40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal grew up in rural Vidrine. She says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to penetrate these smaller communities.
Cut 10 (11) “…working on.”
Meanwhile, New Orleans officials say at least 78-percent of their eligible adult population has at least one shot.

One COVID vaccine shot or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entry will be needed in order to attend an LSU football game this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey calls the protocol an overreach with no historical precedent…..
cut 14 (09) “….sporting event”
LSU athletics director Scott Woodward says they are doing everything they can to ensure the experience in Tiger Stadium is safe and enjoyable.

The largest percentage of new COVID positive cases in the state are among five- to 17-year-olds, and hospitals are seeing a trend in pediatric patients. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Health Department announced 139 more COVID deaths yesterday. That’s a single-day high for the state.

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine LSU students will have to be vaccinated or tested for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

The largest percentage of new COVID positive cases in the state are among five- to 17-year-olds, and hospitals are seeing a trend in pediatric patients. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

Rural regions lag far behind suburban and urban areas in the overall vaccination rate. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal about the disparity…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine, as promised LSU President William Tate says students will be required to be vaccinated or they will undergo regular COVID testing. Students have until September 10^th to submit proof of their first vaccination and October 15^th for their second vaccination. Tate believes in the vaccines.

Cut 4 (08) “…semester.”

Tate says if a student chooses not to be vaccinated for COVID they will have to undergo regular testing.

Cut 5 (06) “…protocol.”

On Tuesday it was announced that Tiger fans will have to show proof vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test 72 prior to kickoff to ender Tiger Stadium.  Tate says he hopes the vaccination requirement for students and fans will cause a run on vaccinations.

Cut 6 (12) “…and Baton Rouge.”

Students who are unvaccinated will be required to get tested periodically throughout the semester and those living on campus could be tested more frequently.

_____________________

According to the Louisiana Department of Health ages, five to 17 are reporting the highest percentage of COVID positive cases in the state for the week of August 12^th to the 18^tt with 22-percent. Ochsner Health Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says they are also seeing more pediatric patients in their hospitals.

Cut 7 (09) “…the hospital.”

Kemmerly says as of Tuesday Ochsner does not have any children in the hospital on ventilators, but they have in the past.

Cut 8 (08) “…ventilators.” 

As school-age children return to the classroom, hospital administrators are worried that they could see even more pediatric patients. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart urges parents of young children to get vaccinated in order to protect their children who cannot and…

Cut 9 (09) “…with COVID.”

The next largest age group behind those ages five to seventeen is eighteen- to 29-year-olds with 20-percent of the COVID-positive cases in Louisiana.

________________________________________

40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes.

LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal grew up in rural Vidrine. She says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to penetrate these smaller communities.

Cut 10 (11) “…working on.” 

52 percent of Region 1, the New Orleans region, is fully vaccinated, followed by Region 2, the Baton Rouge region, at 43 percent. Nationwide 51 percent of the total population is fully vaccinated per the CDC.

O’Neal says that small town disconnect from the mainstream can be a beautiful life, but…

Cut 11 (08) “…hesitant.”

A report by the Advocate took a deep dive into vaccine hesitancy in Grant Parish, where the vaccination rate is only 25 percent.

O’Neal hopes the full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine will generate more trust in those who live in rural communities but are hesitant.

Cut 12 (07) “…works.”  

All numbers are cited from the Louisiana Department of Health COVID dashboard.

_____________________________

Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey blasts LSU’s decision to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium this fall.

Cathey says the policy is inconvenient for fans.

Cut 13 (08) “…stuff for the fans.”

State health leaders like LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal celebrated the news saying it ensures a safe environment for fans and the policy means there is little chance of anyone catching COVID at the game.

Cathey also calls the policy an overreach with no historical precedent.

Cut 14 (09) “…sporting event.”

Cathey says the policy is premature and he believes by kickoff against McNeese on September 11^th that the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better.

Cut 15 (08)“…are now.”

COVID-related hospitalizations are down a bit from last week but saw a slight jump Tuesday after five straight days of declines. The 2,856 people statewide in the hospital with COVID is about 800 people higher than at any point during the previous three waves.

________________________________________

One team, one heartbeat has been the mantra LSU Coach Ed Orgeron uses to describe the football program since he took over as interim head coach in 2016. But the Tigers lacked that togetherness last season when they went five and five. Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says it’s a different feeling this season

cut  16 (26) “…talking about.”

Senior offensive guard Ed Ingram says they are more focused this season and there’s better leadership…

Cut 17 (16) “… says stuff.”  

Proof of at least one COVID vaccine is needed to enter Tiger Stadium this season or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to kick-off. The vaccine policy could hurt attendance, but Ingram says that is something they can not control

Cut 18 (14)”…UCLA right now.”

LSU announces fans will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test from the last 72 hours to get into Tiger Stadium this season. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal celebrated the news, saying this allows people to recapture a sense of normalcy…

Cut 5 (09) “…stop.”

Season ticket holders who want a refund must email tickets@lsu.edu by Friday.

If you chose not to get vaccinated state leaders like Ag Commissioner Mike Strain implore you not to use Ivermectin instead. Strain says there was some evidence at one point that the anti-parasitic might be effective against COVID but those studies were retracted by reputable medical journals…

Cut 12 (10) “…audit” 

Five puppies are now safe and sound after spending days at the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says in his 33 years in the field, he’s never seen such an operation. Overall Dorson says the puppies are in great shape considering and crews kept them fed and watered throughout the three-day rescue.

