State lawmakers have called themselves into a special session to debate the governor’s coronavirus restrictions, the unemployment trust fund and Hurricane Laura recovery. Jim Shannon has more from the House Speaker…

Cut 1 (29) “…Jim Shannon”  

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The Main Street Recovery Grant program has obligated more than half of its 275 million dollar fund so far. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Louisiana lawmakers will start a special session on Monday to address the state’s unemployment trust fund that’s running out of money, to discuss Hurricane Laura recovery efforts and debate the governor’s coronavirus executive orders. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says many legislators are concerned with the ongoing COVID restrictions on businesses..

Cut 3 (10)  “…voice in it”  

Edwards says he’s relied on public health experts and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to guide the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. He says there’s evidence the measures they’ve taken are working. But Schexnayder says they are not working for everyone.

Cut 4 (10)“ …that are not” 

Schexnayder says the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund is another major priority. He says in March the fund had one-point-one billion dollars, but now has less than 100-million dollars and when it runs out of money, a higher payroll tax on businesses will kick in…

Cut 5 (11)  “on them ”

The special session will last 30 days and lawmakers can file and consider bills on 70 items.

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The Louisiana Law Enforcement Association says once all of the facts come out, four Shreveport police officers indicted for negligent homicide in the death of a mentally disturbed man will be exonerated. A grand jury handed down the indictments last week and L-L-E-A director Chris Stewart says Caddo District Attorney James Stewart has mismanaged the case

Cut 6 (06)  “…at all”  

James Stewart says 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen’s death in April could have been prevented. There’s video evidence of officers wrestling, hitting and tazing McGlothen, who was then left in the back of a police cruiser for 48-minutes, largely unsupervised. Chris Stewart says the public has an incomplete picture of what happened

Cut 7 (08)“ …right now” 

Because the case has yet to go to trial, Chris Stewart says he can’t provide specific reasons on why the officers will be exonerated, but he’s confident that will be the outcome

Cut 8 (04)  “…vindicated” 

The four officers facing charges are 28-year-old Treona McCarter, 27-year-old Brian Matthew Ross, 27-year-old James LeClare and 25-year-old D’Marea Johnson.

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More than 170 million dollars in Main Street Recovery Grants have been obligated so far from the small business assistance program’s 275-million-dollar fund. 

State Treasurer John Schroder says within that 275-million-dollar program was a promise to dedicate at least 40 million to women, minority, and veteran owned businesses. They’ve hit that mark, and… 

Cut 9 (05) “…dollars”

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are headquartered in Louisiana, and who suffered economic losses due to COVID can apply for grants worth up to 15,000 dollars. The average payout per business so far has been over 10,000 dollars.  

There’s some discussion that funds from the program should be reallocated to the dwindling unemployment trust fund, but Schroder believes they’re set to give away the entire pot by the November 4th deadline. 

Cut 10 (08) “…the money”

While 170 million has been obligated to eligible businesses, only about 40 million has been sent out so far.  

Schroder says it’s not too late for your business to apply for the free cash… 

Cut 11 (05) “…thousand”

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Has father time finally caught up to 41-year-old Saints QB Drew Brees? Through two games the legend has looked off, missing throws he used to nail with ease and barely pushing the ball down the field. When asked point-blank about that narrative Brees responded…

Cut 12 (08) “…us win”

Brees passed for 312 yards and one TD with one pick in last night’s 34-24 loss to the Raiders. He had 160 and two TDs in last week’s 34-23 win over the Bucs.

Brees’ “air yards”, the distance his average pass travels before being caught, sits at just 4.8. That’s the lowest of his career through the first two games of a season. Brees says he’s just going to the open man…

Cut 13 (06) “…do it.”

That 4.8 air yards per pass is the lowest of any QB through two games since Brett Favre in 2009. Favre would go on to bounce back and make it to the NFC Championship game, losing to the Saints.

The offense has looked troubled through two games, but Brees says they’ll get the usually prolific outfit back on track…

Cut 14 (05) “…close”  (2x)

According to Football Outsiders, the team’s offensive efficiency rating through two games ranks 12^th.

Beginning today you can visit your loved ones in veterans homes. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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President Trump says he’ll name a replacement for the recently departed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Saturday, and called for a vote before the November 3^rd election. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle” 

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LSU announces an all-time enrollment record of 34,290 students. Jeff Palermo reports the university is also celebrating a more diverse student body…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Louisiana veterans homes will begin allowing in-person visits today for the first time since the pandemic began.

