LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
State Treasurer John Schroder has some harsh words for FEMA and their delay in reimbursing the Calcasieu Parish School Board. Brooke Thorington has more.
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With Louisiana continues to rebuild following hurricane Ida some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon reminds the companies and the public that he has the power to override an insurer’s refusal to provide such coverage during a declared emergency such as that ordered by the governor.
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LRN
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LSU is favored to beat Central Michigan tonight by a margin of 20 points. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron is not expecting an easy game and says the Chippewas have run the ball well in their two games this season
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A total of 22 students have been arrested over the past two days at Southwood High School in Shreveport after multiple fights broke out on campus. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s office spokesperson, Bia Roldan, says on Friday morning another eight students, two groups of teenage girls ages 14 to 17, were arrested for fighting.
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The students face possible expulsion
For LRN i’m Erik Piccoli
Author Archives: Brooke Thorington
5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 17
State Health Officials report a sixth child has died from COVID-19 during the state’s fourth surge of the virus.
As Louisianans work to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida, State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says some companies continue to deny evacuation expenses to policyholders if there was no official evacuation order in place.
Cut 3 (11) “..the present time”
Louisiana State Treasurer John Schroder says he’s extremely with FEMA and their lengthy delay in reimbursement for school construction in Calcasieu Parish due to hurricanes Laura and Delta. Schroder says the delay has forced the state bond commission to approve an emergency request for $50-million to help the school system resume construction.
LSU is a 20 point favorite tomorrow night when they host Central Michigan. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron is not expecting an easy game. He says the Chippewas have run the ball well in their two games this season
Nichols has rushed for 214 yards and has two touchdowns on the season. The Tigers enter the game ranked 93rd in total offense.
1:30 LRN Newscast Sept 17
State health officials report a sixth child has died from COVID-19 during the state’s fourth surge. Jeff Palermo has more…
The state reports 2,182 new COVID-19 cases today. Hospitalizations stand at 1,367 that’s a decrease of 64 from the previous day, and 251 of those patients require ventilators.
As south Louisiana works to recover from the damage caused by Hurricane Ida nearly three weeks ago, State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says he will act should an insurance carrier refuse to pay 14-days of evacuation expenses related to Ida.
Cut 5 (12) “…this crisis situation.”
Houma Police are mourning the loss of 21-year-old cadet Austin Bush who was killed in a single-car crash Thursday morning after his car struck a log and ended up in a drainage basin and became fully submerged. Houma Police Chief Dana Coleman it’s been challenging with the hurricane and now the death of a young officer is even more difficult.
10:30 LRN Newscast Sept 17
A Houma patrol officer was killed in a single-car crash Thursday morning. State Police say 21-year old Austin Bush was traveling west on Highway 648 in a full-marked Houma Police vehicle. Investigators say the car hit a log and wound up in a drainage basin and was submerged underwater. Bush was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead. The crash is under investigation.
The FDA advisory panel is meeting right now to decide the fate of COVID vaccine booster shots.
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The destruction left behind by Hurricane Ida and the heavy rainfall from Nicholas is creating an excellent breeding ground for mosquitos. Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the ongoing surge in mosquitos will lead to other problems…
Cut 8 (10) “…and reptiles.”
Strain is advising horse owners to make sure they are vaccinated and if you haven’t boosted your horse within six months you need to do so.
A National Federation of Independent Business survey finds more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says member businesses believe there’s little hope of improvement anytime soon.
AM LRN Newscall Sept 17
The FDA may or may not decide the fate of booster shots to battle Covid-19. More from Dave Brannen.
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The mass evacuation of more than 800 nursing home patients to an overcrowded warehouse in Tangipahoa Parish renews calls to revise evacuation plans and oversight. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Small business owners across Louisiana report the COVID pandemic is making it hard for them to get needed inventory and make a profit. More from Kevin Gallagher.
