9:30 LRN Newscast July 31

Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the federal class-action lawsuit filed against him by several bar owners in the Acadiana region. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana remains number one in per-capita COVID-19 cases, but the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has dropped the last three days. Edwards is hoping that trend continues. Also, the governor says don’t expect major changes to the Phase Two guidelines when he extends them next week. He says the mask mandate is the new normal.

Nearly 200 new state laws take effect tomorrow. These are measures approved during the regular session. One new law greatly expands the state’s medical-marijuana program, allowing for any doctor in good standing with the state to recommend the treatment for a patient dealing with a debilitating condition…
cut 5 (08) “…pallitative care”

Also starting tomorrow, properly licensed Louisiana and non-resident hunters can shoot feral hogs at night on private property the entire year with the landowner’s permission. Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland wrote the law and says this new regulation also extends to other damaging species such as nutria, beavers, and coyotes…
cut 11 (09) “….really strange times”
Hunters are required to contact that parish’s sheriff office within 24 hours prior of attempted nighttime take.

8:30 LRN Newscast July 31

Governor Edwards has responded to the federal class-action lawsuits filed against him by bar owners over his emergency order that bans on-premise alcohol consumption. Edwards says they have a right to file a sut, but the governor believes his actions are legal…
Cut 7 (10) “…is absolutely essential.”
The state health department has traced at least 464 confirmed coronavirus infections to 41 bars.

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program expands tomorrow as a new law allows anyone who has a debilitating condition to receive a recommendation for medicinal cannabis from their doctor. Wellcana CEO John Davis says medical marijuana is a safer option than opioids…
cut 6 (12) “…side effects”

Congressional Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse in discussions over the next round of coronavirus relief aid. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state education department has announced they’ve received a 17-million dollar federal grant to help meet the needs of students in pre-K and through third grade during the COVID-19 pandemic. Families will be provided opportunities for high-quality remote supplemental learning resources, virtual tutoring and internet connectivity needed to access those services.

7:30 LRN Newscast July 31

Governor Edwards is defending his executive order that bans in-person consumption at bars as two federal lawsuits have been filed that attempt to block enforcement of the order. Edwards says unfortunately bars are conducive to the spread of the coronavirus and the Trump administration supports his decision…
cut 8 (10) “….number of people”

SEC presidents have agreed to shorten the college football season and play a ten-game conference only schedule that would begin on September 26th. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it’s still to be determined if they can start a season and finish it…
cut 18 (11) “…plays otu”
And we still don’t know if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium.

Louisiana’s medical marijuana program is set to expand tomorrow as physicians in good standing with the state can recommend the treatment.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Two Monroe teenagers have been arrested after State Police conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and found a dead body in the trunk. 23-year-old Michael Robinson Junior of Monroe has been identified as the deceased individual. The driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Michael Mitchell Junior of Monroe was arrested and investigators say 19-year-old Cameron Powe was also involved. Both have been charged with second-degree murder.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The SEC has approved a ten-game conference only football schedule this season. The first game will be played September 26th, instead of Labor Day weekend. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…
cut 17 (12) “…Ole Miss”
The league has yet to release each team’s new schedule. LSU will no longer play Texas or Nicholls this year, while ULM is set to miss out on three-point-two million dollars, because they will not get money for playing at Arkansas and Georgia.

Saints players are still going through COVID-19 testing. Defensive end Cam Jordan says he never thought about opting out…
cut 29 (20) “…I do”

The NBA is back but for the Pelicans the restart did not go as planned. New Orleans failed to hold on to a 16-point lead and fell to the Utah Jazz 106 to 104 last night. Coach Alvin Gentry points to his team’s 20 turnovers for why the Pels came up short…
cut 19 (20) “…like that”
Brandon Ingram had 23 points but missed a three-pointer in the final seconds that would have won the game. Zion Williamson started, but played just 15 minutes and scored 13 points. New Orleans next game is tomorrow against the Clipppers, who also lost a two-point game last night as they fell to the Lakers.

6:30 LRN Newscast July 31

Talks continue on Capitol Hill on a coronavirus relief package that would provide millions of Americans with expanded jobless benefits. The 600-dollar-per-week unemployment benefit officially lapses today. Democrats support the three trillion dollar HEROES Act while Republicans want the slimmer, trillion-dollar HEALS Act. Senator John Kennedy wonders if either piece of legislation does enough for small businesses.
Cut 14 (13) “…capital.”

The SEC has approved a ten-game conference only football schedule this season. The first game will be played September 26th, instead of Labor Day weekend. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…
cut 17 (12) “…Ole Miss”
The league has yet release each team’s new schedule.

