Governor John Bel Edwards’s indoor mask mandate takes effect today, one day after the state set a record for the number of COVID patients in the hospital. Health officials continue to encourage everyone over the age of 12 to get the COVID vaccine and that includes pregnant women. Ochsner Baptist OBGYN Doctor Jane Martin got vaccinated during her own pregnancy. She says she made that decision after seeing many pregnant women hospitalized with COVID and data confirming the increased risk…
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The U-S Senate is working on a one-point-two trillion-dollar infrastructure bill that Senator Bill Cassidy says will send six billion dollars to Louisiana to improve roads and bridges….
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Senators have proposed using 200-million dollars in money already earmarked for pandemic relief to help pay for this legislation.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is hosting job fairs in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma, Monroe, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, and Shreveport today. Matt Doyle has more…
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Ochsner Health is trying to help dispel vaccine misinformation for women of childbearing age. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Vaccinated people were not excluded from the statewide mask mandate that goes into effect today. Matt Doyle has the story…

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission is hosting job fairs in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma, Monroe, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, and Shreveport today. Matt Doyle has more…

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Physicians at Ochsner Health are working to dispel common myths and misinformation about COVID vaccines, especially among women of childbearing age. Ochsner Baptist OBGYN Dr. Jane Martin, who was vaccinated for COVID during her own pregnancy says we have even more data now that the vaccines are safe.

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Martin says vaccine hesitancy is understandable and especially last year when we didn’t have as much data as we do now. Martin says her personal decision to be vaccinated while pregnant was easy after seeing many pregnant women hospitalized with COVID and data confirming their increased risk.

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Research previously indicated among non-COVID vaccines during pregnancy, that the mother will pass along protective antibodies through the placenta and breast milk to their child. Martin says now data shows it’s the same for COVID vaccinations.

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With the Delta variant, Ochsner healthcare providers say they are now seeing an increase of younger unvaccinated patients along with pregnant patients who do not have a preexisting condition, being admitted to the hospital.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends COVID vaccinations for all eligible persons including those who are pregnant and lactating.

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The statewide mask mandate takes effect today and both the unvaccinated and vaccinated will have to return to masking up while indoors.

Vaccinated people might be surprised to hear they’re included but State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says there’s growing evidence that those who suffer breakthrough cases can spread COVID quite easily.

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About 43 percent of the state has received at least one shot of a COVID vaccine.

Kanter says vaccines are still key because those who are vaccinated are about eight times less likely to be infected in the first place…

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Unvaccinated individuals account for 90 percent of all new COVID cases, 85 percent of all new COVID deaths, and 89 percent of COVID-related hospitalizations.

Louisiana is the first state to reinstitute a statewide mask mandate. Kanter says this is because we are in a particularly dire situation and every bit of mitigation helps.

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Senator Bill Cassidy says he along with other lawmakers in DC have been putting in extra long hours on the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Investment Jobs Act. Cassidy says it’s historical legislation that invests in our nation’s infrastructure.

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Cassidy says the Act includes $550-billion of new money on top of that which was already allocated. He says the bill is bipartisan, paid for, and doesn’t add to the debt or deficit.  Cassidy believes the infrastructure act will make numerous impacts on the state, like reduced commute times and safer roads and bridges.

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Another benefit for Louisiana is funds dedicated to updating deteriorating water and sewer systems. Cassidy says the legislation will also help close the digital divide that was highlighted during the pandemic.

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Cassidy is confident the legislation will pass and, in the meantime, lawmakers are working on the amendment process of the legislation.

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission is holding in-person job fairs across the state today.

LWC Secretary Ava Cates says over 300 employers will be offering over 10,000 jobs to those who visit the job fairs.

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Job fairs will be held in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Houma, Monroe, Lake Charles, Lafayette, Alexandria, and Shreveport.

Cates says if you show up and find a great job that you’re not quite qualified for yet they will work with you to get you into a training program that will get you certified.

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Cates says if you plan on attending bring your resume, ID, and any certifications or other professional credentials you possess.

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Cates says there are also 50,000 jobs available on Louisianaworks.net.

Tomorrow the statewide indoor mask mandate will go into effect for the first time since it was allowed to expire in late April. Governor Edwards says even though you have until tomorrow morning to start masking up he’d appreciate it if you did so this evening if you plan to go out.

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While every region of the state is being hit with record or near-record positivity rates there’s no area more stressed than Tangipahoa Parish. Tangi ranks second in the nation for new coronavirus cases per capita when compared to over counties or parishes according to the New York Times. President of the North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton says their capacity has been pushed to the limit by COVID cases making it difficult to care for others who do not have COVID

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Louisiana now has 2,112 COVID-related hospitalizations, the highest ever mark.

