SUMMARY: Good morning! It’s a chilly Saturday, marking the first official day of winter with temperatures near freezing, especially on the North Shore. Residents should prepare for cold mornings and pleasant afternoons in the coming days, with gradual warming into the 70s by Christmas. A small craft advisory is in effect due to choppy lake conditions. While low temperatures will hover around freezing through Monday, expect lows in the 50s by Christmas morning. Overall, a sunny and mild forecast with minimal rain is anticipated, making for a lovely holiday weekend. Enjoy this gorgeous weather!

The weekend will see some freezing temperatures on the Northshore before temperatures warm up by Monday.

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SUMMARY: Anonymous employees from the Louisiana Health Department claim that leadership has instructed them not to promote COVID-19 and flu vaccines anymore. A report from NPR cites four employees who were told to cease social media posts, vaccine events, and press releases about vaccination encouragement due to a re-evaluation of messaging as the pandemic evolves. The health department did not confirm specifics but acknowledged the change in approach. Experts warn that this shift may lead to decreased vaccination rates during a time when Louisiana is experiencing high flu cases, potentially increasing illness and mortality rates. Vaccines remain available and free through various local channels.

Anonymous employees say the state health department is pulling back on telling people to get vaccinated. That’s according to a report published by NPR on Friday.

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SUMMARY: In 2024, Louisiana’s casinos generated $791.8 million in tax revenue, with mobile sports wagering contributing over $50 million. The industry faces challenges, including a failed proposal to increase online sports betting taxes from 15% to 51%. The casino sector, worth $7.62 billion, supports 44,000 jobs and draws significant out-of-state revenue. However, critics like Kathleen Benfield and Peter Robins-Brown argue that mobile gambling fosters addiction, leads to societal harm, and drains wealth from residents. Despite these concerns, the industry remains a major economic contributor, including taxes from casinos, hotels, and other services.

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