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The Food and Drug Administration meets today to discuss the idea of a third booster shot being needed for the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. Dr. John Vanchiere, LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Pediatrics, says the agency has much to consider from the data collected thus far.
Cut 4 (11) “…being looked at.”
The FDA meeting today may or may not lead to an immediate decision on the necessity for a third shot. Vanchiere was the principal investigator of the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial in north Louisiana.
Cut 5 (12) “…those subgroups.”
Vanchiere says the additional booster could have significant consequences.
Cut 6 (07) “…in the community.”
But, thus far the FDA has been mostly neutral on the need for boosters, even though the Biden administration expects to launch a campaign next week favoring the additional shot.
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Louisiana Agriculture Secretary Mike Strain says concerns about encephalitis and West Nile virus are up given the pre-Ida rainfall, as well as the rains and ponding of water from the storm itself.
Cut 7 (08) “..in the environment.”
Strain says there’s been a two-fold increase in the number of horses getting sick with Equine encephalitis.
Strain says the ongoing surge in mosquitoes will lead to other problems.
Strain says the various hosts can allow mosquitoes to spread the virus to horses and humans.
Strain is advising owners to make sure their horses are vaccinated and if you haven’t boosted your horse within six months you need to booster them with a multi-valent for eastern, western and West Nile. He says people need to do what they can to avoid contact with mosquitoes, cleaning out anything that may be holding water on your property.
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Since Katrina, nursing homes are required to report their evacuation plans annually to the department of health. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says but what happened in Tangipahoa Parish during Hurricane Ida was a complete failure of oversite, enforcement, and planning.
Cut 10 (09) “… a few weeks ago.”
Muhl believes nursing home evacuation plans will be revisited in the next legislative session which begins in March and AARP wants to be part of the discussion.
The evacuation of the more than 800 patients also brought to light the lack of communication between the nursing homes and emergency contacts for the residents. Once the state began removing patients, family members had to call 2-1-1 to locate their loved ones. Muhl says this is another critical issue that plans should address the notification of next of kin.
Seven patients that were part of the mass evacuation died.
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A new survey by the National Federation of Independent Business shows more than half of small businesses have been negatively affected by pandemic-related supply chain issues. NFIB State Director Dawn McVea says member businesses complain they cannot get sufficient supplies of goods to sell, and there’s little hope of improvement anytime soon.
Cut 13 (10) “…with the holidays”
The NFIB survey looks at staffing shortages, levels of sales, and more during the pandemic, which has gone on for over 18 months. Over half of businesses surveyed say the situation is worse than it was 3 months ago. McVea explains what they mean by “supply chain disruptions.”
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McVea says 86-percent of NFIB members surveyed feel their supply chain issues – and the challenges to making a profit – could continue for another five months or more.
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Over 25-percent of NFIB members report significant staffing shortages and losses of sales opportunities due to supply issues.
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Louisiana Tech will welcome one of its former head coaches to Ruston on Saturday when the Bulldogs host Sonny Dykes and the SMU Mustangs. Dykes coached La Tech from 2010 to 2012 and left for California. He got the head coaching job at SMU in 2018 and Tech head coach Skip Holtz believes this is his best team…
Tech is 1-and-1 on the season after barely getting past Southeastern Louisiana. The Mustangs are 2-and-0 and they are a 13 point favorite. Holtz wants to see his team play with a chip on its shoulder…
SMU Quarterback Tanner Mordecai has thrown 11 touchdown passes in two games. Holtz says he’s also an excellent runner…
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The Saints will look to start the season with a 2-0 record when they take on Carolina on Sunday. The Panthers also won their opening game as they defeated the Jets 19-14. New Orleans Jameis Winston says Carolina has two excellent edge rushers in Haason Reddick and Brian Burns…
Carolina’s defense recorded six sacks in the win over the Jets. Winston is coming off a game where he threw five touchdown passes. The New Orleans Q-B says everyone played well…
5:30 LRN Newscast Sept 16
The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says the vaccination rate among employees has increased to 81-percent since their announcement of mandatory vaccinations. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29th. Thomas supports the Biden Administration’s vaccine mandate for healthcare workers.
