10:30 LRN Newscast October 14

The Saints say they have met with LSU officials about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been unwilling to allow partial fan attendance at games in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints are getting frustrated as many other NFL teams can have fans at their games
Cut 13 (11) “safely.”
Coach Sean Payton says the possibility of having games at Tiger Stadium is exciting.

An NFIB survey indicates that one in five small businesses warn of layoffs in the next six months. Louisiana specific data is unavailable, but State Director Dawn Starns says she is getting similar feedback from small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Cut 7 (10) “form of PPP”

The Ka’ Mauri Harrison Act has received approval in the Louisiana House. It’s in response to a nine-year-old in Jefferson Parish who was suspended for six days after moving a BB gun in his room during a virtual class. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his measure would allow students to appeal suspensions to the school board and it requires all 69 school districts to develop discipline policies for online learning…
cut 4 (06) “…move forward”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The leader of the House Democratic Caucus says Democrats might support Senate Bill 29 which provides legislative oversight when a governor extends an emergency for more than 30 days. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins…
cut 12 (10) “….on”
The bill is pushed by Conservative Republicans who are upset with the governor’s coronavirus restrictions on businesses.

9:30 LRN Newscast October 14

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension of a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish because he moved a BB gun in his bedroom during virtual class instruction. Harrison initially faced expulsion and Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his legislation will ensure due process…
cut 3 (10) “…necessary”
The measure still needs full senate support.

The NFIB says based on a survey of its members, one in five small businesses may have to layoff employees in the next six months. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses need additional financial assistance as consumer confidence remains low…
cut 8 (10) “….right now”

House Democrats gathered outside the Capitol yesterday to vent their frustrations with Republican legislative efforts to undermine the Governor’s public health authority….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints are frustrated New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has not allowed fans to enter the Superdome for games and they’ve discussed with LSU about playing home games in Tiger Stadium. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic…
cut 14 (09) “…Tiger Stadium”

8:30 LRN Newscast October 14

The Saints are exploring the possibility of playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since they are not allowed to have fans at the Superdome. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU’s scheduled game versus Florida on Saturday could be postponed because of a COVID outbreak involving Gator football players. Florida has paused football activities and plans to reevaluate the situation today. And tonight there’s a big game in Lafayette as the 21st ranked Cajuns host Coastal Carolina.

The NFIB says based on a survey of its members, one in five small businesses anticipate laying off employees in the next six months. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says bars and restaurants have been the hardest hit during the pandemic along with entertainment venues…
cut 9 (10) “….to be”
The state Senate has approved a bill that would provide restaurants and bars with a one-time refundable income tax credit. The measure still needs House approval.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are upset a bill to increase the maximum state unemployment benefit from 247 to 347 dollars a week was killed in a House committee. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman…
cut 11 (09) “…in our state”

7:30 LRN Newscast October 14

The Saints are looking at playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since New Orleans has yet to allow partial attendance at NFL games in the Superdome. The Saints have requested that the city allow ticketed fans to occupy 25-percent of the Dome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic expects an agreement will be reached with the city, but it might not be 25-percent…
cut 15 (08) “…for the money”
The Saints next home game is October 25th.

Early voting for the November election begins Friday. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election but did not appear at a candidate forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Baton Rouge Activist Antoine Pierce criticized Cassidy for voting on a tax giveaway for the rich..
cut 5 (10) “…job”
In Cassidy’s latest TV ad, he says he voted to cut taxes so businesses can grow and create more and better jobs”

An NFIB survey indicates that 20-percent of small businesses are in danger of laying off employees in the next six months. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison bill. The legislation was inspired by the six-day suspension of a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish because he moved a BB gun in his bedroom during virtual class instruction. The legislation expands the appeal rights of students and their families in school discipline cases.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are looking at playing their home games at Tiger Stadium since New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has yet to allow partial fan attendance in the Superdome for Saints games. In a Tweet, Cantrell says allowing 20-thousand people in an indoor space presents significant public health concerns. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristan Garic says the Saints would prefer the Dome, but they have an option…
cut 14 (09) “….Tiger Stadium”
The Saints’ next home game is October 25th.

LSU is scheduled to play at Florida on Saturday, but will that game happen? Sources say the Gators football team has 19 positive COVID cases. SEC rules say a team needs to have at least 53 scholarship players available and F-B-S teams have 85. So, if you take away 19 that leaves 66, and contact tracing could lead to more players having to quarantine.

The only college football team in Louisiana ranked in the Top 25 is in action tonight as the Ragin Cajuns host Coastal Carolina. U-L Lafayette is ranked 21st in the polls and Coach Billy Napier says they need to use their ranking as a positive…
cut 18 (24) “….winning football’
Kick=off is at 6:30 and the Cajuns are a 7.5 point favorite.

