Brian Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. He says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers and potentially losing employees because of the mandate.

Cut 9 (10) “…gonna get worse.”

The state marked another critical COVID milestone today, the lowest number of hospitalizations since spring of 2020.. Chief of Hospital Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mike Sewell says he believes an increase in vaccinations is largely responsible.

Cut 10 (10)  “…continued”

Covid hospitalizations dropped to 226 today, or nine lower than yesterday.

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, says being able to treat COVID patients outside of the hospital with the convenience of a pill versus current the option is a huge advance in treatment.

Cut 5 (07) “…those patients.”

The winner of last Saturday’s one-point-three million-dollar Louisiana Lotto drawing is from Laura-devastated southwest Louisiana. So says lottery spokesman Dennis Annison who says the lucky ticketholder came forward Monday.

Cut 13 (08) “…thousand after taxes.”

No word on what the winner plans to do with his winnings.

Brian Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. He notes those workers were hailed as heroes during the height of the pandemic.
Cut 8 (08) “…for their families.”
Trosclair says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers.

There could soon be another medical treatment in the fight against COVID. Pfizer says its experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalizations and deaths by nearly 90-percent. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans. Doctor Julio Figueroa says for the Pfizer pill to be effective, high-risk adults need to take the medication early in their COVID diagnosis.
Cut 4 (10) “…would fit.”
Pfizer plans to ask FDA for emergency use approval.

The Shreveport Police Department is expected to release more information in the triple-homicide that occurred at a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. The suspect, 36-year-old Barry Rigsby, was fatally shot in a shoot-out with police yesterday afternoon in Franklin Parish. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they are to determine why Rigsby fled to an apartment complex in Wisner after killing three people, including a 12-year-old.
Cut 15 (12) “…that are needed.”
Investigators say the shooting in Shreveport was the result of a domestic dispute.

Witness testimony has concluded in the case against former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who is facing aggravated rape and incest charges. There were nine days of testimony and five accusers told jurors that Strain sexually assaulted them. Strain has said he’s innocent of the charges, but did not take the stand. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a multi-state lawsuit to derail President Biden’s executive vaccine mandate order for federal contractors. Landry pulls no punches in his opposition to the requirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…but vastly overreaching.” 

Landry says the mandate will directly impact Louisiana, noting that about 60 percent of the state’s budget is federal money, and also impacts local governments and institutions of higher learning.

Biden’s order takes effect January 4^th and also mandates private companies with 100 or more employees be vaccinated or weekly COVID tests. Non-compliance would mean federal fines via OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the defense will have a credible argument.

Cut 8 (10) “…rules in this area.”

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says if the data holds true the drug is noteworthy.

Cut 3 (12) “….significant, very significant.”

Pfizer will reportedly be asking the FDA to authorize use of the pill asap.

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 grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. New Orleans Restaurant Owner Neal Bodenheimer says close to three-thousand Louisiana establishments that applied were not funded.

Cut 4 (12) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

The man sought for a domestic triple-homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing east to Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex yesterday. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Barry Rigsby died in a shootout with police in Wisner.
Cut 13 (08) “…this point deceased.”
KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting Rigsby killed his wife and her child and brother, who were 12 and 18-years-old.

Early voting for the November 13th election will conclude tomorrow at 6 PM. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the greatest turnout is expected in New Orleans, where Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election…
cut 11 (09) “..activity going on”
Every ballot in the state contains four constitutional amendments.

Restaurant owners are asking Senator John Kennedy to refill the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund because many restaurants failed to get assistance…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Indiana have joined together to file a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s federal vaccine mandate that calls on companies with more than 100 employees to require their workers to be vaccinated. Louisiana A-G Jeff Landry says medical decisions should be made between patients and doctors, not the government.

Barry Risby the suspect in a triple-homicide in Shreveport overnight Wednesday is dead after fleeing to Franklin Parish where police exchanged gunfire with him at an apartment complex Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the investigation includes trying to determine why Rigsby fled to a Franklin Parish apartment complex after killing three people, including a 12-year-old.

