6:45 LRN Sportscast August 26

LSU Athletics Director Scott Woodward says the Tiger Stadium vaccination policy does not apply to tailgating, but he hopes tailgaters practice social distancing when they are enjoying the day on campus…
cut 15 (12) “…tailgating”
LSU season ticket holders who do not want to attend games this year and want a refund, have until tomorrow to ask for one. An LSU spokesperson said late yesterday afternoon that so far they’ve received refund requests from 50 to 75 ticket holders.

LSU is preparing to play UCLA in the season opener on September fourth in the Rose Bowl. It’s been reported the Tigers will open the 2024 season by facing USC in Las Vegas. The two schools haven’t played since 1984 when LSU beat the Trojans 23-3 in the Los Angeles Coliseum.

The Saints are preparing for their preseason finale on Saturday against the Arizona Cardinals. New Orleans is thin at the tight end position. Adam Trautman’s foot injury could sideline him one to three weeks and fellow tight end Nick Vannett is expected to miss two to four weeks with a knee injury. New Orleans has also placed cornerback Brian Poole and defensive tackle Jalen Dalton on injured reserve and they will not be eligible to return this season.

Former LSU Tiger Joe Burrow will make his preseason debut on Sunday when the Bengals host the Dolphins. Burrow has not played in a game in eight months since suffering a major knee injury.

Former Saints Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named the Broncos starting quarterback. Bridgewater beat out incumbent starter Drew Lock.

We should learn more about the battle for starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech. Coach Skip Holtz is expected to discuss his QBs today.

6:30 LRN Newscast

Forecasters are keeping a close eye on a tropical wave in the Caribbean that’s expected to become a named storm in the next 48 hours and move into the Gulf of Mexico this weekend….
cut 7 (11) “…Gulf Coast”
State Climatologist Barry Keim says this system has the potential to impact Louisiana Sunday night into Monday.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says he will not enact a coronavirus emergency plan for the fall elections. Ardoin says that means no expanded absentee-by-mail voting or expanded early voting…
cut 11 (06) “….work out”
Ardoin says an emergency election plan is not needed since COVID vaccines are widely available.

The Biden Administration announces it will comply with a federal court ruling requiring it to restart oil and gas lease sales. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 25

At least one COVID vaccine shot or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entry will be needed in order to attend an LSU football game this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey calls the protocol an overreach with no historical precedent…..
cut 30 (09) “….sporting event”
LSU athletics director Scott Woodward says they are doing everything they can to ensure the experience in Tiger Stadium is safe and enjoyable. It remains to be seen if the vaccine policy will hurt or help attendance, but offensive guard Ed Ingram says it’s something they can not control…
cut 18 (14) “….UCLA right now
LSU versus UCLA will kick off on September 4th at Seven PM.

Nick Underhill at New Orleans-dot-football reports that tight end Adam Trautman will see a foot specialist tomorrow after he left Monday’s preseason game on a cart. But Underhill says the hope is that the second-year pro will only miss one to three weeks.

The other tight ends on the roster are Juwan Johnson, Ethan Wolf and Garrett Griffin. Griffin is hurt and didn’t play on Monday, but Underhill reports he should be ready for week one.

Former Saints Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was named the Broncos starting quarterback today. Bridgewater beat out incumbent starter Drew Lock.

Conference USA announces its championship football game will be played on Friday, December 3rd. CBS Sports Network will televise the game, which will get underway at 6 PM. The title game will feature champions from the East and West Divisions and the team with the highest league winning percentage will serve as the host site for the game.

We should learn more about the battle for starting quarterback at Louisiana Tech. Coach Skip Holtz is expected to discuss QBS tomorrow.

LRN PM Newscall August 25

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says a majority of those eligible to receive assistance from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund did not. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

____________________________________

The state health department reports a child under the age of one has died from COVID-19. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

______________________________________

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Cut 3 (11) “…get funded.” 

Harris says originally restaurants asked Congress for $120 billion but only received $28.6-billion. Stipulations were also added to the funding that women-owned, veteran-owned, and socially and economically disadvantaged restaurants were given priority.

Harris says for the Bayou State there are almost 3,000 restaurants, bars, craft brewers, and entertainment venues still in need.

