Today Governor John Bel Edwards will announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives to bolster the state’s vaccinated population.  Pressure to get more people vaccinated has increased as the percentage of COVID cases tied to a new Delta strand have tripled in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s spoken with the White House regarding the rate of growth.

Cut 11 (09)”…hospitalizations and deaths.”

And the governor has signed into law a measure that creates the framework for self-driving delivery robots to carry packages, food, etc. on the state’s streets. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says they are not self-driving cars per se but more comparable to drones.

Cut 7 (10) “…to food.”

The delivery devices are banned from use in and around airports.

The Biden Administration is interested in potentially having companies set up wind turbines in the shallow waters off the Gulf of Mexico coast. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

A bill to raise the age to purchase, cigarettes, vape, and or tobacco products to 21 is now officially a state law in Louisiana. Denham Springs Representative Buddy Mincey says he was encouraged to sponsor the bill after local school administrators told him about the alarming rate of vape use among teens. The law makes Louisiana in compliance with federal law.

Governor Edwards has signed the bill that will put an end to the extra 300-dollars a week unemployed workers receive from the federal government. The 300-dollar federal enhancement was set to expire on September sixth, it will now go away at the end of July. Also, starting next year, unemployed workers will receive an additional 28-dollars a week from the state.

The governor has also signed a bill that sets the framework for businesses to use drones to make local deliveries. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Biden administration has begun to explore whether the Gulf of Mexico can be a source for wind energy development. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says it’s possible, but there are a lot of challenges and it could take a couple of decades for it to become a reality…
cut 15 (09) “…challenge”
The President has set the goal for the United States to produce 30-thousand megawatts of wind capacity by 2030.

A state tax credit worth up to 25-hundred dollars to an individual who purchases an electric car or an alternative fuel vehicle is set to expire on July 1st. Louisiana Clean Fuels co-Coordinator Tyler Hermann says if you are buying specifically to take advantage of the tax credit, be advised it is a nonrefundable income tax credit so you have to have $2,500 of tax liability left over for the 2021 tax year.
Cut 6 (09) “…of it.”

Governor Edwards will announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives at a 2:30 press conference in an attempt to increase the state’s vaccinated population which currently sits at 33-percent. Eric Picolli has the story…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Eric Picolli.”

That tropical disturbance we’ve been watching in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to move towards Louisiana today and possibly develop into a tropical depression tonight or early tomorrow morning. Forecasters are expecting heavy rainfall starting on Friday and continuing into Saturday.

The Biden administration is looking at whether the Gulf of Mexico could be a source of offshore wind energy. LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says turbines in the Gulf can likely generate electricity, but there’s a number of questions that must be answered from hurricane resiliency to…
cut 14 (07) “….hours”
Governor Edwards is a supporter of offshore wind energy development in the Gulf.

The governor has signed a bill that establishes a framework for businesses that plan to use drones to make local deliveries. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says the devices will have to travel at a speed no higher than 12 miles per hour in pedestrian areas, can’t be used around airports and local governments can also set up their own regulations…
cut 9 (09) “….to me”
Several other states have passed similar laws.

The Biden Administration is asking energy companies if they’d be interested in setting up offshore wind turbines in the Gulf of Mexico. LSU Center for Energy Studies Director David Dismukes says it’s the beginning of a long road towards the potential development of renewable energy in the Gulf.
Cut 13 (11) “…wind.”
Dismukes says northeastern states began the process to set up offshore wind turbines about 15 years ago and are just now starting to implement the program.

Governor Edwards has signed legislation that establishes the rules that businesses will be required to follow if they implement drone delivery services. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says he envisions businesses using these devices to make short-distance deliveries…
cut 8 (11) “….the service”
Under the bill, self-driving robots can not go faster than 12 miles per hour in pedestrian areas.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 2:30 today to announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives. Edwards has been pushing individuals to get the vaccine….
cut 12 (11) “….is your choice”
About a third of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated, with 47-percent of those 18 and older getting their doses and 80-percent of those 65 and older having started the process.

