LSU Health Shreveport has identified the state’s first two cases of the COVID variant is spreading rapidly in India.  The two samples were reportedly located in Caddo Parish from a nursing home staff employee as well as a patient that is hospitalized. Health officials say the best way to protect yourself is to get fully vaccinated.

Starting in July a budget airliner will begin offering direct flights out of New Orleans to ten midsized cities in the South and Midwest. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states. Ten states have so far adopted incentive programs ranging from lotteries to free beer and even a 100-dollar savings bond. Edwards says they’re carefully studying those efforts.

Cut 5  (11)  “…ongoing”

Alabama held a mass vaccination event where people who showed up and got their shot got to drive two laps on the Talladega Superspeedway.

A $30-million buyout program for a Calcasieu Parish neighborhood that has flooded on multiple occasions was announced Friday. Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the funds will be used to purchase homes at fair market value in the Greinwich Terrance neighborhood of Lake Charles. Abshire says once the majority of the neighborhood is purchased it will be turned into a green space.

Cut 16 (06) “…the future.” 

The 50-year old neighborhood has approximately 300 homes

Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states. The number of new vaccinations per week has fallen precipitously from a mid-March high. Edwards says they’re looking into ways to get skeptical Louisianans off the fence…

Cut 3 (10)  “…vaccinated” 

Ten states have so far adopted incentive programs.

Breeze Airways will begin offering cheap direct flights out of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans into ten mid sizes cities across the Midwest and South. Flights to Charleston will begin July 8^th with flights to Louisville, Fayetteville, Richmond, Norfolk, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Akron, Columbus, and Huntsville beginning July 15^th and 16^th. CEO David Neeleman…

Cut 13 (10)“…much”

A $30-million buyout program to assist a Lake Charles neighborhood is now underway. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (32) …I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

The Alexandria Medical Region is seeing a concerning rise in the number of new reported syphilis cases. While the region only contains six percent of the state’s population it’s hosted 13 percent of all early syphilis cases in 2020 in Louisiana. Alexandria also was home to more cases of new female early syphilis cases than any other region in the state.

Governor Edwards says pretty soon he’s expecting the state will begin offering incentives for people to get vaccinated. He didn’t offer any details about what it may look like but other states are trying everything from free beer to Alabama allowing vaccinated people to drive two laps on the Talladega Superspeedway. Edwards says whatever incentive program they come up with will be on top of ongoing outreach efforts to all communities in the state…

Cut 5  (11)  “…ongoing”

There’s a now medium chance that a tropical depression develops in the Gulf of Mexico and lands somewhere in Texas or southwest Louisiana and forecasters also have their eye on a system in the Atlantic that could begin to strengthen. Lake Charles meteorologist Alex Donato says it’s just another reminder…

Cut 10 (4) “…average this year”

Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s met with a key member of the Biden Administration in hopes of convincing the feds to authorize additional assistance to hurricane and storm battered southwest Louisiana. Cassidy says he still sees plenty of standing water in Lake Charles and is aware of the possibility of more flooding in the immediate future. When asked who is against sending aid to the area and what the hurdles are…

Cut 7 (10) “…the need.”

Governor Edwards announces a $30-million buyout program for  Greinwich Terrance Terrace in Lake Charles, a neighborhood that has flooded on multiple occasions. Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the buyout program is completely optional and while he understands relocating and leaving your home is extremely emotional…

Cut 15 (09) “…repair your home.” 

The neighborhood has approximately 300 homes.

Governor Edwards announces a $30-million buyout program for a Calcasieu Parish neighborhood. Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the funds will be used to purchase homes at fair market value in the Greinwich Terrance neighborhood of Lake Charles.

Cut 14 record flood:13

The neighborhood has approximately 300 homes and the buyout program is optional.

Senator Bill Cassidy toured parts of Lake Charles this morning. As for helping southwest Louisiana get more federal assistance. Governor Edwards has requested an additional $3-billion for the area and Cassidy says he’s meeting again with a key decision-maker in the Biden administration.

Cut 8 (10) “…working hard.”

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring a disturbance that has a medium chance of developing into a tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico. National Weather Service in Lake Charles meteorologist Alex Donato says it’ll likely make landfall in Texas or possibly in southwest Louisiana

Cut 9 (8) “…most likely scenario”

Forecasters say the system could produce heavy rainfall which is why a flashflood watch is in effect through tonight for the western half of Louisiana.

Breeze Airways will begin offering cheap direct flights out of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans into ten mid sizes cities across the Midwest and South. The Louisiana Department of Economic Development estimates the new routes will create 261 new direct jobs and 877 new indirect jobs throughout the region. Breeze Airways CEO David Neeleman

Cut 12 (08)    “…visitors” 

Senator Bill Cassidy toured parts of Lake Charles this morning to check on the area after widespread flooding Monday and ongoing hurricane recovery efforts. As for helping southwest Louisiana get more federal assistance, Cassidy says he has met with a key person in the Biden administration in hopes of getting the President to sign off.

Cut 6 (09) “…sign it.”

Cassidy says he’s seeing plenty of standing water in the area but most of the flooding from Monday has drained off.

Breeze Airways will begin offering cheap direct flights out of Louis Armstrong in New Orleans into ten mid sizes cities across the Midwest and South. CEO David Neeleman, who founded Jet Blue, says the flights are inexpensive and often take less than two hours to get to their destination.

Cut 11 (09) “…hub”

Flights to Charleston will begin July 8^th.

Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states. Ten states have so far adopted incentive programs ranging from lotteries to free beer and even a 100-dollar savings bond. Edwards says they’re carefully studying those efforts.

