Hurricane Delta is now a Category 4 storm and once again Louisiana is in the crosshairs of this major hurricane.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says the current forecast shows the storm weakening to a Cat 2 before the projected landfall in southeast Louisiana, but says the impacts will still be a major concern.

Cut 4 (09) “day on Saturday.”

The storm is expected to make an initial landfall on the Yucatan Wednesday.

2020 continues to be an extremely difficult year for most and an active hurricane season is another straw to the camel’s back in Louisiana. Hurricane Laura was devastating for southwest Louisiana and now Hurricane Delta is on track to strike the state. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says understanding that an increased level of stress is a normal reaction is the first step towards coping.

Cut 6 (11)“…that stress”

A House committee approves a resolution that would block the State Fire Marshal from enforcing COVID health codes on businesses. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Hurricane Delta is now a Category 4 storm and once again Louisiana is in the crosshairs of a major hurricane.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says before it becomes an issue for the northern Gulf Coast on Saturday, it’ll make an initial landfall in Mexico.

Cut 3 (09)  “…it is now.”  

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin after passing away on Sunday at the age of 90. He’s credited for creating the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. L-C-T-C-S president Monty Sullivan says prior to 1998, the state had four community colleges and one technical college. That has since grown to a system of twelve.

Cut 12 (11) “…last 20+ years.”

Lawmakers sparred Monday in a House committee over legislation that would potentially strip state funding from localities and universities that cut police budgets by 10 percent or more.  Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state is already one of the most crime-ridden in the nation and cutting police budgets would just exacerbate that.

Cut 6 (10) “for me”

The bill would require municipalities and schools to submit an annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee of the Budget detailing the status of their police budgets.

Bastrop representative Frederick Jones says the bill is insulting to African Americans. He says while he disagrees with the “Defund” movement…

Cut 7 (11) “crying out”

The bill is authored by Alexandria representative Lance Harris and head to the full House next.

Hurricane Delta reaches major hurricane status as a category 4. The most recent update indicates Delta is moving across the western Caribbean Sea at 16mph, and continued strengthening is expected before reaching the Yucatan Peninsula and then crossing into the southern Gulf of Mexico. Delta is expected to make landfall along the US coastline late Friday early Saturday. Governor Edwards is expected to give an update at 3 pm this afternoon.

A resolution that would suspend the State Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee Civil Division director Angelique Freel says the Legislature has not given the Fire Marshal the authority to shut down businesses for non-compliance.

Cut 9 (10) “in it”

Governor Edwards has tasked the Fire Marshal with COVID code enforcement, citing his broad authority during a declared public health emergency.

Lawmakers sparred in a House committee Monday over legislation that would potentially strip state funding from localities or universities that cut their police budgets by ten percent or more. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authored the bill and says the “Defund the Police” movement risks the safety of more than just the people living in areas that cut police budgets…

Cut 4 (11) “safety”

Entities that cut more than ten percent of police budgets must prove it would not have a “significant and harmful effect on public safety” or risk being ineligible for future funding. New Orleans representative Gary Carter says if cities feel it is right to move money to services like mental health to help lower crime, they should be able to…

Cut 5 (10) “…Congress”

Hurricane Delta continues to rapidly strengthen according to the National Hurricane Center and be extremely dangerous and pass over Northeastern Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow. What this means for Louisiana over the next few days, forecasters predict Delta will be downgraded from a Category 4 to a 3 and restrengthen again in the Gulf, State Climatologist Barry Keim…  Cut 15 (11) “…hurricane at landfall.” 

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin. Foster is known for creating the state’s current community and technical college system. The LCTCS is now in 53 parishes and President of the System Monty Sullivan says prior to Foster, the opportunity was limited by geography to access to education in a way that puts people in jobs.

Cut 13 (07) “…two-year college education.”

There were tense arguments in a House committee yesterday as members approved legislation that would strip state funding from municipalities or universities that cut police budgets by 10 percent or more. Matt Doyle covered it…

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

In preparation for Hurricane Delta to make landfall later this week, the LHSAA gives approval for several schools to move their football games to Wednesday and LSU is monitoring the weather for Saturday’s game as well.

