Federal lawsuits fly, as President Biden moves forward with mandating COVID vaccine shots for millions of American workers. Dave Brannen has more…:

CUT 01  (35)        “…Brannen.”

Meanwhile the state Department of Health reports 538 new cases of coronavirus today with 226 patients in hospitals; the lowest reported number since spring of 2020. Since the start of the pandemic, over 14-thousand Louisianans have died from COVID.

Drug maker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says if the data holds true the drug is noteworthy…:

CUT 03(12)      “…significant. Very significant.”

Pfizer wants the FDA to authorize the new drug ASAP. Merck has a COVID pill that’s been OK’ed in Britain, but not yet in the U.S.

A Lake Charles man wins $1.3-million in last Saturday’s Louisiana Lotto drawing. Lottery spokesman Dennis Annison says Terrell Joseph Sr. claimed the pot early this week. Annison says the store that sold the ticket won its largest commission ever for selling the winning ticket…:

CUT 14(10)      “…the jackpot prize.”

No word on what Mr. Joseph plans to do with all that money.

Brian Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. He says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers and potentially losing employees because of the mandate.

Cut 9 (10) “…gonna get worse.”

The state marked another critical COVID milestone today, the lowest number of hospitalizations since spring of 2020.. Chief of Hospital Medicine at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport, Dr. Mike Sewell says he believes an increase in vaccinations is largely responsible.

Cut 10 (10)  “…continued”

Covid hospitalizations dropped to 226 today, or nine lower than yesterday.

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans, says being able to treat COVID patients outside of the hospital with the convenience of a pill versus current the option is a huge advance in treatment.

Cut 5 (07) “…those patients.”

The winner of last Saturday’s one-point-three million-dollar Louisiana Lotto drawing is from Laura-devastated southwest Louisiana. So says lottery spokesman Dennis Annison who says the lucky ticketholder came forward Monday.

Cut 13 (08) “…thousand after taxes.”

No word on what the winner plans to do with his winnings.

Brian Trosclair, who employs nearly 500 people at 15 grocery stores he owns in Louisiana and Mississippi, is among those suing in federal court to strike down the Biden vaccine mandate on private-sector employees. He notes those workers were hailed as heroes during the height of the pandemic.
Cut 8 (08) “…for their families.”
Trosclair says the vaccine mandate goes beyond the federal government intervening in the health choices of his workers.

There could soon be another medical treatment in the fight against COVID. Pfizer says its experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalizations and deaths by nearly 90-percent. Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans. Doctor Julio Figueroa says for the Pfizer pill to be effective, high-risk adults need to take the medication early in their COVID diagnosis.
Cut 4 (10) “…would fit.”
Pfizer plans to ask FDA for emergency use approval.

The Shreveport Police Department is expected to release more information in the triple-homicide that occurred at a home in the Cedar Grove neighborhood. The suspect, 36-year-old Barry Rigsby, was fatally shot in a shoot-out with police yesterday afternoon in Franklin Parish. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says they are to determine why Rigsby fled to an apartment complex in Wisner after killing three people, including a 12-year-old.
Cut 15 (12) “…that are needed.”
Investigators say the shooting in Shreveport was the result of a domestic dispute.

Witness testimony has concluded in the case against former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who is facing aggravated rape and incest charges. There were nine days of testimony and five accusers told jurors that Strain sexually assaulted them. Strain has said he’s innocent of the charges, but did not take the stand. Closing arguments are scheduled for Monday.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is leading a multi-state lawsuit to derail President Biden’s executive vaccine mandate order for federal contractors. Landry pulls no punches in his opposition to the requirement.

Cut 6 (08) “…but vastly overreaching.” 

Landry says the mandate will directly impact Louisiana, noting that about 60 percent of the state’s budget is federal money, and also impacts local governments and institutions of higher learning.

Biden’s order takes effect January 4^th and also mandates private companies with 100 or more employees be vaccinated or weekly COVID tests. Non-compliance would mean federal fines via OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the defense will have a credible argument.

Cut 8 (10) “…rules in this area.”

Drugmaker Pfizer says their experimental antiviral pill for COVID cuts the rates of hospitalization and death by nearly 90-percent in high-risk adults. Dr. Julio Figueroa, Chief of Infectious Diseases at LSU Health New Orleans says if the data holds true the drug is noteworthy.

Cut 3 (12) “….significant, very significant.”

Pfizer will reportedly be asking the FDA to authorize use of the pill asap.

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund that closed more than 100 days ago. Kennedy supported the grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. New Orleans Restaurant Owner Neal Bodenheimer says close to three-thousand Louisiana establishments that applied were not funded.

