9:30 LRN Newscast

A Mayo Clinic study claims to show Pfizer vaccines are much less effective at preventing Delta COVID infections than Moderna vaccines, but a Tulane Epidemiologist says the results are not conclusive. The study was widely shared on social media and reported in the news, but Dr. Susan Hassig says it was not a clinical trial…
Cut 10 (13) “…Delta.”

The White House is urging OPEC to increase oil production to help satisfy the current demand for energy in the United States. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says it’s another move by the Biden administration to decimate the American oil and gas industry…
cut 5 (09) “…this point”
Biden has set a goal to decarbonize the U-S economy by 2050.

Census data is in and the population numbers are set to shake up Louisiana’s Congressional map. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Storm Fred is expected to make landfall along the Florida panhandle today. Tropical Depression Grace is expected to stay well south of Louisiana. And in New Orleans today, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test in the last 72 hours is required to enter restaurants, bars, gyms, music venues and next monday’s Saints preseason game.

8:30 LRN Newscast

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.

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”

The White House has urged OPEC to boost oil production and local energy producers are upset the Biden Administration does not support domestic production.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”

Starting today, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is accepting applications from charities, faith-based organizations, and small businesses who can receive grants of up to 25-thousand dollars through the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program. Nonprofits can use the grants to provide aid to communities impacted by COVID, while small businesses can use the assistance to address the negative economic impact of the COVID public health emergency.

7:30 LRN Newscast August 16

The state health department will release new COVID data today and it’s possible Louisiana could surpass three thousand COVID patients in the hospital. 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 Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is upset with the Biden administration for calling on OPEC to increase oil production. LOGA President Mike Moncla says this comes as Louisiana oil and gas workers continue to be laid off. And Moncla says domestic oil production is the safest in the world…
Cut 6 (11) “…get them from”

The Census numbers have been released, which shows 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.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that by an infant’s first birthday, babies will burn calories 50 percent faster for their body size than adults. Director of Ingestive Behavior at Pennington, Doctor Corby Martin, says after the initial surge in infancy, a person’s metabolism slows by about three percent each year until their 20s….
cut 9 (12) “….age 60”
The data suggests our metabolisms do not decline again until after the age of 60.

6:45 LRN Sportscast August 16

The Saints are off today following a light practice yesterday that came on the heels of Saturday’s preseason opener in which New Orleans turned it over six times in a 17-14 defeat to the Baltimore Ravens. Coach Sean Payton is not happy with the six turnovers…
Cut 18 (16)”..you know.”
Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston both put up similar numbers. Winston looked good running the two-minute offense late in the second quarter. It was highlighted by a 33-yard pass play to Juwan Johnson, who had two catches for 71 yards. Defensive end Marcus Davenport was active and rookie Zack Baun had five tackles in 31 snaps. Former Notre Dame standout Tony Jones Junior rushed had 82 yards rushing on seven carries. Jones had an 18-yard touchdown run.

LSU begins its second full week of preseason camp today and All-American cornerback Derek Singley could miss this week with what Coach Ed Orgeron calls a minor camp injury. Several players have missed time with minor injuries, including cornerback Elias Ricks and running back Tyrion Davis-Price. Coach Ed Orgeron admits all of the injuries are a bit concerning…
cut 29 (29) “…of injuries”
The preseason A-P Top 25 football poll comes out later today.

The Pelicans beat the Warriors 80 to 79 in overtime to go 4-and-0 in summer league action. First-round pick Troy Murphy had 22 points.

6:30 LRN newscast August 16

A Mayo Clinic study claims to show Pfizer vaccines are much less effective at preventing Delta COVID infections than Moderna vaccines, but a Tulane Epidemiologist says the results are not conclusive. The study was widely shared on social media and reported in the news, but Dr. Susan Hassig says it was not a clinical trial…
Cut 10 (13) “…Delta.”

