Pharmacist can now prescribe the leading COVID pill Paxlovid (pax-low-vid) to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you contract COVID you want to start on medication asap to ward off severe symptoms especially if…

Cut 14 (11)  “…immediately.”

Changes to Louisiana’s name, image and likeness regulations have been signed into law. Now schools, its employees and boosters can now directly or indirectly facilitate NIL deals for college athletes. Taylor Jacobs, head of LSU’s newly formed NIL Department, says previously the school was not allowed to put players in touch with an interested business owner:

Cut 6 (08) ” proper notice” 

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says it’s a true passion project for him and the inn played host to music icons like Ray Charles and Little Richard.

Cut 10 (07) “…Drop Inn.”

The groundbreaking is at four this afternoon.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson officially signed his five-year, 181 million dollar contract extension on 22nd birthday. By keeping Williamson, the Pelicans now have three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J who was added to the team last season…

Cut 18 (19) “ …right now.” 

The Louisiana Supreme Court refused to lift the temporary restraining order against the abortion ban in Louisiana. Attorney Jeff Landry petitioned the high court so he can enforce trigger abortion ban laws. A hearing on the restraining order will be held in a New Orleans civil courtroom tomorrow. In the meantime, abortion can continue in Louisiana. The order was filed on behalf of a Shreveport abortion clinic and others.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department is doing all it can to find new property insurance coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans who’ve been dumped by their current coverage. Donelon says he is keenly aware of what cancelled or dropped homeowners are going through, because he is one of them…

Cut 8 (07)  “…the past ten years.”

Donelon says Safepoint Property Insurance, who has been doing a small amount of business in Louisiana for some years, will take on 65-thousand policies under the same conditions as their previous carrier.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans discover two new variants of COVID. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele says the possible clinical and public health significance of the new variants is still unknown. He says more study is needed to determine that. In the meantime, Miele has this advice: better to be safe than to be sorry…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…please do so.”

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says in its full heyday the Dew was a nightclub, restaurant, bar, and hotel. In addition to birthing future rock and roll legends like Little Richard and Ray Charles, it played another historic role.

Cut 12 (10) “…Jim Crow south.” 

He says they hope to have it restored and open by this time next year.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele (ME-lay) says the subvariants have not been reported in the U.S. until now. He says they were detected in tests performed last week…:
Cut 4 (12) “the next few weeks”
He stresses the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted.

Pharmacists can now prescribe the leading COVID pill to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says if you do contract COVID you are still primarily advised to seek care from your doctor..:
Cut 14 (11) “immediately”
Wednesday’s action will also allow state-licensed pharmacists at retail pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens to provide the medication.

Louisiana’s Supreme Court has rejected a request by Attorney General Jeff Landry to allow enforcement of state laws banning abortions. They ruled to not get involved at this stage. A temporary restraining order is in place to block the trigger laws arguing they are unclear and a New Orleans judge is going to hear that case tomorrow.

Renovations will officially get underway this afternoon at the famed New Orleans Dew Drop Inn. Brooke Thorington has more…:
Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his people are scrambling to help homeowners jilted by their property insurers to find new coverage ASAP. Kevin Gallagher reports:
Cut 2 (33) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says 12 boaters across Louisiana were arrested on DWI charges over the 4th of July weekend, including the driver in the boating fatality on Blind River that left a 17-year-old dead. The arrests were a part of LDWF’s Operation Dry Water campaign which emphasizes awareness and enforcement of laws against boating and drinking.

Pharmacists can now prescribe the leading COVID pill to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter speaks highly of Pfizer’s Paxlovid (pax-low-vid) which is an oral medication…:
Cut 13 (08) “…as well”
The FDA made the move saying pharmacists have played a crucial role in combatting the pandemic.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Legendary musicians such as Ray Charles, Little Richard and Tina Turner performed there in the late 30s to 1960s. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says once renovated the property will have 17 boutique hotel rooms, a retail space, resort-style pool, and a music venue. He says they plan to host a concert with local legends who once performed at the inn…:
Cut 11 (09) “continue the legacy”
He says they hope to have it open by this time next year.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says they are working to help find new property insurance coverage for homeowners whose policies were dumped by companies who quit the state. He’s optimistic other companies will take on all the new business and in most cases will write policies that are retroactive to the canceled date of the prior coverage…:
CUT 9 (14) “retroactive basis”

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele (ME-lay) says the subvariants have not been reported in the U.S. until now. He says three cases of one and a single case of the other have been detected….:
Cut 5 (07) “keep track of them”
He says they don’t know much about the variants at this time, but stresses the importance of getting vaccinated and boosted.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson was all smiles Wednesday as the 22 year old officially signed his multi year contract extension on his birthday. The former number one pick expressed his gratitude to the organization during the news conference…:
CUT 16 (12) “multiple championships”
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he was eligible to sign a five-year deal worth 181 million dollars.

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed, long abandoned Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says the inn played host to music icons like Ray Charles and Little Richard…:
Cut 10 (07) “Drop Inn”
The legislature allocated $1 million dollars to restore the historic property.

The state Supreme Court has denied a request by Attorney General Jeff Landry to block the restraining order placed on Louisiana’s trigger laws banning abortions. The majority ruling stated the court did not want to get involved in the matter quote “at this preliminary stage.” A state judge blocked enforcement of the triggers until he could hear a lawsuit claiming the law is unclear. That hearing is tomorrow.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department is doing all it can to find new property insurance coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans who’ve been dumped by their current coverage. Six companies have quit the state; leaving their customers scrambling to find new plans in a relatively short amount of time. With hurricane season already upon us, Donelon says a Florida-based company has offered to take on a great number of those…:
Cut 7 (09) “called Safepoint”
Donelon says, all-in-all, about 80 thousand will need to arrange new coverage and they’ll have only another 6 to 8 weeks to do it.