Cut 4 (12) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

The man sought for a domestic triple-homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing east to Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex yesterday. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Barry Rigsby died in a shootout with police in Wisner.
Cut 13 (08) “…this point deceased.”
KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting Rigsby killed his wife and her child and brother, who were 12 and 18-years-old.

Early voting for the November 13th election will conclude tomorrow at 6 PM. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the greatest turnout is expected in New Orleans, where Mayor LaToya Cantrell is up for re-election…
cut 11 (09) “..activity going on”
Every ballot in the state contains four constitutional amendments.

Restaurant owners are asking Senator John Kennedy to refill the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund because many restaurants failed to get assistance…
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana, Mississippi, and Indiana have joined together to file a lawsuit against President Joe Biden’s federal vaccine mandate that calls on companies with more than 100 employees to require their workers to be vaccinated. Louisiana A-G Jeff Landry says medical decisions should be made between patients and doctors, not the government.

Barry Risby the suspect in a triple-homicide in Shreveport overnight Wednesday is dead after fleeing to Franklin Parish where police exchanged gunfire with him at an apartment complex Thursday afternoon. Sheriff Kevin Cobb says the investigation includes trying to determine why Rigsby fled to a Franklin Parish apartment complex after killing three people, including a 12-year-old.

Cut 15 (12)  “…that are needed.”

Early voting for the November 13^th election wraps up this Saturday. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says turn out thus far has been too light for his taste.

Cut 10 (09)  “…from local government.” 

Ardoin doesn’t have an estimate on turnout thus far, but he expects only about 24 percent of registered voters will participate.

Thirty U.S. Senators – including Louisiana’s – are opposed to President Biden’s mandate for COVID vaccine in the private sector. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says there’s a good chance that a federal judge will issue – at least – a Temporary Restraining Order to delay the Executive Order taking effect…

Cut 9 (10)  “…part of their challenge.”

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund that closed more than 100 days ago. Kennedy supported the $120 billion grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. John Stubbs, with Jewel in the South, says his New Orleans restaurant is dependent on the fund now more than ever.

Cut 5 (09) “…we will.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is one of the co-sponsors of the bill to replenish the fund, however Kennedy is not.

The man sought for a domestic triple-homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing east to Franklin Parish where police caught up with him at an apartment complex yesterday. Franklin Sheriff Kevin Cobb says Barry Rigsby died in a shootout with police in Wisner.
Cut 13 (08) “…this point deceased.”
KTBS-TV in Shreveport is reporting Rigsby killed his wife and her child and brother, who were 12 and 18-years-old.

Restaurant owners in Louisiana are calling on Senator John Kennedy to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. Kennedy supported the $120 billion grant program last year but so far isn’t on board this year. New Orleans Restaurant Owner Neal Bodenheimer (Bo-den-Heimer) says nearly three-thousand Louisiana establishments applied for the funding but didn’t get any assistance…
Cut 4 (09) “…three weren’t. “ (x2)

Attorneys General in several states, including Louisiana’s Jeff Landry, have filed lawsuits challenging the President’s COVID vaccine mandate for private businesses…
cut 2 (33) “….I’m Kevin Gallagher”

The prosecution is getting close to wrapping up its case against former St. Tammany Parish Sheriff Jack Strain, who is facing aggravated rape and incest charges. There have been eight days of testimony and five accusers have testified against him. Strain has said he’s innocent of the charges.

A 36-year-old man sought for a triple homicide in Shreveport is dead after fleeing to northeast Louisiana. The latest from Dave Brannen.
cut 3 (36) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”

A former State Trooper who was honored as the Trooper of the Year in 2018 has been sentenced to 17.5 yards in federal prison on child pornography charges. 42-year-old Jason Boyet of Ponchatoula pleaded guilty to charges of distribution of images depicting the sexual exploitation of children. One of the victims was as young as three years old.

Restaurants are asking Senator John Kennedy to support the refilling of the federal Restaurant Revitalization Fund which closed 113 days ago. The Independent Restaurant Coalition says nearly three-thousand Louisiana Restaurants were unable to get relief. John Stubbs, Partner of Jewel in the South in New Orleans says they asked Senator Kennedy’s staff why he hasn’t joined Senator Bill Cassidy in co-sponsoring the bill to bring the relief program back…
cut 6 (10) “…not co-sponsoring”

Early voting for the November 13th election comes to an end tomorrow. This election cycle lacks a lot of hot races, but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters there are four constitutional amendments on the ballot…
cut 12 (07) “….they see fit”
Use the Geaux Vote app to find an early voting location near you and a sample ballot.