AM LRN Newscall July 20

Matt Doyle spoke with Capitol expert Jeremy Alford of LaPolitics.com about what to expect in this historic veto override session…

Cut 1 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

A 17-year-old Zachary teen faces murder charges after a shootout with the father of a 14-year old girl he was caught visiting after sneaking into their home. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_________________________________________

It appears likely there will be a vote today to overturn Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s sports teams. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

_______________________________

Lawmakers will be creating precedent today when the historic veto-override session kicks off at noon.

LaPolitcs.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says this override session will certainly be full of spectacle as legislators only have until the end of Saturday to finish their business, with all of the action taking place in only two places…

Cut 4 (09) “…and Senate.”

Alford added that if lawmakers fail to find the votes today to override the Governor’s veto of legislation involving transgender athletes the session could be over in a matter of hours.

Alford says to override a veto first a motion will be made to present a bill. That motion can pass on a simple majority. Then a motion will be made for final passage, that motion needs two-thirds support.

Cut 5 (09) “…final vote.”

Bills will begin in the chamber where they were first introduced, meaning both the transgender athlete ban and concealed carry bill will open the session in the Senate.

Alford says there are a few major questions about veto session procedure that don’t appear to have easy answers, the biggest one being…

Cut 6 (11) “…aren’t right.”

28 bills were vetoed this year by the Governor but it does not appear that lawmakers will attempt to override all 28.

_______________________________

All eyes are on the state capitol as Louisiana lawmakers convene for the first veto session since the state’s new constitution was adopted in 1974. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he has no doubts the bill to protect women’s sports from transgender athletes will be overridden in the House.

Cut 7 (05) “…act bill.” 

The transgender legislation is one of 28 that Governor Edwards vetoed. The other high-profile bill that legislators are expected to address is constitutional carry. Schexnayder says the process of an override session is not a familiar one but he expects the process to be expedient.

Cut 8 (13) “…do that.”

Lawmakers are targeting to override the vetoes of the concealed carry and transgender athletes bills. Schexnayder says he’s heard from lawmakers on a few other pieces of vetoed legislation.

Cut 9 (09) “…about them.”

Schexnayder says vetoed bills will be brought up in the chamber where it originated by its author and if it receives a majority vote, it will go to the floor. Then if it has two-thirds majority support it goes to the opposite chamber for a vote.

_____________________________________

After attempting to climb into the second-story window of a home, to visit a girl Sunday morning, 17-year old Nichols Mcquirter of Zachary is now facing second-degree murder charges in the death of the girl’s father 34-year old Dezmon Hamilton. Zachary Police Chief David McDavid says when Mcquirter was caught in the home things escalated.

Cut 10 (12) “…were fired.”

Hamilton died as a result of several gunshot wounds and once released from the hospital, Mcquirter will be booked for second-degree murder, illegal use of a weapon, and possession of a stolen firearm. Both men were armed, and investigators say it’s unclear who fired the first shot.

McDavid says they’ve seen an alarming increase in violent juvenile crime.

Cut 11 (11) “…drugs.”

It was a week ago when teens were involved in a shooting outside of a Zachary barbershop after calling each other out on social media. McDavid says parents need to get involved in an effort to curb the violence.

Cut 12 (10) “…resolution.”

_____________________________________

Lawmakers appear set to vote today on overriding Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation barring transgender athletes from girls’ and women’s K-12 and college sports teams.

Franklin Republican Senator Beth Mizell says she did not anticipate her legislation would end up taking center stage in a historic veto session…

Cut 13 (09) “…or not.”

Mizell says based on conversations she has had she is confident there are enough votes to override the veto in the Senate. Speaker Shexnayder indicated the same is true in the House. A supermajority of lawmakers in both chambers, 78 in the House and 29 in the Senate, approved the bill in the regular session. Should those votes hold lawmakers could override the veto.

Most analysts agree that the groundswell of energy that propelled lawmakers into today’s veto session was the result of this veto. Mizell says she’s certainly heard a lot about it from her constituents…

Cut 14 (06) “…the bill.”

Baton Rouge Democratic Representative Ted James says the veto session is a waste of taxpayer money.

Cut 15 (07)“…represent.”

The NCAA has warned passing this legislation may violate their anti-discrimination policy and jeopardize New Orleans’ hosting of the Final Four in 2022.

James opposes overriding the veto because there are no transgender athletes currently playing on girls’ and women’s teams in the state, and largely because of current Louisiana High School Athletic Association policy.

Cut 16 (08) “…athletic association.”

