December 2020

US agencies, companies secure networks after huge hack

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. government agencies and private companies rushed Monday to secure their computer networks following the disclosure of a sophisticated and long-running cyber-espionage intrusion suspected of being carried out by Russian hackers.

Crunch time for virus relief as bipartisan bills unveiled

WASHINGTON (AP) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers unveiled a detailed COVID-19 aid proposal on Monday in hopes it would serve as a model for its battling leaders to follow as they try to negotiate a final agreement on a new round of virus relief.

Gov. Edwards: Vaccine near, but don’t let guard down

BATON ROUGE (AP) — With shipments of a coronavirus vaccine likely days away, Gov. John Bel Edwards sought to convey hope about a possible end to the outbreak while also stressing the imminent threat of Louisiana’s current virus surge.

The Democratic governor urged more Louisiana residents to take precautions, wear masks and avoid large holiday gatherings — saying the dire reality of COVID-19 will be with the state for months before the vaccine is widely available to everyone.

Hundreds of GOP members sign onto Texas-led election lawsuit

HOUSTON (AP) — The Texas lawsuit asking the U.S. Supreme Court to invalidate President-elect Joe Biden’s victory has quickly become a conservative litmus test, as 106 members of Congress and multiple state attorneys general signed onto the case even as some have predicted it will fail.

Trump administration plans second execution in as many days

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — The Trump administration plans to continue its unprecedented series of post-election federal executions Friday by putting to death a Louisiana truck driver who severely abused his 2-year-old daughter for weeks in 2002, then killed her by slamming her head against a truck’s windows and dashboard.

Lawyers for 56-year-old Alfred Bourgeois say he has an IQ that puts him in the intellectually disabled category and they contend that should have made him ineligible for the death penalty under federal law.

One-day US deaths top 3,000, more than D-Day or 9/11

MISSION, Kan. (AP) — Just when the U.S. appears on the verge of rolling out a COVID-19 vaccine, the numbers have become gloomier than ever: Over 3,000 American deaths in a single day, more than on D-Day or 9/11. One million new cases in the span of five days. More than 106,000 people in the hospital.

The crisis across the country is pushing medical centers to the breaking point and leaving staff members and public health officials burned out and plagued by tears and nightmares.

POLICE REPORT

Editor’s Note: An arrest does not indicate whether a person is guilty of the crime with which they have been charged. A person is not considered guilty until they are convicted of a crime in a court of law.

One person was booked into the parish jail by the Jeff Davis Parish Sheriff’s Office over the past week.

Monday, December 7

Brandon Keith Davis, 31, of Lafayette, was charged with home invasion, aggravated battery, false imprisonment with a weapon and theft.

With playoffs unlikely, fading Patriots have questions at QB

(AP) - For the first time in more than a decade, the New England Patriots will head into their final three games of the season with an unsettled playoff fate.

The Patriots entered the week in 10th place in the AFC and trudging through one of their worst years of Bill Belichick’s tenure. Now 6-7 following a 24-3 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night, New England’s long-shot hopes of extending an NFL-record run of 11 consecutive playoff appearances have faded even more.

SPORTS BRIEFS

Cowboys OL Cameron Erving goes back to IR, ending his season

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys placed Cameron Erving on injured reserve with a sprained knee Friday, ending the tackle’s season because it’s his second stint on IR.

Erving, who missed five games early after injuring a knee in the opener, went out again on the first Dallas drive in a 41-16 loss to Washington on Thanksgiving.

Jacobs, Brown, Abram questionable for Raiders vs. Colts

(AP) - Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs, right tackle Trent Brown and safety Johnathan Abram are questionable for this week’s key showdown with the Indianapolis Colts.

Coach Jon Gruden said the three practiced Friday and he will have a better gauge on their status when he sees how they feel Saturday.

The Raiders (7-5) are one game behind the Colts (8-6) in the AFC playoff race.