Senator John Kennedy slams the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, calling it an inflationary bomb. Matt Doyle has more.

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LSU’s live mascot Mike the Tiger has received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccination. Jeff Palermo on how this came to be…

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Senator John Kennedy opposes the trillion-dollar bipartisan infrastructure bill, citing the legislation’s cost, lack of infrastructure focus, and limited offerings for Louisiana.

The trillion-dollar package will increase deficits by 256 billion dollars over ten years per the Congressional Budget Office. Kennedy says that’s more than the GPD of Louisiana.

Cut 3 (08) “…tax.” 

Half of the funds utilized are repurposed COVID relief dollars that were allocated but never spent. About another 250 billion comes from a range of new taxes on businesses and the wealthy.

Kennedy says only about a quarter of the bill funds traditional hard infrastructure, and he bemoaned the disproportionate amount bigger cities will receive, like 40 billion for “big city mass transit systems”.

Cut 4 (08) “…bills” 

Kennedy argues Louisiana is only set to receive 1.2 billion dollars in new funding over ten years as a result of the bill, but Senator Bill Cassidy, who helped craft the legislation, says the number is actually six billion.

Kennedy says the increase in business taxes specifically target industries that are prominent in the state.

Cut 5 (11) “…Louisiana”

Kennedy says another reason he did not support the bill was the despite the cost the Senate refused to include Hurricane Laura relief funds for Southwest Louisiana.

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As the state’s tourism industry is still recovering from the 2020 pandemic fallout a 4^th surge is already prompting the cancellation of major events, like the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. New Orleans and Company Spokesperson, Kelly Schulz, encourages those in the industry to remain optimistic.

Cut 6 (08) “…we can.”

So far Schulz says they have a number of conventions still on the books for the fall and they are hopeful because the majority are privately controlled events. But Schulz says the cancellation of Jazz Fest this year is a blow the state shouldn’t have to take.

Cut 7 (10) “…this situation” 

Schulz says Jazz Fest’s cancellation is not only financially devastating for the state it’s a tradition that means so much emotionally for residents also.

Cut 8 (12) “…vaccinated”

Jazz Fest plans to return to its Spring timeframe next year right now it’s scheduled for April 29 through May 8, 2022.

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The LSU Vet School announces the school’s live mascot Mike The Tiger has received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. The second dose was administered on Friday. Spokesperson  Ginger Guttner says an animal health company called Zoetis donated the vaccine

Cut 9 (12) “…free vaccines”

Guttner says it was important for Mike to get vaccinated because it has been determined that Tigers can, in fact, contract the virus.

Cut 10 (10) “…for sure.”

Barricades have circled LSU’s beloved mascot habitat and Guttner says that was to keep Mike a safe distance away from people to avoid getting sick.

Cut  11 (11) “…his visitors”  

The barricades are scheduled to be removed before the start of football season.

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The Delta COVID surge does not appear to be slowing down as the Louisiana Department of Health reports 16,500 new cases and 50 new deaths since Friday.

Senator Bill Cassidy says this surge is all the more tragic because it could have been prevented if more people had gotten vaccinated.

Cut 12 (11) “..dead” 

Roughly 90 percent of new cases and 84 percent of COVID-related deaths were unvaccinated individuals according to data captured at the end of July.

The percentage of fully vaccinated Louisianans is 38 percent. Cassidy says there’s a lot of misinformation about the vaccine’s development.

Cut 13 (13) “.minimal”

The surge of new cases has resulted in a big increase in new vaccinations administered. In early July the state averaged under 5,000 new vaccines given a day. That number is now around 15,000. 53 percent of Louisianans 12 and up have now received at least one shot.

