Government leaders and medical experts are pleading with unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated as the delta variant has led to a dramatic spike in cases and hospitalizations. Governor John Bel Edwards says the number of people now hospitalized due to COVID has surpassed one thousand…
cut 11 (08) “…240″
Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he has tested positive for the virus and it’s required all of his devoted energy to defeat.

The Cleveland Clinic reports there’s been a substantial increase in the number of young people dealing with eating disorders since the pandemic started. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor of Public Health Doctor Melinda Sothern says in particular there was a rise in reports of self-image issues among young girls due to more time alone and more time on social media…
cut 8 (08) “…isolation”

If you or someone you know needs help with opioid addiction, help is a text or a call to 2-1-1 away. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Most of the state is under a heat advisory today as Louisiana is dealing with its first lengthy heatwave of the summer. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high-pressure system has settled in over the Gulf of Mexico, lowering rain chances and driving up the heat and humidity…
cut 6 (06) “….blazing sun”

On Friday Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide mask advisory as COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to surge. Edwards says only about 40 percent of the state is fully vaccinated and that woefully low number is driving this preventable fourth wave…

Cut 12 (09) “…vaccinated.” 

For vaccine information and locations visit LDH.LA-gov forward slash coronavirus.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Cleveland Clinic reports there’s been a rise in the number of young people with eating disorders. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor of Public Health Dr. Melinda Sothern says there needs to be a change in the way society looks at relationships with food…

Cut 9 (12) “…foods.”

The number of opioid overdose deaths has increased by 60-percent in the state and now Louisiana 2-1-1 is able to point you in the right direction to assist with opioid addiction. President and CEO of Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot (Birth a lot) says they can direct you to local resources, like treatment centers…

Cut 4 (11) “…anytime.”

You can also Text OPIOID to 898-211.

Texas and Oklahoma have informed the Big 12 today they are leaving and will not renew the contractual agreement that binds conference members until 2025. This is the first official step in the Longhorns and Sooners’ anticipated move to the SEC. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello.

Cut 14 (09) “…makes sense”

A dramatic spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations results in the Governor recommending all Louisianans wear masks indoors when at least six feet distancing is not physically possible. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Starting today masks are required at Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicle locations. Several OMV locations had to close temporarily in recent days because of COVID outbreaks among staff. And Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins confirms he’s tested positive and his wife and sone are also battling the virus. Higgins says their prognosis is positive.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Cleveland Clinic reports there’s been a rise in the number of young people with eating disorders. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor of Public Health Dr. Melinda Sothern says it’s an issue locally as well and pandemic isolation led many who previously had disorders to relapse
Cut 7 (10) “…seen again”
The National Eating Disorders Association reported a more than 58 percent increase in hotline use since March of 2020.

According to the CEO of the Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, opioid overdose deaths increased 60-percent from 2019 to 2020. Berthelot says those battling opioid addiction can now call 2-1-1 to receive help and resources…
cut 5 (12) “….find help”
Berthelot says you can also text the word OPIOD to 898-211.

Government leaders and medical experts are pleading with unvaccinated individuals to get vaccinated as the delta variant has led to a dramatic spike in cases and hospitalizations. Governor John Bel Edwards says the number of people now hospitalized due to COVID has surpassed one-thousand…
cut 11 (08) “…240″
Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he and his wife and son have all tested positive for the virus and it’s required all of his devoted energy to defeat. But he says their prognosis is positive.

Individuals battling an opioid addiction can call 2-1-1 for help and resources. CEO of Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, says texting the word OPIOD to 898-211 can also put you in contact with a live counselor…
cut 6 (09) “….same time”

A report by the Cleveland Clinic shows an increase in eating disorders among young people. Matt Doyle reports it’s pandemic driven…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Most of the state is under a heat advisory today. The feel-like temperatures could be near 110-degrees.

LSU swimmer Brooks Curry has won a gold medal after helping the four-by-100 meter freestyle relay team finish in first place in Tokyo. He’s the first LSU swimmer in program history to win an Olympic gold medal.

