The House Governmental Affairs Committee meets today to discuss Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for the fall elections. House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins of Shreveport says he does not like the plan because it has tighter restrictions on who can vote by mail, compared to what was allowed for the summer elections.
Cut 4 (08)“ ..the present stage.”
Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt, chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, does not see any issues with Ardoin’s proposal. Hewitt says elderly voters, who are the most susceptible to poor health outcomes from COVID, will be allowed to request an absentee ballot.
Cut 6 (11) “…voting in person.”
Governor Edwards says he plans to reject the proposal once it reaches his desk.

There’s good and bad news for Louisiana’s unemployed workers. Governor Edwards says over 400-thousand will begin to receive an extra 300-dollars a week as a result of action by the Trump administration…
cut 13 (10) “>…certain”
But Edwards says up to 87-thousand unemployed workers will be ineligible based on federal guidance because they receive less than 100-dollars a week from the state or their unemployment is not COVID-related.

And the Democratic governor has not signed the national party’s policy platform, which includes stronger language affirming a woman’s right to access an abortion. The pro-life governor chose not to sign the platform for that reason….
cut 10 (06) “…Democrat”
Democrats officially nominated Joe Biden last night to take on President Trump in November.

Governor Edwards says he will not accept Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for the fall elections because it restricts absentee balloting. Ardoin’s proposal allows a voter to mail in their ballot if they test positive for the coronavirus during early voting or in the days leading up to the election. But Edwards says what about people who are ordered to quarantine or are suspectible to the virus. However, Chairwoman of Senate Governmental Affairs Sharon Hewitt supports Ardoin’s plan…
cut 7 (08) “…vote in person”
Edwards says the disagreement may have to be resolved by a judge.

More troubling news involving former LSU running back Derius Guice. The USA Today is reporting two women accuse Guice of raping them while he was a freshman. Guice was released earlier this month from the Washington Football team after he was arrested for domestic violence.

Small businesses that received previous federal aid can now receive funds through the Louisiana Main Street Recovery Program. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The slogan for the Democratic Party at their National Convention is “Build Back Better.” Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk….
Cut 8 (11) “…right now.”
Louisiana’s Republican Party says only a vote for President Trump will ensure that America’s economy will be rebuilt.

Governor Edwards says the state will begin issuing 300-dollar federal coronavirus unemployment payments next week, but there are up to 87-thousand jobless individuals who are not eligible. Matt Doyle explains…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The USA Today is reporting two former LSU student-athletes claim they were sexually assaulted by Derrius Guice when the ex-Tigers running back was a freshman in 2016. Earlier this month, Guice was released from the Washington football team after he was arrested on domestic violence charges.

State lawmakers will discuss today Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for voting in the November presidential election and December runoff. Ardoin’s proposal allows voters to request a mail-in ballot if they test postivie for the coronavirus during early voting or in the days leading up to election day. Governor Edwards calls the plan woefully inadequate and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Sam Jenkins agrees…
cut 5 (09) “….should be going”
Edwards believes mail in balloting should also be available to those who are ordered to quarantine on election day and are vulnerable to the virus.

All qualifying small businesses can now receive grant money from the Main Street Recovery Program. State Treasurer John Schroder says there has been some confusion about the program which can provide up to $15,000 in reimbursement for COVID-19 related losses.
Cut 14 (09) “…are true.”
More information can be found at louisiana-main-street-dot-com.

An enhanced 300-dollar unemployment check will be sent to over 400-thousand Louisiana workers next week, but Edwards says there are 87-thousand workers who do not qualify for this money based on the rules set up by the Trump administration….
cut 12 (08) “…now”
The 87-thousand people who are ineligible currently receive less than one-hundred dollars in benefits or their unemployment is unrelated to COVID.

Governor Edwards says he can not support Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan for the November and December elections. He’s says its woefully inadequate because it does allow mail balloting for people who are ordered to quarantine or those who are vulnerable to the disease. But Slidell Senator, chairwoman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, supports the plan…
cut 6 (11) “….voting in person”
Lawmakers will begin discussing the plan today.

State Treasurer John Schroeder says small businesses who previously received federal assistance such as a Paycheck Protection Program loan can receive a grant from the state’s Main Street Recovery Program. During the first 21 days of the program, businesses who didn’t receive prior funding were prioritized. But Schroeder says the three weeks are up and any small business who is seeking reimbursement for pandemic-related expenses can apply at louisiana-main-street-dot-com…
cut 16 (09) “….our hotline”
Over 17-thousand applications have been received in the first 21 days of the program.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Progressive and Louisiana Farm Bureau plan to reduce their auto insurance rates by two and eight-percent respectively. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards says he will reject Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s emergency plan for the November Presidential election and December run-offs, as he calls it woefully inadequate and says the issue might have to be resolved in the courts. Edwards says it does not expand mail-in balloting options for individuals who have been told to quarantine or those who are vulnerable to the disease.

A new saliva test for COVID-19, known as SalivaDirect, gets the thumbs up from the FDA.  The new test is being called a game-changer and LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal sees value in using the tests for communal living settings.

Cut 8 (13) “…for the hospital.”

Researchers at Yale say they expect labs will only charge about $10 per sample with this test.

