Strong thunderstorms moving across the state spawned some damage to homes and structures in Calcasieu Parish today. KPLC TV’s website features some images of homes with severe roof damage, and one with a hole punched in its brick exterior wall. One home was virtually levelled. We’re also told at least one person was injured as the storms moved through the area.

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. State health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says the sooner children are able to get vaccinated the more likely they can stay in the classroom…:

CUT 04(10)      “…remain asymptomatic.”

The CDC is expected to announce its decision on vaccinating kids 5 thru 11 soon.

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 06(08)      “…lot of opportunities.”

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

Businesses across Louisiana are relieved the Governor has lifted the mask mandate. Dawn McVea, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says merchants are hopeful now they can concentrate on a successful holiday shopping season without having to police the wearing of masks…:

CUT 14(07)      “…the deal.”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says her more restrictive COVID policies will also be removed on Friday.

A tornado watch is in effect for all of Southeast Louisiana until 10 tonight, as a strong line of thunderstorms moves across the state. The watches and warnings that cover southwest, central and north-central Louisiana expire at 4 PM. At least one tornado was spotted earlier today as the storm front moved through the Texas-Louisiana line near Bridge City. Cell phone video captured an ATV being sucked into the air and tossed like a toy. So far no one is reported hurt.

An end to the Governor’s statewide mask mandate comes as welcome news to many businesses in Louisiana. The governor will re-examine his order in 28 days. State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business Dawn McVea says business owners hope that continues beyond mid-November…:

CUT 13(05)      “…that way.”

She says now merchants can focus on holiday shopping and not on policing mask policy. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says her citywide COVID restrictions will end Friday.

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

CUT 02(30)      “…Thorington.”

A Ouachita Parish man is accused of slapping a Monroe cop for no apparent reason. The officer says – on the night of October 24^th – Troy Davis waved him down, approached the window of his patrol car, said “what’s up?” then smacked the officer in the face. He then added, “eff the police” and was promptly arrested.

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 there are concerns of flash flooding and possible tornados. Watches and warnings are posted across the state, but once the front moves through – by about dinner time – much more fall-like temperatures will be with us…:

CUT 11(12)      “…a nice change.”

An FDA Advisory panel recommends the COVID vaccines for kids ages 5 through 11; something that could begin within just a couple weeks. State health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says this is something concerned parents should discuss with their pediatrician…:

CUT 05(10)      “…family chooses.”

A CDC committee will meet next week to decide on vaccinating young kids.

It’s that time of the year and delivery companies are in need of seasonal workers to get holiday packages to you. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(34)      “…Brannen.”

Opening arguments today in the sexual crimes trial of former St. Tammany Sheriff Jack Strain. Prosecutors say Strain used his power & position to manipulate his victims. Defense counsel says witnesses in the case are the ones who’ve been manipulated or were doing the manipulating for personal gain.

Encouraged by declining COVID-19 numbers, Governor John Bel Edwards has decided to relax his statewide order to wear masks in public places. The Governor held a press conference earlier today…:

CUT 24(13)      “…K through 12 schools.”

The Governor says school districts who don’t want to demand kids wear masks must still adhere to CDC guidelines for social distancing and quarantining of kids possibly exposed to the virus.

Is the pandemic and our response contributing to kids’ poor metal health? LSU Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says that’s quite possible and it could get worse, once the pandemic is over…:

CUT 03(10)      “…place yet.”

She says social media and isolation are big contributing factors in kids’ state of mind.

Louisiana has lost about 30-thousand jobs from the time Hurricane Ida hit until the end of last month. Louisiana Workforce Commission Chief Economist Julian Hwang says over 41-thousand have applied for unemployment since Ida. It’s not all bad news, though. Hwang says there were some sectors of the economy that reported significant over-the-year gains…:

CUT 14(09)      “…five-thousand jobs.”

Imagine the shock of finding out someone was squatting in your unoccupied home. Now multiply that to finding someone living in your attic while you were there! That’s what happened to a Lacassine woman. Jeff Davis Parish deputies say the lady spied 33-year-old Gregory Bonnette climbing down the attic stairway, when he thought no one was home. She called the law and they arrested Bonnette; charging him with unauthorized entry. Deputies say this is the 21^st time Bonnette has been arrested for various offenses.

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted the statewide mask mandate, but wants most school kids to continue to wear them. He says school districts who do not want to mask kids must continue to observe CDC guidelines on social distancing and quarantining in cases of possible COVID contact. The Governor’s new order will be in effect for the next 28 days.

Here’s a sobering statistic from the Louisiana Workforce Commission: Hurricane Ida cost the state about 30-thousand jobs. LWC Chief Economist Julian Hwang says 41-thousand people filed for unemployment from the day Ida hit to the end of September. He says tens of thousands of jobs are listed on the LWC website, so they hope recoup a number of those lost jobs…:

CUT 13(09)      “…slowly but surely.”

President Biden’s polling numbers continue to spiral downward. A new Quinnipiac poll shows his approval at only 40-percent. New Orleans political analyst Ron Faucheux (FO-shay) says his performance on crime, the economy, illegal immigration and more are dragging on his administration. But, Faucheux says, Biden may be able to push through some of his major agenda items, like infrastructure and social spending…:

CUT 11(09)      “…Manchin and Sinema.”

On individual issues, Biden polls lowest for the state of the economy.

The New Orleans Saints scored just one touchdown Monday 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 that touchdown. Kamara says the offense will continue to get better…:

CUT 06(11)      “…always working.”

Saints kicker Brian Johnson kicked two clutch field goals in rainy and windy conditions, including the game-winner with less than two minutes left.

