Local business owners in Hammond have collaborated with the North Oak Foundation by offering individuals 100 dollars when they get both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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Senator Bill Cassidy along with other Republicans strike an agreement with Democrats and the White House on the Infrastructure Bill. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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With the federal moratorium on evictions ending on Saturday Louisiana renters behind on their payments could find themselves without a home while Covid cases continue to ravage the state. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Erik Piccoli.” 

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More than 500 residents in the Hammond area will get vaccinated Saturday as part of a program offering them 100 dollars for rolling up their sleeves. Executive Director of the North Oaks Foundation Staci Arceneaux says the initiative was proposed by a local businessman fearing cases would return to peak pandemic levels…

Cut 4 (05) “…what happens.”

The initial 10,000 dollars raised allowed for 100 appointments and 24 hours after the initiative was launched all appointments were booked. Arceneaux says Tangipahoa Parish has the lowest vaccination rate in Louisiana and many more business owners decided to increase those numbers by funding the project…

Cut 5 (11) “…since then.”

Since the Pfizer vaccine requires two shots, participants in the program will receive $50 increments and must get both doses in order to receive the full $100. Arceneaux says since the project was launched the walk-in clinics have seen an uptick in patients…

Cut 6 (12) “…safe and healthy.”

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The one trillion-dollar infrastructure bill in Congress achieved a major hurdle in the Senate this week with Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy assisting with negotiations on the bipartisan bill. In addition to supplemental spending, the infrastructure bill would fund more than $6 billion for Louisiana’s roads and highways.

Cut 7 (10) “…demand.”

Cassidy says the state has more than 16-hundred bridges and over 34-hundred miles of highway in poor condition. The bill will authorize $6 billion in highway funding for Louisiana over five years.

Cut 8 (10) “…in Lafayette.” 

And there’s also funds to assist with deteriorating water and sewer systems in the state.

Cut 9 (09) “…water systems.”

If enacted Cassidy says this would be the largest investment in roads, bridges, broadband, and our coastline in the history of our state.

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With the federal moratorium on evictions set to expire tomorrow, Louisiana residents behind on their rent could be forced out of their apartments. Executive Director of the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center Cashauna Hill says Governor John Bel Edwards would need to step in to extend the moratorium since without it COVID cases could increase…

Cut 10 (10) “…homeless shelters.”

Nearly 100-thousand families in Louisiana are currently behind on their rent payments with the majority being African Americans. Hill says the same neighborhoods that had high eviction rates before the pandemic are the same ones that have low vaccination rates…

Cut 11 (12) “…Delta variant.”

The combination of debts owed to landlords, many renters receiving only minimum wage, and short supply of jobs has made rental assistance necessary to help those in need. Hill says she anticipates Judges will carry out evictions if the moratorium isn’t extended…

Cut 12 (08) “…going to have.” 

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300 dollar federally enhanced unemployment benefits expire this weekend, cutting off the benefit for the first time since the CARES Act was passed in March of 2020.

LSU Economist Loren Scott says he expects this will result in an uptick in employment next month because state plus federal benefits have been averaging out to about 13.60 an hour if you worked a full 40-hour workweek.

Cut 13 (09) “…comute.”

Currently, the max state benefit one can receive is 247 dollars.

Scott says there are plenty of job openings available for workers who will be transitioning off of benefits. He says he’s made over 200 calls with Louisiana business owners…

Cut 14 (07) “..right now.”

Louisiana’s June unemployment rate sat at 6.9 percent.

Scott says workers will be returning to a labor market that is a little more lucrative than it was before the pandemic began.

Cut 15 (09)“…nationally.”

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Drew Brees has been leading the Saints since 2006, so who takes his place? Running back Alvin Kamara is one guy who will take  on a bigger leadership role…

Cut 16 (19) “…next leader.”

With Brees gone, Alvin Kamara becomes more of the focal point of the offense. A-K is not concerned about more defenders heading his way…

Cut 17 (20) …get at you.” 

Saints linebacker DeMario Davis has been a leader on defense and expects more leaders will emerge as the season goes along…

Cut  18 (26)”…stand point.”

State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes has nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says only 41-percent of staff at nursing homes are vaccinated and if you have loved ones living in a facility, ask these questions to management…

Cut 14 (07) “…screened.”

Ochsner Health says once the COVID vaccines receive full FDA approval, they will require employees to be vaccinated. CEO Warner Thomas says they are experiencing a nursing shortage as they battle a rise in COVID hospitalizations, which is another reason they are moving to mandatory vaccinations, so they can remain at work and keep patients safe.
Cut 5 (08) “…carefully.”
 

The Presidents and Chancellors of the Southeastern Conference voted unanimously today to extend membership invitations to Texas and Oklahoma to join the SEC effective July 1, 2025. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke with Presidents of the two schools and extended the invites.  Competition in all sports to include the Longhorns and Sooners will begin in the 25-26 academic year.

