Drugmaker Merck says it’s produced a pill that can help keep people sick with COVID-19 out of the hospital. Dave Brannen has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Ochsner Health has informed its employees they will be charged a fee if their spouse or domestic partner is on the system’s health insurance and not vaccinated against COVID-19. The hospital system says the fee is similar to what’s in place for tobacco users.

The National Restaurant Association says over half of the restaurant operators they surveyed say business conditions are worse than three months ago. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says restaurants continue to battle a lot of negative factors…
cut 12 (11) “….lot of stress”
63-percent of operators say their sales volume in August was lower than it was in August 2019.

It’s that time of year where getting a flu shot should be on your to-do list. Doctor Frank Welch with the Louisiana Department of Health says flu shots are needed every year to minimize the chances of catching the flu, transmitting it to others, or getting very sick if you do catch it. He says the reason for an annual shot is that the flu virus frequently mutates…
Cut 5 (05) “…best protection.”

Flood insurance rates are going up, starting with new policies this month and then on April first for policies that are renewed. It’s estimated that 80-percent of flood insurance policies in Louisiana will see increases. Senator Bill Cassidy says some will see a 100-percent flood insurance rate hike, which he says will lead to many dropping their flood insurance coverage. He says it’s the law of diminishing returns…
cut 14 (07) “….becomes non-sustainable”
Louisiana’s Congressional delegation lobbied the White House to delay the flood insurance premium hikes, but it didn’t produce any results.

Health officials are once again encouraging everyone to get their flu shot, even though the state reported very few cases last flu season. Doctor Frank Welch with the Louisiana Department of Health says in a normal year thousands can die from common influenza, and some groups are more susceptible to the virus than others…
cut 6 (09) “….diabetes obseity”
Welch says pregnant women are especially at risk from flu.

Owning a restaurant in Louisiana that’s been slammed by hurricanes and a continuing Covid pandemic is a tough go as Dave Brannen reports.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The Powerball jackpot for tonight is up to 670-million dollars, one of the largest jackpots in the lottery’s history. The drawing is at 10 PM and you can buy tickets until 9:00. No one has hit the jackpot since the first week of June.

The Saints had not lost a game in October since 2016 until yesterday when they fell to the Giants 27-21 in O-T to drop New Orleans’ record to 2-2.

LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Infectious Diseases Doctor Julio Figueroa says Merck’s clinical trial of an experimental pill that can treat individuals who are infected with COVID is encouraging news. Figueroa says it works like Tamiflu, as the patient takes eight pills a day for five consecutive days…
cut 9 (07) “….that’s substantial”
Merck is expected to ask the FDA for emergency use authorization soon.

The pandemic and COVID mitigation efforts are still making it tough on restaurant owners. Stan Harris heads the Louisiana Restaurant Association…
cut 11 (08) “…more profitable”
Harris says 78-percent of operators also say their restaurant doesn’t have enough employees and 91-percent say they are paying more for food.

The COVID vaccines are getting all the headlines, but state health officials say do not forget about getting your annual flu shot. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Tough weekend for Saints and LSU fans. The Saints lost their first football game in October since 2016 when they lost to the Giants in overtime and the Tigers suffered their first home defeat to Auburn since 1999.

For the first time in over 45 years, food stamp recipients will see a sharp increase in funds on their EBT cards to help purchase healthier foods. DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says this is great news for the 400-thousand households in Louisiana who receive SNAP benefits…
CUT 08 (06) “…food options.”
Overall in Louisiana, the average monthly food stamp benefit increase will be 12 to 20-dollars per person.

Someone could win tonight’s 635-million dollar Powerball jackpot. The tenth-largest lottery jackpot in U-S history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says as the jackpot grows, more players get involved…
cut 16 (12) “…as well”

Drugmaker Merck says it’s produced a pill that can help keep people sick with COVID-19 out of the hospital. Dave Brannen has more.
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Last night in high school football, Neville beat West Monroe 27-7, It’s the Tigers’ first win over the Rebels since 1995. St. Thomas More Quarterback and LSU commitment Walker Howard was injured in a 51-27 loss to Ruston. Tonight at Tiger Stadium, LSU welcomes 22nd ranked Auburn.

The number of children who have died from COVID has increased to 17 as the state health department reports a child between the ages of 0 and four years old died from the virus. It’s the eighth pediatric death during this fourth surge.

In an effort to boost the state’s vaccination rate, Louisiana has expanded its shot for 100-dollar campaign to anyone who gets their first COVID shot in the month of October.
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Don Molino”

Congress this past week finally approved a funding bill that will send 28 billion dollars to states that suffered natural disasters in 2020. It remains to be seen the exact dollar amount Louisiana will receive, but Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is not optimistic that the recovery needs after hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta will ever be met…
Cut 4 (09) “…a year ago.”
Hunter says most of the money that comes to Louisiana will help hurricane victims pay for repairs to their homes.

Nothing official from Auburn, but Tigers Coach Ed Orgeron believes the War Eagles will starts former LSU QB T-J Finley tonight when the SEC West rivals meet in Tiger Stadium. Orgeron has nothing but respect for TJ….
Cut 14 (14) “…we compete” (2x)
Kick-off is at 8 PM.

