Governor John Bel Edwards will announce this afternoon if he’ll lift the statewide indoor mask mandate. Steven Procopio Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council has been tracking the pandemic numbers and says the figures suggest the fourth surge has winded down…

Cut 4 (09) “…height of all this.”
Edwards reinstated the statewide indoor mask mandate in August.

The Saints scored just one touchdown last night, but it was enough to beat the 13-10 Seahawks in Seattle. Running back Alvin Kamara was more productive as a receiver last night as he caught 10 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Kamara says the offense will continue to get better as the season goes along

Cut 6 (11) “..always working” 

The teacher shortage in Louisiana continues to worsen because there are fewer education students and teacher retirements are on their way up. Michael Faulk, with the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, says it’s a trend that started years ago.

Cut 10 (10)  “…of six years.” 

For example, the number of students in the LSU School of Education has plummeted by 57 percent over the past decade.

Governor John Bel Edwards travels to Scotland this week for the international Race to Zero climate change summit put on by the United Nations. He says it’s an important step in addressing global concerns about carbon footprints to the benefit of Louisiana.

Cut 13 (12) “…that will decarbonize.”

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.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to announce today whether or not he will continue the mask mandate. Steven Procopio (pro-COH-pee-oh), Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR)  says there’s more to putting COVID behind us than just heeding the Governor.

Cut 5 (14) “…in the country.”

The governor’s press conference is at 3pm today.

Moderna released data claiming it’s COVID vaccine is both safe and effective for children ages 6 to 11. Dr. Danial Hsia (Shaw) who is overseeing a section of the Moderna trial in children at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says side effects they’ve observed are comparable to those seen in adults, like muscle aches, fatigue, and low-grade fever.

Cut 8 (09) “…or less.”

The teacher shortage in Louisiana continues 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 he doesn’t see the teacher shortage problem being remedied anytime soon in Louisiana.

Cut 11 (10) “…years from now.”

Governor John Bel Edwards travels to Scotland this week for the international Race to Zero climate change summit put on by the United Nations. Edwards says the meeting will be important for his delegation as they compete to attract new investment in Louisiana related to climate change issues.

Cut 14 (13)  “…in the country.”

Edwards is scheduled to leave for Scotland on Thursday for the summit that takes place Sunday through November 4^th.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce this afternoon if he’ll lift the statewide indoor mask mandate. Stephen Procopio Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council has been tracking the pandemic numbers and says the figures suggest the fourth surge has winded down…
Cut 4 (09) “…height of all this.”
Edwards reinstated the statewide mask mandate in August, but COVID hospitalizations have fallen to 332, the lowest it’s been since early July.

Schools systems are struggling with a teacher shortage. Louisiana Association of School Superintendent’s executive director Michael Faulk says retirements have increased as some teachers are dismayed with the curriculums they are forced to teach…
cut 12 (12) “…the process”
And Faulk says fewer teachers are entering the profession.

Data from the Moderna COVID vaccine clinical trial indicates the vaccine is both safe and effective for ages 6 to 11…..
cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

State Police say a 19-year-old who was not buckled up was killed in a single-vehicle wreck in St. Landry Parish yesterday. 19-year-old India Faith Young of Opelousas was ejected from her vehicle after striking a culvert. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Governor Edwards has a 3 p.m. press conference today. With COVID numbers declining, will he end the indoor statewide mask mandate? Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The redistricting roadshow continues tonight as it makes a stop in Lafayette with a meeting that will take place at U-L’s student union. There’s a chance for severe weather tomorrow as a strong cold front moves through and the Saints won last night in Seattle beating the Seahawks 13-10 to improve to 4-and-2.

The teacher shortage in Louisiana is continuing to worsen because there are fewer education students at higher ed institutions 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.
Cut 10 (10) “…of six years.”
As an example, the number of students in the LSU School of Education has plummeted by 57 percent over the past decade.

Governor John Bel Edwards is leaving the country later this week to attend an international climate change conference. Edwards says he’s a supporter of the state’s oil and gas industry, but that workforce could begin the transition to clean energy manufacturing, ranging from solar projects to wind farms…
cut 15 (08) “….Block Island wind far”
The governor’s economic development team and coastal policy advisors will also join the governor on the trip to Glasgow.

Moderna has released data claiming its COVID vaccine is both safe and effective for children ages 6 to 11. Dr. Daniel Hsia (Shaw), who oversees a section of the Moderna trial in children at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center says Moderna is expected to seek emergency use authorization soon and the 50-microgram dosage used in kids is comparably effective.
Cut 7 (12) “… 100 micrograms.”

At 3 PM today Governor Edwards will announce whether the state’s indoor mask mandate should be lifted. Based on the latest coronavirus data, the four surge has subsided. Steven Procopio, Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council, says they are watching Department of Health data for any signs of a fifth surge…
cut 6 (10) “…hospitalications too”
The number of COVID patients in the hospitals continues to decline. It’s down to 332.

While there may be no shortage of students in the state’s classrooms, it’s a different story when it comes to someone to educate them. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

If you have a 337 or 504 area code you now have to dial all ten digits when calling locally. FCC Spokesperson Paloma Perez says it’s because those area codes have 988 exchanges which will be used in the future for a national suicide hotline.  Perez says the change is being implemented now so callers in the specified area codes will be in the habit of dialing all ten digits well before the July 2022 launch of the 988 national counseling phone line.

Cut 4 (06) “…noble cause.”

