The 2019 LSU national championship football team is supporting new bling as they’ve received their rings for completing a perfect season. Special assistant to head coach Ed Orgeron, Derek Ponamsky, says each player and member of the staff received three rings to commemorate an historic season

Cut 9 (11) “…playoff tournament”

And don’t worry Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow got his rings, they were shipped to him in Ohio.

31-year-old Erroll Johnson was shot dead in Monroe this morning by State Police troopers trying to apprehend him after allegedly firing at officers on two different occasions in the past few days. State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the first incident occurred Sunday when officers attempted to pull over Johnson, leading to a car chase.

Cut 6 (09) “…that time.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick denounces masking mandates in a video posted to Facebook as Shreveport becomes the latest municipality to enact a mask mandate while inside a business.  In the clip, McCormick compares mask-wearing to the holocaust and brandishes a chainsaw and blow torch.    McCormick says a mask mandate is a gateway to other government efforts of overreach.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…take the mark.”

Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater map turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says if the Feds decide to grant endangered species protections for the two freshwater turtles’, the Fish and Wildlife Service will have to enter in consultations with other federal agencies.

Cut 11 (07) “…be reviewed.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick denounces masking mandates in a video posted to Facebook. In the clip, McCormick compares mask-wearing to the holocaust, the mark of the beast, eludes to the possibility of implanted tracking chips in the future, and brandishes a chainsaw,
Cut 3 (11) “…***chainsaw sfx***.”
Shreveport is the latest muncipality to mandate masks. Their mandary order goes into effect at 5 PM today.

Meanwhile, Tulane researchers have concluded a study on how long COVID-19 can survive in the air. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says it’s for more than just a few hours…
cut 4 (12) “….suspension”
Roy says the best way for those droplets to stay out of your system is by wearing a mask.

The Pelicans depart for the NBA bubble in Orlando today with some players a bit uneasy about resuming play. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The 2019 LSU football team has received their championship rings and they got three of them. One for winning the SEC Championship, one for winning the college football playoffs and another for winning a national championship. It’s unknown how much the rings cost but the NCAA prohibits schools from spending more than 425-dollars per national championship ring.

Tulane researchers discover coronavirus can live on tiny respiratory droplets that are naturally exhaled while breathing and remain infectious for up to 16 hours, a finding that supports fears about how asymptomatic people may be transmitting the virus. While it is concerning to know that the virus can be spread by more than just coughing, Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says the good news is those droplets can still be stopped by a mask.

Cut 6 (11) “…material”

A white East Baton Rouge Parish school system elementary school PE teacher was arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a black family driving through her neighborhood, and beating their car with a bat during a period of heavy rain and flooding. A social media video of the incident does not show 38-year-old Bridgette DiGerolamo specifically doing that, but does capture the alleged aftermath with her standing near the car with a handgun. The incident occurred just off of Confederate Avenue.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19. Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says that request took him by surprise and seems like a knee jerk reaction, but he doesn’t have the answer at this point and continues to stress the importance of embracing each day to his players.

Cut 15 (07) “…what happens tomorrow.”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities, but it appears BESE may not have the authority to order it.

Pascagoula and Pearl River map turtles, species only found near the Louisiana/Mississippi boarder, will get a federal review that could lead to protection under the endangered species act. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the designation would secure funding dedicated to preserving the species.

Cut 12 (08) “…and restoration.”

Tulane researchers discover coronavirus can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours after being breathed out of a COVID-19 positive person’s mouth. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says that caught them by surprise because that level of staying power is unusual for a coronavirus.

Cut 5 (09)  “…2003”

It’s a startling discovery that backs up recent concerns that the virus can be transmitted just by breathing without a mask on instead of coughing.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fleids asks BESE to suspend all athletic activities for the fall K-12 semester due to COVID-19, a move that’s taken many in the high school athletics community by surprise. Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says it’s another twist for coaches who would like more guidance on the future of sports from the LHSAA…

Cut 14 (07) “…football in phase 2.”

The Pels depart for the NBA Orlando Bubble today, a grand experiment that aims to see whether sports can be viable in the middle of a pandemic if everyone agrees to isolate themselves from the outside world. Veteran Guard JJ Reddick says all of the outside distractions will weigh heavily on players, and the winning teams may not be the ones that just had the most talent.

