State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes has nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says only 41-percent of staff at nursing homes are vaccinated and if you have loved ones living in a facility, ask these questions to management…

Cut 14 (07) “…screened.”

Ochsner Health says once the COVID vaccines receive full FDA approval, they will require employees to be vaccinated. CEO Warner Thomas says they are experiencing a nursing shortage as they battle a rise in COVID hospitalizations, which is another reason they are moving to mandatory vaccinations, so they can remain at work and keep patients safe.
Cut 5 (08) “…carefully.”
 

The Presidents and Chancellors of the Southeastern Conference voted unanimously today to extend membership invitations to Texas and Oklahoma to join the SEC effective July 1, 2025. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey spoke with Presidents of the two schools and extended the invites.  Competition in all sports to include the Longhorns and Sooners will begin in the 25-26 academic year.

Practice begins next week for fall high school teams and the LHSAA says there are no plans to delay the season because of the ongoing surge of new COVID cases. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports 44-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and just over 16-hundred are in hospitals with COVID-related issues. The state also reported 20 additional deaths from the virus as the highly transmissible Delta variant continues to spread. Health officials say the Delta variant is responsible for more than 85-percent of COVID cases in the state.

As COVID cases continue to increase in the fourth surge, on a positive note Louisiana is reporting more individuals being vaccinated for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Ochsner Health System says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas, says there’s a nationwide nursing shortage which is another reason they are moving to mandatory vaccinations.

Cut 4 (11) “…as needed.” 

In the meantime, nonvaccinated employees will be required to wear N95 masks and undergo scheduled testing for COVID.

State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes have nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says over 80-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated but if less than half of the staff is, the delta variant can still cause outbreaks…

Cut 13 (11) “…infectious virus.”

Muhl says if you have a loved one in a nursing home you should ask how they are protecting patients and screening staff and visitors.

State data shows that COVID cases in Louisiana nursing homes have nearly tripled and nursing homes are reporting their first deaths among residents since June 23rd. Andrew Muhl, director of advocacy for AARP Louisiana says it’s concerning because the vaccine rate among staff is less than 50-percent…

Cut 12 (12) “…delta variant.” 

Muhl says over 80-percent of nursing home residents are vaccinated, but if less than half of the staff is.

High School football is just around the corner and the rise in Coronavirus cases has many across the state wondering if the start of the season will be delayed.  Right now the LHSAA has not required vaccinations to be mandatory for student-athletes, Executive Director Eddie Bonine says that will be left up to the schools.

Cut  11 (11) “…participate”  

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas says since they made the announcement the vaccination rate among employees has increased and among their vaccine clinics for the public.

Cut 3 (10) “…sites.” 

In the meantime vaccination employees will have an ID tag indicating they are vaccinated and nonvaccinated employees will wear N95 masks and be tested.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish…

Cut 6 (07) “….and died”

Reichardt says impairment is also suspected.

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. But in the meantime, CEO Warner Thomas says soon you’ll be able to easily identify vaccinated staff with a new ID badge

Cut 4 (12) “…as needed.” 

Thomas says almost 63-percent of Ochsner staff are vaccinated.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed lost control of the car, he wasn’t wearing a seatbelt, and was pronounced dead at the scene…

Cut 7 (09)  “…enough”

The accident happened on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish.

High School football is just around the corner and with COVID cases increasing many are concerned the season could be delayed, but LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says he has confidence that coaches can keep the players safe because they had the same hurdles last season.

Cut 10 (10) “…get done.”

The small city of Mamou is known as the Cajun Music Capital of the World but this week the Evangeline Parish town gained national attention after a sign advertising a swinger trailer park with the slogan, ‘Bring Your House, Share Your Spouse,’ went viral. Employee Nick Broussard says they realized original plans for the park might have to be altered.

Cut 14 (06) “…would be.”

Broussard says he’s received calls from all over the country and they anticipate opening Memorial Day Weekend next year.

The department of health reports 44-hundred new COVID-19 cases today and 1,620 are currently hospitalized with COVID-related issues in Louisiana hospitals. The state also reports 20 more fatalities due to COVID. As for vaccinations, the state reports more than 10,000 doses have been initiated over the last seven days. The first time since the third week of April.

Ochsner Health Systems says they will require employees to be vaccinated for COVID once the vaccines receive full FDA approval. CEO Warner Thomas says since they made the announcement the vaccination rate among employees has increased and at their vaccine clinics for the public.

Cut  3 sites :11

Thomas says they are asking employees to give them their vaccination status for the next few weeks and soon you will be able to easily identify vaccinated and unvaccinated staff members.

A 20-year-old Bernice man lost his life last night as he was attempting to flee from law enforcement. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says Tyler Brazzel of Bernice was traveling at a high rate of speed on Forsythe Road in Lincoln Parish…

Cut 6 (07) “….and died”

Reichardt says Brazzel was not buckled up and pronounced dead at the scene

High School football is just around the corner and fall practice will begin shortly.  The rise in Coronavirus cases has many across the state wondering if the start of the season will be delayed.  LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine does not expect a delay because we know more about the virus now.

