Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Preference Primary.  The voting process will look a little different than other elections.  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says there will be spread mitigation efforts in place and they’ve recruited poll workers that are less susceptible to poor outcomes from COVID-19 exposure.

Cut 13 (09) “…on Election Day.” 

As of yesterday, the number of ICU beds available in southwest Louisiana was down to 27. Governor Edwards says some hospitals also report a low supply of Remdesivir, which is an approved therapeutic drug for severely ill COVID patients.

Cut 8 (12) “…on that”

Hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 have nearly doubled over the last month.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage on school campuses, instead of recommending their use. LFT President Larry Carter after a survey of their members they’re serious about their facemask policy request and have been putting their money where their mouth is to make it happen…

Cut 11 (09) “…give out”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans by gauging calorie consumption.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Corby Martin says the PortionSize app helps tackle a critical problem in weight management, giving people an idea of what they are actually eating.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…during that meal.”

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has nearly doubled over the last month. According to the state department of health, there are just over 40 ICU beds available at each of these three regions, central Louisiana, the River Parishes and Acadiana. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 7 (10) “…hospitalizations.”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage while on school campuses, instead of the current policy of recommending their use. LFT President Larry Carter says they’ve polled nearly 13,000 of their members and one issue stuck out like a sore thumb…

Cut 10 (08) “…teachers”

Some localities and parishes have adopted mandatory face mask usage while in businesses and public buildings, but most have not.

Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Primary. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson is stepping down as chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. She’s led the party for the last eight years.

State contact tracing data has identified 16 outbreaks linked to restaurants leading to at least 68 known cases. Assistant health secretary, Doctor Alex Billioux, says compliance checks are happening, but he’s unaware if any business has been cited
Cut 4 (10)_ “…is done”
That data has also identified that Bars lead the way with 36 outbreaks that have produced at least 393 cases.

33 percent of pet owners say their pets have been packing on pounds alongside them. LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says pet obesity is a serious issue, and to counter it you should know the appropriate daily caloric intake for your pet and take a quarter portion of that in kibble and feed it to them throughout the day.
Cut 8 (06) “…makes them happy.”

Ohio State and North Carolina have suspended their voluntary workouts because of positive COVID-19 cases, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the virus is under control among his players. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

According to the U-S-A Today, Teurlings Catholic offensive lineman Jacob Lemaire has spent four days in the intensive care after being infected with COVID-19 and developing pneumonia. Lemaire’s mother tells the USA Today that her son is on oxygen, but he’s doing really well.

Through contact tracing, the state has identified the settings where they’ve seen the most coronavirus outbreaks. Bars lead the way with 36 outbreaks that’s produced at least 393 cases. Assistant health secretary, Doctor Alex Billioux, says the bar setting presents a lot of challenges to manage
Cut 3 (11) “…other speak”

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says coronavirus cases involving his players are under control as his team goes through voluntary workouts. At one time LSU reportedly had at least 30 players in quarantine, but in an interview on WWL Radio, Orgeron said that was inaccurate
Cut 12 (10) “…control”
The Big 10 announced today that they’ll only play conference games this fall.

33% of pet owners say their pet has gained weight during the quarantine. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson is stepping down as chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. She’s led the party for the last eight years. Candidates to replace Peterson have emerged. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says he may run and Lafayette lawyer Katie Bernhardt has already announced her candidacy. An election is set for August 29th.

Louisiana reported 18-hundred more coronavirus cases today and hospitalizations also rose by 20. The state reported 16 more deaths. The state has reported 151-thousand test for this month, but the huge surge in testing has led to delays in people getting their results back. Governor John Bel Edwards says they are working on trying to speed up the process…
cut 10 (11) “…longer that”

The state health department has also released a list of where they are seeing the most outbreaks in the community and leading the way its bars, followed by restaurants and industrial settings. Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux has this advice…
cut 5 (12) “….protect your family”

As cases continue to climb in several states, the concern grows that the college football season will be delayed, shortened or possibly moved to the spring. LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says his players will be ready for any scenario…
cut 14 (09) “>…go play”
Orgeron says his football team has seen a low number of cases after a spike that occurred in June that was tied to players going to off campus bars.

People aren’t the only ones packing on the pounds during the pandemic as 33% of pet owners say their pet has gained weight during quarantine, according to a study out of the state of Washington. LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says pets are receiving extra TLC from their owners.
Cut 6 (10) “…of how often.”

