7:30 LRN Newscast October 2nd

Data released out of LSU shows the motor vehicle crash fatality rate in 2019 reached an all-time low as there was a decrease of 46 fatalities from 2018 to 2019. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says the number of motor vehicle crashes has remained the same, but vehicles are built safer and fewer people are drinking and driving…
cut 12 (11) “….previous years”
But Freeman says fatalities as a result of distracted driving are on the rise.

It sure feels like Fall outside today, but many fall festivals have been canceled because of COVID-19. The hope is that Mardi Gras celebrations will not be impacted next year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hopeful…
cut 15 (08) “….I’m cautiously optimistic”
The state reported 608 more COVID-19 cases yesterday bringing the state’s total to 166-thousand. The death toll increased by eight to 5,329.

The Louisiana House meets this morning and they are expected to vote on several different measures that seek to reduce the governor’s authority when issuing emergency orders. On the agenda is House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s resolution that would overturn John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus orders for a month after the Special Session ends. Edwards says those orders are saving lives and not up for debate…
cut 8 (11) “….in place” (3X)

Lawmakers have also complained about a 24-million dollar emergency rental assistance program that’s only distributed about 400-thousand dollars to help tenants get caught up on rent. Louisiana Housing Corporation Director Keith Cunningham says they’ve reduced the application length and allowing electronic signatures…
cut 5 (10) “…has beeN”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was limited at practice for a second straight day as he tries to return to the field this Sunday when New Orleans visits the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Drew Brees says Thomas is moving around well…
cut 18 (20) “…from there”
Cornerback Janoris Jenkins was also limited at practice yesterday with a shoulder injury. While defensive end Marcus Davenport, cornerback Marshon Lattimore, tight end Jared Cook and Andrus Peat all missed practice with injuries.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says starting left tackle Dare Rosenthal will be a game-time decision for Saturday night’s game at Vanderbilt.

Louisiana Tech is at 22nd ranked BYU tonight in a matchup of two teams who are trying to go 3-0 on the season. The Cougars own two blowout victories over Navy and Troy and they are averaging 622 total yards of offense. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says BYU can move the ball by running it or passing it
cut 16 (14) “..right now”
And on defense, the Cougars are allowing just five points a game. Kick-off is at 8 PM on ESPN Two.

And then tomorrow in Monroe, ULM will host Georgia Southern. The Eagles are a run option team and the Warhawks have allowed 788 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns in three games. Kick=off is at six o’clock in Malone Stadium.

The Ragin Cajuns-Appalachian State game scheduled for Wednesday has been postponed because of a COVID outbreak involving the App State football program.

6:30 LRN Newscast October 2

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports the highway fatality rate dropped to a record low in 2019. Executive Director Lisa Freeman says based on data from the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, 727 people died on Louisiana highways in 2019, a decrease of 46 fatalities from 2018, reversing a five-year trend…
cut 10 (08) “…incredible news”

A new report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicates 38% of Louisiana hotel jobs have been lost because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the job losses could have been worse.
Cut 13 (09) “…around the state.”
The Lt. Governor’s office says statewide leisure and hospitality jobs have improved by 44-percent since record lows in April.

The 24 million dollar emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined with the hope of getting more money out to struggling low-income renters, and faster…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

4:45 LRN Sportscast October 1

Tonight the high school football season starts as teams embark on an eight-game regular-season schedule and then a five-week postseason that will be completed with the Prep Classic December 26th-28th.

Today at the State Capitol, The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. The association’s executive director Eddie Bonine told the panel he is okay with lawmakers on the executive board, he just doesn’t think a law is needed.
Cut 11 (11) “…and Speaker.”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration.

Assistant State Public Health Officer, Dr. Alex Billioux’s last day with the department is tomorrow. Billioux, who’s been overseeing the state’s coronavirus response, tells The Advocate that football games drawing thousands of fans could lead to “three to five deaths per week.”

The Ragin Cajuns’ game against Appalachian State next Wednesday has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing within the Mountaineers football program. The two schools hope to play the game December 4th or 5th. As the schedule calls for now, the Cajuns do not have another game until October 17th, unless they find an opponent on October 10th.

ULM is still in search of its first win and the Warhawks host Georgia Southern on Saturday to complete a three-game homestand. All three of the Warhawks losses have been by double digits. Coach Matt Viator knows his team is better than this
cut 16 (20) “…disappointing”
Kick-off on Saturday is at 6 PM.

