The U-S Interior Department is moving forward with plans to hold a Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease auction, possibly in October. The President placed a moratorium on new lease sales soon after entering office, but a federal judge ruled in June it should be lifted. The Biden Administration previously said reducing domestic oil and gas production was key to limiting global warming. But Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says…
cut 5 (09) “….for oil”

There are statewide elections in October and November, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says there are no plans to expand absentee-by-mail voting or adding more early voting days. He says there are vaccines available this year, unlike last year and voters can also mask up…
cut 12 (08) “…during COVID

The state health department reports a child under the age of one has died from COVID-19. Also, the weekly death toll from the coronavirus has reached its highest point since the pandemic’s first wave in the spring of 2020. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter calls this news heartbreaking.

Fans will enter Tiger Stadium in a little over two weeks but with new COVID policies to make the experience as safe as possible. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Associated Press has released graphic body camera video that shows a State Police Trooper hitting a Black motorist with a flashlight 18 times. The incident happened in May 2019 in Monroe. Aaron Bowman said he thought he was going to die that night. Trooper Jacob Brown defends his actions by calling it pain compliance. He faces state chargers in this beating and two others involving Black motorists.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the fall elections in October and November will run as they did pre-COVID…
cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Biden administration reportedly plans to hold a Gulf of Mexico oil and gas lease auction, possibly in October. A federal judge ruled in June that the White House must lift a moratorium on new oil and gas lease sales. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says the lease sale ban reversal coupled with rising oil prices helps put the industry back on track…
cut 6 (11) “…well sites”

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward says the Tiger Stadium vaccination policy does not apply to tailgating, but he hopes tailgaters practice social distancing…
cut 15 (12) “…tailgating”
LSU season ticket holders who do not want to attend games this year and want a refund, have until tomorrow to ask for one. An LSU spokesperson said late yesterday afternoon that they’ve received refund requests from 50 to 75 ticket holders.

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward says the Tiger Stadium vaccination policy does not apply to tailgating, but he hopes tailgaters practice social distancing when they are enjoying the day on campus…
cut 15 (12) “…tailgating”
LSU season ticket holders who do not want to attend games this year and want a refund, have until tomorrow to ask for one. An LSU spokesperson said late yesterday afternoon that so far they’ve received refund requests from 50 to 75 ticket holders.

LSU is preparing to play UCLA in the season opener on September fourth in the Rose Bowl. It’s been reported the Tigers will open the 2024 season by facing USC in Las Vegas. The two schools haven’t played since 1984 when LSU beat the Trojans 23-3 in the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Saints are preparing for their preseason finale on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. New Orleans is thin at the tight end position. Adam Trautman’s foot injury could sideline him one to three weeks and fellow tight end Nick Vannett is expected to miss two to four weeks with a knee injury. New Orleans has also placed cornerback Brian Poole and defensive tackle Jalen Dalton on injured reserve and they will not be eligible to return this season.

Former LSU Tiger Joe Burrow will make his preseason debut on Sunday when the Bengals host the Dolphins. Burrow has not played in a game in eight months since suffering a major knee injury.

Former Saints Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named the Broncos starting quarterback. Bridgewater beat out incumbent starter Drew Lock.

We should learn more about the battle for starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech. Coach Skip Holtz is expected to discuss his QBs today.

Forecasters are keeping a close eye on a tropical wave in the Caribbean that’s expected to become a named storm in the next 48 hours and move into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend….
cut 7 (11) “…Gulf Coast”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says this system has the potential to impact Louisiana Sunday night into Monday.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not enact a coronavirus emergency plan for the fall elections. Ardoin says that means no expanded absentee-by-mail voting or expanded early voting…
cut 11 (06) “….work out”
Ardoin says an emergency election plan is not needed since COVID vaccines are widely available.

The Biden Administration announces it will comply with a federal court ruling requiring it to restart oil and gas lease sales. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Biden Administration announces it will comply with a federal court ruling requiring it to restart oil and gas lease sales. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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Matt Doyle reports the October 9^th statewide election will be back to pre-COVID business as usual according to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m  Matt Doyle” 

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Fans will enter Tiger Stadium in a little over two weeks but with new COVID policies to make the experience as safe as possible. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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The Department of the Interior is moving ahead with plans to hold an oil and gas lease sale for the Gulf of Mexico.

Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla celebrated the news. He says he doesn’t know why the Biden Administration changed course, but it might be due to prices at the pump.

Cut 4 (07) “…haunt them.”

The Administration’s decision comes after the Department of Justice announced it would comply with a federal courts’ order requiring the resumption of oil and gas lease sales.

After taking office earlier this year the Administration banned new oil and gas lease sales on federal lands and waters as part of its climate change policy.

The Biden Administration previously stated that reducing domestic oil and gas production was key to limiting global warming. Moncla says that just leads to more production in other countries…

Cut 5 (09) “…for oil.”

A recent IPCC report noted that if the world does not reach carbon neutrality by roughly 2050 that we will face irreversible and catastrophic levels of global warming.

Moncla says the lease sale ban reversal coupled with rising oil prices helps put the local industry back on track…

Cut 6 (11) “…well sites.”

The sale notice reportedly is likely to come sometime in September.

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There’s a tropical wave that has a strong likelihood of development along with the possibility of impacting Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says forecasters are expecting it will develop into a tropical storm or depression when it moves into the Gulf of Mexico over the next few days.

Cut 7 (11) “…five days.”

It was this time a year ago when Louisianans were awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Laura that made landfall in southwest Louisiana on August 27^th.  Keim says it’s time once again for those of us in the Pelican State to be on notice.

