LRN PM Newscall October 27

It’s that time of the year and delivery companies are finding themselves in need of seasonal workers to get holiday packages to people on time. More from Dave Brannen.

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The state has ordered 148-thousand doses of the COVID vaccine in anticipation of the CDC’s recommendation for ages 5 to 11 to be vaccinated. Brooke Thorington has more

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The reality of children being vaccinated for COVID reached a major milestone this week after an FDA Advisory panel recommend the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter anticipates that age group could begin receiving doses within the next two weeks.

Cut 3 (09) “….time around.”

On Tuesday the governor removed the statewide indoor mask mandate for 28 days but not for K-12 schools. Schools however can choose not to mask if they follow CDC quarantine guidelines. Kanter says the sooner children are able to get vaccinated the more likely they can stay in the classroom.

Cut 4 (10) “…asymptomatic.”

Currently, ages 5 to 17 make up the majority of new COVID cases in the state at 22-percent.

Kanter encouraged parents to discuss the vaccine with their pediatrician and if they have an upcoming visit scheduled…

Cut 5 (10) “…family chooses.”

A CDC committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday and Wednesday and if they vote to recommend the vaccine for ages 5 to 11, the vaccine could be available the following week. Approximately 421,000 in Louisiana would then be eligible to be vaccinated

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UPS is going on a hiring spree as the holiday season approaches. Marc Shannon with the delivery firm’s talent acquisition team says the company is looking to hire 100-thousand seasonal workers nationwide, with more than one thousand of them in Louisiana alone.

Cut 6 (08) “..lot of opportunities” 

For more information and to apply for a position visit the website UPSjobs.com.

Shannon says oftentimes, a temporary position at UPS has turned into a career for these seasonal workers.

Cut 7 (11) “….career at UPS.”  

Shannon says the peak season that necessitates a larger workforce, albeit temporary, usually lasts into January.

Cut 8 (08) “..things like that.”

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A powerful line of thunderstorms is moving through the state that’s associated with the strongest cold front of the fall. Megan Williams with the National Weather Service in Slidell says most of the state is under a tornado watch until 4 PM…

Cut 9 (07 ) “…as well.”

Williams says the severe weather risk is the result of the cold air behind the front clashing with warm air…

Cut 10 (09)  “..from the Gulf”

A tornado watch is in effect until 10 PM tonight for southeast Louisiana. The tornado watches that cover southwest, central and north-central Louisiana expire at 4 PM.  

The concern today is tornadoes and flash flooding, but Williams says once the front moves through, it will feel like fall for the Halloween weekend…

Cut  11 (12)  “…nice change.”  

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The announcement of the end of the statewide indoor mask mandate is welcome news to some business owners. State Director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation Independent Businesses Dawn McVea says they are pleased because members have had such a challenge with it the last few months.

Cut 12 (11) “…the enforcers”  

Governor Edwards chose not to renew the indoor mask mandate for the next 28 days due to declining COVID cases and hospitalizations. McVea says business owners are also hopeful the trend will continue.

Cut 13 (05) “…that way.”

However, the mask mandate and proof of vaccination and/or a negative test are still in effect for New Orleans. Outside of the state’s largest city though McVea says businesses are relieved they can focus holiday shopping versus policing masks.

Cut 14 (07) “..the deal.”