LRN PM Newscall October 1

A House committee advances a resolution by the House Speaker that would suspend all COVID public health orders by the Governor for 30 days after the special session ends. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

A bill is advancing that would require four members of the state legislature to sit on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive board. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Don’t let the fall weather fool you. Hurricane season is not over. State climatologist Barry Keim says it’s too early to let your guard down because the history books reflect that storms can make a Louisiana landfall in October.

Cut 3 (10)  “…of the month.”  

The records date back to 1851.

While many of the state’s October landfalls may be frontloaded, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31.  Keim says it may not have been the most powerful hurricane, but its stationary nature pummeled south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…end of October.”

Juan is the latest into a season that a hurricane has made landfall in Louisiana.  Keim says that means no storm has made a Louisiana landfall in the last month of hurricane season.

Cut 5 (08) “…are not zero.”

_________________

A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says his resolution would eliminate all COVID public health restrictions established by the Governor, and give the Legislature time to craft their own.

Cut 6 (04) “…better”

The session is expected to end in late October.

Much of the discussion at the committee centered on the damage done to businesses by the ongoing orders. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says the restrictions exacerbated Laura’s economic hit…

Cut 7 (09) “…punch.”

The Governor has called previous attempts to suspend the order irresponsible and says they would lead to an immediate loss of a substantial amount of federal funding under the Stafford Act.

Haughton Representative Doddie Horton says the orders infringe on resident’s liberty and need to be eliminated quickly. She says that starts with the mask mandate in schools.

Cut 8 (11) “…face.”

The resolution moves to the House floor.

______________________________________

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says this will help keep lawmakers more informed on issues involving high school sports

Cut 9 (09) “…institutions.”

Cathey says during the summer when the LHSAA was trying to figure out how to play high school football during a pandemic, his phone was blowing up about the possibility that the season would be canceled…

Cut 10 (10) “…lit up.”

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine told the panel he communicates with several legislators already and is okay with lawmakers on the executive board, he just doesn’t think a law is needed

Cut 11 (11) “…and Speaker.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration.

______________________________________________________

Senator Karen Carter Peterson expresses her displeasure with a lack of spread mitigation efforts from fellow lawmakers.  Peterson slammed those lawmakers who were not using masks.

Cut 12 (10) “…other members’ health.”

Peterson highlights that mask usage it the top recommendation of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Cut 13 (13) “…we should do.”

Peterson says the Capitol should hold itself to a higher standard that places like Walmart and Whole Foods who mandate masks while inside.  Peterson adds it is imperative that lawmakers are setting an example for constituents.

Cut 14 (11) “…help me somebody.”

11:40 LRN Sportscast

Saturday was a tough day for the LSU secondary as the Tigers defense allowed Mississippi state Quarterback KJ Costello to throw for an SEC record 623 passing yards. On the other side of the ball, the Tigers gave up seven sacks. After reviewing the tape, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron on the Tigers line play, starting with the D-Line
cut 19 (20) “..better there’
And Orgeron says starting left tackle Dare Rosenthal is very questionable to play Saturday at Vanderbilt, after getting injured on the final drive of last Saturday’s game.

Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas returned to practice yesterday. He hopes to play this Sunday in Detroit.

The Ragin Cajuns football game scheduled for next Wednesday at Appalachian State has been postponed due to positive COVID-19 tests and contact tracing with the Mountaineers football program. The game will be played instead on either Friday, December fourth or Saturday, December fifth in Boone, North Carolina. The Cajuns next scheduled game is October 17th versus Coastal Carolina.

Meanwhile, ULM hosts Georgia Southern this Saturday, who lost last Saturday to the Cajuns by two points, 20-18. The Eagles run an option offense, but Warhawks Coach Matt Viator says they can throw the ball too…
cut 17 (16) “….as well”
Kick-off in Malone Stadium is at 6 PM. The Warhawks are 0-3, while Georgia Southern is 1-and-1.

9:30 LRN Newscast

The Senate unanimously approves legislation that will be heard in a House committee today requiring the Governor to consult with a ten-member legislative committee before extending emergency orders. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee will consider this legislation this morning. The Associated Press reports there are several House Republicans who believe this measure does not go far enough because it does not expand the legislature’s ability to override the governor’s decisions.

