Governor Edwards unloaded on the 65 House lawmakers who signed a petition Friday ordering him to end the pandemic public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 27 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

The Ragin Cajuns rallied last night in Birmingham to beat UAB 24-20, snapping the Blazers 21-game home winning streak.

Amendment Five on the statewide ballot provides new options for manufacturers and local governments to schedule payments instead of property taxes for industrial expansions. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scotts says the new formula can be used as an economic development incentive.

Cut 6 (10) “property taxes”

Scott says assessors generally oppose the amendment.

The 250-dollar Frontline Worker Tax Credit program still has a little money left in the pot and those who qualify and still haven’t applied only have a week left to claim their cash. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the deadline to apply is October 31^st. Robinson says they’re still getting a steady trickle of forms sent in every day.

Cut 10 (06) “…a week”

Frontline workers but make under 50,000 annually to qualify.

Governor Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition Friday ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders. Edwards says the petition’s 65 GOP signees have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging on. He says 56-hundred people have died from COVID since March…

Cut 25 (07) “seriously”

The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week.

Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued the seven-day ban on COVID restrictions is reasonable and could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…

Cut 30 (09) “as well”

Edwards appears set to challenge the petition in court and Attorney General Jeff told House Republicans he would defend it in court.

New Orleans Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders has tested positive for COVID-19 and Michael Thomas did not practice Friday due to his recent hamstring injury. Neither are expected to play Sunday against Carolina. Thomas hasn’t played for the team since the season opener when he sprained his ankle.

LSU Freshman QB TJ Finley will get the start Saturday against South Carolina in place of the injured Myles Brennan Finley beat out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  Taylor Sharp has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “  I’m Taylor Sharp”  

An infant, taken from a Monroe hospital last night has been found safe. The Ouachita Parish sheriff’s office says no charges have been filed as of this morning after the possible father, 35-year old Travis Hargrove, left the hospital with the infant hidden in a backpack. A child alert was issued at 11:20 Thursday night when the newborn was abducted from St Francis Medical Center.

The 250-dollar Frontline Worker Tax Credit program still has a little money left in the pot and those who qualify and still haven’t applied only have about a week left to claim their cash. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received over 245-thousand applications and issued 250-dollar rebates to 134-thousand individuals.

Cut 9 (02) “happy”

Qualifying workers must make under 50,000 dollars annually and must have worked in specific fields deemed essential during the stay at home order earlier this year.

LSU Freshman QB TJ Finley will get the start Saturday against South Carolina in place of the injured Myles Brennan after the Ponchatoula native beat out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  It will be Finley’s first action so far in the 2020 season.

Cut 1 (31) “  I’m Taylor Sharp”  

Amendment Five on the statewide ballot provides new options for manufacturers and local governments to schedule payments instead of property taxes for industrial expansions. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scotts says the new formula can be used as an economic development incentive.

Cut 6 (10) “property taxes”

Scott says assessors generally oppose the amendment.

LSU Freshman Quarterback TJ Finley will start against South Carolina on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.  The Ponchatoula native earned the starting nod after beating out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  This is a tough spot for a freshman to be in but his father David Finley says TJ has been preparing for this moment and will be ready to go.

Cut 3 (06)  “…season”  

The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Canter reminds residents to remain vigilant with mitigation efforts because despite the statistics the virus is like a game of chance

Cut 12 (11) “that chance.”.

Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3^rd election. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says at the pace we’re on we could see a new, remarkable record set…

Cut 4 (10) “unprecedented”

Louisiana has set a new record for total early votes cast in an election and voters still have another four days to cast a ballot.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

Census workers were unable to reach all the households needed for a complete count after a Supreme Court ruling ended the tally early. Larges parts of Louisiana, after two hurricanes displaced residents, census takers didn’t reach 94% of the households needed.

The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Dylan Parker was a forestry tech student at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Winnfield. Governor Edwards expressed condolences to Parker’s family along with other’s who have lost a loved one.

Cut 11 (08) “not recover”

30 deaths under the age of 29 have been reported in the state since March out of a total of 56-hundred.

The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events.

Cut 7 (12) “from LDH”

Stadiums had been capped at 25-percent capacity

Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3rd election.
JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon expects 2020 national turnout to hit about 160 million, which would be about 25 million more than we saw in 2016, and…
Cut 6 (07) “…day”

The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Canter discussed the passing of Dylan Parker as an example that statistics don’t make you invulnerable.
Parker was a forestry tech student at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Winnfield. Governor Edwards expressed condolences to Parker’s family along with other’s who have lost a loved one.
Cut 11 (08) “not recover”

Legislation that could see municipalities stripped of state construction funds should they defund their police departments is headed into conference committee amid some major Senate-side changes.
When it left the House HB 38 was designed to stop police department budget cuts of more than 10 percent. Now it’s up to 25 percent and includes a number of other departments… Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux
Cut 13 (10) “areas.”

The Saints and three-thousand season ticket holders will welcome Teddy Bridgewater back to the Superdome on Sunday as New Orleans hosts Carolina. After spending two years with the Black and Gold, Bridgewater has led the Panthers to a three-and-three record this year. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan on what he’s seeing from Bridgewater on film
cut 16 (10) “hit him”

Louisiana State Police have issued a level 2 missing child advisory on behalf of the Ouachita parish sheriff’s office. The advisory is on a newborn baby taken from the St Francis Medical center on Jackson street in downtown Monroe. The incident happened last night just after 11:20. Travis Hargrove jr was born yesterday at 7 a.m and was taken from the facility by Travis Hargrove sr in a black backpack. Hargrove senior was last seen walking down the street in downtown Monroe.

