The weather could get somewhat rough weather in areas of the state this afternoon as a cold front ushers in a line of storms from the west. A tornado watch is in effect until 4 pm for much of the state. Megan Williams with the National Weather Service in Slidell says the severe weather risk is the result of the cold air behind the front clashing with warm air…

Cut 10 (09)  “..from the Gulf” 

The announcement of the end of the statewide indoor mask mandate is welcome news to some business owners. State Director of the Louisiana chapter of the National Federation Independent Businesses Dawn McVea says they are pleased because members have had such a challenge with it the last few months.

Cut 12 (11) “…the enforcers”  

Governor Edwards chose not to renew the indoor mask mandate for the next 28 days due to declining COVID cases and hospitalizations.

The reality of children being vaccinated for COVID reached a major milestone this week after an FDA Advisory panel recommend the vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter anticipates that age group could begin receiving doses within the next two weeks.

Cut 3 (09) “….time around.”

If you’re looking for a job, UPS may just be the ticket to a much-needed paycheck. The delivery firm is looking to hire 100 thousand seasonal workers for the holiday season nationwide. The firm’s Marc Shannon says more than one thousand will be hired in Louisiana, including package handlers, big-rig drivers and delivery trucks. Shannon says the peak season that necessitates a larger workforce, albeit temporary, usually lasts into January.

Cut 8 (08) “..things like that.”

More information is available at UPSJobs.com

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 most of the state is under a tornado watch until 4 PM…

Cut 9 (07 ) “…as well.”

Williams says the severe weather risk is the result of the cold air behind the front clashing with warm air…

Federal dollars are being earmarked for recovery needs in southwest Louisiana in association with hurricanes Laura and Delta. That word came Tuesday from Governor John Bel Edwards who says the state is being allocated 595-million-dollars in block grant aid funding. Edwards says it’s important to point out that the block grant aid for Laura and Delta is not money in the bank at this point.

Cut 15 (09)  “…design our program.”

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

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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, more than one thousand of them in Louisiana alone.

Cut 7 (11) “….career at UPS.”  

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

Governor John Bel Edwards has lifted Louisiana’s COVID-19 mask mandate. The governor says numbers of positive tests, hospitalizations and deaths are apparently declining, so for the next 28 days, he’s ending the mask order – except for school children in grades K through 12:

Cut 26  (14)  “…an isolation.”

The governor’s new order will expire November 23^rd.

More negatives than positives. That’s what New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with less than a year before the mid-term elections which may not bode well for Democratic candidates. Biden’s dropping poll numbers can be linked to those with strong views on issues.

Cut 9 (11) “…his, his position.”

A startling increase in suicide attempts has prompted pediatricians to call on prioritizing mental health among teens and children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Police are seeking a Louisiana man suspected of driving under the influence when he caused a three-vehicle crash that killed a 9-year-old girl. The wreck happened last Friday night on State Highway 23 near Belle Chasse. When caught, 58-year-old Wendell Lachney (LASH-nee) faces vehicular homicide charges.

A startling increase in suicide attempts has prompted pediatricians to call on prioritizing mental health among teens and children. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Governor will announce his decision on coronavirus precautions during a press conference scheduled for 3 p.m. Stephen Procopio (pro-COH-pee-oh), Policy Director for the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) – who’ve been tracking the pandemic numbers – says PAR is carefully watching the Department of Health data for any sign of a Fifth Wave, as is the Governor’s Office…

New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with more negatives than positives. The latest Quinnipiac University poll numbers put Biden’s job approval rating at 40 percent and disapproval at 53 percent. Faucheux on the issues that are helping to bring down Biden’s polling numbers.

Cut 10 (12)  “…cutting against him.” 

The teacher shortage in Louisiana is continuing to worsen because there are fewer education students and teacher retirements are on their way up. Michael Faulk, who heads up the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents, says it’s a trend that started years ago. Faulk says there are teachers who seem dismayed about the profession because of their lack of input into the curriculums they have to abide by.

Cut 12 (12) “…of the process.”

More negatives than positives. That’s what New Orleans-based political analyst Ron Faucheux says President Biden is dealing with less than a year before the mid-term elections which may not bode well for Democratic candidates. Biden’s dropping poll numbers can be linked to those with strong views on issues.

Cut 9 (11) “…his, his position.”

Emergency room visits for suspected suicide attempts were up 51-percent between February and March of this year compared to the same period in 2019. Clinical Psychologist with LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Michelle Moore says social media and isolation are contributing factors.

Cut 4 (11) “…mental health issues.”

The Saints needed only one touchdown last night 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 the lone touchdown. The defense was stingy as they sacked Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith five times. Linebacker Demario Davis had two sacks.

Cut 8 (12) “..get there.”

We’ll find out soon just where the state is headed when it comes to Covid-19 precautions. Governor John Bel Edwards meets with reporters at three this afternoon to outline what Louisiana will continue to have to do to keep the virus in check and headed downward.

