Senator Bill Cassidy expects the Senate will vote today on a 1.2 trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure package that he helped craft. Cassidy says the plan is a big win for Louisiana…
Cut 4 (12) “…highways.”
Cassidy’s colleague Senator John Kennedy opposes the bill and disputes the six billion dollar figure, arguing instead it is closer to 1.2 billion dollars.

In addition to the loss of smell and reduced breathing capacity, another side effect of COVID for some is erectile dysfunction. LSU Health New Orleans Urologist Dr. Matthew Mutter says when a man is fighting COVID it causes a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body.
Cut 11 (10) “…the penis.”
Mutter says it’s too early to tell if ED is a permanent or temporary side effect of COVID,

Attorney General Jeff Landry argues Governor Edwards does not have the authority to mandate masks in K-through-12 public schools. Landry says this policy is solely the jurisdiction of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school boards.…
Cut 7 (09) “..system.”
Edwards calls Landry’s opinion completely wrong and accused him of undermining public confidence in mitigation measures.
Cut 9 (07) “…emergencies.”
BESE meets next week and masks in the classroom is expected to be discussed.

Senator Bill Cassidy is optimistic the Senate will approve a 1.2 trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure package he helped craft. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

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.” 

_________________________________________

Physicians are starting to see what they believe might be a link between COVID causing ED in men. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy expects the Senate will vote today on a 1.2 trillion dollar bipartisan infrastructure package that he helped craft.

Cassidy says the plan is a big win for Louisiana…

Cut 4 (12) “…highways.”

Cassidy’s colleague Senator John Kennedy opposes the bill and disputes the six billion dollar figure, arguing instead it is closer to 1.2 billion dollars.

Cassidy says the plan includes 55 billion for broadband expansion, 25 billion for airport improvement projects, 45 billion dollars in environmental resiliency, and 65 billion dollars in grid hardening.

Cut 5 (11) “…money”

The bill authorizes but does not provide funding for an I-14 east-west interstate running through central Louisiana.

Kennedy called the bill an unfunded “inflation bomb”, but Cassidy says the projected 250 billion dollars in deficits it would result in will be offset by long-term economic growth.

Cut 6 (11) “…taxes.”

_____________________

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.”

Landry says Louisiana’s constitutional structure prohibits Governor Edwards from issuing this mandate in schools. He says the Governor is also making masking in schools a divisive issue.

Cut 8 (09) “…too.” 

Edwards called Landry dead wrong and accused him of sowing confusion and undermining public confidence in this proven mitigation technique.

Cut 9 (07) “…emergencies.”

Edwards 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.”

____________________________________

In addition to the loss of smell and reduced breathing capacity, another side effect of COVID for some is erectile dysfunction. LSU Health New Orleans Urologist Dr. Matthew Mutter says when a man is fighting COVID it causes a systemic inflammatory response throughout the body.

Cut 11 (10) “…the penis.”

While it’s too early to tell if ED is a permanent or temporary side effect of the COVID, Mutter says men with preexisting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and pulmonary issues are already vulnerable to ED.

Cut 12 (08) “…function.” 

In addition to lack of blood flow, Mutter says the causes of ED are multifactorial. ED can also be a result of a psychological issue and the ongoing pandemic has added many stressors in life for all of us.

Cut 13 (10) “…in men.”

Mutter says if you are suffering from ED, despite if you’ve had COVID or not, always seek professional help. Mutter says they are seeing more cases of ED among young men which can be an early indicator of heart disease.

_____________________________________

Forecasters are keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Fred* (cyclone six) as he makes his way through the Caribbean and potentially the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Fred will ingest some dry air from the west thus keeping it a tropical storm for a bit, but in the meantime, we’ll have to watch its trek…

Cut 14 (08) “…on Thursday.”

Keim says as Fred makes its way across Hispaniola its journey near the mountain range could determine its future development.

Cut 15 (12)“…development.”

Once Fred makes its way across Hispaniola and into the Gulf possibly on Saturday Keim says it’s anybody’s guess as to Fred’s potential and path.

Cut 16 (11) “…closely.”

_________________________________________

LSU’s defense was historically bad last year as the Tigers allowed 492 yards a game, the fourth-worst in F-B-S football and 35 points a game, which was the second-worst in major college football. During the offseason, LSU hired defensive coordinator Daronte Jones, linebackers coach Blake Baker, and defensive line coach Andre Carter. Senior linebacker Jared Small says the new coaches have connected well with the players

Cut 17 (21) “…throughout the building”  (2x)

LSU Senior linebacker Damone Clark says the new coaches have the ability to boost your confidence…

Cut 18 (17)”…different.”

