Sate Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley disagrees with the Governor’s statewide mask mandate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

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As many students are returning to the classroom there’s a growing trend in others that are not. Brooke Thorington has more from the President of Homeschool Louisiana.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says he believes local school boards should be in control of K-12 mask policy, but “most” schools are following the Governor’s mask mandate.

Brumley says he believes that school systems and school boards should be working with local medical leaders and parents to make the decision on if masking should be mandatory.

Cut 3 (08) “…bossier” 

Governor Edwards says the indoor mask mandate applies to all schools in the state, a claim Attorney General Jeff Landry disputes. Brumley says school leaders have been made aware of Edwards’ order…

Cut 4 (06) “..order” 

Even with the new surge in cases Brumley is certain that students must get back to in-person learning this year and not return to virtual classes.

Cut 5 (10) “…to work”

Brumley made the comments on Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster.

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As schools reopen in Louisiana there could be a decrease in attendance as more parents are choosing to home school their children, it’s been a growing trend since the pandemic began in 2020. Homeschool Louisiana President Chris Chin says the U-S Census conducted two historic surveys last year on homeschooling and the increase is significant.

Cut 6 (10) “…14.5 percent.”

Chin says another recent survey indicated the top three reasons parents choose to home school their children. First the pandemic, teaching method options to be improve learning and an opportunity to connect with your child.

Cut 7 (10) “…they lost.” 

Even post-pandemic Chin feels that parents will continue to homeschool their children. Chin says virtual instruction allowed parents to see how and what child is learning in school, and they didn’t approve.

Cut 8 (09) “…do better”

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As LSU prepares to welcome students back to campus, system president William Tate released a video message today reminding students of the new COVID protocols in which unvaccinated students will undergo routine testing. Tate also informed students that COVID vaccinations will be mandatory sooner than later.

Cut 9 (09) “…that time.”

With more than 30-thousand students scheduled to return to campus in the next few weeks, Tate encouraged students to get vaccinated before they return to classes.

Cut 10 (09) “…particular time.”

In the message, Tate says while he understands not everyone is happy with the COVID protocols he wants all students to be able to have a safe college experience as we assimilate to the new normal.

Cut  11 (12) “…extremely ill.”  

You can view the entire video welcome at LSU.edu

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AARP is calling on mandatory vaccinations for all nursing home staff, residents, and visitors. The latest AARP dashboard indicates staff vaccination rates at Louisiana nursing homes are at 44-percent, well below the advised benchmark of 75-percent. AARP Louisiana Associate Director of Advocacy Andrew Muhl

Cut 12 (06) “…and visitors” 

While vaccination rates have increased in the past month, Muhl says only 7-percent of nursing home facilities in Louisiana have 75-percent or more of staff fully vaccinated. Muhl worries it places residents at severe risk as COVID continues to mutate.

Cut 13 (10) “…vaccination.”

Early in the pandemic, the high rate of COVID deaths in nursing homes across the country was alarming. Muhl says it is imperative facilities must incorporate changes now to avoid a repeat.

Cut 14 (11) “…across the board.”

81-percent of nursing home residents in Louisiana are fully vaccinated.

The state reports that hospitalizations increased by 6 from Wednesday for a total of 2,901. The Louisiana Department of Health says that 91-percent of those currently in the hospital with COVID complications are unvaccinated. The state also reported 52-hundred new cases today and a positivity rate of 11.4-percent.

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms. LSU New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says a mother’s fear of taking a vaccine they don’t understand is understandable, but the shot is proven safe and effective.
Cut 9 (11) “…moms.”

Only 23 percent of pregnant women are vaccinated according to the CDC.

As schools reopen in Louisiana there could be a decrease in attendance as more parents are choosing to home school their children, it’s been a growing trend since the pandemic began. Homeschool Louisiana President Chris Chin says a recent survey indicated the top three reasons parents choose to home school their children. First is the pandemic, then the option of different teaching methods to best suit your child and an opportunity to connect with your child one on one.

Cut 7 (10) “…they lost.” 

Even post-pandemic Chin feels that parents will continue to homeschool their children

The CDC is begging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing data that shows expecting mothers are at a high risk of suffering severe COVID cases. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The Pointe Coupee Parish Sheriff’s Office says a boating incident that injured three children tubing on False River Sunday has been turned over to state wildlife and fisheries. Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux says two of the children required medical treatment and one was flown to a hospital after they were hit by a pontoon boat. Pending the outcome of the investigation criminal charges could be filed.

As schools reopen in Louisiana there could be a decrease in attendance as more parents are choosing to home school their children, it’s been a growing trend since the pandemic began in 2020. Homeschool Louisiana President Chris Chin says the U-S Census conducted two historic surveys last year on homeschooling and the increase is significant.

Cut 6 (10) “…14.5 percent.”

Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says there’s another trend in breakthrough cases when someone was inoculated in the vaccine rollout.

