Louisiana has set a new record for total early votes cast in an election and voters still have another four days to cast a ballot. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Statistically, you’re more likely to die from COVID if you’re over the age of 70 in Louisiana but health officials warn it’s a game of chance. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A bill that could take away state funds from municipalities that defund their police departments gets radically altered and expanded by the Senate. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Louisiana breaks the record of 531,000 early voters set in 2016 with four days still left in early voting for the November 3rd election.
JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says at the pace we’re on we could see a new, remarkable record set…
Couvillon says at this rate about 45 percent of voters are projected to cast an early ballot in Louisiana, the highest percentage on record.
When early voting started registered Democrats had an advantage in participation but more Republicans have begun showing up to cast an early ballot. Couvillon expects Dems though to widen that gap once again…
Couvillon expects 2020 national turnout to hit about 160 million, which would be about 25 million more than we saw in 2016, and…
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The crowds under the Friday Night Lights tonight will double in 26 parishes after Governor Edwards amends the state health order allowing a capacity increase at outdoor high school sporting events.
Stadiums had been capped at 25-percent capacity.
Parishes, where the positivity rate of COVID cases are 5-percent or less in the previous two weeks, will be allowed to expand capacity.
Edwards says it’s similar to the approach made with bars.
Edwards encouraged residents to continue to practice social distancing and wear face masks so capacity numbers can remain at 50-percent and remaining parishes can increase crowd sizes as well.
Cut 9 (11) “25-percent capacity”
The Louisiana Department of Health updates parish positivity rates, weekly every Wednesday.
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The health department reported nine additional deaths Thursday from COVID-19. One of those deaths was a 29-year old college student. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joseph Canter discussed the passing of Dylan Parker as an example that statistics don’t make you invulnerable.
Parker was a forestry tech student at Central Louisiana Technical Community College in Winnfield. Governor Edwards expressed condolences to Parker’s family along with other’s who have lost a loved one.
Canter reminded residents to remain vigilant with mitigation efforts because the virus is like a game of chance
Canter also discussed revised CDC Guidelines concerning extended contact with a COVID positive individual. Instead of a continuous 15 minutes, it is now amended to a non-consecutive total of 15-minutes over a 24-hour period. _________________________
Legislation that could see municipalities stripped of state construction funds should they defund their police departments is headed into conference committee amid some major Senate-side changes.
When it left the House HB 38 was designed to stop police department budget cuts of more than 10 percent. Now it’s up to 25 percent and includes a number of other departments…
That’s Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux who brought the amendment, saying those other services are also vital to protect. Boudreaux vocally opposed the original bill in committee. Bill author Alexandria Representative Lance Harris opposed the changes.
Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud spoke on Harris’ behalf in the Senate saying municipal public safety is a state-level concern.
New Orleans Senator Joseph Bouie disputed Cloud’s argument…
Under the current version of the bill, any municipality that reduces its police, public works, fire, or parks and recreation department by 25 percent could be stripped of capital outlay funds by a Legislative committee. Previously the bill was limited to police.
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The Saints and three-thousand season ticket holders will welcome Teddy Bridgewater back to the Superdome on Sunday as New Orleans hosts Carolina. After spending two years with the Black and Gold, Bridgewater has led the Panthers to a three-and-three record this year. Saints defensive end Cam Jordan on what he’s seeing from Bridgewater on film
Bridgewater served as Drew Brees’ backup for two seasons and started five games last year for the Saints when Drew went down with a thumb injury. Brees says he has the utmost respect for Bridgewater
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The Ragin Cajuns look to get back on the winning streak tonight when they face U-A-B in Birmingham tonight. The matchup features two of the better Group of Five schools in the country and U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says it’s been a long time since an opponent won in Birmingham
The Blazers are 4-and-1 and last Saturday defeated Western Kentucky 37-14. Their only loss came against the Miami Hurricanes. Napier says UAB head coach Bill Clark has done a great job building the program after it was shut down a few years ago because of budget cuts
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LSU head football coach Ed Orgeron names TJ Finley the starter to Saturday’s game against the Gamecocks. O says the freshman has really improved this season and is ready for game action.