President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says a majority of those eligible to receive assistance from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund did not. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”
____________________________________
The state health department reports a child under the age of one has died from COVID-19. Jeff Palermo has the story…
______________________________________
President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Harris says originally restaurants asked Congress for $120 billion but only received $28.6-billion. Stipulations were also added to the funding that women-owned, veteran-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged restaurants were given priority.
Harris says for the Bayou State there are almost 3,000 restaurants, bars, craft brewers, and entertainment venues still in need.
Harris says the National Restaurant Association has asked Congress for more funding to be added to the RRF to offer relief for pending applications. In Louisiana, Harris says 62-percent of applicants didn’t receive any funding, and as the industry continues to face pandemic hurdles and a worker shortage…
Harris says while they’ve received positive feedback from the Louisiana Congressional delegation, they fear the length of time it would take to receive funding will only force more owners to close their doors.
__________________________
State health officials say 31-percent of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18. Everyone age 12 and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine. Physician in Chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans Dr. Mark Kline says clinical trials to make the vaccine available for kids under 12 are ongoing.
Kline says that means the Pfizer vaccine could be available for 5 to 11 year-olds before the end of the year. He says emergency use authorization for this age group can not come soon enough.
Kline believes the COVID vaccines can be as effective in children as adults…
Until the vaccines are approved for those under the age of 12, Kline encourages all ages to wear masks to help protect those who cannot be vaccinated yet.
_______________________
Caddo Parish Sheriffs made arrests yesterday in two separate incidents where students threatened school shootings on social media.
Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those arrested was 18-year-old Raybon Marter who threatened to do a school shooting at Southwood High School on Snapchat.
Marter was charged with terrorizing.
In another unrelated event, a 15-year-old posted a picture of himself on Instagram putting a gun in his backpack and a separate picture of himself walking to the Woodlawn Leadership Academy campus.
The teen was arrested for having a gun on campus and terrorizing.
Chadwick says these days it’s not just the public who is reporting school shooting threats from social media, it’s the social media companies themselves…
_____________________________
Louisiana SPCA animal shelters are nearly 100 percent past capacity and the organization is hoping to make room by offering adoptions for only 25 dollars through September 19th. Spokesperson Alicia Vial says housing challenges and pandemic economic troubles are driving a big uptick in owner surrenders.
Vial says another issue is owners who worked from home are now having to return to the office and feel that they don’t have the time to spend with a pet anymore. There’s also another odd trend…
If you are considering surrendering your pet Vial encourages you to contact the LSPCA first. The organization may be able to provide aid in keeping your pet with you.
The 25 dollar adoption fee applies to all cats over six months old and large dogs. Vial says it’s a real bargain…
Vial says if you don’t want to make a long-term commitment right now they’d greatly appreciate help fostering pets.