BY DOUG GRAHAM | Staff writer Concerns over transportation problems at the start of the school year prompted “emergency transportation meetings” Friday morning at four popular magnet schools in Baton Rouge. The problems are tied to a severe shortage of bus drivers. School leaders on Friday said they have only 339 drivers currently on staff, well short of the number they planned to employ going into this year. The East Baton Rouge Parish School Board is holding a special meeting at 5 p.m. Monday to consider ways to improve matters State officials say there is no cause for alarm, but COVID-19 is on the rise again in Louisiana. "It's fair to say we're entering another surge," State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter said. The Department of Health does not expect the latest increase in cases to create an emergency situation. A vast majority of the state's population has either had COVID-19 at least once or been vaccinated against it, so most people should have at least some protection against the new variant, EG.5. Local animal shelters are at capacity, and healthy, adoptable dogs and cats are at risk due to the sheer volume of animals coming through the doors daily. If you're interested in adopting, fostering or volunteering, now is the time. | 