Cut 10 (08) “…patients” 

A COVID treatment developed by an LSU-based artificial intelligence program is now in clinical trials. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…matt Doyle” 

On Wednesday the state reported 54-hundred new cases and 2,895 hospitalizations. LDH says among those hospitalized with COVID, 91-percent are not vaccinated. 55-fatalties from COVID were also reported. LDH says of the recorded deaths from July 29^th to August, 83-percent were not vaccinated.

The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic and earlier this week Health Officials said if hospitalizations don’t let up soon, more mitigation measures could be issued. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says right now the industry is fairing pretty good…

Cut 4 (09) “…nine pm.”

Harris says however they are worried capacity restrictions could be enacted if COVID case numbers do not trend downward soon.

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says pregnant women who develop COVID are three times more likely to end up in the ICU than not pregnant women.

Cut 7 (06) “…not pregnant.”

Ochsner reports 11 pregnant women are currently hospitalized in their system, none of them are vaccinated.

The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic and earlier this week Health Officials said if hospitalizations don’t let up soon, more mitigation measures could be issued. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says
Staffing shortages have also been an ongoing issue for the restaurant industry and Harris says they are starting to see more people apply for jobs since the end of federally enhanced unemployment benefits, but not as many as they hoped.
Cut 6 (12) “…weeks.”

State superintendent of education, Cade Brumley has announced a 132 million dollar plan to recover learning loss following last weeks announcement that test scores fell in math, science, and social studies. Brumley also says the 69 school districts in the state will have to produce a plan to use nearly 4 billion dollars in federal stimulus dollars.

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms.
LSU New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says pregnant women who develop COVID are three times more likely to end up in the ICU than not pregnant women.
Only 23 percent of pregnant women are vaccinated according to the CDC. Maupin says mother’s fear of taking a vaccine they don’t understand is understandable, but the shot is proven safe and effective.
Cut 9 (11) “…moms.”

Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says
The FDA is reportedly expected to authorize the use of booster shots for both Moderna and Pfizer among the immunocompromised in the coming days.
Both Pfizer and Moderna have issued research touting the need for booster shots but as to who would ideally receive them first, those who are immune-compromised or among the first to be vaccinated, Kemmerly says it remains to be seen.
Cut 12 (09) “…patients”

The CDC is begging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing data that shows expecting mothers are at a high risk of suffering severe COVID cases. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU’s Deep Drug artificial intelligence program discovered COVID treatment is headed to clinical trials after animal trials showed it’s effective against both variants and long-COVID.
LSU Computer Sciences Professor Dr. Supratik Mukhopadhyay (Sue-prat-ick Moo-co-pod-yay) says
The treatment, known as SM-19, combines two already existing, widely accessible drugs into a therapy that shows up to 97 percent efficacy in reducing coronavirus levels.
Cut 14 (04) “…purposes”

The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic and earlier this week Health Officials said if hospitalizations don’t let up soon, more mitigation measures could be issued. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says
As the fourth surge continues to overcrowd hospitals several members are watching to see if the industry could be called upon to reduce capacity.
Cut 5 (10) “…slow times”

Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says
When asked if the number of breakthrough cases is an indicator of the need for a vaccine booster shot, she says they are awaiting guidance, but she believes it’s on the horizon.
Cut 11 (12) “…and CDC”

Health officials have said if COVID hospitalizations do not go down soon, more mitigation measures could be issued thus hurting the restaurant industry again as they try to recover Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms.
LSU New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says Ochsner reports 11 pregnant women are currently hospitalized in their system, none of them are vaccinated.
Maupin says some good news is that it does not appear infected mothers can transmit the virus to fetuses, but they are seeing a number of newborns getting infected by the family shortly after birth.
Cut 8 (04) “…risk”

Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says there’s another trend in breakthrough cases when someone was inoculated in the vaccine rollout.
Cut 10 (08) “…patients”

LSU’s Deep Drug artificial intelligence program discovered COVID treatment is headed to clinical trials after animal trials showed it’s effective against both variants and long-COVID.
LSU Computer Sciences Professor Dr. Supratik Mukhopadhyay (Sue-prat-ick Moo-co-pod-yay) says their AI program saves researchers time by running simulations of various drug combinations against a chosen disease.
Cut 13 (07) “…address”

The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic and earlier this week Health Officials said if hospitalizations don’t let up soon, more mitigation measures could be issued. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says right now the industry is fairing pretty good…
Cut 4 (09) “…nine pm.”

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms.
LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says pregnant women who develop COVID are three times more likely to end up in the ICU than not pregnant women.
Cut 7 (06) “…not pregnant.”

A COVID treatment developed by an LSU-based artificial intelligence program is now in clinical trials. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…matt Doyle”

Health officials have said if COVID hospitalizations do not go down soon, more mitigation measures could be issued thus hurting the restaurant industry again as they try to recover Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

The CDC is begging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing data that shows expecting mothers are at a high risk of suffering severe COVID cases. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_________________________________________

A COVID treatment developed by an LSU-based artificial intelligence program is now in clinical trials. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…matt Doyle” 

_______________________________

The restaurant industry has been among the hardest hit during the pandemic and earlier this week Health Officials said if hospitalizations don’t let up soon, more mitigation measures could be issued. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says right now the industry is fairing pretty good…

Cut 4 (09) “…nine pm.”

