Good medical news for Louisiana; COVID-19 numbers are down overall for the state, with fewer people hospitalized this week than we’ve seen in months. The bad news? There’s still plenty of the virus going around. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s not a good time to let one’s guard down…:

CUT 13             (11)      “…throughout this surge”

Governor Edwards’ mask mandate remains in effect for another four weeks.

Parents of Louisiana public school kids now have a new option in dealing with the chances of their child getting coronavirus. Currently, if a kid is exposed to the virus school officials mandatorily quarantine them. Under the new policy, parents of kids who may have been exposed are notified, and they get to decide whether or not to quarantine their children. In addition a no-cost COVID screening will be provided to the student in question.

FEMA’s Blue Roof program for those with roof damage from Hurricanes Ida and Nicholas has been extended through October 15^th. The deadline to apply WAS set for tomorrow. The Blue Roof tarps are installed free, but you must give FEMA workers right of entry into your home. For information call 888-766-3258.

Autopsy results of 20-month-old Burreaux the Baton Rouge Zoo giraffe named after LSU Heisman winner Joe Borrow, indicate the young calf died of shock. Brooke Thorington has more…:

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There’s good news and bad news in Louisiana about the current COVID-19 surge.  It comes from State Health officer Dr. Joe Kanter…:

CUT 12             (11)      “…since that time.”

The bad news is coronavirus is still very much a thing in our state and – Kanter says -people need to keep vigilant to not spread it or get sick. The Governor’s mask order remains in effect another four weeks.

The baby giraffe that died this month at the Baton Rouge Zoo was a victim of anaphylaxis. Zoo vet Mike Warsaw says nailing down what caused it could be tough. He says it could be something as small as a bug bite…:

CUT 11             (11)      “…had before”

The 20-month-old was named for former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow.

A Thibodaux man faces second-degree murder charges in the death of his infant daughter. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says they found the baby girl dead after a welfare check Tuesday. He says that led to the arrest of 26-year-old Jake Guidry, who initially didn’t cooperate with lawmen, but eventually did start talking…:

CUT 05             (11)      “…arrest”

Guidry’s bond is set a million dollars.

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s pushing legislation to delay huge increases in National Flood Insurance premiums for about a full year. He says the proposed Risk Rate 2.0 plan could be financially traumatic for many…:

CUT 08             (12)      “…risk rating 2.0”

Jake Guidry of Thibodaux is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his infant daughter. The body of 11-month old Zabria Guidry was found in the rear cargo area of Guidry’s car. Matherne says it’s not certain what the father had planned after he placed the infant in his SUV.

Cut 4 (10) “…3 pm.”

Autopsy results of 20-month-old Burreaux the Baton Rouge Zoo giraffe named after LSU Heisman winner Joe Borrow, indicate the young calf died of shock. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is supporting legislation to delay the rollout of a plan by FEMA to hike flood insurance premiums dramatically until September 30, 2022.  Cassidy believes the FEMA rate hike plan has an ulterior motive.

Cut 7 (11) “…from the coastline”  

The state health department says Louisiana is making progress in the battle against COVID-19, but every single parish is at the highest possible level of community risk. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

There’s good news and bad news in Louisiana about the current Covid-19 surge.  It comes from State Health officer Dr. Joe Kanter.

Cut 12  (11)   “…since that time.”

But Kanter says the bad news about this fourth surge of Covid in the state is that it is still very much around and people still need to take mitigation steps like vaccinating, masking up and social distancing to address the virus’ spread.

The Delta variant during the fourth COVID surge is also responsible for devastating outcomes for 14 expectant mothers in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

The autopsy results of 20-month-old Burreaux the Baton Rouge Zoo giraffe named after LSU Heisman winter Joe Borrow indicated the young calf died from anaphylactic shock.  Zoo veterinarian Michael Warsaw says the shock was a result of an external source.

Cut 9 (08) “…going to know.” 

Burreaux died on September 8^th a day after he had a severe cough and showed signs of agitation.

State lawmakers heard from Louisiana school superintendents about their continued challenges in recovering from Hurricane Ida AND from Laura last year. St. Charles Parish Superintendent Kern Oertling (ORT-ling) says 19 schools will reopen next week, but the parish’s two high schools will have to temporarily merge…:

Cut 10 (08)  “…on these campuses.” 

Oertling addressed the Senate Education Committee Tuesday.

Senator Bill Cassidy and some of his colleagues on Capitol Hill are pushing legislation to delay the rollout of a plan by FEMA to hike flood insurance premiums dramatically.

Cut 6 (09) “…from their mortgage” 

Cassidy says delaying implementation of the premium revision would give lawmakers until September 30, 2022 to address the rollout of Risk Rating 2.0. to make it more meaningful and sustainable.  

26-year old Jake Guidry of Thibodaux faces second-degree murder charges in the death of his infant daughter. After a welfare check early Tuesday morning, at the request of the child’s mother, that’s when Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says they made the grim discovery.

