State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says classes begun this week for seven different school systems. Brumley says many schools are using a hybrid model, a split between virtual and in-person learning. Brumley says they’ve allocated over 300-million dollars in federal money to improve virtual instruction

Cut 3 (10)  “…for teachers”  

Legendary coach D-D Breaux announced today she’s retiring after 43 years as the leader of LSU women’s gymnastics program. Co-head coach Jay Clark will take over. The 67-year-old Breaux admits the past year has been difficult with the death of her mother and then the coronavirus pandemic

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re in”

Breaux is leaving on top as the Tigers are three-time defending SEC champions.

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State Treasurer John Schroder estimates about 10,000 small businesses have completed an application for Main Street Recovery grants, but they are running into a few issues though with applicants. He says some haven’t filed annual reports with the Secretary of State, many others haven’t filed their taxes, and…

Cut 9, 8 seconds, bookkeeping

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment has shown signs in animal trials that it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says lab mice that received a protein called  MDR 504 were far less likely to see the virus replicate once infected.

Cut 10 (11) “…percent.”

Some animal toxicology studies will need to be completed before they can move to human trials.

Tulane researchers say an animal model trial for a promising COVID-19 drug is showing strong results as a preventative treatment. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards holds another coronavirus briefing at 2:30 today. The current phase two order ends Friday, but the governor is expected to extend it, despite a decline in the daily total of new cases and a slight drop in COVID-19 hospital patients.

Louisiana has released coronavirus safety guidelines so that motion picture production can resume. The regulations call for a COVID-19 compliance officer on set, testing of workers and everyone wearing masks except performers. Louisiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly expects production to ramp up over the next two months…
cut 6 (12) “….communities”

Louisiana Lottery has increased the starting jackpot for its lotto game from 250-to-500-thousand dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the game matrix is also changing as players will pick six numbers out of 42, instead of 40…
cut 8 (10) “…a change”
And the change should lead to more jackpots over one million dollars.

The state has announced new safety guidelines for the restart of motion picture production. Louisiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly says the guidelines are similar to other workplaces. Wear a mask, social distance while on set, limit access to the studio, and…
Cut 4 (11)_ “…reset”
Stelly says a few productions are making preparations to resume filming and additional production activity is expected to ramp up in a few weeks.

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment for COVID-19 has produced positive results in studies on lab mice. It’s a synthetic protein called MDR 504 and its engineered to neutralize the virus once it enters a person’s body. Tulane Internal Medicne Chair Doctor Jay Kolls says the drug could be fantastic for nurses who are regularly exposed to the virus, but it’s not cheap to produce…
cut 11 (09) “….thing”
A human trial for the treatment is still needed.

Senator John Kennedy says a proposed coronavirus relief bill would let states determine how to pay extended unemployment benefits funded by the feds. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Murder charges have been dropped for one of two teenagers arrested last week in Franklin Parish after a State Trooper found a dead body in the trunk of their vehicle. Authorities say 18-year-old Michael Mitchell has admitted to fatally shooting 23-year-old Michael Robinson Junior of Monroe and the passneger in the vehicle 19-year-old Cameron Powe had nothing to do with the crime. So Powe’s charges have been dropped.

Discussions continue in Washington D-C on extending expanded federal unemployment benefits. The 600-dollar per week pandemic jobless benefit expired last week. Senator John Kennedy says there’s been discussion on giving states a choice as to how to go about paying the benefits…
cut 13 (12) “….your prior wages”
Congressional Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits through at least January 31st, while Kennedy says they should extend through the end of October.

The state has released a best practices plan so that film production can resume. Among the guidelines, a COVID-19 compliance officer, face coverings for everyone except performers, limit access to production areas and digital scripts and call sheets. Lousiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly says there were 14 film productions in Louisiana when the pandemic hit, not all of them may return…
cut 5 (08) “….go forward” (2x)

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment used on lab mice showed it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. It’s a protein called MDR 504, but Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Doctor Jay Kolls says it will be at least six months before this treatment could be available for humans…
cut 12 (11) “…2021″

The starting jackpot for Louisiana Lottery’s flagship game, Lotto, has been upgraded from 250-thousand dollars to 500-thousand dollars. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says this will help create larger jackpots..
Cut 7 (10) “…throughout the year.”
The change marks only the fourth time the game has been altered in its 28-year history.

