AAA says three-quarters of Americans are planning to travel this summer. Brooke Thorington talks to an expert about what you should do before you take off on your excursion.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_______________________________
Starting Monday Louisianans who’ve taken their COVID vaccine can register to win up to a million dollars through the state’s vaccine lottery incentive program. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
____________________________
With state offices closed for a half-day today, it’s the first time the state officially marks Juneteenth as a state holiday. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
____________________________________
The National Hurricane Center is predicting that a disturbance in the southern Gulf will grow into Tropical Storm Claudette and make landfall in Louisiana early Saturday morning.
State Climatologist Barry Keim says even if the system does develop into a tropical storm it’s not expected to be particularly powerful, but…
Cut 4 (08) “…coast.”
The cone of uncertainty has landfall somewhere between Cameron Parish and Biloxi with the most likely area being south-central Louisiana.
Keim says conditions will likely start breaking down around Friday afternoon, so…
Cut 5 (11) “…possibility.”
Keim says Louisiana’s first named storm landfall of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season is going to lead to a bumpy few days.
Cut 6 (09) “…storm.”
Claudette would be the third named storm of the season if it forms.
___________________________
If you’re planning a summer trip you might want to hurry up and finalize those plans. According to AAA more people are expected to take a vacation this summer compared to 2019. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says comparing rates for 2020 is pointless considering the pandemic and travelers are anxious to make an excursion.
Cut 7 (11) “…in cruises.”
AAA measures travel interest by the number of vacation map requests their TripTik receives, and requests grew by 10 times from 2019 to 2021. AAA says more than three-quarters of Americans say they are ready to take a trip.
Redman says the majority of summer travelers will remain stateside because of uncertain restrictions overseas, but excursions to Mexico and the Caribbean are also on the rise. Two other popular destinations are Hawaii and Alaska.
Cut 8 (08) “…exotic.”
Redman advises travelers to plan thoroughly and pack accordingly which includes face masks and sanitizer as some attractions might still require face coverings. Also, have your car battery checked before you take to the roads to avoid any delays.
Cut 9 (06) “…your battery.”
National Parks is another popular destination, which requires advance registration, so don’t expect to be admitted without a reservation. Redman says due to a shortage of rental cars consider taking your own vehicle or alternative transportation like tour buses.
__________________
The state is launching a vaccine incentive lottery program that will give out 2.4 million dollars in total prizes to Louisianans who get their shot.
To qualify you have to get at least one COVID shot and register for the drawings. Governor Edwards says the first of five drawings will be held July 9th with the grand prize drawing on August 4th.
Cut 10 (12) “…a million dollars.”
You can register for the drawings starting Monday at noon online or by phone.
For those under 18, there will be nine 100,000 dollar scholarship drawings. Higher Ed Commissioner Kim Hunter Reed says the money will be put in a START account.
Cut 11 (07)”…program.”
47 percent of Louisiana adults have received at least one dose of a COVID vaccine while only 37 percent of the total population have received at least one dose.
Edwards says a study of other state vaccine lottery programs showed it’s highly effective at getting people off the fence. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s worth trying everything.
Cut 12 (07) “…everything.”
The state is still registering about five to ten COVID deaths a day despite the fact that our percent positivity and overall case numbers have been quite low for months.
__________________
State offices are closed for a half-day today in honor of Juneteenth becoming a legal holiday. Juneteenth celebrates June 19, 1865, when Union soldiers marched into Galveston with news of the Emancipation Proclamation which declared slaves freed more than two years before. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says many do not know the history of the day.
Cut 13 (08) “…freed.”
House Bill 554 by Baton Rouge Representative Larry Selders making Juneteenth a state holiday was signed into law on Thursday. President Biden also signed legislation making it a federal holiday. James says it’s a momentous occasion.
Cut 14 (09) “…very exciting.”
During a George Floyd protest organized by high school students at the state capitol last summer, James says it was those students who asked for Juneteenth to become a state holiday.
Cut 15 (06)“…in ten years.”
Beginning in 2022 all state offices will be closed for the holiday.
___________________________________________
Conference commissioners are meeting in Chicago to discuss a proposed expansion of the college football playoff from four to 12 teams, possibly as early as 2023. This has caused some to wonder whether this would negatively impact the importance of bowl games. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says while there are some concerns, he’s excited about what this could mean for college football.
Cut 16 (17) “…go forward.”
With the Sugar Bowl being one of the premier postseason destinations in college football, Hundley says this could actually benefit the bowl game.
Cut 17 (16) …really matters.”
Hundley also says hosting a big-time playoff game every year could increase fan interest and competitiveness of the Sugar Bowl.
Cut 18 (14)”..started.”