Cut 8 (08) “…a week.” 

Keim says while models have this system making landfall anywhere from the Florida panhandle to the Texas coastline early next week, Keim says those of us in the Bayou State should continue to check the forecast.

Cut 9 (04) “…the mix.”

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The voting experience will be back to normal when Louisianans head to the polls for the fall election on October 9^th.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the circumstances are completely different than they were last year and it’s time we get back to regular elections.

Cut 10 (05) “…both.” 

Ardoin says this will be the second election under “normal circumstances” the first was a special election for a State Senate seat back in July that was held in New Orleans.

Ardoin says this election will not feature the expanded early voting opportunities seen last year during the pandemic. Ardoin says that policy was costly and resulted in the loss of some elections commissioners.

Cut 11 (07) “…work out.”

The deadline to register to vote in this election is September 8^th. Early voting runs from September 25^th through October 2^nd every day except Sundays from 8:30 AM to 6 PM.

Whether or not the statewide mask mandate is still in effect Ardoin says you will not be required to mask to cast a ballot.

Cut 12 (08) “…the COVID.”  

Most voters will primarily be deciding on a slate of constitutional amendments related to tax reform. New Orleans residents will be deciding on parish-level elections.

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With the first home game at Tiger Stadium a little over two weeks away, LSU Athletic Director Scott Woodward is urging fans to prep ahead so they aren’t caught off guard with the new policies requiring those 12 and up to be either vaccinated or show proof of a negative PCR test 72 hours prior kickoff.

Cut 13 (06) “…for gameday.”

Masks will be required for ages five to 11 to enter Tiger Stadium and masks are highly encouraged for children younger than five. Woodward says they are trying to make the game-day experience as safe and enjoyable as possible, and they will try to help expedite the entry process with prescreening.

Cut 14 (10) “…as possible.”

Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test only applies to entry of the stadium and not tailgating on campus, however, Woodward urges fans entering the stadium to practice social distancing around others who have not been vaccinated or tested so as to not expose others in the stadium.

Cut 15 (08)“…very careful.”

Woodward says he’s also received positive feedback from fans who have elderly parents or loved ones with preexisting conditions who are grateful for the new policies so they can feel safe about attending games.

A high schooler and infant less than one years old were both reported to have died of COVID today. 14-year-old Baker football player and high school Freshman Patrick Sanders’ death shocked the community and has resulted in the quarantining of the entire football team. 12 children are now reported by the state health department to have died of COVID since the start of the pandemic.

The now dominant and more infectious Delta variant has health officials praying for the day when the FDA gives emergency use authorization to vaccinations for kids younger than 12. One of those is Children’s Hospital New Orleans Physician in Chief Dr. Mark Kline who says Pfizer is likely to ask for authorization in October…

Cut 7 (07) “…age group.”  

110 total OVID-related deaths were reported by LDH today.  

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says a majority of those eligible to receive assistance from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund did not…

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The Louisiana SPCA reports their shelters are at capacity with pets that need to be adopted. Spokesperson Alicia Vial says from now until September 19^th they’ve cut their adoption fee to 25 dollars for all cats over six months old and large dogs…

Cut 14 (13) “..training”

The state reports 6,619 new COVID-19 cases today and 2,844 hospitalizations. Among those hospitalized 91-percent are unvaccinated. The state also added 110 more COVID fatalities today. Yesterday the state reported the highest-ever single-day number of fatalities with 139.

State health officials say 31-percent of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18. But only those 12 and older are eligible for the COVID vaccine and clinical trials in children are underway Physician in Chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans Dr. Mark Kline believes the COVID vaccines can be as effective in children as adults…

Cut 8 (11) “…looking for”

Kline expects a EUA for children will be approved soon and shots will be in arms by end of the year for 5 to 11-year-olds.

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the 28.6 billion of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Harris says in the Bayou State there are almost 3,000 restaurants, bars, craft brewers, and entertainment venues still in need.

Cut 4 (10) “…business alive” 

Louisiana SPCA animal shelters are nearly 100 percent past capacity and to make room by offering adoptions fees for 25 dollars through September 19^th. Spokesperson Alicia Vial says the economy and pet owners who are having to return to the office with less time to spend with a pet are some reasons for the influx of surrenders and there’s also another odd trend…

Cut 13 (12) “…started”

State health officials say 31-percent of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18. Anyone 12 and older is eligible for the Pfizer COVID vaccine. Physician in Chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans Dr. Mark Kline says clinical trials for kids under 12 are underway.

Cut 6 (09) “…October.” 

Kline says that means the Pfizer vaccine could be available for 5- to 11-year-olds before the end of the year.

Louisiana SPCA animal shelters are nearly 100 percent past capacity and the organization is hoping to make room by offering adoptions for only 25 dollars through September 19^th. Spokesperson Alicia Vial says housing challenges and pandemic economic troubles are driving a big uptick in owner surrenders…

Cut 12 (06) “…pet” 

Caddo Parish Sheriffs made arrests yesterday in two separate incidents where students made school shooting threats. Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those arrested was 18-year-old Raybon Marter of who threatened a school shooting at Southwood High School on Snapchat.

Cut 9 (11) “…arrested.”

In an unrelated event, a 15-year-old was found with a loaded gun at Woodlawn Leadership Academy after an Instagram post tipped off authorities.

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Cut 3 (11) “…get funded.” 

Harris says originally restaurants asked Congress for $120 billion but only received $28.6-billion.