Statistically, you’re more likely to die from COVID if you’re over the age of 70 in Louisiana but health officials warn it’s a game of chance. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3rd election.
JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says at this rate about 45 percent of voters are projected to cast an early ballot in Louisiana, the highest percentage on record. When early voting started registered Democrats had an advantage in participation, but more Republicans have begun showing up to cast an early ballot. Couvillon expects Dems though to widen that gap once again…
Cut 5 (09) “…democratic”

The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events. Edwards encouraged residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear face masks so capacity numbers can remain at 50-percent and remaining parishes can increase crowd sizes as well.
Cut 9 (11) “25-percent capacity”

Louisiana has set a new record for total early votes cast in an election and voters still have another four days to cast a ballot. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle”
____________________________
A West Baton Rouge solar farm has been plugged into the power grid and is supplying thousands of homes with electricity. Construction crews have been planting nearly 200 thousand solar panels on a 600-acre farm near Port Allen. The farm generates 50 Mega wats of energy which can power 9600 homes.

The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events.
Stadiums had been capped at 25-percent capacity.
Parishes, where the positivity rate of COVID cases are 5-percent or less in the previous two weeks, will be allowed to expand capacity.
Edwards says it’s similar to the approach made with bars.
Cut 8 (10) “…criteria”

The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Canter discussed the passing of Dylan Parker as an example that statistics don’t make you invulnerable.
Cut 10 (14) “…gets it”

Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3rd election.
JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says at the pace we’re on we could see a new, remarkable record set…
Cut 4 (10) “unprecedented”
The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events.
Cut 7 (12) “from LDH”
A bill that could take away state funds from municipalities that defund their police departments gets radically altered and expanded by the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana has set a new record for total early votes cast in an election and voters still have another four days to cast a ballot. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

Statistically, you’re more likely to die from COVID if you’re over the age of 70 in Louisiana but health officials warn it’s a game of chance. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

__________________________________________

A bill that could take away state funds from municipalities that defund their police departments gets radically altered and expanded by the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3^rd election.

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says at the pace we’re on we could see a new, remarkable record set…

Cut 4 (10) “unprecedented”

Couvillon says at this rate about 45 percent of voters are projected to cast an early ballot in Louisiana, the highest percentage on record.

When early voting started registered Democrats had an advantage in participation but more Republicans have begun showing up to cast an early ballot. Couvillon expects Dems though to widen that gap once again…

Cut 5 (09) “…democratic”

Couvillon expects 2020 national turnout to hit about 160 million, which would be about 25 million more than we saw in 2016, and…

Cut 6 (07) “…day”

____________________________

The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events.

Cut 7 (12) “from LDH”

Stadiums had been capped at 25-percent capacity.

Parishes, where the positivity rate of COVID cases are 5-percent or less in the previous two weeks, will be allowed to expand capacity.

Edwards says it’s similar to the approach made with bars.

Cut 8 (10) “…criteria”

Edwards encouraged residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear face masks so capacity numbers can remain at 50-percent and remaining parishes can increase crowd sizes as well.

Cut 9 (11) “25-percent capacity”

The Louisiana Department of Health updates parish positivity rates, weekly every Wednesday.

__________________________

The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Canter discussed the passing of Dylan Parker as an example that statistics don’t make you invulnerable.

Cut 10 (14) “…gets it”

Parker was a forestry tech student at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Winnfield. Governor Edwards expressed condolences to Parker’s family along with other’s who have lost a loved one.

Cut 11 (08) “not recover”

Canter reminded residents to remain vigilant with mitigation efforts because the virus is like a game of chance

Cut 12 (11) “that chance.”.

Canter also discussed revised CDC Guidelines concerning extended contact with a COVID positive individual. Instead of a continuous 15 minutes, it is now amended to a non-consecutive total of 15-minutes over a 24-hour period.  _________________________

Legislation that could see municipalities stripped of state construction funds should they defund their police departments is headed into conference committee amid some major Senate-side changes.

When it left the House HB 38 was designed to stop police department budget cuts of more than 10 percent. Now it’s up to 25 percent and includes a number of other departments…

Cut 13 (10) “areas.”

That’s Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux who brought the amendment, saying those other services are also vital to protect. Boudreaux vocally opposed the original bill in committee. Bill author Alexandria Representative Lance Harris opposed the changes.

Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud spoke on Harris’ behalf in the Senate saying municipal public safety is a state-level concern.

Cut 14 (05) “…respond”

New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie disputed Cloud’s argument…

Cut 15 (12) “..maker”

Under the current version of the bill, any municipality that reduces its police, public works, fire, or parks and recreation department by 25 percent could be stripped of capital outlay funds by a Legislative committee. Previously the bill was limited to police.

__________________________

The Saints and three-thousand season ticket holders will welcome Teddy Bridgewater back to the Superdome on Sunday as New Orleans hosts Carolina. After spending two years with the Black and Gold, Bridgewater has led the Panthers to a three-and-three record this year. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan on what he’s seeing from Bridgewater on film

cut 16 (10) “hit him”

Bridgewater served as Drew Brees’ backup for two seasons and started five games last year for the Saints when Drew went down with a thumb injury. Brees says he has the utmost respect for Bridgewater

cut 17 (10)   long time”

____________________________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns look to get back on the winning streak tonight when they face U-A-B in Birmingham tonight. The matchup features two of the better Group of Five schools in the country and U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says it’s been a long time since an opponent won in Birmingham

cut 18 (15) ” three phases” 

The Blazers are 4-and-1 and last Saturday defeated Western Kentucky 37-14. Their only loss came against the Miami Hurricanes. Napier says UAB head coach Bill Clark has done a great job building the program after it was shut down a few years ago because of budget cuts

cut 19 (15) “we have”‘

______________

LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron names TJ Finley the starter to Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks. O says the freshman has really improved this season and is ready for game action.

cut 20 (21) “do well”