There’s been an increase in COVID infections among Louisiana nursing home residents. Kevin Gallagher reports COVID deaths have also increased…:

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”

______________________________________

The Louisiana Department of Health launches 988 as the phone number to dial for suicide prevention to help those in crisis. Don Molino has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”  

______________________________________

For a second straight month, COVID-19 infections and deaths are increasing among Louisianans living in nursing homes. Two deaths were reported for the month of May 2022, but for that number jumped to seven for June. Andrew Muhl is Policy Director for AARP Louisiana. He says the elderly are more at risk from COVID than anyone…:

Cut 3 (11) “…in nursing homes.” 

Nursing home resident COVIDs cases are up 27-percent nationwide. Cases among nursing home staffs are up 42-percent. Currently in Louisiana, just over 650 seniors in nursing homes are suffering COVID symptoms. Muhl says the best way to mitigate COVID symptoms is to get the shots…:

Cut 4  (07) “…fully vaccinated.”

Muhl says many nursing home residents COULD be catching the virus from the people who work at the facility and take care of them…:

Cut 5  (09) “…still out there.”

Muhl says AARP is imploring nursing home employees and residents to get COVID shots and any needed boosters. Since the pandemic began, nearly 33-hundred Louisiana nursing home residents have died from COVID-19.

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Office of Juvenile Justice continues to be plagued with incidents. The most recent was at the Bridge City Center for Youth in Jefferson Parish, where six teens escaped early Sunday morning. All six have been recaptured but Marrero Senator Patrick Connick questions if the extra personnel to assist OJJ is in effect.

Cut 6 (12) “…enough, enough?” 

One of the escapees stole two vehicles and injured an individual during the exchange.

Connick says while the inmates are juveniles he believes those charged with violent crimes belong in better equipped facility. Connick says the Bridge City Center is designed as a dormitory to house teens facing truancy charges.

Cut 7 (10) “…individuals.” 

After multiple escapes from youth facilities in Louisiana, the OJJ was given extra personnel, but Connick says he’s reached out to both the governor and OJJ asking why juveniles continue to escape.

Cut 8 (10) “…gotta stop.”

Connick says the OJJ told him they are meeting today to address the issue.

________________________________________________

988 has been designated as the new three-digit number to dial for suicide prevention. The number is active in Louisiana and Karen Stubbs, Assistant Secretary with the Office of Behavioral Health at LDH says it’s vital to help those in crisis.

Cut 9 (11) “…level of 911.”

Stubbs says if you dial 988 in Louisiana it’s routed to a local crisis center. She says their office wanted to be sure it’s answered quickly and by trained individuals.

Cut 10 (11) “…our culture.” 

There are two 988 call centers in Louisiana, one in northern part of the state and the other covering southern Louisiana. Stubbs says if one is receiving an influx of calls, the other center acts as a backup.

According to the CDC, suicide is the 12^th leading cause of death and in 2020 more than 600 Louisianans took their own life. Stubbs says 988 hopes to change that and even if someone isn’t actively suicidal, they are there to help.

Cut 11 (08)  “…seeking assistance.”

All calls to 988 are free and confidential.

______________________________________________________________

In Baton Rouge, 19^th JDC Judge Don Johnson extends the temporary order allowing abortion clinics to remain open; telling state Attorney General Jeff Landry to provide him more information on the case, which he’ll review tomorrow and then render a decision. Outside the courthouse, with protesters in the background, Landry had this reaction…:

Cut 12 (07) “…couple of weeks ago.”   

Under Johnson’s temporary restraining order blocking the trigger law, abortion clinics are currently open. Landry says he’s certain that – no matter what Judge Johnson decides – there will be further challenges and the case will ultimately be decided by the state Supreme Court…:

Cut 13 (08) “..effectively as possible.”

(FOR AFFILIATES: here is nat sound of pro-choice protesters in Baton Rouge shouting, ”racist, sexist, anti-gay…A.G. Landry go away!”)

Cut 14 (09)  “…go away!!” 

A Baton Rouge judge will hear arguments  for and against blocking the state’s abortion ban trigger law, which is currently on hold. More from Don Molino on today’s hearing…:

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino.”

