The FDA has signed off on new COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna before an increase in seasonal infections begins. Teiko Foxx has more…
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If you’re a new parent wondering how to begin saving for your child’s education, among the options is the state’s START Saving Program. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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We know music can affect one’s mood, but can it have the same effect on pets? Brooke Thorington has more from an artist in residence at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
Cut 3 (33) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Entergy Louisiana has accelerated its usual tree-trimming across the state due to excessive heat and severe drought conditions. VP of Reliability Steven Benyard says one of the leading causes of power outages is vegetation coming in contact with powerlines.
Cut 4 (10) “… our powerlines.”
Louisiana faced record-setting heat along with prolonged periods of below-average rainfall. With some portions of the service area falling two feet below their normal rainfall over the past three months, Benyard says they are doing everything they can to avoid damaged vegetation from causing outages for their customers.
The southern portion of the state is more impacted by the drought than the northern part of the state. Benyard urges customers to report trees that may impact powerlines in their community.
Cut 6 (11) “…community thing.”
To report overgrown trees that are touching powerlines, call 1-800-ENTERGY.
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The FDA has approved updated COVID-19 booster shots to target the XBB 1.5 variant ahead of a potential winter uptick in infections. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says the vaccine is designed to offer continued protection against serious consequences from COVID-19.
The shots made by Moderna and Pfizer are approved for people 12 and older and under emergency use for children 6 months through 11 years old. Lopez says it’s yet clear which populations health officials will consider for the shots.
Over 95 percent of the U.S. population already has some level of COVID immunity according to the CDC. The Lopez says cases have increased in recent weeks and urges the public to consider the vaccination.
Pfizer and Moderna will charge up to $130 dollars a shot, compared to $30 last year for the booster. The CDC advisory committee will meet today to recommend how the vaccine should be used.
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If you’re a new parent, they say it’s never too early to begin saving for your child’s education and the START Saving Program through the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Aid allows you to do so with a few advantages. Director of the START Program, Terri Underwood says it’s open to residents or beneficiaries who live in Louisiana.
The Louisiana 529 savings plan has been around since 1997.
The initial deposit for the savings program is only $10, and Underwood says after that there’s no minimum required for each month. The maximum a beneficiary can have on deposit with START is $500,000.
Or if you’re a single filer you can save up to $2,400 a year by claiming it on your Louisiana return.
In addition to a tax break and matching funds, Underwood says the savings program offers compound interest on the investment.
Cut 12 (05) “…matching funds.”
Underwood says while TOPS does not cover all college expenses, the long-term investment of a START Saving Program helps parents meet those additional expenses.
There’s also a START K12 Saving Program to help families with tuition-related expenses to eligible Louisiana schools.
For more information visit mylosfa.la.gov
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When Charlie Rauh (rhymes with cow) began his musical career, he never thought it would end up going to the dogs, but that’s exactly what has happened. For the last month, he’s served as composer in residence at LSU’s School of Veterinary Medicine.
Before it was literature that inspired his music, then Rauh was asked to provide music for animals and clinicians as they performed procedures. He says the experience has been extremely positive…
Cut 14 (07) “…research on it.”
To wrap up his residency, Rauh is holding a concert this evening at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine Library at 5:30, and he says his compositions will also be released to the public.
For more information on the artist visit charlieraugh.com that’s R-A-U-H.
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Saints Coach Dennis Allen confirms defensive end Payton Turner will miss some time after injuring his toe in Sunday’s season-opening win over Tennessee. Allen says Turner’s turf toe injury is similar to the injury that kept left tackle Trevor Penning out for three months last year. Allen says it was a bit of a freak injury…
Cut 16 (19) “…unfortunate loss”
Turner is in his third season and he’s only appeared in 14 games because of injuries.
New Orleans’ next game is a Monday night contest at Carolina. Allen is looking for improved play from his offensive line…
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LSU’s defense had trouble stopping Grambling early on in Saturday night’s blowout win. G-S-U scored ten points in the first quarter and hit on a couple of pass plays, including a 34-yarder for their first completion of the game. Tigers Coach Brian Kelly says it will take time to develop the secondary…
LSU’s opens SEC play with a trip to Starkville on Saturday to take on Mississippi State. The Bulldogs no longer run an air raid offense. Kelly says State prefers to set up the pass with a strong running game…
Freshman right tackle Zalance Heard saw his first playing time in Saturday’s win over Grambling. Kelly liked what he saw…