Things got feisty this morning at the State Capitol as a meeting of the House Health and Welfare Committee temporarily devolved into a fracas when people in attendance were asked to put on a mask…

Cut 6 (16) “…take off your mask.”

After things settled down a bit lawmakers got to question State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter. Kanter was asked about CDC recommendations that those with compromised immune systems should get a booster shot. Kanter agreed…

Cut 14 (12) “…another dose.”

The meeting came as the state reported another rise in COVID-related hospitalizations, now just shy of 3,000 across the state, a nearly 50 percent increase over the highest peak in the 3^rd wave earlier this year.

Tropical Storm Fred made landfall in the Panhandle this morning and while there are two other systems in Gulf and Atlantic neither appear to be a threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Tropical Storm Henri is set to just noodle around in the Atlantic and Tropical Depression Grace, which is near Hispaniola, could be bound for Mexico.

Cut 3 (07) “…Mexico” 

The Department of Revenue is now accepting grant applications for the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program to support charities and small businesses who are providing COVID support and relief efforts. Secretary of Revenue Kimberly Lewis says to be eligible your organization had to be in existence prior to 2020 you need to have filed tax returns for 2019 and 2020.

Cut  11 (08) “…actively operating.”  

The Louisiana Capitol was the site for a long and sometimes testy meeting where lawmakers, government officials, and parents discussed the use of face masks. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (40) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The state reports 2,956 hospitalizations the highest number since the pandemic began. LDH says 90-percent are unvaccinated.

Amite Representative Robbie Carter asked State Health Officer Dr Joe Kanter when physicians will be eligible for a third shot of the vaccine. Kanter says that the state health department will follow the lead of the FDA and CDC once approval is granted outside of those who are immune-compromised.

Cut 15 (12) “… every day.” 

The Department of Revenue is now accepting grant applications for the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program. Secretary of Revenue Kimberly Lewis says several nonprofits have provided much-needed services for Louisianans during this most difficult time.

Cut 12 (11) “…available.” 

Visit revenue.louisiana.gov for more information.

It’s been a tense day at the State Capitol as members of the public crammed into a House Health and Welfare committee meeting. The meeting began with a few people having to be removed from the chamber after refusing to put on masks, and later Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews questioned the governor’s top lawyer on why the state is not promoting natural immunity. Crews says everyone in his household has had COVID except for him and he credits the vitamins he’s taking…

Cut 9 (12) “…among the people”

The state is nearing 3,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19, nearly 50 percent higher than the 3^rd surge peak we experienced to start the year. 65 new COVID related deaths have been reported since Friday along with over 13,000 new cases.

The Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance program is now accepting grant applications, up to $25-thousand for eligible organizations and businesses.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

There are three storm systems in the Gulf and Atlantic right now but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it appears none of them will threaten Louisiana…

Cut 5 (08) “…goodness”

During a House Health and Welfare meeting at the state capitol, this morning things got off to a tense start when the audience was told they had to wear a mask and some who refused were then removed by security. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds asked the governor’s chief lawyer Matthew Block if the state might impose a vaccine mandate in order to enter a restaurant, bar, gym or venue but Block says that’s not under consideration

Cut 8 (05) “…time”

Starting today, New Orleans is requiring proof of vaccination or a recent negative COVID test to enter most businesses.

The state broke another record today for hospitalizations with 2,956 the highest number since the pandemic began. The Louisiana Department of Health reports that 90-percent of the COVID patients are unvaccinated. 65 COVID fatalities were also reported, and more than 13-thousand new cases were added since Friday.

There are three separate storm systems in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic but as of now, none appear to be any threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the third system, which should form into Tropical Storm Henri (on-ree) later today, is forecasted to noodle around in the Atlantic and not make landfall in the US. Keim says it may be peak hurricane season but we’re in the clear, for now…

Cut 4 (04) “…business” 

The Department of Revenue is now accepting grant applications for the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program to support charities and small businesses that are providing COVID support and relief efforts. Secretary of Revenue Kimberly Lewis says each grant is up to $25,000. Cut 10 (12) “…development activity.”

Visit Revenue-dot-Louisiana-dot-gov for more info.

Some folks had to be dragged out of a House Health and Welfare Committee meeting this morning at the Capitol after refusing to mask up. Members of the public, many of whom were unmasked, crammed into the committee room and started a fracas that resulted in some of them being removed by security after being told they had to mask up to be there. Chairman Larry Bagley was heckled as well…

Cut 7 (10) “…out of reach.” 

During that meeting, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter was questioned by Amite Representative Robbie Carter about the department’s approval for a booster shot for the immunocompromised

Cut 13 (13) “…came here.”

Since Friday the state reported another 13,000 positive COVID tests along with about another 50 people in the hospital with COVID, now just shy of 3,000

There are three separate storm systems in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic but as of now, none appear to be any threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Tropical Storm Fred is impacting the panhandle today, and Tropical Depression Grace, which is near Hispaniola, looks set to head to Mexico.

Cut 3 (07) “…Mexico” 

A third system, which should form into Tropical Storm Henri (on-ree) later today, is forecasted to noodle around in the Atlantic and not make landfall in the US.

LSU and UL Lafayette are both ranked in the AP pre-season Top 25 poll at 16 and 23 respectively. It’s the first time the Cajuns have made an AP preseason Top 25. 

A House Health and Welfare meeting at the state capitol had trouble starting this morning when chairman Larry Bagley told the audience they had to wear a mask in order to be in the room. There was pushback from some…

Cut 6 (16) “…take off your mask.”

Capitol security had to remove several people from the room and the legislative hearing to discuss the fourth COVID surge and vaccine mandates is underway.

It’s possible Louisiana could surpass three thousand COVID patients in the hospital today. According to L-D-H, 91-percent of the COVID patients are not vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the available vaccines are helping to keep the vaccinated out of the hospital…

cut 11 (10) “…death”

The Census numbers show the populations of parishes in south Louisiana have grown, while parishes in north Louisiana saw a decline. Demographer Greg Rigamer says these major differences in population between north and south Louisiana will give lawmakers a lot to think about when they hold a redistricting session.

Cut 15 (07)“…what’s what.”
A redistricting session is expected to be held early next year.

The long thought belief that your metabolism declines after your teens is not necessarily true according to new research out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Director of Ingestive Behavior at Pennington, Dr. Corby Martin says their study indicates our metabolism is pretty stable from age 20 to 60.

Cut 7 (12) “….we have.”

Martin says infants and children have an advantage because they have a higher metabolism based on their smaller body size.

Census numbers have been tabulated and they show many south Louisiana parishes have grown in population size, while many north Louisiana parishes are seeing a decline. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that means the congressional districts for Mike Johnson and Julia Letlow will grow in size and in south Louisiana, they will shrink…

Cut 14 (11) “…10,000”

There’s been a rush in Louisiana to get vaccinated as the state approaches three-thousand COVID patients in the hospital. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the vaccine is our best weapon against COVID…

Cut 12 (09) “…long term”  
The state health department is making third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems.

The White House has urged OPEC to boost production of crude oil to meet the United States’ demands for energy. Domestic producers are disappointed with the Biden administration’s policy of importing rather than producing. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says the White House is beating back years of progress…

Cut 4 (10) “…knees again”

The long thought belief that your metabolism declines after your teens is not necessarily true according to new research out of LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Director of Ingestive Behavior at Pennington, Dr. Corby Martin says for the most part your metabolism stays the same until your 60s.

Cut 8 (11) “…body mass.” 

The study included 66-hundred participants from ages one week to 95 years old in 29 different countries.