A tax credit that’s worth up to 25-hundred dollars for individuals who purchase an electric car or an alternative fuel vehicle is set to expire on July 1st. Legislation changed the sunset date for the tax credit from January 1st to July 1st so Louisiana Clean Fuels Co-Coordinator Tyler Hermann says this could impact businesses or state agencies who are buying these types of vehicles…
cut 5 (09) “….to get”

The Biden Administration is interested in potentially having companies set up wind turbines in the shallow waters off the Gulf of Mexico coast….
Cut 3 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

LSU has reinstated Doctor G-E Ghali as the chancellor of the university’s medical school in Shreveport. He was suspended for two months after four women accused Ghali of sexual misconduct. Ghali said in a statement that an outside investigation cleared him of wrongdoing. An attorney representing the four who women filed the complaints said something is truly rotten in Louisiana and at LSU.

Today at 2:30, Governor Edwards will announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives in an effort to increase the number of people vaccinated against the virus. Edwards teased the announcement during his monthly radio show Ask the Governor.
Cut 10 (08) “…to promote vaccinations.”
One-point-five million people are fully vaccinated in Louisiana, which represents 33-percent of the population, one of the lowest percentages in the country.

If you’re planning on buying an electric vehicle in hopes of receiving a tax credit you better make that purchase in the next two weeks. Louisiana Clean Fuels Co-Coordinator Tyler Hermann says the legislature passed a bill that accelerates the sunset date of a $2,500 tax credit for the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle.
Cut 4 (06) “…from now.”
The original date was January 1, 2022.

A bill from the 2021 legislative session that’s been signed into law sets the framework for delivery devices to begin in Louisiana. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_______________________________

Governor Edwards will announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives today in an attempt to increase the state’s vaccinated population which currently sits at around one and a half million. Eric Picolli has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Eric Picolli.” 

____________________________

The Biden Administration is interested in potentially having companies set up wind turbines in the shallow waters off the Gulf of Mexico coast. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (27)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

____________________________________

If you’re planning on buying an electric vehicle in hopes of receiving a tax credit you better make that purchase in the next two weeks. Louisiana Clean Fuels Co-Coordinator Tyler Hermann says the legislature passed a bill that accelerates the sunset date of the up to $2,500 tax credit for the purchase of an alternative fuel vehicle.

Cut 4 (06) “…from now.”

The original date was January 1, 2022.

Hermann says it’s too early to tell if this will have an impact on a consumer’s choice to purchase an electric vehicle in the state, but he says it could have a large economic impact on fleets that use the vehicles because they operate on a specific procurement schedule.

Cut 5  (09) “..going to get.”

Hermann says if you are in the market and buying specifically to take advantage of the tax credit, be advised it is a nonrefundable income tax credit so you have to have  $2,500 of tax liability left over for the 2021 tax year.

Cut 6 (09) “…of it.”

___________________________

Governor Edwards has signed into law a measure that creates the framework for self-driving delivery robots to carry packages, food, etc. on the state’s streets. Port Allen Senator Rick Ward says they aren’t self-driving cars per se but more comparable to drones.

Cut 7 (10) “…to food.”

Included in the framework of Senate Bill 147 are regulations that the devices must yield to pedestrians, cannot obstruct traffic or transport hazardous materials.

Ward says neighborhood stores could utilize a service company to deliver their goods to consumers in the area.

Cut 8 (11) “…the service.”

Ward says the innovation of the delivery devices is ideal for those who have limited transportation, like the elderly, and the robots could deliver their prescriptions.

The devices will be limited on the speed at which they can operate, and Ward says they also won’t be permitted for use around airports. Local municipalities will also be able to set regulations for the devices.

Cut 9 (09) “…to me.”

The delivery robots must also have lights on the front and rear of the device and also maintain at least $100,000 of insurance.

Several other states have passed similar laws.

__________________

Today Governor Edwards will announce COVID-19 vaccine incentives to bolster the state’s vaccinated population. Edwards teased the announcement during his monthly radio show Ask the Governor.

Cut 10 (08) “…to promote vaccinations.”

Pressure to get more people vaccinated has increased as the percentage of COVID cases tied to a new Delta strand have tripled in Louisiana. Edwards says he’s spoken with the White House regarding the rate of growth.

