It’s that time of the year and delivery companies are finding themselves in need of seasonal workers to get holiday packages to people on time. More from Dave Brannen.

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The state has ordered 148-thousand doses of the COVID vaccine in anticipation of the CDC’s recommendation for ages 5 to 11 to be vaccinated. Brooke Thorington has more

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The reality of children being vaccinated for COVID reached a major milestone this week after an FDA Advisory panel recommend the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter anticipates that age group could begin receiving doses within the next two weeks.

Cut 3 (09) “….time around.”

On Tuesday the governor removed the statewide indoor mask mandate for 28 days but not for K-12 schools. Schools however can choose not to mask if they follow CDC quarantine guidelines. Kanter says the sooner children are able to get vaccinated the more likely they can stay in the classroom.

Cut 4 (10) “…asymptomatic.”

Currently, ages 5 to 17 make up the majority of new COVID cases in the state at 22-percent.

Kanter encouraged parents to discuss the vaccine with their pediatrician and if they have an upcoming visit scheduled…

Cut 5 (10) “…family chooses.”

A CDC committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday and Wednesday and if they vote to recommend the vaccine for ages 5 to 11, the vaccine could be available the following week. Approximately 421,000 in Louisiana would then be eligible to be vaccinated

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UPS is going on a hiring spree as the holiday season approaches. Marc Shannon with the delivery firm’s talent acquisition team says the company is looking to hire 100-thousand seasonal workers nationwide, with more than one thousand of them in Louisiana alone.

Cut 6 (08) “..lot of opportunities” 

For more information and to apply for a position visit the website UPSjobs.com.

Shannon says oftentimes, a temporary position at UPS has turned into a career for these seasonal workers.

Cut 7 (11) “….career at UPS.”  

Shannon says the peak season that necessitates a larger workforce, albeit temporary, usually lasts into January.

Cut 8 (08) “..things like that.”

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A powerful line of thunderstorms is moving through the state that’s associated with the strongest cold front of the fall. Megan Williams with the National Weather Service in Slidell says most of the state is under a tornado watch until 4 PM…

Cut 9 (07 ) “…as well.”

Williams says the severe weather risk is the result of the cold air behind the front clashing with warm air…

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A tornado watch is in effect until 10 PM tonight for southeast Louisiana. The tornado watches that cover southwest, central and north-central Louisiana expire at 4 PM.  

The concern today is tornadoes and flash flooding, but Williams says once the front moves through, it will feel like fall for the Halloween weekend…

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The announcement of the end of the statewide indoor mask mandate is welcome news to some business owners. State Director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation Independent Businesses Dawn McVea says they are pleased because members have had such a challenge with it the last few months.

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Governor Edwards chose not to renew the indoor mask mandate for the next 28 days due to declining COVID cases and hospitalizations. McVea says business owners are also hopeful the trend will continue.

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However, the mask mandate and proof of vaccination and/or a negative test are still in effect for New Orleans. Outside of the state’s largest city though McVea says businesses are relieved they can focus holiday shopping versus policing masks.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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…

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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

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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.

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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

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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”