A man from Metairie is now cancer-free, thanks to a groundbreaking lung cancer surgery performed by an LCMC Health doctor. Andrew Greenstein reports.

Cut 1 (34) “…I’m Andrew Greenstein.”

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Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan could miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

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An LCMC Health doctor performs a groundbreaking lung cancer procedure. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude (ZHAO-day) of East Jefferson General Hospital performed the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie, who is now cancer free.

Cut 3 (09) “…only one incision.”

Dr. Abi Jaoude says through this single incision, he’s able to do the exact same thing that he’s able to do with the traditional multiple incisions. But by using that one incision measuring between two and seven centimeters long along with the Vinci Single Port Robotic Surgical System, that provides great benefits to the patient.

Cut 4 (09) “…potentially lest complication.”

Abi Jaoude says while that certainly results in reduced recovery times, they’re not quite at the point where the procedure could be an outpatient procedure just yet.

Cut 5 (10) “…not happened yet.”

Abi Jaoude is currently the only surgeon in Louisiana, Arkansas and Mississippi offering the single-port robotic lung cancer surgery.

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Qualifying is done and the Congressional races can officially begin. Pearson Cross teaches political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and says the race to replace Republican Julia Letlow is wide open as four state lawmakers seek a seat in the U-S House…

Cut 6 (12) “…barn burner”

The two most notable candidates in the sixth district Congressional race are state senators Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds. Cross says Miguez and Edmonds are Republicans, who have served together in both the House and Senate and both are now attacking each other…

Cut 7 (08) “…the case.”

Political analysts expect a Republican will win the 5^th and 6^th Congressional district races, but both races will likely be decided in a December runoff. Cross says it would get very interesting if the balance of power in the U.S. House was not decided in November and a Democratic candidate was in one or both races…

Cut 8 (11) “… redistricting.”

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The latest nationwide survey finds that optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says for the month of July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability…

Cut 9 (08)  “…definitely an issue.”

Long says it’s a problem that the Landry Administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

Cut 10 (15) “…owned businesses.”

Long says overall small business owners are encouraged by what they are seeing and one reason for that is inflation has slowed…

Cut 11 (06) “…in their business.”

Twenty-five percent of small business owners nationally plan to make capital outlays in the next six months.

Qualifying is over, so let the congressional campaigns begin. In the two open seats in the fifth and sixth districts, political analysts expect Republicans to win both, albeit not decided until runoffs in December. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says it would get very interesting if the balance of power in the House is not decided in November, and a Democratic candidate was in one or both races.

Cut 8 (11) “… redistricting.”

Optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says labor quality is a problem that the Landry administration, state lawmakers, K-through-12 and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

Cut 10 (15) “…owned businesses.” 

Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan could miss the start of the regular season with a hamstring injury. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 2 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is blasting President Trump for his executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says the MMR vaccine which was first introduced in 1971 is overwhelmingly safe.

Governor Jeff Landry has received criticism for having employees within the governor’s office signing a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that negotiations between the state and Meta over its 50-billion dollar AI data center in Richland Parish remain private. Landry pushes back on the idea that his office is trying to hide critical information.

Cut 28 (09) “…the public domain.”

The latest nationwide survey finds that optimism continues to rise among small businesses, but challenges persist. NFIB state director Leah Long says for the month of July, the top reported issue was labor quality or availability…

Cut 9 (08) “…definitely an issue”

Long says it’s a problem the state and higher education leaders are trying to fix.

LCMC Health says it has conducted the first single-port robotic lung surgery in the Gulf South that successfully removed a patient’s lung cancer, leaving the patient cancer free. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude (ZHAO-day) of East Jefferson General Hospital says this technique allows surgeons to perform complex procedures through a single small incision…

Cut 4 (09) “…complications”

Abi Jauode says most patients could be discharged within 24 hours compared to the typical two to four days following traditional robotic surgeries.

The November Congressional races are all set now that the sign-up period for candidates to officially put their name on the ballot is over. The two most notable candidates in the sixth district Congressional race are Republican state senators Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds. ULM political science professor Pearson Cross says Miguez and Edmonds are from the same political party, have served together in both the House and Senate and both are now attacking each other …

Cut 7 (08) “…the case.”

Qualifying is done and the Congressional races can officially begin. Pearson Cross teaches political science at the University of Louisiana at Monroe and says the race to replace Republican Julia Letlow is wide open as four state lawmakers seek a seat in the U-S House…

Cut 6 (12) “…barn burner”

The two most notable candidates in the sixth district Congressional district are Republican state senators Blake Miguez and Rick Edmonds and both men are already attacking each other.

The Small Business Administration is encouraging residents and business owners who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur to apply for low-interest disaster loans. SBA spokeswoman Michelle Genovese (jen-oh-VEESE) says four-million dollars in loans have already been approved.

Cut 13 (10)  “…helps rebuild communities.”

Genovese says homeowners, renters and businesses in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes may qualify if they suffered storm damage between June 17th and 24th.

A doctor at a New Orleans-area hospital performs a groundbreaking lung cancer procedure. Dr. Wassim Abi Jaoude (zhao-DAY) of East Jefferson General Hospital performed the first single-port robotic lung cancer surgery in the Gulf South on a man from Metairie.

Cut 3 (09) “…only one incision.”

Dr. Abi Jaoude says through this single incision, he’s able to do the exact same thing that he’s able to do with the traditional multiple incisions.