Over 2,700 people are now hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID, with roughly 90 percent of those being unvaccinated individuals. Cassidy says many hospitals just don’t have enough staff to handle this…

Cut 14 (11) “…do so”

50 hospitals in Louisiana have formally requested the state’s assistance in getting additional health care workers to deal with the huge influx of patients coming in during the Delta surge. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says these hospitals have told the state they can no longer adequately provide care for the number of patients they are taking in.
Cut 4 (09) “..come here.”
This fourth surge in COVID cases is exacerbating the nursing shortage in the state. And Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-coy) Rooney says many nurses are facing burnout and struggling with how to cope with the daily physical and mental demands on their profession…
cut 8 (09) “…need”

State Police is investigating an early morning Sunday shooting involving a Lafayette Police officer working security detail. Authorities say the officer responded to a shooting incident in the parking lot of The District nightclub when more shots were fired which resulted in one death and another person injured.

Today, the Louisiana Office of Tourism unveils its newest marker on the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail at A-Z Young Park in downtown Baton Rouge. In 1967, Young along with Bob Hicks and Gaye Jenkins led a march from Bogalusa to Baton Rouge to present a list of grievances to then-Governor John McKeithen, including employment discrimination. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the marker at A-Z Young Park is the fourth of 15 to be unveiled along the trail…
cut 14 (12) “…their states”
More information can be found at Louisiana Civil Rights Trail-dot-com.

Staffing shortages and a 4th major COVID surge in 17 months are taking a heavy toll on Louisiana’s health care workers, leading many to suffer poor mental health. Louisiana State Nurses Association President Ecoee (E-coy) Rooney says under normal circumstances nursing is a rigorous, but rewarding profession. However…
Cut 7 (12) “…myself.”
Rooney says many of these hospitalizations could have been avoided. Ochsner Health says they now have over one thousand COVID-19 patients hospitalized across their system, 90-percent are unvaccinated. Some people have decided not to get vaccinated because they already had COVID, but Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the vaccine remains your best protection…
cut 11 (07) “….vaccinated”

The Louisiana Civil Rights Trail continues to grow. Today another marker is unveiled and on the anniversary of the beginning of a historic demonstration. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A major tourism event is officially off the calendar for 2021. There will not be a New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in October as planned due to the rising number of new COVID cases in the Gulf South. Organizers hope Jazz Fest can return in the spring of 2022.

State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says there are 50 hospitals in Louisiana requesting help from the state because they are treating so many COVID patients. Kanter says if you are only suffering minor symptoms or just need a COVID test, do not go to an emergency room.
Cut 5 (07) “…ability”
COVID-related hospitalizations spiked faster than it ever has and sits at a record high of 2,421.

A recent Gallup survey found that previous infection is one reason COVID survivors will not get vaccinated believing they are protected. But Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says a CDC study offers real-world evidence disputing the belief that previous infection offers ideal protection.
Cut 12 (10) “…difficult.”

Louisiana’s nurses haven’t had many breaks since the pandemic began in March of 2020, and now many are dealing with burnout. Matt Doyle has more…
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Governor Edwards is calling upon Louisianans who believe in the power of prayer to join him and First Lady Donna Edwards in praying and fasting during their lunchtime over the next three days for health care workers and all of those who are sick with or affected by COVID-19. Edwards says he believes strongly in the power of prayer and there are thousands who need to be lifted up in prayer.

Louisiana hospitals are clogged with COVID patients leading to 50 facilities formally requesting aid from the state. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Because of the exponential growth of COVID cases in New Orleans and the region the decision has been made to cancel the 2021 New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival scheduled for October. Organizers are hopeful the musical festival can return to the New Orleans Fairgrounds next spring.

Some people who previously had COVID are reluctant to be vaccinated believing their antibodies will protect them, but Ochsner Health Director of Infection Control and Prevention Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says their antibodies might not be enough for the growing variants.
Cut 10 (12) “…of COVID.”
A recent Gallup survey found that previous infection is one reason COVID survivors will not get vaccinated believing they are protected.