AAA says the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas has once again fallen another 2 cents overnight to $4.31. Down over 11 cents from last week.

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

________________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his people are scrambling to help homeowners jilted by their property insurers to find new coverage ASAP. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

________________________________________________

Renovations will officially get underway this afternoon at the famed New Orleans Dew Drop Inn. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (34) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

________________________________________________

Scientists at LSU Health New Orleans have found two new variants of the COVID-19 virus. Head of Genetics Dr. Lucio Miele (ME-lay) says the subvariants have not been reported in the U.S. until now. He says they were detected in tests performed last week…:

Cut 4 (12)  “…the next few weeks.”

The subvariants are designated at BE-1 and BF-1 and are of the Omicron family of variants. He says three cases of one and a single case of the other have been detected….:

Cut 5 (07) “…keep track of them.”

Miele says the possible clinical and public health significance of these new coronavirus variants is still unknown. He says more study is needed to determine that. In the meantime, Miele has this advice: better to be safe than to be sorry…:

Cut 6 (08)  “…please do so.”

________________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says his department is doing all it can to find new property insurance coverage for tens of thousands of Louisianans who’ve been dumped by their current coverage. Six companies have quit the state; leaving their customers scrambling to find new coverage in a relatively short amount of time. With hurricane season already upon us, Donelon says a Florida-based company has offered to take on a great number of those…:

Cut 7 (09) “….called Safepoint.”

Donelon says Safepoint Property Insurance, who has been doing a small amount of business in Louisiana for some years, will take on 65-thousand policies under the same conditions as their previous carrier. Donelon says he is keenly aware of what cancelled or dropped homeowners are going through, because he is one of them. His homeowner’s insurance company also left the state…:

Cut 8 (07)  “…the past ten years.”

Donelon says, all-in-all, about 80-thousand will need to arrange new coverage and they’ll have only another 6 to 8 weeks to do it. He says he is optimistic that other companies will take on the majority of that business, but some will have to go the state’s insurer of last resort, Louisiana Citizens. He says in most cases, companies will agree to write policies that are retroactive to the date of cancellation of their previous coverage…:

Cut 9 (14)  “…a retroactive basis.”

_________________________________________________

A groundbreaking ceremony will be held in New Orleans this afternoon to mark the restoration of the famed Dew Drop Inn. Developer Curtis Doucette Jr. says it’s a true passion project for him and the inn played host to music icons like Ray Charles and Little Richard.

Cut 10 (07) “…Drop Inn.”

Doucette says once renovated the property will have 17 boutique hotel rooms, a retail space, resort-style pool and of course a music venue. And he says they plan to host a concert with local legends who once performed at the inn…

Cut  11 (09)  “…continue the legacy.” 

The site of the Dew Drop Inn evolved from a barber shop in 1939 and in its full heyday Doucette says it was a nightclub, restaurant, bar, and hotel. In addition to birthing future rock and roll legends Doucette says it played another historic role.

Cut 12 (10) “…Jim Crow south.” 

Doucette says they hope to have the restored Dew Drop Inn open by this time next year.

___________________________________________________

Pharmacist can now prescribe the leading COVID pill to patients under a new U.S. policy announced Wednesday. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter speaks highly of Pfizer’s Paxlovid (pax-low-vid) which is an oral medication and

Cut 13 (08) “…as well”

Kanter says if you do contract COVID there are medications you can easily take at home that don’t require an infusion to ward off severe symptoms especially if…

Cut 14 (11)  “…immediately.”

Kanter says it’s very important not to delay treatment if you are high risk because COVID meds like are more effective when taken earlier.

Cut 15 (07)  “…as soon as possible.”

________________________________________

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson officially signed his multi-year contract extension on 22nd birthday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but he was eligible to sign a five-year deal worth 181 million dollars. The former number one pick expressed his gratitude to the organization during a Wednesday afternoon press conference..

Cut 16 (12)  “…multiple championships.”

Williamson was the number one pick in the 2019 draft but he’s only made 85 career starts and missed all of last season with a foot injury. While he was rehabbing his injury, speculation ran wild that he didn’t want to play in New Orleans, which he says was not true…

Cut 17 (23) “…very tough.” 

By keeping Williamson, the Pelicans now three All-Star caliber players with Brandon Ingram and C-J McCollum also on the roster. Williamson has yet to play with C-J was added to the team last season…

Cut 18 (19) “ …right now.” 

______________________________________________

Cut 19 (16) _“…when you know, you know.” 

Cut 20 (12) “ …in high school” 

A Calcasieu Parish man is dead, after being shot late Monday night by a homeowner as he tried to force his way into a house. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the Lake Charles homeowner, who has not been identified, became alarmed when 21-year-old Joseph Tezeno tried to get in through his front door, then the back door too…:

CUT 12(12)      “…chain of events.”

Mancuso says Tezeno seemed very drunk (or high) and was perhaps unaware of where he was. No charges are planned against the homeowner, but Mancuso says the Calcasieu DA will make that call.

In a radio interview, District 6 congressman Garret Graves says small business is getting the worst end of the economic downturn and labor shortages left over from the pandemic. He says they suffer the consequences of public policies that discouraged people from re-entering the workforce…:

CUT 09(08)      “…to work.”

Bomb threats were called in to six Louisiana community & technical colleges this morning. Authorities in each community scoured the campuses and found no explosive devices. No one is reported hurt. The source of those threats is now being investigated.

The recently hired Grambling State University volleyball coach who famously cut the entire team has been fired and the students are reinstated. Michelle Southern reports…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Michelle Southern.”