A hearing is underway to determine whether a petition signed by House Republican members has the power to cancel the state’s coronavirus restrictions put in place by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. But Judge William Morvant has told attorneys for the Attorney General and GOP lawmakers in the Louisiana House that the petition dealt with a previous emergency order from the governor, so any ruling from him would be moot. Edwards issued a new coronavirus order on Friday.

LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says President-elect Joe Biden’s win over President Donald Trump could cause problems for Louisiana’s oil-dependent economy. The Obama Administration placed new limits on offshore drilling through executive orders, bypassing Congress. Scott says a repeat could spell trouble for one sector.

Cut 7 (10)  “…of Mexico.”

A new state law allows close family members to visit special needs individuals living in group homes during a public health emergency. Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Butler authored the measure. She has a 31-year-old child in a facility in Alexandria and the rules call for precautions to be taken during those visits…

cut 11 (07) “….their child”
Over 35-hundred children and adults live in nearly 500 sites statewide.

In the past few days, Louisiana State Police have been made aware of a telephone scam by a caller pretending to be a State Police Investigator.  The scammer has targeted people living in the Orleans and Jefferson Parish area.  Louisiana State Trooper Monroe Dillon explains how the perpetrator has pulled off the scam.

Cut 13 (11) “…. investigation.”

A hearing gets underway at this hour that pits Governor Edwards against House Republican lawmakers. GOP legislators say a petition they signed last month cancels the governor’s public health emergency order, but Edwards is asking a judge to declare the petition null and void. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says previous legal attacks on the governor’s orders focused on the constitutionality of the public health restrictions…
cut 6 (10) “….federal constitution”

State Police is warning the public about a telephone scam where the caller operates under the guise of a State Police investigator and demands money or gift cards in lieu of arresting the individual. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the phone calls are fictitious and in no way reflect L-S-P’s practices or procedures…
cut 14 (09) “…phone call”

Parents of special needs children now have the right to visit them in intermediate care facilities during public health emergencies. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The family of a Baldwin teenager who was found dead in a sugarcane field is still seeking answers from the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s office on what happened to Quawan Bobby Charles. No arrests have been made in the case and the grieving family is seeking justice. Charles was found dead last Tuesday, four days after he was reported missing.

A state judge hears arguments today on whether a petition signed by Republican lawmakers in the House is enough to overturn Governor Edwards COVID-19 restrictions…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A Baton Rouge pediatrician has been charged with simple battery after he allegedly punched and verbally assaulted a Southern University student as she walking around the LSU lakes. Southern University officials say 54-year-old Shane McKinney committed a hate crime, but police have provided no information that racism was the motive.

A new state law allows close family members to visit special needs individuals living in group homes during a public health emergency. Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Butler authored the measure. She has a 31-year-old child in a facility in Alexandria and the rules call for precautions to be taken during those visits…
cut 11 (07) “….their child”
Over 35-hundred children and adults live in nearly 500 sites statewide.

State Police is warning the public of a new telephone scam where the caller operates under the guise of an L-S-P investigator. Trooper Monroe Dillon says the scam has been targeting residents in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. He says these phone calls are fictitious and if you get one, ask questions during the call…
cut 15 (05) “,,,number there”
If you receive a call, you can report it to the State Police website by clicking on the suspicious activity link.

A Baton Rouge judge hears arguments today on whether a petition signed by 65 Republicans in the Louisiana House is enough to terminate the governor’s emergency orders that are in effect for the coronavirus. House GOP members believe based on a law passed in 2003 their petition is enough to put an end to the statewide mask mandate and capacity restrictions on businesses…
cut 5 (09) “….to the test”
That’s Loyola University of New Orleans Law Professor Dane Ciolino who says the governor will argue that the petition signed by a majority of members in one chamber is not enough to overturn his emergency orders.

State Police is warning the public about a telephone scam where the caller identifies themself as an LSP Investigator. Trooper Monroe Dillon…
Cut 13 (11) “….investigation.”
The scammer has targeted residents in Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.

How concerned should Louisiana’s oil and gas industry be with a Joe Biden presidency that’s expected to push for more green energy? LSU Economist Doctor Loren Scott says Biden’s campaign website says if elected he would stop all permitting in public waters. He says that’s not good news for oil exploration businesses…
cut 9 (09) “…Port Fourchon”

There’s a new law that allows parents to see their special needs children at a group home during public health emergencies. Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Bulter has a 31-year-old child at a facility in Alexandria and says her child suffered greatly when in-person visitation was halted in March.
cut 10 (10) “…the table”
The bill signed into law by the Governor allows visitation for close family members.

