Louisiana’s unemployment rate is now down 2.3 percent from this time last year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Scenes out of Afghanistan have been especially disturbing for U-S veterans who served in the Middle East. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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An LSU fishing poll shows that pandemic isolation led to anglers taking millions of additional fishing trips compared to pre-pandemic years. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Louisiana added another 12,700 jobs from June to July and ended the month up 58,200 jobs year-to-year. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says moving in the right direction despite the 4^th COVID wave, but the only way to keep this momentum going is by getting more people vaccinated.

Cut 4 (11) “…masks.”

New Orleans and Baton Rouge led the pack in new month-to-month job gains at 3,700 and 3,00 respectively. Shreveport and Houma were the only markets to see month-to-month job losses.

Fiore says the biggest sector gains were in leisure and hospitality and education and health services at 27,000 and 13,000 more jobs year to year respectively. Fiore says we can do even better.

Cut 5 (08) “…hired.”

Business services gained 12,000 jobs over the year.

Fiore says if you are unemployed visit laworks.net to find a job near you.

Cut 6 (07) “…right now.”

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If you’re in the market for a new vehicle according to AAA research don’t be surprised if that new car or pickup costs more than you anticipated. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says remember upkeep and costs associated with a vehicle go well beyond your monthly car note.

Cut 7 (10) “….insurance.”

The most significant part of the average $10 thousand annually Redman says that vehicle owners neglect to anticipate when purchasing a new vehicle is depreciation.

Cut 8 (08) “…depreciation.” 

A major reason new vehicle prices have increased is the ongoing computer chip shortage that has caused a delay in the manufacturing of new vehicles. Redman says with each passing year there’s additional technology added to motor vehicles prices which also increases prices.

Cut 9 (10) “…much technology.”

The average price of a new vehicle for 2021 is $32,900 which is almost five percent higher than last year.

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While the scenes out of Afghanistan are horrifying as US Troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country after providing stability for more than two decades, the situation is extremely upsetting to US Afghanistan vets.  Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says they’ve been contacted by several veterans who served in the Middle East.

Cut 10 (10) “…country.” 

Strickland says the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has several venues to offer counseling and assistance for veterans who are experiencing PTSD and other issues. Especially during this critical time when some veterans feel the withdrawal has discounted their service. Strickland says they’ve been meeting with veterans at places like the VFW.

Cut 11 (12) “…the time.”

Strickland says this issue hit close to home, it reminds him of his experience in Vietnam and now his son who served in Afghanistan, so he’s familiar with the emotions veterans are dealing with in response to the withdrawal. Strickland says the LDVA also has a crisis line.

Cut 12 (12) “…experiencing.”  

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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An LSU survey finds people took a lot more fishing trips in the spring of 2020 compared to 2019, seemingly due to pandemic era isolation policies.

LSU Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Professor Stephen Midway says traditionally fishing is used as a social bonding experience, but their poll found the reasons anglers gave for heading out are changing…

Cut 13 (09) “…pandemic.”

Midway says their poll found four out of five anglers took as many trips as they had the year before, and one out of five took at least one extra trip…

Cut 14 (10) “…2020.”

An estimated 44 million Americans consider themselves anglers.

Midway says the increased number of fishing trips, assuming that people are assuming by regulations, should not be an ecological stressor. In fact, it may be the opposite…

Cut 15 (12)“…management.”

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Preseason game number two is tonight as the Saints host the Jaguars. Another opportunity for Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston to win the starting quarterback spot. Running back Alvin Kamara on what he sees from Hill

Cut 16 (15) “…offense.”

Coach Sean Payton on how’s evaluating quarterback battle…

Cut 17 (13) “…that position.”  

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LSU backup quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns in the second scrimmage of preseason camp. Starter Max Johnson was 11 of 17 for 125 yards and one touchdown. Coach Ed Orgeron says Nussmeier made some nice plays…

Cut 18 (25)”…dynamite”

The offensive line did not play well in the first scrimmage. Orgeron says he saw improvement with the o-line on Saturday…

Cut 19 (20)  “…we’ll be fine” 

Junior running backs Ty Davis-Price and John Emery Junior did not participate in the second scrimmage because of nagging injuries. So sophomore Josh Williams led all rushers with 66 yards on the ground and a touchdown. True freshman Armani Goodwin had six carries on 25 yards. Orgeron says hopes Davis-Price and Emery return soon…

Cut 20 (10)  “…some consistency” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says 28-percent of all new COVID cases are children, which he says points to the reason why face coverings are required in schools. Jeff Palermo has the story…

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Ochsner reports monoclonal antibody treatments have been highly effective in limiting COVID-related hospitalizations and deaths. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

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The state reported nearly six thousand new COVID-19 cases on Friday. Governor Edwards says for the last couple of days 28-percent of all new cases are in children and this is troubling with schools re-opening

Cut 3 (15) “…of last year” 

Edwards says transmission among children is very high which is why a mask mandate is in place for schools…

Cut 4 (11) “…in our schools” 

Two public meetings in Baton Rouge this week were disrupted by anti-mask protesters, upset their children are forced to wear a mask, calling it child abuse. But Edwards says everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID and failing to do so can have lethal consequences

Cut 5 (11) “…that simple”

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Ochsner has administered about 9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID patients across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore.  Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the treatments have been highly effective.

Cut 6 (11) “..vaccinated” 

At Ochsner’s Lafayette facility Thomas estimates they are administering about 300 to 400 treatments a week.

Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says they’ve received additional help from paramedics in running their infusion suites, and can now offer the treatment within a day or two of qualification.

Cut 7 (08) “…down”  

System Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says the treatment is a passive immunotherapy that can prevent hospitalizations and deaths but is not a permanent solution.

Cut 8 (12) “..sustainable.”

Governor Edwards says 176 providers are administering this treatment statewide.

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While there’s lots of focus on being vaccinated for COVID, healthcare professionals are also reminding the public to remember to get their annual flu shot. In order to make the process for both as convenient as possible Walmart Market Health and Wellness Director Mohamed Salem says you can do both at any of their stores.

Cut 9 (10) “…Louisiana.”

Salem says another convivence the store has added is the ability to schedule an appointment for your shots and it’s only a click away.

Cut 10 (08) “…a computer.”

Salem says while flu season typically peaks in the winter months, it is hard to think flu season in the dog days of summer but it’s best not to procrastinate.

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Salem says they are observing COVID protocols and pharmacists are administering the doses. He says most flu shots are free per your health insurance and all COVID vaccinations are free.

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We’ll see some of the highest heat indexes of the year this weekend with temps around 110 degrees in South Louisiana.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve been lucky to hate some recent storms keep the temperatures down but that won’t be the case for the next few days.

Cut 12 (12) “…sun” 

Heat indexes in north Louisiana will be lower due to the lack of humidity, but still at or over 100 degrees.

It’s brutal weather but Keim says at least this high-pressure system is pushing tropical storm systems away from the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 13 (11) “…temperatures”

Until this heatwave passes Keim says be careful, and be safe because this level of heat and humidity combined can be very dangerous.

Cut 14 (11) “..clothing.”