The House Health and Welfare Committee heard pleas from both sides over face masks in Louisiana schools Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state health department reports nearly 87-thousand people received a COVID-19 vaccine shot in the last week and two-point-one million Louisiana residents have started the vaccine series. That’s nearly 47-percent of the state. Based on L-D-H data, nearly 39-percent of the state’s residents are fully vaccinated.

Starting October 1st, food stamp recipients will receive a 36 dollar average increase to their monthly benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this means an extra 435 million dollars in benefits will head to Louisiana.
Cut 4 (04) “…deal.”
The increase is the largest in the program’s history and it was the Biden Administration who made the decision to raise the level of food stamp assistance.

The governor’s office has made federal dollars available to help health care and STEM students get their degrees. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the Completers Grant will provide scholarships to students who are within 30 credit hours of completing a degree at a two-year or four-year school…
cut 12 (09) “….fee bill”
For more information go to LOFSA’s website.

Anti-mask parents went before the House Health and Welfare Committee to express their concerns over mask mandates in schools. Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana told lawmakers the data presented by state health officials are based on lies.
Cut 13 (11) “…with our kids.”
The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is in support of universal masking in schools.

The average food stamp recipient in Louisiana will receive an additional 36-dollars a month starting October 1st. It’s the largest increase in the history of the program. The change was made on the federal level and Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says 36 dollars might not sound like much but it can make a world of difference for those living in poverty.
Cut 5 (06) “…family”

Lafayette Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Richard faces numerous charges after allegedly leaving the scene of an August eighth boating crash on the False River that injured three juveniles. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck…

cut 7 (11) “…at this point”
One of the juveniles injured suffered a broken pelvis.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has a new grant program to help individuals who are 30 hours or less from completing a degree in a high-demand field such as health care and STEM occupations. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the state needs more nurses, computer programmers, and math teachers…
cut 11 (10) “…qualify”
For more information on the completers grant go to LOFSA’s website.

Several parents went before the House Health and Welfare Committee to express their opposition to face coverings in the classroom for their children. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox asked one mother if it’s worth putting her child or another child’s life in danger by removing face masks in schools…
cut 14 (11) “…alright alright”
BESE is expected to discuss this issue at its full board meeting tomorrow.

STEM and healthcare students who are close to receiving a degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says if you’re in one of those programs and have 30 or fewer hours left in your degree, you could get some extra financial help.
Cut 10 (11) “…graduation.”
To be eligible you must complete a FAFSA application.

An assistant DA in Lafayette Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after being arrested a week later for leaving the scene of a False River boating incident that injured three juveniles
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A Mayo Clinic study claims to show Pfizer vaccines are much less effective at preventing Delta COVID infections than Moderna vaccines, but a Tulane Epidemiologist says the results are not conclusive. The study was widely shared on social media and reported in the news, but Dr. Susan Hassig says it was not a clinical trial…
Cut 10 (13) “…Delta.”

The White House is urging OPEC to increase oil production to help satisfy the current demand for energy in the United States. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says it’s another move by the Biden administration to decimate the American oil and gas industry…
cut 5 (09) “…this point”
Biden has set a goal to decarbonize the U-S economy by 2050.

Census data is in and the population numbers are set to shake up Louisiana’s Congressional map. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Storm Fred is expected to make landfall along the Florida panhandle today. Tropical Depression Grace is expected to stay well south of Louisiana. And in New Orleans today, proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test in the last 72 hours is required to enter restaurants, bars, gyms, music venues and next monday’s Saints preseason game.

There’s been a rush in Louisiana to get vaccinated as the state approaches three-thousand COVID patients in the hospital. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the vaccine is our best weapon against COVID…
cut 12 (09) “…long term”
The state health department is making third doses of the COVID-19 vaccine available to people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems.

Census numbers have been tabulated and they show many south Louisiana parishes have grown in population size, while many north Louisiana parishes are seeing a decline. Demographer Greg Rigamer says that means the congressional districts for Mike Johnson and Julia Letlow will grow in size and in south Louisiana, they will shrink…
cut 14 (11) “…10,000”

The White House has urged OPEC to boost oil production and local energy producers are upset the Biden Administration does not support domestic production.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”

Starting today, the Louisiana Department of Revenue is accepting applications from charities, faith-based organizations, and small businesses who can receive grants of up to 25-thousand dollars through the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program. Nonprofits can use the grants to provide aid to communities impacted by COVID, while small businesses can use the assistance to address the negative economic impact of the COVID public health emergency.

The state health department will release new COVID data today and it’s possible Louisiana could surpass three thousand COVID patients in the hospital. According to L-D-H, 91-percent of the COVID patients are not vaccinated. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the available vaccines are helping to keep the vaccinated out of the hospital…
cut 11 (10) “…death”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is upset with the Biden administration for calling on OPEC to increase oil production. LOGA President Mike Moncla says this comes as Louisiana oil and gas workers continue to be laid off. And Moncla says domestic oil production is the safest in the world…
Cut 6 (11) “…get them from”

The Census numbers have been released, which shows the populations of parishes in south Louisiana have grown, while parishes in north Louisiana saw a decline. Demographer Greg Rigamer says these major differences in population between north and south Louisiana will give lawmakers a lot to think about when they hold a redistricting session.
Cut 15 (07)“…what’s what.”
A redistricting session is expected to be held early next year.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center finds that by an infant’s first birthday, babies will burn calories 50 percent faster for their body size than adults. Director of Ingestive Behavior at Pennington, Doctor Corby Martin, says after the initial surge in infancy, a person’s metabolism slows by about three percent each year until their 20s….
cut 9 (12) “….age 60”
The data suggests our metabolisms do not decline again until after the age of 60.