More than a quarter-million Louisianans have early voted in the Presidential election so far, about 90,000 more early votes than we had two days into the 2016 election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Carolina Panthers have shut down their facility after an unconfirmed positive COVID-19 result according to ESPN. The Panthers are scheduled to play in the Superdome Sunday, only family of the players, coaches, and staff of the Saints can attend.

Because minorities are disproportionately affected by COVID-19 researchers are looking at how they learn about the pandemic. Auburn University has received a National Science Foundation grant to study a variety of demographics in Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says people of all income ranges will be interviewed.

Cut 9 (10) “they’ve responded”

A Mangham police officer is recovering after being shot in the stomach during a traffic stop Sunday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot officer Marshall Waters, after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville. Reichardt says Waters pulled over Semien’s vehicle because he was speeding…

Cut 5 (08) “…Franklin Parish”

Semien faces several charges including first-degree of attempted murder of a police officer.

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says Louisiana Democratic voters are following a nationwide trend of very high early voting participation and appear to be highly enthusiastic about the upcoming Presidential Election. Dems only makeup 40 percent of registered voters but comprised 53 percent of first-day voters on Friday…

Cut 7 (10) “…night”

Couvillon predicts total turnout in the state will hit 74 percent by the end of November 3^rd voting.

Minorities have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and Auburn researchers are working to look at just how crucial public health information is being communicated to minority communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Research leader Dr. Kelly Dunning says foreign language speakers will be asked…

Cut 10 (12) “…..view messages”

Studies show it is possible to get COVID-19 more than once. Journals have noted many incidents of people getting sick, testing positive, recovering, testing negative, and then about two months later getting sick again and testing positive. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who had the same problem, and there are two possibilities on why some people may come down with the virus more than once.

Cut 13 (07) “issue.”

But he notes it is not very common and of the 40 million confirmed cases worldwide very few people have gotten it twice. The real ramifications of this data will impact vaccine development. Masri says One possibility is that you’ll need a booster shot, and the other possibility is…

Cut 15 (07) “…shot”

The state reports 202 new COVID cases today.

A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville. Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach…

Cut 4 (05)   “…thank goodness”   

Louisiana has seen record numbers of early voter turnout so far for the Presidential Election. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says anecdotes of voters waiting in long lines to cast an early ballot are strongly supported by the data.

Cut 6 (10) “voted”

Early voting ends Oct 27^th.

Stress levels are unusually high in the state, we’re seven months in a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes and in the midst of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Kanter the state has a free and confidential 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline to help and even if you don’t feel you need the help, it could be vital for someone you know who is going through a hard time.

Cut 12 (06) “before”.

The number is 1-800-310-7977 or a text line, type “reach out” to 741-741.

The Louisiana Department of Health is offering free flu shots around the state with drive-up clinics. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says last year in Louisiana there were over 15-thousand hospitalizations for the flu alone and it’s even more important to get vaccinated now.

Cut 9 (06) “those hospitals”

For a list of free flue clinic sites and locations visit the LDH website

A Mangham Police Officer is recovering after he was shot during a traffic stop on Saturday night. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte shot the officer after stealing a vehicle and robbing a pharmacy in Rayville earlier in the day

Cut 3 (07)  “…Franklin Parish”  

Semien faces several charges including attempted first-degree murder of a police officer. Reichardt says the officer will survive after getting shot in the stomach.

The Louisiana Department of Health wants you to roll up your sleeve and get your annual flu shot, especially this year, to reduce the strain on the healthcare system. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says they are offering free flu shot clinics at locations around the state but this year the process is different.

Cut 7 (09) “a flu shot”

Stress levels are high in Louisiana as we’re seven months into a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes, and in the middle of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there are free resources available to Louisiana residents who need help. He says if you’re feeling stressed call the 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline.

Cut 11 (12) “somewhere”

The number is 1-800-310-7977.

You can get COVID-19 twice. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who tested positive, got sick, recovered, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again. Masri says this is one of a few documented examples of reinfection. So, he says if you’ve had COVID, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…
Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

If you’ve had COVID but have recovered, there are documented cases of people getting the virus again. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana reported eleven-hundred new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday for the weekend. The statewide total has reached 175-thousand. The health department is also reporting 23 more deaths for a total of 5,550. Hospitalizations fell by seven to 550 and ventilator use remained at 60.

Early voting continues today and voters will find seven constitutional amendments on the ballot. Amendment One deals with abortion and an effort by pro-life supporters to make sure the state constitution does not guarantee the right to an abortion if Roe Versus Wade gets overturned. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the amendment also does one other thing…
cut 6 (06) “…some effect”

The state health department is holding drive-thru flu shot clinics in the towns of Bunkie. Jena, Colfax, Leesville, and Winfield this week. L-D-H flu expert Doctor Frank Welch says with a COVID-19 vaccination possible in 2021, holding a drive-up clinic for the flu is a test run…
cut 8 (10) “…in the future”

You can get COVID-19 twice. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinial Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says he treated a nurse who tested positive, got sick, recovered, tested negative, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again. Masri says this is one of a few documented examples of second infection of COVID-19 worldwide. So he says if you’ve had COVID, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…
Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

There are seven constitutional amendments on the November 3rd ballot and Amendment one asks voters if they support an amendment that the right to an abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott…
cut 4 (10) “….of abortion”
For more information on the constitutional amendments go to the Public Affairs Research Council’s website.

It’s a stressful time to be alive and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for anyone struggling to deal with the pressure…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Depression 27 has formed in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. It’s no threat to the Gulf of Mexico, but if it becomes a named storm, it will tie the record for most named storms in a season at 27, which was set in 2005.

And the Athletic’s Jeff Duncan reports the Saints will play Carolina in the Superdome on Sunday. There have been talks about moving Saints home games to LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Fans are not allowed in the Superdome.

There have been cases worldwide where people test positive for the virus, recover and test positive again weeks later. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says the reality of reinfection will have an impact on vaccine development. So that might mean the need for a booster shot and the other possibility is…
cut 15 (07) “…shot”

Stress levels are high as we’re seven months into a pandemic, plus recovering from two hurricanes and in the middle of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for those struggling to cope
cut 10 (10) “…abnormal”
The state has a 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline, 1-800-310-7977.

Early voting continues today at 8 PM at your parish registrar of voters’ office or other designated locations. The ballot has seven constitutional amendments. Amendment One asks voters if the state constitution should protect a person’s right to an abortion. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (32) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”

You can go to the Public Affairs Research Council website for a complete explanation of the seven amendments and the proposition on sports betting. PAR provides a non-partisan view of each amendment.

There have been cases worldwide of people getting infected by COVID-19, recovering, and then testing positive again weeks later. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Doctor Najy Masri says there are two possibilities on how some people get the virus twice…
cut 13 (07) “….issue”
Masri says for people who had COVID-19, they should not act like they are completely immune to the virus.

COVID-19, job losses, two hurricanes, and a tense Presidential election season is resulting in higher stress levels for many. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the state has a 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline…
cut 11 (12) “….somewhere”
The hotline number is 1-800-310-7977.

Early voting continues today and there are seven Constitutional Amendments on the ballot. Amendment One asks voters if they support an amendment declaring that to protect human life, a right to abortion and the funding of abortion shall not be found in the Louisiana Constitution. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the amendment would have no immediate effect but would limit any future state judicial interpretation that might otherwise find a right to abortion…
cut 5 (13) “….process section”
A vote against the measure would result in no specific language in the state constitution on abortion.