A House committee was home to a lengthy, and often heated debate about the future of the Governor’s stay at home order Wednesday.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez’s resolution suspending the Governor’s ability to enforce the statewide stay at home order passed House and Governmental affairs after hours of debate. Miguez says local governments should be establishing COVID restrictions, not the Governor.

Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”

Miguez says the resolution would not jeopardize federal disaster funding.

Governor Edwards called out Miguez by name at his Wednesday afternoon press conference and assailed the legislative effort.

Cut 11 (06) “…resolution.”

Edwards says any changes to the stay at home order will be announced next Monday.

The committee featured a few small business owners speaking out against the stay at home order, including this one from Jefferson Parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

The legislation was opposed by Democrats, including New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…

Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”

The resolution heads to the House floor next. It would only need a simple majority of the House and Senate for passage and could not be vetoed by the Governor.

And today Covington Senator Patrick McMath will introduce a bill to prohibit the use of handheld devices when you’re behind the wheel in an effort to reduce accidents on Louisiana’s roadways.

Cut 7 (12) “…a movie .”.

The Senate Insurance Committee voted against legislation today that would prohibit insurance companies from using a driver’s gender, credit score rating or whether they are a widow in determining auto insurance rates. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau argued credit score has nothing to do with a person’s driving record

Cut 12 (10) “…their rates”

Women who have lost their husbands are frustrated to see their rates go up after their spouse dies. But insurance commissioner Jim Donelon defended the reason on why that happens…

Cut 14 (12) “…the cost”

Luneau did score one victory today. The Senate Insurance Committee approved his bill that prohibits insurance providers from setting a rate based on whether a person in the military is deployed for more than six months. That bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in the northern parts of Washington state, but experts say the level of concern is relatively low. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says Louisiana’s climate would be suitable for murder hornets, but the hornet’s ability to migrate is limited due to being a social insect in need of a queen to maintain a colony.

Cut 5 (12)  “…establish a colony.”

While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.  It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says Tourism is the lifeblood of that small community and since they opened to vacationers Friday the crowds have rapidly grown.

Cut 7 (10) “…back .”

The latest report on COVID-19 numbers was delayed today due to network issues impacting the database that powers the coronavirus reporting system. 52 additional fatalities are being reported bringing the death count to 2094. Total cases: 30,399, up by 403. Hospitalizations, down by 47 to 1,465 and ventilator usage, down by seven to 187.
The operating manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom of the snowball stand and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi is urging parents to contact the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office if their child was an employee of the snowball stand during the last two and a half years while Brocksmith was the manager.

Cut 11 (06) “…in that area.”

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says beaches are open to the public but they’d appreciate it if people would space out a bit more.

Cut 6 (12) “…distancing.”

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in northern parts of the state of Washington, but experts say the level of concern is still relatively low.  LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the few that have been found were contained in Washington.

Cut 3 (12)  “…of that area.”  

While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.  It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.

The Senate Insurance Committee rejected legislation today prohibiting auto insurance rate making based on gender, credit score, and whether a person is a widow. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposed the legislation and says the bills will not lower our rates, which are among the highest in the nation…
cut 13 (08) “…. the amount of money”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau brought the legislation forward and is disappointed with the outcome. But he scored one victory. His bill prohibits insurance providers from setting rates based on whether a person in the military is deployed for more than six months….
cut 15 (08) “…laughter”
The bill that prevents higher rates for deployed soldiers heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The governor’s stay at home order is not keeping people away from Grand Isle…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Murder Hornets have arrived in the United States from Asia. They’ve been spotted in Washington State. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the risk of them getting to Louisiana is low and she explains how the insect got its name…
cut 4 (07) “…matter of hours”
Human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, but Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.

The Senate Insurance Committee voted against legislation today that would prohibit insurance companies from using a driver’s gender, credit score rating or whether they are a widow in determining auto insurance rates. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau argued credit score has nothing to do with a person’s driving record

Cut 12 (10) “…their rates”

Women who have lost their husbands are frustrated to see their rates go up after their spouse dies. But insurance commissioner Jim Donelon defended the reason on why that happens…

Cut 14 (12) “…the cost”

The state health department has delayed updating today’s coronavirus numbers for the day, they are normally updated at noon each day

The operating manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom of the snowball stand and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says they also found images they can’t identify, and additional charges could be filed.

Cut 10 (12) “…some home.”

Over the weekend Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says the island has some great fishing and they’d love to see anglers return. Just know there are a few restrictions.

Cut 8 (12) “…distancing”

The manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad cash register. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says it was an employee that discovered the images.

Cut 9 (09) “…exposed a video”

An LSU Public Policy Lab survey indicates half of the respondents say they have never left their home during the outbreak for social gatherings, religious services, or other reasons not in line with the stay at home order. Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says those age 65 and older were most strict about staying home, with nearly 60% compliance.

Cut 11 (09) “…are not aloud.”

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in the northern parts of Washington state, but experts say the level of concern is relatively low. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says Louisiana’s climate would be suitable for murder hornets, but Healey says the hornet’s ability to migrate is limited due to being a social insect in need of a queen to maintain a colony.

Cut 5 (12)  “…establish a colony.”

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says Tourism is the lifeblood of that small community and since they opened to vacationers Friday the crowds have rapidly grown.

Cut 7 (10) “…back .”

A record-breaking 400,000 Louisianans have received over a billion dollars in unemployment benefits since March 22^nd, but now that it appears likely part of the economy will begin reopening the Louisiana Workforce Commission is warning beneficiaries to make sure they update their employment status if their employer calls them back from furlough…

Cut 15 (10)“…due.”

That’s Secretary Ava Dejoie who adds in the next 30 days they’ll once again require unemployed workers to provide work search documentation.

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says beaches are open to the public but they’d appreciate it if people would space out a bit more.

Cut 6, 12 seconds, distancing

A Louisiana bug expert says the threat of murder hornets is relatively low. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The usual noon COVID number update has been delayed by the Louisiana Department of Health.

The House Governmental Affairs committee hears a resolution today that seeks to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency as it relates to the coronavirus. House Republican Caucus chairman and Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the objective is to put local leaders in control of reopening the economy.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…time.”
Governor Edwards has labeled the effort “misguided” and does not believe the legislature will do it.

A Senate Bill aimed at providing a proposition election to determine whether sports wagering activities and operations will be permitted by a parish, passes through a committee hearing. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration. If it receives legislative approval the proposition would appear on the November 3rd ballot. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns…

Cut 9 (08) “…vote it down”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid over a billion dollars in unemployment payments since March 22nd. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the money went to 404-thousand Louisianans.
Cut 14 (11) “…87.”
LWC paid out 151 million dollars to 103,000 claimants in all of 2019.

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in northern parts of the state of Washington, but experts say the level of concern is still relatively low.  LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the few that have been found were contained in Washington.

Cut 3 (12)  “…of that area.”  

While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.  It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.