A film once destined to be shot in New Orleans is being moved to Shreveport because of the damage caused by Hurricane Ida. More from Dave Brannen.
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Ochsner Health says their employee COVID vaccination rate has increased to 81-percent, but the deadline is looming. Brooke Thorington has more.
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A movie first set to be filmed in New Orleans, Hurricane Ida forced its relocation to Shreveport. Sony Line Producer, Wendy Williams, says “Heart of a Lion” follows the life of boxer George Foreman.
Williams says even though Ida chased the production out of the Big Easy, she says they wound up in the right place when it comes to creative talent and architecture needed for “Heart of a Lion.”
Fifteen hundred extras will be hired locally in Shreveport to take part in the movie. Williams says Sony expects to spend five million dollars in Shreveport production costs.
Williams says filming is expected to begin in November.
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The state’s largest healthcare system, Ochsner Health says the vaccination rate among employees has increased to 81-percent since their announcement of mandatory vaccinations and the FDA’s full approval of the Pfizer vaccine. Ochsner Health CEO Warner Thomas says the deadline to comply is October 29th.
While some feel vaccination mandates could result in an even greater staffing shortage at medical facilities Thomas says the mandate is necessary to protect patients and employees.
Ochsner informed employees of the vaccine requirement weeks before the Biden Administration’s mandate that all employees at healthcare facilities be vaccinated or risk losing Medicaid and Medicare funding. Thomas feels strongly about the requirement.
Ochsner is currently caring for 979 COVID-19 patients, and more than 88-percent are unvaccinated.
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Today is Governor John Bel Edwards’ 55th birthday. The state’s 56th governor and has nearly two and half years left in his second and final term. During his monthly, “Ask the Governor” radio show, Edwards was asked about running for President one day. The governor says he doesn’t see a presidential campaign in his future
It’s been rumored Edwards could challenge Republican Senator John Kennedy in next year’s U-S Senate race. But the governor says he has no plans to run for another political office…
Edwards says it’s been a privilege to serve Louisiana, but challenging and he plans to continue serving Louisiana once his term ends, but not in politics….
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The state reports 1,663 new COVID cases, that’s the lowest new case count since July 20th. Hospitalizations have also dropped to 1,431. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Doctor Robert Hart credits the mask mandate for the decreases and an increase in vaccinations.
Hart says as bad as the fourth surge has been he believes it made several who were unvaccinated rethink and get the shot.
Hart says the Delta variant which was responsible for the fourth surge reminded those who had become relaxed with COVID mitigation to be more mindful of staying away from others and to mask again.
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Ochsner is currently caring for 979 COVID-19 patients, and more than 88-percent are unvaccinated.