Full FDA authorization was given to Pfizer’s vaccine for those 16 and older, and those still 12 and up and get the shot under the EUA but it looks like kids under 12 won’t be eligible for several months. Physician in Chief at Children’s Hospital New Orleans Dr. Mark Kline says clinical trials in children are ongoing.

Cut 6 (09) “…October.” 

Two Caddo Parish high schoolers were arrested for threatening school shootings yesterday, both of them caught before anything could happen due to their social media posts. One student posted a direct threat on Snapchat while another took a picture of him brining a loaded gun to campus on Instragram. Caddo Parish Sheriffs Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those social media companies was the one to tip-off authorities.

Cut  11 (10) “…investigate”  …

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association says a majority of those eligible to receive assistance from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund did not. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

The state continues to register a very slow decline in COVID-related hospitalizations today. We’re down 12 from Tuesday and six percent week to week, but still far above any point set before the 4^th wave began in July. 110 new COVID deaths were also reported today, making that two days in a row over 100.  

The state reports 6,619 new COVID-19 cases today and 2,844 hospitalizations. Among those hospitalized 91-percent are unvaccinated. The state also added 110 more COVID fatalities today. Yesterday the state reported the highest-ever single-day number of fatalities with 139.

Caddo Parish Sheriffs made arrests yesterday in two separate incidents where students threatened school shootings on social media. Spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those arrested was 18-year-old Raybon Marter who threatened to do a school shooting at Southwood High School on Snapchat and in an unrelated event, a 15-year-old posted a picture of himself putting a gun in his backpack then a photo of himself walking to the Woodlawn Leadership Academy campus.

Cut 10 (13) “…magazine”

The 15-year old was arrested for having a gun on campus and terrorizing.

40-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That ranks 44th in the nation. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’Neal hopes full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine will generate more trust for those who are hesitant to get the shot…
cut 12 (07) “…works”

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the 28.6 billion of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Harris says in the Bayou State there are almost 3,000 restaurants, bars, craft brewers, and entertainment venues still in need.

Cut 4 (10) “…business alive” 

Harris says 62-percent of applicants didn’t receive any funding.

Caddo Parish Sheriffs made arrests yesterday in two separate incidents where students made school shooting threats. Sheriff’s spokesperson Cindy Chadwick says one of those arrested was 18-year-old Raybon Marter of who threatened to do a school shooting at Southwood High School on Snapchat.

Cut 9, 11 seconds, arrested

In another, unrelated event, a 15-year-old was found with a loaded gun at Woodlawn Leadership Academy after an Instagram post.

President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says the industry is still struggling and eateries in the state failed to receive their fair share of funding from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.

Cut 3 (11) “…get funded.” 

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine LSU students will have to be vaccinated or tested for COVID.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The AP has obtained police body camera footage of a 2019 incident in Monroe where a Black man was severely beaten by a State Trooper with a flashlight. The disturbing footage shows the officer screaming expletives at Aaron Bowman, beating Bowman with the flashlight as the man pleaded that he was not resisting.

One COVID vaccine shot or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entry will be needed in order to attend an LSU football game this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey calls the protocol an overreach with no historical precedent…

Cut 14 (09) “…sporting event.”

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine, as promised LSU President William Tate says students will be required to be vaccinated or they will undergo regular COVID testing. Tate says he hopes the vaccination requirement for students and Tiger fans will cause a shortage of vaccinations.

Cut 6 (12) “…and Baton Rouge.”

According to LDH, five to 17 are reporting the highest percentage of COVID positive cases in the state for the week of August 12^th to the 18^th. And Ochsner Health Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says as of Tuesday they’ve had 35 patients for the month of August and while Ochsner does not have any children in the hospital on ventilators, they have in the past.

Cut 8 (08) “…ventilators.” 

40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal who grew up in a small town herself says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to reach smaller communities.

Cut 10 (11) “…working on.” 

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine, LSU President William Tate says students will be required to be vaccinated or they will undergo regular COVID testing. Students have until September 10th to submit proof of their first vaccination and October 15th for their second vaccination….
cut 4 (08) “…semester”

Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey blasts LSU’s decision to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium this fall. Cathey says the policy is inconvenient for fans.
Cut 13 (08) “…stuff for the fans.”
LSU athletic director Scott Woodward says the vaccine mandate is to ensure the fans’ experience in Tiger Stadium is safe.