________________________________________________

 Qualifying for the federal elections in November begins Wednesday, but Louisiana is looking at a quiet election season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “….I’m Jeff Palermo” 

________________________________________________

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Atlanta. Many fans consider it the start of the college football season…

Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

___________________________________________________

Today in Baton Rouge, a judge will hear arguments on a petition to block the state’s abortion trigger law from taking effect. A New Orleans judge punted the case back to the Capital City. Last week, 19^th JDC Judge Don Johnson order the law on hold, pending the outcome of this morning’s hearing. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says the judge has an important task to decide…:

Cut 4 (13)  “…indeterminate”

The suit was filed by the Center for Reproductive Rights immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, triggering Louisiana’s law into effect. Plaintiff say the law is too vague, and make that argument today. Ciolino thinks the hearing will NOT go their way…:

Cut 5 (09) “…illegal in Louisiana.”

If the judge rules against the plaintiffs, Ciolino says they will undoubtedly file another challenge. However, he feels they are just delaying the inevitable…:

Cut 6 (12)  “…not vague”

That hearing is this morning in downtown Baton Rouge.

_______________________________________________

Qualifying for the federal elections in November will get underway on Wednesday at the Secretary of State’s office in Baton Rouge. Republican Senator John Kennedy and the state’s six U-S House members are up for re-election and expected to win. La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says that’s by design…

Cut 7 (11) “…the incumbent”

Alford says if there’s a race to watch, it might be the third Congressional District, as Clay Higgins is seeking his fourth term, but he might face a formidable candidate…

Cut 8 (10)  “…community leaders.”

Higgins has faced criticism for not helping to secure federal hurricane recovery dollars for southwest Louisiana in a timely manner.

Kennedy is seeking a second term as U-S Senator and there are at least two Democratic challengers that are active on social media who plan to oppose him. Reverend Tony Spell in East Baton Rouge told the Advocate newspaper he’s thinking about running against Kennedy as a Republican, but Alford says that’s unlikely

Cut 9 (12)  “…never know.”

________________________________________________

A well-known Lafayette eatery is ranked by The Food Network as one of America’s finest barbecue joints and THE best barbecue in Louisiana. The TV network highlighted the brisket and pulled pork at Johnson’s Boucaniere (boo-ken-YAIR) in downtown Lafayette. Proprietor Lori Johnson Walls says she cannot reveal the secret to their tasty barbecue; a special recipe rub made by her husband…:

Cut 10 (09) “…eleven to twelve hours.”

In Cajun French, a “boucaniere” is, basically, a smokehouse. Walls says they get rave reviews for their Cajun smoked sausage, ribs, boudin and, of course, barbecue. The restaurant was recently named among Food Network’s “50 States of Barbecue”; a list of the very finest across the U.S. Walls says their success is a real team effort…:

Cut  11 (09)  “..to them as well.” 

Originally founded in Eunice by Lori’s grandfather, Johnson’s Boucaniere has been around since 1937 but is now located on St. John Street, near downtown Lafayette. You may want to drop by and try their bill of fare. Walls says their model for success is “make it great, make it consistent and make it with love”…:

Cut 12 (11) “…barbecued at home.” 

Walls says they’re very honored by The Food Network’s accolades, which she calls “an awesome surprise.”

_________________________________________________

SEC Football Media Days kick-off today in Atlanta, the unofficial start of the college football season. LSU Football Coach Brian Kelly speaks today and Tiger Rag Editor Tim Buckley says Kelly will get a bunch of questions about his three-way battle for starting quarterback

Cut 13 (11) “…to start.”

Kelly downplayed the idea of playing two quarterbacks in a game when asked during spring football, but Buckley says it’s an idea the coach could be warming up to

Cut 14 (12)  “…change of pace guy.”

Before Kelly and the rest of the SEC coaches speech, Commissioner Greg Sankey will give his state of the league address. Buckley says Sankey will discuss the NIL and transfer portal issues and possible expansion now that USC and UCLA are heading to the Big 10…

Cut 15 (10)  “…it grow”