Kids will return to fall classes in face masks under the new statewide mask mandate issued by the Governor. Brooke Thorington has more from the State Superintendent of Education.

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The Pelicans have reportedly reached a sign and trade deal with the Bulls that will send 23-year-old Lonzo Ball to Chicago and in return, New Orleans received Tomas Satoransky, former LSU Tiger Garrett Temple, and a second-round pick. Ball gets a four-year, 85-million dollar contract with Chicago.

The statewide indoor mask mandate goes into effect Wednesday a day after the state sets an all-time high for COVID-related hospitalizations. Governor Edwards was surrounded by healthcare officials during the announcement Monday that testified to COVID overcrowded facilities and children’s hospitals.

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The mandate is for those ages five and old despite vaccinated status.

Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says LEAP results will be released Wednesday and they indicate students in grades 3 through 8 who attended in person scored mastery or above on English Language Arts and Math, their scores were 15-percent higher than students who attended virtually.

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Tangipahoa Parish ranks second in the nation for new coronavirus cases per capita when compared to other counties or parishes. President of the North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton is also concerned about work morale as a majority of the severe COVID illnesses and deaths could have been prevented with vaccinations…

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LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan has suffered an injury to his non-throwing arm and Coach Ed Orgeron says the injury will require surgery. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins has learned Brennan broke his humerus bone…

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Max Johnson is now set to be LSU’s starting Q-B.

Louisiana set an all-time-high today for COVID-related hospitalizations at 2,112. On Monday Governor John Bel Edwards signed an order re-implementing the statewide mask mandate effective Wednesday, but he does not expect the mandate will be achieved through state penalties on offenders…

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According to 2021 LEAP assessments, Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says it’s very clear that in-person learning is far more beneficial than virtual learning and he supports measures that will keep students in the physical classroom while also mitigating against COVID.

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Brumley says the 21-22 school year will be the third school year impacted by the pandemic.

Tangipahoa Parish ranks second in the nation for new coronavirus cases per capita when compared to other counties or parishes. That’s according to the New York Times tracker map. President of the North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton says their staff is also seeing deaths of young people as a result of COVID, including a 24-year-old unvaccinated person…

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LSU QB Myles Brennan suffered an injury that requires surgery on his non-throwing arm. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins knows Brennan is disappointed but expects him to remain a big part of the team even if he’s not leading them on the field.

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Max Johnson is now the assumed starting quarterback heading into the season.

The statewide indoor mask mandate goes into effect tomorrow but Governor Edwards says that doesn’t mean you should wait to start masking-up…

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Louisiana is in a dire situation when it comes to COVID. Today we set a record level for COVID-related hospitalizations, saw over 50 COVID deaths, and have by far the fastest new case growth in the nation.

 One of the places where this new Delta surge is most severe is Tangipahoa Parish. Tangi ranks second in the nation for new coronavirus cases per capita when compared to over counties or parishes. President of the North Oaks Health System Michele Sutton says they’re slammed, making it difficult to care for others who do not have COVID

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The new mask mandate covers everyone five and older, which means all Louisiana schools will be returning to masking in the upcoming fall semester. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says prior to this new executive order, his department advised each school system to enact its own policy.

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LSU quarterback Myles Brennan has suffered a significant injury to his left arm that will require surgery due to a broken humerous bone.  The Athletic’s Brody Miller reports Brennan suffered the injury while fishing. Max Johnson is now set to be LSU’s starting Q-B. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says freshman Garrett Nussmeier is the only other healthy scholarship quarterback on the roster…

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LSU’s Mondo Duplantis won gold in pole vaulting at the Tokyo Olympics.  He came up 1 centimeter of the world record.

The statewide indoor mask mandate goes into effect tomorrow as the state sets an all-time high for COVID-related hospitalizations. Governor Edwards was surrounded by healthcare officials during the announcement that testified to overcrowded facilities and children’s hospitals with COVID.

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The mandate is set to expire on September 1st.

The mask mandate includes ages five and up. Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley says LEAP results will be released Wednesday and they indicate students in grades 3 through 8 who attended in person scored mastery or above on English Language Arts and Math, their scores were 15-percent higher than students who attended virtually.

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Before the mandate school systems had the option to create their own mask policy.

Max Johnson enters preseason camp as the starting quarterback after Myles Brennan broke his non-throwing arm. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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The state’s COVID hospitalizations reached a record high of 2,112 and the Louisiana Department of Health says 89-percent of current hospitalizations are not vaccinated for COVID. The influx is also damaging hospitals’ ability to care for people with heart attacks, injuries from car accidents, and other health conditions. The statewide COVID positivity rate is also at 21.4-percent.