If your vehicle has all the new bells and whistles like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, AAA warns those safety features might not be optimal during bad weather. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says research indicates you shouldn’t rely on these safety features when the weather takes a turn.

Cut 7 (11) “…inclement weather.”

The end is near for Ida-impacted residents to make application for a Blue Roof from the Army Corps of Engineers.  The FEMA-funded program geared to temporarily patch up damaged roofs from the hurricane will only be accepting applications through tonight’s midnight deadline. The best way to apply is to visit the website B-L-U Roof-dot-US. Nearly 30-thousand of the roofs have already been installed.

Louisianans in two of the state’s most heavily populated area codes will have to begin dialing all ten digits when placing calls. Kevin Gallagher tells us why…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

State Climatologist Barry Keim says to enjoy the last warm day we’ll have for at least a few days because changes are coming.

cut 3 (12) “….it is fall”

Keim says low temps will drop into the 50s in the northern parishes and 60s in the southern parishes tomorrow morning.

If you’re still hoping to have a federally-paid-for Blue Roof installed on your Ida-damaged home the deadline for taking part in the program is just hours away.  More from Dave Brannen.

Cut 1 (35) “…I’m Dave Brannen”

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Louisianans in two of the state’s most heavily populated area codes will have to begin dialing all ten digits when placing calls. Kevin Gallagher tells us why…:

Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.” 

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An FDA advisory committee voted unanimously to recommend emergency use authorization for the Moderna booster shot and the FDA is expected to do so in the next few days. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Time is running out to order a FEMA-paid-for Blue Roof if your home suffered damage in one of the 25 parishes declared a disaster area as the result of Hurricane Ida.  Lt. Colonel Paul Stambaugh of the Army Corps of Engineers says you have until tonight to submit your application.

Cut 4 (06) “…midnight central time.”

To submit your application for these professionally installed blue tarps visit BLURoof.us, that’s b-l-u-r-o-o-f.us, or you can call 1-888-766-3258.

Colonel Stambaugh says nearly seven weeks after Ida slammed southeast Louisiana requests are still coming in for Blue Roofs.

Cut 5 (07) “…some every day.”

Colonel Stambaugh told us Thursday that tens of thousands of homeowners impacted by Ida have requested Blue Roofs.

Cut 6 (12) “…had been installed.”

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If your vehicle has all the new bells and whistles like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, AAA warns those safety features might not be optimal during bad weather. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says research indicates you shouldn’t rely on these safety features when the weather takes a turn.

Cut 7 (11) “…inclement weather.”

Redman says they are also seeing more drivers trust these features to warn them of dangers on the road while they focus their attention on their phones instead of being an attentive driver.

Cut 8 (08) “…in crashes.”

While most of us fail to do so Redman highly recommends owners of these types of vehicles read the owner’s manual and says they’ll discover the limitations of the safety features, for example, the automatic braking systems have difficulty seeing pedestrians at lower speeds.

Cut 9 (10)  “…engaged driver.”

Redman also reminds drivers not to use cruise control whenever road conditions are wet because they are more likely to hydroplane and lose control of their vehicle.

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Two of our state’s area codes will soon have to dial all ten digits when calling out – even for local calls. Paloma Perez is with the F.C.C. and says the change is to accommodate a much-needed national 3-digit suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline. That number will be 9-8-8. She says within the area codes 504 And 337, there are numbers that begin with those three digits…:

Cut 10 (12)  “…wasn’t a switch-up.” 

Beginning on October 24^th, everyone in 504 and 337 must dial the whole 10-digit number. The Hotline will go live in July; giving everyone time to get used to the longer dialing habit. What about Louisiana’s other area codes? 225? 318? 985? Perez says they do not have any dialing conflicts…:

Cut 11 (06) “…start with 9-8-8.”

Perez says suicide ranks among the leading causes of death in the U.S. and the hotline is a necessity. There is already a 10-digit hotline number (800-273-8255 / 800-273-TALK), but the efficacy of a fast 3-digit dial has been proven many times…:

Cut 12 (10) “…similar function.”

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An FDA advisory committee voted to recommend a third offering of the Moderna COVID vaccine on Thursday. Dr. Lucio Miele, Assistant Dean for Translational Science at LSU Health New Orleans says the committee has advised the FDA to give emergency use authorization to the Moderna booster shot which is actually a half dose of the vaccine.

Cut 13 (11) “…severe COVID-19.”

Or at great risk of exposure due to their profession. It’s recommended for those who received their second dose of the Moderna vaccine more than six months ago.

Miele who has previously worked for the FDA says the Moderna booster advisory is an important step in the pandemic, but also controversial because there are still so many internationally who have yet to be vaccinated.

