Later this month first film/TV project since the pandemic began is set to begin production in Louisiana under a set of new industry guidelines. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Tulane wraps up animal model trials for a promising COVID-19 drug that is showing strong results as a preventative treatment. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Senator John Kennedy says federal legislation currently in discussion could allow states to determine how to pay extended unemployment benefits funded by the feds. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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The state sets guidelines for movie and TV crews to begin filming again after all production shut down at the start of the pandemic.
Louisiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly says the health guidelines are pretty similar to other jobs. Wear a mask, social distance while on set, limit access to the studio, and…
Performers will not be required to wear masks.
Stelly says 14 projects were in motion in Louisiana before the pandemic. Not all of them may return.
The guidelines were influenced by national recommendations from a range of media institutions and film worker unions.
One project is set to begin in Louisiana sometime in late August/early September under these guidelines. Stelly says more will come because the public is starved for content.
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Louisiana Lottery’s flagship game, Lotto, has been upgraded to see starting jackpots of a half-million dollars. The change marks only the fourth time the game has been altered in its 28-year history. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the changes are being done to spur more excitement with players.
Cut 7 (10) “…throughout the year.”
The first drawing with the new format is Wednesday night. Annison says the game matrix has changed from the previous version where players were picking 6 out of 40 balls with a 30% chance of winning a prize.
Anniston says while everyone wants to win the bigger jackpot, the changes in the game still leave plenty of excitement in the chance at winning one of the smaller prize amounts.
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Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment has shown signs in animal trials that it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says lab mice that received a protein called MDR 504 were far less likely to see the virus replicate once infected.
Some animal toxicology studies will need to be completed before they can move to human trials.
Kolls says the treatment could be fantastic for frontline workers like nurses who are regularly exposed to the virus. The only downside is right now it’s not cheap.
Patients must return to receive the treatment several times a month.
Now that there’s firm evidence of the effectiveness of MDR 504, when could the public expect to see it available for general consumption?
Kolls adds the treatment could be highly effective for patients who cannot receive traditional vaccines due to a medical condition.
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Federal lawmakers are working on legislation to extend the extra unemployment benefits funded by the feds to those out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator John Kennedy says the legislation would give states a choice as to how to go about paying the benefits.
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The amount of time the benefits would be provided is up for debate, but Kennedy says the extra money could continue through the end of October.
Kennedy expects every Democrat to vote against the bill.
Kennedy expects the legislation to be voted on and to pass at some point this week, but it will also face opposition from some Republicans.