Cut 9 (10) “…group”

The Pels start the season July 30^th against the Jazz and are 3.5 games back of the 8^th seed with eight games to be played.

Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the Pearl River and Pascagoula turtles have been on the decline due to a threat of their habitats and…

Cut 10 (12) “…medicinial markets.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19.  Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says the request caught him and many others by surprise, adding that it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities.

The Pels head for the Orlando bubble today to prep for the July 30^th restart of the season against the Jazz. The departure raised some eyebrows from forward Brandon Ingram, who says he’s not confident the bubble experiment will work as cases in Florida skyrocket, and guard Lonzo Ball who is concerned the restart will take attention away from ongoing conversations about racial injustice…

Cut 8 (06) “…going on.”

Tulane researchers uncover evidence that coronavirus particles can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours once expelled…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Casino jobs are being slashed across the state. More than 4,000 have already been lost as the gaming industry is seeing year to year revenue declines of over 60 percent for May. The bulk of the losses are coming in the Shreveport market, where horseshoe has laid off 1,875 people. In Baton Rouge L’Auberge has lost 161 jobs. 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Feilds’ call that all K-12 sports be canceled for the fall shocked many in the high school sports community, including Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta, who says it sounds like a knee jerk reaction…

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities.

The Pelicans are on their way to Orlando today to enter The Bubble at Disney World for at least the next month. The team will begin with a few days in quarantine upon arrival in separate hotel rooms, and frequent testing will be enforced. No one, including staff, is to leave the designated areas while the season is going on. That may sound like a lot of safety measures, but even with that level of scrutiny Forward Brandon Ingram says he’s not confident this experiment will work. 

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

LSU’s championship rings have arrived to commemorate the accomplishments of the team during its 15-0 season widely regarded as the greatest in college football. They’re coming in three varieties, an SEC Championship ring that’s yellow gold and ringed with 16 purple stones for each of the team’s 16 conference championships, and 37-10 engraved on the side in honor of the Tiger’s drubbing of the Bulldogs.  

The second ring comes from the College Football Playoffs, and is the first since the ring was first commissioned to have an altered face incorporating purple stones.  

The crown jewel is the official National Championship ring. It’s the first championship ring to incorporate all three school colors, purple, gold, and white. It also pays homage to the team’s 1958, 2003, and 2007 Championships with four stones embedded in it. One side of the ring features Tiger Stadium, the other the State of Louisiana.  It’s being called one of the largest championship rings ever made. 

In other LSU news Harvard grad transfer, Liam Shanahan appears to be set to compete at center, with Coach O saying he’s got a good shot to win the job.  

Tulane researchers discover SARS-Covid-2 can be exhaled on tiny droplets that occur naturally when breathing, suspend itself in the air, and remain infectious for over half a day. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they tested the infectious droplets in a highly controlled setting.

Cut 4 (12)_“…suspension”

Roy adds despite the small size, even these droplets can be stopped by mask-wearing.

The Pelicans depart for the NBA Bubble in Orlando today with a few players having mixed feelings about the restart of the NBA season. Forward Brandon Ingram was asked if he was confident about the bubble experiment working out and the season actually finishing. He says he’s not confident about that.

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields requests BESE suspend fall sports for K-12 schools, but it isn’t sitting well with everyone. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

(Commodities, or)

38-year-old Bridgette Digerolamo, a white Baton Rouge woman living on Confederate Avenue has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a black family that was driving through the neighborhood during a period of heavy rain and flooding. A social media video does not show that incident specifically but does show the woman brandishing a handgun.

Tulane researchers uncover evidence that coronavirus particles can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours once expelled. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Pelicans depart for the NBA bubble in Orlando today with some players a bit uneasy about resuming play. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields requests BESE suspend fall sports for K-12 schools, but it isn’t sitting well with everyone. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

Tulane researchers discover SARS-Covid-2 can be exhaled on tiny droplets that occur naturally when breathing, suspend itself in the air, and remain infectious for over half a day.

Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they tested the infectious droplets in a highly controlled setting.

