With the state seeing lower rates of COVID-19 infections and fewer hospitalizations, Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide indoor mask mandate. But schools that do not follow CDC quarantine guidance are still required to wear masks. State Health office Doctor Joe Kanter on the CDC guidance…
cut 5 (12) “….don’t have to quarantine”
Several school systems have decided not to require masks, but there are some keeping the mask policy in place.

Senator Bill Cassidy says over 19-hundred Louisianians lost their lives to drug overdoses last year and the opioid crisis must be met head-on. Cassidy says the federal government needs to work with local leaders to implement opioid policies already approved by Congress…
cut 9 (09) “…already addicted”

Southwest Louisiana now has an exact dollar figure on how much money in hurricane recovery aid it will receive for last year’s storms. Dave Brannen reports more steps need to take place before it’s available to repair homes and businesses…
cut 3 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

There’s the possibility of severe weather today. The Storm Prediction Center says there’s an enhanced risk of severe weather for the Lake Charles, Lafayette and Baton rouge areas along with the Bayou region which includes Houma.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide indoor mask mandate however it remains in effect for certain K-12 schools…
Cut 1 (43) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU says it will continue to require masks on campus and New Orleans is also keeping its indoor mask policy in place.

There’s an enhanced risk for severe weather for a good portion of south Louisiana today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Lake Charles, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Morgan City and Houma are at the greatest of seeing a tornado today as a result of a cold front…
cut 12 (08) “….coming through”
There’s a slight risk of severe weather for central Louisiana and a marginal risk for the I-20 corridor.

US Senators Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy says the state will receive 595-million dollars in federal disaster block grant aid to help Hurricane Laura and Delta victims repair their homes. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes Congress will appropriate even more money in December…
cut 14 (10) “….to Hurricane Ida”
Edwards says the 595-million dollars allocated only represents 20-percent of the three-billion dollars in assistance he’s requested.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted Louisiana’s COVID-19 mask mandate. The governor says numbers of positive tests, hospitalizations and deaths are apparently declining, so for the next 28 days, he’s ending the mask order – except for school children in grades K through 12:

Cut 26  (14)  “…an isolation.”

The governor’s new order will expire November 23^rd.

More negatives than positives. That’s what New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with less than a year before the mid-term elections which may not bode well for Democratic candidates. Biden’s dropping poll numbers can be linked to those with strong views on issues.

Cut 9 (11) “…his, his position.”

A startling increase in suicide attempts has prompted pediatricians to call on prioritizing mental health among teens and children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Police are seeking a Louisiana man suspected of driving under the influence when he caused a three-vehicle crash that killed a 9-year-old girl. The wreck happened last Friday night on State Highway 23 near Belle Chasse. When caught, 58-year-old Wendell Lachney (LASH-nee) faces vehicular homicide charges.

Encouraged by declining COVID-19 numbers, Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to relax his statewide order to wear masks in public places. The Governor held a press conference earlier today…:

CUT 24(13)      “…K through 12 schools.”

The Governor says school districts who don’t want to demand kids wear masks must still adhere to CDC guidelines for social distancing and quarantining of kids possibly exposed to the virus.

Is the pandemic and our response contributing to kids’ poor metal health? LSU Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says that’s quite possible and it could get worse, once the pandemic is over…:

CUT 03(10)      “…place yet.”

She says social media and isolation are big contributing factors in kids’ state of mind.

Louisiana has lost about 30-thousand jobs from the time Hurricane Ida hit until the end of last month. Louisiana Workforce Commission Chief Economist Julian Hwang says over 41-thousand have applied for unemployment since Ida. It’s not all bad news, though. Hwang says there were some sectors of the economy that reported significant over-the-year gains…:

CUT 14(09)      “…five-thousand jobs.”

Imagine the shock of finding out someone was squatting in your unoccupied home. Now multiply that to finding someone living in your attic while you were there! That’s what happened to a Lacassine woman. Jeff Davis Parish deputies say the lady spied 33-year-old Gregory Bonnette climbing down the attic stairway, when he thought no one was home. She called the law and they arrested Bonnette; charging him with unauthorized entry. Deputies say this is the 21^st time Bonnette has been arrested for various offenses.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide mask mandate, but wants most school kids to continue to wear them. He says school districts who do not want to mask kids must continue to observe CDC guidelines on social distancing and quarantining in cases of possible COVID contact. The Governor’s new order will be in effect for the next 28 days.

Here’s a sobering statistic from the Louisiana Workforce Commission: Hurricane Ida cost the state about 30-thousand jobs. LWC Chief Economist Julian Hwang says 41-thousand people filed for unemployment from the day Ida hit to the end of September. He says tens of thousands of jobs are listed on the LWC website, so they hope recoup a number of those lost jobs…:

CUT 13(09)      “…slowly but surely.”

