Restaurant owners are asking Senator Kennedy to refill Restaurant Revitalization Fund again because many Louisiana restaurants failed to get assistance. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Republican state Attorneys General are challenging the President’s COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses. Kevin Gallagher reports how that legal battle may play out…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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A 36-year-old man sought for a triple homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing to northeast Louisiana. The latest from Dave Brannen.

Cut 3 (36) “…I’m Dave Brannen.” 

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Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund that closed more than 100 days ago. Kennedy supported the $120 billion grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. New Orleans Restaurant Owner Neal Bodenheimer (Bo-den-heimer) says close to three-thousand Louisiana establishments that applied were not funded.

Cut 4 (12) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

John Stubbs, with Jewel in the South, says his New Orleans restaurant was starting to build back their business after 2020 but then the Delta variant and Hurricane Ida erased that progress. He’s dependent on the fund now more than ever.

Cut 5 (09) “…we will.”

Mounting debts from 2020 and higher food prices due to supply chain issues could force even more than the already 90,000 restaurants and bars across the country to shutter.

Stubbs says they’ve asked Kennedy’s staff why he hasn’t joined Senator Bill Cassidy in co-sponsoring the bill to refill the federal relief program.

Cut 6 (10) “…not co-sponsoring.”

According to the Independent Restaurant Coalition 85-percent of restaurants and bars reported they did not receive an RRF grant.

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Thirty U.S. Senators – including John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy – are opposing President Biden’s mandate for COVID shots in the private sector workplace. Republican state Attorneys General are also expected to file lawsuits to block the order taking effect. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs will try to seek an injunction to end the order; arguing it’s an overreach for the White House…:

Cut 7 (14) “…basis for a challenge.”

Biden’s order takes effect January 4^th and mandates private companies with 100 or more employees to have their workers get the shots or have weekly COVID tests. Non-compliance would mean federal fines under the auspice of OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Ciolino says the defense will have a credible defense argument…:

Cut 8 (10) “…rules in this area.”

Ciolino says there’s a good chance that a federal judge will issue – at least – a Temporary Restraining Order to delay the Executive Order taking effect, because courts have struck down onerous safety mandates in the past…:

Cut 9 (10)  “…part of their challenge.”

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Early voting for the November 13^th election wraps up this Saturday. For Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, turn out thus far has been too light for his taste.

Cut 10 (09)  “…from local government.” 

Ardoin doesn’t have an estimate on turnout thus far, but by the end of the election he expects only about 24 percent of registered voters will bother to have cast their ballots.

Ardoin says when it comes to voter turnout, the largest response is expected in the New Orleans area.

Cut 11 (11) “…activity going on.”

Topping that activity is the bid by New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell who is seeking election to a second term against more than a dozen challengers, none of them viewed as a threat to her candidacy.

Ardoin is hoping for a better than expected turnout despite the lack of hotly contested races around the state since the state has done a lot of advertising, noting the importance of the constitutional amendments on the ballot.

Cut 12 (07) “…they see fit.”

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The man sought for a domestic triple-homicide in Shreveport overnight Wednesday is dead after fleeing east from the scene into Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex early Thursday afternoon.  Sheriff Kevin Cobb told us that’s where they found Barry Rigsby who opened fire on officers and subsequently was killed by return fire.

Cut 13 (08) “…this point deceased.”

Prior to his death, warrants had been issued charging him with three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of two adults and a 12-year-old boy.

Sheriff Cobb says Rigsby took actions to try and avoid police as they worked to apprehend him Thursday afternoon in Wisner, trying at times to talk him into giving up.

Cut 14 (11)  “…advantage for him.”

Cobb says parts of the apartment complex and school children arriving in the area were evacuated from the scene. No police or civilians were injured.

Sheriff Cobb says the investigation includes trying to determine why Rigsby picked a Franklin Parish apartment complex to hold up end and try to keep cops at bay.

Cut 15 (12)  “…that are needed.”

Rigsby’s death came about 12 hours after the victims of the triple-homicide were discovered by a woman performing a welfare check on the victims in Shreveport.

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The Saints will have to rely heavily on their defense if they want to win the NFC South again and make a deep run in the playoffs. New Orleans is fourth in the NFL in points allowed per game and ranked second in stopping the run. Linebacker Demario Davis gives a lot of credit to defensive coordinator Dennis Allen…

Cut  16 (22) “…behind it”

The Saints are 3-and-4, but they have a talented rookie tight end in Kyle Pitts. Pitts has caught 33 passes in seven games. Davis says at six-foot-six 250-pounds, Pitts is a tough player to defend on pass plays…

Cut 17 (19) “ ..phenonemal player.” 

