A spirited debate over face coverings in classrooms is expected at today’s Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting. Governor John Bel Edwards believes his indoor mask mandate covers schools. 63 House Republicans penned a letter to BESE asking them to allow school boards to make the decision locally. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris…
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The meeting starts at 9:00.

Members of Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation say the Biden administration has mishandled the removal of troops from Afghanistan. President Biden said there was no longer a national security interest in keeping American troops there, but Congressman Mike Johnson disagrees…
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The state has honored Baton Rouge Nurse Carla Brown for vaccinating over two thousand people in a door-to-door campaign in memory of her husband who died from COVID…
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A Regan man is in custody after driving more than 200 miles to have sex with who he believed was a 13-year-old girl. Brooke Thorington has more

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Baton Rouge Nurse Carla Brown was honored Tuesday for vaccinating more than 2,000 in her door-to-door campaign in memory of her husband who died from COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Today BESE will consider whether or not K-12 schools will abide by the Governor’s mask mandate. Matt Doyle has more…

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President Biden stands behind his decision to withdraw from Afghanistan, saying despite the heartbreak of watching the Taliban take control it was time to put the forever war to rest.

The Taliban swept through the country over the weekend and reestablished control for the first time in 20 years. Congressman Mike Johnson says Biden botched the withdrawal.

Cut 4 (05) “…disaster..”

Biden counters that in his experience “there is never a good time to withdraw forces”.

The President argued that Americans shouldn’t fight and die in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight themselves.” Johnson says retreating sends the wrong message.

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Biden said there was no longer a national security interest in keeping American troops there, but Johnson disagrees…

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A professional watch group by the name of Creep Catchers helped put an Egan man behind bars after he solicited what he thought was a thirteen-year-old girl for sex. Oak Grove Police Chief Lewis Russell says they’ve arrested 36-year old James Regan who’s being held without bond and facing numerous charges.

Cut 7 (11) “….photographs.”

Russell says they were first contacted by Creep Catchers in late July and once Regan sent explicit photographs to their undercover officer, they approached the District Attorney. Then Regan set up a meeting and drove approximately 230 miles to meet who he thought was an underage girl on August 9th.

Cut 8 (11) “…prosecute it.” 

Russell says once the suspect sent a photo of his vehicle, location and described what he was wearing Oak Grove Police Officers along with deputies from the West Carroll Sheriff’s office went to pick him up.

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Regan was booked on an outstanding warrant for indecent behavior with a juvenile and computer-aided solicitation of a minor. A search of his car found sexually related paraphernalia which shows intent. His phone also contained child pornography.

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Baton Rouge Nurse Carla Brown who made national headlines going door to door to help vaccinate people, received a $25,000 check in recognition of her work Tuesday. Brown who lost her husband to COVID before vaccines were available to him has vaccinated more than 2,000 individuals in his memory.

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Governor John Bel Edwards praised Brown for her inspiring work. He even announced that the Department of Health named an initiative after her to help get more individuals vaccinated.

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While her mission to vaccinate as many as she can is an emotional one, the experience has been joyful also. Brown tells about one interaction where a wife agreed to be vaccinated and eventually the husband was also persuaded.

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Brown will also be featured in a Louisiana Healthcare Connections PSA promoting vaccinations.

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BESE meets this morning to consider whether or not to accept the Governor’s statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools.

63 House Republicans penned a letter to BESE asking them to reject the Governor’s mandate and allow school boards to make the decision locally. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris was one of them…

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Harris says there are three branches of the Government and the Governor doesn’t have unilateral authority to make this call for K-12 schools.

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Governor Edwards insists his statewide mask mandate does apply to schools and can’t be overridden. He says if we want kids to be safe and schools to stay open is with a mask mandate.

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Edwards says the school mask mandate is not just about protecting kids…

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LSU is loaded on the defensive line. It’s a group that features several seniors like Ali Gaye, Neil Farrell, and Andre Anthony, plus talented sophomores and freshman like B-J Ojulari, Joseph Evans, Jaquelin Roy and Maason Smith. Anthony says only four guys will play at one time, but anyone is good enough to start…

Cut 17 (24) “…no weak links.”  

Anthony believes the defensive line will set the tone for the entire defense…

Cut 18 (19)”…a whole.”

LSU has been waiting for former five-star running John Emery to emerge as a real threat on offense. Last season the former Destrehan star only rushed for 378 yards and three touchdowns. Emery says he’s motivated to have a big junior campaign…

Cut 19 (16)  “…very successful so” 

Since the approval of a third dose for the immunocompromised now there’s discussion of a dose shot for the general public who are fully vaccinated. Brooke Thorington has more…

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The Louisiana Health Department reported 122 new COVID deaths today, which brings the state’s death toll to 11,706. Louisiana has also surpassed three thousand COVID hospitalizations.

Critical hospital personnel who have children under the age of 12 can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says all of those workers are desperately needed in our near-capacity hospitals.

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Applications will be accepted through October 31st.

Ochsner is now administering third COVID vaccine shots to Moderna and Pfizer patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly warns to keep in mind that not everyone who is immunocompromised currently qualifies for the third shot.

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Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipients currently are not eligible.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says a graphic with their logo circulating on social media stating that LDWF will not issue new hunting licenses to anyone unvaccinated is false. The department asks anyone who sees the incorrect graphic to ignore it and delete it when possible. LDWF is investigating the source of misinformation.

Days after the FDA approved a third COVID vaccine booster shot for the immunocompromised, the Biden Administration is reportedly developing a plan for a third shot for those who were fully vaccinated, eight months ago or longer. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says he anticipates the booster shot rollout will mirror the original rollout of healthcare workers and nursing home residents first.