40-percent of the state’s population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus. That ranks 44th in the nation. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’Neal hopes full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine will generate more trust for those who are hesitant to get the shot…
cut 12 (07) “…works”
Louisiana is reporting 2,856 COVID patients in the hospital. Ochsner Health Hospital Quality Director Doctor Sandra Kemmerly says they are also seeing more pediatric patients…
cut 7 (09) “….the hospital”
Doctor Mark Kline, Physician-in-Chief and Children’s Hospital New Orleans expects emergency use authorization for kids to receive the vaccine before the end of the year.

Rural regions lag far behind suburban and urban areas in the overall vaccination rate. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal about the disparity…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

It’s time to start watching the tropics, there’s a low-pressure system in the Caribbean that has the chance to develop into a tropical storm once it crosses the Yucatan Peninsula gets into the western Gulf of Mexico on Sunday.

LSU is giving its students until October 15th to get fully vaccinated. System President Doctor William Tate says Louisiana law allows for students to opt-out of vaccinations and those who choose this route will be required to be tested for COVID on a regular basis…
cut 5 (06) “…protocol”
Proof of vaccination or a recent COVID test will also be required to enter Tiger Stadium to watch football games this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey says the policy is premature and he believes by the time of the home opener on September 11th the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better…
cut 15 (08) “….are now”
LSU season ticket holders have until Friday to request a refund.

Ochsner Health says they’ve admitted 34 pediatric patients 19 and under for COVID-19 during August. Eight of those patients are under the age of ten. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart says as school-age children return to the classroom, hospitals are worried they could see even more pediatric patients…
cut 9 (09) “….with COVID”

Health officials are also working to boost vaccination numbers in rural areas. In southwest Louisiana, 29-percent of the population is vaccinated, in central Louisiana the number is 31-percent. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’ Neal says many rural communities are disconnected from mainstream messages…
cut 11 (08) “….hesitant”

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine LSU students will have to be vaccinated or tested regularly for COVID…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Ochsner is mandating COVID vaccines for all of its 32-thousand employees. Currently, 66-percent of their workers are fully vaccinated. Also, the state health department reported 139 COVID deaths yesterday. That’s the most deaths reported in a single day since April 14, 2020.

40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal grew up in rural Vidrine. She says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to penetrate these smaller communities.
Cut 10 (11) “…working on.”
Meanwhile, New Orleans officials say at least 78-percent of their eligible adult population has at least one shot.

One COVID vaccine shot or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to entry will be needed in order to attend an LSU football game this season. Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey calls the protocol an overreach with no historical precedent…..
cut 14 (09) “….sporting event”
LSU athletics director Scott Woodward says they are doing everything they can to ensure the experience in Tiger Stadium is safe and enjoyable.

The largest percentage of new COVID positive cases in the state are among five- to 17-year-olds, and hospitals are seeing a trend in pediatric patients. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana Health Department announced 139 more COVID deaths yesterday. That’s a single-day high for the state.

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine LSU students will have to be vaccinated or tested for COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

___________________________________

The largest percentage of new COVID positive cases in the state are among five- to 17-year-olds, and hospitals are seeing a trend in pediatric patients. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

Rural regions lag far behind suburban and urban areas in the overall vaccination rate. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal about the disparity…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine, as promised LSU President William Tate says students will be required to be vaccinated or they will undergo regular COVID testing. Students have until September 10^th to submit proof of their first vaccination and October 15^th for their second vaccination. Tate believes in the vaccines.

Cut 4 (08) “…semester.”

Tate says if a student chooses not to be vaccinated for COVID they will have to undergo regular testing.

Cut 5 (06) “…protocol.”

On Tuesday it was announced that Tiger fans will have to show proof vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test 72 prior to kickoff to ender Tiger Stadium.  Tate says he hopes the vaccination requirement for students and fans will cause a run on vaccinations.

Cut 6 (12) “…and Baton Rouge.”

Students who are unvaccinated will be required to get tested periodically throughout the semester and those living on campus could be tested more frequently.

_____________________

According to the Louisiana Department of Health ages, five to 17 are reporting the highest percentage of COVID positive cases in the state for the week of August 12^th to the 18^tt with 22-percent. Ochsner Health Hospital Quality Director Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says they are also seeing more pediatric patients in their hospitals.

