Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate. Today the state added 11-thousand new COVID cases and hospitalizations are closing in near two thousand.

Cut 11 (11) “…concern.”

Edwards will hold a press conference at 2:30 today.

A man killed his grandmother and attempted to kill his mother in East Baton Rouge Parish Sunday morning then went on a shooting spree trying to steal a getaway car. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the suspect, 28-year-old Aaron Morgan, shot three people at Highland Marketplace.

Cut 4 (12) “…the victims.”
Morgan was apprehended after a shootout with police and is hospitalized along with the other victims.

A tragic boating incident over the weekend claims three lives in Sabine Parish.  Lt Dean Aucoin, Director of Boating Education for LDWF says they were notified Saturday morning that three men went out boating on Toledo Bend Friday evening and never returned.

Cut 9 (12) “…on the water”

The bodies of Paul Murphy Jr and Joseph Sam Jr both of Opelousas, James Young of Lafayette were recovered over the weekend and the boat has yet to be recovered.

Governor Edwards will hold a 2:30 press conference today, at his Friday presser he said he was seriously considering bringing back a mask mandate.

Cut 10 (10) “…mandate”

All but two parishes in the state are in the red zone for community spread.

A man killed his grandmother and attempted to kill his mother in East Baton Rouge Parish Sunday morning then went on a shooting spree trying to steal a getaway car. Sheriff Sid Gautreaux says the suspect is 28-year-old Aaron Morgan.

Cut 24 condition :11

3 more people ended up getting shot before the man was taken into custody. Police say the grand mother is 78-year-old Dianne Gafford.

Regardless of the increase in COVID cases, more people have embarked on road trips and Louisiana state parks have had their best year ever with travelers taking advantage of the various trails. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this is due in part to offering travelers a free fourth night when staying at the parks…

Cut 9 (12) “…drive market.

Coast Guard led public hearings into the tragic capsizing of the Seacor Power begin today at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Houma. Legal analyst Tim Meche says the last high-profile maritime incident in Louisiana was the BP Oil Spill, which did result in criminal charges being brought. That’s no guarantee this time, but…

Cut 14 (04) “..for this.”

The hearings will be held every weekday at 8 AM from now until August 13th. The hearings will be streamed live for those who cannot attend.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging nonvaccinated individuals to make the life-saving decision to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated. Letlow lost her husband, Luke Letlow last December to COVID, just days before he was to be sworn into congress. Letlow says to those who are on the fence about getting vaccinated she wants them to know like her husband there are more than 610-thousand people who have lost their lives to COVID. For her first piece of legislation, she’s introduced a bill to collect the stories of those who’ve died from COVID and enter them into the Library of Congress.
Cut 6 (09) “…or not.”

Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate as the Delta COVID surge begins to spiral out of control. All but two parishes are now in the red zone for community spread. The number of hospitalized patients in the state exploded in July from just 259 on July 1st to 1,740 as of July 29th…
Cut 12 (06) “…month ago”

Coast Guard led public hearings into the tragic capsizing of the Seacor Power begin today at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Houma.
Legal analyst Tim Meche says The hearings will be held every weekday at 8 AM from now until August 13th. The hearings will be streamed live for those who cannot attend.
Meche says the last high-profile maritime incident in Louisiana was the BP Oil Spill, which did result in criminal charges being brought. That’s no guarantee this time, but…
Cut 14 (04) “..for this.”

A man stabbed to death his grand-mother and injured his mother Sunday morning, starting a rampage across south Baton Rouge. 3 more people ended up getting shot before the man was taken into custody. Police say the grand mother is 78-year-old Dianne Gafford and the suspect is 28 Aaron Morgan

In spite of the fourth surge of COVID cases, Louisiana’s tourism industry is not only surviving but, in some cases, thriving. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging nonvaccinated individuals to make the life-saving decision to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated. Letlow lost her husband, Luke Letlow last December to COVID, just days before he was to be sworn into congress. Letlow says Luke even wanted to hold a press conference from his hospital room to warn others about COVID. She says even while he was fighting for his life, he still had a heart for service.
Cut 5 (07) “…virus was.”

Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate as the Delta COVID surge begins to spiral out of control. The state reported over 30 deaths in one day Friday for the first time since March. Louisiana added over 20,000 new COVID cases last week and statewide positivity on COVID tests jumped back over ten percent for the first time in months.
Cut 11 (11) “…concern.”

Coast Guard led public hearings into the tragic capsizing of the Seacor Power begin today at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Houma.
Legal analyst Tim Meche says about nine civil suits have been filed against Seacor Marine for deaths related to the incident, and while attorneys bringing those suits will be in attendance…
Cut 13 (09) “…commute.”

