BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer COVID questions: Louisiana's Surgeon General Dr. Ralph Abraham, a practicing family doctor and former congressman, told the state House Select Committee on Homeland Security on Thursday that Louisiana's response to the COVID-19 pandemic was poorly handled. He said masking does not work and called 6-foot social distancing rules "ridiculous." He also said the real risk of harm was associated with vaccines, and that currently, "I’m not recommending the vaccine for my patients.” Read about the reaction to his statements. Court change: An appeals court has reinstated the conviction of felony malfeasance in office against Donald Steele, a former Baton Rouge police officer who was accused of soliciting sex from a 19-year old Southern University student during a traffic stop. The move overturned a ruling by a Baton Rouge judge who has since been suspended from the bench. Read more details of the court's decision. Golden catch: Gymnast Hezly Rivera was part of the gold medal-winning U.S. team at the 2024 Olympic Games. Now she has committed to LSU. The 16-year-old was the youngest member of the entire U.S. delegation this summer in Paris. Read more about her decision here. | 