A group of law enforcement officials from around the state are imploring lawmakers to not override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that removes the need to have a permit to concealed carry…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Over the past two weeks, 100 new COVID patients have been admitted to Louisiana hospitals. Matt Doyle has more on if we’re entering a new surge…
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Today is the last day to register for the first of five weekly drawings in the state’s Shot At A Million vaccine lottery. Brooke Thorington explains…
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Law enforcement officials from around the state gathered Thursday to implore lawmakers to not override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation allowing concealed carry without a permit.
Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says allowing unlicensed, untrained people to carry concealed firearms in public is a recipe for disaster.
Cut 4 (06) “…weapon.”
Under the bill, those 21 and older who are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm would be allowed to carry a concealed handgun without needing to prove proficiency and safety knowledge to a state-accredited training instructor.
East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux called the Constitutional Carry bill a terrible, terrible bill.
Cut 5 (11) “…state.”
The Louisiana Chiefs of Police formally requested lawmakers not override the veto, but the Louisiana Sheriffs Association as an organization has remained neutral.
New Orleans Superintendent of Police Shaun Ferguson says we’re already enduring an increase in crime and putting more untrained gun owners on the streets will make it worse.
Cut 6 (09) “…encounter.”
The bill cleared the legislature with over two-thirds support in both chambers. Should those votes hold during the apparently likely upcoming veto override session later this month the Governor’s veto would be overridden.
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State health officials believe the prevalence of the more dangerous Delta coronavirus variant is behind our recent concerning increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations.
State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says after months of relatively low, stable COVID numbers we’ve seen 100 new COVID hospitalizations in just two weeks, and an increase in COVID incidents…
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Percent positivity on new COVID tests has also jumped to four percent this last week from the previous rate of 3.1 percent.
Kanter says about 52 percent of new cases nationally are Delta, but in our region, that number is up to 59 percent.
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Kanter estimates the Delta variant is 60 percent more contagious than previous strains and more likely to put young people in the hospital.
The problem is particularly acute on the Northshore where Region Nine Public Health Director Gina Lagarde says percent positivity is up to six percent. She says public behavior is behind the rise…
Cut 9 (08) “…masks.”
Kanter said the state’s low vaccination rate, just 39% of all Louisianans have received at least one COVID shot. A nationwide CDC report showed 99% of those who died from COVID in June were unvaccinated.
1,763 fully vaccinated Louisianans have been infected with COVID with 27 resulting deaths. More than 486,000 Louisianans in total have tested positive since March of 2020.
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Today is the last day to register for the first set of drawings in the state’s “Shot at A Million” vaccine lottery. Names of the weekly winners for the $100-thousand cash prize and scholarship will be announced on the next five Fridays. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says the sooner you get vaccinated and register the better your chances…
Cut 10 (06) “…as well.”
Hood says the purpose of the lottery is to increase the state’s COVID vaccination rate. So far, she says it’s too soon to tell if the lottery has impacted vaccinations. Not only do they want to incentivize new vaccines, but Hood says they also wanted to reward those who were vaccinated in the very beginning.
Cut 11 (09) “…that hump.”
So far just over 600-thousand have entered, so the odds are pretty good when you compare to other lotteries. Hood says you only need to register once and then you’re in the running for weekly prizes.
Cut 12 (11) “…saves lives.”
The deadline for each weekly entry is midnight Friday until the end of July. Entries from those ages 12 to 17 are eligible for one of nine scholarships. On August 13th the grand prize winner of a million and five scholarship winners will be announced.
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Motorists continue to feel the pinch at the pump with the national average for regular gas at $3.14 gallon. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says in the Bayou State the average price is hovering at $2.80 a gallon but it might not stay there long.
Cut 13 (08) “…$2.95 a gallon.”
Redman says he doesn’t expect the state to see prices in the $3.00 range, but a lot depends on if the industry is able to keep up with demand.
Cut 14 (08) “…upwards.”
As for the remainder of the summer, Redman says you might want to start budgeting for gas in the $2.90-range and he suggests if you have the ability to use a more fuel-efficient vehicle you might want to consider that.
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Redman says California is seeing prices in the $4.30 a gallon range and other western states paying more than $3.50 a gallon.
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