The pandemic continues to plague the restaurant industry and the Omicron variant is no different. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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The Saints’ all-time winningest coach is stepping down. Sean Payton notified the team today that he will not be back for a 16th season on the sidelines. David Grubb has more.
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With the rise of COVID-19 Omicron cases, AARP Louisiana State Director, Denise Bottcher, is calling for immediate action to get residents and staff vaccinated and boosted. Bottcher says there were over 100 confirmed COVID cases among staff in the first two weeks of January and over 50 residents tested positive.
Cut 3 (10) “…not fully vaccinated.”
Bottcher says only 12-percent of direct care staff at Louisiana nursing homes have received a booster.
The AARP has been following CDC data closely, and Bottcher sees a straight line between vaccination and boosters to lower spikes among nursing home residents.
Cut 5 (10) “…longterm care residents.”
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Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris who also serves on the National Restaurant Association board, says eateries continue to struggle with the COVID pandemic and they desperately need Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund…
The National Restaurant Association says 10-thousand Louisiana restaurant jobs were saved with the first round of the RRF grants and Harris says the highly contagious Omicron variant is forcing many establishments to reduce hours, seating capacity, and menu offerings.
Harris says staffing shortages also continue to plague the industry.
According to a Restaurant Association Survey 98-percent of eateries that did not receive an RRF grant but applied, say future funding would enable them to retain and rehire employees.
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State Police say the suspect fatally shot by a Lafayette Police Officer on Sunday night reached for a gun. Trooper Thomas Gossen says Lafayette P-D tried to apprehend the man after stealing a vehicle. Gossen says the subject fled from the vehicle and a foot pursuit began. He says one of the officers attempted to use a taser…
Gossen says an officer at the scene fired his weapon after instructing the suspect not to reach for a gun…
Gossen says the shooting remains an active investigation but they know the suspect who was fatally shot was armed…
Cut 11 (08) “…officer reacted”
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After 15 seasons with the New Orleans Saints, head coach Sean Payton is leaving the franchise he helped build into one of the most successful in the NFL. Editor in Chief of Canal Street Chronicles, Ross Jackson, says it appears Payton’s decision is about taking a break from the NFL coaching grind and the speculation has been out there…
Cut 12 (12) “…like the latter.”
With New Orleans, Payton won 152 games, seven division titles, and led the Saints to a victory in Super Bowl 44. Like Drew Brees, Payton doesn’t get a storybook ending to his career, where he walks off into the sunset with a championship, but Jackson reminds fans that Payton’s legacy with the Saints and the NFL will be a lasting one.
Payton’s departure means there are now nine head coaching vacancies in the NFL and the Saints are getting a relatively late start, but Jackson says New Orleans is an attractive job opening…