A startling increase in suicide attempts has prompted pediatricians to call on prioritizing mental health among teens and children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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President Biden is still struggling with his polling numbers, the latest Quinnipiac Poll showing that only 40 percent approve of his handling of the office. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 2 (32)…I’m Dave Brannen.”  

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Stressors from the pandemic and a rising number of mental illness diagnoses among children have prompted pediatricians to say the kids’ mental health is a national emergency. Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Michelle Moore anticipates things will even worsen once the pandemic eases.

Cut 3 (10) “….place yet.”

Emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts were up 51-percent between February and March of this year compared to the same period in 2019. Moore says social media and isolation are contributing factors.

Cut 4 (10) “…mental health issues.”

Moore encourages school leaders to provide more social and emotional learning instruction so children are able to communicate their feels and can learn proper conflict resolution techniques.

She also advises parents to ask their children more than just how they are doing and have a conversation about how they are feeling. And also find out what type of social media site your children are interacting with.

Cut 5 (06) “…technology.”

Moore also points out that if parents are having difficulty coping themselves, they should also seek help because their struggle sets an example of how their children should also manage stress.

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The Saints scored just one touchdown last night but it was enough to beat the Seahawks 13-10 in Seattle. Running back Alvin Kamara was productive as a receiver as he caught 10 passes for 128 yards and a touchdown. Kamara says the offense will continue to get better

Cut 6 (11) “..always working” 

New Saints kicker Brian Johnson kicked two clutch field goals in rainy and windy conditions, including the game-winner with less than two minutes left. Johnson says did not overthink it…

Cut 7 (11) “….so.”  

Johnson could be the kicker for the season as Will Lutz announced on social media he’ll sit out the year after suffering a setback during his rehab from a core muscle surgery.

The defense was stingy as they sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith five times. Linebacker Demario Davis had two sacks

Cut 8 (12) “..get there.”

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More negatives than positives. That’s what New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with less than a year before the mid-term elections which may not bode well for Democratic candidates. Biden’s dropping poll numbers can be linked to those with strong views on issues.

Cut 9 (11) “…his, his position.”

The latest Quinnipiac University poll numbers put Biden’s job approval rating at 40 percent and disapproval at 53 percent.

Faucheux on the issues that are helping to bring down Biden’s polling numbers.

Cut 10 (12)  “…cutting against him.” 

Despite his falling poll numbers, Faucheux believes that Biden may still be able to push through his major agenda items related to infrastructure and social spending.

Cut  11 (09)  “…Manchin and Sinema.”  

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The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state lost nearly 30-thousand jobs from August to September. L-W-C’s Chief Economist Julian Hwang says Hurricane Ida is to blame for the reduction in the state’s workforce and the recovery takes some time

Cut 12 (12) “…as well”  

Over 41-thousand people filed unemployment claims from the time Hurricane Ida hit through the end of September. About 30-thousand jobs are available on the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Hire website. so they hope they can regain the jobs that were lost as a result of Ida…

Cut 13 (09) “…surely””

Hwang says while the state overall lost jobs from August to September, there were some sectors of the economy that reported significant over-the-year gains…

Cut 14 (09) “..five thousand jobs” 

Governor Edwards has a 3 p.m. press conference today. With COVID numbers declining, will he end the statewide mask mandates? Kevin Gallagher has more…:

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Data from the Moderna COVID vaccine clinical trial indicates the vaccine is both safe and effective for ages 6 to 12. Brooke Thorington has more

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While there may be no shortage of students in the state’s classrooms, it’s a different story when it comes to someone to educate them.  More from Dave Brannen.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to announce today whether or not he will continue the mask mandate. Stephen Procopio (pro-COH-pee-oh), Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) – who’ve been tracking the pandemic numbers – says they won’t speculate what the Governor may decide, but the figures suggest the co-called Fourth Wave could be winding down…:

Cut 4 (09) “…height of all this.”

Governor Edwards re-enacted the COVID mask mandate on august 4^th. While many are OK with being asked to wear masks in public, many others cannot wait for the mask order to end. Procopio says there’s more to putting COVID behind us than just heeding the Governor…:

Cut 5 (14) “…in the country.”

