Louisiana sets records for its unemployment rate and the number of folks employed in its latest jobs report. Kevin Gallagher has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

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Researchers at Tulane University pinpoint the Wuhan Market in China as the starting place for COVID-19. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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After a national search, the Louisiana Cancer Research Center names its new director. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Louisiana has more people working than ever, but thousands of jobs are vacant. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate in June was a record low 3.8 percent and the number of employed, which was just over two-million, also set an all-time record. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says the state’s workforce continues to grow….

Cut 4 (09)  “…good news”

Cates says the manufacturing sector is hiring as they’ve added nearly seven thousand jobs over the last year…

Cut 5 (07) “…be strong”

Cates says they are also no longer seeing a big decline in mining and logging jobs, which includes the oil and gas industry. But while the number employed has set an all-time record, Cates says the state still has over 25-thousand jobs available on the Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash hire website

Cut 6 (10)  “…as well.”

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Researchers at Tulane University say a new study pinpoints the Wuhan Market as the origin of COVID-19. Tulane professor of microbiology & immunology Dr. Robert Garry says the conclusion came after extensive examination of thousands of DNA samples collected and other important data. He says they were able to identify some of the very first persons to contract the SARS-CoV-2 virus…:

Cut 7 (10) “…this uhhh Wuhan Market.”

The Wuhan Market is a huge complex in Wuhan China, where hundreds work in close quarters with one-another; handling any number of live animals including bats. Dr. Garry says a great many of the original cases of COVID were among people who worked around these animals. He says the virus “jumped” from the host animals to humans…:

Cut 8 (11)  “…happened this time.”

There are still many who believe the virus came from the nearby Wuhan Lab, which does expensive research with viruses, either by accident or intentionally. Dr. Garry feels this a conspiracy theory that the research simply doesn’t support…:

Cut 9 (12)  “…from this uhhh market.”

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Renowned cancer researcher Dr. Joe Ramos has been named director of the Louisiana Cancer Research Center in New Orleans. Ramos who is currently the interim director of the University of Hawaii Cancer Center says he’s looking forward to making an impact in Louisiana with his 30 years of experience.

Cut 10 (09) “…very attractive.”

Ramos says his background with a National Cancer Institute facility gives him a better understanding of cancer, and how it affects neighborhoods and communities. He says it’s that knowledge that will enable him to make a measurable impact in Louisiana.

Cut  11 (08)  “…unfortunately.” 

In addition to helping address cancer disparities in Louisiana Ramos says the team approach of multiple research institutions like Tulane, LSU, Ochsner, and Xavier working together also attracted him to the position. He believes this approach along with his guidance will help reduce cancer rates in Louisiana.

Cut 12 (10) “…get it done.” 

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center serves as a collaborative hub to advance cancer research, improve prevention, and innovative treatment.

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A 65-year-old Golden Meadow man faces video voyeurism charges after a woman discovered a camera in her bedroom. Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office Captain Brennan Matherne says Golden Meadow Police asked them to assist and when they looked at the camera’s memory card, they found nude photos of the victim.

Cut 13 (08) “…the time.”

When questioned about the cameras, Matherne says Ricky Cheramie admitted he installed them in the victim’s home and…

Cut 14 (10)  “…his phone.”

Cheramie initially told investigators the cameras were to monitor who was going in and out of rooms in the home. But Matherne says the suspect’s story later changed.

Cut 15 (07)  “…any clothing.”

Ricky Cheramie was arrested and booked into the Lafourche Parish Correctional Complex with a bail of $10,000.

Ironically Matherne says it was approximately a month ago that they arrested another individual for the same offense with the same last name, 37-year-old Chase Cheramie. The two suspects and incidents are unrelated.

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The Saints hit the practice field today looking to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason last season. Wide receiver Michael Thomas is still not ready to practice with the team after missing all of last season because of ankle surgery. General Manager Mickey Loomis doesn’t expect Thomas to spend a lot of time on the physically unable to perform list

Cut 16 (05)  “…very long”

Loomis says it remains to be seen what happens with running back Alvin Kamara, who faces a felony battery charge after security cameras showed him in a fight at a Las Vegas hotel in February. His next court hearing is August 1st. Meanwhile, the Saints signed veteran running back Malcolm Brown who has rushed for 13-hundred yards in 77 NFL games. Loomis says Brown’s signing is not in response to losing Kamara to a suspension

Cut 17 (20) “…part of it.” 