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick says everyone entering the facilities will be required to mask up and get screened just like the staff does every morning…

Cut 4 (11)“ …given one” 

Homes included in the initial visitation program are in Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, and Jennings, and the program will only be allowed at facilities that have not had a staff member or resident test positive for 14 days.

For at least the next 28 days visitations will have to happen outdoors and visitors will have to stay six feet away from their loved ones. Patrick says it will likely take place on the spacious patios…

Cut 5 (10)  “areas.”

Patrick says visitations will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 AM and 1 to 4 PM, and visitors must call the home to set up a reservation.

Cut 6 (08) “…done.”

The protocol was designed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the CDC.

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President Trump says he will name a replacement for recently deceased Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Friday or Saturday.

The declaration has sparked a firestorm with the Presidential Election just over 40 days away but  ULM Poli Sci Professor John Sutherlin says he expects that nominee won’t be confirmed before November 3^rd…

Cut 7 (12) “…issue.”

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says the upper chamber will move to confirm before the inauguration next year. That’s caused Democrats to cry foul over precedent Senate Republicans set when they blocked President Obama’s nominee in 2016.

Sutherlin says the next justice will almost certainly have to be a woman, and New Orleans native and Federal Appellate Judge Amy Coney Barrett appears to be at the top of the shortlist.

Cut 8 (07) “…judge”

Fox News reports that Mr. Trump has met with Barrett.

The 48-year-old Barrett is a protégée of former Justice Antonin Scalia, and a graduate of Dominican High in New Orleans, and Notre Dame Law School. She was named to the Appellate Court by President Trump in 2017.

A replacement judge for Ginsburg would likely shift the High Court’s balance on issues like the Affordable Care Act and abortion. Sutherlin says Barrett is clear on one of them…

Cut 9 (07) “…Wade”

Democratic leaders have signaled that they’re willing to pull out all the stops to halt the nomination process until after the inauguration, and even threatened to add new seats to the court if a Trump nominee is approved and Democrats win the upcoming election.

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The Saints had a double digit lead in Las Vegas on Monday night, but the Raiders got rolling in their new stadium and defeated New Orleans 34-24. For the second straight week the Saints offense couldn’t get into a  rhythm while the Raiders had the ball for 36-plus minutes. Coach Sean Payton says allowing the Raiders to convert 10-of-17 on third downs hurt

Cut 10 (12) “…as well.”

Raiders Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, while Saints Q-B Drew Brees threw for 312 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once at the end of the second quarter…

Cut 11 (12) “…in person.”

The Saints defense had trouble stopping Raiders tight end Darren Waller, who had 12 catches for 103 yards and one touchdown. Also New Orleans committed ten penalties for 129 yards. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they have a lot to fix before their next game on Sunday against Green Bay…

Cut 12 (12) “…these mistakes”

New Orleans hosts the 2-0 Packers on Sunday night. The Saints are 1-1.

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Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, LSU has set a record for enrollment at 34-thousand students and for the third-straight year, the school has broken a record for the largest and most diverse freshman class in university history. Interim President Tom Galligan says these gains speak to the reputation of LSU…

Cut 13 (12) “…wonderful, wonderful state”

Freshmen enrollment is a record 67-hundred students and Galligan says the freshman class is made up of 17-percent Black students, which is a record and Hispanic students in the freshman class is also a record at nine-percent…

Cut 14 (10) “…welcoming environment.”

LSU has also broken records for retention rate as the first to third-year retention is 75-percent.

LSU has received criticism for its holistic admission approach, which considers a student’s background, the rigor of curriculum they took in high school and life circumstances. Some say the school has lowered its standards, but Galligan says the quality of student entering LSU has not wavered…

Cut 15 (09) “…admissions.”

