During his monthly radio show, Ask the Governor, Governor John Bel Edwards said he has complete confidence in the Superintendent of State Police, Colonel Lamar Davis. Last Friday, Davis held a press conference and discussed policy reforms L-S-P has implemented to reduce excessive force encounters with the public. Edwards calls the policy changes appropriate…
cut 11 (11) “…people of Louisiana”
State Police has come under fire for multiple cases of white troopers beating up black motorists during traffic stops. Edwards called the 2019 violent arrest of Ronald Greene criminal. Greene died in police custody and federal investigations into the case are ongoing.

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux is in space. The 29-year-old Arceneaux and three other citizens blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral last night. The crew will conduct scientific experiments during a three-day mission.

LSU President William Tate met with President Biden and the COVID Response team Tuesday afternoon and briefed them on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation and vaccination requirement. LSU was the only university that attended the meeting and Tate says the President was interested in how the school’s approach changed vaccination rates.
Cut 7 (11) “…and staff.”
The university says there are 78 students who face expulsion for not following the school’s COVID vaccination policy.

AARP’s nursing home dashboard found that COVID cases and deaths in nursing homes shot up dramatically in the four weeks leading up to Hurricane Ida. Several nursing homes were evacuated as a result of Ida and AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says fears the COVID numbers could worsen among nursing homes…
cut 15 (06) “….concerned about it”
AARP says they are hopeful more staff will be vaccinated once the national mandate for nursing home workers to be vaccinated goes into effect.

You may someday have an alternative way to getting protected against bacterial pneumonia.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

___________________________________

LSU President William Tate met with the Biden Administration Tuesday and briefed the President on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

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.” 

___________________________________________

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.

Cut 4 (11) “…the United States.”

Bacterial pneumonia is blamed for nearly eight thousand cases and 520 deaths each year nationwide and the inhaled vaccines protected mice against several strains of the illness.

Kolls says bacterial pneumonia runs more rampant than you might think.

Cut 5 (09) “…in the adulthood”

Kolls says the inhaled vaccine, whether a liquid or powder, would offer a double-pronged attack against bacterial pneumonia.

Cut 6 (08) “…a T-cell response.”

________________________________________

LSU President William Tate met with President Biden and the COVID Response team Tuesday afternoon and briefed them on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation and vaccination requirement.  LSU was the only university that attended the meeting and Tate says the President was interested in how the school’s approach changed vaccination rates.

Cut 7 (11) “…and staff.”

Tate says Biden was interested in how the school moved the needle when it came to vaccination rates and there’s a reason LSU was asked to attend the meeting.

Cut 8 (11) “…at the top.”

Now that the Pfizer vaccine has FDA approval students are required to submit proof of vaccination or agree to regular COVID testing. Tate says  78 students have yet to file paperwork but he’s hopeful the remainder will comply.

Cut 9 (12) “…we have.”

LSU was one of the first schools in the country to require either proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test to attend football games on campus.

____________________________________________

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.” 

Greene was stopped by Troopers on May 10, 2019, for failing to stop after a traffic violation and leading them on a high-speed chase. His family was told he died in a crash at the end of the chase. Bodycam video released just weeks ago shows Greene being tasered, punched, and dragged by troopers. Governor Edwards says policy changes made by Col. Davis were appropriate.

Cut 11 (11) “…people of Louisiana.”

LSP Lt. John Clary was accused of deliberately covering up Greene’s death by withholding his body cam footage, but Davis says doing so could compromise ongoing criminal cases. Though still a trooper, Clary has been removed from his prestigious spot on the LA Tech football on-field security detail. Davis HAS fired several troopers for use of excessive force. The Governor says he supports the firings.

Cut 12 (06) “…to have confidence.”  

______________________

According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22ⁿ resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases more than a thousand from the previous four-week period and deaths went from 3 to 49. 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.”

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.”

The national average vaccination rate among nursing home residents is 84-percent and staff is 64-percent.

The dashboard reporting period ended several days before Hurricane Ida made landfall and after a large evacuation among seven nursing home residents in southeast Louisiana, Muhl says they fear the COVID numbers could worsen among nursing homes.

Cut 15 (06)  “…concerned about it”

AARP says they are hopeful more staff will be vaccinated once the national mandate goes into effect.