New census numbers show that Louisiana’s population has grown in south Louisiana, while there’s been a decline in north Louisiana. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that means the Congressional districts of Mike Johnson and Julia Letlow will only get larger in size…
cut 13 (06) “….thousand”

The belief that metabolism is impacted by our age appears to have been debunked by a new study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

LRN AM Newscall August 16

The White House has urged OPEC to boost oil production and local energy producers are upset the Biden Administration does not support domestic production. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”

___________________________________

The belief that metabolism is impacted by our age appears to have been debunked by a new study from LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

Census results are in and they’re set to shake up Louisiana’s Congressional map. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_______________________________

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”

Since the first day of his administration, President Biden has undertaken actions to shift away from domestic fossil fuel production to combat climate change. Moncla says the measures aren’t reasonable…

Cut 5 (9) “…at this point”

This comes as oil and gas workers in Louisiana continue to be laid off due to the pandemic. Moncla says domestic oil production is the safest in the world…

Cut 6 (11) “…get them from”

_____________________

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.”

The study included 66-hundred participants from ages one week to 95 years old in 29 different countries. Martin says for the most part your metabolism stays the same until your 60s.

Cut 8 (11) “…body mass.” 

Martin says infants and children have an advantage because they have a higher metabolism based on their smaller body size, so they’re burning more calories per pound than adults, but through adolescence, their metabolism slowly dwindles…

Cut 9 (12) “….age 60.”

The research also indicates adults also tend to have a more sedentary lifestyle due to work demands which also decreases our opportunity to burn calories. Martin says as children we have more free time to be active versus adults.

________________________________________

A Mayo Clinic study claims to show Pfizer vaccines are much less effective at preventing Delta COVID infections than Moderna vaccines, but a Tulane Epidemiologist says the results are not conclusive.

The study was widely shared on social media and reported in the news, but Dr. Susan Hassig says it was not a clinical trial and only documented people who showed up to take a test.

Cut 10 (13) “…Delta.” 

In July, the study looked at Mayo Clinic sites across the country and found Moderna was 76 percent effective at preventing infection while Pfizer was only 42 percent effective.

Hassig says even if these vaccines are less effective at preventing infections against Delta than they were against the original COVID, they’re still working because they keep you out of the hospital.

Cut 11 (10) “…death.”

Hassig says if further research confirms this finding then that’s just further evidence supporting the need to have even vaccinated people continue to mask for now.

Cut 12 (09) “…long term”  

_____________________________

The depopulation of rural north and central Louisiana parishes coupled with the growth of south Louisiana urban and suburban parishes is set to shake up the state’s Congressional Map.

Demographer Greg Rigamer says Louisiana has about 4 million-575 thousand people right now and the average district will need 776,000 to be equitable…

Cut 13 (06) “…thousand.”

Both Julia Letlow’s northeast and Florida Parishes-based district and Mike Johnson’s northwest district will have to get bigger to make up for population losses. In the south, districts will be shrinking…

Cut 14 (11) “…10,000”

Troy Carter’s New Orleans-based district fell within the margin of error for proper district size.

Rigamer says these major differences in population changes between the north and south Louisiana will give lawmakers a lot to think about when the redistricting battle begins.

Cut 15 (07)“…what’s what.”

Congressional and Legislative districts are drawn up by the Legislature but can be vetoed by Governor Edwards.

____________________________________________

LSU’s defensive line had a good showing when the Tigers held their first scrimmage of preseason camp. Coach Ed Orgeron says the play of ends Andre Anthony and Ali Gaye highlighted the day…

Cut 16 (16) “…pass rush”

Strong play from the defensive line means the o-line didn’t have as good of day. Orgeron has confidence new offensive line coach Brad Davis will have the group ready for the season opener…

Cut 17 (28) “…in camp” 

____________________________________________________

The Saints dropped the preseason opener to the Ravens 17-14 and there were some good performances. But Coach Sean Payton is not happy with the six turnovers…

Cut 18 (16)”..you know.”

The quarterbacks played well, but Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston still have yet to separate themselves. Both Q-Bs threw an interception. Hill’s I-N-T came when Ty Montgomery stopped his route…

Cut 19 (28)  “…those things” 

Michael Thomas was at the game, a sign the relationship between the star wide receiver and the franchise is improving. Thomas was catching passes before the game from Winston, but Thomas had a walking boot on his surgically repaired left ankle. Winston says it was still great to see Thomas at the game…

Cut 20 (13)  “…my night” 

