NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center bumps up the number of expected storms for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook. Brooke Thoringston has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A lawsuit filed by business owners against Governor Edwards to lift coronavirus restrictions sees the judge side with the Governor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center bumps up the number of expected storms for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook, now calling for up to 19 to 25 named storms with 7 to 11 becoming hurricanes. Lead hurricane forecaster Dr. Gerry Bell says in addition to warmer than normal sea surface temps, a mix of factors contribute to the upgrade.
The new forecast includes the 9 named storms the season has already produced. Bell says the development of La Nina conditions also factors into being more hospitable for hurricane formation and intensification.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…stronger Atlantic storms.”
There have already been 5 landfalling storms in the US this season and Bell expects more to threaten the US in the coming months.
Cut 5 (06) “…and major hurricanes.”
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A Baton Rouge judge sides with Governor John Bel Edwards over business owners who filed suit in an attempt to lift coronavirus restrictions including the mask mandate, bar closures, and crowd size limitations. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says if a bar patron is drinking throughout the time at the business, there is a good chance they are leaving the mask off.
19th Judicial District Judge Janice Clark says Edwards has the ability to issue executive orders during emergencies in an effort to “limit the loss of life.”
Billioux says all of the mitigation efforts are layers of protection to help fight the spread and that having your mask off while eating at a restaurant means that social distancing then becomes your first line of defense.
Cut 7 (10) “…tables are spaced.”
Billioux says the main purpose of going to a bar is drinking alcohol which decreases vigilance in spread mitigation efforts.
Cut 8 (09) “…you’re not drinking.”
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A 25 member task force aimed at studying policing policy reform met today for the first time since being formed by the Legislature in response to the George Floyd protests.
Each member introduced themselves, including NAACP Louisiana President Michael McClanahan who says it’s an honor to participate.
The task force has been ordered to review policing policy for all of the state’s 23,000 designated peace officers.
Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields was named chairman and the members come from a range of backgrounds, including civil rights activists, lawmakers, and law enforcement.
Fields authored the resolution that formed the task force and was nominated for the chairmanship by representatives of the law enforcement community.
There was some question today. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James asked why law enforcement trainees spend 24 hours training for defensive tactics, but only six hours on biased policing recognition.
The members were split into committees and ordered to report back by November 7th, with the full task force ordered to report their findings to the Legislature by February 1st.
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Louisiana crossed a grim COVID-19 milestone today, we now have had more than 4,000 confirmed deaths from the disease.
Edwards solemnly announced the news today at his afternoon press conference.
1,457 people are hospitalized with COVID, and the positivity rate for today was 6.6 percent, both down significant;y from just ten days ago. Edwards says that’s good news but…
1,300 new cases were reported today, continuing our slow but steady downward trend. Edwards says that’s encouraging but we can’t start slacking.
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