The state’s senior Senator was in Baton Rouge today signing up to run for a second six-year term in office. Matt Doyle was there…
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Hospitals in Louisiana are facing staffing shortages due to COVID-19 and having trouble filling the void. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it’s helping to produce showers and thunderstorms across south Louisiana. But State Climatologist Barry Keim is not expecting significant flooding
Hanna will produce numerous thunderstorms and some rain bands in Louisiana. Keim says it will hinder some outdoor activities….
A coastal flood advisory is in effect until tonight as minor coastal flooding is expected. Tides will also be one to two feet above normal levels. Keim says coastal parishes will also see the highest rain totals
Cut 5 (12) “…possible.”
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Senator Bill Cassidy filed his papers today in Baton Rouge to run for a second term in office.
Cassidy’s opponents took turns digging at this record since qualifying began Wednesday, but the state’s senior Senator says he’ll stand behind his work over the past six years.
The state Democratic Party and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins have slammed the Senator, accusing him of being M-I-A during the pandemic. Cassidy says he’s been in daily contact with constituents.
Perkins is the most prominent opponent to sign up to run against Cassidy. He has reportedly received backing from national Democrats and is hiring a professional campaign team.
The Senator says he plans to connect with voters during his campaign, even though there will not be a lot of personal interaction…
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As hospitals across the state reach capacity with COVID-19 patients, some healthcare facilities have enough beds, but they are having staffing issues to provide adequate care for patients. Governor John Bel Edward asked FEMA for approximately 700 healthcare workers.
Louisiana received zero hits from FEMA in its staffing request.
As daily case counts continue to set records across the state with community spread, Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman in Lafayette says they are seeing their staff contract COVID as a result.
Cut 10 (07) “…our physicians.”
Kaufman says the public needs to understand when a healthcare worker contracts COVID it creates a large absence in the workplace.
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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces that starting on Saturday bars and restaurants will be prohibited from selling takeout alcoholic beverages. Cantrell says this means bars will be closed throughout Orleans Parish…
Cut 12 (09) “…large gatherings”
The city is also reducing the size of indoor social gatherings to no more than 25 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people. New Orleans Health Director Doctor Jennifer Avegno says the city has seen an unfavorable trend when it comes to its COVID-19 data
Cut 13 (12) “…community transmission”
Avengo says shutting down bars completely and limiting social gatherings is a necessary step to slow the spread of COVID-19 community transmission