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 and the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29^th…:

CUT 06             (11)      “…leave Ochsner”

Some feel mandating vaccines could lead to staffing shortages when medical facilities need them worst.

Happy Birthday Governor John Bel Edwards, who turns 55 today. The 56^th Governor of Louisiana says after his term is over he’ll return to private life, and NO he doesn’t see himself running for the White House…:

CUT 09             (09)      “…with that”

State health officials report just over 1600 new cases of coronavirus; the lowest daily number since mid-July. Why is that? Ochsner Chief medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart feels the 4^th surge and the emergence of the Delta variant made a lot more people want the vaccine…:

CUT 13            (07)      “…caution”

Hospitalizations from COVID are at 1431. A great number of those are un-vaccinated.

A movie first set to be filmed in New Orleans has been relocated to Shreveport, due to the destruction of Hurricane Ida. Sony Line Producer, Wendy Williams, says “Heart of a Lion” follows the life of boxer George Foreman….:

CUT 03             (06)      “…until he’s 45”

The film will employ well over a thousand extras and other local jobs in Shreveport.

State health officials report the lowest daily count of new COVID cases since mid-July. 1663 new cases, with hospitalizations having dropped statewide to 1431. Dr. Robert Hart is Chief Medical Officer for Ochsner says the emergence of the Delta variant – which was the cause of the 4^th surge – reminded us to mask up and maintain distance from others…:

CUT 14  (12)        “larger settings”

Ochsner Health has mandated its employees to get vaccinated or file for an exemption and undergo frequent testing. The company has hit about 81-percent compliance, but the deadline is coming at the end of October. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the mandate is necessary to protect both patients and employees…:

CUT 07  (08)        “…our patients”

A movie that was set to be filmed in New Orleans, has moved production to Shreveport thanks to Hurricane Ida. Sony Films line producer Wendy Williams says more than 1500 local jobs will be created…:

CUT 05  (06)        “…number of extras”

The film is “Heart of a Lion”; the story of pro boxer George Foreman. The devastation of Hurricane Ida made it impossible to begin filming on schedule in the Crescent City. Sony expects to spend millions in Shreveport during production.

A former employee at the Wal-Mart – reportedly the one in Carencro – has gone viral with a video of her quitting her job … over the storewide public address system. The Not Suitable for Work video contains some salty language as Beth McGrath calls her store manager a pervert, shames two other managers for turning a blind eye and accuses the company of being a terrible place to work; with heartless labor practices and pay. So far no official comment from Wal-Mart.

Ochsner Health says it now has 81-percent of its employees vaccinated against COVID, but the deadline to reach total vaccination is looming. Here’s Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02  (32)        “…Thorington”

State Police report a Houma city policeman was killed this morning in a Terrebonne Parish car crash. Troop C says 21-year-old Officer Austin Bush was driving his police unit on State Highway 648, when he hit a roadside log and careened into a ditch filled with water. The crash is under investigation.

Happy Birthday to Governor John Bel Edwards, who turns 55 today. When asked about the milestone during his monthly “Ask the Governor” statewide radio show, Mr. Edwards said he plans to continue to serve the state once his term ends in 2023… but not in politics…:

CUT 11  (11)        “…as well”

COVID-19. The state reports over 1600 new cases this week; the lowest weekly new case count since mid-July. 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 places”

Just under about half of the state’s people have been vaccinated.

COVID hospitalizations have decreased by 90 to 1,431, it’s the lowest since July 26^th. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart credits the mask mandate for the decreases and an increase in vaccinations. Hart says as bad as the fourth surge has been he believes it made several who were unvaccinated rethink and get the shot.

Cut 13 (07) “…caution.”

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.” 

A film once destined to be shot in New Orleans is being moved to Shreveport because of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Dave Brannen.” 

The state reports 1,663 new COVID cases which is the lowest new daily case count since July 20^th. COVID fatalities increased by 48 for a total of 13,366.

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 and the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29^th.

Cut 6 (11) “…leave Ochsner.” 

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, of “Detroit” and “Judas and the Black Messiah” fame, will reflect on Foreman’s life from the time he was 11 until he was 45.  Fifteen hundred extras will be hired locally in Shreveport to take part in the movie.

Today is Governor John Bel Edwards 55th birthday. The state’s 56th governor has nearly two and a half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was quizzed about running for President one day. The governor says he doesn’t see a presidential campaign in his future

Cut 9 (09) “…with that” 

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard, in the four-week period ending August 22ⁿ resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand from the previous four-week period. The organization’s Andrew Muhl says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana is 83-percent and, 48-percent for staff as of August 22^nd.

Cut 14 (10)  “…vaccination rates.”

78 LSU students have yet to comply with the school’s new COVID policy of showing proof of vaccination or agree to regular testing for the virus. Failure to do so could result in expulsion. LSU President William Tate says he’s hopeful that the remaining students will comply.

