On Friday Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statewide mask advisory as COVID cases and hospitalizations continue to surge. Edwards says only about 40 percent of the state is fully vaccinated and that woefully low number is driving this preventable fourth wave…

Cut 12 (09) “…vaccinated.” 

For vaccine information and locations visit LDH.LA-gov forward slash coronavirus.

Since the start of the pandemic, the Cleveland Clinic reports there’s been a rise in the number of young people with eating disorders. LSU Health Sciences Center Professor of Public Health Dr. Melinda Sothern says there needs to be a change in the way society looks at relationships with food…

Cut 9 (12) “…foods.”

The number of opioid overdose deaths has increased by 60-percent in the state and now Louisiana 2-1-1 is able to point you in the right direction to assist with opioid addiction. President and CEO of Louisiana Association of United Ways, Sarah Berthelot (Birth a lot) says they can direct you to local resources, like treatment centers…

Cut 4 (11) “…anytime.”

You can also Text OPIOID to 898-211.

Texas and Oklahoma have informed the Big 12 today they are leaving and will not renew the contractual agreement that binds conference members until 2025. This is the first official step in the Longhorns and Sooners’ anticipated move to the SEC. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello.

Cut 14 (09) “…makes sense”

At his press conference this afternoon Governor John Bel Edwards issued an indoor mask advisory for everyone regardless of vaccination status and also outdoors if you are unable to socially distance. This as Louisiana has the highest growth rate of COVID cases per capita in the nation.

Today another 3,100 COVID cases were reported and the number of COVID-related hospitalizations continues to explode, now just over 1,000, an increase of 95 from Thursday. Today Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says his city is joining New Orleans in issuing a mask advisory…

Cut 4 (11) “..community”

Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas will likely miss the start of the season after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The National Retail Federation projects record back-to-school spending this year as students head back to class. NRF spokesperson Katherine Cullen says they’re expecting K-12 shoppers to spend about 850 dollars on average, 60 dollars more than last year.

Cut 12 (05) “…dollars”

At his press conference this afternoon Governor John Bel Edwards issued an indoor mask advisory for everyone regardless of vaccination status and also outdoors if you are unable to socially distance. This as Louisiana has the highest growth rate of COVID cases per capita in the nation. Today an additional 3,100 cases were reported and more than a thousand are now hospitalized.

With only 36-percent of the state fully vaccinated for COVID, health officials warn of the growing risks for unvaccinated individuals, especially with the highly contagious Delta variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says if you are sick, the most important thing besides staying home is to get tested.

Cut 8 (12) “…approaches.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announces a city-wide masking advisory as Delta variant COVID cases surge statewide. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

National Retail Federation spokesperson Katherine Cullen says they’re expecting back to school shoppers to spend about 850 dollars on average, 60 dollars more than last year. It also appears families are returning to brick and mortar, but some online shopping is still popular.

Cut 14 (09) “…2020″ 

The state reports more than three thousand new COVID cases today and current hospitalizations have exceeded a thousand. Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a 3 pm press conference today along with health officials to address the ongoing fourth surge of cases.

The fourth surge has sparked the Mayors of New Orleans and Shreveport to issue indoor mask advisories. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says the Delta variant is responsible for eighty percent of the current cases and the variant is fifty percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant which was fifty percent more contagious than the original.

Cut 7 (11) “…get vaccinated”

For a list of vaccination and testing sites visit LDH-dot-LA-dot-gov forward slash Coronavirus.

Shreveport joins New Orleans in issuing an indoor mask advisory due to the Delta-fueled surge in COVID cases. Roughly 30 percent of northwest Louisiana is vaccinated according to KSLA TV. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says returning to masking will save lives and save the economy.

Cut 5 (07) “…shutdown.”

Perkins says he made this decision after consulting with healthcare experts.

The N-F-L Network reports Saints star receiver Michael Thomas will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing surgery in June to repair ligaments in his injured ankle. Saints analyst Mike Detillier says Thomas has not been able to fully recover after injuring his ankle in the 2020 season opener

Cut 9 (09) “…the surgery”

Recovery from the surgery is an estimated four months

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 3 PM to discuss the state’s response to a fourth COVID surge. The Louisiana Health Department reports COVID hospitalizations have increased by 671 from June 19th to 913. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says 97-percent of their admissions with COVID are unvaccinated individuals…

Cut 11 (06) “…population.”
And because of the surge in cases according to the personal finance website WalletHub, Louisiana is the least safe state in the country. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says this is due to Louisiana’s poor performance in five key areas.

Cut 4 (13) “…most of them.”

A statement from Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gurvich says there will be consequences for the failure to override any of the Governor’s vetoes.  Among the threats is action against Speaker Clay Schexnayder if he doesn’t immediately replace all Democratic House Committee chairs. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says that may sound extreme, but…

Cut 14 (10) “…unusual.”

A 36-billion-dollar settlement with opioid distributors and manufacturers will direct 325 million dollars to Louisiana over the next 18 years to help address the impacts of the opioid epidemic. An Attorney General Jeff Landry-backed plan to fund an expansion in drug courts with the funds was vetoed by the Governor. Landry says they’re now looking to work with local governments one on one…

Cut 9 (08) “…addicted.”

