Over 500 people are hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID for the first time since March 10^th. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere this new surge is driven by the Delta variant, and while available vaccines do offer a lot of protection against the variant, they aren’t perfect…

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

1,500 new positive COVID tests were also reported today.

The State Fire Marshal is investigating a tragic fire that claimed the life of a child and left a woman badly burned in the Franklin community of Centerville. Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue describes what responders found when they arrived at the mobile home Tuesday night.

Cut 3 (11)  “…condition.”

49-year old Derwin Hamilton is charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

National gun rights organizations are hoping a last-minute campaign will sway lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto of constitutional carry legislation. Some Louisiana Sheriffs and the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association oppose the bill, but National Association for Gun Rights spokesperson Chris Stone says there’s a reason why.

Cut 8 (09) “…money”

Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to submit their ballots requesting the upcoming veto override session be canceled.

In northwest Louisiana, the Jimmie Davis Bridge along Highway 511 that crossed the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes will be closed over the weekend for scheduled repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm.

Cut 12 (12) “…approaches.”

They expect work will be completed by 6 am on Monday.

COVID cases topped 1,500 today and now just over 500 people are hospitalized. Health officials say we’re in the midst of another surge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”.  

Draft Kings will become the first fantasy sports betting company to be allowed in Louisiana. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board unanimously approved the request for an operator’s license on Thursday. Gaming investors were told that an expected 15.5 million dollars will be brought in bringing 1.3 million dollars in tax revenue for the state.

Gun rights organizations are hoping to sway local lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto on constitutional carry. Opponents of the bill fear that more shootings and crime would increase if the veto is overturned but NAGR spokesperson Chris Stone says there’s no data supporting that claim

Cut 7 (09) “…crumble.”

There are currently 21 states that have passed the constitutional carry legislation

The Jimmie Davis bridge is undergoing repairs and will be closed over the weekend. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm and alternative routes are available

Cut 13 (09) “…Barksdale bridge”

This weekend was chosen due to the lack of large events scheduled.

With 1,500 new COVID cases and a total of 504 hospitalizations in Louisiana, health officials say the Delta variant and low vaccination rates are to blame. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere…

Cut 9 (12) “…variant.”
The Jimmie Davis Bridge on Highway 511 will close this weekend for repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says this weekend was chosen due in part to the lack of large events scheduled in the surrounding area and hopes that by Monday the repairs will be finished…

Cut 14 (10) “…coming in” 

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights are wading into the battle over Governor Edwards’ veto of constitutional carry legislation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Mercedes-Benz logo will no longer adorn the Superdome following the end of a 10-year long contract with the German automaker. In May of 2020, the announcement was made by Mercedes stating they wouldn’t seek a renewal. The contract was reportedly between $50 and $60 million dollars. The Saints have been seeking a deal with Caesars Entertainment but nothing has been confirmed.

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights are wading into the battle over Governor Edwards’ veto of constitutional carry legislation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

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COVID cases topped 1,500 today and now just over 500 people are hospitalized. Health officials say we’re in the midst of another surge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”.  

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The State Fire Marshal is investigating a tragic fire that claimed the life of a child and left a woman badly burned in the Franklin community of Centerville. Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue describes what responders found when they arrived at the mobile home Tuesday night.

Cut 3 (11)  “…condition.”

49-year old Derwin Hamilton has been booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Rodrigue says the female victim was able to tell responders that she and Hamilton were involved in an argument.

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.” 

The child is reportedly the suspect’s great-nephew. Rodrigue says the incident has shaken the small community.

Cut 5  (10) “…condition.” 

___________________________

National gun rights organizations are hoping a last-minute campaign to sway lawmakers into heading back to Baton Rouge to override the Governor’s veto of constitutional carry legislation will pay off.

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights have peppered the state with ads and mailers. NAGR spokesperson Chris Stone says if the veto stands Louisiana will be a regional outlier…

Cut 6 (07) “..this year”

Stone says currently there are 21 states that allow the concealed carry of a firearm without needing a permit.

Opponents of the bill are concerned that overturning that veto will lead to more shootings, but Stone says there’s no data from states with similar laws that back up that claim.

Cut 7 (09) “…crumble.”

Some Louisiana Sheriffs and the Louisiana Chiefs of Police Association oppose the bill, saying it will make life hard on law enforcement. Stone says that is not the case…

Cut 8 (09) “…money”

Lawmakers have until midnight tonight to submit their ballots requesting the upcoming veto override session be canceled.

_____________________________

As COVID cases continue to surge across the state and nation, health officials say the highly transmissible Delta variant is a driving factor along with low vaccination rates. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere…

Cut 9 (12) “…variant.”

The state has gone from an average of a hundred cases a day to over 1,200 daily. Vanchiere says the vaccine is still your best protection against the virus, but even fully vaccinated, it is possible to catch the highly contagious Delta variant.

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

While many think the pandemic is coming to an end with eased health restrictions, Vanchiere says we are only at the halfway mark. He says we are beginning to see more cases among those 40 and under as opposed to previous surges among those 60 and older.

Vanchiere says vaccination hesitancy is a major factor for the increase in COVID cases and only one out of three are fully vaccinated.

Cut  11 (10) “…emerging.” 

Today the state reported 1,500 new cases along with 504 hospitalizations and 13 fatalities.

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In northwest Louisiana, the Jimmie Davis Bridge along Highway 511 that crossed the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes will be closed over the weekend for scheduled repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm.

Cut 12 (12) “…approaches.”

They expect work will be completed by 6 am on Monday.

