Additional restrictions could be coming as the state approaches three thousand COVID patients in the hospital. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A landmark international report on climate change shows that should the world not reach carbon neutrality by 2050 the region that Louisiana is in could see temperature increases of six degrees compared to the average temperature between 1995 and 2014.

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants to hear from you if you feel you’ve been censored by a social media company. Landry says this censorship deprives Americans of access to important information. He cited the censorship of posts about the Wuhan lab’s alleged involvement with the virus.

Cut 4 (12) “…citizens” 

Landry says you can fill out a form at the AG’s website if your posts have been impacted.

The U.S. Senate approved the 1.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure package today. Senator Bill Cassidy, who helped negotiate and craft the bipartisan bill says over six billion dollars in infrastructure assistance will be headed to Louisiana as a result…

Cut 14 (08) “…infrastructure.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is partnering with Alabama’s AG to catalog alleged incidents of censorship by social media companies. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

The state reports 93 COVID fatalities today and more than 6-thousand new cases 2,859 are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID an increase of 139 from Monday. 91-percent of those in the hospital are reportedly unvaccinated. The department of health also says 90-percent of cases from July 22 to July 28 were among those unvaccinated.

The U.S. Senate approved the 1.2 trillion-dollar infrastructure package today. Senator Bill Cassidy, who helped negotiate and craft the bipartisan bill says it’s a big win for the country and Bayou State.

Cut 12 (11) “…other things” 

Cassidy says the legislation is called the Infrastructure Investments Jobs Act and in addition to jobs, while the state’s senior senator touts the legislation, fellow republican John Kennedy opposed the legislation.

As children begin to return to the classroom, State Police are reminding motorists to be mindful of school zones. LSP spokesperson, Trooper Johnathan Odom says all traffic must stop no less than 30 feet from a school bus when its stop signals are in use.

Cut 10 (12) “…the bus.”

He also says to allow for extra drive time through school zones.

The state reports 93 COVID fatalities today and more than 6-thousand new cases 2,859 are in Louisiana hospitals with COVID an increase of 139 from Monday.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says more mitigation rules may be needed if the state doesn’t slow down the spread of COVID-19. Kanter is worried about the growing number of COVID patients in the hospital statewide and how to care for them if the surge of patients doesn’t stop

Cut 6 (10) “…sustain that.”

Last week Governor John Bel Edwards brought back an indoor face mask mandate that’s in effect until at least September 1st. Kanter made the comments while giving a COVID-19 update to the Board of Regents

Attorneys’ General offices in both Louisiana and Alabama are now offering a complaint form for people who feel they are being censored on social media.

Louisiana AG Jeff Landry says Big Tech social media companies have created a virtual public square that should have 1^st Amendment protections.

Cut 3 (09) “…censorship” 

The form includes categories for de-platforming, suppression of posts, the altering or deleting of content, suspensions or banning of accounts.

As children begin to return to the classroom, State Police are reminding motorists to be mindful of school zones. LSP even released a video on social media about what you can and cannot do driving-wise in a school zone, spokesperson, Trooper Johnathan Odom…

Cut 9 (07) “…or biking”

LSP also encourages drivers to allow for extra drive time through school zones.

Attorney General Jeff Landry argues Governor Edwards does not have the authority to mandate masks in K-12 public schools this fall. Landry says this policy is solely the jurisdiction of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school boards. He says those organizations are made up of democratically elected officials…

Cut 7 (09) “..system.”

Edwards called Landry dead wrong and accused him of sowing confusion and undermining public confidence in this proven mitigation technique, he also says the Attorney General’s legal rationale is flawed and undermined by other situations where emergency declarations impacted school policy.

Cut 10 (10) “…(x2) coastal parishes.”

Forecasters are keeping an eye on the system in the Atlantic that’s expected to become Tropical Storm Fred later today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says if the disturbance isn’t broken up by a mountain range in Hispaniola and makes its way into the Gulf possibly Saturday it’s anybody’s guess as to Fred’s potential and path.

Cut 16 (11) “…closely.”