Cut 3 (12) “…had died.”

As southeast Louisiana schools try to recover from Ida, schools in southwestern parishes – hit hard by Hurricane Laura in 2020 – are still struggling to regain normalcy. Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus (BRUCK-house) says students have been back for quite some time, but the long-term damage is evident. He says he’s glad the system bought all the 55-gallon waste cans available at Sam’s…:

Cut 12 (07) “…every time it rains.”

LSU has broken the record for the most accomplished, largest, and most diverse freshman class in the school’s history. Vice President of Enrollment Jose Aviles says when the vaccine mandate was announced over the summer some feared it would have a negative impact on enrollment, but Aviles says he’s received positive feedback from parents indicating they prefer a school that considers health a priority.

Cut 15 (11)  “…at LSU.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is expressing optimism that FEMA will soon begin the effort of hauling in trailers for Hurricane Ida displaced homeowners to temporarily live in while they repair their property.  More from Dave Brannen.

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26-year old Jake Guidry of Thibodaux faces second-degree murder charges in the death of his infant daughter. After a welfare check Tuesday on Guidry at the request of the child’s mother, authorities found the child in the rear cargo area of Guidry’s car. Bond is set at one million.

Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says about 70-thousand students across southeast Louisiana are out of school because of damaged classrooms. St. Charles Parish Superintendent Kern Oertling says they will need federal help to put their schools back together…

Cut 11 (13) “…twenty million dollars.”
And schools in southwestern parishes – hit hard by Hurricane Laura in 2020 – are still struggling to regain normalcy. Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says he’s had to postpone 50 recovery projects because the school system is still awaiting federal recovery money.

Cut 13 (11) “…we’re out of cash.”

It’s been a month since Ida stormed ashore leaving thousands homeless at its landfall.  There’s still no clear indication when contractors will begin hauling trailers in, given that requests for proposals are just going out. Governor Edwards seems cautiously optimistic that Ida victims may see some of the trailers being brought into places like Terrebonne Parish over the next week.

Cut 5 (12) “…relates to trailers.”

LDH says the fourth COVID surge has severely impacted 14 pregnant women. Of the 14 cases, six mothers and 10 unborn children have died. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it’s a tragic reminder of the vulnerability of unvaccinated pregnant mothers to COVID.

Cut 7 (10) “…heartbreaking cases.”

State lawmakers heard from Louisiana school superintendents about their continued challenges in recovering from Hurricane Ida AND from Laura last year. St. Charles Parish Superintendent Kern Oertling says 19 schools will reopen next week, but the parish’s two high schools Destrehan and Hahnville will have to merge temporarily.

Cut 10 (08)  “…on these campuses.” 

Calcasieu Parish School Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says students have been back for quite some time, but the long-term damage is evident. He says he’s glad the system bought all the 55-gallon waste cans available at Sam’s.

Cut 12 (07) “…every time it rains.”

Bruchhaus says he’s had to postpone 50 recovery projects because the school system is still awaiting federal recovery money

State health officials say they’ve seen an alarming increase in severe pregnancy outcomes since the Delta variant started circulating in mid-July. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter is once again urging expecting mothers to get vaccinated. Kanter says the data continues to show the vaccine is safe for pregnant women…
cut 9 (10) “….breastfeeding”

LSU says its overall enrollment is at an all-time high of 35,914 thanks to a record freshmen enrollment of just over seven-thousand. Vice President for Enrollment Management Jose Aviles says this freshman class is also the most accomplished…
cut 16 (11) “…to a 26″
Aviles says this is also the most diverse freshmen class in university history as 19-percent of the class is made up of Black students.

State lawmakers heard from school systems struggling with recovery from Hurricane Ida last month and Laura last year. Kevin Gallagher has more.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

Meanwhile, there are thousands of Hurricane Ida victims waiting on FEMA to bring travel trailers to their property, so they can live here, while repairs are done to their damaged home. Governor Edwards says he’s pushing FEMA to get this done, but certain things are required…
cut 6 (06) “….a sewer system”

Governor Edwards is expressing optimism that FEMA will soon begin the effort of hauling in travel trailers for Hurricane Ida displaced homeowners to temporarily live in while they repair their property…
Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

And Governor Edwards has extended the state’s indoor mask mandate until October 27th. He says every community in Louisiana continues to have a high rate of COVID.

Despite LSU requiring its students to be vaccinated, overall enrollment for the state’s flagship university is at an all-time high, just below 36-thousand. Vice President of Enrollment Jose Aviles…
cut 15 (11) “…at LSU”
The school is also reporting a record freshman enrollment and the diversity of the class is at an all-time high, nearly 19-percent of the class is made up of Black students.

The state health department says amid the fourth COVID surge, there have been six maternal deaths and 10 fetal deaths and the cases involved mothers who were unvaccinated. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says pregnant individuals and their children are vulnerable to this highly contagious illness…
cut 8 (11) “….unborn babies”
Kanter says expecting mothers should get the COVID vaccine.