12:30 LRN News Nov 3

In a few days, pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be available to vaccine providers in Louisiana. The CDC has approved the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says children get infected with COVID at the same rate as adults if not more, but on average they haven’t gotten as sick as adults, so convincing parents to have their children vaccinated is going to be an uphill battle.

Cut 7 (11) “….your family.”  

 

State Police investigators say a man fatally shot by cops in Houma on Monday had a screwdriver in his hand. Trooper Ross Brennan says after officers arrived at the home to check on a disturbance, 36-year old Johnny Magee charged at them with a screwdriver…Magee’s mother told New Orleans TV stations her son suffered from a mental illness and pleaded with the cops not to shoot him.  Brennan says the police shooting remains an active investigation…

Cut 5 (08) “…later on.”

 

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Thomas’ injury news comes two days after it was announced starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton says their opponents will not feel sorry for them…

Cut 10 (10)  “..this week.”

 

Elections held in parts of the nation Tuesday were won mostly by Republicans, and that may not bode well for Democrats in next year’s mid-term elections. Political analyst John Couvillon on what likely drove the results in favor of GOP candidates.

Cut 12 (07) “..on economic issues.”  

In one of the most-watched races, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia’s governor’s contest, becoming the first Republican to win a statewide office in the commonwealth since 2009.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Bad injury news for the Saints today as wide receiver Michael Thomas announces on Twitter he’ll miss the rest of the season as he’s had a setback in his effort to return from ankle surgery in June. Coach Sean Payton says the setback is surgically related and not because Thomas has not been doing his rehab.

The Saints miss Thomas. From 2016 to 2019 he was one of the top receivers in the NFL. He originally suffered the ankle injury in 2020 and elected to have surgery last June. Payton says they have other players who can step up…
cut 11 (12) “..Tre Quan’s back”
The Saints are second to last in pass offense, averaging 181 yards a game through the air. They host Atlanta this Sunday.

The Pelicans lost last night as they were burned by the Suns 112 to 110. Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson did not play for New Orleans.

It’s Bama week for the LSU Tigers. The LSU-Alabama game every season is circled on the schedule. Tigers Linebacker Damone Clark says he’s not trying to make this game any bigger than it is…
Cut 19 (14) “…go out there and play.”
LSU running backs coach Kevin Faulk was at practice. He’s been away from the team since his 19-year-old unexpectedly died in September.

Louisiana Tech is looking to end a four-game losing streak on Saturday in Birmingham when they face UAB. The Bulldogs are 2-and-6 on the year and four of those losses were by a touchdown or less. Coach Skip Holtz says not executing at critical times has resulted in some tough losses
Cut 16 (13) “…opportunistic moment”
Kick-off against the Blazers is at 11 AM.

11:30 LRN Newscast Nov 3

Pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be available to vaccine providers in Louisiana soon, now that the CDC approved the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the two-dose vaccine is the same as the adult vaccine just a third of the dosage.

Cut 6 (11) “…the adult dose.” 

Parental consent is required.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Thomas made the announcement on Twitter and Coach Sean Payton told reporters that the setback is surgically related…

Cut 9 (11) “…procedure done”

The news comes two days after starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season.

Some state lawmakers warn school officials it’s best not to mandate or offer COVID vaccines for kids 5 to 11 now that they’re approved. More from Kevin Gallagher.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

Lafayette Police say a juvenile is listed in stable condition after being caught in the crossfire of two adults arguing Tuesday afternoon. KLFY-TV says the victim is a 9-year-old girl. Police responded to the 2500 block of East Simcoe Street shortly after 4pm Tuesday. No arrests been made have so far, and the investigation is ongoing.