The state could be headed back to a mask mandate due to the explosive surge in COVID cases caused by the Delta variant. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A man stabbed to death his grand-mother and injured his mother Sunday morning, starting a rampage across south Baton Rouge. 3 more people ended up getting shot before the man was taken into custody. Police say the grand mother is 78-year-old Dianne Gafford and the suspect is 28 Aaron Morgan.

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging nonvaccinated individuals to make the life-saving decision to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated. Letlow lost her husband, Luke Letlow last December to COVID, just days before he was to be sworn into congress…
Cut 4 (13) “…on anybody.”

While the fourth surge continues to impact Louisiana, the state’s tourism industry is showing better numbers and making its way back to pre-pandemic figures. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser says With the recent sharp rise in COVID cases, plans outlined for Mardi-Gras, Jazz Fest, and tailgating are in jeopardy. Nungesser says that the state’s current vaccine rates have hindered the possibility for investment from outside parties…
Cut 8 (13) “…least risk.”

Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate as the Delta COVID surge begins to spiral out of control.
Edwards says about 11 percent of ER visits are now for COVID-like symptoms, which healthcare providers say is the highest rate of the pandemic.
Cut 10 (10) “…mandate”

While the fourth surge continues to impact Louisiana, the state’s tourism industry is showing better numbers and making its way back to pre-pandemic figures. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser hopes the people of Louisiana will do everything to keep this trend going…
Cut 7 (09) “…tourism industry.”

A public hearing into the April 13th capsizing of the Seacor Power begins today. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

In spite of the fourth surge of COVID cases, Louisiana’s tourism industry is not only surviving but, in some cases, thriving. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

___________________________________

The state could be headed back to a mask mandate due to the explosive surge in COVID cases caused by the Delta variant. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

A public hearing into the April 13th capsizing of the Seacor Power begins today. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

Congresswoman Julia Letlow is urging nonvaccinated individuals to make the life-saving decision to roll up their sleeve and get vaccinated. Letlow lost her husband, Luke Letlow last December to COVID, just days before he was to be sworn into congress…

Cut 4 (13) “…on anybody.”

Letlow says Luke even wanted to hold a press conference from his hospital room to warn others about COVID. She says even while he was fighting for his life, he still had a heart for service.

Cut 5 (07) “…virus was.”

Letlow says to those who are on the fence about getting vaccinated she wants them to know like her husband there are more than 610-thousand people who have lost their lives to COVID. For her first piece of legislation, she’s introduced a bill to collect the stories of those who’ve died from COVID and enter them into the Library of Congress.

Cut 6 (09) “…or not.”

Letlow, the mother of two young children, says when people say the virus does not affect children she corrects them because there are actually 1.1 million children across the globe that have lost at least one parent to COVID.

_____________________

While the fourth surge continues to impact Louisiana, the state’s tourism industry is showing better numbers and making its way back to pre-pandemic figures. Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser hopes the people of Louisiana will do everything to keep this trend going…

Cut 7 (09) “…tourism industry.”

With the recent sharp rise in COVID cases, plans outlined for Mardi-Gras, Jazz Fest, and tailgating are in jeopardy. Nungesser says that the state’s current vaccine rates have hindered the possibility for investment from outside parties…

Cut 8 (13) “…least risk.” 

Regardless of the cases, more people have embarked on road trips and the state parks have had their best year ever with travelers taking advantage of the various trails. Nungesser says this is due part to offering travelers a free fourth night when staying at the parks…

Cut 9 (12) “…drive market.

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate as the Delta COVID surge begins to spiral out of control.

Edwards says about 11 percent of ER visits are now for COVID-like symptoms, which healthcare providers say is the highest rate of the pandemic.

Cut 10 (10) “…mandate”

The state reported over 30 deaths in one day Friday for the first time since March.

Louisiana added over 20,000 new COVID cases last week and statewide positivity on COVID tests jumped back over ten percent for the first time in months.

Cut 11 (11) “…concern.”

All but two parishes are now in the red zone for community spread.

The number of hospitalized patients in the state exploded in July from just 259 on July 1st to 1,740 as of July 29th…

Cut 12 (06) “…month ago” 

Edwards already issued a statewide indoor mask advisory due to Delta and the Governor pointed out new research that shows even vaccinated individuals can carry and transmit the more infectious and virulent Delta variant.

_____________________________________

Coast Guard led public hearings into the tragic capsizing of the Seacor Power begin today at the Courtyard Marriot Hotel in Houma.

Legal analyst Tim Meche says about nine civil suits have been filed against Seacor Marine for deaths related to the incident, and while attorneys bringing those suits will be in attendance…

Cut 13 (09) “…commute.”

The hearings will be held every weekday at 8 AM from now until August 13th. The hearings will be streamed live for those who can not attend.

Meche says the last high-profile maritime incident in Louisiana was the BP Oil Spill, which did result in criminal charges being brought. That’s no guarantee this time, but…

Cut 14 (04) “..for this.”