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment has shown signs in animal trials that it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says lab mice that received a protein called MDR 504 were far less likely to see the virus replicate once infected.
Cut 10 (11) “…percent.”
Kolls says animal toxicology studies are still needed before they can move to human trials.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are making very little progress on passing another coronavirus relief bill that would extend jobless benefits. Democrats believe the country should continue with the 600-dollar-per-week jobless benefits, but Republicans are offering different alternatives. But Senator John Kennedy says Democrats are not willing to vote for other options…
cut 14 (06) “…to oppose it”
Discussions will continue throughout the week.

Later this month, the first film/TV project since the pandemic began is set to begin production in Louisiana under a set of new industry guidelines. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A request for a restraining order against the Governor’s statewide closure of bars has been rejected by federal judges. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Good news today on the corona front, Louisiana sees its lowest one day number of new cases since June 29^th today with only 1,099. Hospitalizations are also down a good bit and below 1,500 since July 19^th. Unfortunately, 17 more deaths have also been reported.

Drew Brees notable quirk where he licks his fingers throughout a game is a no-go for this season. Brees says he’s been working all offseason to break the habit given the current circumstances…

Cut 7 (12) “…of the habit’”

The Saints are back to strength and conditioning work today after the entire team tests negative for COVID-19.

Nearly 700 businesses have been found to have noncompliance on COVID spread mitigation measures, but State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s only about ten percent of the total number of businesses they have even investigated.

Cut 13 (08) “…that weren’t right” 

The most common shortcomings included face mask violations, table spacing, large gatherings, exceeded capacities, and self-serve buffet dining.

Federal judges in New Orleans and Lafayette have rejected requests from bar owners for a restraining order against the Governor’s bar closure order. Those owners are suing the state over the issue. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there’s a good legal reason why the requests were rejected.

Cut 3 (10)  “…injunction”  

The State Fire Marshal’s Office found nearly 700 businesses were not in compliance with COVID spread mitigation measures in July.  Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that only accounts for a small share of the businesses they visited.

Cut 12 (09) “…we were there.” 

The most common shortcomings included face mask violations, table spacing, large gatherings, exceeded capacities, and self-serve buffet dining.

The Saints begin strength and conditioning work today after none of their players tested positive for COVID-19 testing during extensive testing last week. Quarterback Drew Brees is ready to begin his 15th season with the Black and Gold…

Cut 6 (09) “…good at”

During training camp, Saints players, coaches, team doctors, and other personnel will stay at the Loews Hotel in New Orleans to mitigate the risk of infection.

Ochsner Health is one of 120 sites worldwide chosen to participate in phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine study with drugmaker Pfizer.  Ochsner Principal Investigator Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz says the selection comes as a result of its expertise and history in conducting clinical trials. Another factor that brought the study to Louisiana is its status as a COVID-19 hotspot.

Cut 10 (10) “…of the vaccine.”

Nearly 700 businesses have been found to have noncompliance on COVID spread mitigation measures, but State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s only about ten percent of the total number of businesses they have even investigated.

Cut 13 (08) “…that weren’t right” 

The most common shortcomings included face mask violations, table spacing, large gatherings, exceeded capacities, and self-serve buffet dining.

Bar owners in Lafayette and New Orleans suing the state over the bar closure order have a request for a restraining order against the mandate rejected. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this decision is a blow to those filing the suits.

Cut 4 (07)_ “denied this”

The New Orleans case will be heard on the 14^th and the Lafayette case will be heard on the 17^th.

Drew Brees announces that he will still stand for the National Anthem when football resumes. Brees says he will respect the decision of his teammates who chose to kneel after saying in June that he would never approve of anyone who chooses to keel during the anthem.

Cut 8 (12) “continue to undue”

Brees faced a mountain of criticism when he said can never support anyone who disrespects the flag. He apologized.

Ochsner Health is one of 120 sites worldwide chosen to participate in phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine study with drugmaker Pfizer.  Ochsner Principal Investigator Dr. Julia Garcia-Diaz says the selection comes as a result of its expertise and history in conducting clinical trials.

Cut 9 (09) “…of that endeavor.”