A state judge hears a case today that will determine whether a petition signed by House Republican members has the power to cancel the state’s coronavirus restrictions put in place by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. Loyola Univerisity of New Orleans Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the governor’s lawyers will argue a petition signed by a majority of just one chamber is not enough to lift his public health emergency order…
cut 4 (06) “…arguments”
The petition was signed by 65 House Republican members.

A new state law gives families who have special needs children at group homes the ability to see each other during the coronavirus pandemic. Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Butler says her measure also puts rules in place for the children to leave the facility and return…
cut 12 (07) “…the facility”
Butler has a 31-year-old child who lives at St. Mary’s Residential Training Center in Alexandria.

An LSU Economist warns President-elect Joe Biden’s victory could spell problems for oil-exploration dependent south Louisiana economies. Taylor Sharp has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Taylor Sharp.”

Governor Edwards and the House, represented by Attorney General Jeff Landry, face off in court today over the fate of the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

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An LSU Economist warns President-elect Joe Biden’s victory could spell problems for oil-exploration dependent south Louisiana economies. Taylor Sharp has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Taylor Sharp.” 

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Parents of special needs children now have the right to visit them in intermediate care facilities during public health emergencies in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”  

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Today a Baton Rouge judge hears a case determining whether a State House petition has the power to overturn Governor Edwards’ public health emergency.

Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the House is arguing the act that gives the Governor the power to issue those orders also allows a majority vote of one chamber the right to cancel them. Edwards disagrees…

Cut 4 (06) “…arguements.”

The House is represented in Judge William Morvant’s court by Attorney General Jeff Landry. Last week Morvant rejected a request by the AG to block the Governor’s extension of Phase Three pandemic restrictions into December.

The act used by the House was passed and signed into law in 2003 but never utilized until now. Ciolino says the Governor is arguing it is unconstitutional because of the power it gives a single chamber.

Cut 5 (09) “…to the test.”

A similar petition was never circulated in the State Senate. Senate President Page Cortez said that was because of member’s concerns there’s not enough data to support overturning the orders.

Edwards has so far prevailed in court defending the declaration, but Ciolino says previous legal attacks only focused on the constitutionality of the public health restrictions.

Cut 6 (10) “…federal constitution.”

Edwards vetoed the only legislative instrument that made it to his desk from the recent special session that would have allowed the Legislature to limit his public health authority.

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LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says President-elect Joe Biden’s win over President Donald Trump could cause problems for Louisiana’s oil-dependent economy.

The Obama Administration, where Biden served as Vice President, placed new limits on offshore drilling through executive orders, bypassing Congress. Scott says a repeat could spell trouble for one sector.

Cut 7 (10)  “…of Mexico.”

Biden’s climate policy calls for the country to be carbon-neutral by 2050 and for the expansion of renewable energy jobs along with the rollback of fossil fuel-related industries.

Scott says on Biden’s campaign website he vowed that if elected he would stop all permitting in public waters, which includes the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 8 (12) “…of this.”

Governor Edwards has also vowed to see the state cut its carbon emissions by a quarter in the next five years, half within the next ten years, and be carbon neutral by 2050, a goal set by the Paris Climate Agreement.

Scott says Biden’s energy policy impact would be most felt most in exploration-based economies in south Louisiana…

Cut 9 (09) “…Port Fourchon.”

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There’s a new law that allows parents of special needs children in intermediate care facilities access during public health emergencies. The measure was approved in the recent special session and Ville Platte Representative Rhonda Butler says it’s an issue that hits close to home. She’s a mother of a special child.

Cut 10 (10) “…the table.”

The bill signed into law by the Governor allows visitation for close family members, and Butler made sure the law required precautions be taken during those visits.

Cut 11 (07) “…their child.”

Some special needs patients go back and forth between home and a care facility, and regulations were set in place for those situations like Butler’s.

Cut 12 (10) “…the facility.”

More than 3,500 children and adults live in nearly 500 of the sites statewide with intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, and other ailments that require 24-hour treatment.

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In the past few days, Louisiana State Police have been made aware of a telephone scam by a caller pretending to be a State Police Investigator.  The scammer has targeted people living in the Orleans and Jefferson Parish area.  Louisiana State Trooper Monroe Dillon explains how the perpetrator has pulled off the scam.