Cut 14 (05)  “…after another.”

The key to preventing future waves of the pandemic, Miele says is to maintain immunity in as many people as possible so those who haven’t even had their first dose to get vaccinated as soon as possible…

Cut 15 (07)  “…long time ago.”

He expects the FDA to give EUA for the Moderna booster shot in the coming days.

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Louisiana Tech is back in action on Saturday as the Bulldogs will visit the UTEP Miners. Texas El Paso is 5-and-1 and they are 2-and-0 in Conference USA. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they are one of the top defensive teams in the league…

Cut  16 (15) “…national level”

Louisiana Tech is 2-and-3 overall and they won their only conference game of the year, a 24-17 victory over North Texas. Holtz is glad the non-conference games are done…

Cut 17 (13) “.next seven weeks” 

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There are many who believe Ed Orgeron’s coaching days are numbered at LSU. Orgeron signed a six-year, 42-million dollar contract after winning the national championship, and based on that deal he would be paid 21-million dollars if he was let go during the season and 18-million dollars on December 1st. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it’s an expense LSU will have to pay…

Cut 18 (12)”…budget”

LSU is coming off a poor performance against Kentucky, if the Tigers play poorly again at home against Florida will athletic director Scott Woodward decide it’s time for the change. Higgins says Woodward has not been one to make in-season coaching changes…

Cut 19 (10)  “…fire people.” 

The industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. The plant will produce blue hydrogen which uses natural gas to create an alternative fuel.  Governor John Bel Edwards says this will be the world’s largest permanent carbon dioxide capture project to date.

Cut 7 (12) “…manufacturing base.”  

The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed.  Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association, says the driver shortage and the significant growth in e-commerce since the beginning of the pandemic is causing major problems in the delivery of goods.

Cut 4 (11) “…seeing right now.”

It’s been nearly seven weeks since Hurricane Ida made landfall and the recovery remains slow in the coastal town of Dulac in Terrebonne Parish. Former state representative Joe Harrison says the biggest need remains housing

Cut 9 (12) “…deal with” 

The attorneys for Ronald Greene and Aaron Bowman say Governor Edwards has not done enough to end a pattern of excessive force by State Troopers. There’s body camera video showing Greene and Bowman on the receiving end of beatings by troopers during arrests in 2019 in north Louisiana. Attorney Lee Merritt represents the Greene family..:

CUT 12  (13)      “…specific action”

Greene died in police custody. Bowman was badly injured.

Industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. Brooke Thorington has more on what this means for the state.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed.  Our state is no exception, says Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association. Amar says you should consider buying Christmas gifts, including specific toys, sooner rather than later.

Cut 5 (09) “…of the toys.”

Almost seven weeks after Hurricane Ida made landfall, the recovery remains slow in the coastal town of Dulac in Terrebonne Parish. Former state representative Joe Harrison says the biggest need remains housing, but says there has been movement on getting travel trailers to the hard-hit areas. They serve as a temporary place to live for families who have destroyed homes. Sherry Verdin lives in Dulac and says they are waiting on FEMA for assistance…

Cut 10 (11)  “…from nothing” 

A new videogame development studio is coming to Louisiana. Chris Stelly with Louisiana Economic Development says it’ll be located in New Orleans. Called “Possibility Space,” He talks about the mission of Possibility Space whose founder and CEO is Jeff Strain, a Louisianan, who has created and influenced some of the biggest online games in the industry’s history.

Cut 12 (08) “…for global consumption.”

The industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. The plant will produce blue hydrogen which uses natural gas to create an alternative fuel.  Governor John Bel Edwards says this will be the world’s largest permanent carbon dioxide capture project to date.  The complex will also feature carbon capture at the production source and store it underground.

Cut 7 (12) “…manufacturing base.”  

The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed.  Our state is no exception, says Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association. She says the truck driver shortage and the significant growth in e-commerce since the beginning of the pandemic is causing major problems in the delivery of goods.

Cut 4 (11) “…seeing right now.”

It’s been nearly seven weeks since Hurricane Ida made landfall and the recovery remains slow in the coastal town of Dulac in Terrebonne Parish. Former state representative Joe Harrison says the biggest need remains housing

Cut 9 (12) “…deal with” 

A court hearing in Monroe took place Wednesday for former state trooper Jacob Brown who is facing a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law in the 2019 beating of black motorist Aaron Bowman. Bowman’s attorney, Donecia Banks-Miley, expressed disappointment that Brown was freed on bond.

Cut 13 (12) “…was not detained.”

