The House is expected to vote on the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill today. Brooke Thorington has more from two of the state’s congressional members.
Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Sports betting in Louisiana is still on hold for now after an expected mid-September start-up. More from Dave Brannen.
Cut 2 (34) “…I’m Dave Brannen.”
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Mandatory quarantine for school kids who may be exposed to COVID is getting a policy makeover. More from Kevin Gallagher…:
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
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The U-S House is expected to vote on the $1-trillion Infrastructure Bill today. But when you look for support among Louisiana House members it appears as if Democrat Troy Carter will be the lone Congressman from the Bayou State casting a yay vote.
However Republican Congresswoman Julia Letlow feels the bill does not do enough to help residents in Louisiana, especially the ones she represents.
Carter feels the bill can assist with several needs in Louisiana like broadband infrastructure, road and bridge projects, and also upgrade the state’s power grid.
Carter believes the bill can help fund the placement of power lines underground, but Letlow says the appropriated funding won’t even come close to assisting the Bayou State.
Cut 7 (11) “…Louisiana alone.”
Republican Senator Bill Cassidy was among the group of 22 senators, and one of five Republicans, that negotiated the bill in the Senate. Fellow party member Senator John Kennedy voted against the bill.
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Sports betting across the 55 parishes in Louisiana that approved it remains on hold after an expected mid-September start-up delayed by Hurricane Ida. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Johns:
Cut 8 (11) “…license applications reviewed.”
At last count 13 applications had been received of the 20 expected from casinos and racetracks around the state. Johns says he won’t venture a guess on the exact date when sports betting will be up and running in Louisiana.
Johns says troopers who had been assigned to Ida recovery from the State Police Gaming Division are back at full capacity to get help get sports betting rolling sooner rather than later.
Cut 9 (09) “..final approval to.”
Gaming Control Board Chair Ronnie Johns says it’s important for sports betting in the Bayou State to be fully compliant with state law.
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State Education officials say parents of public school kids who may have been exposed to COVID will now have the option of whether or not to quarantine them. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says mandatory quarantine for those possibly exposed to the virus wasn’t in students’ best interests…:
Cut 11 (12) “…away from their friends.”
Brumley says too many students have missed too much classroom time due to mandatory evacuations, and the new option will be offered to school districts statewide who choose to implement it…:
Cut 12 (05) “…remain in school.”
(The state Health Department strongly recommends school districts follow public health guidance and parents quarantine unvaxxed kids who may have been exposed to the virus.)
Brumley says any students who ARE quarantined for possible COVID exposure will receive a free virus screening. He says engaging the parents in their child’s well-being is a good policy…:
School systems are free to adopt the policy or not. If a child tests positive for COVID, or shows symptoms, they should still be isolated until they recover.
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In a surprise turn of events the mother of two-year Neveah Allen, who was reported missing Friday and later found in Mississippi, has been charged with second-degree murder. 24-year old Lanaya Cardwell of Baton Rouge was arrested Wednesday days after her boyfriend, 30-year old Philip Gardner was arrested for unlawful disposal of a body. Baton Rouge Police Chief Murphy Paul…
An autopsy was performed on the child after her remains were located in a remote wooded area of Hancock County, Mississippi. Paul who remained tight-lipped about the ongoing investigation would only say the coroner’s ruling in the case.
Cut 15 (08) “…coroner’s office.”
When the child was reported missing Cardwell told reporters that she last saw her child Friday morning before she left to go to work. It was originally reported that Gardner was watching the child and when he awoke from a nap she was discovered missing. Paul was asked when Cardwell became suspect in the investigation.
Both Cardwell and Gardner are charged with second-degree murder. Garnder is also charged with unlawful disposal of human remains and obstruction of justice.
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Louisiana Tech is at 23rd ranked North Carolina State. It’s the final non-conference game for the Bulldogs and Coach Skip Holtz says playing a ranked team like N-C State can only make you better…
Tech is coming off a 24-17 win over North Texas. Starting quarterback Austin Kendall did not play because of medical reasons. Holtz believes Kendall will be back, but another signal caller may miss this Saturday’s game…
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The Saints are getting ready for their Dome opener when they host the New York Giants on Sunday. Quarterback Jameis Winston is expecting a very loud environment….
New York is still looking for its first win, but Winston says the Giants have a great secondary….