Amendment One on the statewide ballot declares there is no right to or funding of an Abortion to be added to the state constitution. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (32) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”

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It’s a stressful time to be alive and Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for anyone who is struggling to deal with the pressure…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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If you’ve had COVID but have now recovered studies indicate you might not be immune from getting it again. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Amendment One on the general election ballot, declaring there is no right to/or funding of an Abortion, allows the issue to go before the people. Should Roe v Wade be overturned, Louisiana’s Constitution has no language specifically addressing abortion. Public Affairs Research Council head Robert Travis Scott explains.

Cut 4 (10) “…of abortions”

Lawmakers approved Amendment One in 2019 to be added on the ballot. Scott says proponents of the Amendment want to eliminate any loopholes that would allow women the choice to terminate their pregnancy.

Cut 5 (13) “…process section”

Amendment One has no exceptions for cases involving rape, incest, or the mother’s risk of death. Scott says until Roe V Wade is overturned, Amendment 1, does not change anything immediately, however…

Cut 6 (06) “…some effect.”

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The Louisiana Department of Health wants you to roll up your sleeve and get your annual flu shot, especially this year, to reduce the strain on the healthcare system due to COVID-19. LDH flu expert Dr. Frank Welch says they are offering free flu shot clinics at locations around the state but this year the process is different.

Cut 7 (09) “a flu shot”

Welch expects a COVID-19 vaccination will be available to the public in the next four months and hosting a drive-up clinic for the flu is a test run.

Cut 8 (10) “…in the future.”

Welch says last year in Louisiana there were over 15-thousand hospitalizations for the flu alone.

Cut 9 (06) “those hsopitals”

Daily drive-up flu clinics are available this week in Bunkie, Jena, Colfax, Leesville, and Winnfield. They continue until November 20^th. For a list of locations go to LDH’s website. Participants are asked to bring their insurance cards and there is no charge for the flu shot.

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Stress levels are high in Louisiana as we’re seven months into a pandemic, recovering from two hurricanes, and in the middle of a heated election. Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter has a message for everyone out there struggling to cope with the pressure…

Cut 10 (10) “…abnormal.”

Kanter says  there are free resources available to Louisiana residents who need help. He says if you’re feeling stressed call the 24-hour Keep Calm Hotline.

Cut 11 (12) “somewhere”

The number is 1-800-310-7977. You can also text a helpline. To get in touch text reach out to 741-741.

Kanter says even if you don’t feel you need the help this information could be vital for someone you know who is going through a hard time.

Cut 12 (06) “before”.

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Studies show it looks like you can catch COVID-19 again after you’ve already been infected and recovered, but the chances of it happening are low. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Najy Masri says there are two possibilities on why some people may come down with the virus more than once.

Cut 13 (07) “issue.”

Masri says he’s treated a nurse that got infected, tested positive, got sick, recovered, tested negative, and then seven weeks later came back with symptoms and tested positive again.

Masri says while it is possible it doesn’t very common considering there are few documented examples and now 40 plus million cases worldwide. That being said if you get it once, don’t act like you’re invulnerable…

Cut 14 (10) “…exists”

Masri says the reality of reinfection will have an impact on vaccine development. One possibility is that you’ll need a booster shot, and the other possibility is…

Cut 15 (07) “…shot”

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Louisiana Tech suffered its first conference loss on Saturday as Marshall defeated the Bulldogs 35-17 at Joe Aillet Stadium. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz is proud of the way the defense competed, but their woes are on offense…

cut 16 (20) “end zone”

Tech was just 1-of-10 on third down opportunities and had just seven rushing yards on 24 carries. Holtz says that’s two straight poor performances on offense…

cut 17 (24)     move forward “

Tech’s defense also struggled getting off they field as Marshall converted 13 of 16 third down opportunities. Senior linebacker Trey Baldwin…

cut 18 (18) ” back on the field” 

LSU Student Body President Stone Cox sent a letter to Interim President Thomas Galligan, suggesting monthly COVID-19 testing for all students in order to move into Phase Three.

Cut 1 (30) “  I’m Taylor Sharp”  

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Voters wrapped around the State Archives Building for the first day of early voting. Matt Doyle spoke with a few of them as they waited in the chilly weather.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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LSU Student Body President Stone Cox has sent a letter to University Interim President Thomas Galligan suggesting that all students participate in mandatory monthly Covid-19 testing in order to move the school into phase 3.  Cox says that moving into phase 3 would be a big step in the right direction.

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What exactly would be allowed on campus if LSU moved into phase three? Cox says student-led organizations would find it beneficial

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Some students may be concerned about testing positive and having to quarantine but Cox says having larger events may be an incentive for students to get tested.

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Campaign finance reports indicate U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has raised as much money in the last quarter as his main Democratic challenger, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins. But overall, Cassidy’s war chest is much larger.  UL-Lafayette Poli-Sci Professor Pierson Cross says the numbers indicate Perkins is appealing to both state and national democrats.

Cut 6 (09) “uphill slope”

Cassidy raised $1.4 million July 1^st through Sept 30^th increasing his total to $10.67 million. Perkins raised $1.33 in the same period, after announcing his candidacy July 23^rd.

Cross says if Perkins can force Cassidy into a run-off, it greatly increases his chances of more campaign contributions.

Cut 7 (09) “…national recognition”

Perkins reports having 680-thousand dollars on hand, Cross says that’s not enough to make an impact.

Cut 8 (12) “…second-term”

Cassidy reported having $4.57 million on hand as of September 30^th, greatly outspending his opponents.

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It’s the first day of early voting and a long, socially distanced line wrapped around the State Archives Building in Baton Rouge as voters braved the chilly weather to cast Louisiana’s first votes in the November 3^rd election. A frequent early voter says when she first saw the long line she turned around but decided to come back…

Cut 9 (11) “do it”

Interest is high in the Presidential election and these voters say they’re eager to cast their ballot despite the wait and some of the pandemic hassle.

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Despite the wait, this voter says showing up to cast a ballot is certainly worth it.

Cut 11 (02) “…election”

Early voting ends October 27th and is available at select locations Monday through Saturdays from 8 AM to 7 PM.

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State legislators have approved a supplemental budget bill that contains 22-million dollars for 113 projects that some say is old-school pork-barrel legislation. HB 39 contains funding for lighthouse improvements in Madisonville, construction of a sports complex in Central, and other small-ticket items. Public Affairs Research Council head Robert Travis Scott says it’s disappointing…

Cut 12 (10) “…governments”

Other items included $500,000 for the Louisiana Leadership Institute, $639,000 for fire hydrants in Assumption Parish, and $500,000 for Opelousas parks.

Scott says the bill didn’t receive a public hearing and most lawmakers only had minutes to review it after it was presented on the House and Senate floor.

Cut 13 (12) “…projects”

The bill passed the Senate unanimously and cleared the House on a near-unanimous vote despite some concerns that lawmakers had no idea what was in the legislation. House Appropriations Chair Jerome Zeringue says those criticisms are not accurate and the bill funds crucial services.

Cut 14 (11) “…parishes”

Zeringue also highlighted the bill sends millions of dollars in funding to various entities to help them pay for their COVID response, and three million dollars to help address public defenders’ current budget woes.

Governor Edwards says he’ll take a look at the appropriations bill before signing it and he could use his line-item veto pen. Zeringue countered…

Cut 15 (08) “state”