Christmas Day.

Despite objection from a Louisiana House committee, Governor Edwards is moving forward with plans to add the COVID vaccine to the required shots needed to attend school. The rule will go into effect for the next school year and it would only pertain to ages that have FDA approval for COVID vaccines, which is 16 and up. Edwards says it’s vital for young people to be vaccinated…
cut 15 (11) “….dealing with the pandemic”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says he can’t support President Biden’s one-point-seven trillion-dollar Build Back Better bill. Cassidy says the legislation is filled with temporary government programs…
cut 6 (12) “…..keep the price tag lower”

Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet is facing calls for her to step down after a video taken from her home shows several people using the “N” word while watching a video of an attempted burglary on their property. Odinet says she was sedated at the time of the video and has zero recollection of the video and the disturbing language used in it.

Louisiana craft brewers are looking for some help from state lawmakers. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”