Governor Edwards says he’s been told some people are having to wait more than ten days to get their COVID test results as demand surges across the state. The Governor says the problem this time is not the testing kits, because they’ve got plenty. The issue is the country is running low on reagents needed to analyze samples collected at testing sites…

Cut 9 (10) “…receiving”

Edwards reiterated the fact that if you think you’ve been exposed you need to self-quarantine and remain in quarantine even if you get results back that show you are negative.

33 percent of pet owners say their pets have been packing on pounds alongside them. LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says pet obesity is a serious issue, and to counter it you should know the appropriate daily caloric intake for your pet and take a quarter portion of that in kibble and feed it to them throughout the day.

Cut 8 (06) “…makes them happy.”

Ohio State and North Carolina have suspended their voluntary workouts because of positive COVID-19 cases, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the virus is under control among his players…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Several Republican lawmakers have now spoken against Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ request for K-12 athletics to be cancelled in the fall. When asked about the letter sent by the Baton Rouge Democrat to BESE, Governor Edwards agreed with detractors in saying that it is too early to make that call. The LHSAA also chimed in, saying they are fully committed to having a safe return of high school athletics when school returns.

State contact tracing data has identified 16 outbreaks linked to restaurants leading to at least 68 known cases. Assistant health secretary, Doctor Alex Billioux, says compliance checks are happening, but he’s unaware if any business has been cited

Cut 4 (10)_ “…is done”

That data has also identified that Bars lead the way with 36 outbreaks that have produced at least 393 cases, there have been eleven outbreaks at food processing plants and 16 outbreaks in industrial settings.

And it’s taking longer and longer to get test results back these days as private labs run out of reagent to test samples collected at testing sites. Governor Edwards says he’s heard of delays of over ten days and those delays could be hampering spread mitigation efforts…

Cut 11 (09) “quarantining”

33% of pet owners say their pet has gained weight during the quarantine.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

There’s a report out that current Louisiana Democratic Party Chairwoman and New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson will not seek another term as head of the Bayou State Dems. There’s no information right now as to why she’s not seeking reelection, but the Crescent City firebrand has occasionally clashed with the Governor on social issues, and recently made a controversial move to block the reappointment of Ronnie Jones to the head of the Gaming Control Board.

The state adds 1843 new COVID positive tests today at an alarming 13 percent positive rate for all tests conducted, notably above the ten percent level the feds want to see. 20 more people have been hospitalized as well, along with 16 new COVID deaths being reported.

This recent nationwide explosion in cases has led to a real problem for COVID testing, labs are running out of reagent to test materials gathered at testing sites. Governor Edwards says that’s leading to long delays in people getting their results back.

Cut 10 (12) “…than that.”

And LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s ordered his players to stay away from bars and nightclubs to keep from the team experiencing another cluster of cases again…

Cut 13 (07) “…go no more” 

But says reports that 30 players had to quarantine were inaccurate.

People aren’t the only ones packing on the pounds during the pandemic as 33% of pet owners say their pet has gained weight during quarantine, according to a study out of the state of Washington.  LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says  the same issues that weight gain can cause in people can show up in animals as well.

Cut 7 (07) “…things like that.”

Welborn recommends knowing the appropriate daily caloric intake for your pet and taking a quarter portion of that in kibble and feed it to them throughout the day.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ call for K-12 athletic activities to be suspended due to COVID-19 has created a stir with some folks in the athletic community pushing back against the suggestion, saying it is too early to make that call. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is backing those opinions and sent a letter to BESE saying canceling school sports could jeopardize athlete’s ability to go to college…

Cut 9 (09) “…far more detrimental.”

The LHSAA says they are fully committed to the safe return of high school sports, and Governor Edwards says it’s too early to make that call.

LSU Football Head Coach Ed Orgeron says the COVID outbreak in the team is under control and earlier reports that at least 30 players had to quarantine as a result of it were inaccurate.

Cut 12 (10) “…control”

He’s optimistic the season will start on time September 5th.

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Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry was officially cleared to join the Pelicans in the Orlando Bubble yesterday and boarded the flight with the team heading over. Gentry was filmed moments before getting on the plane, having a bit of fun with the rumors that he would not be able to attend due to his age… 

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Gentry, who is 65 was deemed fit but Pels defensive guru and assistant head coach Jeff Bzdelick, who is 67, will not be joining the team due to non-age related factors.  

The Pels will enter a multi-day quarantine upon landing. They’ll be staying at Disney’s Yacht Club resort hotel for the duration, which, if they manage to snag a playoff spot, could be over two months. The season restarts July 30th against the Jazz.  

Ohio State and North Carolina are shutting down offseason workouts due to reported clusters of COVID cases. This temporary pause impacts all sports at both schools. The Ivy League has also decided to shutdown their fall season for 2020.