Cut 4 (10) “…business alive” 

Harris says the National Restaurant Association has asked Congress for more funding to be added to the RRF to offer relief for pending applications. In Louisiana, Harris says 62-percent of applicants didn’t receive any funding, and as the industry continues to face pandemic hurdles and a worker shortage…

Cut 5 (07) “…my bills.”

Harris says while they’ve received positive feedback from the Louisiana Congressional delegation, they fear the length of time it would take to receive funding will only force more owners to close their doors.

__________________________

State health officials say 31-percent of newly reported COVID-19 cases in Louisiana were in children younger than 18. Everyone age 12 and older is eligible for the COVID vaccine. Physician in Chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans Dr. Mark Kline says clinical trials to make the vaccine available for kids under 12 are ongoing.

Cut 6 (09) “…October.” 

Kline says that means the Pfizer vaccine could be available for 5 to 11 year-olds before the end of the year. He says emergency use authorization for this age group can not come soon enough.

Cut 7 (07) “…age group.”  

Kline believes the COVID vaccines can be as effective in children as adults…

Cut 8 (11) “…looking for”

Until the vaccines are approved for those under the age of 12, Kline encourages all ages to wear masks to help protect those who cannot be vaccinated yet.

_______________________

Caddo Parish Sheriffs made arrests yesterday in two separate incidents where students threatened school shootings on social media.

Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those arrested was 18-year-old Raybon Marter who threatened to do a school shooting at Southwood High School on Snapchat.

Cut 9 (11) “…arrested.”

Marter was charged with terrorizing.

In another unrelated event, a 15-year-old posted a picture of himself on Instagram putting a gun in his backpack and a separate picture of himself walking to the Woodlawn Leadership Academy campus.

Cut 10 (13) “…magazine”

The teen was arrested for having a gun on campus and terrorizing.

Chadwick says these days it’s not just the public who is reporting school shooting threats from social media, it’s the social media companies themselves…

Cut  11 (10) “…investigate”  

_____________________________

Louisiana SPCA animal shelters are nearly 100 percent past capacity and the organization is hoping to make room by offering adoptions for only 25 dollars through September 19th. Spokesperson Alicia Vial says housing challenges and pandemic economic troubles are driving a big uptick in owner surrenders.

Cut 12 (06) “…pet” 

Vial says another issue is owners who worked from home are now having to return to the office and feel that they don’t have the time to spend with a pet anymore. There’s also another odd trend…

Cut 13 (12) “…started”

If you are considering surrendering your pet Vial encourages you to contact the LSPCA first. The organization may be able to provide aid in keeping your pet with you.

The 25 dollar adoption fee applies to all cats over six months old and large dogs. Vial says it’s a real bargain…

Cut 14 (13) “..training”

Vial says if you don’t want to make a long-term commitment right now they’d greatly appreciate help fostering pets.

11:40 LRN Sportscast August 25

One team, one heartbeat has been the mantra LSU Coach Ed Orgeron uses to describe the football program since he took over as interim head coach in 2016. But the Tigers lacked that togetherness last season when they went five and five. Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says it’s a different feeling this season
cut 16 (26) “…talking about.”
Seven LSU players made the All-SEC preseason teams. Derek Stingley Junior, Cade York, Kayson Boutte, Ed Ingram, Ali Gaye, Eli Ricks and Austin Deculus.

Proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test will be required to enter Tiger Stadium to watch football games this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey says the policy is premature and he believes by the time of the home opener on September 11th the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better…
cut 15 (08) “….are now”
LSU season ticket holders have until Friday to request a refund.

Saints Tight end Adam Trautman left Monday’s game on a cart and he’s expected to miss some time with an injured left foot. Trautman caught 15 passes as a rookie last season. Trautman’s injury leaves New Orleans thin at the tight end position. They had just two at practice yesterday, Juwan Johnson and Ethan Wolf.

Former Jennings star Travis Etienne will miss his rookie season with the Jaguars after injuring his foot in Monday’s loss to the Saints.

9:30 LRN Newscast August 25

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine, LSU President William Tate says students will be required to be vaccinated or they will undergo regular COVID testing. Students have until September 10th to submit proof of their first vaccination and October 15th for their second vaccination….
cut 4 (08) “…semester”

Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey blasts LSU’s decision to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium this fall. Cathey says the policy is inconvenient for fans.
Cut 13 (08) “…stuff for the fans.”
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says the vaccine mandate is to ensure the fans’ experience in Tiger Stadium is safe.

