The state health department says the number of Omicron cases in Louisiana has surpassed 100 as health officials express concern of another COVID surge. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says Omicron symptoms mirror those of previous variants…

Cut 15 (12)  “…or runny nose.”
Louisiana is increasing benefits through their through the TANF (Tan-if) program. The increase will effectively double the cash assistance with hopes the money goes towards promoting career development and financial independence. Lorrie Briggs with the state department of children and family services says grandparents who are raising their children’s children are also eligible.

Cut 5 (10) “…of their grandchildren.”
Drugmaker Moderna, says their booster dose of the COVID-vaccine should offer adequate protection against the Omicron variant. Lab test show the half-dose booster shot increased by 27 times the level of neutralizing antibodies able to fight off the Omicron variant and a full-dose triggered an 83-fold jump in antibody levels.

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a float in this year’s Rose Parade on New Year’s Day. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

It’s been over two weeks since the first Omicron case of COVID was detected in Louisiana and since then the state health department has identified over 100 cases. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says if you’ve previously tested positive for COVID, but still not vaccinated, you are at risk for re-infection with the Omicron variant…

Cut 14 (10)  “…of COVID.”

A special Senate committee held hearings this month on State Police policies regarding use of force. Governor Edwards says he’s confident the panel will handle issues accordingly and that while most officers are a credit to their profession there are some that should not wear the badge.

Cut 8 (13) “…in that process.”

Inflation and unprecedented need caused by the pandemic has resulted in Louisiana increasing the cash benefit amounts available through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; also known as TANF (TAN-if). Lorrie Briggs is with the state Department of Children & Family Services, who administers the program.

Cut 4 (08) “….beginning in January.”

Briggs says the additional funding is long overdue.

The Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day will for the first time in its 133-year history feature a Louisiana float in fact Louisiana is the only state to have a float. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says the float will be decorated in true Louisiana style.

Cut 12 (12) “…on the trees.”

The 350-thousand-dollar float will be decorated with 34-thousand roses and handmade magnolias.

It’s been over two weeks since the first Omicron case of COVID-19 was detected in Louisiana and since then the state health department has identified over 100 cases in the Bayou State. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says the seriousness of the variant remains in question
Cut 13 (09) “…throughout our communities.”
The state health department reported 31 additional Omicron variant cases Friday and none of the new cases required hospitalization.

Louisiana is increasing the amount of benefits a recipient receives that’s getting cash assistance through the TANF program. The increase will effectively double the cash assistance with the hope the money goes towards promoting career development and financial independence. Lorrie Briggs with the state department of children and family services says grandparents who are raising their children’s children are also eligible..
cut 5 (10) “,….of their grandchildren’

Governor Edwards says he’s confident the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight and current leadership at LSP will resolve excessive force issues going forward.
cut 3 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day will for the first time in its 133-year history feature a Louisiana float. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says Louisiana will be the only state to have a float in the iconic parade and it will feature a music ambassador from the Bayou State :
Cut 10 (08) “…Hot 8 Brass Band.”

Louisiana is increasing the benefits amounts available through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; also known as TANF. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Inflation is making it more difficult to get highway construction projects started. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says two projects recently had to be rejected because the bids to perform the construction work were nearly 50-percent above the estimate. The primary factors are the cost of labor and raw materials.

2021 was a difficult year for State Police as more details came out about the 2019 death of Ronald Greene, a black man who died after he was tased and beaten by several white state troopers. The incident is under federal investigation. Governor John Bel Edwards understands the family is seeking justice and State Police has made policy changes to prevent another tragic incident like this…
cut 9 (09) “….been taken”

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a float in the 133rd Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the 350-thousand float will depict the spirit of the Bayou State. And Nungesser says riders of the float will include teachers, first responders, utility workers, healthcare professionals and volunteers…
cut 11 (08) “…to help Louisaina”

It’s been a difficult year for State Police as the state agency is under scrutiny for several use of force incidents over the last few years, one of which led to a death in Union Parish in 2019. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s confident that Superintendent Colonel Lamar Davis, who was appointed in October 2020, is leading the agency in the right direction.
Cut 7 (11) “…of changes.”
One of the changes is the intervene policy, which allows officers to step in the moment they see another trooper taking excessive force too far.

