The FDA gives full authorization to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, a milestone achievement for medical science in the face of this historic pandemic. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says with this in hand organizations, private and public, can now move ahead with vaccine mandates.

Cut 5 (09) “…to do that.”

The UL System schools have a policy ready to go.  President Jim Henderson says their policy is now that students will either need to provide proof of vaccination or claim a personal exemption the next time they register for classes. He says it’s not really a mandate because state law prohibits true vaccine mandates at schools…

Cut 10 (08) “…dissent”

An LSU spokesperson says they are reviewing the authorization and plan to issue guidance on their vaccine policy soon.

New Orleans Police veteran Officer Everett Briscoe shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks was a close friend of Everett Briscoe and says this surge in violence sweeping the nation has to end.

Cut 8 (11) “…tell me.”

Cops say two people entered the restaurant patio just after 5 PM and began demanding people hand over their valuables. A witness says everyone complied and it is not confirmed why one of the assailants then opened fire, fatally striking Briscoe and wounding another person.

Beginning today the multistate Powerball game will draw numbers three times a week as opposed to only two. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says hopefully this will spark increased interest in the game and lead to Louisiana’s first Powerball winner since 2018…

Cut 14 (12) “..October 2017.”

The FDA gives the Pfizer COVID vaccination full backing, Brooke Thorington talks with a Tulane epidemiologist about the pandemic milestone.

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

There’s evidence that the 4^th wave of the pandemic is starting to break in Louisiana. At mid-week last week Louisiana had over 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations, now we’re down to 2,838.  

A 13-year New Orleans Police veteran was shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant, while he was dining on the patio with friends. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks knew Officer Everett Briscoe well and that Briscoe leaves behind a loving family that is in shock.

Cut 7 (13) “…tie”  

Briscoe was in Houston on a trip with fellow members of the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club.

Beginning today the multistate Powerball game will draw numbers three times a week as opposed to only two. Louisiana Lottery Spokesperson Kim Chopin says with Powerball drawings are now Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday nights, and Megamillions on Tuesday and Friday…

Cut 12 (12) “…covered” 

The state reports almost 11-thousand new COVID -19 cases today, which includes numbers from the weekend. The state says new cases in ages 5 to 17 made up the highest rate of new cases per 100-thousand of any age group over the last week, which is a first for the state. Hospitalizations remained below 3,000 at 2,838 in which 91-percent are unvaccinated.

The FDA granted full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccine today, which also allows local governments and universities to issue vaccine mandates. Tulane School of Medicine Epidemiologist Dr. Susan Hassig says there’s plenty of the Pfizer vaccine available in the US.

Cut 5 (09) “…to do that.”

She expects the Moderna and Johnson and Johnson vaccines to receive full FDA approval also.

13-year New Orleans Police Officer Everett Briscoe was fatally shot Saturday at a Houston restaurant during an apparent stick-up. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Now that the FDA has given full approval to the Pfizer COVID vaccination nearly 40-thousand state employees could be facing the choice of vaccination or regular testing. Governor John Bel Edwards announced last week that once a vaccine receives full approval the state will implement stricter testing requirements for employees.

The FDA grants full authorization to the Pfizer vaccine for those 16 and older. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says she’s hopeful full approval will increase vaccination rates.

Cut 4 (12) “…medication” 

Kids 12 to 15 can still receive the vaccine under emergency use authorization.

With full FDA authorization in hand, UL System students will either need to provide proof of vaccination or claim a personal exemption the next time they register for classes, to enroll at the system’s nine schools. UL System President Jim Henderson says their request to add fully FDA-approved vaccines to their immunization schedule was approved by the State Department of health.

Cut 9 (08) “…institutions.”

Today’s COVID numbers show the state appears to be beginning the slow exit from the devastating 4^th wave that’s sent more Louisianans to the hospital than at any time before. At mid-week last week Louisiana had over 3,000 COVID-related hospitalizations, now we’re down to 2,838.  

BESE releases a statement saying they will not hold another meeting to discuss mask mandates in school after the last was disrupted by anti-mask protestors. BESE says instead they will allow the Governor’s statewide mandate to be the law of the land in Louisiana K-12 schools. Some Republican state lawmakers have asked residents to mail BESE in objection. 

The Food and Drug Administration grants full approval for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. Tulane Epidemiologist Doctor Susan Hassig says the full approval is for everyone 16 and up…

Cut 3 (12) “…businesses can mandate it.” 