Brown’s bond was set at $50,000 and he remains free pending trial.

The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees is threatening to strike unless an agreement is reached with major studios. Aaron Bayham, Director of Operations at Celtic Studios in Baton Rouge says Ninety-eight percent of IATSE (eye-ott-cee) union members voted to approve a strike if an agreement is not reached with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. Bayham says there are a number of items being negotiated which include pay rates, breaks, and rates that were given to new media which are now the majority of productions.

Cut 5 (10) “…their deals.”

A court hearing in Monroe took place Wednesday for former state trooper Jacob Brown who is facing a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law in the 2019 beating of black motorist Aaron Bowman. Bowman was reserved in his comments, but what he said was noteworthy in the attack on him and that of Ronald Greene who died after being beaten by troopers the same year.

Cut 15 (09)  “…all get justice.”

The truck driver shortage continues nationwide leaving some store shelves nearly bare, and goods not getting to where they are needed.  Our state is no exception, says Renee Amar, CEO of the Louisiana Motor Transport Association.

cut 3 (08) “….on the road”

While there seems to be no silver bullet to solving the driver shortage, Amar says the LMTA is offering scholarships through its foundation to offset some of the expense for drivers to obtain their CDL licenses

The industrial gas supplier Air Products will build a $4.5 billion clean energy facility in Ascension Parish. The plant will produce blue hydrogen which uses natural gas to create an alternative fuel.  Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s a tremendous step in clean energy.

Cut 6 (10) “…footprint.” 

The plant will also be able to capture carbon dioxide emissions and store them underground.

A new COVID variant has been detected in the state. Dr. Krista Queen Director- Viral Genomics and Surveillance at LSU Health Shreveport says they discovered the B 1.630 variant in samples from the Baton Rouge area which has mutations they are observing.

Cut 12 (11) “….low percentage.”  

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four decades. Broussard praises Social Security for realizing the need for such a significant increase in monthly benefits.

Cut  11 (10)  “…to do it”  

Shipping delays have been an ongoing issue for businesses due to the pandemic but with the holiday season just over two months away Economist Loren Scott says last-minute shoppers could be in trouble this year. He says in the past retailers have saved money by ordering “just in time inventory,” which meant goods were brought in when they were absolutely needed. But with shipping delays and a backlog at ports, Scott says many retailers might adjust their business model.

Cut 8 (06) “…in the past.”

There’s cautious optimism as the sugarcane harvest ramps up in south Louisiana. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the harvest is getting off to a soggy start as many fields are muddy as a result of a wet 2021. He expects the tonnage will be off this year because of a damp growing season…

Cut 4 (10) “…on the tonnage.”

It’s hard to think about holidays when it still feels like summer in the Bayou State, but one economist says you need to get in holiday mode ASAP unless you want to hear Bah humbug this year. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four years. He says the COLA increase is something that will be welcomed by those who solely rely on SSI payments and those who don’t.

Cut 10  (10)   “…here in Louisiana.”

There’s cautious optimism as the sugarcane harvest ramps up in south Louisiana. LSU AgCenter sugarcane specialist Kenneth Gravois says the harvest is getting off to a soggy start as many fields are muddy as a result of a wet 2021

cut 3 (12) “….fields out”

2020 was a stellar year for the industry as the American Sugar Cane League estimates 463-thousand acres of cane were harvested, with an average of 85-hundred pounds of sugar produced per acre. Gravois expects the tonnage will be off this year because of a damp growing season…

Now a check on today commodities….

Social Security benefits will increase by 5.9 percent with the Cost-of-Living adjustment announced today by the agency. Troy Broussard with AARP in Louisiana says it marks the largest increase in four decades.

Cut 9  (10)  “…prescription drug costs.”

The increase takes effect in January, with benefit payments to reflect a 5.9 percent hike in the current benefit being paid out to each recipient.

Shipping delays have been an ongoing issue for businesses due to the pandemic but with the holiday season just over two months away Economist Loren Scott says if you’re a last-minute shopper you really could end up being the Grinch this year.

Cut 6 (09) “…until November.” 

While Scott says he doesn’t see shelves being completely empty for retailers, he does however anticipate a problem if you are looking for a specific gift.

Today is the last day for those in Ida impacted parishes to call in for DSNAP interviews. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

A new Covid-19 variant has been detected in Louisiana.  That word today from LSU Health Shreveport’s Center of Excellence for Emerging Viral Threats.  It was discovered by the Viral Genomics and Sequencing Lab and is being called B.1.630.  It was sequenced last week from two samples collected in Baton Rouge. It was first detected in the U.S. in March of this year. So far, the predominance of the variant is said to be low.