Updated version of LRN AM Newscall August 14

LSU students will begin the first of ten days of move-in for on-campus residents Saturday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Governor Edwards says a final ruling on the new 300 dollar federally enhanced unemployment benefits is good news for Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A Louisiana doctor on the White House Coronavirus Task Force offers an optimistic outlook for what is on the horizon in the battle against COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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LSU will begin tomorrow its staggered move-in for students living on campus. LSU Residential Life spokesperson Catherine David (Dah-veed) says more than 7,000 students will settle into their new homes and given assigned days to do so.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…residents.”

Residence hall move-in will take place Saturday through Wednesday and on-campus apparent dwellers can move in from August 20th to 23rd. The first day of classes is August 24th.

Each student is allowed to bring two people to help them with the move in, and all students and their designated guests must get a wristband at the River Road staging area before entering.

Cut 5 (10)  “…wellness.”

LSU reports it is expecting to see an increase in enrollment for the fall semester despite the pandemic.

David says the standard COVID-era coronavirus spread mitigation policies will be in effect for the move in.

Cut 6 (08) “…check in.”

The wellness bag will contain an LSU branded mask and gaiter, hand sanitizer, and a Mike the Tiger stress ball.

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The new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly unemployment benefits will be available for jobless individuals in the next few weeks and will be retroactive to August 1st. Governor Edwards says new federal guidance allows for all Louisiana unemployment beneficiaries to collect the payment.

Cut 7 (12) “…1st”

The new benefits are a drop from the previous 600 dollar weekly payments and they are in addition to what the state provides.

The 300 dollar weekly boost is being funded by FEMA emergency relief funds. Edwards says that concerns him, but…

Cut 8 (05) “…good news.”

The disaster response fund has enough money to fund the program for roughly five to six weeks.

Edwards says the Louisiana Workforce Commission is working to make sure its distribution system is ready for the change from the former 600 dollar payments funded directly by Congress.

Cut 9 (11) “…necessary.”

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Deputy Chief of Staff for the Trump Administration and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force Dr. John Fleming is optimistic a COVID-19 vaccine could be approved in a couple of months. The former Congressman says several different vaccines could get FDA approval.

Cut 10 (10) “…6 to 8 months.”

Fleming says the timeline getting the entire nation inoculated could happen quickly once the vaccine is available.

Cut 11 (10) “…of 2021”

In addition to work on vaccines, Fleming says there are promising developments with the use of synthetic antibodies, a variety of treatments such as filtration of the blood to pull out the virus, and an oral anti-viral that can be taken at home for those battling the virus.

Cut 12 (06) “…we move forward.”

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US District Judge Martin Feldman is set to hear arguments in New Orleans today from 22 southeast Louisiana bar owners who are attempting to stop enforcement of Governor Edwards’ bar closure order. Similar challenges have not had much luck but legal analyst Tim Meche says this argument might be in front of the right judge.

Cut 13 (12) “…would be him.” 

Meche says the bar owners could be looking for success in finding the closure order unconstitutional when it closes down certain businesses while letting other types of businesses operate.

Cut 14 (08) “…necessary or good.”

Meche doubts bars will be reopened today as a result of the hearing.

Cut 15 (12) “…while at least.” 

4:45 LRN Sportscast August 13

The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition for football and other fall sports to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Tom Burnett says questions surrounding the long-term effects of the virus was a factor in their decision
Cut 3 (10) “…had COVID”
The league is giving schools the option of playing nonconference games in the fall, but McNeese, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State have decided to wait until the spring.

So that means the Ragin Cajuns season opener against McNeese has been canceled. U-L Lafayette has three openings on its schedule. Southeastern Louisiana will not play Tulane this year, but Houston Baptist says they remain committed to playing Louisiana Tech on September 19th.