Cut 7 (09) “…the hospital.”

Kemmerly says as of Tuesday Ochsner does not have any children in the hospital on ventilators, but they have in the past.

Cut 8 (08) “…ventilators.” 

As school-age children return to the classroom, hospital administrators are worried that they could see even more pediatric patients. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart urges parents of young children to get vaccinated in order to protect their children who cannot and…

Cut 9 (09) “…with COVID.”

The next largest age group behind those ages five to seventeen is eighteen- to 29-year-olds with 20-percent of the COVID-positive cases in Louisiana.

________________________________________

40 percent of the state’s entire population is now fully vaccinated but for rural regions, that number is still hovering in the low 30s, with numbers in the mid-20s in small rural parishes.

LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal grew up in rural Vidrine. She says it can take a long time for mainstream messages to penetrate these smaller communities.

Cut 10 (11) “…working on.” 

52 percent of Region 1, the New Orleans region, is fully vaccinated, followed by Region 2, the Baton Rouge region, at 43 percent. Nationwide 51 percent of the total population is fully vaccinated per the CDC.

O’Neal says that small town disconnect from the mainstream can be a beautiful life, but…

Cut 11 (08) “…hesitant.”

A report by the Advocate took a deep dive into vaccine hesitancy in Grant Parish, where the vaccination rate is only 25 percent.

O’Neal hopes the full FDA approval for the Pfizer vaccine will generate more trust in those who live in rural communities but are hesitant.

Cut 12 (07) “…works.”  

All numbers are cited from the Louisiana Department of Health COVID dashboard.

_____________________________

Monroe Republican State Senator Stewart Cathey blasts LSU’s decision to require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to enter Tiger Stadium this fall.

Cathey says the policy is inconvenient for fans.

Cut 13 (08) “…stuff for the fans.”

State health leaders like LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal celebrated the news saying it ensures a safe environment for fans and the policy means there is little chance of anyone catching COVID at the game.

Cathey also calls the policy an overreach with no historical precedent.

Cut 14 (09) “…sporting event.”

Cathey says the policy is premature and he believes by kickoff against McNeese on September 11^th that the COVID situation in Louisiana will be much better.

Cut 15 (08)“…are now.”

COVID-related hospitalizations are down a bit from last week but saw a slight jump Tuesday after five straight days of declines. The 2,856 people statewide in the hospital with COVID is about 800 people higher than at any point during the previous three waves.

________________________________________

One team, one heartbeat has been the mantra LSU Coach Ed Orgeron uses to describe the football program since he took over as interim head coach in 2016. But the Tigers lacked that togetherness last season when they went five and five. Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus says it’s a different feeling this season

cut  16 (26) “…talking about.”

Senior offensive guard Ed Ingram says they are more focused this season and there’s better leadership…

Cut 17 (16) “… says stuff.”  

Proof of at least one COVID vaccine is needed to enter Tiger Stadium this season or a negative COVID test 72 hours prior to kick-off. The vaccine policy could hurt attendance, but Ingram says that is something they can not control

Cut 18 (14)”…UCLA right now.”

LSU announces fans will need to show proof of vaccination or a negative PCR COVID test from the last 72 hours to get into Tiger Stadium this season. LSU Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal celebrated the news, saying this allows people to recapture a sense of normalcy…

Cut 5 (09) “…stop.”

Season ticket holders who want a refund must email tickets@lsu.edu by Friday.

If you chose not to get vaccinated state leaders like Ag Commissioner Mike Strain implore you not to use Ivermectin instead. Strain says there was some evidence at one point that the anti-parasitic might be effective against COVID but those studies were retracted by reputable medical journals…

Cut 12 (10) “…audit” 

Five puppies are now safe and sound after spending days at the bottom of a 65-foot dry well in Washington Parish. Director of the Humane Society of Louisiana Jeff Dorson says in his 33 years in the field, he’s never seen such an operation. Overall Dorson says the puppies are in great shape considering and crews kept them fed and watered throughout the three-day rescue.

Cut 10 (11) “…no idea”

He says the five pit-bull mix puppies along with their mother will be up for adoption once they’ve been released from Mandeville Animal Hospital.

Saints QB Jameis Winston looked like starter material last night against the Jags. Winston showed great chemistry with second year receiver Marquez Callaway who grabbed two TDs. Callaway was modest about his big game…

Cut 8 (11) “…to be”