10:30 LRN Newscast

State Police investigators say a Houma man who was fatally shot during an encounter with police officers on Monday afternoon had a screwdriver in his hands. Trooper Ross Brennan says 36-year-old Johnny Magee did not respond to commands to stop moving towards the officers…
cut 4 (07) “…service weapon”
Magee’s mother told New Orleans TV stations her son suffered from a mental illness and pleaded with the cops not to shoot him.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says insurer GeoVera is leaving the state’s property insurance market. Donelon says there are several insurers who are facing solvency concerns as a result of the destruction from Hurricane Ida…
cut 11 (11) “…into receivership”
GeoVera represented one percent of the state’s homeowners insurance market.

After a suicide attempt as a teen, an Ascension Parish woman is now trying to give others hope with her own documentary.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

More bad injury news for the Saints. All-pro wide receiver Michael Thomas says he will not play this season. Thomas has been working to return after undergoing offseason surgery on his ankle, but in a social media post Thomas says there’s been a setback and he will not be back this season.

9:30 LRN Newscast Nov 3

State Police investigators say a man fatally shot by cops in Houma on Monday had a screwdriver in his hand. Trooper Ross Brennan says after officers arrived at the home to check on a disturbance, a man charged at them with a screwdriver…

Cut 3 (10) “….and Magee.”

Magee’s family says he suffered from a mental illness.

The CDC has approved the COVID vaccine for ages 5 to 11 and Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston is urging school officials not to mandate the vaccine. She’s also against schools taking part in offering vaccines for children. In addition to getting school leaders involved she is also calling on parents as well.

Cut 9 (12)  “…terms of vaccination.”

The numbers of insurers offering hurricane coverage in Louisiana are shifting as claims from Ida alone are expected to ballpark at 20-billion-dollars. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says at least two small firms have exited the state over insolvency concerns, but post-Katrina a couple of dozen more have entered the picture.

Cut 10 (08)  “…small regional companies.” 

In 2017, then 16-year-old Emma Benoit of Ascension Parish attempted suicide, and now she’s touring with a documentary about her struggle. Teen suicide attempts were up 50-percent from March 2020 to February of this year compared to the previous time period. Benoit says while social media wasn’t the main reason for her suicide attempt it was a contributing factor.

Cut 6 (09) “…self-destruction.”

For more information on her film visit my ascension dot us.

8:30 LRN Newscast

More information is being released about a deadly officer-involved shooting in Houma late Monday afternoon. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

Get ready for temperature drop especially for north Louisiana as morning lows will get down to the 30s by the end of the week. Matt Hemingway with the National Weather Service says it will not be as cold for south Louisiana…
cut 14 (05) “…Gulf Waters”
High temperatures statewide will be in the 60s tomorrow.

The CDC has given emergency use authorization for children between the ages of five to eleven years old to receive a kids-size Pfizer COVID vaccine. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston and some of her colleagues have sent a letter to Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley that the COVID vaccine for kids is only emergency use authorization, so it should not be mandated…
cut 8 (09) “….said that’
Edmonston says that if vaccines are administered at schools, the child’s parent should be present or there must be verified written consent.

A 21-year-old woman in Ascension Parish has helped produce a documentary that tells her story of trying to commit suicide as a 16-year-old. The suicide attempt with a gun has left Emma Benoit paralyzed. She wanted to tell her story so that other teenagers do not do what she did..
cut 5 (08) “…up there”
For more information on her documentary go to myascension-dot-us.

7:30 LRN Newscast November 3

The CDC has given approval for the Pfizer COVID vaccine to be given to children between the ages of five and 11 years old. The state health department says it will provide formal guidance on administering the vaccine to younger kids later today.

Meanwhile, some state lawmakers warn school officials they do not have the authority to mandate the vaccine for children between five and 11 years old….
cut 2 (30) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

LSU Health Shreveport says it will begin rolling out Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids next week.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he expects insurance premiums will rise 10-to-12-percent next year as a result of the destruction left behind by Hurricanes Ida and Laura. Donelon says these have been trying times for all, including the insurers…
cut 12 (10) “….past two years”
Donelon says homeowners insurance rates have increased statewide this year by an average of four percent.