Cut 11 (09)”…hospitalizations and deaths.”

About a third of the state’s population has been fully vaccinated with 47% of those 18  and older getting their doses while almost 80% of those 65 and older having started the process. Edwards says while the state continues to make progress those who aren’t convinced should seek information regarding the vaccines.

Cut 12 (11) “…is your choice.”

__________________

The Biden Administration is asking energy companies if they’d be interested in setting up offshore wind turbines off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico.

LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes says it’s the beginning of a long road towards the ultimate development of renewable energy in the Gulf.

Cut 13 (11) “…wind.”

Dismukes notes northeastern states began the process to set up offshore wind turbines about 15 years ago and are just now starting to implement the program.

Dismukes says you likely could generate some electricity using Gulf turbines but there’s a number of questions that must be answered from hurricane resiliency to…

Cut 14 (07) “…hours.”

Dismukes says after finding a buyer and offering that company at least a 20-year contract you would then have to build transmission lines from the Gulf and then integrate them into the power grid.

Cut 15 (09)“…challenge.”

___________________________________________

Pelicans Executive Vice President David Griffin says the mutual decision to part ways with head coach Stan Van Gundy after only one season was due to philosophical differences in how to move forward with the young team.

Griffin was effusive in his praise of Van Gundy in a press conference after the news broke.

Cut 16 (19) “…coach.”

The Pelicans ended Van Gundy’s only season 31-41 good for only 11^th in the Western Conference, one spot shy of making the playoff play-in tournament.

Griffin made some puzzling comments during the press conference…

Cut 17 (17) …development.” 

Griffin also addressed rumors that current assistant coach and Naismith Hall of Famer Teresa Weatherspoon is a favorite for the job. He says that rumor was likely the result of Weatherspoon being named summer league head coach…

Cut  18 (22)”…itself.”

Pels assistant Fred Vinson and Buck’s assistant Charles Lee are also reportedly in the running for the job.

New Orleans Pelicans coach Stan Van Gundy has “mutually agreed to part ways” with the team after only one season at the helm. Locked on Pelicans host Jake Madison says this situation had been building behind the scenes after a tough year where the Pels missed the playoffs. Madison says it’s probably for the best…

Cut 7 (12) “…be in.”

Naismith Hall of Famer and current Pels assistant Teresa is reportedly one of the favorites to land the job.

The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked by a federal judge in Louisiana  U-S District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling Tuesday in Lafayette is from a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Jeff Landry who says it’s a shame the policy was ever enacted…

Cut 14 (09) “…vital role.” 

Forecasters expect a tropical depression will form in the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow or early Friday. Jeff Palermo has more on the impacts for Louisiana…

Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo.” 

U-L Lafayette’s football stadium has a new name. It’s now called Cajun Field at Our Lady of Lourdes Stadium. It’s the result of a 15-year, 15-million dollar naming rights deal between the school and the regional medical center based in Lafayette. The 15-million dollars will help pay for renovations at the 50-year-old stadium that will include a full-service nutrition center for all U-L athletes.

On his monthly radio call-in show, Ask the Governor, Governor John Edwards said he’ll unveil new vaccine incentives Thursday. Edwards will make the announcement during his 2:30 press conference. Currently vaccinated individuals in Louisiana can receive free admission to state parks until July 31^st.

Stan Van Gundy is out as head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans after only one season. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Matt Doyle.”  

There’s a high chance a disturbance in the Bay of Campeche will develop into a tropical depression before landing somewhere between Texas and Alabama this weekend. With this in mind Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon is advising residents to get flood insurance, saying only 25-percent of the property owners in Louisiana have it…

Cut 5  (12) “….by far” 

The Biden administration’s suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked by a federal judge in Louisiana. U-S District Judge Terry Doughty’s ruling Tuesday in Lafayette is from a lawsuit filed by state Attorney General Jeff Landry. Landry says it was a great ruling for the people of Louisiana.

Cut 13 (08) “…great victory.”

A spokesperson for the Interior Department said they are reviewing the judge’s opinion and will comply with the decision.