Cut 15 (12)  “…that are needed.”

Early voting for the November 13^th election wraps up this Saturday. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says 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 he expects only about 24 percent of registered voters will participate.

Thirty U.S. Senators – including Louisiana’s – are opposed to President Biden’s mandate for COVID vaccine in the private sector. Loyola Law Professor Dane 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…

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

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. John Stubbs, with Jewel in the South, says his New Orleans restaurant is dependent on the fund now more than ever.

Cut 5 (09) “…we will.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of the co-sponsors of the bill to replenish the fund, however Kennedy is not.

The man sought for a domestic triple-homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing east to Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex yesterday. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Barry Rigsby died in a shootout with police in Wisner.
Cut 13 (08) “…this point deceased.”
KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting Rigsby killed his wife and her child and brother, who were 12 and 18-years-old.

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. 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 nearly three-thousand Louisiana establishments applied for the funding but didn’t get any assistance…
Cut 4 (09) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

Attorneys General in several states, including Louisiana’s Jeff Landry, have filed lawsuits challenging the President’s COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses…
cut 2 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The prosecution is getting close to wrapping up its case against former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who is facing aggravated rape and incest charges. There have been eight days of testimony and five accusers have testified against him. Strain has said he’s innocent of the charges.

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.”

A former State Trooper who was honored as the Trooper of the Year in 2018 has been sentenced to 17.5 yards in federal prison on child pornography charges. 42-year-old Jason Boyet of Ponchatoula pleaded guilty to charges of distribution of images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. One of the victims was as young as three years old.

Restaurants are asking Senator John Kennedy to support the refilling of the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund which closed 113 days ago. The Independent Restaurant Coalition says nearly three-thousand Louisiana Restaurants were unable to get relief. John Stubbs, Partner of Jewel in the South in New Orleans says they asked Senator Kennedy’s staff why he hasn’t joined Senator Bill Cassidy in co-sponsoring the bill to bring the relief program back…
cut 6 (10) “…not co-sponsoring”

Early voting for the November 13th election comes to an end tomorrow. This election cycle lacks a lot of hot races, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters there are four constitutional amendments on the ballot…
cut 12 (07) “….they see fit”
Use the Geaux Vote app to find an early voting location near you and a sample ballot.

The search for a Shreveport triple homicide suspect ended in the Franklin Parish town of Wisner yesterday after a shootout with law officers. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Barry Rigsby entered the Wisner Elderly Apartments late Thursday and fired shots at officers as they surrounded the complex…
cut 14 (11) “…advantage for him”
Cobb says Rigsby was eventually fatally shot and the coroner confirmed the gunmen was Rigsby, who was wanted for three counts of murder in Shreveport.

Legal challenges are expected now that the federal government has set January fourth as the date for companies with more than 100 employees to have their workers vaccinated. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the plaintiffs will argue its an overreach by the White House…
cut 7 (10) “….administrative action”

Restaurant owners are asking Senator John Kennedy to refill the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund because many restaurants failed to get assistance. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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.” 

___________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________

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.”

__________________________________________

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.”

____________________________________________

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” 

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

Cut 13 (09) “…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” 

No police or civilians were injured.

The Louisiana Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory in conjunction with the Department of Public Health is encouraging pet owners who believe their dog or cat might have been exposed to COVID to have them tested. Alma Roy, a consultant with the lab says the testing is free.

Cut 6 (11) “…be done.” 

While COVID in pets is not common, Roy says however they want to understand more about the disease and its relationship with our four-legged friends.

Louisiana’s shortage of doctors and nurses isn’t getting any better. The shortage began before the pandemic but has since been aggravated by overworked employees and some medical facilities demanding workers be vaccinated or face termination. A fair number of employees have resigned as a result. A new COVID milestone is reached in the state today. 235 COVID hospitalizations, that’s the lowest number since counts began last spring.