The Louisiana Health Department reported 122 new COVID deaths today, which brings the state’s death toll to 11,706. Louisiana has also surpassed three thousand hospitalizations as there are now 3,012 patients hospitalized as a result of COVID.

Ochsner is encouraging people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised to get their third COVID vaccine shot. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (32)…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Multiple reports say the federal government will soon advise Americans who received the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, that they will need to get a third shot. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Fred Lopez…
cut 5 (11) “…last dose”
Today, the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival, the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City, and the Beignet Fest in New Orleans City Park announced they had to cancel their upcoming events. Gulf Coast Bank and Trust President Gary Williams says they add to the growing list of cancellations…
Cut 10 (15) “…gone away”
Williams says health officials have told him this fourth COVID surge could last another seven weeks.

The number of COVID patients in the hospital has surpassed three thousand, an all-time high. The state also reported 3,691 new cases and 122 new COVID deaths. Louisiana ranks second to Florida for daily average cases. Gulf Coast Bank and Trust president Gary Williams says that’s a big concern for our tourism-dependent economy…
cut 11 (08) “….neighboring states”

Ochsner is now administering third COVID vaccine shots to Moderna and Pfizer patients who are moderately to severely immunocompromised. Pharmacy and Population Health Director Matthew Malachowski says you can visit their website
Cut 12 (11) “…dose.”
Patients should wait at least 28 days after receiving their second dose to get a third dose.

Since the approval of a booster dose for the immunocompromised now there’s a discussion of a third shot for the general public who are fully vaccinated Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 1 (32) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.”

A couple of major festivals announced today they will not hold their events this year. Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival and the Shrimp and Petroleum Festival in Morgan City have decided to wait until next year.

Bossier City police will host a fundraiser on Monday, August 30th at their police station on Benton Road, for fallen Doyline police officer Billy Collins Junior. He was killed while on duty last month.

The state exceeds three thousand COVID hospitalizations today. The grim milestone is marked with 3,012 patients in Louisiana hospitals with COVID-related illnesses.  91-percent of which are unvaccinated.  The state also reports 3,691 new cases and 122 fatalities.

Days after the FDA approved a third COVID vaccine booster shot for the immunocompromised, the Biden Administration is reportedly developing a plan for a third shot for those who were fully vaccinated, eight months ago or longer. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says he anticipates the booster shot rollout will mirror the original rollout of healthcare workers and nursing home residents.

Cut 4 (08) “…conditions” 

Conditions like heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, thyroid disease, and obesity.

Critical hospital personnel who have children under the age of 12 can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says all of those workers are desperately needed in our near-capacity hospitals.

Cut 7 (07) “…nature” 

Applications will be accepted through October 31st.

The governor’s office has made federal dollars available to help health care and STEM students get their degrees. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the Completers Grant will provide scholarships to students who are within 30 credit hours of completing a degree at a two-year or four-year school…

cut 12 (09) “….fee bill”
For more information go to LOFSA’s website.

The Biden Administration is developing a plan to implement the CDC’s recommendation that people receive a vaccine booster shot eight months after their last shot. Infectious Disease Specialist for LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Fred Lopez says the big question is who gets prioritized…

Cut 3 (06) “…first.” 

Critical hospital personnel who have children age 12 and under can receive childcare subsidies thanks to a new Department of Education program. Deputy Assistant Superintendent for Early Childhood Operations Lisa Brochard says this program could help get more hospital workers back to understaffed facilities…

Cut 6, 9 seconds, Louisiana

This subsidy program applies to a range of personnel working in Tier 1 or 2 hospitals.

Things got feisty yesterday at the State Capitol as anti-mask and vaccine members of the public clashed with health and elected officials at a meeting of House Health and Welfare. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox questioned Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana about her opposition to school masking…

Cut 14 (11) “…alright, alright.”

STEM and healthcare students who are nearing completion of their degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says the state needs more aspiring nurses, programmers, math educators, and others pursuing high-demand work…

Cut 11 (10) “…qualify.”

Priority for the grants will be given to those students who have exhausted financial aid from other sources.

On Monday parents and concerned residents made their voices heard at the state capitol over mask mandates in schools. Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana told lawmakers the data that’s been presented by state health officials are based on lies.

Cut 13 (11) “…with our kids.”

Lafayette Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Richard faces charges himself after allegedly leaving the scene of a boating incident that injured three juveniles.  LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 64-year old Richard was arrested Monday for the August 8^th incident and according to witnesses, Richard put on a life jacket and got into the water assist but then quickly left.

Cut 8 (09) “…Carencro.” 