Cut 9 (10) “..for that”

Bonine also says he has confidence that coaches can keep the players safe because they had to work through the same thing last season.

Governor John Bel Edwards has told the White House that southwest Louisiana needs three billion dollars to help rebuild homes, businesses, and other infrastructure following last year’s hurricanes. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise says the White House knows what must be done, but they have yet to ask Congress to approve the funding…
cut 5 (07) “….Lake Charles”
A spokesperson for Senator John Kennedy says Louisiana’s junior senator will try to add disaster relief money to an infrastructure bill that could start moving soon in the Senate.

The state’s largest healthcare system reports a 700-percent increase in COVID hospital patients in the last month. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says and among the COVID patients at their facilities a large majority are unvaccinated.

Cut 7 (09) “…(x2) unvaccinated.”

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association and Ochsner Health have launched a five-year partnership where Ochsner will be the title sponsor for all LHSAA championship events. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says it’s a perfect partnership since it will provide a lot of potential career paths…

Cut 10 (11) “…another level.”

The town of Mamou in Evangeline Parish will soon be home to a swinger trailer park. The slogan for Tee Boi’s Swinger Trailer Park is bring your house and share your spouse. Nick Broussard works for the owner of the Trailer Park admits it’s quite the unique business venture…

cut 15 (05) “…trailer park”
Broussard says they’ve received phone calls, from New York, California, and everywhere in between. Anticipated opening is Memorial Day weekend of 2022.

Republican Congressional leader Steve Scalise says that while southwest Louisiana reels from the aftershock of Hurricane Laura the Biden Administration has yet to approve federal aid.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

A three-year-old was tragically killed in a drive-by shooting in Minden last night. Minden Police say they received a call around 11:20 Wednesday night and more than 25 shots were fired at a residence on Plum Street. Police say two people of interest have been identified but no arrests have been made.

Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the fourth surge of the coronavirus putting younger people in the hospital with COVID-related illnesses. Thomas says in the spring of 2020, ten to 15-percent of their COVID patients were younger than 50…

cut 8 (09) “…. population.”

COVID hospitalizations have hit a six-month high with over 15-hundred people hospitalized statewide.

The small city of Ma-moo is known as the Cajun Music Capital of the World in addition to chasing chickens on horseback during Mardi Gras, but this week the Evangeline Parish town gained national attention when an entrepreneur announced he’s opening a Swinger Trailer Park. Nick Broussard, who works for the owner says the phone for Tee Boi’s Swinger Trailer Park is ringing off the hook.

Cut 13 (07) “…going on (laugh).”

They plan to open Memorial Day Weekend of next year.

Republican Congressional leader Steve Scalise says that while southwest Louisiana reels from the aftershock of Hurricane Laura the Biden Administration has yet to approve federal aid. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

___________________________________

Ochsner, the state’s largest healthcare system is seeing an enormous increase in the percentage of COVID patients. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

People from all over the country have been calling a small Louisiana town to see if an advertisement for a swinger venue a joke is or if the spouse swapping trailer park is for real. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

A Republican leader in Congress says it’s up to the Biden administration to get the ball rolling on passing hurricane recovery aid for southwest Louisiana.  House Minority Whip Steve Scalise says he understands the frustration felt by Hurricane Laura and Delta victims in southwest Louisiana who need assistance to rebuild homes and businesses…

Cut 4 (08) “…formal request.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has told the White House three billion dollars in hurricane recovery dollars are needed. Scalise says the White House knows what must be done, they need to ask Congress to approve the funding…

Cut 5 (07) “…Lake Charles”.

Scalise says he would like a face-to-face meeting with the Biden administration officials to discuss the great need for community development block grant money in southwest Louisiana…

Cut 6 (12) “…its unprecedented.”

_____________________

The state’s largest healthcare system reports a 700-percent increase in COVID hospital patients in the last month and a 75-percent increase from last week. Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says and among the COVID patients at their facilities a large majority are unvaccinated.

Cut 7 (09) “…(x2) unvaccinated.”

When the pandemic began in the U-S, Thomas says the majority of hospital patients were older but that’s changed with a large majority of seniors vaccinated for COVID. He says in the spring of 2020 about 10 to 15-percent of their COVID patients were younger than 50 years of age.

Cut 8 (09) “…population.” 

And the Delta variant is also responsible for an increase in COVID cases among children. Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Ochsner Doctor Katherine Baumgarten says while hospitalizations are rare with children, COVID cases among children are increasing rapidly.

Cut 9 (12) “…our kids.”

Baumgarten says the best way to protect children is to increase vaccination rates among individuals 12 and older and to continue to mask and social distance.

_____________________________________

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association and Ochsner Health have launched a five-year partnership where Ochsner will be the title sponsor for all LHSAA championship events. LHSAA Director Eddie Bonine says it’s a perfect partnership since it will provide a lot of potential career paths…

Cut 10 (11) “…another level.”

The workforce development path for student-athletes includes a wide range of topics such as psychology, nutrition, sports medicine, and business. Bonine says now more than ever there is a great need for doctors and medical professionals…

Cut 11 (12) “…benefit everybody.”