Governor John Bel Edwards is urging residents to prepare for the possibility of at least a Category Two hurricane making landfall in Louisiana either Friday night or early Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Delta is currently in the Caribbean and is expected to enter the Gulf tomorrow after going over the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula…
cut 14 (12) “…southeastern Louisiana”
Keim says Delta is expected to be a major hurricane as it moves through the Gulf, but cooler waters near the Gulf coast will weaken the storm.

The Shreveport Police Department is working a triple homicide that happened last night in the Allendale neighborhood. Officers say the bodies of three men were found outside of a vacant house and the victims were shot in the head. The search is ongoing for the suspect or suspects.

A House committee approves a resolution that would block the Fire Marshal from enforcing COVID health rules on businesses…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

That measure heads to the House floor and so does a bill that would result in municipalities losing state construction dollars if they defund their police departments. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says cutting police budgets would result in more crime…
cut 6 (10) “….for me”

Hurricane Delta continues to strengthen and we are looking a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
voicer 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Delta is now a Category Two hurricane and is eyeing a first landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow, but is expected to maintain it’s major hurricane Category status as it gets in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center says it’s possible Delta could be a Cat 4 storm and possibly be a Cat 3 when it makes landfall early Saturday along the Louisiana coast.

A House committee has approved legislation that would result in local governments and universities losing funding for construction projects if they cut their police budgets by ten percent or more. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is the author of the bill and he’s not a fan of the defund police movement. Bastrop Representative Frederick Jones also disagrees with the Defund movement, but he voted against the bill…
cut 7 (11) “…crying out”
The bill heads to the House floor.

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin after passing away on Sunday at the age of 90. He’s credited for creating the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. L-C-T-C-S president Monty Sullivan says prior to 1998, the state had four community colleges and one technical college. That has since grown to a system of twelve colleges.
Cut 12 (11) “…last 20+ years.”

Hurricane Delta has intensified into a Category Two storm as it’s expected to move over the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow and be a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday. The current forecast track calls for Delta to make landfall in southeast Louisiana early Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it would be the fourth landfalling storm in Louisiana this season…
cut 16 (06) “….any single season”
2002 and 1923 are the other four landfalling storms.

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin. Foster died Sunday at the age of 90. He’s known for creating the state’s current community and technical college system. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says Foster stressed the importance of gaining skills for the workforce…
cut 11 (10) “…what drove him”

At the state capitol, a resolution that would suspend the Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee. House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says business owners should be free to make their own decisions about how, or if they should open given the current COVID risk level.
Cut 8 (11) “…businesses”
The committee vote was 12 to 5 in favor. One of those in dissent was New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the resolution infringes on the Governor’s constitutionally awarded public health authority.
Cut 10 (07) “…authority”
The resolution moves to the House floor where it is expected to pass much like a series of other bills did last week that targeted the Governor’s public health orders and powers.

Lawmakers sparred in a House committee Monday over legislation that would potentially strip state funding from localities or universities that cut their police budgets by ten percent or more.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authored the bill. He says the “Defund the Police” movement risks the safety of more than just the people living in areas that cut police budgets…

Cut 4 (11) “safety”

New Orleans representative Gary Carter says if cities feel it is right to move money from law enforcement to services like mental health in an effort to lower crime, they should be able to…

Cut 5 (10) “…Congress”

The bill heads to the full House next.

A resolution that would suspend the State Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee.

House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says business owners should be free to make their own decisions about how, or if they should open given the current COVID risk level.

Cut 8 (11) “…businesses”

If passed the resolution would stay in place until the adjournment of the 2021 regular session.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry backs the resolution. Civil Division director Angelique Freel says the Legislature has not given the Fire Marshal the authority to shut down businesses for non-compliance.

Cut 9 (10) “in it”

Governor Edwards has tasked the Fire Marshal with COVID code enforcement.