BESE issued a unified response for adjourning last week’s meeting early after protestors refused to comply with mask mandates and have no plans to meet before the current mask mandate expires. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Louisiana’s 30,000 public sector employees will likely soon have to either show proof of vaccination or submit to periodic COVID tests. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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Full FDA approval of the Pfizer COVID vaccine offering gives way to vaccine mandates and hopefully relieves hesitancy. Brooke Thorington talks with a physician that helped oversee the Pfizer Trial.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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After voting 8-2 to adjourn last week’s BESE meeting early, due to protestors’ outbursts and refusal to wear masks, board members issued a unified statement that they will not hold another special meeting before the Governor’s current mask mandate ends, Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder urges BESE members to reconsider…
Cut 4 (11) “…whatever it be.”
Schexnayder says in the meantime parents and constituents should call or email BESE members over any concerns they may have.
Cut 5 (11) “…with it.”
In order for BESE to hold another public meeting before the Governor’s current statewide mask mandate for those ages 5 and older ends September 1st, Schexnayder says BESE should set out clear guidelines of what attendees can and cannot do during an in-person meeting.
Cut 6 (11) “…a reason.”
After more than five requests for audience members to wear masks and not talk out of turn during the August 18th BESE meeting, members voted to adjourn.
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State Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the Edwards Administration is working on plans to require state workers to either be vaccinated or submit to periodic COVID tests.
Pfizer received full FDA authorization Monday. Dardenne says with that in hand they will be establishing a vaccination policy for the roughly 30,000 state employees.
Cut 7 (07) “…for you.”
Dardenne says he hopes this news will spur employees who are unvaccinated into getting the shot as the policy is set to get into effect “sooner rather than later”.
Cut 8 (10) “…effective.”
The frequency and duration of that mandatory testing program that will be implemented has not been determined yet but Dardenne says one thing is certain…
Cut 9 (04) “…employees.”
An AP report suggested federal funds would be used to administer the testing policy.
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House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says the State Bond Commission did not pause tens of millions in funding for projects in Orleans Parish over the city’s vaccine policy.
Zeringue says the decision was made because out of 64 parishes Orleans was receiving a quarter of construction funding.
Cut 10 (06) “…legislators.”
Zeringue says six of the 22 projects slated for Orleans were ultimately approved, including a 39 million dollar Sewage and Water Board project.
The vote to pause that funding for a month was held immediately after the Superdome saw 28 million dollars in line of credit paused over vaccine policy. Zeringue says the Dome was a separate issue that did not influence this decision.
Cut 11 (05) “…agenda.”
No explanation for why the parish construction funds were paused was provided at the meeting.
The timing of the decision, and an insinuation by the Governor’s Executive Council, pointed to the decision being retribution for Mayor Cantrell’s proof of vaccine policy. Zeringue disagrees.
Cut 12 (07) “…projects.”
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The FDA gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID vaccine on Monday and LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere who helped oversee clinical trials for the Pfizer vaccine says he is both excited and relieved the important milestone has been achieved.
Cut 13 (11) “…their vaccine.”
While many fear the mRNA vaccines have been rushed and we don’t know long-term effects, Vanchiere says the mRNA platform for developing vaccines has been under development scientifically for several decades.
Cut 14 (12) “…pandemic hit.”
As for vaccine mandates, Vanchiere says in healthcare institutions it’s absolutely paramount that employees are not potential spreaders of COVID in convalescent settings.
Cut 15 (09)“…do no harm.”
The state’s largest hospital system, Ochsner Health, has stated they will require employees to be fully vaccinated once FDA full approval is granted.
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ULM failed to win a game last season, so there’s a lot of work to do in Monroe in order for the Warhawks to become a winning football program. Sophomore safety Jabari Johnson says the new coaching staff is setting the right tone
cut 16 (16) “…came from.”
The media has not been allowed to watch practices and Sunday was the first time first-year coach Terry Bowden and players spoke to the media since preseason camp started. Johnson says the team is improving on a daily basis…
Cut 17 (18) “… every day.”
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LSU is eleven days away from its much anticipated season opener at UCLA. Sophomore Quarterback Max Johnson is excited for the opportunity to play in a historic venue like the Rose Bowl…
Cut 18 (18)”…of fun.”
Senior defensive end Ali Gaye after spending most of August practicing against each other, they are ready to face another team…
Cut 19 (20) “…all out.”
There’s a concern about the offensive line. It did not perform well in the first scrimmage and showed some protection. Center Liam Shanahan says they’ve taken some strides
Cut 20 (20) “…before UCLA.”