Governor John Bel Edwards recommends that all people vaccinated and unvaccinated wear masks indoors if social distancing can not be maintained. Edwards says the state’s low vaccination rate has allowed the Delta variant of the coronavirus to spread quickly as more than 300 out of every 100-thousand people in Louisiana have tested positive for the coronavirus in the past week…
cut 10 (06) “…. the United States of America”
Congressman Clay Higgins says he has tested positive for COVID, along with his wife and son. He says their prognosis is positive.

Texas and Oklahoma are expected to announce today they are leaving the Big 12 for the Southeastern Conference. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says this might mean the end of the Big 12
Cut 13 (10) “..might do.”

If you or someone you know needs help with opioid addiction, help is a text or a call to 2-1-1 away. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A second person has died this summer while tubing on the Amite River in Livingston Parish. Authorities say a Rapides Parish man got into waist-deep water, slipped down, and struggled to come back to the surface. The sheriff’s office says efforts to revive 52-year-old Elson Johnson of Deville failed. In June, the father of LSU pitcher Ma’Khail Hilliard died while tubing on the Amite.

A dramatic spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations results in the Governor recommending all Louisianans wear masks indoors when at least six feet distancing is not physically possible. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Starting today, facial coverings are required inside all Louisiana Office of Motor of Vehicle locations. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins says he’s battling COVID for a second time. Higgins says his wife and son have also tested positive for the virus. He says their prognosis is positive, but this episode is requiring all of his energy.

Residents battling an addiction to opioids can now call 2-1-1 to get help and resources…
cut 4 (11) “….anytime”
That’s the President of Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot, who says help can also be obtained by texting the word O-P-I-O-I-D to 898-211. She says opioid overdose deaths jumped 60-percent from 2019 to 2020.

Texas and Oklahoma are looking at jumping from the Big 12 to the SEC and the two schools are expected to inform the Big 12 today they are leaving after the 2025 season. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says money is behind the move, plus major conferences are looking to split away from the NCAA…
cut 15 (14) “…differently”

The more contagious and virulent Delta coronavirus variant is tearing through Louisiana, resulting in Governor Edwards issuing a statewide mask advisory. Louisiana leads the nation in case growth with 47 cases and has been designated as a “state of concern” by the White House. Edwards says the statewide average of daily cases per 100,000 residents has increased 208 percent over the past 14 days

Cut 10 (06) “…United States of America”

Businesses have also been called to review policies to limit COVID exposure and spread.
In Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced his city is joining New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory due to the Delta-fueled surge in COVID cases. Perkins says the return to masking is what is needed to hold back the tide of new Delta cases.

Cut 3 (12) “…lives”

Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated and Perkins says undertaking these measures will save lives and the economy.

The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students head back to class for fall. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says k-12 shoppers will likely spend about 850 dollars on average while College students and their families are expected to spend about 1,200 dollars on average. Cullen says after a slump last year it appears that families are returning to brick and mortar, but some online shopping is still popular.

Cut 14 (09) “…2020″

Shoppers are also expected to spend about 300 dollars on average on electronics.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener.

Cut 9 (09) “…the surgery”

The recovery period will set Thomas back four months resulting in him missing several games while the Saints are looking for a veteran wide receiver to sign

Following the 4th surge of COVID-19 cases Governor Edwards has issued public health reccomendations. These include wearing masks wether one is vaccinated or unvaccinated while indoors when social distancing isn’t physically possible. Businesses have also been called to review policies to limit COVID exposure and spread.

There are also new policy recommendations for exposure situations

Cut 16 (09) “…19”

Louisiana currently leads the nation in case growth and has been marked as a “state of concern” by the White House.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian perkins has announced that his city will join New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory. Since July 1st Louisiana has added 654 new COVID-related hospitalizations erasing five months of progress in three weeks. Perkins says he made this decision after consulting with healthcare experts.

Cut 4 (11) “..community”

Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated according to KSLA TV.The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students prepare for the fall semester. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says back-to-school shoppers are expected to spend about 300 dollars on average on electronics and about 254 dollars on average on clothes.

Cut 13 (09) “…enviroment”

On average, college students are expected to spend 1,200 dollars on average for the upcoming semester, which could culminate in 71 billion in total spending.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says says the Saints are thin at wide receiver after losing Emmanuel Sanders in free agency.

Cut 11 (14) “…number one guy.”

Thomas’s recovery period is estimated to last four months and will cost the reciver several games.