The two-lane Jimmie Davis Bridge was completed in 1968 and an average of 26,000 vehicles use the bridge daily.

As for an alternate route, Buchannan says two are available.

Cut 13 (09) “…Barksdale bridge”

Buchannan says they chose this weekend because there aren’t any large events scheduled in the area and they wanted to disrupt traffic as little as possible. Weather permitting, they will complete repairs by Monday.

Cut 14 (10) “…coming in” 

Buchannan says this is not replacing any upcoming rehabilitation projects on the bridge and this weekend’s closure is for planned repairs.

___________________________

Over 500 people are hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID for the first time since March 10^th. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere this new surge is driven by the more transmissible and virulent Delta variant, and while available vaccines do offer a lot of protection against the variant, they aren’t perfect…

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

1,500 new positive COVID tests were also reported today.

National gun rights organizations are hoping a last-minute campaign to sway lawmakers into heading back to Baton Rouge to override the Governor’s veto of constitutional carry legislation will pay off. National Association for Gun Rights spokesperson Chris Stone says if the veto stands Louisiana will be a regional outlier…

Cut 6 (07) “..this year”

A 49-year-old Franklin man is under arrest for allegedly severely burning a woman and killing a small child. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the female victim was able to tell responders that she and Derwin Hamilton were involved in an argument before Hamilton attacked them…

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.” 

The child is reportedly Hamilton’s grand-nephew.

In northwest Louisiana, the Jimmie Davis Bridge along Highway 511 that crossed the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes will be closed over the weekend for scheduled repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm.

Cut 12 (12) “…approaches.”

They expect work will be completed by 6 am on Monday.

1,500 new COVID cases were reported today and the state now has over 500 COVID-related hospitalizations, lending further evidence to the idea that we are in the midst of a new surge propelled by the more virulent and transmissible Delta variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says vaccination hesitancy is a major factor for the increase.

Cut  11 (10) “…emerging.” 

49-year old Derwin Hamilton of Franklin is under arrest for allegedly setting a fire in his hometown that killed his great-nephew and left a woman he was in a relationship with badly burned.  State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the incident has shaken the small community.

Cut 5  (10) “…condition.” 

Parents should see the first of six-monthly advanced child tax credits in their account today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

As COVID cases continue to surge across the state and nation, health officials say the highly transmissible delta variant is a driving factor along with low vaccination rates. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere…

Cut 9 (12) “…variant.”

A tragic fire claimed the life of a child and left a woman badly burned in the Franklin community of Centerville Tuesday night. State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the female victim told responders that she and  49-year-old Derwin Hamilton were having an argument.

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.” 

Hamilton has been charged with second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

A preliminary CDC report shows the US suffered a 29 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020. In Louisiana, that number is even higher at an estimated 48 percent increase. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community Medicine Dr. Ben Springgate on one reason behind the tragic surge…

Cut 13 (11) “…pandemic.”

A predicted 1,900 Louisianans died of an overdose last year.

The Manning Passing Academy returns to the Nicholls State campus today after being canceled last year because of the pandemic.  The annual camp is put on by the Manning family and Nicholls State athletic director Jonathan Terrell says in addition to COVID protocols that’s not the only change you’ll notice on the Thibodeaux campus.

Cut 12 (11) “…ways”

The State Fire Marshal is investigating a tragic fire that claimed the life of a child and left a woman badly burned in the Franklin community of Centerville. Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue describes what responders found when they arrived at the mobile home Tuesday night.

Cut 3 (11)  “…condition.”

49-year-old Derwin Hamilton has been booked into the St. Mary Parish Jail for second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.

Parents see an extra deposit in their account today it is the first of a six-monthly child tax credit Partner with Metairie accounting firm Malcolm M. Dienes, Johnathan Stoltz says income limits changed for the child tax credit so be sure to check on the amount you receive.

Cut 7 (11) “…potentially.”

The federal government says drug overdose deaths in the United States hit an all-time high of 93-thousand last year and in Louisiana, there was a 48-percent increase in 2020. LSU Health New Orleans Chief of Community Medicine Doctor Ben Springgate…

cut 15 (11) “…dramatic rise”

A predicted 1,925 Louisianans died of an overdose in 2020.

The Manning Passing Academy returns to Nicholls State today after being canceled last year because of the pandemic.  The annual camp is put on by the Manning and Nicholls State athletic director Jonathan Terrell says hosting the passing academy on the Nicholls campus has a positive impact on the entire region.

Cut 11 (12) “…through us.”

Parents should begin seeing the first of six-monthly child tax credit payments today. Partner with Metairie accounting firm Malcolm M. Dienes, Johnathan Stoltz says if you typically owe taxes versus receiving a refund, you might want to visit the child tax credit portal at IRS.gov and opt-out of receiving payments.

Cut 8 (10) “…early 2022.”

Visitation services will be held this evening at the First Bossier Church in Bossier City for Webster Parish Sheriff’s Office deputy William Earl Collins Jr. who was killed in the line of duty on July 9th while responding to a disturbance.  Doyline Police Chief Robert Hayden said this was the first time that he’s lost an officer and he’s both sad and angry…

Cut 5  (11) “…we’re devastated.”

A preliminary report from the CDC estimates Louisiana saw a 47 percent increase in overdose deaths in 2020.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

In an effort to recruit Jacob Hood to play 2022 offensive line at Auburn the university sent a social media post that included a photo of a Heisman Trophy. But instead of using a photo of one of the school’s three winners they used a photo of Joe Burrow’s Heisman Trophy. Yes, Auburn posted a photo of rival LSU’s star quarterback Burrow from the school’s national championship season in 2019.