When the pandemic started in March, the governor shut down schools, many businesses and churches in order to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick has a bill that would prohibit a church leader from being sued or charged criminally for holding a church service during an emergency order…
cut 12 (03) “…this”
McCormick says the bill was in part inspired by the story of Central Pastor Tony Spell who was arrested and charged after holding services against state orders.

The Community of Foundation of Lake Charles is concerned that as we get further away from the landfall of Hurricane Laura that donations will continue to slow down. Foundation C-E-O Sara Judson says their goal is to raise at least 10-million dollars and they have a website where you can donate at…help-s-w-l-a-dot-org…
cut 9 (10) “…volunteers”

8:30 LRN Newscast October 1

A Denham Springs man is facing multiple sex crimes after he traveled from his home in Louisiana to have sex with an underage girl in Spring Hill, Florida. Hernando County Sheriff Detective Tom Cameron says 36-year-old Johnathan Lee Rossmoine actually lived in the girl’s closet for the last five weeks and the victim’s parents did not know…
cut 14 (10) “…of the closet”
Rossmoine was found when the victim’s mother saw something move in her daughter’s bedroom closet.

A House committee will take up a bill today by an Oil City Republican that aims to block the state from criminally charging a person for holding a religious service during a declared emergency. Representative Danny McCormick says the decision to close churches during the early stages of the pandemic was unconstitutional…
cut 10 (3) “…constitution”
Under current Phase 3 coroanvirus restrictions, maximum building capacity for places of worship is limited to 75-percent.

Relief groups in southwest Louisiana still need donations to help hurricane victims get back into livable housing. Matt Doyle spoke to one group trying to make that happen…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center says there’s a high chance a tropical wave over the west-central Caribbean Sea will develop into a tropical depression in the Caribbean or possibly in the south-central-Gulf of Mexico over the next five days. This system would be named gamma if it strengthens into a tropical storm.

7:30 LRN Newscast October 1

A Denham Springs man is in a Florida jail after he’s found hiding in a teenager’s closet and authorities estimate he’d been living in that closet for over a month. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana’s Health Officer, Doctor Jimmy Guidry, told state lawmakers that he anticipates another spike of coronavirus once the flu season gets here. Guidry also believes this spike will be just as bad if not worse than what we saw in the spring.

A House committee will consider a bill today that would prevent criminal charges against a person who holds a religious service during a declared public emergency. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the bill was in part inspired by the story of Central Pastor Tony Spell who faces charges for holding large services against state orders…
cut 11 (10) “….liberty”
The legislation also provides for civil immunity.

The Community Foundation of Lake Charles is seeking to raise 10-million dollars to help with the Hurricane Laura recovery efforts. Foundation CEO Sara Judson says they’ve raised about half of that…
cut 8 (08) “…to help”
Judson says the donations they receive go to local relief organizations. She says if you would like to help go to help-swla-dot-org.

6:45 LRN Sportscast October 1

Saints All-pro receiver Michael Thomas was back at practice yesterday after missing the last two games with a high-ankle injury. Thomas was limited and so was cornerback Marshon Lattimore, because of a hamstring injury. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins, tight end Jared Cook and left guard Andrus Peat did not practice.

After giving up 37 points in a loss to Green Bay on Sunday, Saints Coach Sean Payton wants to see his defense play with more discipline. He says it was disappointing to see how they played the boot leg on Sunday night…
cut 18 (13) “…corrected”
Payton wore a paper mask during Sunday’s loss to Green Bay after getting fined for not wearing a mask in the previous game. The NFL is serious about this issue. They are reportedly looking to strip teams of draft picks and hand down suspensions if protocols are not followed.

LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says he expects All American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior will be able to play this Saturday at Vanderbilt after missing the season opener with an illness. Commodores Coach Derek Mason says Stingley’s return will be a big boost for the Tigers defense…
cut 20 (18) “…the field”
In other LSU injury news, Orgeron says starting left tackle Dare Rosenthal is very questionable. Coach O says Cameron Wire would start if Rosenthal can’t go.

Former LSU Tiger D-J LeMahieu’s two out, two strike RBI single in the ninth inning helped the Yankees defeat the Indians 10 to 9 last night. New York advances to the American League Division Series. So does Tampa Bay and Houston.