Taysom Hill was a full participant in practice on Thursday as it seems he has recovered from a concussion and puts him in position to start on Sunday against Atlanta.

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ULM will visit  Texas State tomorrow in San Marcos. The Warhawks are coming off a 59-28 loss to Appalachian State. Coach Terry Bowden says you can’t turn the ball over five times and expect to beat a team like the Mountaineers…

Cut 18 (21) “…can’t have turnovers” 

Starting quarterback Chandler Rogers didn’t finish the game against App State, but Bowden expects he’ll play Saturday versus the Bobcats…

Cut 19 (14)  “…it respectable” 

An extensive manhunt continues for 36-year-old Barry Rigsby, a suspect in an overnight triple homicide in Shreveport. Police Sergeant Angie Willhite says a woman conducting a welfare check on her son at a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood found three deceased individuals, including a 12-year-old child. She says based on physical and video evidence collected, it’s been determined the homicide was the result of a domestic dispute and Rigsby is responsible for the murders…

Cut 10 (08)  “..three people”

Rigsby is considered armed and dangerous.

Open enrollment is now underway for health coverage under the Affordable Care Act Plans.  Christine O’Brien, executive director of United Health Care of Louisiana, says these healthcare exchanges are designed for those who can’t get coverage under traditional routes.

Cut 4 (09) “…Medicare and Medicaid.”

Rates for coverage are up an average of four-point-nine percent.

If you’ve tested positive for COVID you might want to have your dog or cat tested too. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (00)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Meantime, Senator Bill Cassidy has joined with some of his congressional colleagues in supporting legislation to nullify President Biden’s newest vaccine mandate on private employees. That mandate would force businesses with 100 or more employees to require employees get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing and wear face coverings if not vaccinated.  Cassidy objects to the government mandating vaccinations.

Covid -19, supply chain and staffing issues, are continuing to derail the normal efforts of small businesses as the holidays approach. More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

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Pineville’s Louisiana College is rebranding under a new name and status. More from Kevin Gallagher…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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By the end of next week, 148,000 pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be in Louisiana to begin the first round of shots for five to 11 years. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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A new survey of members by the National Federation of Independent Business indicates a lack of optimism that things are going to get better at the retail level before they get worse because of supply chain problems and staffing shortages. Dawn McVea heads up the NFIB in Louisiana.

Cut 4 (10) “…the holiday season.”

McVea says more than half of small business owners say the supply chain disruption is only getting worse.

Cut 5 (08) “…three months ago.”

The latest NFIB survey indicates that sales levels are 50 percent or less than they were during pre-crisis levels for 14 percent of small businesses.

McVea tells us that business owners aren’t all that fearful that the supply chain and staffing issues will leave them with no choice but to close up shop.

Cut 6 (10) “…side of it.”  2x

She says 26 percent of small employers are currently having to deal with significant staffing shortages and 22 percent with moderate staffing shortages.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is among 14 Senate Republicans looking to block the payment of nearly a half-million dollars each to illegal immigrants who were separated from their families at the border when detained.

Cut 7 (09) “…the previous administration.”

Cassidy calls the proposed payments an incentive for migrant families to put their children in harm’s way. The senators are introducing legislation to prevent these taxpayer-funded payouts.

Cassidy is outraged by the proposed payments to illegal immigrants.

Cut 8 (07) “…folks to come.” 2x

Cassidy seems to indicate the payments to illegal immigrants would be a slap in the face economically to citizens of this country.

Cut 9 (08)  “…the Biden inflation.”

Senator John Kennedy, who is joining Cassidy in the legislative effort to head off the immigrant payments, says the move would be a “bitter insult to every person who has come to America by respecting our laws and borders.”

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Louisiana College, in Pineville, is changing its name and status and will soon be known as Louisiana Christian University. University President Rick Brewer says the school is fully accredited as a Level 3 institution by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), so the rebranding is more than appropriate…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…reached university status.” 

Brewer says many students who want to attend a university associate the word “college” with a 2-year community or technical school, but the newly re-named LCU is much more than that. He says LCU will recruit the best and brightest who want a Christian education, and not only from Louisiana…:

Cut 11 (11) “…is who we are.”

