For the third straight year, the state’s average ACT composite score has fallen. Louisiana’s Class of 2020 composite score is 18.7 out of a possible 36. That’s down from 18.9 last year and 19.3 in 2018. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says reversing this trend is a priority…
cut 11 (07) “….scholarship”
The minimum score to receive the TOPS Opportunity Award is 20.

AARP releases a COVID-19 Nursing Home Dashboard showing the positivity rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana for August 24th thru September 20th at 2-point-7 cases per 100 residents. AARP State Director Denise Botcher…
Cut 7 (11) “across Louisiana”
The data also shows point six percent of all nursing home residents in Louisiana died of COVID during that roughly one month time period.

No LSU game Saturday because of a COVID outbreak involving the Florida football team. The game has been postponed until December 12th. The 21st ranked Cajuns suffered their first loss of the season as they lost to Coastal Carolina 30-27 on a last-second field goal last night.

New Orleans was awarded the 2024 Super Bowl, but the city will host the big game in 2025 instead because the date for the 2024 game would interfere with the Carnival season as the NFL will soon expand its regular season to 17 games. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says holding both events simultaneously would be impossible…
cut 14 (11) “…and a Mardi Gras”

Saturday’s LSU-Florida game has been postponed because of a coroanvirus outbreak involving the Gators. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin says 21 members of the Gator football program have tested positive. Earlier today on the SEC Coaches teleconference, Coach Dan Mullen says two of his assistants tested positive…
cut 10 (09) “…asymptomatic”
The game has been rescheduled for December 12th in Gainesville.

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish received when he moved a BB gun during a virtual class. Harrison initially faced expulsion and Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his legislation will ensure due process
Cut 3 (10) “…necessary”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would give religious leaders immunity from fines, penalties, and prosecution for assembling a religious service during a publicly declared emergency. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says religious institutions should remain open during emergencies because they provide more than just spiritual support…
Cut 14 (10) “…situation”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a measure that would allow clergy vists at hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities during the current pandemic or future public health emergencies. Minden Senator Robert Mills on he got involved in this issue…
cut 7(12) “…got involved”
The Senate voted 34-to-nothing for the measure and it now heads to the House.

LSU is scheduled to visit 10th ranked Florida on Saturday, but the game might not be played, because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the players and two assistant coaches. Gators Coach Dan Mullen says they’ve paused all football activities…
cut 9 (11) “..as possible”
If the Tigers do not play, it will give them some more time to work on fixing their defense that’s led to their first 1-and-2 start since 1994. LSU senior defensive end Glen Logan says they are getting back to the fundamentals…
cut 19 (08) “…brand of football”
Meanwhile, on offense, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron said Quarterback Myles Brennan is doubtful with a shoulder injury.

Two undefeated teams meet tonight in Lafayette as the 21st ranked Cajuns host Coastal Carolina in a big Sun Belt tilt on ESPN. The Cajuns are second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, but Coastal leads the league in scoring, averaging 44 points a game. Coach Billy Napier says their quarterback Grayson McCall is impressive…
cut 16 (16) “that way”

And Saints Coach Sean Payton says he wouldn’t have an issue with playing home games at Tiger Stadium if fans are not allowed in the Dome…
cut 30 (17) “…embrace it”

The Saints say they have met with LSU officials about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has been unwilling to allow partial fan attendance at games in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints are getting frustrated as many other NFL teams can have fans at their games
Cut 13 (11) “safely.”
Coach Sean Payton says the possibility of having games at Tiger Stadium is exciting.

An NFIB survey indicates that one in five small businesses warn of layoffs in the next six months. Louisiana specific data is unavailable, but State Director Dawn Starns says she is getting similar feedback from small businesses struggling due to the COVID-19 pandemic
Cut 7 (10) “form of PPP”

The Ka’ Mauri Harrison Act has received approval in the Louisiana House. It’s in response to a nine-year-old in Jefferson Parish who was suspended for six days after moving a BB gun in his room during a virtual class. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his measure would allow students to appeal suspensions to the school board and it requires all 69 school districts to develop discipline policies for online learning…
cut 4 (06) “…move forward”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The leader of the House Democratic Caucus says Democrats might support Senate Bill 29 which provides legislative oversight when a governor extends an emergency for more than 30 days. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins…
cut 12 (10) “….on”
The bill is pushed by Conservative Republicans who are upset with the governor’s coronavirus restrictions on businesses.

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension of a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish because he moved a BB gun in his bedroom during virtual class instruction. Harrison initially faced expulsion and Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his legislation will ensure due process…
cut 3 (10) “…necessary”
The measure still needs full senate support.

The NFIB says based on a survey of its members, one in five small businesses may have to layoff employees in the next six months. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses need additional financial assistance as consumer confidence remains low…
cut 8 (10) “….right now”

House Democrats gathered outside the Capitol yesterday to vent their frustrations with Republican legislative efforts to undermine the Governor’s public health authority….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Saints are frustrated New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has not allowed fans to enter the Superdome for games and they’ve discussed with LSU about playing home games in Tiger Stadium. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic…
cut 14 (09) “…Tiger Stadium”

The Saints are exploring the possibility of playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since they are not allowed to have fans at the Superdome. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU’s scheduled game versus Florida on Saturday could be postponed because of a COVID outbreak involving Gator football players. Florida has paused football activities and plans to reevaluate the situation today. And tonight there’s a big game in Lafayette as the 21st ranked Cajuns host Coastal Carolina.

The NFIB says based on a survey of its members, one in five small businesses anticipate laying off employees in the next six months. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says bars and restaurants have been the hardest hit during the pandemic along with entertainment venues…
cut 9 (10) “….to be”
The state Senate has approved a bill that would provide restaurants and bars with a one-time refundable income tax credit. The measure still needs House approval.

Meanwhile, House Democrats are upset a bill to increase the maximum state unemployment benefit from 247 to 347 dollars a week was killed in a House committee. New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman…
cut 11 (09) “…in our state”

The Saints are looking at playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since New Orleans has yet to allow partial attendance at NFL games in the Superdome. The Saints have requested that the city allow ticketed fans to occupy 25-percent of the Dome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic expects an agreement will be reached with the city, but it might not be 25-percent…
cut 15 (08) “…for the money”
The Saints next home game is October 25th.

Early voting for the November election begins Friday. Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election but did not appear at a candidate forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club. Baton Rouge Activist Antoine Pierce criticized Cassidy for voting on a tax giveaway for the rich..
cut 5 (10) “…job”
In Cassidy’s latest TV ad, he says he voted to cut taxes so businesses can grow and create more and better jobs”

An NFIB survey indicates that 20-percent of small businesses are in danger of laying off employees in the next six months. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison bill. The legislation was inspired by the six-day suspension of a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish because he moved a BB gun in his bedroom during virtual class instruction. The legislation expands the appeal rights of students and their families in school discipline cases.