Things got feisty this morning at the State Capitol as a meeting of the House Health and Welfare Committee temporarily devolved into a fracas when people in attendance were asked to put on a mask…

Cut 6 (16) “…take off your mask.”

After things settled down a bit lawmakers got to question State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter. Kanter was asked about CDC recommendations that those with compromised immune systems should get a booster shot. Kanter agreed…

Cut 14 (12) “…another dose.”

The meeting came as the state reported another rise in COVID-related hospitalizations, now just shy of 3,000 across the state, a nearly 50 percent increase over the highest peak in the 3^rd wave earlier this year.

Tropical Storm Fred made landfall in the Panhandle this morning and while there are two other systems in Gulf and Atlantic neither appear to be a threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Tropical Storm Henri is set to just noodle around in the Atlantic and Tropical Depression Grace, which is near Hispaniola, could be bound for Mexico.

Cut 3 (07) “…Mexico” 

The Department of Revenue is now accepting grant applications for the Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance Program to support charities and small businesses who are providing COVID support and relief efforts. Secretary of Revenue Kimberly Lewis says to be eligible your organization had to be in existence prior to 2020 you need to have filed tax returns for 2019 and 2020.

Cut  11 (08) “…actively operating.”  

It’s been a tense day at the State Capitol as members of the public crammed into a House Health and Welfare committee meeting. The meeting began with a few people having to be removed from the chamber after refusing to put on masks, and later Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews questioned the governor’s top lawyer on why the state is not promoting natural immunity. Crews says everyone in his household has had COVID except for him and he credits the vitamins he’s taking…

Cut 9 (12) “…among the people”

The state is nearing 3,000 people in the hospital with COVID-19, nearly 50 percent higher than the 3^rd surge peak we experienced to start the year. 65 new COVID related deaths have been reported since Friday along with over 13,000 new cases.

The Louisiana Nonprofit and Small Business Assistance program is now accepting grant applications, up to $25-thousand for eligible organizations and businesses.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

There are three storm systems in the Gulf and Atlantic right now but State Climatologist Barry Keim says it appears none of them will threaten Louisiana…

Cut 5 (08) “…goodness”

Some folks had to be dragged out of a House Health and Welfare Committee meeting this morning at the Capitol after refusing to mask up. Members of the public, many of whom were unmasked, crammed into the committee room and started a fracas that resulted in some of them being removed by security after being told they had to mask up to be there. Chairman Larry Bagley was heckled as well…

Cut 7 (10) “…out of reach.” 

During that meeting, State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter was questioned by Amite Representative Robbie Carter about the department’s approval for a booster shot for the immunocompromised

Cut 13 (13) “…came here.”

Since Friday the state reported another 13,000 positive COVID tests along with about another 50 people in the hospital with COVID, now just shy of 3,000

There are three separate storm systems in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic but as of now, none appear to be any threat to Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Tropical Storm Fred is impacting the panhandle today, and Tropical Depression Grace, which is near Hispaniola, looks set to head to Mexico.

Cut 3 (07) “…Mexico” 

A third system, which should form into Tropical Storm Henri (on-ree) later today, is forecasted to noodle around in the Atlantic and not make landfall in the US.

LSU and UL Lafayette are both ranked in the AP pre-season Top 25 poll at 16 and 23 respectively. It’s the first time the Cajuns have made an AP preseason Top 25. 

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
Louisiana has seen a sluggish 2.7 percent growth over the past ten years according to the US Census Bureau with many rural parishes getting hit the hardest. Demographer Greg Rigamer says 35 percent of all Louisianans now live in one of four southeastern parishes; Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, and East Baton Rouge.
Cut 4 (06) “..order”
The share of the population describing themselves as white fell five percent to 55 percent while the share of the population calling themselves Hispanic rose three percent to seven percent.
New Orleans’ citywide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test mandate goes into effect Monday. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says she chose to be the first in the state to follow advice from health officials like, New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno who says the case growth is enormous…
Cut 6 (11) “…people.”
Vaccination rates are higher and case numbers are lower in New Orleans compared to the rest of the state but New Orleans hospitals are also having to care for patients from other areas
LRN
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals to help hospitals overwhelmed by the pandemic. Currently, six out of the Louisiana Department of Health’s nine regions have more than 85% of their intensive care unit beds full, and an additional two are over 80% capacity. Donelon says Emergency Rule 46 is an effort to assist those hospitals….
Cut 11 (09) “…the state.”
A similar rule was issued in 2020 but Donelon says the situation today is much worse
Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program. The state has partnered with the Board of Regents to kickoff the incentive program to increase the vaccination rate across the state and college campuses so students can have as normal of a college experience as possible this fall
Cut 14 (13) “…a hundred dollars.”
For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
The US Census reports Louisiana’s rural parishes continued to bleed population over the last years. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”
On Monday the city of New Orleans citywide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test mandate goes into effect. New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says close to 99-percent of COVID cases in Louisiana are due to the highly transmissible Delta variant and shared her disappointment that the pandemic continues.
Cut 7 (10) “…out of reach.”
LRN
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Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals. The rule allows acute care hospitals to discharge recovering patients to appropriate alternative settings, freeing up beds to accept new patients. Normally Donelon says hospital transfers require prior authorization from insurance, and…
Cut 10 (10) “…environment.”
Donelon issued a similar rule in 2020
Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program aimed at boosting the state’s low vaccination rate…
Cut 12 (13) “…higher education.”
Edwards has called the program necessary as college students are returning to campus and 18- to 29-year-olds in the state are helping spread the Delta variant. For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