Another marker will be unveiled along the Louisiana Civil Rights Trail today. The newest marker commemorates the 54th anniversary of the Bogalusa to Baton Rouge Civil Rights March. Lt Governor Billy Nungesser says the 105-mile demonstration grew from 25 to 600 people before its final stop.
Cut 13 (11) “…capitol.”
For more information go to Louisiana Civil Rights Trail-dot-com.

The Lambda variant, first discovered in Peru, has now been found in Northwest Louisiana. Matt Doyle has the story.

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LSU faculty addressed the administration on Friday over their pandemic concerns as the university plans to return to in-person instruction for most classes. Brooke Thorington has more

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Interfor Corporation announces it will invest eight million dollars to revive the idled Georgia Pacific sawmill near DeQuincy. The governor’s office says the project will create 170 new jobs. Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance CEO George Swift says the mill was shut down last May due to the pandemic

Cut 3 (11) “…in particular.” 

Interfor plans to restart operations in the first half of 2022. Swift says Interfor is based in Canada and is one of North America’s largest lumber producers…

Cut 4 (12) “…gonna do.” 

The mill near DeQuincy has an annual lumber production capacity of 200 million board feet. Swift says the revived plant will support significant logging and logistics activity in the region…

Cut 5 (08) “…this industry”

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For the fourth straight day, Louisiana has set a record for the number of COVID patients in the hospital. It’s now up to 2,421 and according to health officials, 90-percent of the hospitalized are unvaccinated. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is at the leading edge of this fourth surge

Cut 6 (12) “..even close.”

The state health department says over the past two weeks about one percent of Louisiana residents have become infected with COVID-19. Edwards says more than six thousand children have tested positive this week, which is why children five and up should wear a mask in schools

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Edwards says nearly 38-percent of the state’s population is vaccinated one of the lowest rates in the nation. But he says the number of people seeking coronavirus vaccines has grown by 300-percent during this surge…

Cut 8 (07) “..some time”

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Seven Lamba COVID variants have been sequenced in Louisiana so far, all clustered in Northwest Louisiana.

LSU Health Shreveport Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Jeremy Kamil says Lambda is not an offshoot of the now-dominant Delta variant.

Cut 9 (08) “…Peru”

Lambda likely crossed the border from Texas where the variant is more prevalent and is thought to be responsible for a surge of cases in Peru, where it now is responsible for 97% of new cases.

Kamil says right now there’s not enough data to know whether Lambda is any more transmissible or virulent than other strains, and state health officials will be keeping a close eye on it.

Cut 10 (05) “…wave.”

While seven Lambda variants have been sequenced in Louisiana compared to 940 Delta variants. Most positive tests are not sampled and levels of variant circulation are largely estimated.

Kamil says there’s no reason to believe that this new variant will bypass vaccines.

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The was a report suggesting Chinese vaccines were ineffective against Lambda in Peru, but Kamil says there’s no hard data to back that up, and the numbers could be misleading due to the country’s low 17% vaccination rate. Lambda now makes up about 97 percent of new cases in Peru.

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LSU faculty expressed their concerns on Friday over the return of in-person teaching especially with only 34-percent of the students reportedly vaccinated. They want the option to teach classes virtually or limit in-person capacity to 50-percent. Kevin Yua (rhymes with wow) Coordinator of LSU World Languages, Literatures and Cultures says previous mitigation rules were not always followed.

Cut 12 (12) “..enforced” 

LSU President William Tate told faculty at the meeting that once the vaccine receives full FDA approval he intends to issue a vaccine mandate.

History Professor Meredith Veldman questioned school leaders over their true concern for the safety of the university’s students and staff when a statement on their website claims it’s a priority, yet their actions do not.

Cut 13 (12) “.occupancy”

Veldman says President Tate should follow the science and allow instructors to choose their teaching modes, 100-percent remote, hybrid with 50-percent occupancy for its on-campus component, or in-person with 50-percent capacity. She says the pandemic is at worse levels now than it ever was in spring 2020 when the school went entirely remote.

Cut 14 (09) “…conditions”

There was no official response from the board to faculty members.