The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning.  Baton Rouge Republican Rick Edmonds says the inability to attend high school football is detrimental to families who feel it’s a time-honored tradition.

Cut 6 (10) “…of those families.”

Many high schools object to that number and point to the higher capacity that’s allowed inside restaurants and casinos.  Assistant state health officer Dr. Joe Kanter defended the current spectator cap by saying it isn’t the social distancing in the stands that is the area of concern.

Cut 7 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

Edmunds asked for health officials to give their attendance policy another look.

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry warns a Legislative committee there will be another spike in COVID cases during flu season, and the spike will rival the numbers we saw in spring.  Guidry says his prediction is based on observations from the Spanish Flu pandemic in 1918 where a spring wave subsided only to be replaced by a much deadlier late fall outbreak.

Cut 3 (10)  “people”  

Committee members also questioned Guidry about the small number of totals deaths that were solely attributed to COVID. Guidry says that number is misleading because of the nature of COVID, which pushes people with manageable illnesses to death’s door.

Also at the state capitol, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation to be discussed in the special session that would result in local governments losing state dollars if they reduce their local police department’s budget by 10-percent or more. Harris says the legislature has a duty to intervene in this local budgeting issue.
Cut 9 (11) “…municipality”

The 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events is the subject of a legislative committee happening now. Many high schools object to that number and point to the higher capacity that’s allowed inside restaurants and casinos. House Education Chairman Ray Garafalo says Friday night football games are an important event for many communities and memorable for students…
Cut 14 (06) “…into these issues.”
The governor’s office says the 25-percent capacity restriction is based on scientific data and guidance from health experts.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation to be discussed in the special session that would result in a municipality or public university losing money if they reduce their police department funding by ten-percent…
Cut 8 (12) “…deduction”
Harris calls the bill the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act.

The Main Street Recovery Program aimed to assist Louisiana small businesses with pandemic recovery is no longer accepting applications. State Treasurer John Schroder says the original amount of $275-million that the legislature set aside for the program is almost allocated.Since the program began accepting applications July 28^th, Schroder says they’ve issued approximately 6-thousand checks. Schroder says he knows businesses need the funds as quickly as possible, but it is not an instantaneous process.

Cut 12 (11) “…a little time.”

The schools of the UL System are participating in an initiative aimed at connecting McNeese State students displaced by Hurricane Laura with resources from other system institutions.  UL System President Jim Henderson says more than 200 McNeese State students have registered for the Cowboy Relief Effort adding that the response has been tremendous from students relieved to hear this type of help is available.

Cut 6 (11) “…is left behind.”

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris introduces legislation that would give the legislature the ability to take away state funding from local governments and universities that cut the budget for their police departments by more than 10-percent. Harris says he opposes the “Defund the Police” movement.
Cut 7 (07) “…pressure”
No word on when this bill will get its first hearing before a legislative committee.

The House Education and Health and Welfare Committees hold a joint meeting today to discuss the governor’s executive order that limits high school athletic events to 25-percent capacity. The governor’s office says the order is to ensure the safety of Louisianans. House Education Chair Ray Garafalo says he needs more information…
cut 15 (13) “….show the public”

The Main Street Recovery Program which assists small businesses with pandemic recovery losses puts the breaks on applications. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The American Hotel and Lodging Association says 38-percent of Louisiana hotel jobs have been lost as a result of the coronavirus pandemic and another 32-percent could be unemployed in several months if Congress doesn’t do something to help the industry out. The report says 38-thousand hotel jobs have been lost in Louisiana, 14-thousand of them became unemployed this month.

The House Education and Health and Welfare Committees meet today to discuss occupancy caps for spectators at athletic events. Chalmette Republican Ray Garafalo says lawmakers want more answers as to why high school football games have a strict occupancy cap of 25%, while indoor restaurants are capped at 75%.
Cut 13 (13) “…that question yet.”