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Junior Quarterback Myles Brennan will begin the difficult task on Saturday in trying to follow the footsteps of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. Brennan will be the starting QB for the reigning national champs when they host Mississippi State. Brennan has been waiting for his opportunity and Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s always believed in the Mississippi native…

Cut 16 (21) “…summertime” 

Burrow benefited by playing with fellow first round picks Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He also had Biletnikoff award winner Ja’Marr Chase. Brennan doesn’t have those weapons, but he will have the opportunity to connect with big tight end Arik Gilbert. Coach Ed Orgeron says Gilbert has drawn comparisons to former Detriot Lions receiver Calvin Johnson…

Cut 17 (20) “…Calvin Johnson” 

LSU’s offense set all kinds of passing records last season. Orgeron says for LSU to have an explosive passing attack again, Brennan needs to make smart decisions with the football…

Cut 18  (16) “…make plays” 

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ULM is off to an 0-2 start after losing to Texas State 38-17 last Saturday. Warhawks Quarterback Colby Suits threw for 377 yards in a loss, but Coach Matt Viator wants a more balanced attack and would like to get the ground game going

Cut 19  (22) “…football better”    

ULM running back Josh Johnson was held to just three yards a carry on 17 attempts last week. The Warhawks are home again this Saturday against UTEP. The Miners from Conference USA are two and one on the season as they have wins over Stephen F Austin and Abilene Christian, but were blown out by Texas. Viator on what UTEP likes to do on defense

cut 20 (13) “…home again”

State lawmakers could vote as early as today to call themselves into a special session. Jim Shannon on what legislators will consider…

Cut 1 (31) “…Jim Shannon”  

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Louisiana local governments are projected to lose an average of six percent of their expected revenue for the 2021 fiscal year. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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It appears likely that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a special session covering several different issues that would start next Monday.

The vote to enter the session is imminent, and LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will cover everything from Hurricane Laura to unemployment, but…

Cut 3 (07)  “…emergency.”  

Alford says a number of Republican lawmakers are not happy with the COVID restrictions still in place, including capacity limits, bar limitations, and the outright closure of some businesses.

A petition to roll back the public health emergency failed, and Alford says Legislative attempts to override the Governor’s order will be tough to pull off…

Cut 4 (06)“ …possible” 

Initially, it was thought an October special session would be called to allocate potential Congressional relief money, but Alford says those D.C. negotiations have stalled and lawmakers may have to return to Baton Rouge in December for another special session if those funds get passed.

Alford says even if Republicans manage to file an effort to override his public health emergency many lawmakers feel the issue will have to be settled in court.

Cut 5 (11)  “inherent ”

Alford says it is likely the session would begin September 28th and run 30 days.

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Pineville Police say one of its officers was shot last night in the leg behind a shopping center in what authorities are calling a police ambush. Deputy Chief of Pineville P-D Darrell Basco says the wounded officer heard two gunshots shortly after he exited his police cruiser

Cut 6 (08)  “…and released”  

Basco says the second shot hit the rear door of the police car. He says Crimestoppers has offered a five-thousand-dollar reward for information

Cut 7 (10)“ …the area” 

Basco says the officer was on routine patrol when the shooting occurred near the intersection of Military Highway and Donahue Ferry Road. He says they are not sure if this was a planned attack

Cut 8 (11)  “…right now.”

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Most of south Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Beta is expected to produce several inches of rain in the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain will be on and off for the new few days

Cut 9 (09) “…four days”

Keim says if you are tired of the hot weather there is some good news. He says the rainfall and cloud cover will hold down the high temperatures…

Cut 10 (11) “…low 80s”

Tropical Storm Beta is a slow mover and after making landfall in Texas, it’s expected to move northeast and the center of the storm will be in central Louisiana as a depression on Thursday morning.

Keim says as long as Beta doesn’t produce huge amounts of rain over a short period of time, Louisiana should be able to handle its rainfall

Cut 11 (11) “…accommodate rain ”

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Louisiana local governments are expected to see a 714 million-dollar decline in revenues for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years combined due to COVID and Laura.

Legislative Auditor economist Ed Seyler says local governments are heavily dependent on sales taxes which have seen major reductions due to mandatory business closures and mass layoffs…

Cut 12 (08) “…taxes”

For the 2021 fiscal year, the expected total revenue loss sits just under six percent for local governments statewide.

Hurricane ravaged Cameron and Calcasieu are expected to see a 17 and 10 percent drop in 2021 revenue respectively. Seyler says there’s a chance though that storm repair could soften the blow…

Cut 13 (08) “…jobs.”

Other parishes seeing the largest declines in fiscal year 2021 are Orleans at 13 percent, Jefferson and Natchitoches at eight percent, and St. John, St. Tammany, and Beauregard at six percent.

Seyler says the numbers were compiled by the Auditor’s office into a report you can find on their website. He says the numbers are troubling…

Cut 14 (07) “…Louisiana.”

An optimistic projection estimates a loss of only 523 million during those years, while a more pessimistic projection pegs it at 860 million.

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