First year Saints head coach Dennis Allen says training camp to the casual observer will not look much different than what it did under Sean Payton. And Allen says he’s also planning to play Taysom Hill at multiple positions, just like he did under Payton….

Cut 18 (28) “ …football games” 

Safety Tyrann Mathieu has been excused from the beginning of training camp to handle a personal family matter. Allen is expecting a big season from the Honey Badger and he says free-agent addition Marcus Maye is expected to practice today after tearing his achilles last November

Cut 19 (29) _“…that room” 

According to Triple-A close to two-thirds of motorists have made lifestyle changes due to prices at the pump. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

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When qualifying for fall elections was over last week, two U.S. House district races had no Democrat entered. Kevin Gallagher looks at why…?

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”  

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Motorists have been making significant changes in their driving habits to combat high gas prices, that’s according to a Triple-A survey. Spokesperson Don Redman says almost two-thirds of drivers are changing their driving routines and the top three behaviors they’ve altered are…

Cut 3 (09) “…the economy” 

Even though the statewide average for a gallon of regular gas has dropped to $3.92, down 53 cents from a month ago, Redman says the changes in driving habits will most likely continue.

Cut 4  (10) “…the winter.”

In addition to driving less, combining errands, and reducing shopping and dining out, Redman says many are forgoing vacations. Even though there was pent-up demand for vacations earlier in the year, Redman says many people are reconsidering additional travel.

Cut 5  (10) “…expenditures.”

Other habits motorists have changed are carpooling, driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle, and use of public transportation.

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Qualifying for the fall federal midterm elections ended last week with no Democrat candidate in two congressional district races. Why? LSU political science professor Robert Hogan says District 4’s Mike Johnson was just re-elected, having drawn NO opponent – democrat or otherwise. In District 6, Garret Graves has two challengers; a republican and a libertarian. Hogan says those are both VERY conservative districts…:

Cut 6 (07) “…are very low.” 

Hogan feels Louisiana has gerrymandered the districts to assure GOP dominance in all but one; the state’s mandated majority-minority District 2. However, he says the Representatives in D4 and D6 have worked hard for the folks back home…:

Cut 7 (13) “…constituents satisfied.” 

Hogan says very few well-known Louisiana democrats sought to run for Congress. Many are relative unknowns. He says this isn’t good for the Democrats’ future endeavors…:

Cut 8 (09) “…in the 2023 elections.”

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The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services has received approval to expand pandemic benefits for eligible K-12 students to help cover the cost of food for the summer. Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says it’s part of the USDA’s summer program.

Cut 9 (05) “…separate installments.”

She says of 575-thousand eligible families, they should be on the look for those two separate installments, the majority being issued in the autumn months and about 18 thousand will receive those benefits in the next two weeks.

Howard says students who received free or reduced-price meals and were in school in May of 2022, won’t have to apply for summer P-EBT benefits.

Cut 10 (06) “…the benefits.” 

For those who did not receive benefits in May, Howard says they would need to apply by this Friday, July 29^th. That website is pebtla-dot-org. In addition to an application, the website has more information about the program…

Cut 11 (05)  “…p-ebt card.”

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130-million dollars will be used from the America Rescue Plan to bring more affordable and accessible internet to over 66-thousand households and small businesses in 50 parishes. Director of the Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity Veneeth Iyengar says internet service providers will use this federal money to boost high speed internet in rural areas….

Cut 12 (12) “…throughout the state”   

Iyengar says,  to find out if your parish will benefit from this money, go to connect-dot-la-dot-gov

Cut 13 (12) “…made yesterday.”

Iyengar says they expect to issue another 43-million dollars from the America Rescue Plan by October and they’ll also be able to tap into federal dollars contained in the Infrastructure Bill. He says the goal is to eliminate the digital divide in Louisiana by 2029….

Cut 14 (07)  “…spent wisely.”