_______________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns host Ohio tonight in a nationally televised game on ESPN. U-L Lafayette is 1-and-1 and the offense has yet to find its mid-season groove. Offensive lineman Shane Vallot says they’ve been working on communication issues…

Cut  16 (18) “…get fixed.”

Over 25-thousand fans were at U-L Lafayette home opener last Saturday. Coach Billy Napier hopes they’ll have a big crowd tonight…

Cut 17 (17) “…that care.”  

__________________________________________________

The Saints are getting ready to play the Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday. Stopping Carolina’s most dynamic player on offense Christian McCaffery is priority number one. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they are working on a game plan to defend McCaffery…

Cut 18 (15)”…uncomfortable.

The Saints are once again getting ready for this game in the Dallas area at T-C-U’s practice facility. Jordan says the team has it good compared to many hurricane victims…

Cut 19 (27)  “….this week.” 

 __________________________________________________

Cut 20 (21)  “…change it.” 

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program. He isn’t pleased that surrounding parishes that have most of their power back on appear to be at the head of the line when it comes to getting Blue Roof assistance.

Cut 4  (08) “…couple of days.” 

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says D-SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries due to lost income or damages related to Ida.

Cut 6 (11) “…you’re eligible.” 

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux beat bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport says Arceneaux now works as a PA at St. Jude. Ferrington says they are celebrating Arceneaux with a launch party at the school.

Cut  11 (12)  “…nervous.”  

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is charged with malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office

Cut 12 (12) “35-thousand dollars”  

Ida victims with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage because of a lack of Blue Roofs.  And, Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us he’s also upset in the slow movement of FEMA to set up temporary long-term housing like mobile homes in Lafourche to house residents as their storm-damaged homes are made habitable after Ida’s wrath.

Cut 5 (09) “…into the parish.”

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard residents who are interested should pre-register and then starting on Monday D-C-F-S agents will begin interviewing applicants to see if they are eligible. She says residents who live in the hardest-hit parishes will go through the interview process during the first full week of October…

Cut 8 (12) “..grocery store openings.”

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux is set to make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital where Arceneaux overcame bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport was one of Arceneaux’s instructors. He remembers when she applied to the Physician Assistant Program, and she realized then her potential.

Cut 10 (10)   anything.” 

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office and that she’s been taking money out of a drawer used for fines and fees since January 2020…..

Cut 13 (07)    little more”

Dollar was booked into the Caldwell Parish Jail.

Louisianans with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further weather damage. Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson says rains from Nicholas cause additional problems, and tarps that many home & business owners have so far used fall short of the FEMA Blue Roof Program standard…:

CUT 03                  (11)        “…growing out there”

Disaster food stamps – also called D-SNAP benefits – will soon be available for those hit hard by Hurricane Ida and in need of food. Shavana Howard, with the state Department of Children & Family Services, says online application for the food benefits will start Monday…:

CUT 07                  (08)        “…the disaster”

Here’s the URL: dcfs.la.gov/dsnap

29-year-old Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux makes history tonight as the youngest American ever launched into space. More from Brooke Thorington…:

CUT 02                  (32)        “…Thorington”

A Shreveport woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in an elder fraud scheme in east Texas. 45-year-old Monica Ruiz, pleaded guilty to wire fraud on March 24th and was sentenced Tuesday to 97 months in prison. Officials say she impersonated other people or used fake personas to convince people to send her money for made-up ailments. Over the course of the scheme, Ruiz obtained more than $4-million.

The federal government gives Louisiana approval to run a disaster food stamp program. More from LRN’s Jeff Palermo…:

CUT 01                  (32)        “…Jeff Palermo”

Automobile prices are spiking again and you can blame Hurricane Ida for it. The storm’s winds and water destroyed thousands of cars and trucks; many of them on dealer lots awaiting sale. The laws of supply and demand apply, so as inventories dwindle … prices go higher. Fortunately many people have insurance to cover the replacement cost.

The Chief Civil Deputy for the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office, Debbie Dollar, has been arrested for malfeasance and theft. State Police Trooper Michael Reicardt says Dollar stole thousand from the Caldwell Sheriff’s Office; money collected for various fines and fees. Reicardt says the 58-year-old’s bond is set at $35-thousand, which is a pretty good sum…:

CUT 14                  (08)        “…really”

Baton Rouge native Hayley Arceneaux makes history this evening as the youngest American to ever go into space. The 29-year-old will be part of the Inspiration 4 mission to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Hospital. Asst. Professor Lindsay Ferrington, of LSU Health – Shreveport, was one of her instructors…:

CUT 09                  (10)        “…one of them”

Hayley’s other great accomplishment is beating bone cancer.

Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says D-SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries due to lost income or damages related to Ida

Cut 6 (11) “…you’re eligible.” 

Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson is upset at the slow movement of FEMA to set up temporary long-term housing like mobile homes for those affected by Ida.

Cut 5 (09) “…into the parish.”

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says she’s been taking money out of a drawer used to hold money collected for fines and fees since January 2020.

Cut 13 (07)    little more”

29-year old Haley Arceneaux of Baton Rouge will become the youngest American in space tonight as part of the Inspiration4 program. Arceneaux a childhood cancer survivor is a Physician Assistant at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and LSU Health Shreveport Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington says they are celebrating with a launch party at the school.

Cut  11 (12)  “…nervous.”  

You can watch the launch on SpaceX’s YouTube channel.

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far, fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program.

Cut 4  (08) “…couple of days.” 

Tonight, 29-year-old Haley Arceneaux, a Baton Rouge native, will be the first cancer survivor and the first person with a prosthesis to journey into space, a crewmember of the Inspiration4 space mission. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport remembers when Arceneaux applied to the LSU Health Shreveport Physician Assistant Program, and she realized then her potential.

Cut 10 (10)   anything.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy isn’t pulling any punches to his non-support of folks turning to the anti-parasitic drug ivermectin to battle the Covid 19 virus.  He says, unlike the Covid vaccines that have been approved for use and that have saved lives, he’s fully aware of the outcome of using ivermectin to battle the virus.

Cut 15    (07)   “…and who died.”

The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the 58-year-old woman stole thousands of dollars from the Caldwell Sheriff’s office

Cut 12 (12) “35-thousand dollars”  

Reichardt says Dollar is accused of taking money out of a drawer since January 2020.

Folks with damaged roofs from Hurricane Ida are still struggling to keep their homes from further damage.  Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson tells us as Nicholas’ rains cause additional problems, tarps that home and business owners have used thus far, fall short of the federal government’s Blue Roof program.

Cut 3 (11) “..growing out there”

Baton Rouge native Haley Arceneaux will make history tonight as the youngest American in space. She’s part of the Inspiration4 space mission that aims to raise awareness for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where Arceneaux overcame bone cancer. Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington at LSU Health Shreveport was one of Arceneaux’s instructors.

Cut 9 (10) “…one of them.” 

Arceneaux is 29.

More than 13,000 have died from COVID in Louisiana and the increase has changed business as usual for the funeral industry. Funeral Director Zondra Wright with Charbonnet Funeral Home in New Orleans says early in the pandemic most of their burials were nursing home patients and older adults with comorbidities

Cut 11 (07) “…has changed.”

Wright says most nursing home patients are vaccinated and now they are burying people in their 40s, 50s and 60s

Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those who for whatever reason are shunning COVID-19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug. Cassidy says it is hard to understand why someone would choose ivermectin as their choice to battle the coronavirus.

Cut 14 (09)  “…and its complications.”

Cassidy says he personally knew people who refused the vaccine but took ivermectin but still died.

As the COVID pandemic rages on, the funeral industry has seen families hold multiple funerals in a short period of time. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LSU President William Tate will take part in a briefing at the White House this afternoon where he and others will meet with President Biden and his Covid 19 Response Team to discuss the success of mitigation strategies in the battle against the coronavirus.  Tate says LSU’s strategies have worked, noting that more than 82-percent of the university’s student body has been vaccinated, along with monthly testing protocols in place to monitor the presence of the virus on campus.

As Nicholas continues on its east, northeastwardly track, State Climatologist Barry Keim says bands of rain will only continue to increase rainfall totals for southeast and central parts of the state.

Cut 5 (07) “…occurred.”

Keim says the slow movement of Nicholas is allowing the storm to saturate areas of the state, even more so than south Louisiana already is.

Senator Bill Cassidy is taking a staunch approach to those who. for whatever reason. are shunning COVID-19 approved vaccines in favor of ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug that is used to treat river blindness and intestinal roundworm infection in humans.

Cut 13 (10) “…FDA approved vaccine.”

Cassidy says if anything, there are far lower hospitalizations and deaths for those who have been vaccinated, versus the number of deaths for those hospitalized with the coronavirus and who had relied on ivermectin.