Cut 13 (11) “….investigation.”

Although this hoax sounds well-thought-out, it’s not exactly accurate.  Trooper Dillon explains what a legitimate investigation would be like.

Cut 14 (09) “…phone call.” 

Even though phone calls are not the norm, Dillon says that if you’re concerned, you should ask questions during the call.

Cut 15 (05) “…number there.”

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A win on Saturday over South Alabama and the Ragin Cajuns will clinch a Sun Belt West title and a spot in the conference championship game. It would be the third straight divisional title for Coach Billy Napier

Cut 16 (20) “…of the season.”

South Alabama brings a 3-4 record into Lafayette, 2-and-2 in league play. Napier says when he watches the tape, he sees a fundamentally sound Jaguar football team…

cut 17 (19) “…and yards.”

South Al has the Sun Belt’s most accurate passer in sophomore Desmond Trotter. Napier says receivers Jalen Tobert and Kawaan Baker are also very good

cut 18 (19) “…for you.”

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The Saints will host a banged-up San Francisco 49ers team this Sunday in the Superdome. The defending NFC Champs have been hit by the injury bug as quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, All pro tight end George Kittle and pass rusher Nick Bosa are out with injuries. But Coach Sean Payton says the scheme San Francisco uses still makes them a tough team to beat

cut 19 (24) “…well-coached.”

Last season, the 49ers pulled off a 48-46 victory over the Black and Gold in New Orleans. Saints wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders threw a touchdown pass in that game for San Fran and he also caught seven passes for 157 yards and a TD. Payton is glad Sanders is on his team this time…

cut 20 (20) “…we are doing.”

LSU football head coach Ed Orgeron says he’s disappointed they’ll have to reschedule this weekend’s game against Bama due to a COVID outbreak amongst the Tigers but says the team’s health staff are making the right call to keep the players safe. For the time being O says they’re focusing on their game against Arkansas the following weekend…

Cut 4 (12)   “…positive ”  

O also mentioned starting QB Myles Brennan was likely done for the year. 

55 of 64 parishes voted to legalize sports betting November 3^rd, paving the way for the Legislature to finally approve the activity in the upcoming April session. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says it’ll bring in new revenue to the state, but not for the nine parishes that voted no…

Cut 14 (09) “…this point.” 

Baton Rouge Democratic State Senator Cleo Fields questioned the new head of State Police Lamar Davis about ways policing policy could be improved at a committee meeting dedicated to police reform. Fields says one step would be barring troopers from turning off their dash and body cameras when interacting with the public…

Cut 7 (14) “…sir.”

Fields suggested utilizing always-on recording technology for troopers but the State Police Legislative Liaison then recounted situations, such as bathroom breaks, where a blanket policy of automatic recording might be inappropriate.

Lucille Bridges, the mother of civil rights activist Ruby Bridges, who walked with her then-6-year-old daughter past crowds screaming racist slurs as she became the first Black student at her all-white New Orleans elementary school, has died at the age of 86. 

Saturday’s LSU-Alabama game in Baton Rouge has been postponed due to Covid-19 issues within the LSU program. The Tigers do not have any bye weeks to make up the game before the SEC Championship game, but Coach Ed Orgeron hopes the SEC can figure out a way for the rivalry game to be played this year…

Cut 3 (10)  “…challenge”  

Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says the vote to legalize sports betting in 55 of the state’s 64 parishes on Election Night paves the way for sports bets to be placed in Louisiana by the end of next year. Legislators will work on rules and regulations in the upcoming spring session, Henry says a big point of contention that will shape sports betting, is how virtual the activity can be…

Cut 13 (11) “…establishment.”

The mandatory evacuation order in Cameron Parish was finally lifted early this morning for the entire parish. The southwestern coastal parish had been under a mandatory evacuation order since Hurricane Laura made landfall on August 27^th. Vice President of the Cameron Parish Police Jury, Scott Trahan says they hope to have power restored in Cameron by the end of the week, but water remains undrinkable.

Cut 11 (12) “…power company.”

A committee studying potential policing policy reforms met again yesterday with Chair Cleo Fields questioning new State Police Superintendent Lamar Davis on dash and body camera policy.

Fields summarized the day’s findings to Davis…

Cut 6 (13) “…situations.”