The state health department says the number of Omicron cases in Louisiana has surpassed 100 as health officials express concern of another COVID surge. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says Omicron symptoms have mirrored those of previous variants…
cut 15 (12) “…..or runny nose”

For the first time ever, Louisiana will have a float in this year’s Rose Bowl Parade on New Year’s Day. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Big win for the Saints last night as they blanked the Super Bowl champion Buccaneers nine to nothing. That’s seven straight regular-season win over Tampa Bay and New Orleans is now seven and seven.

Governor Edwards says he’s confident the Senate Select Committee on State Police Oversight and current leadership at Louisiana State Police will resolve excessive force issues going forward. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (29) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The I-10 Bonnet Carre Spillway in St. Charles Parish will be closed from noon to 5 PM tomorrow as Entergy needs to reinstall overhead transmission lines following Tuesday’s fatal helicopter crash.

The body of Ouachita Parish coach and educator Scott Stone was recovered Friday morning in Union Parish after a boating accident.

It’s been over two weeks since the first Omicron case of COVID-19 was detected in Louisiana and since then the state health department has identified over 100 cases in the Bayou State. Ochsner Health Infectious disease specialist Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says the seriousness of the variant remains in question at this point.
Cut 13 (09) “…throughout our communities.”
The state health department reported 31 additional Omicron variant cases yesterday and none of the new cases required hospitalization.

After only having three-thousand fans at the New Orleans Bowl last year, bowl officials are hoping for over 30-thousand fans to attend tonight’s game between U-L Lafayette and Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says there are a lot of Ragin Cajun fans in the Big Easy this weekend…
Cut 30 (05) “…holiday time period”
Tonight’s game kicks off at 8:15.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered Lafayette City Court Judge Michelle Odinet off the bench without pay as a result of video taken inside of her home where multiple racials slurs are heard on the recording. Legal Analyst Franz Borghardt says such a suspension by the Supreme Court is rare.
Cut 3 (07) “…be sure.”
Retired Opelousas City court judge Vanessa Harris has been appointed to take Odine’s place through February 28th.

For the first time in a very long time, Louisiana is increasing the benefits amounts available through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; also known as TANF (TAN-if). Lorrie Briggs is with the state Department of Children & Family Services, who administers the program…:
Cut 4 (08) “….beginning in January.”
Briggs says the additional funding is long overdue.

Today is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS spokesman David Walton offers tips to get it there on time…like making sure you get the right zip code…:
CUT 11(10) “…shipped off to.”
You can look up the correct zip, by address, at USPS.com.

If you’re a fan of the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, the 133rd edition will for the first time feature a Louisiana float. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser:
Cut 10 (12) “…Hot 8 Brass Band.”
The float will include representatives who have assisted during the COVID and hurricane crises and will be decorated to depict the spirit of the Bayou State, including moss-covered trees, powdered covered beignets and crawfish.

The state Supreme Court has suspended without pay Lafayette City Court judge Michelle Odinet for a video taken inside her home where racial slurs can be heard on the video. Legal analyst and attorney Franz Borghardt says it remains to be seen if Odinet will ever serve as a judge again…:
CUT 05(10) “…Supreme Court to decide.”
Retired Opelousas City Court Judge Vanessa Harris will take over Odinet’s docket. Harris becomes the first black judge in Lafayette City Court history.

Today is the last day to mail a package via Priority Mail if you want it to arrive by Christmas. USPS spokesman David Walton advises using clear block printing on labels; not cursive, so it can be assured of getting there on time…:
CUT 10(05) “…little difficult.”
Walton also says don’t guess on the zip code.

Coach Sean Payton will not be on the sidelines for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay after testing positive for COVID-19. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will serve as interim coach. Allen says they got word Friday morning that Payton tested positive for COVID…
cut 12 (15) “…the game”
Payton was reportedly exposed by someone outside of the Saints facility who tested positive earlier this week.

Only three thousand people attended the New Orleans Bowl last year, but event organizers hope to have about ten times as many in the Superdome tonight when 23rd ranked U-L Lafayette meets Marshall. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation President Jay Cicero says, in its 21-year history, the New Orleans Bowl has become a staple during the bowl season and brings tourists to the city…
CUT 08(09) “…down the line.”
And this afternoon in Shreveport, its 13th ranked BYU against UAB in the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl.