Tagged News

• New Orleans lifting indoor mask mandate this week

  March 2, 2022 4:08 PM

  NEW ORLEANS - New Orleans will no longer require face coverings indoors starting this Thursday, the city announced just a day after the Mardi Gras season came to a close. Mayor Latoya Cantrell confirmed the end of the mandate during a news conference Wednesday afternoon. However, masks will still... more »

• Our Lady of the Lake reinstates COVID mitigation protocol amid increase in Omicron cases

  December 21, 2021 9:20 AM

  BATON ROUGE - In view of the increase in Omicron virus cases, Lady of the Lake Hospital has revisited its implementation of COVID-related mitigation measures. According to a Tuesday (December 21) morning news release, OLOL says it is reinstating the following protocol effective immediately: -Masks will be required... more »

• CDC Director discusses how pandemic may end

  December 11, 2021 5:52 PM

  Health experts are hoping to shore up a pandemic-fatigued public as the COVID-19 health crisis continues to pose a threat during the final months of 2021. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently shared with ABC News what she believes the U.S. will... more »

• Traveling? Check out this list of new restrictions, reopenings before planning your itinerary

  August 21, 2021 5:47 PM

  With leading health experts urging individuals to take extra precautions so as not to spread COVID-19, nearly every sector of the world's industries are adjusting the rules that guide their daily activities. Included among these is the travel industry. Airlines continue to implement a host of new COVID-related procedures.... more »

• Just under 40 percent of Louisiana residents fully vaccinated for COVID

  August 19, 2021 2:24 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Nearly 40 percent of Louisiana residents have been fully vaccinated for the coronavirus as of Thursday. The Louisiana Department of Health reported that 1,836,731 people across the state, about 39.51 percent of the total population, had gotten all doses of their vaccine. That same data says... more »

• OLOL Children's Hospital reports month-by-month increase in kids presenting to ER with COVID-19 Play Video

  August 18, 2021 9:40 PM

  BATON ROUGE - As another school year kicks off, leaders at Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital say no children, regardless of age, can escape the risk of being infected as the Delta variant runs rampant through Louisiana. "Really all age ranges, from three weeks of age up... more »

• Some school officials hopeful COVID surge won't affect in-person classes Play Video

  August 17, 2021 7:37 PM

  BATON ROUGE - In the past week, schools across the region have been navigating a return to class amid another COVID surge. Many districts are already a week or more into the semester, and so far education leaders in our area say cases have been manageable. "As school... more »

• Advocates for increased COVID safety in La schools gather at State Capitol Monday

  August 16, 2021 11:55 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Early Monday morning, an organized group of activists promoting increased COVID safety in Louisiana's schools gathered on the steps of the State Capitol to voice their concerns. The activists are known as 'Concerned Louisianans for Safe and Healthy Schools and Communities' and they conducted the Monday,... more »

• YouTube suspends Senator Rand Paul for seven days

  August 11, 2021 5:53 AM

  Senator Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, has been suspended from YouTube for one week due to his connection with a video that claims that masks are ineffective in fighting COVID-19, according to CNN . The news outlet reports that a YouTube spokesperson said, "This resulted in a first strike... more »

• Baton Rouge Diocese says churchgoers must wear masks

  August 4, 2021 4:35 PM

  BATON ROUGE - The Baton Rouge Diocese announced Wednesday that all parishioners are expected to wear face coverings during services, in line with the statewide mask mandate that began that same day. Bishop Michael Duca said Wednesday that all churchgoers should wear masks at indoor church events, including weekend... more »

• More Americans are being vaccinated; CDC reports significant 24-hour period increase Play Video

  July 26, 2021 6:55 AM

  According to a White House official, an increasing number of people in the United States are being vaccinated. Ronald Klain, the White House Chief of Staff announced Sunday, via his Twitter account , that The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a significant jump in the number of... more »

• LSU Board wants state to make COVID vaccine mandatory for college students

  June 18, 2021 7:11 PM

  BATON ROUGE- The LSU Board of Supervisors wants the Louisiana Department of Health to make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory for Louisiana college students. This comes after faculty and student government groups urged the university to require the vaccine. Hundreds of LSU employees voted for a resolution last month asking... more »

• Health officials cautiously optimistic about declining COVID statistics

  May 10, 2021 8:56 AM

  While statistics reveal that across the U.S., less people are getting vaccinated than in previous weeks, health officials are cautiously optimistic about what COVID-related numbers will look like in the upcoming months, CNN reports. During a Sunday, May 9 interview, Dr. Jonathan Reiner of George Washington University told CNN... more »

• Masks, social distancing no longer required for visitors at state Capitol

  April 30, 2021 5:23 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Soon, the Louisiana State Capitol building will take another step toward normalcy. Based on Governor John Bel Edwards' lift of the mask mandate Tuesday, the Capitol has released new guidelines for visitation. Starting Monday, May 3, individuals will be able to decide if they want... more »

• CDC says many Americans can now go outside without a mask Play Video

  April 27, 2021 6:47 AM

  NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers, and those who are unvaccinated can go without a face covering outside in some cases, too. Governor Edwards is expected to discuss... more »

• As jury trials resume, Supreme Court justice urges La's citizens "to answer the call to serve as jurors" Play Video

  April 1, 2021 7:38 AM

  BATON ROUGE - With an increasing number of Louisiana's citizens becoming fully vaccinated against COVID-19, certain aspects of daily life that had been temporarily shuttered by the pandemic have resumed. One such activity is that of serving as a juror for jury trials, a civic duty that was halted... more »

• As dangerous COVID variant impacts Europe, experts warn U.S. should prepare Play Video

  March 31, 2021 6:40 AM

  As a COVID-19 variant continues to have a devastating impact on European nations, a number of experts say the United States must continue to adhere to coronavirus safety measures in preparation for another potential surge, CNN reports. The news outlet notes that the B.1.1.7 variant, first spotted in the... more »

• Houston police chief says lifting statewide mask mandate is 'a step in the wrong direction'

  March 9, 2021 11:36 AM

  HOUSTON, Texas- Governor Greg Abbott is in the process of implementing a plan to lift the statewide mask mandate in Texas and allow businesses to fully reopen. The order will go into effect Wednesday, March 10. While Governor Abbott's decision has garnered support from some, other officials are saying... more »

• Mayor says New Orleans will stay in Phase 2

  March 2, 2021 7:11 PM

  New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announced that the city will not move into Phase 3 with the rest of the state. In a tweet, Cantrell said Orleans Parish would stick to its current restrictions following Gov. John Bel Edwards' announcement that Louisiana will move into a modified Phase 3... more »

• Health experts advise against lax COVID precautions during holiday season

  December 4, 2020 7:56 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Health experts in Louisiana are urging residents to remain extremely cautious as the holiday season continues. Though it may be tempting to take a gamble and ignore COVID precautions by gathering with friends and family members who we miss seeing, state officials and medical professionals are... more »

• Health experts: Winter's approach may mean increased chances to spread COVID, flu, pneumonia Play Video

  November 30, 2020 7:34 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Freezing temperatures have arrived in Baton Rouge and as locals search for ways to stay warm, health officials are concerned about a potential increase in the transmission of COVID. It isn't the cold weather itself that has health experts worried. According to the Centers for... more »

• Hormel creates 'Breathable Bacon;' a mask that releases scent of bacon to wearer

  October 22, 2020 10:06 AM

  Advances in bacon-technology have reached a pivotal moment with Hormel's creation of the 'Breathable Bacon' mask. It isn't a mask that simply features pictures of the beloved breakfast food; the covering also allows its wearer to smell the delicious sweet yet savory scent of sizzling bacon as they move... more »

• EBR superintendent discusses student's return to campus amid Tropical Storm Sally's approach Play Video

  September 14, 2020 10:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE - While Baton Rouge is on-alert and preparing for possible damage from Tropical Storm Sally, some of its youngest locals are taking on their first day of in-person classes under a hybrid learning model. On Monday, East Baton Rouge Public schools are opened to students in Pre... more »

• Fans required to wear masks in Tiger Stadium, other SEC venues this season

  August 18, 2020 10:35 AM

  Tuesday morning, the Southeastern Conference released guidelines for fans as the 14-member college league slates the games for the upcoming football season. Many of the guidelines pose decisions for the universities to put into place. Part of the rules require face coverings for all inside and around the stadium,... more »

• Southern University opens with COVID precautions in place as students return for first day of Fall classes Play Video

  August 12, 2020 5:50 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Southern University is welcoming students, faculty, and staff back to a thoroughly sanitized and health/safety conscious campus for its first day of Fall classes on Wednesday, August 12. It is the first day of the fall semester at Southern University and students are experiencing something they've... more »