Beginning tomorrow, access to medical marijuana will increase dramatically in Louisiana. A new law goes into effect that allows physicians to prescribe the treatment without having to obtain a special license. LSU medical marijuana licensee Wellcana CEO John Davis…
Cut 4 (12)_ “…medical condition”

Also going into effect on Saturday is a law that allows for the nighttime hunting of feral hogs on private property. Jonesboro Representative Jack MacFarland wrote the law and says feral hogs will eat anything and have negative impacts on farmland as well as other wildlife and adds this measure could help reduce auto insurance rates.
Cut 12 (09) “…up car insurance.”

AM Newscall 07/31/2020

Beginning Saturday any physician in good standing with the state can recommend medical cannabis. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

_____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the federal class-action lawsuit filed against him by several bar owners in the Acadiana region. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Congressional Republicans and Democrats are at an impasse in discussions over the next round of coronavirus relief. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

______________________________

Beginning Saturday access to medical marijuana will increase dramatically in Louisiana. Legislation passed this year that allows physicians to prescribe without having to obtain a special license. LSU medical marijuana licensee Wellcana CEO John Davis…

Cut 4 (12)_ “…medical condition”

Davis says as, with other medications prescribed in the state, marijuana dispensaries have access to the state’s prescription program to reduce abuse.

Cut 5 (10)  “…monitoring program”

Between August and December, just under 45-hundred patients with less than 200 doctors participated in the state’s cannabis program. But Davis says they are already seeing positive results from the use of medical marijuana.

Cut 6 (12) “…side effects”

Medical cannabis is not currently covered by health insurance, but Davis says Republican Representative Larry Bagley has stated he is working on legislation to change that.

_________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards responds to the federal class-action lawsuit filed against him by several bar owners in the Acadiana region concerning his emergency order banning on-premise alcohol consumption.  Edwards says they have a right to their day in court, but believes his actions are the right thing to do.

Cut 7 (10) “…is absolutely essential.”

The state health department has traced 464 confirmed coronavirus infections to 41 bars.  Edwards says bar closures were a necessity in spread mitigation and have the support of the federal government.

Cut 8 (10) “…number of people.”

Bar owners feel they have been unfairly singled out, but Edwards says data from all over the world further validates the decision.

Cut 9 (12) “…of those unfortunately.”

Edwards banned on premise consumption at bars earlier this month after a spike in cases following their reopening.

______________________

Beginning tomorrow, state law will allow for year around nighttime hunting of feral hogs on private property.  Jonesboro Republican Jack McFarland authored the measure and hopes the move helps reduce the hog population after the problematic swine began to adapt to previous regulations.

Cut 10 (09) “…group of them.”

A hunter would need a basic hunting license and as well as permission from the landowner.  McFarland says the bill would also extend to other damaging species such as armadillos, nutria, beavers, and coyotes.

Cut 11 (09) “…really strange times.”

Hunters would be required to contact the parish sheriff’s office within 24 hours prior to the attempted nighttime take.  McFarland says feral hogs will eat anything and have negative impacts on farmland as well as other wildlife, but adds this measure may help reduce auto insurance rates.

Cut 12 (09) “…up car insurance.”

____________________________

Congressional negotiations are underway over the fifth round of coronavirus relief, with Democrats and Republicans presenting widely different opening offers.

Democrats want to see the expiring 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit extended through the year. Republicans balked at that, and Senator John Kennedy explains why…

Cut 13 (13) “…extended.” 

Kennedy backs some form of extension that would guarantee unemployment payments are lower than a person’s pay at their previous job.

Democrats back the expansive three trillion dollar HEROES Act while Republicans want the slimmer, trillion-dollar HEELS Act. Kennedy says both proposals feature a lot of “spending porn”.

Cut 14 (13) “…capital.”

Kennedy notes the Congress has sent roughly 23 billion dollars to Louisiana since the pandemic began.

Democrats want negotiations on one omnibus bill that covers a range of topics, Republicans feel there’s a better chance of negotiating each issue as its own legislation. Kennedy backs that plan…

Cut 15 (08) “…something.” 

Republicans are pushing to pass an unemployment benefits extension and stimulus check bill by itself, but Democrats say they fear that would lose them leverage in discussion over funding for voting and school safety initiatives.

_____________________________________________________

The SEC joins other major conferences in agreeing to only play conference football games this season, with the ten-game season kickoff set for September 26th.

Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the decision makes sense from a scheduling and healthcare perspective.

Cut 16 (15) “health-wise” 

The SEC Championship Game will be held on December 19th in Atlanta.

A revised schedule will be announced at a later date, and Higgins says the start date works well.

Cut 17  (15) “…sense” 

The SEC conference schedule usually holds eight games, and how the newly added two conference games will be handled is a big question.

Plans in the pandemic era have been hard to keep month to month and Higgins says this may be the idea now, but it’s tough to say where we will be in late September.

Cut 18  (11) “…plays out”   

LSU’s home and home series with Texas is being disrupted as a result, and the team will not play Nicholls for their instate small school game as planned either.

___________________

530 PM LRN News

New reported COVID cases have been below 2,000 for the third straight day and hospitalizations have also seen their third consecutive decline, but deaths are up significantly over the past few days. Governor Edwards says that’s due to our spike in cases over the past few weeks.