10:30am 8/14/21 LRN Newscast

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
Louisiana has seen a sluggish 2.7 percent growth over the past ten years according to the US Census Bureau with many rural parishes getting hit the hardest. Demographer Greg Rigamer says 35 percent of all Louisianans now live in one of four southeastern parishes; Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, and East Baton Rouge.
Cut 4 (06) “..order”
The share of the population describing themselves as white fell five percent to 55 percent while the share of the population calling themselves Hispanic rose three percent to seven percent.
New Orleans’ citywide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test mandate goes into effect Monday. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says she chose to be the first in the state to follow advice from health officials like, New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno who says the case growth is enormous…
Cut 6 (11) “…people.”
Vaccination rates are higher and case numbers are lower in New Orleans compared to the rest of the state but New Orleans hospitals are also having to care for patients from other areas
LRN
——-
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals to help hospitals overwhelmed by the pandemic. Currently, six out of the Louisiana Department of Health’s nine regions have more than 85% of their intensive care unit beds full, and an additional two are over 80% capacity. Donelon says Emergency Rule 46 is an effort to assist those hospitals….
Cut 11 (09) “…the state.”
A similar rule was issued in 2020 but Donelon says the situation today is much worse
Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program. The state has partnered with the Board of Regents to kickoff the incentive program to increase the vaccination rate across the state and college campuses so students can have as normal of a college experience as possible this fall
Cut 14 (13) “…a hundred dollars.”
For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

9:30am 8/14/21 LRN Newscasts

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
The US Census reports Louisiana’s rural parishes continued to bleed population over the last years. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”
On Monday the city of New Orleans citywide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test mandate goes into effect. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says close to 99-percent of COVID cases in Louisiana are due to the highly transmissible Delta variant and shared her disappointment that the pandemic continues.
Cut 7 (10) “…out of reach.”
LRN
——-
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals. The rule allows acute care hospitals to discharge recovering patients to appropriate alternative settings, freeing up beds to accept new patients. Normally Donelon says hospital transfers require prior authorization from insurance, and…
Cut 10 (10) “…environment.”
Donelon issued a similar rule in 2020
Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program aimed at boosting the state’s low vaccination rate…
Cut 12 (13) “…higher education.”
Edwards has called the program necessary as college students are returning to campus and 18- to 29-year-olds in the state are helping spread the Delta variant. For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

8:30am 8/14/21

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
New Orleans becomes the first city in Louisiana to mandate vaccinations or proof a negative COVID test to gain entry to most indoor spaces, largely on the advice of city health officials. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And the population growth in Louisiana has seen a sluggish 2.7 percent growth in population over the past ten years with some of the hardest-hit parishes including Allen, Tensas, and West Carroll. US Census Bureau. Demographer Greg Rigamer says not only did Louisiana underperform the national average, but we’re even further behind the regional average…
Cut 5 (10) “…to work”
The National population growth was over 7 percent.
LRN
————–
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals as COVID patients continue to overwhelm major hospitals. Donelon says Emergency Rule 46 is a repeat of what was done earlier in the pandemic.
Cut 9 (12) “…treatment”
The rule permits acute care hospitals to release recovering patients to appropriate alternative settings to allow for more space at the hospitals.
And Gov. Edwards has announced a new vaccine incentive program hoping to boost the state’s low vaccination rates.
Edwards says the “Shot at a Hundred” program is incredibly important and necessary as college students are returning to campus and 18- to 29-year-olds in the state are helping spread the Delta variant.
Cut 13 (12) “…actually vaccinated.”
For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

5:30 LRN Newscast Aug 13

New Orleans’ citywide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test mandate goes into effect Monday.  New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says close to 99-percent of COVID cases in Louisiana are due to the highly transmissible Delta variant. Avegno shared her disappointment that the pandemic continues.

Cut 7 (10) “…out of reach.” 

Enforcement goes into effect on August 23rd. You can download a digital copy of your vaccination card on LA Wallet.

Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program aimed at boosting the state’s dreadfully low vaccination rate…

Cut 12 (13) “…higher education.” 

Visit Shot at 100 dot com.

The US Census reports Louisiana’s rural parishes continued to bleed population over the last years. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

 

The Delta variant is responsible for yet another Louisiana staple to cancel festivities this yearFrench Quarter Festival follows in Jazz Fest’s footsteps citing concerns over the 4th wave of COVID infections. Festival organizers of both events say they’ll return in April of 2022.