Governor Edwards says he is concerned about the state’s growth in COVID numbers and asks the public to take the pandemic as seriously as they did when we first flattened the curve…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”
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A generic steroid using dexamethasone appears to cut risk of death for COVID-19 patients on ventilators by a third. Kevin Barnhart spoke with a local doctor who has used it on patients.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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A football player suspended for one year lawyers up against LSU. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The House unanimously approves legislation sending a 250 dollar check to some essential workers who worked the early days of the pandemic. To qualify workers must earn under 50,000 a year.
A prior version had the limit at 70,000 a year but bill author Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says that just wasn’t fiscally feasible.
Cut 4 (10) “stores”
The legislation targets health care workers, first responders, childcare workers, grocery store employees, and more.
Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat ultimately supported the legislation but says it’s disappointing that the income limit was lowered.
Cut 5 (11) “…for.”
Up to 50 million dollars in checks can be disbursed, with the potential for another 50 million if the need arises. Federal coronavirus relied aid will fund the program. 25-million dollars from a small business grant fund and another 25-million from a pot of money that’s set to go to local governments.
Eunice Representative Phillip Devillier says his constituents have been begging the state for some help.
Cut 6 (12) “direction.”
The bill passed to light cheers from House members and is headed to the Senate.
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State officials call the recent rise in COVID-19 case numbers “alarming” as we near next week’s announcement on potentially moving into Phase Three.
Neighboring states are starting to see record COVID cases, and Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says if current trends hold we won’t be far behind.
Cut 7 (08) “…act”
Billioux says they are seeing an increase in cases in central Louisiana and southwest Louisiana, including the Acadiana area.
Governor Edwards says these numbers should be a gut check for Louisianans to reevaluate if they have been slacking on their social distancing and mask-wearing. He says the threat has not passed.
Cut 8 (09) “…first wave.”
Since June 10th the state has reported 4,200 new positive tests when adjusting for backlogged cases from previous weeks. The state also did not report new numbers Thursday.
Billioux says 91% of the new cases are not nursing home related and most of those are being linked to social gatherings or households, but not to protests.
Cut 9 (11) “…do both.”
Billioux says the risk for transmission is low if protestors all wear masks and try to keep their distance.
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Medical experts in the United Kingdom indicate that a steroid treatment has provided a glimmer of hope in treatment of COVID-19. Dexamethasone appears to cut the risk of death for ventilator patients by a third. Tulane Medical Center pulmonary care Dr. Joshua Denson says he has used this therapy to treat a handful of COVID patients.
Cut 10 (08) “…most severe patients.”
The steroid also appears to cut the risk of death for patients on oxygen by a fifth.
Denson has his reservations and believes it should not become standard of care until experts are able to fully vet and review a full manuscript presenting the data and undergoes peer review in an organized fashion.
Cut 11 (10) “…that with dexamethasone.”
Denson feels overall hospitals are getting better at figuring out how to manage patients and says that could be because they aren’t seeing the onslaught of patients coming through the door they once did.
Cut 12 (10) “…making some progress.”
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A suspended LSU football player files a federal Title IX complaint accusing the university he was unjustly suspend on an accusation he had non-consensual sex with another student. The unnamed player’s attorney Susan Stone says their client was not given access to evidence until after being determined guilty by LSU.
Cut 13 (11) “…that includes cross-examination.”
The player is remaining anonymous. In court documents he’s referred to as “John Doe” and is a resident of Alabama. He was suspended in February and it’s a year-long suspension. Stone says he cannon attend school, he’s lost his scholarship and she says this could have a long-lasting impact on the player’s life.
Cut 14 (11) “…would be recruiters.”
Kristina Supler is another attorney working on the case and she says the school’s actions are a due process violation and the message is clear: be fair.
Cut 15 (07) “…in the school.”
The player’s legal team hopes LSU will vacate their decision, restore his scholarship and allow him to return to the football team in good academic standing. LSU says they do not comment on pending litigation.