Cut 10 (11) “…no idea”

He says the five pit-bull mix puppies along with their mother will be up for adoption once they’ve been released from Mandeville Animal Hospital.

Saints QB Jameis Winston looked like starter material last night against the Jags. Winston showed great chemistry with second year receiver Marquez Callaway who grabbed two TDs. Callaway was modest about his big game…

Cut 8 (11) “…to be”

Tiger Stadium adopts the same vaccination policy as the Superdome ahead of the regular season home opener in two weeks. That means fans will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to gain entry, a move celebrated by LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal. O’Neal says this creates a relatively safe environment for vaccinated fans. As for the unvaccinated…

Cut 4 (07) “…zero” 

Unvaccinated individuals must produce a negative PCR test result that was taken within 72 hours of the game.

Jameis Winston made a strong case in the Saints’ preseason win over Jacksonville that he should take the reigns as starting QB.  It was the first game he started since 2019 when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he had a near-perfect QB rating…

Cut 7 (06) “…fun stuff”  

A gaggle of puppies got trapped in a well in Washington Parish. Brooke Thorington has more on the three-day rescue.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

After five straight days of declining COVID-related hospitalizations the state saw a small bump in those hospitalized, along with a record day for COVID-related deaths according to the Governor’s office. 139 people are reported dead from COVID today, topping the previous high of 129 in April of 2020. 

LSU will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium for football games this season.  LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says this added layer of protection means those who are fully vaccinated can feel pretty safe going to the game.

Cut 3 (11) “…environment.” 

O’Neal says those who are elderly or immunocompromised should not go to the game even if vaccinated. She says crowds won’t be safe for those individuals until more people are vaccinated.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain implores Louisianans not to take Ivermectin for COVID. Strain says for some Ivermectin can even be fatal. That’s because some people genetically don’t have the right protein to stop Ivermectin from crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Cut 14 (09) “..antidote”

Jameis Winston made a strong case that he should be the starting quarterback for the Saints in last night’s preseason win over Jacksonville. Winston threw for 123 yards and two touchdowns and just one incompletion on ten attempts. Coach Sean Payton is not providing a timeline on when he’ll announce a starter…

Cut 6 (10) “…next week” 

Five puppies are now safe and sound after spending days at the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says in his 33 years in the field, he’s never seen such an operation. Overall Dorson says the puppies are in great shape considering and crews kept them fed and watered throughout the three-day rescue.

Cut 10 (11) “…no idea”

Tiger fans will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test from the last 72 hours to get into Tiger Stadium this season. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says this policy creates a relatively safe environment for fully vaccinated individuals, and allows people to recapture a sense of normalcy…

Cut 5 (09) “…stop.”

Season ticket holders who want a refund must email tickets@lsu.edu by Friday.

Saints fans had to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to get into last night’s preseason game where QB Jameis Winston showed great chemistry with second year receiver Marquez Callaway who grabbed two TDs. Callaway was modest about his big game…

Cut 8 (11) “…to be”

Ag Commissioner joins the growing list of state officials asking residents to avoid taking Ivermectin for COVID. Strain says there’s little to no evidence the drug is suited to take on COVID, and even worse it can have really nasty side effects, especially if taken improperly.

Cut 13 (09) “…cycle.”

Five puppies are now safe and sound after spending days at the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says responders tied leashes together to form a type of webbing, enticed puppies with food into the webbing, and pulled them to safety.

Cut 9 (12) “…would work.”

LSU will require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium for the home opener against McNeese on September 11^th. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says if you’re not vaccinated you can go get one today and have some additional protection entering the stadium. For those who choose not to get vaccinated but are otherwise healthy…

Cut 4 (07) “…zero” 

Unvaccinated individuals must produce a negative PCR test result that was taken within 72 hours of the game.

The state reports the highest-ever single-day fatality count for COVID 19-today with a 139.

The previous high was 129 on April 14, 2020. The state also reports 3,814 new COVID-19 cases and 2,856 hospitalizations. 91 percent of hospitalized patients are unvaccinated.

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain implores Louisianans not to take Ivermectin for COVID. Strain says there was some evidence at one point that the anti-parasitic might be effective against COVID, but those studies were retracted by reputable medical journals due to irregularities…

Cut 12 (10) “…audit” 

Strain says for some the medication can be fatal.

It took rescue crews three days to save five puppies from the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish.  Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says in his 33 years working with animals he’s never seen anything like it.

Cut  11 (09) “…extraordinary.”  

Dorson says the puppies were transported to Mandeville Animal Hospital where they remarkably are only being treated for parasites and minor skin issues.

The state reports 139 COVID-19 fatalities today which is the most announced in a single day since the beginning of the pandemic. The previous high was 129 on April 14, 2020. The state reports 3,814 new COVID-19 cases and 2,856 hospitalizations.

You’ll need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to get into Tiger Stadium for the September 11^th home opener. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Five puppies are now safe and sound after spending days at the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says in his 33 years in the field, he’s never seen such an operation. Overall Dorson says the puppies are in great shape considering and crews kept them fed and watered throughout the three-day rescue.

Cut 10 (11) “…no idea”

He says the five pit-bull mix puppies along with their mother will be up for adoption once they’ve been released from Mandeville Animal Hospital.

Jameis Winston made a strong case that he should be the starting quarterback for the Saints in last night’s preseason win over Jacksonville. It was the first game he started since 2019 when he was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Cut 7 (06) “…fun stuff”