Shooting at the Holiday Inn on Airline; how COVID's delta variant struck small towns

The Advocate's Top Headlines

with Matthew Albright | Assistant metro editor

Good morning! Our reporters are busy bringing you Baton Rouge's biggest news today.

Holiday Inn shooting

One person was killed this morning and another was hospitalized in a shooting at the Holiday Inn on Airline Highway, Baton Rouge Police said. Our reporters are on the scene finding out more information; check theadvocate.com or follow us on Facebook for the latest.

How COVID's delta variant slammed small towns

When the first wave of COVID struck, it was big cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans that were hit the hardest. But when the delta variant caused another surge in cases and deaths this year, it was smaller towns that bore that bore the brunt.

This story looks at the data that show how the virus spread through rural parishes, and how low vaccination rates played a role. And it's written through the eyes of people like a Livingston funeral director who says he's "done a funeral at every church and cemetery" in every corner of the parish.

Who ya got?

The Saints play the Seahawks in a big Monday Night Football game tonight. Check out who our columnists and beat writers think is going to win, and get the latest on which players are coming back to an injury-depleted roster.

Also, go inside the locker room to see how players say Sean Payton is handling the injury bug.

Thanks for reading, and have a great afternoon.