Louisiana will receive about 325 million dollars over the next two decades as part of a nationwide settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

The state’s largest hospital system plans to require all employees to be vaccinated for COVID in the near future. Brooke Thorington has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

The State Republican Party is threatening repercussions for Republican lawmakers who broke rank during the veto session. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________

Louisiana is seeing rising cases and hospitalizations as it’s going through a Delta-fueled COVID surge and according to the personal finance website WalletHub, Louisiana is the least safe state in the country. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says this is due to Louisiana’s poor performance in five key areas.

Cut 4 (13) “…most of them.”

Gonzales says that Louisiana’s rise in Covid deaths is due to the state’s low number of people getting vaccinated.

Cut 5 (08) “…death rate.”

The state has said 97-percent of COVID deaths since February are from unvaccinated patients. Gonzales also believes that higher vaccination rates could ultimately help the state’s economy.

Cut 6 (08) “…in person.”

_____________________

A 36 billion dollar settlement with opioid distributors and manufacturers will direct 325 million dollars to Louisiana over the next 18 years to help address the impacts of the opioid epidemic.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says the agreement was struck with Johnson and Johnson, McKesson, Cardinal, and AmerisourceBergen.

Cut 7 (07) “…crisis.” 

The CDC estimates that nationwide 841,000 Americans died of an opioid overdose between 1999 and 2019. Landry says while the settlement is appreciated…

Cut 8 (07) “…crisis.”

A Landry-backed plan to use the money to fund an expansion in drug courts was vetoed by Governor Edwards. Landry says they’re now looking to work with local governments one on one…

Cut 9 (08) “…addicted.”

_____________________________________

The nation’s largest hospital association is calling for all hospital staff to be vaccinated as COVID cases surge once again across the country. And the state’s largest hospital system, says they plan to follow the recommendation of the American Hospital Association. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas….

Cut 10 (12) “…the FDA.” 

At this time none of the three COVID vaccines used in the U-S have received full approval from the FDA, and it’s unclear when they will be approved. Ochsner says 61-percent of staff are vaccinated and the new restrictions will be added soon for the remaining 39-percent of staff.

Thomas says they are presently forgoing requiring mandatory vaccines for staff for fear of legal repercussions, but once full approval is authorized it will be enforced.

Thomas says, as for their patients, approximately 97-percent of admissions with COVID are unvaccinated.

Cut 11 (06) “…population.”

Ochsner, like other healthcare facilities in the state, has updated their visitation policies amid the surge in cases.  Thomas says as COVID hospitalizations increase, it’s weighing on staff as the facility continues to stay open for Non-COVID patients as well.

Cut 12 (06) “…surge.” 

Thomas says the decision to require staff to be fully vaccinated has been influenced by the hospital system’s high rate of unvaccinated patients being admitted with COVID complications.

_____________________________________

Louisiana Republican Party Chairman Louis Gervich threatened that there will be consequences for the failure to override any of the Governor’s vetoes during the recent session.

Gervich threatened recalls and suggested there be electoral challenges against Republicans who broke rank. LSU Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffery Sadow…

Cut 13 (05) “…2023.”

Three Republican Senators changed their regular session support for “constitutional carry” legislation and one didn’t show up for the vote. On the transgender athlete bill one Republican House member joined with Democrats in voting against the veto override.

Gervich also threatened action against Speaker Clay Schexnayder if he doesn’t immediately replace all Democratic House Committee chairs. Sadow says that may sound extreme, but…

Cut 14 (10) “…unusual.”

Sadow says he’s received impressions from Republicans in the Legislature that removing Schexnayder would be difficult to accomplish, and that the Speaker left the session with more GOP support after having Democrats who committed to overriding the transgender ban veto back out at the last second.

Sadow says the likely outcome from this veto override session is that things will get much more partisan from here on out.

Cut 15 (07)“…Democrats.”

______________________________

Southeastern Louisiana is the preseason favorite to win the Southland football title based on the league’s preseason poll. The Lions return senior quarterback Cole Kelley, who won the Walter Payton award last spring which goes to the best player in the FCS. Lions Coach Frank Scelfo says the team’s motto for this season is to be bold…

Cut 16 (14) “…make it happen.”

The Lions received eight first-place votes, while Nicholls received four first-place votes and is expected to finish in second place. The Colonels and are coming off a spring season where they went four and three. Coach Tim Rebowe believes his team has learned from that experience

Cut 17 (13) …guys know.” 

McNeese has been picked to finish fourth, while Northwestern State is projected to finish fifth in the six-team conference.

__________________________________________________

Louisiana Tech will have a good battle for starting quarterback when the Bulldogs begin preseason camp. Aaron Allen and Luke Anthony took most of the snaps last season, but Anthony suffered a major leg injury in the final regular-season game. Coach Skip Holtz says Anthony had another surgery, which is when he went out and signed Austin Kendall…

Cut  18 (21)”…experience.”