Kids 12 to 15 can still get the shot under the emergency use authorization.

A 13-year New Orleans Police veteran was shot and killed Saturday in Houston during a stick-up at a restaurant. New Orleans Councilman Jay Banks knew Officer Everett Briscoe well…

Cut 6 (11) “…citizen” 

According to eye-witness reports, two people entered the restaurant just after 5 PM and began demanding people hand over their valuables. A witness says everyone in the restaurant complied and it is not confirmed why one of the assailants then opened fire, fatally striking Briscoe and wounding another person.

Scenes out of Afghanistan have been especially disturbing for U-S veterans who served in the Middle East. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says now that Pfizer has full FDA approval they will begin communicating the logistics of the campus’s vaccine mandate “soon”. He says they need to fully review the approval and the President plans on implementing the mandate with more details to come. 

Louisiana added another 12,700 jobs from June to July and ended the month up 58,200 jobs year-to-year. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says the state is moving in the right direction despite the 4^th COVID wave. Fiore says if you are unemployed visit laworks.net.

Cut 6 (07) “…right now.”

While the scenes out of Afghanistan are horrifying as US Troops are withdrawing from the war-torn country after providing stability for more than two decades, the situation is extremely upsetting to US Afghanistan vets.  Louisiana Veterans Affairs Secretary Colonel Joey Strickland says they’ve been contacted by several veterans who served in the Middle East.

Cut 10 (10) “…country.” 

If you’re in the market for a new vehicle according to AAA research don’t be surprised if that new car or pickup costs more than you anticipated. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says remember upkeep and costs associated with a vehicle go well beyond your monthly car note.

Cut 7 (10) “…. insurance.”

The most significant part of the average $10,000 is vehicle depreciation.

An LSU survey finds people took a lot more fishing trips in the spring of 2020 compared to 2019, seemingly due to pandemic era isolation policies. LSU Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Professor Stephen Midway says traditionally fishing is used as a social bonding experience, but their poll found the reasons anglers gave for heading out are changing…

Cut 13 (09) “…pandemic.”

An estimated 44 million Americans consider themselves anglers.

Louisiana added another 12,700 jobs from June to July and ended the month up 58-thousand jobs year-to-year. Louisiana Workforce Commission spokesperson Chris Fiore says employment numbers are moving in the right direction despite the 4th COVID wave, but the only way to keep this momentum going is by getting more people vaccinated.
cut 4 (11) “…masks.”
Fiore says there are more than seven thousand nursing positions available in Louisiana.

Triple-A says based on their research the average annual cost of a new vehicle is nearly ten thousand dollars a year. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says the most significant part of the average $10 thousand annually Redman says many vehicle owners neglect to anticipate when purchasing a new vehicle is depreciation.
Cut 8 (08) “…depreciation.
Redman says there’s also a low inventory at dealerships due to a semi-conductor chip shortage.

An LSU fishing poll shows that pandemic isolation led to anglers taking millions of additional fishing trips compared to pre-pandemic years. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The F-D-A has granted full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. The decision could mean more vaccine mandates, especially at the state’s public colleges. University leaders say they were waiting for the COVID vaccine to get full FDA approval before adding it to the mandatory list of vaccines needed. You can call 2-1-1- to find out where you can get the vaccine if unvaccinated.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission reports the state’s unemployment rate for July was 6.6 percent, a 2.5 percent decrease over a 12-month period.
CUT 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The search continues in Houston for the gunmen who fatally shot an off-duty New Orleans Police officer. Authorities say 13-year veteran Everett Briscoe was dining at a Houston restaurant with friends when two hooded gunmen approached the group on an outdoor patio and demanded their belongings. Witnesses say one of the gunmen shot Briscoe and another man who is hospitalized in critical condition.

According to Triple-A, the average annual cost of new vehicle ownership is 96-hundred dollars and the average price for a new vehicle is just shy of 33-thousand dollars. Spokesperson Don Redman says new car owners are seeing higher gas prices, a shortage in vehicles because of a chip shortage and added technology to newer vehicles…
cut 9 (10) “….much technology”

A survey conducted by LSU finds that fishing was a popular activity during the first few months of the pandemic and it resulted in some anglers doing extra trips. LSU Oceanography and Coastal Sciences Professor Stephen Midway says that’s good news for wildlife management…
cut 15 (12) “…management”