In 2017 by all appearance then 16-year-old Emma Benoit, a Dutchtown high school varsity cheerleader in Ascension Parish led the perfect life. But the veil soon dropped when she attempted suicide and it left her paralyzed. Now she’s sharing her story with a documentary of hope and recovery entitled My Ascension.
Cut 4 (11) “…wanted to do that.”
For more information about her documentary visit myascension.us

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The first college football playoff rankings of the season were released last night and no surprise Georgia is number one. One-loss Alabama is two, ahead of undefeated Michigan State who is at three, Orgeron is ranked fourth, Ohio State fifth, and Cincinnati, who just beat Tulane is sixth.

LSU is getting ready to play second-ranked Alabama. Tigers Offensive Tackle Austin Deculus on what he’ll tell some of the younger guys as they get ready to play against the Crimson Tide…
cut 20 (20) “….in different”

The Pelicans had a 20-point lead in the second quarter but lost last night in Phoenix 112 to 100. New Orleans was playing without Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram, who are both injured.

Louisiana Tech is looking to end a four-game losing streak on Saturday in Birmingham when they face UAB. The Bulldogs are 2-and-6 on the year and four of those losses were by a touchdown or less. Coach Skip Holtz says not executing at critical times has resulted in some tough losses
Cut 16 (13) “…opportunistic moment”
The Bulldogs and the Blazers played a double-overtime thriller last season that was won by Tech 37-34.

Conference USA is reportedly looking at adding four schools, two of them are FCS programs and the other two are FBS independents. Those schools would be Liberty, Jacksonville State, New Mexico State, and Sam Houston State.

And there’s a report McNeese is leaving the Southland Conference for the WAC.

There’s also a report the Saints and Browns talked about a trade involving wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior. But the NFL trade deadline came and went yesterday with no major moves being made by the Black and Gold.

6:30 LRN Newscast

As the CDC approves Pfizer’s COVID vaccine for kids 5 to 11, an Ascension Parish state lawmaker and others are urging education officials to resist mandating vaccinations for young school children. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston sent a letter to state Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley to that effect…:
Cut 7 (13) “…terms of consent.”
Edmonston’s letter to Brumley was co-signed by 13 other state legislators. In it, she says parents should be either present while their kids are vaccinated at school locations, or given proper notice so as to provide their consent or refusal for reason.

The Louisiana Department of Health says it will issue formal guidance to vaccine providers later today. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they now have a powerful new tool to protect children.

After a suicide attempt as a teen, an Ascension Parish woman is now trying to give others hope with her own documentary.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Another shot of cold air is heading to Louisiana. High temperatures in north Louisiana today will only be in the low to mid-50s and National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Hemingway says Friday morning lows will get below 40-degrees…
cut 13 (08) “…in the week”

AM Newscall Nov 3

AM NEWSCALL

After a suicide attempt as a teen, now an Ascension Parish woman is now trying to give others hope with her own documentary. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

As COVID vaccines for kids ages 5-11 get CDC approval, some state lawmakers warn school officials it’s best not to get in the middle of that or to mandate shots. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

_________________________________________

More information is being released about a deadly officer-involved shooting in Houma late Monday afternoon. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

___________________________________________

In 2017 by all appearance then 16-year-old Emma Benoit, a Dutchtown high school varsity cheerleader in Ascension Parish led the perfect life. But the veil soon dropped when she attempted suicide and it left her paralyzed. Now she’s sharing her story with a documentary of hope and recovery entitled My Ascension.

Cut 4 (11) “…wanted to do that.”

Now 21, Benoit says she’s always wanted to help others and feels her film is doing just that by showing others, like herself when she was at her lowest point at age 16 with a gun in her hand, that help it out there.

Cut 5 (08) “…help out there, hope out there.”

Teen suicide attempts were up 50-percent from March 2020 to February of this year compared to the previous time period. Benoit says while social media wasn’t the main reason for her suicide attempt it was a contributing factor.

Cut 6 (09) “…self-destruction.”

