Pfizer is asking the Food and Drug Administration for emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine. LSU says hundreds of Louisiana residents have participated in this trial. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 1 (34) “ I’m Jim Shannon”
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Early voting locations for the December 5th runoff are open. Don Molino has more on the final election of 2020…
cut 2 (30) … I’m Don Molino.”
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Today and tomorrow, consumers will not have to pay the 4.45 percent state sales tax on most items, excluding vehicles and prepared meals. It’s the result of legislation passed in the last special session. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder authored the measure…
Cut 3 (09) “…to help”
If you buy an item worth more than 25-hundred dollars, you will not have to pay the sales tax on the first 25-hundred dollars of that purchase. Schexnayder says it’s been a rough 2020 and the Legislature wanted to do something to help people out
Cut 4 (08) “..expenses”
The Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office says the holiday will cost the state about four-million dollars in tax revenues.
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Today the first coronavirus vaccine to apply for emergency approval from the FDA is Pfizer’s effort to fight the pandemic. Infectious disease specialist Dr. John Vanchiere at LSU Health Shreveport is also a principal investigator on the Pfizer Vaccine trial, and he says Pfizer’s effectiveness rate of 95-percent is remarkable.
Cut 5 (09) “…really good.”
The proposed protocol for vaccine distribution is healthcare workers that treat COVID patients, then older adults that live in congregant setting such as nursing homes. Vanchiere says in Louisiana 40-percent of COVID deaths were in nursing homes.
Cut 6 (10) “…side effects.”
Vanchiere says 44-thousand participated in the Pfizer clinical trial worldwide, including 231 people from the Shreveport Bossier area. He says any side effects from the injection means your body is responding to the vaccine building an immune response.
Cut 7 (06) “…be expected.”
Long term effects of the vaccine remain to be seen, Vanchiere says we only have safety data on 30-thousand who received the vaccine and two months after the second injection.
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Monday’s USA Today investigative article that LSU mishandled sexual misconduct claims against students, including top athletes, was discussed at Governor John Bel Edwards COVID briefing Thursday. Edwards says he’s deeply troubled by the article
Cut 8 (10) “..that article.”
The article stated officials at LSU’s athletic department and other school administrators ignored repeated complaints against abusers and denied victims’ requests for protection. Edwards says this unacceptable.
Cut 9 (12) “…and abuse.”
Edwards says the ignored abuse was not only related to athletics at the university but included the Greek system and students not involved in athletics nor Greek life. Edwards says the matter should be investigated ASAP.
Cut 10 (11) “….do about it.”
Interim school president Thomas Galligan has hired the law firm Husch Blackwell to do an independent, comprehensive review of the school’s Title IX policies and procedures.
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Taysom Hill will reportedly start at quarterback for the Saints this Sunday when they host the Atlanta Falcons. Saints Radio Network color analyst Deuce McAllister on why Hill gets the nod and not Jameis Winston.
Cut 11 (08) “….that guy.”
McAllister believes that with Hill under center, the Saints will use a lot more rollout passes.
Cut 12 (12) “..on the edge”
Hill is known for his ability to run, but does possess a strong arm. However, McAllister says when it comes down to Taysom’s success through the air, throwing mechanics will be the biggest factor.
Cut 13 (11) “…footwork is good”
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Early voting is underway for the December fifth runoff. We saw long lines during early voting for the November election, but based on the first day of this early voting period, the lines will be much shorter. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin still encourages all registered voters to cast a ballot…
Cut 14 (06) “..runoff election”
Early voting will run from 8:30 AM to 6 PM through November 28th, except for Sunday, Thursday, and Friday of next week. The biggest item on the ballot is the fifth district Congressional run-off between two Republicans, Lance Harris and Luke Letlow. Ardoin says voters in 24 parishes will see that race on their ballot..
Cut 15 (06) “…in Washington”
There’s also a Public Service Service Commission race in southeast Louisiana. and several local races. Ardoin says a sample ballot is located inside the Geaux Vote Mobile App…
Cut 16 (12) “…dot-com”