The state reports over 16-hundred new COVID-19 cases today; the lowest daily case count since July 20th. Hospitalizations have dropped to just over 1400. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart credits the wearing of masks and the recent increase in vaccinations.
Today is Governor John Bel Edwards’ 55th birthday and he has nearly two and half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was asked about running for President or Senate against Republican John Kennedy and the governor responded that he doesn’t see a presidential or a Senate campaign in his future.
The movie “Heart of a Lion” based on the life of boxer George Foreman will now be shot in Shreveport rather than New Orleans because of Ida. Sony line producer, Wendy Williams, says the film will likely be shot in two blocks.
Cut 4 (09) “…greater Shreveport area.”
Williams says the film starring Khris Davis will reflect on Foreman’s life from the time he was 11 until he was 45.
1:30 LRN Newscast Sept 16
COVID hospitalizations have decreased by 90 to 1,431, it’s the lowest since July 26th. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart credits the mask mandate for the decreases and an increase in vaccinations. Hart says as bad as the fourth surge has been he believes it made several who were unvaccinated rethink and get the shot.
Today is Governor John Bel Edwards’ 55th birthday and he has nearly two and half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was asked about running for President or Senate against Republican John Kennedy and the governor responded that he doesn’t see a presidential or a Senate campaign in his future.
A film once destined to be shot in New Orleans is being moved to Shreveport because of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.
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The state reports 1,663 new COVID cases which is the lowest new daily case count since July 20th. COVID fatalities increased by 48 for a total of 13,366.
11:30 LRN Newscast Sept 16
78 LSU students have yet to comply with the school’s new COVID policy of showing proof of vaccination or agree to regular testing for the virus. Failure to do so could result in expulsion. LSU President William Tate says he’s hopeful that the remaining students will comply.
Over the summer Tate indicated that once the vaccine was approved by the FDA on-campus students would be required to be vaccinated or agree to regular testing.
A movie that was set to be filmed in New Orleans has moved to Shreveport due to Hurricane Ida. Sony Line Producer, Wendy Williams, says “Heart of a Lion” follows the life of boxer George Foreman.
She says that will cover a period from the late 50s to the mid-80s. About 15-hundred extras will be hired locally for the movie shoot.
Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports his new Commander of State Police, while federal authorities investigate the cover-up of the 2019 fatal arrest of motorist Ronald Greene. LSP Colonel Lamar Davis announced tough new policies last week, and the Governor says he approves.
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AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22nd resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases by more than a thousand from the previous four-week period and deaths went from 3 to 49. And because the recording period ended several days before Hurricane Ida AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says they are worried numbers could increase due to the evacuations of several nursing homes.
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AM LRN Newscall Sept 16
You may someday have an alternative way to getting protected against bacterial pneumonia. More from Dave Brannen.
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LSU President William Tate met with the Biden Administration Tuesday and briefed the President on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Governor Edwards addresses the State Police scandal in which a man’s death during his arrest was covered up for two years. Kevin Gallagher reports.
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Researchers at Tulane University have developed an inhaled vaccine against bacterial pneumonia. Dr. Jay Kolls, a corresponding author of the study, says the medication may help curb a disturbing death toll.
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Bacterial pneumonia is blamed for nearly eight thousand cases and 520 deaths each year nationwide and the inhaled vaccines protected mice against several strains of the illness.
Kolls says bacterial pneumonia runs more rampant than you might think.
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Kolls says the inhaled vaccine, whether a liquid or powder, would offer a double-pronged attack against bacterial pneumonia.
Cut 6 (08) “…a T-cell response.”
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LSU President William Tate met with President Biden and the COVID Response team Tuesday afternoon and briefed them on the school’s multi-tiered approach of COVID mitigation and vaccination requirement. LSU was the only university that attended the meeting and Tate says the President was interested in how the school’s approach changed vaccination rates.
