State health officials report a sixth child has died from COVID-19 during the state’s fourth surge. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

The state reports 2,182 new COVID-19 cases today. Hospitalizations stand at 1,367 that’s a decrease of 64 from the previous day, and 251 of those patients require ventilators.

As south Louisiana works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida nearly three weeks ago, State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he will act should an insurance carrier refuse to pay 14-days of evacuation expenses related to Ida.

Cut 5 (12) “…this crisis situation.”

Houma Police are mourning the loss of 21-year-old cadet Austin Bush who was killed in a single-car crash Thursday morning after his car struck a log and ended up in a drainage basin and became fully submerged. Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman it’s been challenging with the hurricane and now the death of a young officer is even more difficult.

Cut 7 (11) “…through it.”  

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there’s a major issue the state is still dealing with. He says some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses to policyholders if there was not an official evacuation order in place. He says he has the power to override an insurer’s refusal to provide such coverage during a declared emergency such as that ordered by the governor.

Cut 4  (10) “…contracts that exist.” 

Houma Police are mourning the loss of one their own. 21-year old Austin Bush was killed in a single-vehicle crash Thursday morning after his car struck a log and ended up in a drainage basin and became fully submerged. Police Chief Dana Coleman fondly recalls Bush’s goal to serve the public when he interviewed for the job.

Cut 6 (06) “…his community.” 

Coleman says Bush was just weeks away from completing the cadet academy.

Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder has some harsh words for FEMA and their lengthy delay in reimbursement for school construction in Calcasieu Parish due to hurricanes Laura and Delta. Schroder says the delay has forced the state bond commission to approve an emergency request for $50-million to help the school system resume construction.

Cut  11 (09)  “…with FEMA.”  

Schroder says FEMA has only remitted $116 thousand of the Calcasieu Parish School Board’s nearly $300-million in reimbursement requests.

LSU is a 20 point favorite tomorrow night when they host Central Michigan. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron is not expecting an easy game. He says the Chippewas have run the ball well in their two games this season

Cut 9 (11) “…Nichols” 

As south Louisiana works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida nearly three weeks ago, State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says there’s a major issue the state is still dealing with. He says some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses to policyholders if there was not an official evacuation order in place.

Cut 3 (11) “..the present time”

More than a dozen students are facing charges following a fight at Southwood High School at mid-afternoon Thursday.  Caddo Parish Sheriff Steve Prator says Nine deputies responded to the scene. Fourteen male students were arrested, all accused of disturbing the peace.  One student is charged with battery of a school teacher for punching the assistant school principal during the melee. Another was pepper-sprayed and hand-cuffed for resisting arrest and making threatening statements. He’ll be charged with resisting an officer.

The mass evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to an overcrowded warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish renews calls to revise evacuation plans and oversight. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business shows more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says 86-percent of NFIB members surveyed feel their supply chain issues – and the challenges to making a profit – could continue for another five months or more.

Cut 15 (09)  “…originally started.”

Over 25-percent of NFIB members report significant staffing shortages and losses of sales opportunities due to supply issues.

A Houma patrol officer was killed in a single-car crash Thursday morning. State Police say 21-year old Austin Bush was traveling west on Highway 648 in a full-marked Houma Police vehicle. Investigators say the car hit a log and wound up in a drainage basin and was submerged underwater. Bush was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. The crash is under investigation.

The FDA advisory panel is meeting right now to decide the fate of COVID vaccine booster shots.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

The destruction left behind by Hurricane Ida and the heavy rainfall from Nicholas is creating an excellent breeding ground for mosquitos. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the ongoing surge in mosquitos will lead to other problems…

Cut 8 (10) “…and reptiles.”
Strain is advising horse owners to make sure they are vaccinated and if you haven’t boosted your horse within six months you need to do so.

A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says member businesses believe there’s little hope of improvement anytime soon.

Cut 13 (10) “…with the holidays”

At this hour a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel is debating whether a booster shot is needed for those who received the COVID Pfizer vaccine. Director of Community Testing and Vaccines for LSU Health Shreveport Doctor John Vanchiere says the data shows that for people over the age of 65 their immunity begins to wane six to eight months after they complete the second shot of the vaccine…
cut 6 (10) “…in the community”
The FDA has been mostly neutral on the need for boosters.

Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is asking the public to do its part to keep the mosquito population down…
cut 9 (07) “….containers”
Strain says rains from Nicholas and destruction left behind by Ida is creating a nice breeding ground for mosquitos.

