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”
Monthly Archives: October 2020
LRN AM Newscast Oct 23
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.
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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”
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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.
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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…
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…
Couvillon expects 2020 national turnout to hit about 160 million, which would be about 25 million more than we saw in 2016, and…
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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.
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.
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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.
Canter reminded residents to remain vigilant with mitigation efforts because the virus is like a game of 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…
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.
New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie disputed Cloud’s argument…
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.
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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
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
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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
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
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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.
530 PM LRN News/Legislative Report
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 seconds, areas
That’s Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux who brought the amendment, saying those other services are also vital to protect. Bill author Alexandria Representative Lance Harris opposed the changes.
The bill had some vocal detractors like New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie…
Cut 15, 12 seconds, maker
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A Senate Committee kills a bill that would give religious leaders and their flock immunity from prosecution should they gather for in-person services against state orders during an emergency, like was banned earlier in the pandemic. The bill was brought by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick who had an animated back and forth with Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver before the legislation ultimately failed 3-2…
The legislation was inspired by the arrest of Central Pastor Tony Spell.
Governor Edwards not-so-subtly indicates he does not view a bill that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency favorably. HB 4 is sitting on his desk and Edwards says he can’t approve of any bill that limits his ability to make lifesaving pandemic restrictions…
430 PM LRN News
The Senate Judiciary Committee rejects a House approved bill that would bar the state from penalizing churches and church-goers for gathering for in-person services against state orders during an emergency. Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver and the bill’s author Oil City Representative Danny McCormick had a spirited back and forth over the legislation as the committee ultimate sided against it 3-2.
Legislative Republicans await Governor Edwards’ decision on a potential veto of legislation they passed that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency. Edwards not so subtly hinted he has a blanket policy about legislation like this…
NBA Hall of Famer and LSU Icon Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume as he has a new job with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”
High school sports stadiums in 26 different parishes may now move to 50 percent capacity for games. That criteria is the same as for allowing bars, a requirement that an area have below a five percent positivity rate on COVID tests. This order takes effect tomorrow and increases that capacity from 25 percent.
4:45 LRN Sportscast October 22
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports wide receiver Michael Thomas was not present at the portion of the Saints practice open to the media today. On the injury report, it says Thomas is still dealing with a high ankle sprain and now a hamstring injury. His status for Sunday is very much in doubt.
LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan is not expected to play Saturday against South Carolina. True freshmen Max Johnson and TJ Finley are competing in practice to see who will be the starter if Brennan can’t play. Gamecocks Coach Will Muschamp doesn’t expect LSU will adjust its play-calling because they are playing a freshman at Q-B…
cut 20 (09) “…seeing”
Governor Edwards announced this afternoon the maximum capacity at high school stadiums can go up to 50-percent starting tomorrow if the parish has a two-week positivity rate below five percent.
NBA Hall of Famer and LSU legend Shaquille O’ Neal has been sworn in as a special reserve deputy with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Becket Breaux says he’s known Shaq for a long time…
cut 4 (10) “…great team”
Breaux says Shaq will participate in zoom calls and when he has the chance, he’ll ride along with deputies.
The Pelicans have officially announced the hiring of their new head coach, Stan Van Gundy. This will be his fourth head coaching job for the 61-year-old, who has served as a TV analyst for the last two seasons. During his time as a head coach, he worked with Shaquille O Neal, Dwight Howard, and Andre Drummond. Now he gets to help develop Zion Williamson.
Louisiana Tech has called a press conference for tomorrow to introduce Eric Wood as its new Athletics Director. He’s currently a deputy A-D at Central Florida. He’ll replace Tommy McClelland who recently left for a job at Vanderbilt.
3:30 LRN Newscast Oct 22
The Senate Judiciary Committee rejects a House-approved bill barring the state from penalizing churches and church-goers for in-person services against state emergency orders. Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver argued the ban did not violate constitutional protections on religious liberty because it allowed for virtual services. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says virtual is not the same…
Republican lawmakers await Governor Edwards’ decision on a potential veto of legislation they passed that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency. Edwards says he needs every tool available to make sure that more people don’t die from this virus than is necessary.
Constitutional Amendment Four on the November 3rd ballot asks voters if the state should create a new state budget spending limit. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the state already has a spending limit…
Cut 12 (04) “ …expenditures are”
Amendment Four is one of seven on the statewide ballot.
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume, as he’s now a Special Reserve Deputy with the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Becket Breaux says despite Shaq’s busy schedule, he will be active with the department, helping to train and mentor staff via ZOOM. But Breaux will have to update a patrol unit for his newest hire.
Shaq will also have to have his unform special order to fit his 7-foot-1 frame.
2:30 LRN Newscast October 22
Governor Edwards is mulling over a potential veto of legislation that would allow lawmakers to eliminate certain pandemic health restrictions. Matt Doyle has more
cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”
There’s talk of the special session ending early. It’s set to end on Tuesday at 6 PM. Legislators are still attempting to pass a bill that would result in a loss of state construction funds if they reduce their police department’s budget by 25-percent or more. It’s been approved by the House and awaiting Senate approval.