LSU starting quarterback Sam Leavitt spoke with reporters for the first time yesterday since enrolling at LSU last January and the foot injury that ended his season early last year at Arizona State sounds like non-issue…

Cut 17 (17) “…for me”

If statistics are any indication, Steve Scalise should have the easiest path to re-election among Republicans in the state. Based on voter registration, the first district – which includes St. Tammany, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, Lafourche and portions of Terrebonne and Tangipahoa parishes – is the most heavily Republican district in the state. Scalise says he’s proud of his record on job creation.

Cut 6 (08) “…in south Louisiana.”

The massive partisan voter disparity is not stopping Democrat Lauren Jewett from her quest to unseat Scalise, though. Jewett says state lawmakers are counting on Democrats to quit, but that’s not how she rolls.

Cut 9 (10)  “…is too important.”

Scalise and Jewett will be joined on the open primary ballot by Republican Randall Arrington and no-party candidate Liddy Glass.

The Small Business Administration is encouraging Louisianians to apply for low-interest disaster loans if they need financial help to repair damages caused by Tropical Storm Arthur. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

Senator Bill Cassidy is blasting President Trump for his executive order to split the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine across three separate visits. Cassidy, who’s a medical doctor by trade, says the MMR vaccine which was first introduced in 1971 is overwhelmingly safe.

Governor Landry is defending the use of non-disclosure agreements that employees in the governor’s office signed as part of the negotiations with Meta that resulted in the tech giant building a 50-billion-dollar A-I data center in Richland Parish. Landry says confidentiality is critical when state government talks with private companies about mega projects.

Cut 4 (07) “…close the deal.”

It’s another active year for vibrio vulnificus in Louisiana. So far this year, nine people have been infected with the flesh-eating bacteria due to exposure with open wounds, five of whom have passed away. Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says if you have liver disease, diabetes or cancer, be sure to pay close attention to vibrio infection symptoms.

Cut 12 (12) “…drainage or discharge.”

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt spoke to members of the media for the first time as a Tiger. Kace Kieschnick has more.

Cut 3 (35) “…I’m Kace Kieschnick.”

What does LSU’s former head coach think of the current team’s chances? Brian Kelly, who’s now a college football analyst for CBS Sports, predicts the Tigers will go 10-and-2 this season, with one of those losses coming in Oxford against Lane Kiffin’s old team, Ole Miss.

Governor Jeff Landry has received criticism for having employees within the governor’s office signing a non-disclosure agreement to ensure that negotiations between the state and Meta over its 50-billion dollar AI data center remain private. Landry pushes back on the idea that his office is trying to hide critical information.

Cut 5 (09) “…the public domain.”

According to the Gulf States Newsroom and Type Investigations, more than 50 elected officials have signed nondisclosure agreements with Louisiana Economic Development from the time Landry took office.

House Majority Leader and First District Congressman Steve Scalise met with Louisiana reporters when he qualified for re-election. Scalise complemented Landry’s administration for the recent population growth the state has experienced…

Cut 7 (10) “…qualify of life”

The Small Business Administration is encouraging residents and business owners who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur to apply for low-interest disaster loans. SBA spokeswoman Michelle Genovese (jen-oh-VEESE) says four-million dollars in loans have already been approved.

Cut 13 (10)  “…helps rebuild communities.”

Genovese says homeowners, renters and businesses in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes may qualify if they suffered storm damage between June 17th and 24th.

The Louisiana Department of Health says it is seeing more cases of vibrio vulnificus infections. Vibrio is a flesh-eating bacteria that lives in warm coastal waters. Over the last ten years, Louisiana averages seven cases and one death. Secretary Bruce Greenstein (green-steen) says this year has already exceeded that total

Cut 10 (11) “…lost their life.”

Greenstein says all nine patients had underlying health conditions.

Governor Jeff Landry is defending the use of non-disclosure agreements that employees in the governor’s office signed as part of the negotiations with Meta that resulted in the tech giant building a 50-billion-dollar A-I data center in Richland Parish. Landry says confidentiality is critical when state government talks with private companies about mega projects.

Cut 4 (07) “…close the deal.”

But transparency advocates and legal experts say NDAs can create a culture of fear and it keeps the public in the dark about how deals are reached,

Republicans Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise, and Clay Higgins are expected to be re-elected in November to Congress and House Districts Five and Six are also expected to be represented by Republicans. But Democrat Lauren Jewett, who is challenging Scalise in the first Congressional District says Democrats will not go away quietly….

Cut 9 (05) “…too important”

Louisiana Health Secretary Bruce Greenstein says there have been nine Vibrio vulnificus infection cases this year and five people have died from the flesh eating bacteria. Greenstein says all nine cases are related to wounds exposed to sea water and all nine patients had underlying health conditions…

Cut 11 (15) “…undergone stomach surgery”

The Small Business Administration is encouraging residents and business owners who suffered damage from Tropical Storm Arthur to apply for low-interest disaster loans. SBA spokesperson Michel Genovese says homeowners may qualify for up to 500-thousand dollars to repair their primary residence, and collateral is not required for smaller loans.

Cut 15 (08) “…50-thousand dollars.

Genovese says homeowners, renters and businesses in Avoyelles, Lafourche, Pointe Coupee, St. Landry, St. Tammany and Terrebonne parishes are eligible for this assistance.