President Biden’s polling numbers continue to spiral downward. A new Quinnipiac poll shows his approval at only 40-percent. New Orleans political analyst Ron Faucheux (FO-shay) says his performance on crime, the economy, illegal immigration and more are dragging on his administration. But, Faucheux says, Biden may be able to push through some of his major agenda items, like infrastructure and social spending…:

CUT 11(09)      “…Manchin and Sinema.”

On individual issues, Biden polls lowest for the state of the economy.

The New Orleans Saints scored just one touchdown Monday night, but it was enough to beat the Seahawks 13-10 in Seattle. Running back Alvin Kamara was productive as a receiver as he caught 10 passes for 128 yards and that touchdown. Kamara says the offense will continue to get better…:

CUT 06(11)      “…always working.”

Saints kicker Brian Johnson kicked two clutch field goals in rainy and windy conditions, including the game-winner with less than two minutes left.

President Biden is still struggling with his polling numbers, with a new Quinnipiac poll showing he has only 40 percent approval. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brannen.”

A Shreveport man is sentenced to 60-plus years for a crime spree in 2018 in which he killed a Domino’s pizza delivery guy, shot AT other people and committed various robberies. 20-year-old Demaria Jefferson will be a very old man by the time he’s released, as his sentence has no possibility of parole.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state lost nearly 30-thousand jobs from August to September. LWC’s Chief Economist Julian Hwang says Hurricane Ida is to blame for the reduction in the state’s workforce and the recovery takes some time..:

CUT 12(12)      “…as well.”

Over 41-thousand people filed unemployment claims from the time Hurricane Ida hit through the end of September.

Stressors from the pandemic and a rising number of mental illness diagnoses among children have prompted pediatricians to say kids’ mental health is a national emergency. Doctor Michelle Moore, a Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans, advises parents to ask their children more than just how they are doing and have a conversation about how they are feeling. And also find out what type of social media site your children are interacting with…:

CUT 05(06)      “…engaging in technology”

Moore feels the isolation of pandemic restrictions is contributing to kids’ depression.

A startling increase in suicide attempts has prompted pediatricians to call on prioritizing mental health among teens and children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Governor will announce his decision on coronavirus precautions during a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. Stephen Procopio (pro-COH-pee-oh), Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) – who’ve been tracking the pandemic numbers – says PAR is carefully watching the Department of Health data for any sign of a Fifth Wave, as is the Governor’s Office…

New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with more negatives than positives. The latest Quinnipiac University poll numbers put Biden’s job approval rating at 40 percent and disapproval at 53 percent. Faucheux on the issues that are helping to bring down Biden’s polling numbers.

Cut 10 (12)  “…cutting against him.” 

The teacher shortage in Louisiana is continuing to worsen because there are fewer education students and teacher retirements are on their way up. Michael Faulk, who heads up the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, says it’s a trend that started years ago. Faulk says there are teachers who seem dismayed about the profession because of their lack of input into the curriculums they have to abide by.

Cut 12 (12) “…of the process.”

More negatives than positives. That’s what New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with less than a year before the mid-term elections which may not bode well for Democratic candidates. Biden’s dropping poll numbers can be linked to those with strong views on issues.

Cut 9 (11) “…his, his position.”

Emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts were up 51-percent between February and March of this year compared to the same period in 2019. Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Michelle Moore says social media and isolation are contributing factors.

Cut 4 (11) “…mental health issues.”

The Saints needed only one touchdown last night to beat the Seahawks 13-10 in Seattle. Running back Alvin Kamara was productive as a receiver as he caught 10 passes for 128 yards and the lone touchdown. The defense was stingy as they sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith five times. Linebacker Demario Davis had two sacks.

Cut 8 (12) “..get there.”

We’ll find out soon just where the state is headed when it comes to Covid-19 precautions. Governor John Bel Edwards meets with reporters at three this afternoon to outline what Louisiana will continue to have to do to keep the virus in check and headed downward.

Now a check on commodities.

Stressors from the pandemic and a rising number of mental illness diagnoses among children have prompted pediatricians to say kids’ mental health is a national emergency. Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Michelle Moore anticipates things will even worsen once the pandemic eases.

Cut 3 (11) “….place yet.”

The Saints scored just one touchdown last night, but it was enough to beat the Seahawks 13-10. New Saints kicker Brian Johnson also kicked two clutch field goals, including the game-winner with less than two minutes left. Johnson says he tried not to overthink it…

Cut 7 (11) “….so.”  

Johnson could be the kicker for the season as Will Lutz announced he’ll sit out the year after suffering a setback from core muscle surgery.

Governor Edwards has a 3 p.m. press conference today. With COVID numbers declining, will he end the statewide mask mandates? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

And on Thursday Governor Edwards will travel to Scotland to attend the International Race to Zero Climate Summit.  Meetings will be held Sunday through November 4^th. Edwards says that no other state in the nation has been more affected by climate change than Louisiana, but also in a better position to be part of the solution.