Practice begins next week for fall high school teams and the LHSAA says there are no plans to delay the season because of the ongoing surge of new COVID cases. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 44-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and just over 16-hundred are in hospitals with COVID-related issues. The state also reported 20 additional deaths from the virus as the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to spread. Health officials say the Delta variant is responsible for more than 85-percent of COVID cases in the state.

As COVID cases continue to increase in the fourth surge, on a positive note Louisiana is reporting more individuals being vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Ochsner Health System says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas, says there’s a nationwide nursing shortage which is another reason they are moving to mandatory vaccinations.

Cut 4 (11) “…as needed.” 

In the meantime, nonvaccinated employees will be required to wear N95 masks and undergo scheduled testing for COVID.

State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes have nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says over 80-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated but if less than half of the staff is, the delta variant can still cause outbreaks…

Cut 13 (11) “…infectious virus.”

Muhl says if you have a loved one in a nursing home you should ask how they are protecting patients and screening staff and visitors.

State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes have nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says it’s concerning because the vaccine rate among staff is less than 50-percent…

Cut 12 (12) “…delta variant.” 

Muhl says over 80-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated, but if less than half of the staff is.

High School football is just around the corner and the rise in Coronavirus cases has many across the state wondering if the start of the season will be delayed.  Right now the LHSAA has not required vaccinations to be mandatory for student-athletes, Executive Director Eddie Bonine says that will be left up to the schools.

Cut  11 (11) “…participate”  

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas says since they made the announcement the vaccination rate among employees has increased and among their vaccine clinics for the public.

Cut 3 (10) “…sites.” 

In the meantime vaccination employees will have an ID tag indicating they are vaccinated and nonvaccinated employees will wear N95 masks and be tested.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish…

Cut 6 (07) “….and died”

Reichardt says impairment is also suspected.

Ochsner Health says once the COVID vaccines receive full FDA approval, they will require employees to be vaccinated. CEO Warner Thomas says they are experiencing a nursing shortage as they battle a rise in COVID hospitalizations, which is another reason they are moving to mandatory vaccinations, so they can remain at work and keep patients safe.
Cut 5 (08) “…carefully.”
This week more than 60 medical societies support the move for mandatory vaccinations among healthcare workers.

A 20-year-old Bernice man is dead after he crashed his vehicle trying to flee police in Lincoln Parish yesterday afternoon. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says they also believe the deceased individual, 20-year-old Tyler Brazzel was impaired at the time of the incident….
cut 8 (08) “…suspected yes”
Brazzel was also not wearing a seatbelt.

Practice begins next week for high school sports teams that compete in the fall and the LHSAA says there are no plans to delay the season because of the ongoing surge of new COVID cases. Jeff Palermo has more…
Cut 2 (29)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Saints punt returner and wide receiver Deonte Harris was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol about two weeks ago in his hometown of Baltimore. His police report says he was traveling 77 miles per hour in a 55-mile per hour speed zone. He was also charged with negligent and reckless driving and faces a suspension from the NFL.

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. But in the meantime, CEO Warner Thomas says soon you’ll be able to easily identify vaccinated staff with a new ID badge

Cut 4 (12) “…as needed.” 

Thomas says almost 63-percent of Ochsner staff are vaccinated.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed lost control of the car, he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and was pronounced dead at the scene…

Cut 7 (09)  “…enough”

The accident happened on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish.

High School football is just around the corner and with COVID cases increasing many are concerned the season could be delayed, but LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he has confidence that coaches can keep the players safe because they had the same hurdles last season.

Cut 10 (10) “…get done.”

The small city of Mamou is known as the Cajun Music Capital of the World but this week the Evangeline Parish town gained national attention after a sign advertising a swinger trailer park with the slogan, ‘Bring Your House, Share Your Spouse,’ went viral. Employee Nick Broussard says they realized original plans for the park might have to be altered.

Cut 14 (06) “…would be.”

Broussard says he’s received calls from all over the country and they anticipate opening Memorial Day Weekend next year.

The department of health reports 44-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and 1,620 are currently hospitalized with COVID-related issues in Louisiana hospitals. The state also reports 20 more fatalities due to COVID. As for vaccinations, the state reports more than 10,000 doses have been initiated over the last seven days. The first time since the third week of April.

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas says since they made the announcement the vaccination rate among employees has increased and at their vaccine clinics for the public.

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Thomas says they are asking employees to give them their vaccination status for the next few weeks and soon you will be able to easily identify vaccinated and unvaccinated staff members.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish…

Cut 6 (07) “….and died”

Reichardt says Brazzel was not buckled up and pronounced dead at the scene

High School football is just around the corner and fall practice will begin shortly.  The rise in Coronavirus cases has many across the state wondering if the start of the season will be delayed.  LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine does not expect a delay because we know more about the virus now.

Cut 9 (10) “..for that”

Bonine also says he has confidence that coaches can keep the players safe because they had to work through the same thing last season.