Meche expects the Coast Guard will remain a neutral arbiter in this case.

Cut 15 (11)“…crashes .”

13 of the Seacor Power’s 19 crew died as a result of the April 13th incident that occurred just ten miles south of Port Fourchon. The vessel reportedly encountered a microburst of extreme weather causing half of it to be submerged under the water.

______________________________

The Saints have begun training camp and the quarterback battle between Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston is heating up to decide which player will replace Drew Brees under center.  Hill says while he’s considered a run-first QB, his mindset is to find guys open downfield.

Cut 16 (20) “…good plays.”

With Michael Thomas set to miss the start of the season the Saints are now thin at receiver.  This could lead to running back Alvin Kamara become a bigger part of the passing game.  Hill says while Kamara will definitely get his touches, they plan to utilize everyone in the passing game.

Cut 17 (17) …check it down.” 

Thomas missing a handful of games to start the season is certainly a big blow for the Saints but quarterback Jameis Winston believes that Thomas will come back stronger than ever.

Cut  18 (14)”…Saints organization.”

_______________________________________________________

Governor Edwards says he is “seriously” considering reimplementing the statewide mask mandate as the Delta COVID surge begins to spiral out of control. Louisiana added over 20,000 new COVID cases this week and statewide positivity on COVID tests jumped back over ten percent for the first time in months.

Cut 11 (11) “…concern.”

In New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell issued an indoor mask mandate for the city Friday afternoon, effectively immediately.

President Joe Biden has signed Senator John Kennedy’s DUMP Opioids act into law. Kennedy says Opioid deaths have increased in Louisiana over the past 18 months and his bill is set to help prevent further deaths…

Cut 7 (10) “…opioid addiction.” 

The fourteen SEC presidents voted unanimously to invite both Texas and Oklahoma into the Southeastern Conference after the two schools announced that they would not renew their contracts with the Big 12.  Tony Barnhart with the SEC Network and TMG Sports says these two schools leaving their conference is unique due to their high-profile programs.

Cut 3 (11) “…with Oklahoma.” 

The hot and humid temperatures continue for the Bayou State this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim we can expect to see weekend temperatures in the mid to upper 90 throughout the weekend across the Pelican state and some areas might even see triple digits.

Cut 13 (10) “…and 115.”

Keim says a high-pressure system across the northern Gulf of Mexico continues to pump warm air into the state.

Governor Edwards says Louisiana has the highest rate of growth per capita of COVID cases in the county. On Friday 5,300 new cases were reported along with 1,740 hospitalizations and 31 deaths.  Edwards says he along with other health officials are extremely concerned.

Cut 15  considering :14

President Joe Biden has signed Senator Kennedy’s DUMP Opioids act into law. Kennedy says the bill provides individuals who are in possession of Opioids a safe and effective way of eliminating them…

Cut 6 (10) “…VA center.” 

The U-S Department of Agriculture has completed a study of deer in several northern states and Lousiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain says they were checking for COVID-19 antibodies and found them in 33-percent. However, Strain emphasizes while deer are susceptible to the virus, Humans are in no danger from the deep population.

Cut  11 (11) “…deer population.”  

The hot and humid temperatures continue for the Bayou State this afternoon and into the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a weak high pressure across the northern Gulf of Mexico continues to pump warm air into the state, but the high pressure is also limiting cloud coverage and thunderstorm activity.

Cut 12 (07) “…the roof.” 

A large part of the state is under a heat advisory.

The hot and humid temperatures continue for the Bayou State this afternoon and into the weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim we can expect to see weekend temperatures in the mid to upper 90 throughout the weekend across the Pelican state and some areas might even see triple digits.

Cut 13 (10) “…and 115.”

Keim says a high-pressure system across the northern Gulf of Mexico continues to pump warm air into the state.

The U-S Department of Agriculture has completed a study of deer in several northern states and Louisiana Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Dr. Mike Strain says they were checking for COVID-19 antibodies.

Cut 9 (10) “..Covid -2″

After completing the study, the USDA confirmed 33-percent of the deer were carrying the virus. At Three today Governor Edwards will hold a COVID briefing for the state.

In Youngsville, the Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own, from COVID. In a press release, the department said 42-year-old Randy Guidry was a veteran Law Enforcement Officer and a two-year employee of the Youngsville PD. They say the Guidry who is a husband and father contracted COVID while serving the community. Funeral arrangements are pending.

The fourteen SEC presidents voted unanimously to invite both Texas and Oklahoma into the Southeastern Conference after the two schools announced that they would not renew their contracts with the Big 12.  Tony Barnhart with the SEC Network and TMG Sports says these two schools leaving their conference is unique due to their high-profile programs.

Cut 3 (11) “…with Oklahoma.” 

The two are scheduled to officially join July of 2025.