The number of Louisianans who have cast early ballots for the November third election has surpassed 430-thousand. On that ballot is Constitutional Amendment Four which would create a new state budget spending limit. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says opponents say the amendment will not ensure a more efficient government, but supporters say it will stabilize the state’s budget, which saw large deficits during Edwards’ first term in office…
Cut 13 (09) “…long-term”
NBA Hall of Famer and LSU legend Shaquille O’ Neal has been sworn in as a special reserve deputy with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Becket Breaux says he’s known Shaq for a long time…
cut 4 (10) “…great team”
Breaux says Shaq will participate on zoom calls and when he has the chance, he’ll ride along with deputies.
LRN PM Newscall October 22nd
NBA Hall of Famer and LSU Icon Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume as he has a new job with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Governor Edwards is mulling over a potential veto of legislation that would allow lawmakers to eliminate certain pandemic health restrictions. Matt Doyle has more
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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume, as he’s now a Special Reserve Deputy with the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Shaq dropped by the office while the boss was away at training and now Sheriff Becket Breaux is having to adjust his budget.
Breaux has been good friends with the 7-foot-1 basketball icon and broadcaster, and their relationship inspired him to asked Shaq to join the team.
Breaux says despite Shaq’s busy schedule, he will be active with the department, helping to train and mentor staff via ZOOM. But Breaux will have to update a patrol unit for his newest hire.
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The Senate Judiciary Committee rejects a House approved bill that would bar the state from penalizing churches and church-goers for gathering for in-person services against state orders during an emergency.
The hearing led to an animated exchange between Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver and the bill’s author Oil City Representative Danny McCormick.
The legislation was inspired by the arrest of Central Pastor Tony Spell for holding services against the ban on in-person religious gatherings. The bill would have also retroactively cleared his charges and other religious leaders who were penalized. His case is currently pending.
Tarver argued the ban did not violate constitutional protections on religious liberty because it allowed for virtual services. McCormick says virtual services are not the same…
Tarver and McCormick made their final arguments as the bill failed on a 3-2 vote.
The legislation cleared the House on a 66-24 vote, but it’s now dead for the session.
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Republican lawmakers await Governor Edwards’ decision on a potential veto of legislation they passed that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency.
Edwards says he plans to talk to the bill’s author and legislative leaders, but he already has a blanket policy about efforts to undermine his emergency authority…
If signed the legislation would allow, on a majority vote of the House and Senate, for specific public health restrictions to be eliminated while maintaining the rest of the emergency declaration.
Edwards says he will not surrender any authority to people whose approach he finds “totally unreasonable.”
Edwards says he needs every tool available to make sure that more people don’t die from this virus than is necessary.
Should Edwards veto this legislation, the House could have a majority of its members sign a petition that would end the public health emergency, triggering a likely court battle.
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Constitutional Amendment Four on the November 3rd ballot asks voters if the state should create a new state budget spending limit. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the state already has a spending limit..
Cut 12 (04) “ …expenditures are”
Scott says opponents say the amendment will not ensure a more efficient government, but supporters say it will stabilize the state’s budget, which saw large deficits during Edwards’ first term in office…
1:30 LRN Newscast October 22nd
A Senate committee has rejected a House-approved bill that would have prevented government agencies or officials from punishing someone who attends or leads a church service during a publicly declared emergency. The bill’s author Oil City Representative Danny McCormick and Shreveport Greg Tarver went back and forth during the debate…
cut 8 (12) “…is”
The measure failed on a three to two vote.
Constitutional Amendment Four on the November 3rd ballot asks voters if the state should create a new state budget spending limit. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the state already has a spending limit…
cut 12 (04) “…expenditures are”
Proponents of the amendment say a new spending limit will bring predictability to the budget and slower growth in state spending, while opponents say the amendment does not ensure a more efficient government.
NBA Hall of Famer and LSU Icon Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume as he has a new job with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”
The Pelicans have officially announced the hiring of their new head coach, Stany Van Gundy. This will be his fourth head coaching job.
Louisiana Tech has called a press conference for tomorrow to introduce Eric Wood as its new Athletics Director. He’s currently a deputy A-D at Central Florida. He’ll replace Tommy McClelland who recently left for a job at Vanderbilt.
1230 PM LRN News
Governor Edwards hints at the possibility that he won’t be signing HB4, a House and Senate backed effort to give lawmakers the ability to strike down certain public health restrictions on businesses. Edwards says he will not be surrendering any authority to people whose approach he finds “totally unreasonable.”
Should Edwards veto this legislation the House would reportedly move ahead with signing a petition that would end the public health emergency wholesale, triggering a likely court battle.
The Senate Judiciary Committee rejects legislation barring the state from penalizing churches and church-goers for gathering for in-person services against state orders during an emergency. The hearing led to an animated exchange between Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver and the bill’s author Oil City Representative Danny McCormick.
Five people have been arrested for allegedly stealing money from the state’s unemployment trust fund via fraud and identity theft. The unemployment trust fund is now borrowing money from the feds to keep the checks coming for those out of work. Attorney General Jeff Landry says it takes money from those who need it.
Cut 7 (08) “to do” (AM)
Two of those arrested, Kayla Giles and Teri Thibodeaux allegedly ran a massive fraud scheme targeting unemployment programs in multiple states using 25 stolen identities to siphon off 300,000 dollars in total. Giles was already awaiting trial on a 2nd-degree murder charge from 2018.