Governor Edwards says he will make a decision on whether the state will move into Phase Three potentially as soon as today. Edwards is set to meet with the White House coronavirus task force this afternoon to discuss the topic and says a decision will come before the current Phase Two order expires Friday.

Cut 10 (06) “…data.”

The state Republican Party calls on Governor Edwards to allow parish governments to make their own decision on whether or not to move into Phase Three. LA GOP spokesperson Ben Smith says the current one size fits all statewide plan isn’t allowing areas with manageable levels of COVID-19 to restart their economies. He says it really should be a local decision.

Cut 9, 6 seconds, parish

Under the GOP proposal, local governments would also have the ability to decide whether to implement mask mandates, gathering limits, and bar closures.

Starting September 14^th saltwater fishermen in Louisiana can start sending in applications to The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries for pandemic economic relief grants worth up to 10,000 dollars. Spokesperson Jason Duet says the department has 14.6 million dollars to distribute…

Cut 14 (11) “…loss.” 

Applications will be accepted until October 26^th.

The state has received Disaster SNAP approval from the Federal Government for 16 parishes impacted by Hurricane Laura. The program will roll out in phases beginning tomorrow for the following nine parishes Acadia, Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Rapides, Vermilion, and Vernon.  Shavana Howard with DCFS explains how much eligible recipients could receive…

Cut 3 (10)  “…or seven people.”  

Lake Charles residents are feeling forgotten by the national media.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

In Calcasieu Parish, the Sheriff’s office has arrested an 11-year-old after a family member was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in Moss Bluff. The CPSO says deputies were called to a residence Monday evening in reference to a shooting and found 39-year old Andrew Lafleur, III dead. Further investigation found an 11-year old was responsible, the child was booked in the Juvenile Detention Center and charged with second-degree murder.

Governor Edwards says he’ll make an announcement on a possible move to Phase Three as early as today. Edwards says if the state does advance to Phase Three and cases surge we may have to retreat back to Phase Two. He says compliance on social distancing and mask-wearing will prevent that…

Cut 11 (11) “…interruption.”

A Pine High School Senior is taking the Washington Parish School Board to court after the superintendent ruled a parking space mural of President Donald Trump was too political.  Ned Thomas was participating in the school’s “Seniors Paint Your Parking Spot” program and had his design approved by the principal, only to have it painted over after a paid artist completed the image.

Cut 7 (12) “…it was gone.”

If you watch the national news, you’ll hear about the California wildfires, but nothing about the difficult recovery from Hurricane Laura in Lake Charles as most of Calcasieu Parish remains without power. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says there’s a lot of groups and organizations helping, but since the response has not been a train wreck, it doesn’t make for an interesting story nationally…
cut 5 (12) “…would be there”

New Orleans Police say two Lake Charles evacuees have been arrested for their role in a fatal shooting that took place on Canal Street yesterday afternoon. The victim is also a Laura evacuee. One of the suspects was reportedly on bond for a Memorial Day shooting that injured seven people at an unsupervised teen party in Lake Charles.

Governor Edwards is expected to make an announcement either today or tomorrow on whether the state can move into Phase 3 of coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Edwards has received criticism for his handling of the pandemic, but the governor says he does not have any second thoughts…
cut 12 (08) “….a reason”
The current phase two executive order ends Friday.

A senior at Pine High School who painted a mural of President Trump in his parking spot as part of the school’s “Seniors Paint Your Parking Spot” program is taking the Washington Parish Superintendent and school board to court after his painting was covered up by grey paint. Ned Thomas says the school superintendent said it was too political…
cut 8 (13) “….on the corner”
Thomas has filed a complaint with the federal court in New Orleans. The school system did not respond to our request for comment.

Lake Charles and the community’s response to Hurricane Laura has fallen out of the national media spotlight and it has left many of its residents feeling forgotten. Mayor Nic Hunter says the story of resilience is one that apparently doesn’t appeal to national media outlets.
Cut 4 (08)“ …citizen any less.”
Hunter says maybe if the local response to the disaster was a train wreck, the level of lasting national media attention would be different. But he’s proud of how Lake Charles and the state have come together to rebuild their city.

14-point-six-million dollars in federal aid are available to fishermen and others in the industry impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. L-D-W-F biologist Director Jason Duet (do-A) says a hardworking fisherman is eligible for up to 10-thousand dollars in aid…
cut 14 (11) “…loss”
A six-week application period opens Monday on L-D-W-F’s website.

A parking spot painting of President Donald Trump sparks controversy from the Washington Parish School Board and legal action from a Pine High School senior. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Hammond City Council has voted for a measure that urges Mayor Pete Panepinto to remove Edwin Bergeron as the city’s police chief. A video from 2017 has surfaced that shows Bergeron, who was a booking sergeant at the time, involved in a violent arrest of a black man. Mayor Panepinto has said he has no plans to terminate Bergeron.

