Shells’ Convent refinery will close by the end of the month. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards extends the current Phase Three pandemic public health restrictions until December 4th.
This comes as opponents are challenging the orders in court. Edwards says it’s vital we continue to keep our caseloads down as the rest of the country experiences explosive increases.
Cut 10 (08) “…progress.”

Eyes are once again on the tropics as Tropical Depression* Eta is expected to move into the Western Caribbean after punishing Central America and re-intensity into a Tropical Storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Eta is predicted to track northeastward and cross Cuba on Sunday, then the National Hurricane Center has it tracking northwestward back into the Gulf of Mexico.
Cut 14 (06) “… is 2020″

The Saints will battle the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday night in a game that will go a long way towards deciding who will win the NFC South. New Orleans Quarterback Drew Brees.
cut 17 (14) the ball”

US Senator and physician, Bill Cassidy says currently there are four active COVID-19 vaccine trials going forward, Cassidy anticipates a vaccine will be approved by the end of the year or first of January and begin distribution.
Cut 4 (08) “…and effective”

Shell announces it will shutter its Convent refinery by the end of the month, laying off 700 workers and costing the St. James Parish government an estimated 24 million dollars a year in tax revenue.
The facility has been around since 1967 and accounts for an estimated 27 percent of local tax revenues. Parish President Pete Dufrense (Doo-Fren) says the hit to services will be substantial.
Cut 7 (11) “..first”
The closure will cost
Governor Edwards has extended the public health emergency order into December as the nation records record-breaking numbers of new cases. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

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”  

Marshall Waters a Mangham Police officer died this morning after being shot in the line of duty October 17^th. Police Chief Perry Fleming says Waters was shot during a routine traffic stop.

Cut 11 (06) “…armed robbery”

A nutria bounty bill is heading to the President’s desk.  South Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves serves on the US House Natural Resources Committee and sponsored the bill to combat the spread of the invasive species.  Graves says he’s been working on the legislation for about a year and half.

Cut 3 (11)  “…dollars a year”  

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”

To donate you can visit United Way of Southwest Louisiana or text the word TURKEY to 40403.

Governor John Bel Edwards extended Phase Three Orders today until December 4^th. Edwards said cases had plateaued, but they are beginning to trend upwards and that could change quickly for the worse as the holiday season approaches. He urged citizens to rethink gatherings to avoid spreading COVID.

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”  

A part-time Mangham police officer shot in the line of duty last month has died from his injuries. Marshall Waters was shot October 17^th 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”

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

Cut 14 (10) “..right” 

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”  

_______________________________________

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”  

_____________________________

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.

____________________________________________________

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

___________________________________________

A part-time Mangham police officer shot in the line of duty last month has died from his injuries. Marshall Waters was shot October 17^th 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.

___________________________________________

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” 

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”  

Marshall Waters a Mangham Police officer died this morning after being shot in the line of duty October 17^th. Police Chief Perry Fleming says Waters was shot during a routine traffic stop.

Cut 11 (06) “…armed robbery”

More federal dollars are now available to keep nutria from damaging Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. Congressman Garret Graves, who sponsored the measure, says there will now be 12-million dollars available annually for the federal nutria bounty program. Graves says there used to be a huge nutria fur market, but that market disappeared allowing nutria to multiply.

cut 5  (10) “…nutria” 

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter has issued a Turkey Challenge after his city was struck with two hurricanes this year. Initially, Hunter asked local businesses to donate to the fundraiser to give turkeys to those in need thru the United Way of Southwest Louisiana, but now the challenge has taken flight.

Cut 7 (12) “…means a lot”

The Trump campaign has filed election lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Georgia. Matt Doyle has reaction from a local legal analyst…
Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry’s effort to block Governor Edwards from issuing new coronavirus restrictions has been denied by a Baton Rouge judge. Landry believes Edwards should comply with a petition signed by Louisiana House Republicans that cancels the virus restrictions. A full hearing on the issue will take place on November 12th.