Louisiana is expanding the Shot for 100 Campaign. Kim Hood, Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, says during October, un-vaccinated individuals will receive a 100-dollar Visa gift card after receiving their first COVID vaccine shot, but you MUST get it at participating community-based sites listed at “shotfor100.com”…
CUT 10(11) “…first dose”
Again that website is “shotfor100.com”

The jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing is the 10th largest in U-S history. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says the top prize is an estimated 635-million dollars with a cash value of 450-million dollars. Chopin says it’s been nearly four months since someone won the Powerball grand prize
Cut 15 (06) “…summer long”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is thankful the state will get some of the 28-billion-dollars in disaster relief funding approved by Congress, but says it falls far short of what southwest Louisiana needs…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The U-S House failed this past week to pass a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill as the votes are not there. Republican Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves says an infrastructure bill must actually address traffic problems, improve broadband access and flood protection.

You won’t find Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter satisfied with the supplemental disaster relief bill signed into law yesterday.  That’s because only a small fraction of the 28.6-billion dollars earmarked for disaster recovery nationwide will ever make it to Louisiana. Mayor Hunter appears disheartened by the lack of attention the feds have paid to the destruction and misery his town and southwest Louisiana have gone through since last year.

Cut 5 (12) “…on our side.”

Louisiana food stamp recipients are receiving a historic increase in their monthly benefits of about 36-dollars a month per person. That word comes from Shavana Howard, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support. Howard says upping the monthly maximum for SNAP benefits will give recipients a better shot at affording the cost of a healthy diet and dealing with higher food prices overall.

Cut 7 (08) “…cost more money”  

Louisiana is expanding the Shot for 100 Campaign. Kim Hood, Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, says during October, unvaccinated individuals will receive a 100-dollar Visa gift card after receiving their first COVID vaccine shot.

Cut 9 (07) “…you like.” 

This limited-time offer for the general public will end on October 30th.

More than 90-thousand fans are expected in Death Valley as LSU plays a home game against Auburn at 8 Saturday night. Former LSU Tiger TJ Finley started five games as quarterback for the team last year before transferring to Auburn and could start as quarterback for the Alabama team. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says he has nothing but respect for Finley

Cut 14   we compete.  (2x)

Though Louisiana is set to get billions for disaster relief from the bill signed into law yesterday, you won’t see Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter celebrating. His city is still struggling to rebuild after a double wallop from Hurricanes Laura and Delta last year. He says Louisiana’s share of the $28.6-billion package will be small and Lake Charles’ share of that will be a pittance…:

CUT 05(12)      “…on our side”

For the first time in over 40 years, an increase in federal funding for food stamp programs will mean a boost for EBT card holders in Louisiana. Shavana Howard, with DCFS (who administer the program) says the increase will help out a lot of people…:

CUT 08(08)      “…age of 18.”

The bump will mean an average family of three would get about $658 a month for food expenses.

Louisiana has expanded its shot for 100-dollar campaign to anyone who gets a COVID shot in the month of October. Don Molino has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Molino”

The town of Bastrop’s Chief of Police has been demoted. The local civil service board voted to bust Chief Carl Givens to captain, after finding his conduct during a dispute with a neighbor unbecoming an officer. Givens reportedly brandished a gun and fired shots into the air. Bastrop is now seeking a new Chief. Givens’ lawyer intends to appeal.

Louisiana food stamp recipients are receiving an historic increase in their monthly benefits. Shavana Howard, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support, says that would push the maximum payout for a family of three to 658-dollars a month. She says this will give recipients a better shot at keeping abreast of inflationary price increases…:

CUT 07(08)      “…cost more money”

Louisiana is expanding the Shot for 100 Campaign. Kim Hood, Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, says during October, un-vaccinated individuals will receive a 100-dollar Visa gift card after receiving their first COVID vaccine shot, but you MUST get it at participating community-based sites listed at “shotfor100.com”…

CUT 10(11)      “…first dose”

Again that website is “shotfor100.com”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is thankful the state will get some of the 28-billion-dollars in disaster relief funding approved by Congress, but says it falls far short of what southwest Louisiana needs. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(31)      “…Brannen”

So are the New Orleans Pelicans NBA team for sale? Or aren’t they? Rumors abound and Pelicans and Saints owner Gayle Benson says there have certainly been offers to purchase the team, but she says (quote) “There is no way. As long as I’m going to be alive that I would sell the Pelicans.” Good news for fans and the New Orleans Smoothie King Arena.

Louisiana food stamp recipients are receiving an historic increase in their monthly benefits. That word comes from Shavana Howard, DCFS Assistant Secretary for Family Support.

Cut 6 (07) “…dollars per person.” 

Howard says that would push the maximum SNAP payout for a family of three to 658-dollars a month. The increase is the first cost adjustment by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to its Thrifty Food Plan in 45 years.

Louisiana is expanding the Shot for 100 Campaign. Assistant Secretary for the state Office of Public Health, Kim Hood says during October, unvaccinated individuals will receive a 100-dollar Visa gift card after receiving their first COVID vaccine shot.

Cut 9 (07) “…you like.” 

This limited-time offer for people eligible to get the vaccine will end October 30th.

You won’t find Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter jumping for joy with the supplemental disaster relief bill signed into law yesterday.  That’s because only a small fraction of the 28.6-billion dollars earmarked for disaster recovery nationwide will ever make it to southwest Louisiana. Hunter is not optimistic that the recovery needs after hurricanes Laura, Delta and Zeta will ever be met as time marches on.

Cut 4 (09) “…a year ago.”

Congressman Clay Higgins says while voting for the supplemental disaster relief, he says it falls short of what the state needs from Washington.

Cut 11 (07) “…Louisiana back up.”

Meantime, Congressman Mike Johnson issued a statement says the disaster relief bill provides a down payment on disaster funding and the legislation was a “haphazard, last-minute attempt to keep the government funded.”