For more information about her documentary film visit myascension.us

_________________________________________

As the CDC approves COVID shot for kids 5 to 11, an Ascension Parish state lawmaker and others are urging education officials to resist mandating vaccinations for young school children. Gonzales Representative Kathy Edmonston sent a letter to state Education Superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley to that effect…:

Cut 7 (13) “…terms of consent.”

Edmonston’s letter to Brumley was co-signed by 13 other state legislators. In it, she says parents should be either present while their kids are vaccinated at school locations, or given proper notice so as to provide their consent or refusal for reason. She also details that coronavirus vaccines are not something that legally may be mandated for children, despite FDA or CDC approval of using them on kids ages 5 – 11…:

Cut 8 (09) “…so we said that.”

Edmonston says she is against schools taking any active part in vaccinating kids. Research shows the vaccines only mitigate the effects of COVID, and cannot prevent getting or spreading the virus. Healthy kids have a 99-percent chance of surviving it. She hopes Brumley and school leaders will take the letter to heart, and that parents will also get involved…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…terms of vaccination.”

__________________________________________

The numbers of insurers offering hurricane coverage in Louisiana are shifting as claims from Ida alone are expected to ballpark at 20-billion-dollars. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says at least two small firms have exited the state over insolvency concerns, but post-Katrina a couple of dozen more have entered the picture.

Cut 10 (08)  “…small regional companies.” 

Donelon issued an emergency rule prior to Ida that barred insurers from axing insurance coverage, but that expired late last month.

Donelon says a dozen more insurers may be exiting the state for financial reasons, but not on a voluntary basis.

Cut 11 (11) “…into receivership.”

And at that point, those insurers will not be writing any new business.

Donelon says he expects home insurance premiums to increase by ten to 12 percent next year following Ida’s devastation and the costs incurred by insurance companies. He says these have been trying times for all of us including the insurers.

Cut 12 (10) “…past two years.”

____________________________________________

The nice dry, seasonal temperatures we’ve been enjoying for a while now are coming to an abrupt end for a bit, especially in north Louisiana as we hear from National Weather Service meteorologist Matt Hemingway who says rain and colder weather are invading the area.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the week.”

He says with the expected rain today, temperatures will struggle to climb above 50 degrees and temps will still be below normal as the weekend arrives.

Hemingway says the front will impact the south with some cooler temps and rain, but not to the degree Shreveport and that area of the state will see over the next few days.

Cut 14 (07)  “…the Gulf waters.”

Hemingway says it’s been quite a while since north Louisiana has seen weather this cold, but no frozen precipitation is expected, given that temps will only dip to the upper 30s.

Cut 15 (08)  “…spring and April.”

___________________________________________

Louisiana Tech is looking to end a four-game losing streak on Saturday in Birmingham when they face UAB. The Bulldogs are 2-and-6 on the year and four of those losses were by a touchdown or less. Coach Skip Holtz says not executing at critical times has resulted in some tough losses

Cut  16 (13) “…opportunistic moment”

Louisiana Tech is coming off 23-20 loss to Old Dominion last Saturday. Bulldogs quarterback Austin Kendall couldn’t finish the game because of a back injury and J-D Head finished the contest. Holtz says if Kendall can’t play this Saturday, either Head or Aaron Allen would get the start…

Cut 17 (15) “ ..them both.” 

______________________________________________________

LSU starting quarterback Max Johnson has nothing but good things to say about former starter Myles Brennan, who announced on Monday he’s transferring from LSU. Johnson says he learned a lot from Brennan….

Cut 18 (18) “…overall” 

The LSU-Alabama game every season is circled on the schedule. Linebacker Damone Clark says he’s not trying to make this game any bigger than it is…

Cut 19 (14)  “…go out there and play.” 

LSU offensive tackle Austin Deculus on what he’ll tell some of the younger guys as they get ready to play third-ranked Alabama…

Cut 20 (20) “…in different.”