___________________________

At SEC Media Days, LSU Football  Coach Ed Orgeron is looking forward to the battle for starting quarterback between Myles Brennan and Max Johnson…

Cut 17 (12) …what happens.” 

Orgeron would not comment on the scandal involving the previous mishandling of the sexual assault complaints by the school and the athletic department. He also says most of the players are vaccinated against COVID and he encourages players to profit off of their name, image, and likeness, but it should not be a 24-7 venture

Cut  18 (13)”..football and academics.”

LSU is coming off a 5-and-5 season. The Tigers didn’t have the chemistry as they did when they won the national championship in 2019. Orgeron believes this team is more together and the lines of communication are open

Cut 19 (25) “…this year.” 

___________________________

5:30 LRN Newscast July 19

Lawmakers will begin a historic veto override session Tuesday at noon. The event has brought in attention from around the country, particularly from gun rights groups that want concealed carry without a permit overturned. Matt Herriman with the NRA says the bill had supermajority support in the regular session and he’s confident that support is still there…

Cut 5 (11) “…the house”

It will take a two-thirds majority vote, 70 in the House and 26 in the Senate to overturn the governor’s veto of the legislation.

More than 10 months home Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says the city is growing increasingly upset about the Congressional failure to a disaster relief bill…

Cut 8 (07) “…Louisiana”

The state reports almost 4,000 new COVID cases and more than 700 hospitalizations. LDH says 75-percent of new cases are people less than 50 years old and 25-percent are young adults 18 to 29. Only 22-percent of young adults are vaccinated in Louisiana.

A new report finds the state has seen a 15-percent decline in construction jobs since the pandemic started. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”.  

3:30 LRN Newscast July 19

A historic veto override session kicks off Tuesday at noon and gun rights advocates are hoping lawmakers will overturn the Governor’s rejection of legislation that would allow Louisianans 21 and older without a record to carry a concealed firearm without a permit. Matt Herriman with the NRA…

Cut 3 (09) “…get started” 

The legislation passed in the regular session with supermajority levels of support.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter voiced his frustration and made pleas for help on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” Monday morning. Hunter says it’s been nearly eleven months since Hurricane Laura demolished parts of the city, but the federal government has yet to approve a federal disaster aid bill.

Cut 6 (10) “…not yet”

A new report shows 21-thousand fewer construction jobs in Louisiana compared to February 2020. The 15-percent loss is the second-highest in the country. Louisiana Associated General Contractors C-E-O Ken Naquin is grateful the Legislature made plans to dedicate more state dollars for road, bridge, and drainage construction, but the construction industry is a long way from full recovery…

Cut  11 (10) “…those materials.” 

38 people have lost their lives due to home fires this year in Louisiana, four more than at this same time last year. Most of these home fires appear to be related to cooking, smoking, or electrical issues. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says many of the electrical fires have been linked to people overloading outlets by connecting extension cables to each other…

Cut 14 (10) “…these” 

1:30 LRN Newscast July 19

The state reports less than 4,000 new COVID cases and more than 700 hospitalizations. LDH says 75-percent of new cases are people less than 50 years old and 25-percent are young adults 18 to 29. Only 22-percent of 18 to 29 young adults are vaccinated in Louisiana.

A new report finds the state has seen a 15-percent decline in construction jobs since the pandemic started. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Jeff Palermo”.  

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter voiced his frustration on “Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster” this morning. It’s been nearly eleven months since Hurricane Laura, but the federal government has yet to approve disaster aid. He reminded listeners in addition to two major hurricanes without federal assistance, they’ve also had a  major winter storm…

Cut 7 (12) “…disaster aid.”

38 people have lost their lives due to home fires this year in Louisiana, four more than at this same time last year. Most of these home fires appear to be related to cooking, smoking, or electrical issues. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says smoking should be done outdoors and be sure you safely discard whatever is left…

Cut 13 (10) “…over time”

 

10:30 LRN Newscast July 19

Louisiana said goodbye to a legendary figure as former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards was laid to rest in Baton Rouge yesterday. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”

The man who shot and killed a Doyline Police Officer on July 9th passed away from his injuries from a shootout when police responded to a disturbance. 59-year old Mahlon Taylor of Doyline died Saturday evening at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport. William Earl Collins Jr, the Doyline police officer who was killed ten days ago, was buried on Saturday.

A historic veto session begins tomorrow. The legislature could override as many as 28 Republican-sponsored bills that Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says the highly conservative legislature should be able to counter when Edwards pushes a liberal agenda.

Cut 10 (11) “…disagree with.”

Governor Edwards says he stands by his vetoes. To override an individual veto, it will take a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

Health officials say the latest surge in COVID cases has undone over four months of progress the state made in the fight against coronavirus. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal says because the virus has mutated so extensively, anyone who was infected by last year’s version does not have immunity to the new Delta variant.

