Last night 14-year-old Zaila Avant-garde of Harvey became the first ever Louisianan and first ever African American to win the Scripps national Spelling Bee after correctly spelling Murraya, a genus of a citrus plant native to southeast Asia, Australia and the Pacific Islands. Here’s how Zaila approached the spelling of the word

Cut 13 (10) “…that here.”

Zaila told ABC’s Good Morning America she studies 13-thousand words a day.

Legendary escape artist Cara the Burmese Python is back safe in her exhibit at the Blue Zoo in Baton Rouge after spending most of the week evading capture in the Mall of Louisiana. Dr. Christopher Austin with LSU’s Museum of Natural Science says it’s good she was found…

Cut 4 (11) “…survive”

Pfizer is lobbying for a vaccine booster shot but the CDC and FDA say not so fast. Jeff Palermo has more.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Jeff Palermo.  

State Police are investigating a non-fatal police shooting in Lafayette that landed a suspect in the hospital in stable condition. Officers reportedly were responding to a suicidal individual who approached officers in the parking lot of an apartment complex. At some point during the interaction an officer fired, hitting the person.

State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says it is too early to make any conclusive statements but early evidence suggests areas with higher vaccination rates in the state now have noticeably lower levels of community spread as we face what could be the start of a new surge propelled by the Delta variant…

Cut 8 (11) “…this week”

49.5 percent of Louisiana adults have received at least one COVID vaccine dose, second-worst in the nation ahead of only Mississippi.

A 14-year-old girl from Harvey won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night becoming the first person from Louisiana to win the bee. Zaila Avant-garde is also the first African American winner of the 96-year-old tournament. She spelled Murraya correctly to win…

Cut 12 (10) “…applause fades”

Pfizer is calling for health officials to recommend a third booster shot be administered to vaccine recipients to counter the growing number of variant cases but as of now the CDC and FDA aren’t backing that call.  LSU Health Shreveport pediatric infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says boosters are being considered but right now the priority is the unvaccinated.

Cut  11 (09) “…boosters.” 

Cara the Burmese Python’s great escape captivated the nation and veterinarians were happy to announce that after an examination it looked like the 12 foot reptile is going to be just fine. Dr. Christopher Austin with LSU’s Museum of Natural Science…

Cut 5  (12) “..infected” 

After being checked out by a team at the vet school, Cara was returned to her home at the Blue Zoo.

Only 49.5 percent of Louisianans 18 and older have received a vaccine dose, second-worst in the nation ahead only of Mississippi. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says despite how effective the vaccines are they have recorded 1,763 breakthrough cases in Louisiana. Nearly all were mild to moderate cases, but…

Cut 7 (12) “…Louisiana”

Pfizer is advocating for a booster dose of their vaccine as immunity. But the CDC and FDA issued a joint statement against a booster shot right now. LSU Health Shreveport infectious disease specialist Doctor John Vanchiere says we should focus on vaccinating more people.

Cut 9 (09) “…this time.”

Cara the Python is back home at the Blue Zoo in the Mall of Louisiana in Baton Rouge after spending three days out of her enclosure. Taylor Sharp reports Cara was found in a ceiling crawl space…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Taylor Sharp” 

The Jefferson Parish school board agreed to pay $165,000 to settle lawsuits by parents of two children suspended last year for BB guns during online classes. Fourth-grader Ka’Mauri Harrison of Harvey and sixth-grader Tomie Brown of Grand Isle were both suspended last fall when teachers saw them with BB guns.

Only 49.5 percent of Louisianans 18 and older have received a vaccine dose, second-worst in the nation ahead of only Mississippi. State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says among those most vulnerable, the 65 and older crowd, that number is 80 percent.

Cut 6 (10) “…improve”

Of those in Louisiana who have been vaccinated 27, or .002 percent, have died of a COVID from a breakthrough case.

Cara the escaped Burmese Python was given a clean bill of health from veterinarians after spending much of the week hiding in the Mall of Louisiana. That escape had a lot of people on edge but Dr. Christopher Austin with LSU’s Museum of Natural Science says the non-venomous reptile really didn’t pose much of a threat to Baton Rouge shoppers…

Cut 3 (09)  “…eating mode”

You have until midnight tonight to sign up for the first 100,000 dollar drawing in the state’s Shot at a Million vaccine incentive program. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says the sooner you get vaccinated and register the better your chances because they’ll be announcing weekly winners for the next five Fridays.

Cut 10 (06) “…as well.”

On August 13^th the grand prize winner of a million dollars and five scholarship winners will be announced.

The average cost of a gallon of regular in Louisiana has crept up to 2.80 a gallon as the entire country has felt the pinch from gas prices that have jumped roughly 40 percent since the year began. AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says the national average is up over three dollars a gallon, a price we may be getting close to soon…

Cut 13 (08) “…$2.95 a gallon.”

Redman says California is seeing prices in the $4.30 a gallon range.

Over the past two weeks 100 new COVID patients have been admitted to Louisiana hospitals. Matt Doyle has more on if we’re entering a new surge…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

In Bastrop visitation is being held this afternoon for the 10-year old that was killed in a drive-by shooting on July 4^th.  Funeral services for Lebron Robinson will be held tomorrow afternoon. Bastrop Mayor Betty Alford Olive says witnesses are beginning to come forward about the shooting but they continue to ask the community for help with the investigation.