Oschner will strengthen the LHSAAs ability to care for athletes by adding more than 80 athletic trainers, 18 sports medicine physicians, and orthopedic surgeons across the state. Bonine says Oschner has health facilities statewide allowing Louisiana athletes anywhere to benefit from the partnership…

Cut 12 (10) “…of coverage.”

The first Championship event of the 2021-22 school year begins Nov.11 with cross country in Natchitoches.

_____________________________________

The small city of Mamou is known as the Cajun Music Capital of the World in addition to chasing chickens on horseback during Mardi Gras, but this week the Evangeline Parish town gained national attention when an entrepreneur announced he’s opening a Swinger Trailer Park. Nick Broussard, who works for owner David Aucoin, says so far, the phone for Tee Boi’s Swinger Trailer Park is ringing off the hook.

Cut 13 (07) “…going on (laugh).”

After a sign advertising the trailer park with the slogan, ‘Bring Your House, Share Your Spouse,’ went viral, Broussard says they realized original plans for the park might have to be altered.

Cut 14 (06) “…would be.”

The projected opening for the swingers trailer park is Memorial Day Weekend 2022. The venue is intended to be designed more like a campground versus a residential community with weekend theme parties, but it will have the option for full-time residents.

When asked if this is the first swinger trailer park in the state, Broussard who claims he’s not a member of the swinging community, says he believes it is.

Cut 15 (05)“…trailer park.”

Broussard says they’ve received phone calls, from New York, California, and everywhere in between.

______________________________

The Saints hold their first training camp practice and star wide receiver Michael Thomas is not on the field and will not practice with the team for several weeks after undergoing surgery on his injured ankle in June. General Manager Mickey Loomis says Thomas tried to rehab the injury, it just didn’t work

Cut 16 (19) “…than later.”

The Saints will not have Thomas for the start of the season and also defensive tackle David Onyemata, who has been suspended for six games after failing a drug test. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore could also be suspended for an offseason arrest. Plus eight starters off of last year’s team are no longer wearing the Black and Gold. Loomis still likes the talent on this team

Cut 17 (29) …itself.” 

Saints Coach Sean Payton is focused on training camp, but it’s possible the Superdome will not be at full capacity for the season opener against Green Bay because of the sudden rise of COVID cases in the Gulf South. Payton points to the Stanley Cup Finals that saw Tampa Bay play in front of sold-out crowds, while Montreal had limited capacity for their home games…

Cut  18 (26)”…your players.”

_______________________________________________________

A week from today, LSU will report for preseason camp and the quarterback battle between Max Johnson and Myles Brennan can really begin. Coach Ed Orgeron says whoever wins the job, the team will be in great shape…

Cut 19 (29)  “…best man.” 

Oregon spoke at the Baton Rouge Rotary Club yesterday and he was asked about the possible addition of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC…

Cut 20 (29)  “…them in.” 

The state reports 4,700 new COVID cases today and hospitalizations are up 135 to 1,524. State officials say the majority of those in the hospital with COVID are unvaccinated. The state’s positivity rate has reached 13.2-percent. The last time it was this high was December of 2020.

As case numbers surge, so are hospitalizations, but when you compare the number of patients in Louisiana facilities to high numbers in the pandemic last year it doesn’t seem as dire. However, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says hospitals are facing a severe nursing shortage now and facilities are treating other patients in addition to COVID patients.

Cut 4 (11) “…patients.” 

According to the Advocate newspaper, five members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation say they have been vaccinated for the coronavirus. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise received his first dose of a two-dose vaccine last week. Scalise says he waited to get the vaccine because he tested for the immunities of COVID

Cut 9 (09) “..get it”

Louisiana has one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country.

Starting on August 9th, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will begin accepting applications from Louisiana fishermen and others in the industry who incurred economic revenue losses greater than 35-percent during the COVID-19 pandemic. Wildlife and Fisheries biologist Jason Froeba says they have 12-million dollars in financial assistance available…
cut 8 (06) “…is helpful”
Applications are available on the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website

The state reported 4,700 new COVID cases in Louisiana and hospitalizations have increased by 135 in a day for a total of 1,524. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says at this point in the pandemic people can’t say they don’t know someone who’s been affected by COVID.

Cut 3 (11) “…that bad.” 

And while the Delta variant of COVID has resulted in a huge increase in cases and hospitalizations, health officials are also tracking the Lambda variant which originated in Peru. House Minority Whip Steve Scalise says President Biden’s open border policy is helping this latest strain make its way into the United States…

Cut 11 (09) “…insanity  

Scalise announced he received the first dose of the vaccine last week.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will soon begin accepting applications for financial assistance for those who have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. The total financial assistance is over 12 million dollars. Wildlife and Fisheries Biologist Administrator Jason Froeba (Fro-bah) says the money will be distributed equally among approved applicants.

Cut 7 (08)  “…number on it.”

Nicholls State University will receive nearly 500 thousand dollars in grant money that will go towards coastal research. Nicholls Dean of Sciences and Technology Dr. John Doucet the school will also assist with the creation of ridges to protect back marshes by studying naturally occurring ones. He says these artificial ridges will protect the back marsh and trap sediment…

Cut 13 (11) “…prevent their deterioration”