A nutria bounty bill is heading to the President’s desk.  South Louisiana Congressman Garret Graves serves on the US House Natural Resources Committee and sponsored the bill to combat the spread of the invasive species.  Graves says he’s been working on the legislation for about a year and a half.

Cut 3 (11)  “…167-thousand”  

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 who are struggling with hurricane recovery and bring some cheer.

Cut 6 (10) “…people need”

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

With former Vice President Joe Biden on the verge of winning the presidential election, the Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in three states where mail-in ballots are still being counted. The President is raising concerns with the ballot counting process in Wisconsin, Michigan, and Georgia, but Tulane Law Professor Stephen Griffin says unless there’s a clear violation, they don’t have a case…

Cut 5 (10) “…lawsuit”

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon warns this year’s incredibly active hurricane season will result in home insurance price increases of up to ten percent. Donelon says the last devastating season in 2005 resulted in a percent increase in 2006. Donelon says unfortunately there was no avoiding the increases given the scale of the damage.

Cut 14 (09) “… years ago” 

The 2020 football season for several schools was in jeopardy after reports of myocarditis linked to COVID-19. But an LSU Health New Orleans study of reported data of cardiovascular pathological findings from patients in nine countries finds otherwise. Previous studies of larger rates of COVID attacking the heart were from MRI data only, not autopsies. Professor Richard Vander Heide says their study found rates between one and seven percent.

Cut 8 (09) “…in COVID”

A new group called Louisiana Women Lead is looking to recruit more conservative women to run for public office. Executive Director Renee Amar admits recruiting female candidates is difficult…

Cut 11 (11) “…running for office”

Two-point one million Louisiana voters turned out the vote for the 2020 Presidential election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is proud of his staff for their timely work. A key factor for prompt results in Louisiana was the ability to begin prepping a record number of absentee ballots in advance.

Cut 4 (11)   ” on the back   

And today is the last day to register to vote for the December 5^th runoff.

55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved the November 3rd ballot measure that legalizes sports wagering. Ryan Berni of Louisiana Wins says over 65-percent of the voters statewide voted for the legalization of sports betting and now it’s up to lawmakers and the gaming control board to approve the rules and regulations

Cut 10 (10) “…other states”

Luke Letlow and Lance Harris are set to face off on December 5^th for the 5^th Congressional District runoff. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Matt Doyle”  

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell won re-election, garnering 53-percent of the district five votes against challenger Shane Smiley. Campbell says if you want to win an election you have to returns phone calls.

Cut 15 (10) “…telephone calls” 

Two-point one million Louisiana voters cast ballots in the 2020 Presidential election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and staff are now preparing for the December 5^th runoff for the 5^th congressional district, a constitutional amendment on the ballot, and several others.

Cut 5 (11) “…DA runoffs” 

And today is the last day to register to vote for the December 5^th runoff.

55 of the state’s 64 parishes approved the measure to legalize sports wagering. Ryan Berni of Louisiana Wins says the legislature will develop a framework for sports wagering in the 2021 session. He says it’s likely the state’s casinos will have sports betting parlors, but it’s also important to have the option to bet on your phone in parishes that approved the proposition.

Cut 11 (09) “…the market”

Two Republicans are prepping for a month-long sprint to the finish line in the 5^th Congressional District runoff, a seat that came open earlier this year after Congressman Ralph Abraham retired. Abraham’s former chief of staff Luke Letlow is the early favorite due to his fundraising prowess. He says he’s going to keep up his barnstorming across the northeast, Cenla, and Florida Parishes.

Cut 6 (08) “…people”

Letlow, secured 33 percent of the vote Tuesday. His opponent Alexandria State Representative Lance Harris nabbed just under 17 percent of the vote, 456 more votes than the third-place candidate, and Democrat Sandra Christophe.

Harris will be a formidable challenger. He’s the former Republican Majority leader in the State House and a businessman. He says voters will connect with his life experience and conservative record.

Cut 8 (11) “..right”