In the latest High school football polls…after beating John Curtis, Acadiana remains ranked number one in Class 5A. Karr who had a big win over Catholic last week remains ranked number one in Four-A. St. James who lost to Destrehan falls to number two in the 3A Poll. De La Salle is the new number one team. Ferriday is ranked one in Two-A and Ouachita Christian is number one in One-A.

6:30 LRN Newscast

The Saints say they have met with LSU officials about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been unwilling to allow partial fan attendance at games in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints are getting frustrated as many other NFL teams can have fans at their games
Cut 13 (11) “safely.”
The NFL says there are currently 15 NFL teams that have been approved to host fans.

An NFIB survey indicates that one in five small businesses warn of layoffs in the next six months. Louisiana specific data is unavailable, but State Director Dawn Starns says she is getting similar feedback from small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Cut 7 (10) “form of PPP”

Three of Senator Bill Cassidy’s Democratic challengers met for the first candidate forum of the Senate race, a forum Cassidy declined to attend. Cassidy’s opponents took turns tearing into the Senator for not appearing. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins took the first shot…
Cut 4 (13) “…Louisianans”
Baton Rouge activist Antoine Pierce and New Orleans school teacher Peter Wenstrup also took shots at Cassidy’s vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Wenstrup also says Cassidy has become too detached from Louisiana…
cut 6 (12) “….themselves”
In his latest TV AD, Cassidy says he voted to cut taxes so businesses can grow and create more and better jobs.

AM LRN Newscall

An NFIB survey indicates that 20-percent of small businesses are in danger of laying off employees in the next six months. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”

________________________________

House Democrats gathered outside the steps of the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to vent their frustrations with Republican legislative efforts to undermine the Governor’s public health authority. Matt Doyle was there…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

__________________________________________

The Saints are exploring the possibility of playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since they are not allowed to have fans at the Superdome. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Three of Senator Bill Cassidy’s Democratic challengers met for the first candidate forum of the Senate race, a forum Cassidy declined to attend.

Cassidy’s opponents took turns tearing into the Senator for not appearing. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins took the first shot…

Cut 4 (13) “…Louisianans”

Cassidy says he did not attend because all 15 candidates on the ballot had not agreed to go to the forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club.

The candidates took shots at Cassidy’s vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act and his support for the 2017 tax reform bill. Baton Rouge activist Antoine Pierce says Cassidy voted for a giveaway to the rich.

Cut 5 (10) “… job.”

A common theme from the trio was that Cassidy had grown too detached from Louisiana during his time in D.C. New Orleans school teacher Peter Wenstrup says Cassidy is only thinking about himself.

Cut 6 (12) “…themselves”

The election will be on the November 3rd ballot. Should any candidate not win more than 50 percent of the vote a runoff will be held on December 4th.

_______________________________

An NFIB survey indicates that one in five small businesses warn of layoffs in the next six months. Louisiana specific data is unavailable, but State Director Dawn Starns says she is getting similar feedback from small businesses struggling due to COVID-19 pandemic

Cut 7 (10) “form of PPP”

And of those who received Paycheck Protection Program loans, the NFIB says 86-percent of those businesses have spent the entire loan and are applying for forgiveness.

Starns says consumer confidence is also down and when people don’t spend money small businesses begin to shutter.

Cut 8 (10) “…right now”

According to Starns, bars and restaurants have been the hardest hit during the pandemic along with entertainment venues.

Cut 9 (10) “to be”

_______________________________

The House Democratic Caucus blasted legislative Republicans, saying the GOP is fixated on attacking the Governor’s public health authority and ignoring other major issues.

New Orleans Representative Mandy Landry hit Republicans over rejecting efforts to support struggling renters, or to shield their rental records should they be evicted during the pandemic.

Cut 10 (10) “…principles.”

Another New Orleans Representative, Royce Duplessis, expressed his frustration over Republicans rejecting his bill to increase the maximum state unemployment benefit from 247 to 247 dollars a week.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her Republican colleagues have misplaced priorities right now.

Cut 11 (09) “state”

Freeman has a bill that will be heard today in committee that would create a process to automatically distribute Pandemic EBT cards to families of students who receive reduced or free lunch at school.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins says any efforts to undermine the Governor’s authority will be rejected, but Democrats may agree to a Senate bill increasing legislative oversight of his public health decisions.

Cut 12 (10) “..on”

_____________________________

The Saints say they have met with LSU officials about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since the city has been unwilling to allow partial fan attendance at games in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints are getting frustrated as many other NFL teams can have fans at their games

Cut 13 (11) “safely.”