President Biden is still struggling with his polling numbers, with a new Quinnipiac poll showing he has only 40 percent approval. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 02(32)      “…Brannen.”

A Shreveport man is sentenced to 60-plus years for a crime spree in 2018 in which he killed a Domino’s pizza delivery guy, shot AT other people and committed various robberies. 20-year-old Demaria Jefferson will be a very old man by the time he’s released, as his sentence has no possibility of parole.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state lost nearly 30-thousand jobs from August to September. LWC’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..:

CUT 12(12)      “…as well.”

Over 41-thousand people filed unemployment claims from the time Hurricane Ida hit through the end of September.

Stressors from the pandemic and a rising number of mental illness diagnoses among children have prompted pediatricians to say kids’ mental health is a national emergency. Doctor Michelle Moore, a Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans, 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…:

CUT 05(06)      “…engaging in technology”

Moore feels the isolation of pandemic restrictions is contributing to kids’ depression.

More trailers are now being occupied by Hurricane Ida victims who wish to remain on their property, but whose homes were badly damaged. The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness is overseeing the temporary housing program, and spokesman Mike Steele says it’s the first time the state has been involved with emergency housing, because FEMA wouldn’t have been able to get anyone into a trailer until well into November…:

CUT 11(11)      “…on a daily basis.”

Louisiana loggers need to know, if their business was hurt by the COVID pandemic, there’s disaster assistance available. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says the money is for master loggers who have experienced recent revenue losses…:

CUT 13(12)      “…in their process”

He says call the LFA for details.

If you live in the 337 or 504 area code you now have to dial all ten digits when calling – even locally. FCC spokesperson Paloma Perez says it’s because those area codes have 988 exchanges which will be used in the future for a national suicide hotline…:

CUT 03(09)      “…intended for.”

Hoping to see some relief in the high prices at the fuel pump? Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards this Fall…:

CUT 06(12)      “…the immediate horizon.”

Redman says we’re now relying on OPEC for most of our crude oil and they’re inflating prices with low levels of production.

Governor Edwards’ mask mandate expires tomorrow, but will he extend it? COVID numbers ARE trending downward. The Governor’s press event is at 3 pm tomorrow.

If you’re hoping to see gasoline prices go back down anytime soon, prepare for a disappointment. Louisiana AAA’s Don Redman says the inflated fuels costs aren’t due to a lack of product available…:

CUT 08  (07)        “…of crude oil.”
He says production from OPEC and the price they charge is behind the spikes. He expects no reversal in the near future.

When we talk about professions negatively impacted by natural disasters like hurricanes, we rarely mention loggers. State Treasurer John Schroder says he’ll make stops in Alexandria, Columbia, Monroe & Shreveport to promote a Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant program. Schroder says it’s a one-time grant of up to $25-thousand, but so far only a little over a million has been handed out…:

CUT 12  (11)        “…any taxes on it.”

Loggers who need more information should go to the State Treasurer’s website.

More families are now in travel trailers after being displaced by Hurricane Ida. Brooke Thorington has more on the new state program intended to speed up the process…:

CUT 02(31)      “…Thorington”

With all the pandemic–related shortages and delivery delays we’re experiencing, experts warn of one that will really sting: a liquor shortage. A great deal of the booze we enjoy comes in via cargo ships and we all heard what’s going on there. Container ships are waiting in line to get into ports on the west coast as well as in Louisiana.

More trailers are now being occupied by Hurricane Ida victims who’ve registered with the state’s new temporary housing assistance program. GOHSEP spokesman Mike Steele says there are a lot of moving parts to the program that need to be addressed…:

CUT 10(11)      “…type of RV park.”

If you need a temporary home, go to “IdaShelteringLA.com” to find out how.

Folks living in the Louisiana area codes 337 and 504 had to begin ten-digit dialing yesterday; even for local calls. This change was necessary to accommodate the national suicide and mental health crisis hotline, which will be reached by dialing 9-8-8. There are local numbers in those two areas that begin with 988, so the area code is now necessary to avoid misdials. FCC spokesperson Paloma Perez says you can reach the hotline now, but dialing 800-273-TALK, but…:

CUT 05(08)      ”…mental health crisis.”

Gas prices across Louisiana keep moving higher with no indication they are about to reverse course. More from Dave Brannen…:

CUT 01(32)      “…Brannen”

The trial of former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain got underway today. Strain is accused of sexually abusing a number of juveniles before and during his 20-year stint as sheriff. The 58-year-old Strain was indicted more than two years ago on 4 counts of aggravated rape, 2 counts of aggravated incest, and 1 count each of sexual battery and indecent behavior with a juvenile.

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration over rapidly rising gasoline & diesel fuel prices. He says he’s concerned that the Biden White House has gutted U.S. oil & gas production while focusing on policies to develop renewable energy sources…:

CUT 13(07)      “…they get better.”

Graves feels being so focused on “green” energy is not in America’s best interests right now.

Louisiana is the only state with a higher percentage of blacks vaccinated than whites. This is according to the Kaiser Family Foundation’s research. Kim Hood, with the state Department of Health, says it shows that their outreach programs – especially to minorities – are working…:

CUT 09(07)      “…happy about it.”

Louisiana Treasurer John Schroder wants to see the legislative leadership make a decision on how the state plans to contribute financially to the proposed improvements to the Superdome. Jeff Palermo has the story…:

CUT 02(33)      “…Palermo.”

A New Orleans school bus driver says she was assaulted by angry parents on her bus and she wants them arrested. Andrea Anderson says the adults were miffed over a bullying incident that happened on the bus, when they suddenly dragged her off the vehicle, and beat and kicked her repeatedly. The incident was captured on cell phone video. NOPD is investigating.