Legislation inspired by the suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader for having a BB gun in his web camera during class is one step closer to final passage. Matt Doyle has more…
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A majority of evacuees from Laura and Delta are returning to their homes this week, Brooke Thorington has more.
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Legislative Democrats say the ongoing special session is turning into a waste of taxpayer money, and are calling for the session to wrap up sometime this week. Matt Doyle has the story…
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The Ka’Mauri Harrison Act is close to final passage after clearing a Senate Committee.
Nyron Harrison, Ka’Mauri’s father, testified once again about how a Jefferson Parish school threatened his son with expulsion for having a BB gun during an online class. This time he was joined by Tim Brown whose son suffered a similar fate.
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The bill would create an appeals process for students that exists outside of school systems for certain disciplinary actions, and requires all school systems develop and implement a specific COVID-pandemic online education policy.
Jefferson Parish School System representatives were in attendance this time. Attorney Fred Preis explained why Harrison and Brown were disciplined, and Education Chairman Cleo Fields took issue with the reasoning.
Cut 5 (12) “…property”
JP Schools Legislative Liaison Jennifer Ansardi opposed a part of the bill that would make it retroactive to the beginning of the pandemic. She says several school system members are already being sued for this incident…
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Preis reiterated that concern and pushed back on a request from River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot that Harrison and Brown’s records be cleared. Preis says neither child’s long-term academic future will be impacted, a comment that set Talbot off…
Cut 7 (13) “move on”
The bill heads to the Senate floor.
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Amendment two on the ballot would change the way oil and gas wells are assessed for property taxes. The current method levies local taxes per well without consideration of the value of the oil or natural gas produced. Robert Travis Scott, president of the Public Affairs Research Council explains…
Cut 8 (13) “…tax or not.”
Scott says the amendment is supported by accessors and the oil and gas industry.
Cut 9 (08) “will be”
Scott says the proposed change will not necessarily increase or decrease taxes on the oil and gas industry.
Cut 10 (12) “…the well.”
Opponents of the measure say some parishes may receive more in property taxes while others receive less if the value is based on what the well produces versus a per well basis.
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A majority of evacuees from both Laura and Delta, those being housed in mega shelters and hotels in Louisiana and Texas, are returning to their homes this week. Emergency Preparedness Director with DCFS Ricky Montet (Mon-tay) says they have been communicating with evacuees whose homes are now safe to return.
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Montet says with both power and water restored to the affected areas and stores reopening, evacuees are cleared by parish officials to return to livable housing. For those whose homes are not safe…
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For evacuees without transportation Montet says they made arrangements with DOTD and even the Department of Agriculture to assist with large animals.
Cut 13 (08) “them back.”
Montet anticipates a few thousand evacuees will continue to be housed in hotels and shelters, awaiting a long-term solution, either direct housing or FEMA trailer.
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Democrats call for the ongoing special session to wrap up early saying it’s costing the state money and nothing is getting done.
House Democratic Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins penned a letter to the Senate President and House Speaker asking to end the session early, noting it’s costing taxpayers 40,000 dollars a day.
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Jenkins estimates staying in session until the last possible day, October 27th, would cost the state two million dollars.
The special session was called by Republicans who noted three areas of focus: Hurricane recovery, pandemic response, and the Governor’s public health authority. Jenkins says…
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A bill increasing Legislative oversight of the Governor’s public health orders is stuck in conference committee and a number of House-backed public health bills are awaiting a response in the Senate.
Jenkins notes if the state were to receive any federal pandemic bailout funds in the near future it is likely lawmakers would have to call a third special session for the year…
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The Saints are getting ready for Sunday’s home game against Carolina. They had a chance to enjoy a weekend off, but tight end Jared Cook says it was an uneventful weekend…
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Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport saw his first action of the season in New Orleans last game a 30-27 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. Davenport missed the first four games due to injuries to his elbow and toe. Davenport played 21 snaps on defense and had one pass defensed
cut 18 (18) ” develop again”
Coach Sean Payton hopes they can increase Davenport’s playing time.
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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Tigers starting quarterback Myles Brennan is questionable for Saturday night’s home game versus South Carolina. True freshmen TJ Finley and Max Johnson will compete for an opportunity to start against the Gamecocks. Coach Ed Orgeron says when Brennan is healthy from his lower-body injury, he’ll be the starter
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South Carolina brings a 2-2 record into Tiger Stadium on Saturday night. They have one of the top running backs in the conference. Kevin Harris has rushed 409 yards and four touchdowns. Orgeron says Harris is hard to tackle…
cut 20 (11) “.all around back”