Cut 9 (12) “…we have.”

Over the summer Tate indicated that once the vaccine was approved by the FDA on-campus students would be required to be vaccinated or agree to regular testing.

A movie that was set to be filmed in New Orleans has moved to Shreveport due to Hurricane Ida. Sony Line Producer, Wendy Williams, says “Heart of a Lion” follows the life of boxer George Foreman.

Cut 3 (06) “…until he’s 45″

She says that will cover a period from the late 50s to the mid-80s.  About 15-hundred extras will be hired locally for the movie shoot.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports his new Commander of State Police, while federal authorities investigate the cover-up of the 2019 fatal arrest of motorist Ronald Greene. LSP Colonel Lamar Davis announced tough new policies last week, and the Governor says he approves.

Cut 10 (07) “…be a state trooper.” 

AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22^nd resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand from the previous four-week period and deaths went from 3 to 49. And because the recording period ended several days before Hurricane Ida AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says they are worried numbers could increase due to the evacuations of several nursing homes.

Cut 15 (06)  “…concerned about it”

LSU President William Tate met with the Biden Administration yesterday and briefed the President on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation. 

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Covid hospitalizations are continuing a slow downward spiral in Louisiana. As of yesterday, they were down more than 90 to just over 15-hundred.  It’s been 16 days since an increase in the number of Covid-related hospitalizations in the Bayou. State health officials are reporting more than 23-hundred new cases of Covid-19 across Louisiana and 77 new deaths.

Researchers at Tulane University have developed an inhaled vaccine against bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Jay Kolls, a corresponding author of the study, says the medication may help curb a disturbing death toll.  Kolls says the inhaled vaccine, whether in liquid or powder form, would offer a double-pronged attack against bacterial pneumonia.

Cut 6 (08) “…a T-cell response.”

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22ⁿ resident COVID-19 cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand.  Deaths climbed to 49. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy, Andrew Muhl, says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana is 83-percent, and for staff it’s 48-percent as of August 22^nd.

Cut 14 (10)  “…vaccination rates.”

During his monthly radio show, Governor John Bel Edwards was asked about the State Police custody death of Ronald Greene, which is under federal investigation. Body camera video shows several State Troopers punching and tasing Greene before he died. Edwards is troubled by the video…
cut 12 (11) “…really criminal”
Edwards says he has confidence that Colonel Lamar Davis’ new policies will prevent future incidents of excessive force arrests.

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22nd, resident COVID cases and deaths increased dramatically. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the numbers mirror that of the state during the same time period.
Cut 13 (12) “…this year.”

You may someday have an alternative way to getting protected against bacterial pneumonia. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

The remnants of Nicholas could produce scattered showers and thunderstorms across the state today. The National Weather Service says Lake Charles has received 62 inches of rain this year, which surpasses the average annual accumulation of nearly 60 inches. We still have 3.5 months left to go in this year.

Governor Edwards addresses the State Police scandal in which a man’s death during his arrest was covered up for two years. Kevin Gallagher reports.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Baton Rouge native Haley Arceneaux was successfully launched into space last night in the first-ever all-civilian space flight. The 29-year-old Arceneaux who battled cancer as a child is in space with three others, where they are conducting experiments. Arceneaux is also the youngest American to ever go into space. The mission will last three days.

LSU President William Tate met with President Joe Biden to discuss the school’s vaccination requirement and COVID testing procedures. Tate says it has resulted in more than 81-percent of students showing proof of vaccination…
cut 8 (11) “….at the top”
LSU says there are 78 students who are not in compliance with their vaccination and testing protocols and they face expulsion.

Tulane researchers say they’ve developed an inhaled vaccine that can provide protection against bacterial pneumonia, which is found in hospital settings. Researcher Doctor Jay Kolls says their studies show this vaccine has been successful in mice…
cut 5 (09) “…bacteria”
Kolls says more studies are needed before it can be used on humans.

LSU President William Tate met with President Biden to discuss the university’s COVID protocols. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU has fallen 19 spots in a U-S News and World Report that ranks the nation’s universities. LSU ranks 172nd nationally and 13th in the SEC. Only Mississippi State ranked lower among SEC schools. President William Tate says LSU’s overall rank fell largely because of financial and faculty resources.

Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports his new Commander of State Police, while federal authorities investigate the death of motorist Ronald Greene, who died while in police custody after he was beaten by several troopers following a police chase. LSP Colonel Lamar Davis announced tough new policies last week, and the Governor says he approves.
Cut 10 (07) “…be a state trooper.”
Edwards called the actions by State Troopers who arrested Greene as criminal.

Researchers at Tulane University believe they have developed an inhaled vaccine against bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Jay Kolls, a corresponding author of the study, says the medication may help curb a disturbing death toll.
Cut 4 (11) “…the United States.”
Kolls says the vaccine has been shown to protect mice from bacterial pneumonia and more studies are needed.