The FDA gives full authorization to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, a milestone achievement for medical science in the face of this historic pandemic. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says with this in hand organizations, private and public, can now move ahead with vaccine mandates.

Cut 5 (09) “…to do that.”

The UL System schools have a policy ready to go.  President Jim Henderson says their policy is now that students will either need to provide proof of vaccination or claim a personal exemption the next time they register for classes. He says it’s not really a mandate because state law prohibits true vaccine mandates at schools…

Cut 10 (08) “…dissent”

An LSU spokesperson says they are reviewing the authorization and plan to issue guidance on their vaccine policy soon.

New Orleans Police veteran Officer Everett Briscoe shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks was a close friend of Everett Briscoe and says this surge in violence sweeping the nation has to end.

Cut 8 (11) “…tell me.”

Cops say two people entered the restaurant patio just after 5 PM and began demanding people hand over their valuables. A witness says everyone complied and it is not confirmed why one of the assailants then opened fire, fatally striking Briscoe and wounding another person.

Beginning today the multistate Powerball game will draw numbers three times a week as opposed to only two. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says hopefully this will spark increased interest in the game and lead to Louisiana’s first Powerball winner since 2018…

Cut 14 (12) “..October 2017.”

The FDA gives the Pfizer COVID vaccination full backing, Brooke Thorington talks with a Tulane epidemiologist about the pandemic milestone.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

There’s evidence that the 4^th wave of the pandemic is starting to break in Louisiana. At mid-week last week Louisiana had over 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations, now we’re down to 2,838.  

A 13-year New Orleans Police veteran was shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant, while he was dining on the patio with friends. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks knew Officer Everett Briscoe well and that Briscoe leaves behind a loving family that is in shock.

Cut 7 (13) “…tie”  

Briscoe was in Houston on a trip with fellow members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Beginning today the multistate Powerball game will draw numbers three times a week as opposed to only two. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says with Powerball drawings are now Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights, and Megamillions on Tuesday and Friday…

Cut 12 (12) “…covered” 

The FDA grants full authorization to the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and older. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says she’s hopeful full approval will increase vaccination rates.

Cut 4 (12) “…medication” 

Kids 12 to 15 can still receive the vaccine under emergency use authorization.

With full FDA authorization in hand, UL System students will either need to provide proof of vaccination or claim a personal exemption the next time they register for classes, to enroll at the system’s nine schools. UL System President Jim Henderson says their request to add fully FDA-approved vaccines to their immunization schedule was approved by the State Department of health.

Cut 9 (08) “…institutions.”

Today’s COVID numbers show the state appears to be beginning the slow exit from the devastating 4^th wave that’s sent more Louisianans to the hospital than at any time before. At mid-week last week Louisiana had over 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations, now we’re down to 2,838.  

BESE releases a statement saying they will not hold another meeting to discuss mask mandates in school after the last was disrupted by anti-mask protestors. BESE says instead they will allow the Governor’s statewide mandate to be the law of the land in Louisiana K-12 schools. Some Republican state lawmakers have asked residents to mail BESE in objection. 

The Food and Drug Administration grants full approval for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the full approval is for everyone 16 and up…

Cut 3 (12) “…businesses can mandate it.” 

Kids 12 to 15 can still get the shot under the emergency use authorization.

A 13-year New Orleans Police veteran was shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks knew Officer Everett Briscoe well…

Cut 6 (11) “…citizen” 

According to eye-witness reports, two people entered the restaurant just after 5 PM and began demanding people hand over their valuables. A witness says everyone in the restaurant complied and it is not confirmed why one of the assailants then opened fire, fatally striking Briscoe and wounding another person.

Scenes out of Afghanistan have been especially disturbing for U-S veterans who served in the Middle East. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says now that Pfizer has full FDA approval they will begin communicating the logistics of the campus’s vaccine mandate “soon”. He says they need to fully review the approval and the President plans on implementing the mandate with more details to come. 

Louisiana’s unemployment rate is now down 2.3 percent from this time last year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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Scenes out of Afghanistan have been especially disturbing for U-S veterans who served in the Middle East. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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An LSU fishing poll shows that pandemic isolation led to anglers taking millions of additional fishing trips compared to pre-pandemic years. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

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Louisiana added another 12,700 jobs from June to July and ended the month up 58,200 jobs year-to-year.

Workforce Commission Spokesperson Chris Fiore says moving in the right direction despite the 4^th COVID wave, but the only way to keep this momentum going is by getting more people vaccinated.

Cut 4 (12) “…attacks quick.”