Cut 4 (12) “..do that” 

Alabama held a mass vaccination event where people who showed up and got their shot got to drive two laps on the Talladega Superspeedway.

Governor Edwards says the state is considering implementing a vaccine incentive program similar to efforts in other states. The number of new vaccinations per week has fallen precipitously from a mid-March high. Edwards says they’re looking into ways to get skeptical Louisianans off the fence…

Cut 3, 10 seconds, vaccinated

While adults may end up getting incentivized to take a shot the state says it’s going to take a robust information campaign aimed at parents to get the vaccination rate for children to increase. Kids 12 and older are now eligible and Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Dr. Theron McCormick says you shouldn’t be too worried about potential side effects for those kids…

Cut 9 (10) “…the trials.” 

Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop’s tax reform bill finally clears the House. The legislation would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes on your state taxes. If approved by the Senate voters will have a chance to vote on it on the November 2022 ballot. This is what the language will say…

Cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes.”

Tomorrow marks the start of Safe Boating Week and before you head out on the water the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries wants you to check and make sure you have enough personal flotation devices for everyone you take aboard. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says even if you are a strong swimmer…

Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”

Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times.

The Louisiana House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.

Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”

The tax swap would be revenue-neutral.

An effort to provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find a job and increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits the state provides by 28-dollars to 275-dollars failed on the House floor. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews liked the idea of a hiring bonus…

Cut 14 (07) “…this helps.”
But 54 lawmakers voted against the bill. One reason is that if a person receives the hiring bonus, they can’t apply for unemployment for six months.

Boating season is getting started with Safe Boating Week beginning Saturday and the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries has some reminders for eager boaters. LDWF spokesperson Adam Einck says have enough flotation devices for all passengers and if you get caught drinking and driving your boat, you’ll face the same penalties that you’d face if you got caught driving drunk on the road.

Cut 5 (08)”… that boat.”

Louisiana saw 24 boating fatalities last year and nine so far this year.

The Louisiana Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and others are urging parents to have children ages 12 and up to be vaccinated for COVID. Our Lady of the Lake Pediatric Immunologist Dr. Theron McCormick says in the U-S of the 3.9-million children who’ve had COVID, 300 have died as a result.

Cut 8 (07) “…big deal.”

You can visit LDH’s website to find a vaccine site.

The Louisiana House has approved a major tax reform proposal. House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop explains what the legislation would do…
cut 12 (12) “…individual income taxes”
That means individual income tax rates would be lowered, but Louisiana taxpayers would no longer be able to deduct federal tax payments on their state income tax returns. The legislation still needs Senate and voter approval.

Tomorrow begins Safe Boating week. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says anyone born after January 1st 1984 must complete a boating education course to operate a vessel with over 10 horsepower…
cut 6 (06) “…free of charge”
Since 2003, over 137-thousand boaters have been certified.

A bill to increase the weekly unemployment benefit amount beginning next year fails in the House after being attacked by lawmakers on both sides…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Governor Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents who suffered damages to their home as a result of this week’s severe weather and extreme flooding to report that damage at damage-dot-la-dot-gov. The governor’s office says nearly 900 residents have already reported damage since Monday. The data collected could possibly lead to federal aid.

The Louisiana House has voted against a bill that would have increased maximum weekly unemployment benefits in Louisiana by 28-dollars starting on January 1st. Havey Representative Rodney Lyons on why he authored the bill…
cut 13 (06) “….benefits”
The bill would also provide a hiring bonus of up to one thousand dollars for an unemployed individual who is hired. But lawmakers had too many questions and concerns about the legislation and voted it down.

But the Louisiana House overwhelmingly supported a major tax reform plan that will need voter approval. The measure would get rid of a tax deduction for federal income taxes, but lower personal income taxes. It needed the support of House Democrats. Republican House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop…
cut 11 (07) “…passing this”
The tax swap plan still needs Senate approval.

State Health Officials and Pediatricians are encouraging parents to have their children ages 12 and up vaccinated against COVID. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The National Hurricane Center is giving a disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico a 40-percent chance of developing into a named storm. The system could produce heavy rainfall over southwest Louisiana during the next few days as it approaches the Texas coastline. The state health department says severe weather earlier this week led to five deaths.

The state health department says nearly one point-four million people in Louisiana are vaccinated against COVID and one point-five million have initiated the vaccine series. Governor John Bel Edwards says over five thousand children from 12 to 15-years-old have received one shot of the Pfizer vaccine…
cut 7 (07) “….their age”
Edwards says he’s considering possible incentives to get more Louisianans vaccinated.

The Louisiana House passes a constitutional amendment that would lower state personal income tax rates in exchange for eliminating the ability to deduct federal income taxes. Lafayette Representative Stuart Bishop says Louisiana lawmakers have tried to do this for decades.
Cut 10 (08) “…tax reform.”
The tax swap would be revenue neutral

An effort to provide a hiring bonus for jobless individuals who find a job and also increase the maximum weekly unemployment benefits the state provides by 28-dollars to 275-dollars failed on the House floor. Bossier City Representative Raymond Crews liked the idea of a hiring bonus…
cut 14 (07) “…this helps”
But 54 lawmakers voted against the bill. One reason is that if a person receives the hiring bonus, they can’t apply for unemployment for six months.

Safe Boating Week begins tomorrow. Louisiana Department of Wildlife Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck says you must have enough personal flotation devices for everyone aboard, even if you are a strong swimmer…
Cut 4 (10)“…afloat.”
Anyone 16 or younger must wear their flotation device at all times in vessels shorter than 26 feet.