The Governor will announce his decision on coronavirus precautions during a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. Procopio says PAR is carefully watching the Department of Health data for any sign of a Fifth Wave, as is the Governor’s Office…:

Cut 6 (10) “…hospitalizations too.”

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Moderna released data claiming their COVID vaccine is both safe and effective for children ages 6 to 12. Dr. Danial Hsia (Shaw) who is overseeing a section of the Moderna trial in children at LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research says Moderna is expected to seek emergency use authorization soon and the 50-microgram dosage used in children is comparably effective.

Cut 7 (12) “… 100 micrograms.”

As for side effects with the Moderna vaccine in children, Hsia says they are comparable to those seen in adults, like muscle aches, fatigue, and low-grade fever.

Cut 8 (09) “…or less.”

Pennington is one of three healthcare centers in Louisiana taking part in the Moderna clinical trial for children. Hsia says their participation is vital in helping curb COVID cases among children which are currently responsible for 25-percent of daily cases right now.

Cut 9 (11)  “…kids’ vaccinated.”

Hsia says they expect to be submitting data by mid-November and depending on the FDA Advisory panel’s schedule for the holidays, they hope to have EUA by the first of 2022 or sooner for the Moderna vaccine for children ages 6 to 12.

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The teacher shortage in Louisiana is continuing to worsen because there are fewer education students and teacher retirements are on their way up. Michael Faulk, who heads up the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, says it’s a trend that started years ago.

Cut 10 (10)  “…of six years.” 

As an example, the number of students in the LSU School of Education has plummeted by 57 percent over the past decade.

Faulk doesn’t see the teacher shortage problem being remedied anytime soon in Louisiana.

Cut 11 (10) “…years from now.”

Faulk says there are teachers who seem dismayed about the profession because of their lack of input into the curriculums they have to abide by.

Cut 12 (12) “…of the process.”

Data amassed by the Teacher Retirement System of Louisiana shows that school personnel retirements, including teachers, increased by 25 percent from 2020 to 2021.

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Governor John Bel Edwards travels to Scotland this week for the international Race to Zero climate change summit put on by the United Nations. He says it’s an important step in addressing global concerns about carbon footprints to the benefit of Louisiana.

Cut 13 (12) “…that will decarbonize.”

Edwards says that no other state in the nation has been more affected by climate change than Louisiana, but also in a better position to be part of the solution.

Edwards says the meeting will be important for his delegation as they compete to attract new investment in Louisiana related to climate change issues.

Cut 14 (13)  “…in the country.”

Edwards says the current oil and gas industry workforce could transition to the clean energy manufacturing being proposed, ranging from solar projects to wind farms.

Cut 15 (08)  “…Block Island wind farm.”

Edwards and members of his cabinet, staff, and Climate Initiatives Task Force are scheduled to leave for Scotland on Thursday for the summit that takes place Sunday through November 4^th.

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It was a tough day for LSU starting quarterback Max Johnson in Oxford as he threw for only 146 yards in Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss. Johnson was also intercepted once and sacked four times. In the fourth quarter, freshman Garrett Nussmeier led LSU on two scoring drives, but Orgeron says Johnson is still their starter

Cut  16 (17) “we will”

Johnson will have a chance to rest this week as LSU does not have a game on Saturday. The Tigers’ next game is November sixth at third-ranked Alabama. Orgeron believes his team is still motivated to win ball games…

Cut 17 (20) “ .prove themselves” 

LSU linebacker Damone Clark is playing as well as anyone on this Tigers team. Clark had 18 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the loss to the Rebels, one shy of a school record for a game. Orgeron says the senior from Baton Rouge worked hard in the summer to become a better player…

Cut 18 (25)”…football game”

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It wasn’t pretty but the Saints won a hard fought game on the road last night beat Seattle 13-10. New Orleans got a couple of clutch field goals from new kicker Brian Johnson and the defense was stingy as they sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith five times. Linebacker Demario Davis had two sacks, four tackles for a loss and ten tackles. Coach Sean Payton says it a great game from Davis

Cut 19 (25)  “…was tough”

The offense only scored one touchdown as it came during a two-minute drill to end the first half. Alvin Kamara caught four passes on that drive including a 13-yard touchdown catch. He finished with 10 catches for 128 yards. Payton says the Seahawks were leaving Kamara open…

Cut 20 (20)  “second half”