Law enforcement officials from around the state gathered Thursday to implore lawmakers to not override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation allowing concealed carry without a permit. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says allowing unlicensed, untrained people to carry concealed firearms in public is a recipe for disaster.

Cut 4 (06) “…weapon.”

The deadline to register for the first drawing of the Shot at a million covid vaccine lottery is tonight at midnight. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says you only need to register once and then you’re in the running for weekly prizes…

cut 12 (11) “…save lives”

Winners of the first set of weekly prizes will be announced next July 16th.  To register go to shot-at-a-million-dot-com.

A group of law enforcement officials from around the state are imploring lawmakers to not override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that removes the need to have a permit to concealed carry…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

14-year old Zaila Avant-Garde of Harvey made history last night she’s the first Louisianan and Black American to win the Scripps National Spelling Bee. But it turns out spelling isn’t her first hobby, she’s also quite the basketball phenom, she also holds three Guinness World Records for dribbling multiple balls simultaneously.

AAA fuel analyst Don Redman says in the Bayou State the average price for a gallon of gas is hovering at $2.78. But he says for the remainder of the summer, you might want to start budgeting for gas in the $2.90-range. Redman suggests if you have the ability to use a more fuel-efficient vehicle you might want to consider that.

Cut 15 (07)“…2014.”

Today is the last day to register for the first set of drawings in the state’s “Shot at A Million” vaccine lottery. Names of the weekly winners for the $100-thousand cash prize and scholarship will be announced on the next five Fridays. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says the sooner you get vaccinated and register the better your chances…

Cut 10 (06) “…as well.”

Visit shot at a million dot com for more information.

Top law enforcement officers are pleading with state lawmakers not to override the governor’s veto of a bill that would allow non-felons to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. East Baton Rouge Sheriff Sid Gautreaux called Senator Jay Morris’s Constitutional Carry proposal, a terrible bill…
cut 5 (11) “….state”
The Louisiana Sheriffs Association as an organization has remained neutral on this issue.

State health officials say COVID cases and hospitalizations are on the rise again and they blame a low vaccination rate and the delta variant, which has emerged as the dominant strain in Louisiana. Region nine Public Health director Gina Lagarde says public behavior is also behind the rise…
cut 9 (08) “…masks”
State health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says it’s too soon to determine if a mask mandate will be needed again.

Today is the last day to register for the first of five weekly drawings in the state’s Shot At A Million vaccine lottery. Brooke Thorington explains…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

History was made last night involving a 14-year-old girl from Harvey…
cut 30 (07) “…
Zaila is the first person from Louisiana to win the spelling bee and the first African-American winner in the tournament’s 96-year history.

Dozens of Louisiana law enforcement officials are imploring state lawmakers to not override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation allowing people to carry concealed handguns without a permit. Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre says the legislation endangers the public and law enforcement…
Cut 4 (06) “…weapon.”
Lawmakers are considering an override veto session later this month.

Only 39-percent of Louisiana’s population has received at least one shot of the coronavirus vaccine. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says the low vaccination rate coupled with the emergence of the delta variant has led to a spike in COVID cases and hospitalizations…
cut 8 (12) “…seeing”
The Northshore and northeast Louisiana have seen the largest increases in cases over the past week.

Gas prices continue to slowly rise. The statewide average for a regular gallon of gasoline has reached $2.78 and Triple-A fuel analyst Don Redman expects the price at the pump will increase another 15-cents this summer as a result of high demand and high crude oil prices…
cut 14 (06) “…upwards”
Redman says crude oil prices have reached a seven-year high.

The deadline to register for the first drawing of the Shot at a million covid vaccine lottery is tonight at midnight. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says you only need to register once and then you’re in the running for weekly prizes…
cxut 12 (11) “…save lives”
Louisiana will reward 14 winners with two-point-three million dollars in cash and prizes. To register go to shot-at-a-million-dot-com.

Over the past two weeks, 100 new COVID patients have been admitted to Louisiana hospitals. Matt Doyle reports the Delta variant has caused a spike in hospitalizations…
cut 2 (29) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

A 14-year-old girl from Harvey won the Scripps National Spelling Bee last night becoming the first person from Louisiana to win the bee. Zaila Avant-garde is also the first African American winner of the bee. She spelled Murraya correctly to win. M-u-r-r-a-y-a.

Sheriffs and police chiefs are calling on lawmakers not to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would remove the requirement of a permit to conceal carry a gun. Training is required in order to receive a permit. New Orleans Police Superintendent Shaun Ferguson says putting more untrained gun owners on the streets will make the state’s crime problem worse…
cut 6 (09) “….encounter”
Lawmakers have until July 15th to decide if they want an override veto session.

And individuals who received at least one COVID-19 vaccine shot have until midnight tonight to register for the first “Shot At a Million” drawing. Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public Health Kimberly Hood says the lottery is an incentive to get more people vaccinated…
cut 11 (09) “…that hump”
Winners of the weekly drawings can win 100-thousand dollars, younger contestants can win a 100-thousand dollar scholarship. The drawing for the one-million-dollar cash prize is August 6th.