Over the years Louisiana College has made great strides in academics, athletics, safety & diversity and is ranked among the Top 30 Christian 4-Year schools. An official announcement of the rebranding to Louisiana Christian University is coming on November 16^th. Brewer says LCU will provide another outlet within the state for students to get a quality graduate degree…:

Cut 12 (11) “…we offer now.”

The new LCU’s sports teams will remain named “The Wildcats”.

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Pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine are beginning to arrive in Louisiana for children age five to eleven. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says by the end of the next week the state should have received 148,000 doses.

Cut 13 (11) “…mail right now.”

The vaccine dose for this age group is a third of the adult dose and consists of two doses given twenty-one days apart. The pediatric dose is packaged differently so doses won’t be confused with those for 12 and older and/or those for adults. The pediatric doses are also being shipped with smaller needles.

Dr. Rachel Chatters, President of the Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to have their children vaccinated to protect them from illness and keep them in school as much as possible.

Cut 14 (10)  “…immunization.”

Chatters also points out that it’s the beginning of flu season and children can safely be immunized for both at the same time.

Dr. John Vanchiere, Chief of Pediatrics at LSU-Health Shreveport, who is also an investigator for the Pfizer vaccine clinical trial, says five- to eleven-year-olds account for 28 million of the nation’s population…

Cut 15 (08)  “…from coming.”

Vanchiere says no shortcuts were taken in the safety protocols or in the production of the vaccine, only the bureaucratic burden was reduced.

Reported side effects are comparable to adults for example pain at the injection site, fatigue, fever, muscle ache, and headache.

For a list of available providers call 2-1-1 or the state’s vaccine hotline at 1-855-453-0774

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The 24th ranked Ragin Cajuns can win the Sun Belt West tonight for a fourth straight year with a win over Georgia State tonight at Cajun Field in a game televised by ESPN at 6:30. U-L Lafayette is coming off an impressive 45-0 homecoming victory over Texas State and Coach Billy Napier says it was a great win last Saturday, but tonight is a new challenge

Cut  16 (21) “…start over”  2x

The Panthers are 4-and-4, but they’ve won three in a row, including a 21-14 win over Georgia Southern on Saturday. Napier says Georgia State has been playing well on defense…

Cut 17 (21) “ ..of a challenge.” 

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The Saints now know All-Pro receiver Michael Thomas will not return this season as he’s had a setback related to the surgery he had on his ankle in June. Starting left guard James Hurst says they have to take the next man up philosophy

Cut 18 (18) “…get it done” 

The Saints are five and two, but they will play the rest of the season without starting quarterback Jameis Winston and Thomas. Hurst says they can’t dwell on the unfortunate circumstances…

Cut 19 (19)  “…situations.” 

State Police investigators say a man fatally shot by cops in Houma on Monday had a screwdriver in his hand. Trooper Ross Brennan says after officers arrived at the home to check on a disturbance, a man charged at them with a screwdriver…

Cut 3 (10) “….and Magee.”

In a few days, pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be available to vaccine providers in Louisiana. On Tuesday the CDC approved the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the two-dose vaccine, given 21 days apart, is the same as the adult vaccine just a third of the dosage.

Cut 6 (11) “…the adult dose.” 

Elections held in parts of the nation Tuesday were won mostly by Republicans, and that may not bode well for Democrats in next year’s mid-term elections. Louisiana Pollster John Couvillon says the outcome of Tuesday’s elections aren’t likely to impact Louisiana’s major mid-term races.

Cut 14 (10) “…of political trouble.” 

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. From 2016 to 2019 Thomas was one of the NFL’s top receivers, named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. He suffered an ankle injury in last season’s season opener, came back to play nine games, and had surgery last June. Coach Sean Payton says they have other players who can step up…

Cut  11 (12)  “.Tre’ Quan’s back”  

State health officials are urging parents to have children ages 5 to 11 vaccinated against COVID now that it’s been approved by the CDC. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Elections held in parts of the nation Tuesday were won mostly by Republicans, and that may not bode well for Democrats in next year’s mid-term elections. Political analyst John Couvillon.

Cut 13 (12) “…be very worried.”

State Police investigators say a man fatally shot by cops in Houma on Monday had a screwdriver in his hand. Trooper Ross Brennan says after officers arrived at the home to check on a disturbance, a man charged at them with a screwdriver…

Cut 3 (10) “….and Magee.”