Cut 4 (12)_“…suspension”

That controlled setting did not account for the effects of sunlight, wind, or other naturally occurring things that could impact the particle.

Roy says that level of staying power is unusual for a coronavirus.

Cut 5 (09)  “…2003”

While it is concerning to know that the virus can be spread by more than just coughing, Roy says the good news is those droplets can still be stopped by a mask.

Cut 6 (11) “…material”

__________________

The Pelicans depart for the NBA Bubble in Orlando today with a few players having mixed feelings about the restart of the NBA season.

Forward Brandon Ingram was asked if he was confident about the bubble experiment working out and the season actually finishing. He says he’s not confident about that.

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

Florida has seen an explosion of COVID cases recently, with Orlando being one of the state’s hotspots.

Guard Lonzo Ball has been active in George Floyd protests in his native Los Angeles since the season was paused. He says there’s just so much more going on right now that’s more important than the game.

Cut 8 (06) “…going on.”

The NBA has committed to painting black lives matter on the Orlando courts and allowing players to wear other BLM messaging on their jerseys.

Veteran Guard JJ Reddick says all of the outside distractions will weigh heavily on players, and the winning teams may not be the ones that just had the most talent.

Cut 9 (10) “…group”

The Pels start the season July 30^th against the Jazz and are 3.5 games back of the 8^th seed with eight games to be played.

_______________

Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the Pearl River and Pascagoula turtles have been on the decline due to a threat of their habitats and…

Cut 10 (12) “…medicinial markets.”

Totoiou says if the Feds decide to grant endangered species protections for the two freshwater turtles’, the Fish and Wildlife Service will have to enter in consultations with other federal agencies.

Cut 11 (07) “…be reviewed.”

In addition to cooperation with other federal agencies, Totoiou says the designation would also secure funding dedicated to preserving the species.

Cut 12 (08) “…and restoration.”

The turtles, which can live 30 years, are considered some of the least-studied reptiles in North America.

___________________________________

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19.  Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says the request caught him and many others by surprise, adding that it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities with student in-person participation in a group setting such as conditioning, practice, and team meetings.

Fertitta’s football program has only seen three players test positive for COVID-19 and he feels that the proper precautions have been taken without a massive outbreak.  Fertitta says the LHSAA has yet to issue guidance but does not blame them since the whole situation feels like a big waiting game.

Cut 14 (07) “…football in phase 2.”

Fertitta says he doesn’t have the answer at this point but continues to stress the importance of embracing each day to his players.

Cut 15 (07) “…what happens tomorrow.”

____________________________

The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is back above one-thouand for the first time since the middle of May. 1,025 are now hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, 109 of them are on ventilators. The state also reported 23 new deaths for a total of 68,263.

Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic? And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

Over 103-thousand people early voted in person for Saturday’s presidential primary and at least another 76-thousand sent in a mail-in ballot. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says those are huge numbers for a presidential primary already decided…
cut 3 (12) “…newsworty”
Couvillon says it’s also newsworthy that more blacks than whites voted early based on numbers posted Sunday by the Secretary of State’s office.

A team of scientists that includes researchers at LSU Health New Orleans believe they’ve discovered a new class of pipeline drugs that can relieve pain and reduce fever with the danger of addiction. Doctor Nicholas Bazan says they also believe their drugs are less toxic to the liver and kidneys than the painkillers on the market…
cut 10 (09) “…to the kidney”
Bazan says the drugs they discovered need FDA approval.

Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but there’s still been a robust turnout for Saturday’s election. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Add Shreveport to the list of local governments requiring masks for everyone inside a business. Mayor Adrian Perkins’ order goes into effect tomorrow at 5 PM. The number of people hospitalized statewide by COVID-19 surpassed one-thousand today and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

LSU Health New Orleans researchers have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs that can relieve pain and reduce fever with the danger of addition or damage to the live or kidneys. Dr. Nicolas Bazan says they believe these new chemical entities reduced pain in two models and reduced fever in another model. He says the Food and Drug Administration will begin their investigation soon…
cut 11 (07) “…new drug”

Another major festival in Louisiana has been postponed until 2021. The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Orleans will not take place in October, but they may still have a virtual food event. Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says that’s because everyone loves a good gumbo…
cut 14 (11) “…the world”