What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order splitting the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? Andrew Greenstein reports.
Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”
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A report by WWNO public radio says Congresswoman and U.S. Senate Republican candidate Julia Letlow may have benefited financially by purchasing Meta stock after learning about the company’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. Kace Kieschnick has the story.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”
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A new poll finds Louisianians like talking politics. Jeff Palermo has the story.
Cut 3 (38) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”
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What does the medical community think of President Trump’s executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits? LSU Health professor Dr. Corey Hebert notes that the MMR vaccine, which has been administered as a combined dose since 1971, isn’t even available as separate vaccines in the U.S., but this executive order may pave the way for them to be available separately.
But Dr. Hebert notes that by separating them, you go from getting two shots – one at 12 months and one at four years – to getting six shots. And he says there’s no guarantee that separating them will provide any benefit.
Cut 5 (09) “…have that either.”
One concern among a select few people is that vaccines involve injecting into the body a tiny amount of the virus that it’s intended to immunize against. Hebert says combining the MMR Vaccine reduces that amount of virus even more.
It’s important to note that Trump’s executive order is merely a recommendation and is not legally binding. All vaccine requirements for things like registering kids for public school are all established at the state level.
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Congresswoman and U.S. Senate candidate Julia Letlow is facing questions over her purchase of Meta stock after reportedly signing a confidential agreement related to Meta’s plans to build a massive data center in Richland Parish. A report by WWNO says Letlow purchased Meta shares after signing the non-disclosure agreement. LSU Political Science Professor Robert Hogan says the report raises red flags about whether politicians are getting access to information that could benefit them financially.
This is not the first time Letlow has faced questions about potential insider trading. During the primary, political ads accused her of violating federal law by failing to timely disclose more than 200 stock transactions worth millions of dollars.
Letlow denied any wrongdoing, saying a third-party broker conducted the trades without her knowledge or direction. A representative for Letlow says she had no role in directing any of her trades, including the Meta transactions, and that the NDA played no role because she was unaware the trades were taking place.
Letlow is considered the favorite to become Louisiana’s next U.S. senator. Hogan says he does not expect the report to cost her significant support.
Cut 8 (09) “…to enrich himself.”
But Hogan says the story could resonate with voters who believe politicians face different rules than the general public. He says Letlow’s Democratic opponent, Jamie Davis, will likely make it an issue on the campaign trail.
Cut 9 (08) “…here in Louisiana.”
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A new poll finds that Louisiana residents like to talk about politics much more than the average American. That conclusion is part of a survey conducted by LSU’s Public Policy Research and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana. Reilly Center Director Michael DiResto says they surveyed more than one-thousand residents to gauge political polarization.
DiResto says survey results found that people in Louisiana appear to feel just as negatively about the opposing political party as they do nationwide, but in Louisiana people are comfortable in talking with people they disagree with politically.
Cut 11 (06) “…their political belief.”
In a potential sign of civic health, PAR president Steven Procopio says only eight-percent of the respondents they frequently post about politics on social media.
Cut 12 (08) “…engaging in that.”
DiResto says 70-percent of the participants reported having a conversation with someone with different political views within the past month.
Cut 13 (11) “…matter either way.”
The 2026 Louisiana Common Ground survey is part of an effort by LSU’s Public Policy Lab and Park to understand and reduce polarization while promoting dialogue and civic thought.
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UL-Lafayette football coach Michael Desormeaux identified two Baton Rouge-area freshmen as players to watch in Cajuns training camp. Leading wide receiver Shelton Sampson Jr. is still out with a bruised knee, and Desormeaux says Zachary product Kristion Brooks has stepped up with other injuries in the room.
Cut 14 (13) “…that are going.”
The Cajuns are also dealing with injuries in the linebacker room, as junior Lester Jones has missed the last three practices with a groin injury. Desormeaux says Catholic High School alum Harrison Kidder (ki-DARE) has made an impact there.
Cut 15 (13) “…playing physical.”
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LSU welcomed back two starters from last year’s offensive line — center Braelin Moore and right tackle Weston Davis. Transfers Jordan Seaton and Aliou Bah join fifth-year Tiger Bo Bordelon to fill out the rest of the unit. Moore says he feels they have the talent to win a Joe Moore Award for the best offensive line in college football.
Cut 16 (16) “…two Super Bowls.”
Moore started 12 games for LSU last season after transferring from Virginia Tech. After head coach Brian Kelly was fired and almost all of the offensive staff that recruited him left, he still decided to come back to LSU so he could play for coach Lane Kiffin and coordinator Charlie Weis.
Kiffin’s offense is known for it’s lighting-quick tempo. His Ole Miss squad last season averaged one snap every 23-and-a-half seconds of game time. Moore says he had to adjust to the pace, but it can be a lethal asset for the Tigers this season.
Cut 18 (13) “..for the defense.”
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The Saints host the Jaguars for a joint practice today. The teams square off in their preseason opener at three p.m. Saturday, but head coach Kellen Moore says the starters will see more action today and rest for the game. He says it will be an excellent opportunity for the team.
Cut 19 (17) “…need right now.”
Moore says the running back group will get great experience with tackling that they haven’t been able to see in camp so far. He says he knows the talent Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne have at the top of the room, but the joint practice gives a great chance to evaluate younger talents.