As the fourth surge continues to overcrowd hospitals Harris says several members are watching to see if the industry could be called upon to reduce capacity.

Cut 5 (10) “…slowtimes”

Staffing shortages have also been an ongoing issue for the restaurant industry and Harris says they are starting to see more people apply for jobs since the end of federally enhanced unemployment benefits, but not as many as they hoped.

Cut 6 (12) “…weeks.”

Harris says they are highly encouraging patrons to comply with mask mandates when they enter restaurants in an effort to curb case numbers and allow eateries to remain open at full capacity.

_____________________

The CDC is urging pregnant women to get vaccinated, citing mounting numbers of severe cases among soon-to-be moms.

LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Maternal-Fetal Health Dr. Robert Maupin says pregnant women who develop COVID are three times more likely to end up in the ICU than not pregnant women.

Cut 7 (06) “…not pregnant.”

Ochsner reports 11 pregnant women are currently hospitalized in their system, none of them are vaccinated.

Maupin says some good news is that it does not appear infected mothers can transmit the virus to fetuses, but they are seeing a number of newborns getting infected by the family shortly after birth.

Cut 8 (04) “…risk” 

Only 23 percent of pregnant women are vaccinated according to the CDC. Maupin says mother’s fear of taking a vaccine they don’t understand is understandable, but the shot is proven safe and effective.

Cut 9 (11) “…moms.”

________________________________________

Health officials say it’s the Delta variant of COVID that is responsible for a majority of breakthrough cases among the vaccinated. Ochsner Health Director of Hospital Quality Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says there’s another trend in breakthrough cases when someone was inoculated in the vaccine rollout.

Cut 10 (08) “…patients” 

When asked if the number of breakthrough cases is an indicator of the need for a vaccine booster shot, Kemmerly says they are awaiting guidance but she believes it’s on the horizon.

Cut 11 (12) “…and CDC”

The FDA is reportedly expected to authorize the use of booster shots for both Moderna and Pfizer among the immunocompromised in the coming days.

Both Pfizer and Moderna have issued research touting the need for booster shots but as to who would ideally receive them first, those who are immune-compromised or among the first to be vaccinated, Kemmerly says it remains to be seen.

Cut 12 (09) “…patients”  

_____________________________

LSU’s DeepDrug artificial intelligence program discovered COVID treatment is headed to clinical trials after animal trials showed it’s effective against both variants and long-COVID.

LSU Computer Sciences Professor Dr. Supratik Mukhopadhyay (Sue-prat-ick Moo-co-pod-yay) says their AI program saves researchers time by running simulations of various drug combinations against a chosen disease.

Cut 13 (07) “…address”

The treatment, known as SM-19, combines two already existing, widely accessible drugs into a therapy that shows up to 97 percent efficacy in reducing coronavirus levels.

Cut 14 (04) “…purposes”

SM-19 clinical trials have already begun in Ukraine and are set to begin in California in the near future. Mukhopadhyay says they would like to begin trials in Louisiana as well.

Cut 15 (07)“…vaccination.”

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The Saints will practice in pads this morning and then tomorrow leave for Baltimore where they’ll play the Ravens in the team’s first preseason game of the year. No word on who will start at Q-B for that game. Taysom Hill says he’s benefiting by getting a lot of reps at quarterback in practice

Cut 16 (19) “…rep thing”

Hill says he’s having a lot of fun during this training camp because he’s practicing at the quarterback position

Cut 17 (22) “…really good” 

With star wide receiver Michael Thomas not practicing as he continues to recover from an ankle injury, second-year pro Marquez Callaway has emerged as one of the team’s top performers during this training camp. Hill says Callaway takes advantage of his opportunities

Cut 18 (16)”..left off.”

The state reports another 54-hundred new COVID cases today along with 55 additional COVID-related deaths. COVID Hospitalizations are just below 29 hundred as the 4^th surge of the pandemic continues. Today it was announced that a seventh member of Governor Edwards staff tested positive for COVID, the staff member is reportedly working off-site and no other employees were exposed.

Coastal southeast Louisiana is on the edge of the cone of uncertainty for Tropical Storm Fred, as the official forecast track has the storm making landfall along the Florida panhandle. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

A mom allegedly shot her 13-year old daughter in the head during an argument over the weekend in Winnsboro. Franklin Parish Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Lachandra Jones alleges she did not know the gun had a bullet in the chamber when she pointed it at her daughter during the dispute.

Cut 9 (10) “…recovery.”

The victim is listed in critical condition at LSU Health Shreveport.

With the start of LSU’s 2021 football season less than a month away, the Tigers are preparing for a bounce-back season after a crazy 2020.  Director of Strategic Media for LSU Athletics Cody Worsham says despite the rise in Covid cases, the school is preparing for 100 percent capacity in Tiger Stadium.

Cut 6 (13) “…100 percent.”