The Saints have requested that the city allow ticketed fans to occupy 25-percent of the Superdome’s 73-thousand seat capacity. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office says they remain concerned about having 20-thousand people in an indoor venue. Garic says the Saints would prefer the Dome, but they have an option…

Cut 14 (09) “…Tiger Stadium”

The Saints’ next home game is October 25th versus Carolina. After that, they don’t play another home game until November 15th. Garic expects an agreement will be reached with the city, but it might not be 25-percent capacity…

Cut 15 (08) “for the money”

The NFL says there are currently 15 NFL teams that have been approved to host fans and they anticipate more cities coming online in the next few weeks.

___________________________

Two undefeated teams meet tonight in Lafayette as the 21st ranked Cajuns host Coastal Carolina in a big Sun Belt tilt on ESPN. The Cajuns are second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, but Coastal leads the league in scoring, averaging 44 points a game. Coach Billy Napier says their quarterback Grayson McCall is impressive…

cut 16 (16) “that way”

This is the Cajuns first game since September 26th. They had a previously scheduled game against Appalachian State postponed because of COVID. Napier says they also had to recently halt practices because of Hurricane Delta

cut 17 (30) “sight of”

Napier says they need to use their ranking in the polls as a positive…

cut 18 (24) ” winning football” 

___________________________________________________

Meanwhile, LSU’s defense is working on fixing the mistakes that has led to a 1-2 record for the first time since 1994. Tigers defensive end Glen Logan says they are getting back to the fundamentals

cut 19 (08) “.brand of football”‘

Logan says his message to the younger players is to watch the film and learn from your mistakes

cut 20 (10) “.correct it”

530 PM LRN News/Legislative Report

House Republicans push through another legislative instrument designed to limit the Governor’s public health authority.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez brought a resolution that would suspend the Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce things like business capacity limits, mask-wearing requirements, and other pandemic restrictions on commerce. Miguez says it’s the Fire Marshal who is enforcing the limitations on fan attendance at Tiger Stadium.

Cut 3 (11)  “…Texas A-and-M fan”   

But Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty the Fire Marshal has been kind and courteous to business owners and doing his best to make sure people are safe.

Cut 5 (10) “…nefarious actor”

The resolution heads to the Senate.

The House Democratic Caucus blasted legislative Republicans outside the Capitol, hitting their colleagues on everything from rejecting efforts to protect renters to refusing to increase unemployment benefits while fixating on the Governor’s public health authority. Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins says they’re all frustrated but may agree to back a Senate effort that would increase Legislative oversight of the Governor’s public health decisions.

Cut 12, 10 seconds, on

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell testified in front of the Legislature about the 150 million dollar budget shortfall her city is facing, and her frustration that they were only given 60 million in CARES Act money from the state to address it. She says they’ve had to partially furlough all 4,000 city workers…

Cut 10 (09) “…table”

GOP legislators told the Mayor her revenue issues wouldn’t be as bad if she loosened her city’s pandemic health limits on businesses.

4:30 LRN Newscast

LSU’s football game at Florida on Saturday might not happen, because the Gators have suspended football activities because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the team. And the Saints say they have spoken with LSU about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since the city will not allow them to have partial attendance in the Dome.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was at the capitol today telling lawmakers that steep cuts in local government services are likely due to pandemic revenue losses…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

There are about 25-thousand Entergy customers who are still without power as a result of Hurricane Delta. Entergy spokesperson David Freese says they anticipate most of their customers will have power back by Thursday. He says the hardest-hit areas from Lake Charles to the east of Lafayette may have to wait until Saturday
Cut 14 (13) “…backyards”

Governor John Bel Edwards along with the Secretaries for the Department of Health and DCFS went to Our Lady of the Lake’s North Baton Rouge clinic today to get their flu shot. O-L-O-L Family Medicine Specialist Doctor Joshua Clark the best way to avoid a flu outbreak is if everyone gets the vaccine….
cut 8 (06) “….community”
The flu causes about 500 deaths and nearly three-thousand hospitalizations each year in Louisiana.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

There’s a chance the LSU-Florida game will not be played on Saturday, because of an outbreak of cases among Florida football players. The university is pausing team activities out of an abundance of caution. According to a statement issued by Florida, they will re-evaluate the situation tomorrow.

Meanwhile is trying to fix a defense that’s allowing nearly 500 yards a game. Coach Ed Orgeron has asked his defensive coaches to simplify the defense in the hopes of eliminating the big plays they gave up in their two losses…
cut 18 (24) “…all that is”
If LSU and Florida gets played, the game will kick-off at 3 PM in Gainesville.

A thrilling win for the Saints last night as they rallied from a 20-3 deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in overtime. New Orleans tied the game at 20 early in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Jared Cook. Coach Sean Payton says that was one of several big plays
cut 16 (23) “the win”
The Saints are 3-and-2 headed into the bye week.

The Saints say they have talked with LSU about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since the City of New Orleans will not allow them to have fans in the Superdome. The next home game is October 25th versus Carolina.