The PSC votes unanimously to allow Claiborne Electric and Northeast Louisiana Power to use federal grants and low-interest loans to provide high-speed internet from Webster Parish eastward to the Mississippi River. Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a necessity for economic development.

Cut 10 (12) “…..part of the country”

Campbell predicts it will take 15 months to provide high-speed internet to the area.

A strong majority of House members vote to allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students with referrals for the treatment. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the treatment must be delivered by the parents to the school nurse and administered only by authorized school personnel.

Cut 5 (09) “…campus”

Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday at the age of 68 from to Covid-19. Dean is also enshrined at the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince says not only was Dean a great player, he was also an exceptional person.

Cut 7 (10) “…anybody”

The state health department reports 823 COVID-19 today cases and 12 deaths.

And New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell supports a move by the Saints to play in Tiger Stadium.

Legislation allowing school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students is halfway to final passage after clearing the House. Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle”

A Louisiana football legend has died from COVID-19. Former Louisiana Tech star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean has died at the age of 68. Dean was an outstanding pass rusher for the Bulldogs from 1971 to 1974 after graduating from Ruston High. He went on to play for 12 years in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with the 49ers in 1981 and 1984.

Louisiana’s high school class of 2020 scored an average ACT composite score of only 18.7, the third year in a row the state has seen a drop in scores. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says that number is an all-time low since the state began requiring all students to take the exam in 2013.

Cut 10 (10) “…families.”

Amongst Economically Disadvantaged students, the composite average is down to 17.1.

NFL owners approve New Orleans’s revised plan to host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024. The NFL’s regular season is set to expand by one week to 17 games, beginning 2021. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says that extra week clashes with Carnival Season in 2024.

Cut 13 (06) “…of Mardi Gras.”

Fat Tuesday in 2025 is March 4^th.

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish received he moved a BB gun during a virtual class.  Author of the bill, Jennings Representative Troy Romero, says the legislation allows students to appeal suspensions to the school board and requires all 69 school districts to develop discipline policies for online learning…
Cut 4 (06) “…move forward”

Saturday’s LSU-Florida game has been rescheduled for December 12th in Gainesville because of a coronavirus outbreak with the Gators football team. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin says last week’s trip to Texas A-and-M may have helped spread the virus within the team
Cut 10 (12) “……headache”
The Senate unanimously passes legislation allowing clergy members access to patients in a hospital during a public health emergency. Bill author Minden Senator Robert Mills says it would protect the religious liberties of patients and families should they want a visit by a clergy member.
Cut 8 (08) “need”
The legislation moves to the House.
The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders who hold in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick was brought in response to the Governor’s restrictions on gatherings during the pandemic, which includes religious activities.
Cut 13 (06) “…emergency”
The bill heads to the Senate.

The LSU-Florida game this Saturday has officially been postponed due to a COVID outbreak with the Gator football team. The game has tentatively been rescheduled for December 12^th in Gainesville. The team is following SEC COVID management requirements by having individuals with the Florida football program quarantine.  LSU coach Ed Orgeron says in cases like this, player safety is top priority…

Cut 11 (06) “…play”

The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders and their congregation who gather for in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill was partially inspired by the arrest of Central pastor Tony Spell who held services despite the ban. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the bill undoes those charges by clarifying state law was misinterpreted…

Cut 15 (2) “this way” 

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka’Mauri Harrison bill which was inspired by the story of a fourth-grader in Jefferson Parish suspended for moving a BB gun during a virtual class. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Jeff Palemro”  

A LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has been arrested and charged after an investigation in which he allegedly tossed a handcuffed woman to the ground twice during an arrest earlier this month. 29-year old Aaron Buckley was arrested Tuesday and fired from his job. A spokesperson for the office says while the suspect was resisting arrest the actions were inappropriate and not in line with their training.

Hurricane Delta is now 90 miles south-southwest of Cameron with sustained winds of 110 mph making it a Category two storm. Delta is expected to make landfall tonight on the eastern side of Cameron Parish. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the forecast track has Delta as a tropical depression in northeast Louisiana on Saturday morning. Keim says by Saturday afternoon conditions will be much better in south Louisiana

Cut 7 (12) “…of time.”