LRN I’m Erik Piccoli
New Orleans becomes the first city in Louisiana to mandate vaccinations or proof a negative COVID test to gain entry to most indoor spaces, largely on the advice of city health officials. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
And the population growth in Louisiana has seen a sluggish 2.7 percent growth in population over the past ten years with some of the hardest-hit parishes including Allen, Tensas, and West Carroll. US Census Bureau. Demographer Greg Rigamer says not only did Louisiana underperform the national average, but we’re even further behind the regional average…
Cut 5 (10) “…to work”
The National population growth was over 7 percent.
LRN
————–
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon has issued an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals as COVID patients continue to overwhelm major hospitals. Donelon says Emergency Rule 46 is a repeat of what was done earlier in the pandemic.
Cut 9 (12) “…treatment”
The rule permits acute care hospitals to release recovering patients to appropriate alternative settings to allow for more space at the hospitals.
And Gov. Edwards has announced a new vaccine incentive program hoping to boost the state’s low vaccination rates.
Edwards says the “Shot at a Hundred” program is incredibly important and necessary as college students are returning to campus and 18- to 29-year-olds in the state are helping spread the Delta variant.
Cut 13 (12) “…actually vaccinated.”
For more information visit shotfor100.com
LRN

Starting Monday you’ll need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter New Orleans bars, restaurants, and even the Superdome.  New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says this is due to the new, more infectious Delta variant.

Cut 8 (10) “…wildfire”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says the ruling is illegal and he is ready to support a lawsuit against it.

Louisiana posted a sluggish 2.7 percent growth in population over the last ten years according to US Census Bureau. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the depopulation of rural parishes continues…

Cut 3, 8 seconds, 2020

Governor Edwards rolls out a vaccine incentive program aimed at getting more young people vaccine as over a quarter of all new cases these days are from the 18 to 29-year-old crowd. Edwards says college students can get a hundred bucks for taking their shot.

Cut 14 (13) “…a hundred dollars.”

For more information visit shotfor100.com

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals as COVID patients continue to overwhelm major hospitals. Donelon says Emergency Rule 46 is a repeat of what was done earlier in the pandemic.

Cut 9 (12) “…treatment”

Governor John Bel Edwards rolls out another vaccine incentive program aimed at boosting the state’s dreadfully low vaccination rate…

Cut 12 (13) “…higher education.” 

Edwards also announced the final winners of the Shot at a Million vaccine incentive program Friday.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule to increase the state’s hospital bed capacity at 24-hour acute care hospitals as COVID patients continue to overwhelm major hospitals. The rule allows acute care hospitals to discharge recovering patients to appropriate alternative settings, freeing up beds to accept new patients.

Cut  11 (09) “…the state.”  

New Orleans becomes the first city in Louisiana to mandate vaccinations or proof a negative COVID test to gain entry to indoor spaces, largely on the advice of city health officials. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31)…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

Attorney General Jeff Landry calls the order illegal, saying while this is something individual businesses can require it cannot be a blanket citywide policy. He says he plans to support any lawsuit against the city’s order.

Louisiana posted a sluggish 2.7 percent growth in population over the last ten years according to US Census Bureau. Demographer Greg Rigamer says the depopulation of rural parishes continues…

Cut 3, 8 seconds, 2020

Tensas, Cameron, Claiborne, Madison, Red River, West Carroll, Catahoula, Allen, and Webster were hit hardest.

Starting Monday you’ll need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter New Orleans bars, restaurants, and even the Superdome.  New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno says this is due to the new, more infectious Delta variant.

Cut 8 (10) “…wildfire”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says New Orleans’ vaccine-proof policy makes the Big Easy a big target for lawsuits. He called the mandate illegal and hopes a plaintiff will come forward to challenge the rule…

Cut 14 (07) “…afford it.”

French Quarter Fest follows in Jazz Fest’s footsteps and throws in the towel for 2021 citing concern over this 4^th wave of the pandemic. Festival organizers say they’ll be back in April.

Starting Monday you’ll need proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter a host of different indoor venues in New Orleans, including the Superdome and bars and restaurants. Mayor LaToya Cantrell says she chose to be the first in the state on the advice from health officials like New Orleans Department of Health Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno who says the state’s case growth is enormous.

Cut 6 (11) “…people.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry says this decision opens New Orleans up to lawsuits, and he encourages someone in the city to file a suit against the order.

Cut 13 (10) “…out there.”

Landry says if private businesses chose to require proof of vaccination that is legal, but a citywide mandate is not.

Yesterday marked five years since the start of the tragic and unprecedented flooding that covered most of Livingston parish and parts of surrounding parishes. Livingston Parish President Layton Ricks says the region is about 90 to 95 percent recovered now but it was a long road that left a lot of scars.

Cut 7 (10) “…2016.”

The flood began on the 12th and by the 13th flash flood emergencies were issued for areas along the Amite and Comite Rivers.

State Department of Education Cade Brumley says the five percent drop in LEAP scores was the direct result of kids not getting enough face to face instruction last year. He says there is hard data to back up that claim…

Cut 5 (12) “…declined”