ULM football coach Terry Bowden made his first appearance at Sun Belt Media Days yesterday. Bowden understands he has a big job in front of him after the Warhawks win winless in 2020, but he’s in it for the long haul…

Cut 19 (25) “..another job.” 

The Ragin Cajuns are picked to win the Sun Belt West Division after winning 10 games last year. But Coach Billy Napier says this is a new season and he has a different team on his hands….

Cut 20 (19)  “…rookie group.” 

The veto session’s failure to override legislation to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports is a victory for the transgender community. President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says when the final vote failed to reach a two-thirds majority in the House he was both excited and relieved.

Cut 3 (08) “…needed.” 

Governor Edwards was open about the full-court press his administration put on to preserve his veto of the transgender athlete ban bill despite complaints from some Republicans and conservative activists. Edwards says he used every tool in his belt because the transgender ban was discriminatory and bad for business in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (09) “…promises”

The House was two votes shy of a two-thirds majority needed to override the veto.

The Rolling Stones will make a special visit to Jazz Fest on Wednesday, October 13^th. Festival producer Quint Davis says the Stones have been itching to play the iconic festival and since the disastrous 1969 show in Altamont, they really haven’t played many…

Cut 10 (10) “..stadium.”

Tickets go on sale next Friday.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic sports stadium is now the Caesars Superdome. Contract terms are not finalized, but Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt learns that all of the money generated from the new naming rights deal will go to the Saints

Cut 6 (11) “…correct.”

The Saints say all of the money from the naming rights deal will go towards renovations of the state-owned building.

The veto session’s failure to override legislation to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports is a victory for the transgender community. President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says the transgender sports bill, which is being pushed in other conservative states, was just two votes shy of becoming law in Louisiana.

Cut 5 (08) “…so hard.”

Governor Edwards was open about the full-court press his administration put on to preserve his veto of the transgender athlete ban bill. Some Republicans and conservative activists however have complained but Edwards indicated the complaints about his lobbying efforts are hypocritical.

Cut 14 (10) “…today” 

The veto session failed to override any of the governor’s 28 vetoes of GOP authored legislation.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic stadium is now the Caesars Superdome. During the meeting, lawmakers received a rendering of what signage will look like with Caesar’s name on the Dome. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson is not a fan

Cut 7 (08) “…cartoony”

Contract terms are not finalized, and the Saints says they will use money from the deal to go towards stadium renovations on the state-owned building.

The Rolling Stones will make a special visit to Jazz Fest on Wednesday, October 13^th. Festival producer Quint Davis says this long-awaited trip to Jazz Fest is two years in the making after the rock and roll legends first had to cancel their planned appearance in 2019…

Cut 9 (13) “…pandemic.”

Tickets go on sale July 30^th.

Governor Edwards was open about the full-court press his administration put on to preserve his veto of the transgender athlete ban bill despite complaints from some Republicans and conservative activists. Edwards says he used every tool in his belt because the transgender ban was discriminatory and bad for business in Louisiana.

Cut 13 (09) “…promises”

The veto session’s failure to override the veto to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports is a victory for the transgender community. President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says when he heard the final vote in the House Wednesday it was a relief.

Cut 3 (08) “…needed.” 

The house failed to reach a two-thirds majority required for the override by two votes.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic sports stadium is now the Caesars Superdome. Contract terms are not finalized, but Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt learns that all of the money generated from the new naming rights deal will go to the Saints

Cut 6 (11) “…correct.”

The Saints say all of the money from the naming rights deal will go towards renovations of the state-owned building.

The Rolling Stones will make a special visit to Jazz Fest on Wednesday, October 13^th. Festival producer Quint Davis says the Stones have been itching to play the iconic festival and since the disastrous 1969 show in Altamont, they really haven’t played many…

Cut 10 (10) “..stadium.”

Tickets go on sale next Friday.

The veto session’s failure to override legislation to ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports is a victory for the transgender community. President of Louisiana Trans Advocates Dylan Waguespack says when the final vote failed to reach a two-thirds majority in the House he was both excited and relieved.

Cut 3 (08) “…needed.” 

Governor Edwards says the bill unfairly targets children who are going through unique challenges and offers solutions to an issue that does not exist in Louisiana.

But Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says transgender athletes pose a threat to women’s sports and he’s disappointed House members did not rise to the occasion and remedy the issue.

Cut 16 (09) “…(x2) away.”

The Senate vetoed the bill with a two-thirds majority vote, but the House missed a two-thirds majority by two votes.

The Joint Budget Committee has approved a new naming rights deal for the Superdome. The iconic stadium is now the Caesars Superdome. During the meeting, lawmakers received a rendering of what signage will look like with Caesar’s name on the Dome. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson is not a fan

Cut 7 (08) “…cartoony”

Contract terms are not finalized, and the Saints says they will use money from the deal to go towards stadium renovations on the state-owned building.

The Rolling Stones will make a special visit to Jazz Fest on Wednesday, October 13^th. Festival producer Quint Davis says this long-awaited trip to Jazz Fest is two years in the making after the rock and roll legends first had to cancel their planned appearance in 2019…

Cut 9 (13) “…pandemic.”

Tickets go on sale July 30^th.