If you’re hoping for a drop in gas prices sometime soon, Triple-A’s Don Redman says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for now. The Louisiana average price of regular has climbed to three-15 a gallon. Redman says the higher gas prices not seen is seven years are being fueled by NO uptick in oil production by OPEC.

Cut 7 (10) “….more than anything.”  

More trailers are now occupied by those who’ve registered with the state’s new program to help those displaced by Hurricane Ida to remain on their property. Mike Steele is the spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut 9 (11) “…purchased.”

State Treasurer John Schroder will stop in Alexandria, Columbia, Monroe and Shreveport to promote the ten-million-dollar Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant Program. He says loggers are eligible for a one-time grant of up to 25-thousand dollars. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says the logging industry worked through the pandemic, but many mills were closed to help slow the spread…

Cut 14 (09) “..2019″ 

More trailers are now being occupied by Hurricane Ida victims who wish to remain on their property, but whose homes were badly damaged. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness is overseeing the temporary housing program, and spokesman Mike Steele says it’s the first time the state has been involved with emergency housing, because FEMA wouldn’t have been able to get anyone into a trailer until well into November…:

CUT 11(11)      “…on a daily basis.”

Louisiana loggers need to know, if their business was hurt by the COVID pandemic, there’s disaster assistance available. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says the money is for master loggers who have experienced recent revenue losses…:

CUT 13(12)      “…in their process”

He says call the LFA for details.

If you live in the 337 or 504 area code you now have to dial all ten digits when calling – even locally. FCC spokesperson Paloma Perez says it’s because those area codes have 988 exchanges which will be used in the future for a national suicide hotline…:

CUT 03(09)      “…intended for.”

Hoping to see some relief in the high prices at the fuel pump? Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards this Fall…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the immediate horizon.”

Redman says we’re now relying on OPEC for most of our crude oil and they’re inflating prices with low levels of production.

Governor Edwards’ mask mandate expires tomorrow, but will he extend it? COVID numbers ARE trending downward. The Governor’s press event is at 3 pm tomorrow.

If you’re hoping to see gasoline prices go back down anytime soon, prepare for a disappointment. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the inflated fuels costs aren’t due to a lack of product available…:

CUT 08  (07)        “…of crude oil.”
He says production from OPEC and the price they charge is behind the spikes. He expects no reversal in the near future.

When we talk about professions negatively impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes, we rarely mention loggers. State Treasurer John Schroder says he’ll make stops in Alexandria, Columbia, Monroe & Shreveport to promote a Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant program. Schroder says it’s a one-time grant of up to $25-thousand, but so far only a little over a million has been handed out…:

CUT 12  (11)        “…any taxes on it.”

Loggers who need more information should go to the State Treasurer’s website.

More families are now in travel trailers after being displaced by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more on the new state program intended to speed up the process…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

With all the pandemic–related shortages and delivery delays we’re experiencing, experts warn of one that will really sting: a liquor shortage. A great deal of the booze we enjoy comes in via cargo ships and we all heard what’s going on there. Container ships are waiting in line to get into ports on the west coast as well as in Louisiana.

More trailers are now being occupied by Hurricane Ida victims who’ve registered with the state’s new temporary housing assistance program. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says there are a lot of moving parts to the program that need to be addressed…:

CUT 10(11)      “…type of RV park.”

If you need a temporary home, go to “IdaShelteringLA.com” to find out how.

Folks living in the Louisiana area codes 337 and 504 had to begin ten-digit dialing yesterday; even for local calls. This change was necessary to accommodate the national suicide and mental health crisis hotline, which will be reached by dialing 9-8-8. There are local numbers in those two areas that begin with 988, so the area code is now necessary to avoid misdials. FCC spokesperson Paloma Perez says you can reach the hotline now, but dialing 800-273-TALK, but…:

CUT 05(08)      ”…mental health crisis.”

Gas prices across Louisiana keep moving higher with no indication they are about to reverse course. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brannen”

The trial of former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain got underway today. Strain is accused of sexually abusing a number of juveniles before and during his 20-year stint as sheriff. The 58-year-old Strain was indicted more than two years ago on 4 counts of aggravated rape, 2 counts of aggravated incest, and 1 count each of sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

If you have a 337 or 504 area code beginning today, you have to dial all ten digits when calling locally. FCC Spokesperson Paloma Perez says the change is being implemented now so callers in those area codes will be in the habit of dialing all ten digits well before the July launch next year of the 988 national counseling phone line.

Cut 4 (06) “…noble cause.”

Next year 988 will act like 911 and put callers in direct contact with a mental health crisis hotline

Gas prices continue to increase, AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the higher gas prices not seen is seven years are being fueled by no uptick in oil production by OPEC.

Cut 7 (10) “….more than anything.”  

The average price for regular gas in Louisiana has climbed to $3.15 a gallon.

More trailers are now occupied by those who’ve registered with the state’s new program to help those displaced by Hurricane Ida to remain on their property. Mike Steele is the spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut 9 (12) “…purchased.”

In addition to processing registrations, Steele says the newly formed IdaShelteringLA.com program is purchasing trailers and performing site inspections where the trailers will be placed.

Since the Angola Rodeo had to be canceled this year, the Louisiana Penitentiary is hosting an Arts and Crafts show December 4^th instead and tickets go on sale today. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says this is the perfect opportunity to do your holiday shopping locally and be sure you have plenty of space in your vehicle.

Cut 15 (08)  “…the make.”