Physicians are starting to see a link between erectile dysfunction and COVID. LSU Health New Orleans Urologist Dr. Matthew Mutter says when a man is fighting COVID it causes a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body and could impact blood flow.  Utter also says ED can also be a result of a psychological issue and the ongoing pandemic has added many stressors in life.

Cut 13 (10) “…in men.”

The disturbance in the Gulf has yet to reach Tropical Storm status but is expected to later today and will go by the name of Fred. As the system makes its way through the Caribbean and potentially the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday, State Climatologist Barry Keim says the trek over the next few days will either strengthen or weaken the system

Cut 14 (08) “…on Thursday.”

A tropical storm warning is in effect for Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.

The Senate is voting at this hour on the 1.2 trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure package that Senator Bill Cassidy helped craft. Cassidy says the plan is a big win for Louisiana…

Cut 4 (12) “…highways.”

However, Senator John Kennedy opposes the bill and disputes the six-billion-dollar figure, arguing instead it is closer to 1.2 billion dollars.

Attorney General Jeff Landry and Governor Edwards spar over the Governor’s authority to implement mask mandates in K-12 schools. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state continues to break records for the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. That number is up 2,720 and the state health department says 91-percent of the COVID patients are not vaccinated. 38-percent of the state’s population is vaccinated. Numbers are updated daily at noon.

A vote is expected this morning in the U-S Senate on a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. Senator John Kennedy calls the legislation an unfunded inflation bomb, but fellow Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the projected 250-billion dollars in deficits will be offset by long-term economic growth…
cut 6 (11) “….taxes”
If the legislation passes the Senate, it will still need House approval.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry believes BESE should set the policy regarding face masks in schools. But Governor Edwards says during a public health emergency he can issue certain directives…
cut 10 (10) “….coastal parishes” (2x)”
BESE is expected to discuss masks in schools next week.

Physicians are starting to see a possible link between COVID and ED in men. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The state health department says over 27-hundred individuals are in the hospital suffering from symptoms brought on by COVID-19. While speaking to the Board of Regents this morning, Kanter says if the fourth surge of COVID cases doesn’t reach a peak within a week or two, it will be a catastrophic situation for hospitals.

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry has issued a legal opinion that says the governor’s mask mandate does not extend to public schools. Landry believes the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education should decide if masks should be required in schools…
cut 8 (09) “…voice”
And BESE is expected to discuss masks in schools at their meeting next week. Governor Edwards disagrees with Landry’s legal opinion.

Tropical Storm Fred is expected to form southeast of Puerto Rico today, but State Climatologist Barry Keim says the disturbance will have a hard time strengthing as it moves over Hispaniola’s mountain range…
cut 15 (12) “…development”
The National Hurricane Center has this system as a tropical storm south of Florida on Saturday morning.

Senator Bill Cassidy is optimistic the Senate will approve today a 1.2 trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure package he helped craft. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The 4th surge in COVID cases has prompted the cancellation of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson, Kelly Schulz says the cancellation of Jazz Fest is an economic blow the state shouldn’t have to take.
Cut 27 (10) “…this situation”

Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and Governor Edwards disagree over whether the governor has the authority to implement mask mandates in public schools. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The state continues to break records for the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. That number is up 2,720 and the state health department says 91-percent of the COVID patients are not vaccinated. 38-percent of the state’s population is vaccinated.

Research out of the University of Miami has found COVID-19 can cause erectile dysfunction in men. LSU Health New Orleans Urologist Doctor Matthew Mutter says men with pre-existing conditions like diabetes, heart disease and pulmonary issues seem to be more susceptible to E-D once they are infected by the virus…
cut 12 (08) “….function”
Meanwhile, research is showing the vaccine does NOT cause sexual dysfunction.

The U-S Senate is expected to vote on a one trillion dollar infrastructure bill this morning. Senator Bill Cassidy says the legislation contains six billion dollars for Louisiana to rebuild and improve roads and bridges. Cassidy says the proposal also includes 65 billion dollars in grid hardening.
Cut 5 (11) “…money”
Senator John Kennedy is expected to vote against the bill. He told Fox News the legislation is full of stupid stuff.