Governor Edwards unloaded on the 65 House lawmakers who signed a petition Friday ordering him to end the pandemic public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

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DOTD cuts the ribbon on the I-10 widening from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to Interstate 73 in Ascension Parish Parish today. Brooke Thorington has the story.

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A Pennington Biomedical Research survey shows pandemic lockdowns reduced mental health and increased weight gain around the world. Brooke Thorington has more.

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Governor John Bel Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition Friday ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders.

Edwards says the 65 Republicans who signed the petition have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging, killing 5,631 people in Louisiana

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The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week. Edwards never-the-less renewed Phase Three for another 30 days telling state residents that the restrictions are still in place.

Edwards appears set to challenge the petition in court…

Cut 5 (14) “…die”

Attorney General Jeff Landry believes the petition is constitutional and told House Republicans he would defend it in court.

Edwards repeated his warning that canceling the emergency would lead to a significant loss of federal emergency funding obtained through the Stafford Act…

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He also listed a number of other ways it would cripple the state’s pandemic response from blocking state agencies from coordinating with local governments to provide PPE to removing the National Guard’s ability to conduct local testing.

Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued the seven-day ban on COVID restrictions is reasonable and could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…

Cut 7 (09) “as well”

Stefanski says signing the petition was the only option left for lawmakers. He says the Governor rejected all compromise efforts to make the Legislature a partner in COVID policy.

Cut 8 (08) “…on that”

Senate President Page Cortez weighed in on why a similar petition was not circulated in the Upper Chamber. He said Senators were concerned that there wasn’t enough data to back up revoking the emergency and that the petition also prevents the Governor from reissuing orders should we have another spike in cases.

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Construction has officially finished on the 72 million dollar widening of Interstate Ten from Baton Rouge to Ascension Parish. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says it’s a major relief for folks living in the fast-growing region… 

Cut 9 (09) “time”

The project stretches 6.5 miles from Highland Road in Baton Rouge to LA 73 in Ascension Parish and included new bridges above Highland Road and at Bayou Manchac.  

Wilson says this is a big deal for anyone driving in or out of New Orleans and will shave an estimated 15 minutes off the standard commute through the region.  

Cut 10 (10) “…compensate”

The project took two years to complete and was the fasted design-build project in the history of the department.  

Wilson says while it’s not the biggest or most expensive project in recent history it will make life better for the roughly 100,000 drivers who travel through this corridor every day.  

Cut 11 (08) “that way”

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A Pennington Biomedical Research Center survey in April shows similar behaviors worldwide during the stay at home orders. Co-Head Researcher Dr. Emily Flannagan says they evaluated behavioral changes such as diet, physical activity, mental health, and sleep. Flannagan says respondents with increased anxiety noted a shift in sleep patterns.

Cut 12 (11) “numbers locally.”.

Flannagan says the survey indicated 25-percent of respondents indicated weight gain despite a similar increase of home-cooked meals.

Cut 13 (11) “snacking behaviors.”

The survey also showed a decrease in physical activity and an increase in sedentary lifestyles.

Flannagan says as the pandemic continues healthcare providers should monitor their patient’s behavioral changes either in person or virtually.

Cut 14 (11) “…time goes on”

More than 12-thousand participated in the study from more than 50 countries. The majority were from the US, with half from Louisiana.

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The Saints won their 15th straight game in the month of October as they held off Carolina 27-24 to improve to 4-2. Quarterback Drew Brees was efficient as he threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a rushing touchdown. Brees’ second TD pass came at the end of the first half to give New Orleans a 21-17 halftime lead

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The Saints were without their top two receivers as Michael Thomas missed another game due to injuries and Emmanuel was out after testing positive for COVID. But Marquez Callaway stepped up and caught eight passes, so did Alvin Kamara and Kamara added 83 rushing yards. Brees says they are finding different ways to win…

cut 16 (12) “do that”

Carolina Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played in his return to New Orleans as he threw for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He led Carolina on a potential game tying drive in the fourth quarter, but Marcus Davenport sacked him which led to a 65-yard field goal. Coach Sean Payton knows kicker Joey Slye has a strong leg…

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The Saints are 4-2, a half game back of Tampa Bay who beat the Raiders on Sunday. New Orleans is at Chicago next Sunday. The Bears visit the L-A Rams tonight.

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It was an impressive debut for freshman quarterback TJ Finley as he threw for 265 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score in a 52-24 win over South Carolina. Finley says he was well prepared heading into his first collegiate start…

cut 18 (25) ” very quick” 

The LSU running game complimented Finley as the Tigers rushed for 265 yards. Running back John Emery was impressed with Finley’s demeanor…

cut 19 (19) “so calm”‘

The defense gave up a few big plays, but showed improvement since the loss to Missouri. And Trey Palmer returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. Finley believes the win can turn their season around…

cut 20 (24) “together today”

NBA Hall of Famer and LSU Icon Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume as he has a new job with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office. Brooke Thorington has more

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Governor Edwards is mulling over a potential veto of legislation that would allow lawmakers to eliminate certain pandemic health restrictions. Matt Doyle has more

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NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal has to update his resume, as he’s now a Special Reserve Deputy with the St Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office.  Shaq dropped by the office while the boss was away at training and now Sheriff Becket Breaux is having to adjust his budget.

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Breaux has been good friends with the 7-foot-1 basketball icon and broadcaster, and their relationship inspired him to asked Shaq to join the team.

Cut 4 (10)   “…great team.”   

Breaux says despite Shaq’s busy schedule, he will be active with the department, helping to train and mentor staff via ZOOM. But Breaux will have to update a patrol unit for his newest hire.

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The Senate Judiciary Committee rejects a House approved bill that would bar the state from penalizing churches and church-goers for gathering for in-person services against state orders during an emergency.

The hearing led to an animated exchange between Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver and the bill’s author Oil City Representative Danny McCormick.

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The legislation was inspired by the arrest of Central Pastor Tony Spell for holding services against the ban on in-person religious gatherings. The bill would have also retroactively cleared his charges and other religious leaders who were penalized. His case is currently pending.

Tarver argued the ban did not violate constitutional protections on religious liberty because it allowed for virtual services. McCormick says virtual services are not the same…

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Tarver and McCormick made their final arguments as the bill failed on a 3-2 vote.

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The legislation cleared the House on a 66-24 vote, but it’s now dead for the session.

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Republican lawmakers await Governor Edwards’ decision on a potential veto of legislation they passed that would allow the Legislature to overturn parts of a public health emergency.

Edwards says he plans to talk to the bill’s author and legislative leaders, but he already has a blanket policy about efforts to undermine his emergency authority…

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If signed the legislation would allow, on a majority vote of the House and Senate, for specific public health restrictions to be eliminated while maintaining the rest of the emergency declaration.

Edwards says he will not surrender any authority to people whose approach he finds “totally unreasonable.”

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Edwards says he needs every tool available to make sure that more people don’t die from this virus than is necessary.

Cut 11 (08) “…Louisiana.”

Should Edwards veto this legislation, the House could have a majority of its members sign a petition that would end the public health emergency, triggering a likely court battle.

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Constitutional Amendment Four on the November 3rd ballot asks voters if the state should create a new state budget spending limit. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says the state already has a spending limit..

Cut 12 (04) “ …expenditures are” 

Scott says opponents say the amendment will not ensure a more efficient government, but supporters say it will stabilize the state’s budget, which saw large deficits during Edwards’ first term in office…

Cut 13 (09) “…long-term”