The current executive order on Phase Two COVID-19 restrictions expires Friday and Governor Edwards says a decision on whether we move to Phase Three is expected before tomorrow ends…
Cut 3 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A coronavirus outbreak involving numerous football players at Louisiana Tech has resulted in the postponement of the Bulldogs season opener against Baylor on Saturday.

The LHSAA Executive Committee meets today and the panel will announce the official start date for high school football and it’s expected to be October 8th.

A senior at Pine High School in Washington Parish is taking his local superintendent and the school board to court after his painting of President Trump was covered up with paint. Ned Thomas says he received permission from the principal to paint a stylized picture of the president, as part of the school system’s “Seniors Paint Your Parking Space” program, but Thomas says apparently some people objected to the paint job…
cut 9 (10) “…the United States”
Thomas is seeking an injunction so that he can re-paint his picture. No comment from the Washington Parish School system.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says there are 14-point-six billion dollars in federal aid available for fishermen and others in the industry who have suffered financial losses because of the COVID-19 pandemic. LDWF biologist director Jason Duet says you must be able to demonstrate you’ve been in the industry as of 2018 or 2019…
cut 15 (10) “…captain”
LDWF will begin accepting applications on its website starting Monday.

Governor Edwards says he could make an announcement on a possible move to Phase Three as early as today. Edwards says he’s waiting on state-specific recommendations from the White House Coronavirus Task Force…
Cut 10 (06) “…data.”
Governors from around the country are scheduled to meet with the task force this afternoon. The current Phase Two COVID restrictions expire on Friday. The state reported 250 coronavirus cases yesterday, but the number of the tests reported was one-fourth what is typically reported.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries will begin accepting applications on Monday from fishermen and others in the industry who have been financially affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. LDWF Biologist Director Jason Duet (do-A) says there are 14-point-six-million dollars in federal money available…
cut 13 (11) “….dot gov”
The deadline to submit applications on October 26th.

Lake Charles residents feel forgotten by the national media as they struggle to recover from a Category Four hurricane. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana Tech’s season opener at Baylor has been postponed after dozens of Tech players tested positive for the coronavirus.

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates Tiger Stadium will likely be limited to 25 percent capacity for the upcoming season. Most SEC teams have made an official announcement on stadium capacity, but LSU has not so far. Other SEC teams have capacities between 20 and 25 percent, so this number puts us right in line with the rest of the conference.
Cut 8 (10) “doing”
LSU begins the season September 26^th at home against Mississippi State.
Families of children who receive free lunch and missed school days due to the pandemic can submit for pandemic EBT if they did not apply in May and June.  Department of Education data governance director Kim Nesmith says roughly 264,000 students are left who haven’t been submitted to receive the funds.
Cut 3 (09)  “…$285 per child.”  
Nesmith says the funds can be used to purchase food just like a regular EBT card.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the rebound process from Hurricane Laura is an intense process and it is going to take a long time.  Lake Charles temps are in the 90s today.  Hunter says the city is working hard to get people back to the area, without having to use generators or rely on staying at the homes of family and friends.

Cut 11 (06) “…live here comfortably.”

More than 123,000 Louisiana residents have been registered for FEMA aid, with more than 57 million dollars distributed to Laura victims so far.

Region Six spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says when you register with FEMA you’ll get an ID number that is not your social security number, so…

Cut 14 (07) “…worker” 

Those who suspect a fraudster is working in their community are encouraged to call 866-720-5721.

Governor John Bel Edwards indicates Tiger Stadium will likely be limited to 25 percent capacity for the upcoming season. Most SEC teams have made an official announcement on stadium capacity, but LSU has not so far. Edwards says even if they did announce now it could always change before, or during the season.

Cut 7 (09) “…and then”

LSU begins the season September 26^th at home against Mississippi State.

Families of children who receive free lunch and missed school days due to the pandemic can submit for pandemic EBT if they did not apply in May and June.  Department of Education data governance director Nesmith says the cards don’t go out automatically, so it is important for eligible families to apply.

Cut 5 (11)  “…receive those benefits.”

More than 123,000 Louisiana residents have been registered for FEMA aid, with more than 57 million dollars distributed to Laura victims so far. Region Six spokesperson Melissa Wilkins says scammers are known to target victims in the wake of natural disasters and pretend to be government officials to steal your personal information. She says stay vigilant…

Cut 13 (12) “…a badge”

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the rebound process from Hurricane Laura is an intense process and it is going to take a long time.  He believes the city is doing the best it can to pick up the pieces and put things back together again.  Hunter says every industry in the city was hit hard by the storm, but he says they are all in the process of bouncing back.

Cut 10 (06) “…my own eyes.”