LRN Newscall PM Nov 5

President Trump has signed into law a measure that puts 12-million dollars a year into a nutria bounty program. Kevin Barnhart has the story…

Cut 1 (32) “  I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A state judge denies the Attorney General’s request to block the Governor from extending Phase Three restrictions. Matt Doyle reports a full hearing on the constitutionality of a petition signed by House Republicans that ends the restrictions is set for next Thursday…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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More federal dollars are now available to keep nutria from damaging Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. That’s the result of legislation signed into law by President Trump.  South Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves sponsored the measure and he says it triples the funding for an ongoing nutria bounty program…

Cut 3 (10)  “…dollars a year”  

Graves says we have lost 28-hundred square miles of our coast and an estimated 20-million invasive nutria living in our state is contributing to the problem. He says it took a while to get other members of Congress to understand this problem…

Cut 4 (12)   ” ..the debate”  

Graves says there will now be 12-million dollars available annually for the federal nutria bounty program, which was nearly depleted.  He says there used to be a huge nutria fur market, but that market went away allowing nutria to multiply

cut 5  (10) “…nutria” 

For the 2018-19 nutria control program, 223,000 nutria tails worth over $1.1 million in incentive payments were collected from 241 active participants. Terrebonne Parish turned in the most tails.

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Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is talking turkey after his city was struck with two hurricanes this year. Hunter’s issued a “Turkey Challenge” in hopes of raising funds to give away the holiday bird to those in his city that are struggling from hurricane recovery and bring some cheer.

Cut 6 (10) “…people need”

Initially, Hunter asked local businesses to donate 20 frozen turkeys or $500 towards the fundraiser to the United Way of Southwest Louisiana but now the challenge has taken flight.

Cut 7 (12) “…means a lot”

Hunter was inspired after a trip to the grocery store to buy his own turkey and it cost $25. He realized that many in his community are not as fortunate this year with job losses from COVID and two hurricanes.

Cut 8 (12) “..of thanks”

To donate you can visit United Way of Southwest Louisiana or text the word TURKEY to 40403, that’s 40403

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A part-time Mangham police officer shot in the line of duty last month has died from his injuries. Marshall Waters was shot October 17th while attempting to make a routine traffic stop on a vehicle stolen during an armed robbery. Mangham Police Chief Perry Fleming says Waters, who was also a full-time EMT driver, was a dedicated public servant.

Cut 9 (12) “loved him”

Fleming says they initially thought Waters would pull through.

Cut 10 (10) “…just coded”

Fleming says Waters was shot in the lower abdomen when he pulled over 27-year-old Hermandus Semien of Ville Platte. Flemming says Semiem was in a stolen vehicle and fleeing an armed robbery when he shot Waters on LA Highway 425.

Cut 11 (06) “…armed robbery”

Semien was arrested and charged with attempted 1st-degree murder of a police officer, armed robbery, and theft of a motor vehicle. The attempted first-degree murder of a police officer charge will likely be upgraded.

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Next Thursday, a Baton Rouge judge will hear a case over the constitutionality of a Louisiana House petition that attempts to end the Governor’s public health emergency order.

It’s yet another showdown between Governor Edwards and Attorney General Jeff Landry. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says both are fighting for key constituencies, starting with Edwards…

Cut 12 (11) “ .Republican” 

Yesterday, Judge William Morvant shot down a request by Landry to block the Governor from extending the Phase 3 coronavirus order beyond Friday and set a November 12th court hearing to hear arguments from both sides.

Pinsonat says the court hearing will be high stakes politically for Edwards and Landry.

Cut 13 (05) “…health”

Two-thirds of respondents to a recent UNO survey said they believed COVID-19 was a serious issue. Of those who said that 70 percent gave Edwards a positive job approval rating.

Pinsonat says neither Edwards nor Landry will come out winning politically on this issue…

Cut 14 (10) “..right”