Now a check on commodities.

If you have a 337 or 504 area code you now have to dial all ten digits when calling 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.  Perez says the change is being implemented now so callers in the specified area codes will be in the habit of dialing all ten digits well before the July 2022 launch of the 988 national counseling phone line.

Cut 4 (06) “…noble cause.”

If you’re hoping for a drop in gas prices sometime soon, Triple-A’s Don Redman says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards for now. The Louisiana average price of regular has climbed to three-15 a gallon. Redman says the higher gas prices not seen is seven years are being fueled by NO uptick in oil production by OPEC.

Cut 7 (10) “….more than anything.”  

More trailers are now occupied by those who’ve registered with the state’s new program to help those displaced by Hurricane Ida to remain on their property. Mike Steele is the spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness…

Cut 9 (11) “…purchased.”

State Treasurer John Schroder will stop in Alexandria, Columbia, Monroe and Shreveport to promote the ten-million-dollar Louisiana Loggers Relief Grant Program. He says loggers are eligible for a one-time grant of up to 25-thousand dollars. Louisiana Forestry Association Executive Director Buck Vandersteen says the logging industry worked through the pandemic, but many mills were closed to help slow the spread…

Cut 14 (09) “..2019″ 

If you have a 337 or 504 area code, as of today, you have to dial all ten digits when calling 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 3 (09) “….intended for.”

Perez says the change is being implemented now so callers in the 337 and 504 area codes will be in the habit of dialing all ten digits well before the July 2022 launch of 988 the national counseling phone line.

If your wallet’s banking on seeing a drop in gas prices sometime soon, Don Redman, field analyst for Triple-A, says that doesn’t seem to be in the cards this fall for drivers in Louisiana or elsewhere.

Cut 6 (12) “…the immediate horizon.” 

Early Voting for the November 13^th election starts on Saturday. Governor Edwards has come out in favor of two of the four amendments on the ballot. Kevin Gallagher has more…:

Cut 30 (28)  “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

The Saints return from a bye week tonight as they visit the Seahawks in Seattle. New Orleans has a couple of big injuries on offense, Taysom Hill and Deonte Harris are out.

Now today’s commodity report.

MiniPig

Booster shots are now available and depending on which one you got, your age and or medical conditions dictate if you need one. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

An additional 65-million-federal-dollars are being allocated to Louisiana for transportation and infrastructure projects. That word comes from Congressman Garret Graves who believes “the flexibility of these specific funds will help solve real transportation needs in our community immediately.”

Cut 9 (07)  “…are right now.”

There are four constitutional amendments on the November 13^th statewide ballot, and Louisiana’s governor says he’s all for two of them. Amendment One would authorize a centralized state tax collecting authority. Currently, there are numerous such Authorities in different cities across the state. Governor John Bel Edwards says he would like to see the amendment pass…:

Cut 10 (10)  “…their support for this.” 

Three weeks after the governor announced the Louisiana-managed FEMA-funded Hurricane Ida Sheltering Program, 13-hundred travel trailers have been purchased by the state for use by the storm’s victims who were left at least temporarily homeless by the damage. At least 31 of the trailers have been set up in St. Charles, Terrebonne and St. James parishes. Another 61 units are staged at locations in the five parishes hardest hit by Ida to await installation. Nearly 500 are at staging areas at Blue Bayou Water Park and the Houma Civic Center.

COVID vaccine booster shots have been authorized for both the Moderna and Pfizer two-dose vaccines now and State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says a booster should be given six months or more after the second dose of your vaccine to provide additional protection.

Cut 23 (08) “…severe illness.”

The booster is recommended for those 65 and older, or persons 18 and older with an underlying health condition or who work and/or live in a setting that puts them at greater risk.

Today is the DEA’s Drug Takeback event. Brian Singleton talks about the kind of prescription meds and one other thing that you’ll be able to turn in during the Drug Takeback event.

Cut 4 (07) “…out of it.”

No illegal drugs will be accepted and that goes also for syringes and liquids.  The Drug TakeBack takes place until two this afternoon.  For a drop off location near year visit the website DEA.gov.

Assistant Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health Kim Hood says it’s going to take multiple conversations to change the mind of an individual who’s hesitant about the COVID vaccine and they are working on a person-by-person approach versus changing a demographic.

Cut  11 (11)  “…step of the way.”  

The October breakdown of 43 states by the Kaiser Foundation indicates 49% of Whites are vaccinated in Louisiana, 51% of Blacks, 56% of Hispanics, and 84% of the Asian population are vaccinated.

Congressman Garret Graves is calling out the Biden Administration as gas prices continue to increase across the nation. Graves says it makes no sense with the President asking OPEC and other oil-exporting nations to increase production instead of here at home.

Cut 12 (08) “…in America.”  

In terms of a resolution with the Biden Administration on energy production in general, Graves feels they are very far off because the administration is more focused on renewable energy at the moment.