Cut 13 (09) “…so forth” 

Bar owners have filed a federal lawsuit in an effort to get a federal judge to block Governor Edwards’s order that limits bars to takeout and delivery orders.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A handful of protesters rallied outside Senator Bill Cassidy’s Baton Rouge office demanding that the federal government continues to pay unemployed individiduals 600-dollars a week. This is the last week for the 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit. Power Coalition organizer Kaitlyn Joshua says with thousands still unemployed, the program must continue

Cut 8 (10) “Louisiana”

The Democrat-backed HEROES Act would extend the 600 dollar payments through the year, Republicans back a 200 dollar a week effort, but a House Democratic leader recently said the caucus is not “600 dollars or bust”.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night in Lake Charles after an alleged high speed chase. Trooper Derek Senegal says the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old William Joseph Latour the Third…

Cut 10 (05) “…were injured.”

4:30 PM Newscast

SEC presidents approve a plan that would reduce the football schedule from 12 regular-season games to a ten-game season against conference opponents. According to Ross Dellenger of Sports Illustrated, the ten-game schedule would begin on September 26th and the SEC title game will be held on December 19th.

Protestors caravanned in cars around Senator Bill Cassidy’s Baton Rouge office demanding the Senator back an extension of the expiring 600-dollar a week federal unemployment payments. Matt Doyle was there…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

 

Several bar owners in Acadiana have filed a federal class-action lawsuit against Governor Edwards over his emergency order that bans onsite consumption at bars. Attorney Jimmy Faircloth is representing the plaintiffs and he says several of these bar owners met with the governor to find out why casinos are allowed to remain open, but a small bar owner can’t have ten patrons inside their establishment

Cut 5 (10)  “…for you”

For the third day in a row, the state reports under 2,000 new COVID cases, and the number of COVID patients declined for a third consecutive day. At his coronavirus briefing, Governor Edwards warned that despite this positive trend downward every parish still has an R0 (R-naught) above one.

Cut 14 (10) “…grow”

42 additional deaths were reported today.

4:45 LRN Sportscast July 30

SEC presidents have approved a plan that would reduce the football schedule from 12 regular-season games to a ten-game season against conference opponents. The ten-game schedule would begin on September 26th and the SEC title game will be held on December 19th. LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron was asked yesterday about a change to the schedule and here’s what he had to say…
cut 16 (11) “….pasture”
So who will LSU play during the 10-game schedule? It’s still unknown, but its expected the Tigers would play its six other West opponents, plus Florida and South Carolina, who the Tigers were already scheduled to play. The other two SEC teams on the schedule could be Kentucky and Tennessee. The non-conference games against Texas and Nicholls have been dropped.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says he would not be surprised if there are NFL games suspended this season because of a coronavirus outbreak. Each team has to follow social distancing guidelines at their facilities and players could also be fined if they do something that puts themselves in jeopardy of getting infected. But Payton says that’s probably not enough to prevent an outbreak
Cut 18 (19) “…this year”

The NBA Bubble has worked and tonight the season finally resumes with the Pelicans facing the Utah Jazz and the Clippers battling the Lakers in Orlando. New Orleans rookie sensation Zion Williamson is a game-time decision after missing several days of practice to attend to a family emergency.

3:30 LRN Newscast July 30

For the third day in a row, the state reports under 2,000 new COVID cases, and the number of COVID patients declined for a third consecutive day. At his coronavirus briefing, Governor Edwards said this is a positive sign.
Cut 12 (08) “…trend.”
It’s been over two weeks since the Governor ordered bars statewide to close and required mask usage while inside businesses.

Unions and citzens’ groups are rallying outside the front of the offices of U-S Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy demanding they vote for a coronavirus relief package that continues the 600-dollar weekly benefits for unemployed workers. Cassidy has said there needs to be a greater focus on moving unemployed people into available jobs. Augustine, an unemployed worker, says he can not find a job that pays the rent….
cut 7 (06) “>…do that”
Democrats are in support of continuing the 600-dollar a week unemployment checks.

Several Acadiana bar owners have filed a lawsuit in an effort to get a federal judge to issue a temporary restraining order against the governor’s emergency order that has shut down bars. The governor’s office points to the 464 confirmed cornavirus infections connected to 41 bars as a reason why the closure is necessary. But Attorney Jimmy Faircloth says that’s a small fraction of the total known cases in Louisiana…
cut 4 (08) “….there’s not”
The governor’s office says he does have the legal authority to close certain businesses during a public health emergency.

State Police is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting that happened last night in Lake Charles. Trooper Derek Senegal says Lake Charles police officers responded to an alleged carjacking and when officers located the vehicle, a pursuit ensued and ended when the suspect crashed into a house
Cut 9 (07) “…suspect.”
Senegal says the suspect has been identified as 37-year-old William Joseph Latour the Third.