40-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That ranks 44th in the nation. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’Neal hopes full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine will generate more trust for those who are hesitant to get the shot…
cut 12 (07) “…works”
Louisiana is reporting 2,856 COVID patients in the hospital. Ochsner Health Hospital Quality Director Doctor Sandra Kemmerly says they are also seeing more pediatric patients…
cut 7 (09) “….the hospital”
Doctor Mark Kline, Physician-in-Chief and Children’s Hospital New Orleans expects emergency use authorization for kids to receive the vaccine before the end of the year.

8:30 LRN Newscast August 25

Rural regions lag far behind suburban and urban areas in the overall vaccination rate. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal about the disparity…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

It’s time to start watching the tropics, there’s a low-pressure system in the Caribbean that has the chance to develop into a tropical storm once it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula gets into the western Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

LSU is giving its students until October 15th to get fully vaccinated. System President Doctor William Tate says Louisiana law allows for students to opt-out of vaccinations and those who choose this route will be required to be tested for COVID on a regular basis…
cut 5 (06) “…protocol”
Proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test will also be required to enter Tiger Stadium to watch football games this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey says the policy is premature and he believes by the time of the home opener on September 11th the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better…
cut 15 (08) “….are now”
LSU season ticket holders have until Friday to request a refund.

7:30 LRN Newscast August 25

Ochsner Health says they’ve admitted 34 pediatric patients 19 and under for COVID-19 during August. Eight of those patients are under the age of ten. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says as school-age children return to the classroom, hospitals are worried they could see even more pediatric patients…
cut 9 (09) “….with COVID”

Health officials are also working to boost vaccination numbers in rural areas. In southwest Louisiana, 29-percent of the population is vaccinated, in central Louisiana the number is 31-percent. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’ Neal says many rural communities are disconnected from mainstream messages…
cut 11 (08) “….hesitant”

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine LSU students will have to be vaccinated or tested regularly for COVID…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Ochsner is mandating COVID vaccines for all of its 32-thousand employees. Currently, 66-percent of their workers are fully vaccinated. Also, the state health department reported 139 COVID deaths yesterday. That’s the most deaths reported in a single day since April 14, 2020.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU offensive guard Ed Ingram gave a blunt assessment of last year’s 5-and-5 team. Ingram says the Tigers had no leadership following the 2019 national championship season. He says this year is different…
cut 17 (16) “…says stuff”
LSU has announced proof of at least one COVID vaccine shot is needed to enter Tiger Stadium this season or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to kick-off. LSU is the only school in the SEC to have this COVID-19 protocol and third among F-B-S schools. Oregon and Oregon State also have a similar policy.

The Saints defense looked good in the team’s preseason win over Jacksonville on Monday. The Jaguars scored just three points in the first three quarters. Linebacker Kwon Alexander…
cut 20 (09) “…keep improving”
The Saints have placed three players on injured reserve, defensive tackle Jalen Dalton, offensive lineman Ethan Greenidge and cornerback Brian Poole. Dalton played well in the preseason game on Monday as he had four tackles, a sack, a tackle for a loss, and a pass breakup. But there are reports he tore his triceps muscle.

Tight end Adam Trautman left Monday’s game on a cart and he’s expected to miss some time with an injured left foot. Trautman caught 15 passes as a rookie last season. Trautman’s injury leaves New Orleans thin at the tight end position. They had just two at practice yesterday, Juwan Johnson and Ethan Wolf.

6:30 LRN Newscast August 25

40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal grew up in rural Vidrine. She says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to penetrate these smaller communities.
Cut 10 (11) “…working on.”
Meanwhile, New Orleans officials say at least 78-percent of their eligible adult population has at least one shot.

One COVID vaccine shot or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entry will be needed in order to attend an LSU football game this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey calls the protocol an overreach with no historical precedent…..
cut 14 (09) “….sporting event”
LSU athletics director Scott Woodward says they are doing everything they can to ensure the experience in Tiger Stadium is safe and enjoyable.

The largest percentage of new COVID positive cases in the state are among five- to 17-year-olds, and hospitals are seeing a trend in pediatric patients. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Health Department announced 139 more COVID deaths yesterday. That’s a single-day high for the state.