New Orleans and Baton Rouge led the pack in new month-to-month job gains at 3,700 and 3,00 respectively. Shreveport and Houma were the only markets to see month-to-month job losses.

Fiore says the biggest sector gains were in leisure and hospitality and education and health services at 27,000 and 13,000 more jobs year to year respectively. Fiore says we can do even better.

Cut 5 (14) “…breathe.”

Business services gained 12,000 jobs over the year.

Fiore says if you are unemployed visit laworks.net to find a job near you.

Cut 6 (07) “…right now.”

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If you’re in the market for a new vehicle according to AAA research don’t be surprised if that new car or pickup costs more than you anticipated. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says remember upkeep and costs associated with a vehicle go well beyond your monthly car note.

Cut 7 (10) “….insurance.”

The most significant part of the average $10 thousand annually Redman says that vehicle owners neglect to anticipate when purchasing a new vehicle is depreciation.

Cut 8 (08) “…depreciation.” 

A major reason new vehicle prices have increased is the ongoing computer chip shortage that has caused a delay in the manufacturing of new vehicles. Redman says with each passing year there’s additional technology added to motor vehicles prices which also increases prices.

Cut 9 (10) “…much technology.”

The average price of a new vehicle for 2021 is $32,900 which is almost five percent higher than last year.

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While the scenes out of Afghanistan are horrifying as US Troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country after providing stability for more than two decades, the situation is extremely upsetting to US Afghanistan vets.  Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says they’ve been contacted by several veterans who served in the Middle East.

Cut 10 (10) “…country.” 

Strickland says the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs has several venues to offer counseling and assistance for veterans who are experiencing PTSD and other issues. Especially during this critical time when some veterans feel the withdrawal has discounted their service. Strickland says they’ve been meeting with veterans at places like the VFW.

Cut 11 (12) “…the time.”

Strickland says this issue hit close to home, it reminds him of his experience in Vietnam and now his son who served in Afghanistan, so he’s familiar with the emotions veterans are dealing with in response to the withdrawal. Strickland says the LDVA also has a crisis line.

Cut 12 (12) “…experiencing.”  

For more information visit the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs website.

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An LSU survey finds people took a lot more fishing trips in the spring of 2020 compared to 2019, seemingly due to pandemic era isolation policies.

LSU Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Professor Stephen Midway says traditionally fishing is used as a social bonding experience, but their poll found the reasons anglers gave for heading out are changing…

Cut 13 (09) “…pandemic.”

Midway says their poll found four out of five anglers took as many trips as they had the year before, and one out of five took at least one extra trip…

Cut 14 (10) “…2020.”

An estimated 44 million Americans consider themselves anglers.

Midway says the increased number of fishing trips, assuming that people are assuming by regulations, should not be an ecological stressor. In fact, it may be the opposite…

Cut 15 (12)“…management.”

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Cut 16 (10) “…capacity.”

Cut 17 (24) “…no weak links.”  

Cut 18 (19)”…a whole.”

Cut 19 (16)  “…very successful so” 

Cut 20 (19)  “…next week” 

For the first time in weeks Louisiana registered back to back days with slight decreases in hospitalizations for COVID patients Friday. Louisiana is now under 3,000 hospitalizations, but Governor Edwards says there’s a new worry, and it’s about the children. 28 percent of all new cases are coming from kids under 18 and the Governor says this is why we must mask up while in school…

Cut 4 (11) “…in our schools” 

Two public meetings in Baton Rouge this week were disrupted by anti-mask protesters, upset their children are forced to wear a mask, calling it child abuse. But Edwards says everyone has a role to play in slowing the spread of COVID and failing to do so can have lethal consequences

Cut 5 (11) “…that simple”

Ochsner has administered about 9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID patients across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says they’ve received additional help from paramedics in running their infusion suites and can now offer the treatment within a day or two of qualification.

Cut 7 (08) “…down”  

We’ll see some of the highest heat indexes of the year this weekend with temps around 110 degrees in South Louisiana. It’s brutal weather but State Climatologist Barry Keim says at least this high-pressure system is pushing tropical storm systems away from the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 13 (11) “…temperatures”

Heat indexes i north Louisiana will be lower due to the lack of humidity, but still at or over 100 degrees.

Governor John Bel Edwards says 28-percent of all new COVID cases are children, which he says points to the reason why face coverings are required in schools. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Louisiana’s representative in the Little League World Series, the Lafayette Little League All Stars, had a tough start to the tournament yesterday falling 2-0 to South Dakota in a pitcher’s duel. They’ll have another shot to stay in the tournament today at 8 PM when they take on Pennsylvania at 8 PM. Should they win they’ll play again on Monday.

