Today is the first day of early voting and long lines have already been reported at polling sites. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says 201-thousand mail ballots have been requested and the deadline to do so is October 30th and they must be returned by the end of the day on November 2nd…
cut 6 (10) “…be counted”

So far the state has seen 495 reported cases of COVID in K-12 students and just over one-thousand cases among school staff since the school year began. There’s been a concern about school-based outbreaks causing major community spread, but Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that hasn’t been the case.
Cut 10 (08) “…feared.”
Kanter credits teachers for keeping their classrooms safe.

Governor Edwards says he refuses to acquiesce to the vast majority of House-backed legislative efforts that aim to limit his broad authority to order public health restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Fair Wayne Bryant has been released from Angola after serving 24 years of a life sentence for stealing a pair of hedge clippers. The 63-year-old Bryant received the life sentence under the state’s habitual offender law. The state’s parole board granted his release after the Chief Justice for the Louisiana Supreme Court called Bryant’s life sentence grossly disproportionate to the crime.

Early voting has started in Louisiana and it will run until October 27th, excluding Sunday and the polls will be open 8 AM to 7 PM. Over 200-thousand mail ballots have been requested. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says if you have an underlying health condition you can request a mail ballot at your local election office, along with other reasons…
cut 5 (12) “….absentee ballot’
The deadline to request a ballot by mail is October 30th.

The special session ends October 27th and it sounds like Governor Edwards will have his veto pen ready for any bill that hits his desk that seeks to limit his authority for issuing public emergency orders…
Cut 7 (08) “to”
Republican legislators believe they should have input on orders that last over 30 days.

Dire predictions of K-12 school reopenings resulting in the mass transmission of coronavirus have not come true so far. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

WWL-TV in New Orleans reports another student in Jefferson Parish was suspended for handling a BB gun during virtual learning. The father of Timothy Brown in Grand Isle says his 11-year-old son was suspended for three days because he showed off a BB during virtual class. State lawmakers are working on legislation after a fourth-grader was suspended six days for a similar incident.

Early voting begins today for the November third election and turnout is expected to be record-breaking. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says preparation is key
Cut 1 (32) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”

Family members for Ronald Greene watched the body camera video of the encounter he had with State Police troopers in May 2019 that’s now the subject of a federal civil rights investigation. Greene, a black man from West Monroe died in police custody. An attorney for the Greene family says the footage shows troopers choking and beating him.

There are twelve days left in the special session where Republican lawmakers are attempting to pass legislation that would reduce a governor’s authority when imposing restrictions during a public emergency. During a Thursday afternoon press conference, Governor John Bel Edwards reiterated that he feels the special session aimed at attacking his authority is unwarranted…
cut 8 (08) “…irrresponsible”
Republican House Members are waiting to see if the Senate will approve a resolution that would overturn the governor’s emergency order. It’s already passed the lower chamber.

A cold front is moving through the state and it will keep our high temperatures in the 60s today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will also help keep tropical storms away…
cut 14 (09) “…gulf”
The National Hurricane Center is watching a broad area of low pressure in the southwestern Carribbean Sea, but it has a low chance of development.

Early voting begins today in Louisiana and wraps up October 27th. You can’t vote Sundays, but Monday through Saturday polls open at 8 am and close at 7 pm. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says don’t assume the worst when you see a long line.
Cut 4 (11) “…be discouraged”
Ardoin says 201-thousand mail ballots have been requested statewide. The deadline to request a ballot by mail is October 30th and the mail ballot must be received by the end of the day on November second.

A cold front is moving through the state and that will keep our high temperatures in the upper 60s today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we’ll have fantastic weather this weekend.
Cut 13 (10) “offer.”

Governor Edwards says he refuses to acquiesce to the vast majority of House-backed legislative efforts that aim to limit his broad authority to order public health restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would allow the Senate and House Health Committees strike down COVID public health restrictions that limit in-person visitation at nursing homes. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle”

Early voting begins tomorrow for the November third presidential election. It will continue through Tuesday, October 27th, excluding Sundays. Early voting will take place at your parish registrar of voters’ office or other designated locations from 8 AM to 7 PM.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell thinks LSU’s Tiger Stadium would be a great place for Saints home games because she says there’s no way given the current conditions with COVID that she can allow 20-thousand fans in the Superdome…
cut 14 (11) “…in game day”
The Saints have talked with LSU about playing their home games at Tiger Stadium so they have fans in the stands.

The Public Service Commission votes unanimously to allow Claiborne Electric and Northeast Louisiana Power to use federal grants and low-interest loans to provide high-speed internet from Webster Parish eastward to the Mississippi River. Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a necessity for economic development.
Cut 10 (12) “…..part of the country”
Campbell predicts it will take 15 months to provide high-speed internet to the area.

The average composite ACT score for graduating seniors in Louisiana continues to fall. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The LSU Board of Supervisors has finally announced the creation of a search committee to select the university’s new president. Thomas Galligan, dean of LSU’s law school, has served as the interim president since January 1st. Galligan says he’ll apply for the job and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne could be a candidate too.

An AARP report finds that nearly four in ten Louisiana nursing home residents suffered from staff shortages during a four week period from August to September. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says the COVID positive infection rate for staff during that period is two-point-six for every 100 workers, which correlates with another disturbing trend, the lack of adequate PPE…
cut 8 (10) “….from coronavirus”

The Louisiana House has approved a measure that would give a child the ability to take medical marijuana while at school. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is the author of the bill and says the treatment must be delivered by the parents to the school nurse and administered only by authorized school personnel…
cut 5 (09) “…campus”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.