No Mardi Gras in New Orleans next year? It’s a possibility according to Mayor LaToya Cantrell who had this to say at a town hall meeting last night…
cut 27 (06) “…that’s a fact”
According to the New Orleans City Council the NOPD has less than one-thousand officers when it needs about 14-hundred.

Meanwhile in Baton Rouge, legislative leaders are working to create a new State Capitol Security Police force….
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher”

Health officials are investigating the deaths of two people in Florida, who died after consuming raw oysters from Louisiana. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich sympathizes with the victims’ families. Restaurants do have signs warning patrons of the risks of eating raw shellfish and Jurisich says individuals with immune disorders and those who are pregnant should avoid consuming raw oysters.
Cut 12 (10) “…facts together.”

The Louisiana Health Department is reporting 127 monkeypox infections and 95-percent of the patients are males. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they’ve seen transmission within the male gay community…
cut 15 (11) “….like Southern Decadence”
And Kanter says nearly 60-percent of monkeypox cases in Louisiana have occurred among Black Louisianans.

The Louisiana Oyster industry made headlines this week after two deaths in Florida were linked to raw oysters from the Bayou State. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich (ger ah sich) confirms the oysters involved were from Louisiana, and an investigation is underway.
Cut 10 (10) “…our business.”
A bacteria called Vibrio can cause illness and deaths for people who consume raw oysters. The bacteria thrives when the water is warm.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 127 monkeypox infections statewide and 95-percent of the patients are males….
cut 14 (11) “….spread of this outbreak”
State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says they will do more community vaccination events.

More than $36 million in state tax returns are due to be turned over to Unclaimed Property, but the Louisiana Department of Revenue says you can claim that money from them now. Spokesman Byron Henderson says they’ve sent 20-thousand letters to individuals and businesses…:
CUT 27(09) “…August 18th.”
If the state tax returns are not claimed by October sixth, they will be turned over to the state’s Unclaimed Property Program.

A Tulane University expert on climate change policy says the actual impact of the new inflation reduction act will depend on what happens much closer to home than in Washington DC. Joshua Basseches (rhymes with passages) says individual states have a lot of authority over how electricity is regulated.
Cut 4 (12) “…Public Service Commission.”

Two people have died in Florida after eating raw oysters from Louisiana. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisisch says before anyone jumps to conclusions about Louisiana oysters, he wants to see what the investigation reveals and that food safety procedures were followed correctly….
cut 11 (11) “….properly”
The CDC says on average 80,000 people will get ill from eating raw oysters and about 100 will die as a result each year.

State legislative leaders are working to create a new police force in an effort to enhance security at the Louisiana Capitol. Senate President Page Cortez…
cut 7 (09) “….a lot of coordination”
A new Louisiana Capitol police force would consist of about two dozen officers and a chief that would be in place before next spring’s Legislative Session.

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 127 monkeypox infections statewide, most of those are in southeast Louisiana. Marsanne Golsby reports L-D-H has released new data that shows gender and racial disparities of monkeypox patients…
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

A new law in effect since August 1^st creates a new State Capitol Security Police force. Kevin Gallagher reports…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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An investigation into the deaths of two people in Florida, linked to Louisiana oysters is underway. Local industry anxiously awaits results. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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State health officials are now updating detailed monkeypox data weekly. They’re also doing a hard push to get more vaccines from the federal government. Marsanne Golsby has the update.

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Marsanne Golsby”

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A Tulane University expert on climate change policy and politics says the actual impact of the new inflation reduction act will depend on what happens much closer to home than in Washington DC.

Joshua Basseches (rhymes with passages) says the law is a major achievement for environmentalists, but that individual states have a lot of authority over how electricity is regulated.

Cut 4 (12)  “…Public Service Commission.”

Basseches says the new law has the potential to make renewable energy cheaper.  However, he says Entergy has made major investments in traditional energy plants that aren’t out of date yet and aren’t likely to be replaced by alternatives any time soon.

Cut 5 (05) “…becomes realized”

He says the new law relies on incentives rather than forcing drastic changes.

Cut 6 (10)  “…just the beginning.”

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A new law passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor will create a new Capitol Security Police agency. The bill was authored by Lafayette Senate President Page Cortez, who says a more consolidated approach to security has been discussed for years…:

Cut 7 (09) “…a lot of coordination.”

Currently, security in and around the Capitol is handled by the House and Senate sergeant of arms offices, Capitol Police, and by the Department of Public Safety. Cortez says those varying agencies don’t always communicate or coordinate well with each other…:

Cut 8 (09)  “…of all of that.”

The Capitol Security Police agency will begin taking form immediately; employing up to 24 officers and a chief, who’ll coordinate with his team and other agencies. The new agency will be funded out of the annual State Capitol operations budget. Cortez says the January 6^th Riot in Washington illustrated the need, but the concept for his bill is not new…:

Cut 9 (07)  “…Senator Robert Adley.”

Cortez says they plan to have the Capitol Security Police fully operational before the next legislative session next spring.

________________________________________________

The Louisiana Oyster industry made headlines this week after two deaths in Florida were linked to raw oysters from the Bayou State. Oyster Task Force Chairman Mitch Jurisich (ger ah sich) confirms the oysters involved were from Louisiana, and a thorough investigation is underway.

Cut 10 (10) “…our business.”

Jurisich says before anyone jumps to conclusions about Louisiana oysters, he wants to see what the investigation reveals and that food safety procedures were followed correctly.

Cut  11 (11)  “…properly.” 