The misuse of generators can cause fatalities with carbon monoxide poisoning. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue reminds users to place the generator at least 20 feet away from your home and never plug it directly into the home, it can create a house fire.

Cut 4 (08) “set up like that”

Flash flooding is possible with Hurricane Delta. On Thursday night, nearly a foot of rain fell north of Baton Rouge, flooding about 25 homes in Baker. Spokesperson for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness Mike Steele says you don’t have to be in the direct path of Delta to be impacted…

Cut 9 (08) “be problems”

Governor Edwards extends the current Phase Three COVID public health restrictions until November 6^th. Edwards says at this point there’s not much more loosening that can be done until a vaccine is publicly available.

Cut 15 (11) “normal”

A person who works in the governor’s office has tested positive for COVID-19. The governor’s office says the person did not have close contact with the Governor.

Storm weary Louisiana braces for another hurricane. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Cameron Parish will experience wind speeds over 100-miles per hour when Delta’s eye reaches the coastline. Cameron Parish Farm Bureau President James Cox says Delta will act as a big broom as it pushes Laura’s mess around…

Cut 11 (12) “…to pieces.”

Most of the Hurricane Laura-related fatalities were due to carbon monoxide poisoning from the misuse of generators. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue urges users to follow three important tips for generator safety ahead of Delta and it starts with location.

Cut 3 (11)  “…your home”  

Also never plug the generator directly into your home, it can start a house fire, and use heavy-duty extension cords that are in proper working condition.  Also, use a carbon monoxide detector.

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in hotels mostly in New Orleans.  The governor says Delta has grown in size since hitting the Yucatan Peninsula

Cut 14 (12) “…Port Fourchon”

Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they are bracing for round two. The storm track has shifted west over the last few days, but landfall in Cameron is more likely now.

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.

Officials in Acadia and Lafayette Parish are imploring residents to leave if they can, but are stopping just shy of calling for mandatory evacuations. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says they’ve issued a voluntary evacuation order but if you can leave please do, and if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says the hurricane still has everyone’s attention after what happened to their neighbors just over a month ago…

Cut 4 (06) “seriously”

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Hurricane Delta is now a major hurricane again. The 4 o’clock advisory from the National Hurricane Center reports Delta as a Category Three with winds of 115mph. The storm has slowed down to 12 mph from the previous 13 and is moving northwest. A drop in both pressure and speed could delay landfall to later in the day Friday.

Officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Acadia and Lafayette Parishes ahead of Delta’s anticipated landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

As Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast, National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat for tornadoes.”

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes the most impacted parts of Cameron and Calcasieu will miss the brunt of this next storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

And Governor Edwards extended Phase Three until November 6^th and  says “There just isn’t a lot further to go in terms of loosening restrictions before we are fully back to normal.”

Hurricane Delta has regained strength and is now a major hurricane again. The Latest advisory reports Delta as a Category Three with winds of 115mph and it’s slowed down to 12 mph moving northwest. A drop in pressure and speed could delay landfall to later in the day Friday.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is once again prepping his hurricane-ravaged community for another oncoming storm.

cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Governor John Bel Edwards announces the state will Remain in Phase Three until November 6^th.

National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says much like Laura the biggest issues won’t be storm surge or heavy rains, but 100 plus mile per hour winds. She says that’s a serious problem in South West Louisiana…

Cut 9 (11) “projectile”

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis and Calcasieu Parishes.

Officials in Acadia and Lafayette Parish are imploring residents to leave if they can, but are stopping just shy of calling for mandatory evacuations. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says they’ve issued a voluntary evacuation order but if you can leave please do, and if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Hurricane Delta continues its approach to the Louisiana coast with Cameron Parish in its path. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they’re bracing for round two.

Cut 7 (09) “…couple of advisories.”

The storm track has shifted west over the last few days, but landfall in Cameron is more likely now, thus mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says he can’t believe another hurricane is set to strike the city again. Hunter says it may seem like a bad dream, but adds that Lake Charles is a resilient community that will get through this.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

Hunter encourages Lake Charles residents to evacuate today.

Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says he’s already seen residents in the flood-prone southern portion of the parishes leaving, and they’re moving inmates out of the parish into facilities in north Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…doing.”

Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be pleasant…

Cut 3 (08)  “…area”  

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning. Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.