Tate says Biden was interested in how the school moved the needle when it came to vaccination rates and there’s a reason LSU was asked to attend the meeting.
Now that the Pfizer vaccine has FDA approval students are required to submit proof of vaccination or agree to regular COVID testing. Tate says 78 students have yet to file paperwork but he’s hopeful the remainder will comply.
LSU was one of the first schools in the country to require either proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test to attend football games on campus.
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Governor John Bel Edwards says he supports his new Commander of State Police, while federal authorities investigate the cover-up of the 2019 fatal arrest of motorist Ronald Greene. LSP Colonel Lamar Davis announced tough new policies last week, and the Governor says he approves.
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Greene was stopped by Troopers on May 10, 2019, for failing to stop after a traffic violation and leading them on a high-speed chase. His family was told he died in a crash at the end of the chase. Bodycam video released just weeks ago shows Greene being tasered, punched, and dragged by troopers. Governor Edwards says policy changes made by Col. Davis were appropriate.
Cut 11 (11) “…people of Louisiana.”
LSP Lt. John Clary was accused of deliberately covering up Greene’s death by withholding his body cam footage, but Davis says doing so could compromise ongoing criminal cases. Though still a trooper, Clary has been removed from his prestigious spot on the LA Tech football on-field security detail. Davis HAS fired several troopers for use of excessive force. The Governor says he supports the firings.
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According to AARP’s nursing home dashboard in the four-week period ending August 22n resident COVID cases increased by 463 and staff cases more than a thousand from the previous four-week period and deaths went from 3 to 49. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl says the numbers mirror that of the state during the same time period.
Muhl says the vaccination rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana is 83-percent and for staff, it’s 48-percent as of August 22nd.
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The national average vaccination rate among nursing home residents is 84-percent and staff is 64-percent.
The dashboard reporting period ended several days before Hurricane Ida made landfall and after a large evacuation among seven nursing home residents in southeast Louisiana, Muhl says they fear the COVID numbers could worsen among nursing homes.
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AARP says they are hopeful more staff will be vaccinated once the national mandate goes into effect.
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The Ragin Cajuns host Ohio tonight in a nationally televised game on ESPN. U-L Lafayette is 1-and-1 and the offense has yet to find its mid-season groove. Offensive lineman Shane Vallot says they’ve been working on communication issues…
Over 25-thousand fans were at U-L Lafayette home opener last Saturday. Coach Billy Napier hopes they’ll have a big crowd tonight…
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The Saints are getting ready to play the Panthers in Charlotte on Sunday. Stopping Carolina’s most dynamic player on offense Christian McCaffery is priority number one. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they are working on a game plan to defend McCaffery…
The Saints are once again getting ready for this game in the Dallas area at T-C-U’s practice facility. Jordan says the team has it good compared to many hurricane victims…
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1:30 LRN Newscast Sept 15
Disaster food stamps, also known as D-SNAP, will soon be available to residents in 25 parishes hit hard by Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says D-SNAP helps eligible households buy groceries due to lost income or damages related to Ida
Cut 6 (11) “…you’re eligible.”
Lafourche Parish President Archie Chaisson is upset at the slow movement of FEMA to set up temporary long-term housing like mobile homes for those affected by Ida.
Cut 5 (09) “…into the parish.”
The Chief Civil Deputy at the Caldwell Parish Sheriff’s office, Debbie Dollar, is facing charges of malfeasance in office and theft charges. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says she’s been taking money out of a drawer used to hold money collected for fines and fees since January 2020.
29-year old Haley Arceneaux of Baton Rouge will become the youngest American in space tonight as part of the Inspiration4 program. Arceneaux a childhood cancer survivor is a Physician Assistant at St. Jude Children’s Hospital, and LSU Health Shreveport Assistant Professor Lindsay Ferrington says they are celebrating with a launch party at the school.
You can watch the launch on SpaceX’s YouTube channel.