9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments have been administered by Ochsner in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore. Of that 9,700 COVID patients only 27 were admitted to the hospital, and while that is an impressive number System Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly warns it is not a permanent solution…

Cut 8 (12) “..sustainable”y

At Ochsner’s Lafayette facility about 300 to 400 treatments are administered a week.

COVID may be the dominant virus in Louisiana but the flu is still around, and flu season is on its way. Walmart Market Health and Wellness Director Mohamed Salem says don’t procrastinate, schedule an appointment today.

Cut  11 (11) “…flue shot.”  

The state reported nearly six thousand new COVID-19 cases on Friday. Governor Edwards says for the last couple of days 28-percent of all new cases are in children and this is troubling with schools re-opening

Cut 3 (15) “…of last year” 

Ochsner has administered about 9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments to COVID patients across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore.  Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says the treatments have been highly effective.

Cut 6 (11) “..vaccinated” 

At Ochsner’s Lafayette facility Thomas estimates they are administering about 300 to 400 treatments a week.

We’ll see some of the highest heat indexes of the year this weekend with temps around 110 degrees in South Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ve been lucky to hate some recent storms keep the temperatures down but that won’t be the case for the next few days.

Cut 12 (12) “…sun” 

Heat indexes in north Louisiana will be lower due to the lack of humidity, but still at or over 100 degrees.

While there’s lots of focus on being vaccinated for COVID, healthcare professionals are also reminding the public to remember to get their annual flu shot. In order to make the process for both as convenient as possible Walmart Market Health and Wellness Director Mohamed Salem says you can do both at any of their stores.

Cut 9 (10) “…Louisiana.”

It was a tough evening for the Lafayette Little League All Stars Friday in the Little League World Series. Louisiana’s representatives fell 2-0 to South Dakota in a game that was all about the pitching. Lafayette’s pitcher Nick Brown had a strong night, tossing eight strikeouts and only allowing four hits. South Dakota opened the 1^st with a run and then found another in the 6^th while Lafayette just couldn’t get past South Dakota’s Gavin Weir who had 15 strikeouts in just under six innings of play.

Lafayette will have another shot to stay in the tournament today when they take on Pennsylvania at 8 PM on ESPN.  Pennsylvania is coming off a 8-2 loss to Oregon. Should Lafayette pull through they’ll play the winner of Tennessee and New Hampshire Monday.

In other Little League action today you can Catch Tennessee and New Hampshire at 1 PM on ESPN, Connecticut and New Jersey at 3 PM on ABC, and Florida and Washington at 6 PM on ESPN.

The Pelicans 2021-22 schedule has been released and year three of the Zion Williamson era will begin with New Orleans hosting the Philadelphia 76ers on October 20th. The Pels will make 15 appearances on national television, but they will not play on Christmas Day. Lebron James and the Lakers will make their only appearance in New Orleans on March 27th and the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks will be in the Big Easy on December 17th.

An LSU basketball recruit is arriving on campus a year earlier than expected. Justice Williams has reclassified so that he can attend school this fall. He’s a six-foot-three combo guard from Philadelphia and spent his junior season at national powerhouse Montverde Academy in Florida. He was rated as the third-best shooting guard in the Class of 2022 by 24-7-sports-dot-com.

LSU is facing a lawsuit from former offensive line coach James Cregg, who was fired in June. The school claims he committed an NCAA violation, but Cregg says the NCAA has never said he did.

9,700 monoclonal antibody treatments have been administered by Ochsner in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and the Northshore. Of that 9,700 COVID patients only 27 were admitted to the hospital, and while that is an impressive number System Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly warns it is not a permanent solution…

Cut 8 (12) “..sustainable”y

At Ochsner’s Lafayette facility about 300 to 400 treatments are administered a week.

COVID may be the dominant virus in Louisiana but the flu is still around, and flu season is on its way. Walmart Market Health and Wellness Director Mohamed Salem says don’t procrastinate, schedule an appointment today.

Cut  11 (11) “…flue shot.”  

The Little League World Series begins today and Lafayette Little League is repping the Bayou State in this year’s 16 team tournament. Lafayette Little’s head coach Steven Menard says the core of this team has been together for years and they’ve grown accustomed to the bright lights and high-level competition.

Cut 14 (11) “…ESPN.”

No international teams will be in attendance at this year’s tournament due to the pandemic. Lafayette takes on South Dakota today at 4 PM on ESPN.

COVID-related hospitalizations declined for the second day in a row now under 3,000 total, but COVID-related deaths remain high, another 67 Louisianans reported dead today.