STEM and healthcare students who are nearing completion of their degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says if you’re in one of those programs and have 30 or fewer hours left in your degree, you could get some extra financial help.

Cut 10 (11) “…graduation.” 

Starting October 1^st SNAP recipients will see a roughly 36-dollar average increase to their monthly benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this is the single largest increase in the program’s history.

Cut 6 (09) “…jump”

Recipients won’t have to do anything to receive the increase, it will be automatically included when they receive their monthly benefits

Anti-mask protesters made their voices heard at the Louisiana House Health and Welfare Committee. Brandi Pew of Unmask our Kids in Louisiana says wearing a mask all day in school is not good for children…
cut 15 (11) “…with masks”
Governor Edwards has said everyone five years old and up should wear a mask while indoors. BESE is expected to discuss the issue tomorrow.

A prosecutor in the Lafayette District Attorney’s Office faces several charges after a pontoon boat he was operating collided with three juveniles who were tubing on the False River in Pointe Coupee Parish. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says 64-year-old Chris Richard of Carencro has been charged with felony hit and run, careless operation, and negligent injury…
cut 9 (10) “…boating incident”
Authorities say one of the children injured suffered a broken pelvis.

Food stamp benefits are set to go up about 36 dollars a month on average. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Authorities in northeast Louisiana have arrested an Acadia Parish man after he allegedly drove 230 miles to Oak Grove to have sex with a 13-year-old girl. James Regan of Egan was charged with solicitation of a juvenile for sex. Oak Grove Police say Regan thought he was talking with a teenage girl, it turned out to be an undercover agent. He’s also been charged with 39 counts of child pornography.

The House Health and Welfare Committee heard pleas from both sides over face masks in Louisiana schools Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state health department reports nearly 87-thousand people received a COVID-19 vaccine shot in the last week and two-point-one million Louisiana residents have started the vaccine series. That’s nearly 47-percent of the state. Based on L-D-H data, nearly 39-percent of the state’s residents are fully vaccinated.

Starting October 1st, food stamp recipients will receive a 36 dollar average increase to their monthly benefits. DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this means an extra 435 million dollars in benefits will head to Louisiana.
Cut 4 (04) “…deal.”
The increase is the largest in the program’s history and it was the Biden Administration who made the decision to raise the level of food stamp assistance.

The governor’s office has made federal dollars available to help health care and STEM students get their degrees. Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the Completers Grant will provide scholarships to students who are within 30 credit hours of completing a degree at a two-year or four-year school…
cut 12 (09) “….fee bill”
For more information go to LOFSA’s website.

Anti-mask parents went before the House Health and Welfare Committee to express their concerns over mask mandates in schools. Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana told lawmakers the data presented by state health officials are based on lies.
Cut 13 (11) “…with our kids.”
The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics is in support of universal masking in schools.

The average food stamp recipient in Louisiana will receive an additional 36-dollars a month starting October 1st. It’s the largest increase in the history of the program. The change was made on the federal level and Louisiana DCFS Assistant Secretary Shavana Howard says 36 dollars might not sound like much but it can make a world of difference for those living in poverty.
Cut 5 (06) “…family”

Lafayette Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Richard faces numerous charges after allegedly leaving the scene of an August eighth boating crash on the False River that injured three juveniles. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck…

cut 7 (11) “…at this point”
One of the juveniles injured suffered a broken pelvis.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance has a new grant program to help individuals who are 30 hours or less from completing a degree in a high-demand field such as health care and STEM occupations. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah Paul says the state needs more nurses, computer programmers, and math teachers…
cut 11 (10) “…qualify”
For more information on the completers grant go to LOFSA’s website.

Several parents went before the House Health and Welfare Committee to express their opposition to face coverings in the classroom for their children. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox asked one mother if it’s worth putting her child or another child’s life in danger by removing face masks in schools…
cut 14 (11) “…alright alright”
BESE is expected to discuss this issue at its full board meeting tomorrow.

STEM and healthcare students who are close to receiving a degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance. LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says if you’re in one of those programs and have 30 or fewer hours left in your degree, you could get some extra financial help.
Cut 10 (11) “…graduation.”
To be eligible you must complete a FAFSA application.

An assistant DA in Lafayette Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after being arrested a week later for leaving the scene of a False River boating incident that injured three juveniles
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Food stamp benefits are set to go up about 36 dollars a month on average. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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An assistant DA in Lafayette Parish finds himself on the other side of the law after being arrested a week later for leaving the scene of a False River boating incident that injured three juveniles

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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House Health and Welfare heard pleas from both sides over face masks in Louisiana schools Monday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Starting October 1^st SNAP recipients will see a roughly 36 dollar average increase to their monthly benefits.

DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this means an extra 435 million dollars in benefits will be headed to Louisiana.

Cut 4 (04) “…deal.”

According to the Associated Press food stamp benefits have gone up 25 percent since the pandemic’s start.

36 dollars might not sound like much to some but Howard says it can make a world of difference for Louisianans who are living in poverty.

Cut 5 (06) “…family”

Howard says this is the single largest increase in the program’s history.

Cut 6 (09) “…jump”

Recipients won’t have to do anything to receive the increase, it will be automatically included when they receive their monthly benefits.

_____________________

Lafayette Parish Assistant District Attorney Chris Richard faces numerous charges himself after allegedly leaving the scene of a boating incident that injured three juveniles.  Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says 64-year old Richard was arrested Monday for the August 8^th incident.

Cut 7 (11) “….at this point.”

Einck says one of the three juveniles who were tubing on False River that afternoon was airlifted to a Baton Rouge hospital with a fractured pelvis, after the pontoon boat Richard was driving hit him and two others.

According to witnesses, Einck says Richard put on a life jacket and got into the water assist but then quickly left.

Cut 8 (09) “…Carencro.” 

Einck says due to arrest more than a week after the incident a breathalyzer was not given. Einck says Richard was pulling tubers himself and there were approximately five people with his party. At this time Einck says he does not believe others will be charged but the investigation is ongoing. Einck says Richard’s profession does not grant him any special privileges.

Cut 9 (10) “….comes to a boating incident.”

Agents reportedly interviewed more than a dozen witnesses some at the scene and others were located days later.

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STEM and healthcare students who are nearing completion of their degree may be eligible to receive a Completers Grant from the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance.

LOSFA Director of Scholarships and Grants Deborah (Deb-or-uh) Paul says if you’re in one of those programs and have 30 or fewer hours left in your degree, you could get some extra financial help.

Cut 10 (11) “…graduation.” 

Priority for the grants will be given to those students who have exhausted financial aid from other sources.

Paul says the state needs more math and science inclined workers and this grant is designed to assist aspiring nurses, programmers, math educators, and others pursuing high-demand work.

Cut 11 (10) “…qualify.”

Paul says the grant is possible as a result of federal dollars Governor Edwards set aside to help students finish their degrees.

Cut 12 (09) “…fee bill.”  

To be eligible you must complete a FAFSA application and meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress benchmarks for the degree program.

_____________________________

There were numerous tense moments Monday as parents and concerned residents made their voices heard at the state capitol over mask mandates in schools. Brandi Pew of Unmask Our Kids in Louisiana told lawmakers the data that’s been presented by state health officials are based on lies.

Cut 13 (11) “…with our kids.”

Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox questioned Pew about what the ifs and if it’s worth putting her child or another child’s life in danger by removing face masks in Louisiana schools.

Cut 14 (11) “…alright, alright.”

While others testified in favor of masking and the vaccine, Pew contends forcing a child to wear a mask is abuse.

Cut 15 (11)“…with masks.”

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics sent a letter to Governor Edwards in support of universal masking while indoors in schools.

On Wednesday BESE is scheduled to discuss the mask mandates. A letter that contends the state school board, not the Governor, has jurisdiction over masking in schools was sent to BESE and signed by 63 of 68 House Republicans.

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LSU starting Quarterback Max Johnson says the Tigers offense needs to address some communication issues after the defensive line reportedly had its way in the team’s first scrimmage of preseason camp…

Cut 16 (15) “…work on that”

Johnson says better communication will come with more reps as a unit during preseason camp. Max is the son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback Brad Johnson, who played 15 years in the NFL. The LSU Q-B on the advice he’s received from Dad…

Cut 17 (17) “…you can be.”  

LSU senior defensive linemen Neil Farrell expects big seasons from sophomore Jaquelin Roy and freshman Maason Smith…

Cut 18 (11)”…this year.”

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The Ragin Cajuns are ranked 23rd in the AP preseason poll. It’s the first time U-L Lafayette enters a season ranked in the Associated Press’s top 25 poll. Coach Billy Napier says his team will have 12 opportunities this season to prove they should remain ranked…

Cut 19 (14)  “…its potential” 

The Cajuns will open the season by visiting the 21st ranked Texas. U-L Lafayette had its first scrimmage of preseason camp this past weekend and Napier says freshman running back Montrell Johnson had a good day, but it wasn’t all good when it came to the offense…

Cut 20 (19)  “…next week”