A survey finds that nearly half of all small business owners are facing supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. NFIB state director Dawn McVea on what they mean by supply chain disruptions…
cut 14 (11) “….the supply chain”
McVea says the situation is worse than it was three months ago and there is a concern it could last for at least another five months.

Louisiana AARP is ready to discuss nursing home evacuation plans with state lawmakers during next year’s legislative session. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says a review of current laws are needed after 800 residents were sent to a single facility in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida. Muhl says there should also be reporting requirements to family members…
cut 12 (07) “…be avoided”

Small business owners report the COVID pandemic is making it hard for them to get needed inventory and make a profit. More from Kevin Gallagher.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

The National Transportation Safety Board believes an issue with the propellers led to the fatal plane crash that killed sports reporter Carley McCord and four others in Lafayette in 2019. An NTSB report says the propellers were not rotating as they should have been and there was an abnormal drag on the small plane.

The next legislative session is six months away and a topic that will surely be addressed is nursing home evacuation plans. Nursing homes are required to submit an evacuation plan to the Louisiana Department of Health every year, but there’s frustration over the decision to send over 800 nursing home patients to a single facility in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says they want to be part of the discussion…
cut 11 (06) “….involved in”

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain is advising owners of horses to make sure their animals are protected from mosquito-borne illnesses like eastern and western encephalitis. Strain says Hurricane Ida and rains from Nicholas are helping to boost the mosquito population…
cut 7 (08) “…in the environment”
Strain is asking homeowners to make sure they don’t have any standing water on their property.

An FDA advisory panel meets today to debate whether it’s necessary to administer a COVID vaccine Pfizer booster shot. LSU Health Shreveport’s Doctor John Vanchiere, was the principal investigator of the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial in north Louisiana…
cut 5 (12) “…those subgroups”
Vanchiere says the data shows that for people over the age of 65 their immunity begins to wane six to eight months after they complete the second shot of the vaccine.

An NFIB survey finds half of small businesses are impacted by supply chain disruptions. NFIB state director Dawn McVea says inventory issues began when the COVID pandemic arrived and small business owners say the issue has gotten worse and could continue for at least another five months…
cut 15 (09) “….originally started”

Since Hurricane Katrina, nursing homes are required to report their evacuation plans annually to the Louisiana Department of Health. But AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the decision to evacuate over 800 nursing home residents to a warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida was a complete failure of oversite, enforcement, and planning.
Cut 10 (09) “… a few weeks ago.”
Muhl says nursing home evacuation plans will be revisited in next year’s legislative session and AARP wants to be part of the discussion.

The destruction left behind by Hurricane Ida and the heavy rainfall from Nicholas is creating an excellent breeding ground for mosquitos. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the ongoing surge in mosquitos will lead to other problems…
cut 8 (10) “…and reptiles”
Strain is advising owners to make sure their horses are vaccinated and if you haven’t boosted your horse within six months you need to booster them with a multi-valent for eastern, western and West Nile.

A Food and Drug Administration advisory committee meets today to debate the idea of a third booster shot being needed for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. LSU Health Shreveport’s Dr. John Vanchiere, oversaw the clinical trial of the Pfizer vaccine in north Louisiana and says the agency has much to consider from the data collected thus far.
Cut 4 (11) “…being looked at.”
The CDC will have the final say on who should get a third shot and when.

A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says member businesses believe there’s little hope of improvement anytime soon.
Cut 13 (10) “…with the holidays”

The mass evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to an overcrowded warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish renews calls to revise evacuation plans and oversight. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The FDA may or may not decide the fate of booster shots to battle Covid-19.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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The mass evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to an overcrowded warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish renews calls to revise evacuation plans and oversight. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

Small business owners across Louisiana report the COVID pandemic is making it hard for them to get needed inventory and make a profit. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

___________________________________________

The Food and Drug Administration meets today to discuss the idea of a third booster shot being needed for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Dr. John Vanchiere, LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics, says the agency has much to consider from the data collected thus far.

Cut 4 (11) “…being looked at.”

The FDA meeting today may or may not lead to an immediate decision on the necessity for a third shot. Vanchiere was the principal investigator of the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial in north Louisiana.

Cut 5 (12) “…those subgroups.”

Vanchiere says the additional booster could have significant consequences.

Cut 6 (07) “…in the community.”

But, thus far the FDA has been mostly neutral on the need for boosters, even though the Biden administration expects to launch a campaign next week favoring the additional shot.

________________________________________

Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain says concerns about encephalitis and West Nile virus are up given the pre-Ida rainfall, as well as the rains and ponding of water from the storm itself.