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Critical hospital personnel who have children 12 and under can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says this program could help get more hospital workers back to understaffed facilities…

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Ochsner is now administering third COVID vaccine shots to Moderna and Pfizer patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Medical Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says not everyone who is technically immunocompromised currently qualifies for the third shot.

Cut 14 (12) “…supression.”

Those who are moderately to severely immunocompromised can now receive a third shot to boost their immune system’s odds of fighting off COVID. Dr. Katherine Baumgarten with Ochsner says there is evidence suggesting that a disproportionate number of vaccine breakthrough hospitalizations are those who are immunocompromised.

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Johnson and Johnson vaccine recipients currently are not eligible.

Federal officials are working out the details of how to implement the CDC’s recommendation that everyone who is fully vaccinated receive a vaccine booster shot eight months after their last shot. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says the first big question is who gets priority…

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The fourth COVID-19 surge is bringing down the state’s economy. That’s according to Gulf Coast Bank and Trust president Guy Williams who says with the state reporting thousands of new cases every day, it’s keeping many people from going to work….

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Williams says health officials have told him this fourth surge could last another seven weeks.

Tier 1 and 2 hospital workers with children 12 and under can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says the subsidies take a lot of forms including having childcare workers watch the night staff’s kids. She says it should help make childcare much more accessible for those workers.

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The Louisiana Health Department reported 122 new COVID deaths today, which brings the state’s death toll to 11,706. Louisiana has also surpassed three thousand hospitalizations as there are now 3,012 patients hospitalized as a result of COVID.

Ochsner is encouraging people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to get their third COVID vaccine shot. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Multiple reports say the federal government will soon advise Americans who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, that they will need to get a third shot. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Fred Lopez…
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Today, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, and the Beignet Fest in New Orleans City Park announced they had to cancel their upcoming events. Gulf Coast Bank and Trust President Gary Williams says they add to the growing list of cancellations…
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Williams says health officials have told him this fourth COVID surge could last another seven weeks.

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has surpassed three thousand, an all-time high. The state also reported 3,691 new cases and 122 new COVID deaths. Louisiana ranks second to Florida for daily average cases. Gulf Coast Bank and Trust president Gary Williams says that’s a big concern for our tourism-dependent economy…
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Ochsner is now administering third COVID vaccine shots to Moderna and Pfizer patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Pharmacy and Population Health Director Matthew Malachowski says you can visit their website
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Patients should wait at least 28 days after receiving their second dose to get a third dose.

Since the approval of a booster dose for the immunocompromised now there’s a discussion of a third shot for the general public who are fully vaccinated Brooke Thorington has more…
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A couple of major festivals announced today they will not hold their events this year. Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival and the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City have decided to wait until next year.

Bossier City police will host a fundraiser on Monday, August 30th at their police station on Benton Road, for fallen Doyline police officer Billy Collins Junior. He was killed while on duty last month.

The state exceeds three thousand COVID hospitalizations today. The grim milestone is marked with 3,012 patients in Louisiana hospitals with COVID-related illnesses.  91-percent of which are unvaccinated.  The state also reports 3,691 new cases and 122 fatalities.

Days after the FDA approved a third COVID vaccine booster shot for the immunocompromised, the Biden Administration is reportedly developing a plan for a third shot for those who were fully vaccinated, eight months ago or longer. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says he anticipates the booster shot rollout will mirror the original rollout of healthcare workers and nursing home residents.

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Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, and obesity.

Critical hospital personnel who have children under the age of 12 can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says all of those workers are desperately needed in our near-capacity hospitals.

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Applications will be accepted through October 31st.

The governor’s office has made federal dollars available to help health care and STEM students get their degrees. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the Completers Grant will provide scholarships to students who are within 30 credit hours of completing a degree at a two-year or four-year school…

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For more information go to LOFSA’s website.

The Biden Administration is developing a plan to implement the CDC’s recommendation that people receive a vaccine booster shot eight months after their last shot. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says the big question is who gets prioritized…

Cut 3 (06) “…first.” 

Critical hospital personnel who have children age 12 and under can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says this program could help get more hospital workers back to understaffed facilities…

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This subsidy program applies to a range of personnel working in Tier 1 or 2 hospitals.

Things got feisty yesterday at the State Capitol as anti-mask and vaccine members of the public clashed with health and elected officials at a meeting of House Health and Welfare. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox questioned Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana about her opposition to school masking…

Cut 14 (11) “…alright, alright.”

STEM and healthcare students who are nearing completion of their degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says the state needs more aspiring nurses, programmers, math educators, and others pursuing high-demand work…

Cut 11 (10) “…qualify.”

Priority for the grants will be given to those students who have exhausted financial aid from other sources.

On Monday parents and concerned residents made their voices heard at the state capitol over mask mandates in schools. Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana told lawmakers the data that’s been presented by state health officials are based on lies.

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Lafayette Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Richard faces charges himself after allegedly leaving the scene of a boating incident that injured three juveniles.  LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 64-year old Richard was arrested Monday for the August 8^th incident and according to witnesses, Richard put on a life jacket and got into the water assist but then quickly left.

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STEM and healthcare students who are nearing completion of their degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says if you’re in one of those programs and have 30 or fewer hours left in your degree, you could get some extra financial help.

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Starting October 1^st SNAP recipients will see a roughly 36-dollar average increase to their monthly benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this is the single largest increase in the program’s history.

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Recipients won’t have to do anything to receive the increase, it will be automatically included when they receive their monthly benefits