On offense, LSU has several freshmen wide receivers looking for playing time right away. Chris Hilton Junior, Malik Nabers, Brian Thomas, and Deion Smith. Sophomore Kayshon Boutte is impressed with this freshmen class of wideouts…

Cut 19 (18)  “…do it all”  (2x)

Boutte also has a message for fans as new COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise and the Tigers home opener is about a month away…

Cut 20 (06)  “….for everybody” 

Senator John Kennedy slams the bipartisan infrastructure agreement that appears set for a vote tomorrow. The trillion-dollar plan is partially funded by taxes, some of which Kennedy says target Louisiana’s vital industries…

Cut 5 (11) “…Louisiana”

Senator Bill Cassidy celebrated the plan, saying it would provide us with six billion dollars in funding. Cassidy also voiced his feelings about the ongoing 4^th surge of COVID. Cassidy says this surge is all the more tragic because it could have been prevented if more people had gotten vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “..dead” 

Roughly 90 percent of new cases and 84 percent of COVID-related deaths were unvaccinated individuals according to data captured at the end of July.

The 4^th 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 this year is a blow the state shouldn’t have to take.

Cut 7 (10) “…this situation” 

The traditional spring event was postponed originally this year to October but now has been canceled again for the second year due to the pandemic.

The LSU Vet School announces the school’s live mascot Mike the Tiger has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose was administered on Friday. Vet School Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says an animal health company called Zoetis donated the vaccine

Cut 9 (12) “…free vaccines”

Guttner says it was important for Mike to get vaccinated because it has been determined that Tigers can, in fact, contract the virus.

The state’s two US Senators are at odds over a bipartisan infrastructure bill that looks set to receive a vote tomorrow. Senator Bill Cassidy backs the plan he helped craft, saying it will drive six billion dollars in money for roads and bridges into the state, while Senator John Kennedy lambasted it for raising taxes on businesses and having a deficit price tag of 250 billion dollars…

Cut 3 (08) “…tax.” 

Kennedy says another reason he did not support the bill was the despite the cost the Senate refused to include Hurricane Laura relief funds for Southwest Louisiana.

Over 2,700 patients now sit in Louisiana hospitals with COVID. 50 hospitals are now requesting additional aid and Cassidy commented on the ongoing nursing shortage that is hampering our healthcare response.

Cut 14 (11) “…do so”

LSU’s live mascot Mike the Tiger has received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Jeff Palermo on how this came to be…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Jazz Fest has been canceled for this year. The plan to move ahead with an October festival staring the Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Lizzo, and other hitmakers will not proceed after the decision was made to nix this year’s already once delayed festival due to the Delta surge. Plans are, for now, to move ahead with the usual springtime festival next year. 

The Delta COVID surge does not appear to be slowing down. Senator Bill Cassidy says this surge is all the more tragic because it could have been prevented if more people had gotten vaccinated. The percentage of fully vaccinated Louisianans is at 38 percent. Cassidy says there is a lot of misinformation about the vaccine’s development.

Cut 13 (13) “…minimal”

The LSU Vet School announces the school’s live mascot Mike th Tiger has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose was administered on Friday. Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says it was important for Mike to get vaccinated because it has been determined that Tigers can, in fact, contract the virus.

Cut 10 (10) “…for sure.”

Senator John Kennedy opposes the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, citing the legislation’s cost, lack of infrastructure focus, and limited offerings for Louisiana. Kennedy says only about a quarter of the bill funds traditional hard infrastructure, and he bemoaned the disproportionate amount bigger cities will receive, like 40 billion for “big city mass transit systems”.

Cut 4 (08) “…bills” 

The 4^th surge in COVID cases is already prompting the cancellation of major events, like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson, Kelly Schulz encourages those in the tourism industry to remain optimistic.

Cut 6 (08) “…we can.”

Schulz says this year’s cancellation was completely preventable and is a result of individuals refusing to be vaccinated.

Senator John Kennedy slams the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, calling it an inflationary bomb. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________________

LSU’s live mascot Mike the Tiger has received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Jeff Palermo on how this came to be…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

______________________________________

Senator John Kennedy opposes the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, citing the legislation’s cost, lack of infrastructure focus, and limited offerings for Louisiana.

The trillion-dollar package will increase deficits by 256 billion dollars over ten years per the Congressional Budget Office. Kennedy says that’s more than the GPD of Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax.” 

Half of the funds utilized are repurposed COVID relief dollars that were allocated but never spent. About another 250 billion comes from a range of new taxes on businesses and the wealthy.

Kennedy says only about a quarter of the bill funds traditional hard infrastructure, and he bemoaned the disproportionate amount bigger cities will receive, like 40 billion for “big city mass transit systems”.

Cut 4 (08) “…bills” 

Kennedy argues Louisiana is only set to receive 1.2 billion dollars in new funding over ten years as a result of the bill, but Senator Bill Cassidy, who helped craft the legislation, says the number is actually six billion.

Kennedy says the increase in business taxes specifically target industries that are prominent in the state.

Cut 5 (11) “…Louisiana”

Kennedy says another reason he did not support the bill was the despite the cost the Senate refused to include Hurricane Laura relief funds for Southwest Louisiana.

__________________________

As the state’s tourism industry is still recovering from the 2020 pandemic fallout a 4^th surge is already prompting the cancellation of major events, like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson, Kelly Schulz, encourages those in the industry to remain optimistic.

Cut 6 (08) “…we can.”

