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…
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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.
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The ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season has formed with the intensification of Hurricane Delta and, once again, it appears to be heading for the Louisiana coast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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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…
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. Entities that cut more than ten percent of that budget must prove the cut would not have a “significant and harmful effect on public safety” or risk being ineligible for new capital outlay funding in the next fiscal year.
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…
Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state is already one of the most crime-ridden in the nation and cutting police budgets would exacerbate that.
Bastrop representative Frederick Jones says the bill is insulting to African Americans. He says while he disagrees with the “Defund” movement…
The bill heads to the full House next.
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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.
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.
Governor Edwards has tasked the Fire Marshal with COVID code enforcement, citing his broad authority during a declared public health emergency.
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.
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.
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Among the accomplishments being remembered about the late Mike Foster’s time as Governor is the establishment of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says Foster’s stressed importance of the access to gaining skills for the workforce was clear.
Cut 11 (10) “…what drove him.”
90-year-old Foster passed away over the weekend.
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.”
The LCTCS is now in 53 parishes and Sullivan says the system is where it is today because of the vision of Foster. 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.”
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Louisiana is once again bracing for the impact of another hurricane as Hurricane Delta approaches. The storm is the ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season. State climatologist Barry Keim says the storm is currently in the Caribbean and is expected to enter the Gulf on Wednesday morning.
Cut 14 (13) “…on Friday afternoon.”
Keim says conditions are extremely favorable for strengthening with very low wind shear and very warm sea surface temps. The storm is expected to hit major hurricane status.
Cut 15 (11) “…hurricane at landfall.”
Delta is forecast to have winds of 120 miles per hour in a couple of days. If that forecast comes to fruition, it would become the strongest Greek named hurricane in the Atlantic on record, breaking the old record set in 2005 by Hurricane Beta, which had 115 mph max sustained winds.
Keim says if this track holds, this will be the fourth landfalling storm in Louisiana this season.
cut 16 (06) “…any single season.”
The only other years to have four landfalling storms are 2002 and 1923.
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One-fourth of the NFL is complete and the Saints have a 2-and-2 record heading into a Monday night matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are 1-3, but rookie quarterback Justin Hebert has played well. Coach Sean Payton on preparing for a quarterback they’ve never faced before…
In Sunday’s win over Detroit, the Saints got great contributions from their two running backs, Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. The two combined for 202 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Murray on feeding off of Kamara
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LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan looked more comfortable in the pocket in Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt. Coach Ed Orgeron says they worked Brennan’s pocket presence prior to last Saturday’s game…
After giving up over 600 passing yards in the season-opening loss to Mississippi State, LSU held Vanderbilt to 113 passing yards. The 17th ranked Tigers are also getting back starting defensive tackle Glen Logan after a two-game suspension. Orgeron says he’s been practicing every day…