Also at the state capitol, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation to be discussed in the special session that would result in local governments losing state dollars if they reduce their local police department’s budget by 10-percent or more. Harris says the legislature has a duty to intervene in this local budgeting issue..
cut 9 (11) “…municipality”

State Treasurer John Schroder announces the Main Street Recovery Program has stopped accepting new applications as the 275-million dollar program designed to help small businesses hurt by the coronavirus pandemic has reached its capacity. Schroder says applications have been pouring in over the last 20 days…
cut 11 (10) “…Thursday”
Schroder says so far six-thousand checks of no more than 15-thousand dollars in grant money have been delivered to small businesses.

University of Louisiana System schools are helping McNeese State students displaced by Hurricane Laura. UL System President Jim Henderson says more than 200 McNeese students have registered for the Cowboy Relief Effort that allows these students to use a variety of resources at other campuses….
cut 4 (06) “…housing”
Henderson says for example, Ashlee Sebren from Jackson Parish is using libraries at both U-L-M and Louisiana Tech University.

Legislation is introduced that would take funding away from local governments and universities that attempt to reduce police budgets for political reasons. Matt Doyle spoke with the author…
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Lafayette Parish Coroner’s office says a two-year-old boy found in a car on Sunday died from heatstroke. The child’s mother’s 27-year-old, Natalie Broussard, has been charged with negligent homicide.

The 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events will be the subject of a legislative committee this morning. Many high schools object to that number and point to the higher capacity that’s allowed inside restaurants and casinos. House Education Chairman Ray Garafalo says Friday night football games are an important event for many communities and memorable for students…
cut 14 (06) “….into these issues”
The governor’s office says the 25-percent capacity restriction is based on scientific data and guidance from health experts.

The University of Louisiana System says there are over 200 McNeese State students who are using resources such as Wi-Fi, libraries, computer labs, campus dining options, and health services at other U-L system campuses for those McNeese students who have been displaced by Hurricane Laura. U-L System President Jim Henderson says it is a rewarding effort…
cut 5 (05) “…to help you”

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris has filed legislation to be discussed in the special session that would result in a municipality or public university losing money if they reduce their police department funding by ten-percent…
cut 8 (12) “…deduction”
Harris calls the bill the Louisiana Police Funding Protection Act.

The Main Street Recovery Program aimed to assist Louisiana small businesses with pandemic recovery is no longer accepting applications. State Treasurer John Schroder says the $275-million fund that the legislature set aside is almost allocated.
Cut 10 (12) “…as backups.”

The high school football season starts tomorrow, but many schools are upset the governor’s current coronavirus order limits occupancy at outdoor athletic events at 25-percent. The House Education and Health and Welfare Committees will hold a joint meeting on this topic today. Schools argue it doesn’t make sense to cap the capacity at 25-percent when restaurants and casinos are allowed to have a higher maximum capacity. House Education Chair Ray Garafalo hopes to get answers today…
cut 15 (13) “….show the public”
The governor’s office says the proclamation is based on scientific data and guidance from health experts and the White House Coronavirus Task Force in order to ensure the safety of Louisianans.

Lawmakers got down to business for the first real day of work in the special session that began Tuesday evening, with major legislation addressing gubernatorial authority during an emergency passing a Senate committee.

The legislation, by Senate President Page Cortez, would mandate the Governor meet with the Legislature before extending any public health emergency or state of emergency order beyond its first 30 days. Cortez says his legislation would create a committee of legislative leaders who the Governor must speak with should he want to extend an expiring public health order.

Cut 3 (08)  “ending”  

But Democrats aren’t happy with efforts to intervene in the Governor’s public health authority. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James called it hypocritical…

Cut 9 (08) “White House”

The legislation moves to the Senate floor.

Hurricane-Laura ravaged southwest Louisiana could get some help from the Capitol this special session. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his constituents need a number of items addressed from securing school funding to making sure businesses don’t lose their licenses because they were shut down due to storm damage. Johns says his region was devastated.

Cut 14 (12) “billion dollars”

Wednesday morning a Joint Committee will meet to discuss occupancy caps for spectators at athletic events. Chalmette Republican Ray Garafalo says lawmakers want more answers as to why outdoor athletic events are capped at 25% occupancy when indoor restaurants can operate at 75 percent.

Cut 13 (13) “…that question yet.”