Cut 7 (08) “..in the environment.”

Strain says there’s been a two-fold increase in the number of horses getting sick with Equine encephalitis.

Strain says the ongoing surge in mosquitoes will lead to other problems.

Cut 8 (10) “…and reptiles.”

Strain says the various hosts can allow mosquitoes to spread the virus to horses and humans.

Cut 9 (06)  “…can bite pets.”

Strain is advising owners to make sure their horses are vaccinated and if you haven’t boosted your horse within six months you need to booster them with a multi-valent for eastern, western and West Nile. He says people need to do what they can to avoid contact with mosquitoes, cleaning out anything that may be holding water on your property.

____________________________________________

Since Katrina, nursing homes are required to report their evacuation plans annually to the department of health. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says but what happened in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida was a complete failure of oversite, enforcement, and planning.

Cut 10 (09) “… a few weeks ago.” 

Muhl believes nursing home evacuation plans will be revisited in the next legislative session which begins in March and AARP wants to be part of the discussion.

Cut 11 (06) “…involved in.”

The evacuation of the more than 800 patients also brought to light the lack of communication between the nursing homes and emergency contacts for the residents. Once the state began removing patients, family members had to call 2-1-1 to locate their loved ones. Muhl says this is another critical issue that plans should address the notification of next of kin.

Cut 12 (07) “…be avoided.”

Seven patients that were part of the mass evacuation died.

______________________

A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business shows more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says member businesses complain they cannot get sufficient supplies of goods to sell, and there’s little hope of improvement anytime soon.

Cut 13 (10) “…with the holidays”

The NFIB survey looks at staffing shortages, levels of sales, and more during the pandemic, which has gone on for over 18 months. Over half of businesses surveyed say the situation is worse than it was 3 months ago. McVea explains what they mean by “supply chain disruptions.”

Cut 14 (11)  “…the supply chain.”

McVea says 86-percent of NFIB members surveyed feel their supply chain issues – and the challenges to making a profit – could continue for another five months or more.

Cut 15 (09)  “…originally started.”

Over 25-percent of NFIB members report significant staffing shortages and losses of sales opportunities due to supply issues.

_______________________________________

Louisiana Tech will welcome one of its former head coaches to Ruston on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Sonny Dykes and the SMU Mustangs. Dykes coached La Tech from 2010 to 2012 and left for California. He got the head coaching job at SMU in 2018 and Tech head coach Skip Holtz believes this is his best team…

Cut  16 (22) “…feet.”

Tech is 1-and-1 on the season after barely getting past Southeastern Louisiana. The Mustangs are 2-and-0 and they are a 13 point favorite. Holtz wants to see his team play with a chip on its shoulder…

Cut 17 (21) “…cylinders”  

SMU Quarterback Tanner Mordecai has thrown 11 touchdown passes in two games. Holtz says he’s also an excellent runner…

Cut 18 (22)”…pass rush lanes.”

___________________________________________

The Saints will look to start the season with a 2-0 record when they take on Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers also won their opening game as they defeated the Jets 19-14. New Orleans Jameis Winston says Carolina has two excellent edge rushers in Haason Reddick and Brian Burns…

Cut 19 (17)  “…good corners.” 

Carolina’s defense recorded six sacks in the win over the Jets. Winston is coming off a game where he threw five touchdown passes. The New Orleans Q-B says everyone played well…

Cut 20 (19)  “…offense” 

The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says the vaccination rate among employees has increased to 81-percent since their announcement of mandatory vaccinations. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29^th. Thomas supports the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.

Cut 8 (11) “…folks safe.”

The state reports over 16-hundred new COVID-19 cases today; the lowest daily case count since July 20^th. Hospitalizations have dropped to just over 1400. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart credits the wearing of masks and the recent increase in vaccinations.

Cut 12 (10) “…into place.”  

Today is Governor John Bel Edwards’ 55th birthday and he has nearly two and half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was asked about running for President or Senate against Republican John Kennedy and the governor responded that he doesn’t see a presidential or a Senate campaign in his future.

Cut 10 (09)    Roseland.” 

The movie “Heart of a Lion” based on the life of boxer George Foreman will now be shot in Shreveport rather than New Orleans because of Ida.  Sony line producer, Wendy Williams, says the film will likely be shot in two blocks.

Cut 4  (09) “…greater Shreveport area.” 

Williams says the film starring Khris Davis will reflect on Foreman’s life from the time he was 11 until he was 45.