• Livingston Parish Fire Dept to assist in inspecting businesses for COVID compliance

  July 9, 2020 9:23 AM

  LIVINGSTON PARISH - Businesses in Livingston Parish will be inspected by their local fire department to ensure that mask/social distancing guidelines associated with the prevention of spreading COVID-19 are being followed. Livingston Parish Fire Protection District Four issued an announcement regarding the inspections Wednesday, stating: " LPFPD4 will be... more »

• Staying safe during the coronavirus surge Play Video

  July 9, 2020 8:53 AM

  BATON ROUGE - The war against novel coronavirus continues in Louisiana, and as the battle wages on many wonder what measures they can take to remain healthy. Dr. Alex Billioux of the Louisiana Department of Health strongly suggests following state guidelines. These include: -Wearing masks that fully... more »

• Capital Area Transit System (CATS) reminds riders to wear masks

  July 7, 2020 11:02 AM

  BATON ROUGE - Residents in the Capital City have been diligent when it comes to wearing masks, according to Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome during a Tuesday morning interview with WBRZ. Later that morning, Capital Area Transit System (CATS) reminded residents that just as they must wear masks while frequenting... more »

• Baton Rouge prepares for new mask mandate Play Video

  July 2, 2020 7:07 AM

  BATON ROUGE — As Louisiana continues to contend with a surge in coronavirus cases, residents of the capital city are adjusting to a new mandate that requires them to wear either a mask or face covering while inside of a business. Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome issued the announcement Wednesday,... more »

• Central, Zachary mayors say masks not required in their city limits

  July 1, 2020 6:04 PM

  CENTRAL – Hours after the mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish announced a mask mandate for those out and about across the parish, mayors of Central and Zachary said the requirement does not apply within their city boundaries. ““The mandatory mask order issued by Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome today... more »

• Gov. emphasizes need to wear masks, says does not intend to issue statewide mandate Play Video

  July 1, 2020 8:27 AM

  BATON ROUGE - As lawmakers across the country decide whether residents in their counties should be required to wear masks in public places, Louisianians turned to Governor Edwards for his thoughts on the matter during a Tuesday afternoon press conference. When asked if the recent surge in coronavirus cases... more »

• Officials debate the wisdom of reopening Tiger Stadium this fall

  June 29, 2020 11:12 AM

  While some are eager to see LSU's football fans return to Tiger Stadium on game days, others are apprehensive as they consider how such large gatherings might lead to even more COVID-19 outbreaks. According to the LSU Reveille , LSU's Interim President Tom Galligan indicated that said he'd like... more »

• Baton Rouge General's ER doctors urge public to continue wearing masks, social distancing Play Video

  June 29, 2020 8:39 AM

  BATON ROUGE — Nearly two weeks ago, Baton Rouge General Hospital's Mid City Emergency Room resumed operations following five years of closure, and the 33-bed unit has come in handy since its doors reopened to the public. The ER sees about 45 patients daily for all sorts of ailments.... more »

• 'We need football': Coach O appears on national TV to talk fall sports

  May 27, 2020 1:08 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Coach Ed Orgeron told Fox News Wednesday that he "couldn't imagine" the effect on LSU's football program if the team were forced to skip the 2020 season because of the coronavirus. LSU's championship-winning coach appeared live on 'America's Newsroom' to talk the likelihood of starting the... more »

• 'Phase 1' enforcement at salons coming from Fire Marshal, Department of Health Play Video

  May 12, 2020 6:52 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Salon owners and employees are cleaning and organizing ahead of Friday as many businesses are planning their reopening to the public. "The main things I think are different than our usual rules are the masks and the capacity of limitations," Louisiana Cosmetology Board Chairman Edwin Neill... more »

• Eye center makes safety changes amid COVID-19, welcomes back more patients Play Video

  April 30, 2020 6:07 PM

  BATON ROUGE - More businesses are starting to reopen amid the coronavirus outbreak, and non-emergency medical procedures are back on the books. Williamson Eye Center on Summa Ave. is navigating some changes as it prepares to serve more people. Dr. Blake Williamson says all of the changes have been... more »

• Free face mask distributions in St. Helena Parish

  April 30, 2020 12:20 PM

  ST. HELENA PARISH - On Saturday, May 2, 2020 Saint Helena Parish will be passing out free face masks. Accodring to Michael Martin, Director Of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, there will be a limited amount of face masks passed out at these fire stations located in St. Helena... more »

• Businesses trying to find as many masks as possible ahead of Friday's requirement Play Video

  April 29, 2020 9:44 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Leading up to Friday's extension of the current s tay-at-home order , countless businesses are making sure they have everything to continue serving customers. That includes those all-important masks. In some cases, getting those is easier said than done. "I think it's one of those... more »

• Proper mask usage, cleaning explained Play Video

  April 28, 2020 6:26 PM

  BATON ROUGE - More people are encouraged to wear masks in public. And when a few rules are relaxed allowing some businesses to operate Friday, workers will need them to cover their nose and mouth. The CDC says if you're going to be out and about doing essential things,... more »

• Salon owner fears reopening without proper PPE Play Video

  April 27, 2020 6:55 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Businesses won't be reopening until the governor feels Louisiana meets the criteria to move onto phase 1, and that could be after May 15. If that's the case, a salon owner in Baton Rouge says she's requesting information about where to get the proper protection to protect... more »

• Baton Rouge church distributes 2,000 masks to community Play Video

  April 25, 2020 8:58 PM

  At 11 a.m. this morning, hundreds of cars lined the streets leading into Lighthouse Christian Fellowship Church. In the parking lot volunteers handed out free face masks, a vital tool in the fight against COVID-19. "Today was a really great day. I... more »

• Ascension Parish receives over 49,000 face masks from Hanes; distributing for free

  April 24, 2020 4:06 PM

  ASCENSION PARISH - Hanesbrands Inc. donated thousands of face masks to the State of Louisiana that were then distributed to all parishes based on population. Parish President Clint Cointment announced Friday that Ascension received 49,060 of the cotton face masks. Ascension's OHSEP distributed some of the... more »

• Where to find free masks and PPE throughout capital area

  April 23, 2020 4:54 PM

  Local governments and businesses around the Capital Area are distributing masks and PPE to several organizations as well as people who are most vulnerable. Detailed below is a regularly updated list of locations where free masks are being distributed in south Louisiana. Livingston Livingston Parish officials will... more »

• PPE donated to healthcare workers in East Feliciana Play Video

  April 19, 2020 10:13 PM

  CLINTON - Louisianans respond to a call for help from East Feliciana Parish, where healthcare workers and first responders are running extremely low on personal protective equipment (PPE). "This is something we've never been through in our lifetime and we're doing the best we can," says East Feliciana Coroner,... more »

• Ford drivers deliver 2,000 supplies to Baton Rouge hospital

  March 28, 2020 7:51 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Drivers from Ford Motor Company donated 2,000 face shields to Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge on Saturday. The drivers left Detroit, Michigan Friday, March 27 and delivered the supplies to the OLOL team members. “Face shields are in limited supply across the country... more »

• Cleco helps Louisiana College make face shields for local hospitals

  March 26, 2020 6:21 PM

  PINEVILLE - Cleco donated $1,500 to Louisiana College on Thursday to support the school's efforts in creating face shields for health care facilities. With a lot of health care facilities dealing with a shortage of supplies due to the coronavirus outbreak Assistant Professor of Engineering at Louisiana College, Dr.... more »

• Local dentists donate boxes of masks and gloves to OLOL

  March 18, 2020 9:00 PM

  BATON ROUGE - Medical masks and gloves are in short supply nationwide, but local dentists are helping out Our Lady of the Lake hospital by donating their supplies. Local dentists anonymously sent several boxes of masks and gloves to OLOL. Tuesday, the Louisiana Department of Health canceled all non-essential... more »

• Mississippi county bans clowns until after Halloween

  October 20, 2016 10:50 PM

  DEKALB, Miss. - A Mississippi county has had enough of the creepy clown craze, at least until after Halloween. Kemper County supervisors this week banned people from wearing any clown costume, mask or makeup in public. The local law carries a $150 penalty, and it will be lifted Nov. 1.... more »

• Target pulls clown masks from shelves following clown sightings

  October 17, 2016 11:11 AM

  The creepy clown sightings that have been occurring around the nation has caused businesses like Target to remove clown masks from its shelves. Just weeks before Halloween, the store's decision comes after several reported incidents of clowns trying to lure children into the woods , pranks of students wearing... more »