Cut 15 (09)“..killing us.”

5:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Governor John Bel Edwards says half of all Louisiana adults have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is good, but not good enough.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Erik Piccoli”.  

The Governor also announced with first weekly winners of the Shot At A Million vaccine lottery on Friday. 82-year-old Clement Dasalla of New Orleans won the cash prize and 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond won the scholarship. Winners of the weekly drawings will be announced on Fridays and the grand prize winners on August 13th.

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents. And AARP State Director Denise Botcher says thirty-five percent of nursing homes in Louisiana also report a staffing shortage, which she says can only be exacerbated if unvaccinated workers become ill.

Cut 10 (09) “…care for.”

Recently departed Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the Capitol Saturday before having a private funeral service Sunday. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says he hopes Louisianans will use this time to reflect on everything Edwards accomplished…

Cut 5 (11) “…for the state”

Sunday’s funeral will be live-streamed on Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

4:30 LRN Newscast July 15

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Tuesday for a historic veto override session. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

Governor John Bel Edwards announced the first batch of winners of the “Shot at a Million” lottery. The $100,000 cash winner is 82-year-old New Orleanian Clement Dasalla and 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond won the first scholarship.

Cut 12 (6) “…to be vaccinated

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes meet the industry benchmark for staff vaccinations. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says the benchmark is having 75-percent of staff fully vaccinated.

Cut 9 (09) “…that level.”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards’ funeral will be private on Sunday due to the Delta variant of COVID cases. It will be streamed live by Louisiana Public Broadcasting though.  Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says the Cajun Prince would have preferred an open service…

Cut 4 (11) “…about such things”

Edwards will lie in state at the capitol on Saturday, it is open to the public from 10 until 7.

1:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Governor John Bel Edwards announced the first batch of winners of the “Shot at a Million” lottery. 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond is the winner of the $100,000 scholarship. Edwards says Degrass plans to attend Southeastern University…

Cut 13 (07) “…or mother”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents. And AARP State Director Denise Botcher says thirty-five percent of nursing homes in Louisiana also report a staffing shortage, which she says can only be exacerbated if unvaccinated workers become ill.

Cut 10 (09) “…care for.”

There was also a dramatic 59 person increase in COVID-related hospitalizations today putting us at 563 across the state.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards’ funeral will be private on Sunday due to the Delta variant of COVID cases. It will be streamed live by Louisiana Public Broadcasting though.  Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says the Cajun Prince would have preferred an open service…

Cut 4 (11) “…about such things”

Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…

Cut 6 (09) “..override”

It will begin Tuesday and cannot exceed five calendar days.

11:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Clement Dasalla and Skyla Degrasse are the first weekly winners in the state’s shot At A million Vaccine lottery. Dasalla, an 80-year-old New Orleans resident, won the first of four $100,000 cash prizes. Degrasse, a 17-year-old from Hammond, won the first of nine $100,000 scholarships. The next set of weekly winners will be announced next Friday. You can register at Shot At A million dot com.

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes meet the industry benchmark for staff vaccinations. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says the benchmark is having 75-percent of staff fully vaccinated.

Cut 9 (09) “…that level.”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents.

Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session beginning on Tuesday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says only 12 members of the Senate and 35 House members voted against having a session. A majority vote in either chamber would have canceled the veto session. Pinsonat says now all eyes are on the Senate.

Cut 7 (09) “…social issues.”

Pinsonat says vetoed legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports is one of the issues driving the veto session.

Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the State Capitol this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. He will be the 5th governor to lie in state, a distinction that Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says is decided by the speaker of the house and president of the senate…

Cut 3 (7) “…of Memorial Hall” 

Edwards private funeral will be held Sunday at the old state capitol.

 

10:30 LRN Newscast July 16

Lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…

Cut 6 (09) “..override”

Longtime allies of Governor Edwin Edwards will pay their last respects Saturday as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at the state Capitol. Longtime lawmaker Francis Thompson says Edwards will ultimately be remembered as one of the state’s greatest governors despite his many scandals and stint in federal prison.

Cut 12 (12) “…state”

There will be a private funeral at the Old State Capitol on Sunday, it will be streamed live.

Renters in Louisiana are on average facing rental rates that aren’t compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium looming they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

At 11 Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference announcing the first round of winners in the state’s Shot At A Million vaccine lottery.  The governor will also address increasing COVID case numbers in the state and discuss the Delta variant. On Thursday the state reported just over 1,500 new cases and 504 hospitalizations.