A federal judge in New Orleans rejects a request by ten southeast Louisiana bar owners to stop the statewide order that closes bars. It’s another in a string of losses for those challenging things like the mask mandate or bar closures in court. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says…

Cut 11 (09) “…courthouse.”

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic, both of them have a good chance at developing into named storms over the next five days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not a surprise the tropics are getting active

Cut 3 (09)  “there”  

Keim says it remains to be seen if these systems get in the Gulf of Mexico, but conditions are ripe for them to become a real threat.

A new saliva test for COVID-19, known as SalivaDirect, gets the thumbs up from the FDA.  LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says this test differs from other saliva tests because not only is it a quick and easy collection, but they can skip the extraction step saving time and money.

Cut 6 (10) “…in the country.”

Yale researchers expect labs will only charge about $10 per sample with this test.

A federal judge in New Orleans rejects a request by ten southeast Louisiana bar owners to stop the statewide order closing bars. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is what he expected out of the federal court. State officials presented data showing the closure of bars in Louisiana helped slow the spread of coronavirus. Ciolino says that’s all Judge Martin Feldman needed.

Cut 10 (12) “…them”

A similar case is being decided in a Lafayette US District Court.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana Farm Bureau and Progressive will reduce their auto insurance rates by eight and two percent respectively. Donelon says a factor that has led to lower premiums is fewer accidents on the road…

Cut 14 (11) “…two years ago”

Louisiana drops below ten percent positivity for the first time in weeks, putting us out of the White House’s red zone of states. The new number sits at 9.4 percent, and tracks with the 640 new COVID-19 cases being reported today.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana Farm Bureau and Progressive will reduce their auto insurance rates by eight and two percent respectively. Donelon says considering recent cuts by State Farm…

Cut 13 (05) “…will respond” 

A federal judge in New Orleans rejects a request by ten southeast Louisiana bar owners to stop the statewide order closing bars. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says this is what he expected out of the federal court…

Cut 9 (12) “…constitution”

Yale researchers hard work pays off as their new saliva test that promises cheaper, faster results gets the thumbs up from the FDA. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal explains why it will cut down on wait times…

Cut 7 (05) “…matter of hours.”

SalivaDirect is considered a testing innovation game-changer by reducing demand on the supply chain of scarce testing resources.

Invest 98 could be the set to become Tropical Storm Laura within the next few days. The mid-Atlantic based system would be the earliest L named storm to ever form according to State Climatologist Barry Keim…

Cut 5 (09)  “season”

Another system, Invest 97, is being watched in the eastern Caribbean.

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana Farm Bureau and Progressive will reduce their auto insurance rates by eight and two percent, respectively. Donelon says both companies have been dropping lowering their premiums

Cut 12 (15) “….on previous”

A federal judge in New Orleans rejects a request by ten southeast Louisiana bar owners to stop the statewide order that closes bars. It’s another in a string of losses for those challenging things like the mask mandate or bar closures in court. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says…

Cut 11 (09) “…courthouse.”

A new saliva test for COVID-19, known as SalivaDirect, gets the thumbs up from the FDA.  The new test is being called a game changer and LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal sees value in using the tests for communal living settings.

Cut 8 (13) “…for the hospital.”

Researchers at Yale say they expect labs will only charge about $10 per sample with this test.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic, and both waves have the potential of developing into named storms over the next five days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it remains to be seen if these systems will reach the Gulf of Mexico, but conditions are ripe for them to become a real threat.

Cut 4 (10)“ .right now” 

The state is reporting 640 additional new COVID-19 cases today. The number of fatalities has increased by 28 and the hospitalization rate decreased by 22. Governor Edwards will hold a virus briefing today at 3pm.

The FDA approves a new saliva test for COVID-19 developed by Yale researchers known as SalivaDirect that is being considered a testing innovation game-changer. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

A federal judge in New Orleans rejects a request by ten southeast Louisiana bar owners to stop the statewide order closing bars. State officials presented data showing the closure of bars in Louisiana helped slow the spread of coronavirus.

Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the ruling was expected and data was all Judge Martin Feldman needed.

Cut 10 (12) “…them”

Senator John Kennedy believes Governor Edwards should label places of worship as essential and remove the capacity cap. Kennedy says the governor should extend the same Phase 2 capacity rules that guide big box stores and protesters…

cut 12 (13) “…the same”
No word on if the governor will act on Kennedy’s request.

The state health department reported another 644 new coronavirus cases today. The number of COVID-19 deaths rose by 28 to 4,431, but hospitalizations declined by 22 to 1,204.

LSU Health New Orleans is participating in a clinical trial on the use of lab-created monoclonal antibodies as a way to treat COVID patients. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There’s good news on the COVID-19 testing front. The FDA has approved a new saliva-based test that’s as accurate as the nasal swab test and also much cheaper. LSU Health New Orleans infectious disease expert, Doctor Catherine O’ Neal, says this test will also cut down on wait times to get a result…
cut 7 (05) “…matter of hours”
O’Neal says this type of test can be useful to test a large number of people in a short amount of time, like students living in a dorm.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring two tropical waves in the Atlantic, both of them have a good chance at developing into named storms over the next five days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not a surprise that the tropics are getting active…
Cut 3 (09) “there”
Keim says it remains to be seen if these systems get in the Gulf of Mexico.