So far Schulz says they have a number of conventions still on the books for the fall and they are hopeful because the majority are privately controlled events. But Schulz says the cancellation of Jazz Fest this year is a blow the state shouldn’t have to take.

Cut 7 (10) “…this situation” 

Schulz says Jazz Fest’s cancellation is not only financially devastating for the state it’s a tradition that means so much emotionally for residents also.

Cut 8 (12) “…vaccinated”

Jazz Fest plans to return to its Spring timeframe next year right now it’s scheduled for April 29 through May 8, 2022.

___________________________

The LSU Vet School announces the school’s live mascot Mike The Tiger has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose was administered on Friday. Spokesperson  Ginger Guttner says an animal health company called Zoetis donated the vaccine

Cut 9 (12) “…free vaccines”

Guttner says it was important for Mike to get vaccinated because it has been determined that Tigers can, in fact, contract the virus.

Cut 10 (10) “…for sure.”

Barricades have circled LSU’s beloved mascot habitat and Guttner says that was to keep Mike a safe distance away from people to avoid getting sick.

Cut  11 (11) “…his visitors”  

The barricades are scheduled to be removed before the start of football season.

________________________________________________

The Delta COVID surge does not appear to be slowing down as the Louisiana Department of Health reports 16,500 new cases and 50 new deaths since Friday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says this surge is all the more tragic because it could have been prevented if more people had gotten vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “..dead” 

Roughly 90 percent of new cases and 84 percent of COVID-related deaths were unvaccinated individuals according to data captured at the end of July.

The percentage of fully vaccinated Louisianans is 38 percent. Cassidy says there’s a lot of misinformation about the vaccine’s development.

Cut 13 (13) “.minimal”

The surge of new cases has resulted in a big increase in new vaccinations administered. In early July the state averaged under 5,000 new vaccines given a day. That number is now around 15,000. 53 percent of Louisianans 12 and up have now received at least one shot.

Over 2,700 people are now hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID, with roughly 90 percent of those being unvaccinated individuals. Cassidy says many hospitals just don’t have enough staff to handle this…

Cut 14 (11) “…do so”

The Delta COVID surge does not appear to be slowing down as the Louisiana Department of Health reports 16,500 new cases. Senator Bill Cassidy says this surge is all the more tragic because it could have been prevented if more people had gotten vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “..dead” 

50 new deaths were also reported.

Senator John Kennedy slams the bipartisan infrastructure agreement that appears set for a vote tomorrow. The trillion dollar plan is partially funded by taxes, some of which Kennedy says target Louisiana’s vital industries…

Cut 5 (11) “…Louisiana”

Senator Cassidy celebrated the plan, saying it would provide us with six billion dollars in funding.

Mike the Tiger is now fully vaccinated. Spokesperson. Baricades keeping the public away from Mike are now scheduled to be taken down next week. LSU spokesperson Ginger Guttner says the barricades helped Mike practice social distancing.

Cut  11 (11) “…his visitors”  

Students will not be required to be vaccinated to attend on campus classes.

Cancel your October Jazz Fest plans, the festival will not be moving ahead this year due to the recent surge in cases. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson Kelly Schulz says Jazz Fest’s cancellation is not only financially devastating, but a big loss for locals…

Cut 8 (12) “…vaccinated”

Jazz Fest will return in spring. 

Senator John Kennedy slams the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, calling it an inflationary bomb. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 16,541 new COVID cases and more than 27-hundred hospitalizations.  91-percent of those hospitalized are reportedly unvaccinated and 90-percent of the cases are among the unvaccinated.  Fifty new fatalities were also reported today.

The 4^th 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 this year is a blow the state shouldn’t have to take.

Cut 7 (10) “…this situation” 

The traditional spring event was postponed originally this year to October but now has been canceled again for the second year due to the pandemic.

The LSU Vet School announces the school’s live mascot Mike The Tiger has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose was administered on Friday. Spokesperson Ginger Guttner says an animal health company called Zoetis donated the vaccine

Cut 9 (12) “…free vaccines”

Guttner says it was important for Mike to get vaccinated because it has been determined that Tigers can, in fact, contract the virus.

The state reports more than 16-thousand 500 new COVID cases and more than 27-hundred hospitalizations.  91-percent of those hospitalized are not vaccinated. Fifty new fatalities were also reported. Numbers on Mondays include those from the weekend.

LSU’s live mascot Mike the Tiger has received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Jeff Palermo on how this came to be…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Senator John Kennedy opposes the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, citing the legislation’s cost, lack of infrastructure focus, and limited offerings for Louisiana. The trillion-dollar package will increase deficits by 256 billion dollars over ten years per the Congressional Budget Office. Kennedy says that’s more than the GPD of Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of the leading bipartisan negotiators of the bill.

The 4^th surge in COVID cases is already prompting the cancellation of major events, like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson, Kelly Schulz encourages those in the tourism industry to remain optimistic.

Cut 6 (08) “…we can.”

Schulz says this year’s cancellation was completely preventable and is a result of individuals refusing to be vaccinated.