The CDC says on average 80,000 people will get ill from eating raw oysters and about 100 will die as a result each year. Restaurants do have signs warning patrons of the risks of eating raw shellfish. Jurisich says individuals with immune disorders and those who are pregnant should avoid consuming raw oysters.

Cut 12 (10) “…facts together.” 

He expects more information to be released once the medical examiner’s report and cause of death are determined.

________________________________________________

State health officer Dr. Joe Kanter says while there are only 127 diagnosed cases of monkeypox in Louisiana, officials know more are out there. So they’re taking aggressive steps to warn people and to get more vaccines. He says ninety-five percent of the cases have been with men having sex with men.  Nearly sixty percent are among Black Louisianans.

Cut 13 (07) “…growing outbreak.”

He says other parts of the country with more cases are seeing them spread into other demographic groups.

Cut 14 (13)  “…spread of this outbreak”

Kanter says it should be easier to contain the Monkeypox outbreak than COVID because the treatment—smallpox vaccine—already exists, but it’s in short supply.

Cut 15 (11)  “…like Southern Decadence.”

People interested in receiving the vaccine can visit the Louisiana Department of Health website for more information. They can also call 211 to get their questions answered.

_________________________________________________

One of the bigger position battles at LSU is for placekicker. LSU has been spoiled at this position with Cole Tracy and then All-American Cade York. Coach Brian Kelly says freshman Damian Ramos has been impressive, but there’s also sophomore Ezekeal Mata, Northwestern State grad transfer Trey Finison and freshman Nathan Dilbert….

Cut 16 (19)  “…field goals.”

Major Burns looks like he’ll be one of the starters at safety along with Jay Ward. Kelly says Burns is a high I-Q player…

Cut 17 (14) “…we do” 

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Saints will face Green Bay in preseason game number two tonight. Wide receiver Michael Thomas will not play as he gets ready to make his much-anticipated return for week one of the regular season. Thomas says he’s not all the way back before suffering that ankle injury in week one of the 2020 season…

Cut  18 (16)“…things show up.”

Thomas says he still has a lot of work to do…

 Cut 19 (16) “…practices.” 

Cut 20 (17) “ …like that.” 

For the second consecutive month, the state Bond Commission has voted to delay a 39-million-dollar future line of credit for the New Orleans Sewer and Water Board. Attorney General Jeff Landry says they want city leaders to explain their stance that it will not enforce the state’s new abortion ban law…..

Cut 9 (11)  “…democracy.”

Lobbyist Paul Rainwater spoke on behalf of the city. Rainwater made the case that this funding is critical to complete a project that would reduce street flooding in New Orleans….

Cut 10 (05) “..water board” 

Seven to six was the vote in favor of delaying the funding, which would not be made available until at least 2023. The money is for a new power station to improve the city’s pumping capability.

Congressman Troy Carter was the only member of Louisiana’s congressional delegation to vote for the Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed into law Tuesday. The law aims to fight the climate crisis by investing in alternative energy and reducing carbon emissions by forty percent by 2030. We asked him if it’s too late for Louisiana’s coastline.

Cut 3 (11) “…got it today.” 

To help with the ongoing teacher shortage, a new law allows retired Louisiana-certified teachers to return to the classroom, keep their retirement, and draw full pay.  President of the Louisiana Association of School Superintendent Mike Faulk says it affects teachers who retired from 2010 to June 30, 2020.

Cut 13 (06) “…next year.”

He says however the number is not significant.

Congressman Troy Carter says the new Inflation Reduction Act will help efforts to protect Louisiana’s sinking coastline….:

CUT 01(30)      “…Golsby.”

A Cameron Parish resident caught good cell phone video of a waterspout that formed near Johnson Bayou. No one was reported hurt by the twister. If you want to view the footage, you can see it at “kplctv.com”

To help with the ongoing teacher shortage, a new law allows retired Louisiana-certified teachers to return to the classroom, keep their retirement, and draw full pay. Louisiana Association of School Superintendents president Mike Faulk says if you’re a retired teacher and interested in possibly teaching again, call the Teachers Retirement System of Louisiana…:

CUT 15(07)      “…new legislation.”

There are about 2500 empty certified teacher positions in public schools statewide.

More than $36 million in state tax returns is due to be turned over to Unclaimed Property, but the Louisiana Department of Revenue says you can claim that money from them now. Spokesman Byron Henderson says watch your mailbox for a letter from LDR…:

CUT 07(09)      “…August 18^th.”

If you miss LDR’s deadline, you can still get your money via the Unclaimed Property website.

The state Bond Commission continues to block 39-million dollars in funding for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(34)      “…Palermo.”

I-20 Westbound through Shreveport was closed for several hours this morning, while law enforcement investigated a shooting and car crash on the Red River I-20 Bridge. Police say the vehicle was riddled with bullet holes and the driver suffering a gunshot to the head. The victim is in critical condition. Cops are investigating.

More than $36 million in state tax returns is due to be turned over to Unclaimed Property, but the Louisiana Department of Revenue is urging the some 20 thousand individuals and businesses to contact them before October. LDR spokesperson Byron Henderson…:

CUT 06(11)      “…October 6^th deadline.”

To receive your return just follow the instructions in the LDR Notice of Unclaimed Property letter dated August 18^th.

Louisiana District 2 Congressman Troy Carter was the only member of the Louisiana delegation in DC to vote FOR the federal Inflation Reduction Act; now signed into law by President Biden. He says the package has huge amounts for investments in clean energy projects – especially in poor neighbors – and nearly $15-billion in grants for environmental monitoring. Carter says he personally fought hard for that money…:

CUT 05(14)      “…of the solution.”