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. From 2016 to 2019 Thomas was one of the NFL’s top receivers, named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2019. He suffered an ankle injury in last season’s season opener, came back to play nine games, and had surgery last June. Coach Sean Payton says they have other players who can step up…

Cut  11 (12)  “.Tre’ Quan’s back”  

In a few days, pediatric doses of the Pfizer COVID vaccine should be available to vaccine providers in Louisiana. The CDC has approved the vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says children get infected with COVID at the same rate as adults if not more, but on average they haven’t gotten as sick as adults, so convincing parents to have their children vaccinated is going to be an uphill battle.

Cut 7 (11) “….your family.”  

State Police investigators say a man fatally shot by cops in Houma on Monday had a screwdriver in his hand. Trooper Ross Brennan says after officers arrived at the home to check on a disturbance, 36-year old Johnny Magee charged at them with a screwdriver…Magee’s mother told New Orleans TV stations her son suffered from a mental illness and pleaded with the cops not to shoot him.  Brennan says the police shooting remains an active investigation…

Cut 5 (08) “…later on.”

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas announces he will miss the remainder of the season as he’s suffered a setback after undergoing ankle surgery in June. Thomas’ injury news comes two days after it was announced starting quarterback Jameis Winston will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Coach Sean Payton says their opponents will not feel sorry for them…

Cut 10 (10)  “..this week.”

Elections held in parts of the nation Tuesday were won mostly by Republicans, and that may not bode well for Democrats in next year’s mid-term elections. Political analyst John Couvillon on what likely drove the results in favor of GOP candidates.

Cut 12 (07) “..on economic issues.”  

In one of the most-watched races, Republican Glenn Youngkin defeated Democrat Terry McAuliffe in Virginia’s governor’s contest, becoming the first Republican to win a statewide office in the commonwealth since 2009.

More information is being released about an officer-involved shooting when Houma police responded to a domestic disturbance late Monday afternoon. State Police now say, 36-year-old Johnny McGee had a raised screwdriver, refused commands, and was shot by an officer who tried to put distance between himself and McGee. McGee died later at the hospital from his injuries. An investigation into the incident is ongoing

The CDC approves use of the Pfizer vaccine among 5 to 11-year-olds.  The vaccine rate among 12 to 18-year-olds in the state is 35-percent Dr. Ben Springgate with LSU Health New Orleans says he thinks a third of the new age group will be vaccinated ASAP, as, for the rest, parents will speak with their pediatrician first.

Cut 3 (10) “….other people.”

No mayor in the modern history of New Orleans has lost re-election and LaToya Cantrell’s bid for a second-term won’t apparently change that.  Dr. Edward Chervenak, Director of the UNO Survey Research Center, says Cantrell’s approval rating is running high based on a telephone survey of 605 likely voters in Orleans Parish

Cut 6 (05) “…job approval rating.” 

Senator Bill Cassidy says in the infrastructure bill waiting to be passed, there is three-point-five-billion-dollars for flood mitigation that would go hand in hand with addressing flooding issues in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (10) “…entire community.” 

Cassidy is among those on Capitol Hill reintroducing bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program for five years, which includes guardrails on drastic increases on flood insurance premiums.

No mayor in the modern history of New Orleans has lost re-election and LaToya Cantrell’s bid for a second term won’t apparently change that.  Dr. Edward Chervenak, director of the UNO Survey Research Center, says Cantrell’s approval rating is running high based on a telephone survey of 605 likely voters in Orleans Parish

Cut 6 (05) “…job approval rating.” 

He says 30 percent disapproved of her job performance.  Chervenak says Cantrell should easily win re-election on November 13^th.

LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center, along with LSU Health New Orleans and Tulane Health Sciences will take part in a National Institutes of Health study on the impacts of long COVID. Pennington Lead Investigator John Kirwan says they will compare blood samples of a control group to those who have symptoms of long COVID.

Cut 10 (07)  “…this condition.” 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry was in Bossier City to announce a new program in the fight against the opioid epidemic. Landry says they’ve partnered with the Meals on Wheels program in Bossier City to supply seniors with drug disposal pouches that can be used to throw away old prescriptions…

Cut 9 (11) “…powerful drugs”

Landry says the opioid epidemic is resulting in increased crime and deaths.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says quarterback Myles Brennan is entering the NCAA transfer portal, giving the former starter a chance to find a place where he can start next season and put up some numbers for the NFL scouts…

Cut 19 (14)  “…LSU.”