The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13th will go on without any fans in attendance. Team President Dennis Lauscha says fanless games means the Black and Gold losses its dome field advantage.
Cut 8 (11) “…a big play.”
Lauscha is cautiously optimistic that fans will be allowed at games at some point during the season.

The Pelicans have been cautious with rookie Zion Williamson all season long and he will not play in tonight’s final game of the year. That means Williamson appeared in just 24 games during his first year in the NBA. But the number one pick says he does not have an issue with how the team handled his playing time. Williamson says he’ll look to make improvements on the court and in the weight room during the offseason.

3:30 LRN Newscast August 13

The Louisiana Health Department announced eleven-hundred new coronavirus cases today, bringing the state’s total to 135-thousand. But Governor Edwards says the percentage of tests that show a positive coronavirus case is decreasing
Cut 12 (12) “…on cases”

Shreveport Police released more details on yesterday’s shooting at St. Mary Medical Center. Chief Ben Raymond says 41-year-old Taniel Cole got into an argument with another person…
cut 9 (10) “…hospital”
Raymond says an innocent bystander ended up getting shot, but will be okay. Cole was arrested later in the day in Mississippi.

The Saints kick off the season on September 13th against Tampa Bay, but Who Dat Nation will not be in the Superdome. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There will be no football this fall for Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana, McNeese and Northwestern State. The Southland Conference announced today that they are postponing fall sports and will begin looking at playing in the spring. Meanwhile, the SEC, the Sun Belt, Conference USA and the American Atheltic Conference still plan on having a fall season.

LRN PM Newscall August 13

The Southland Conference joins other leagues in deciding to play football in the spring. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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The Saints kick off the season on September 13th against Tampa Bay, but Who Dat Nation will not be in the Superdome. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition for football and other fall sports to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Tom Burnett says questions surrounding the long-term effects of the virus was a factor in their decision

Cut 3 (10)  “…had COVID”  

The league is giving schools the option of playing nonconference games in the fall, but McNeese, Nicholls, Southeastern Louisiana and Northwestern State have decided to wait until the spring. Burnett says the plan is to play a conference schedule in 2021

Cut 4 (09)“ ..it will occur 

Football teams in the Southland have been holding workouts and the league held a virtual media day last month. Burnett says NCAA released a new set of health and safety requirements last week and that caught the attention of school leaders…

Cut 5 (06)  “…or not”

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The Saints announce no fans will be in the Superdome for the season opener versus Tampa Bay on September 13. Team President Dennis Lauscha says while Orleans Parish is doing better in reducing the spread of the virus, fans coming in from other areas are a concern.

Cut 6 (09) “…those numbers down.”

Lauscha says team officials have been working closely with health and safety experts, state and local authorities, and the NFL to outline a plan for the safest way to reintroduce fans to the Superdome.

Cut 7 (08) “…to our games.”

The fate of game attendance for other home games is currently unknown and will depend on the status of trends in virus spread.  Lauscha says the game-day production with fans in attendance is vital in maintaining dome field advantage.

Cut 8 (11) “…a big play.”

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41-year-old Taniel Cole is custody after allegedly brandishing a gun in a Shreveport hospital, executing a carjacking, and taking law enforcement on a cross-state chase before being apprehended in Mississippi.

Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says Cole entered Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and started a domestic dispute with someone there…

Cut 9 (10) “…hospital.”

A bystander who is believed to have no been a part of the domestic dispute then attempted to intervene and was shot in the left. Raymond says that bystander may have saved lives…

Cut 10 (10) “…worse.”

The victim who was shot is not in serious condition and is expected to make a full recovery.

After shooting the bystander…

Cut 11 (12) “…unharmed”

Cole continued to drive by himself to Mississippi and was apprehended near the state line with Alabama.

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The Louisiana Health Department announced eleven-hundred new coronavirus cases today, bringing the state’s total to 135-thousand. But Governor Edwards says the percentage of tests that show a positive coronavirus case is decreasing

Cut 12 (12) “…on cases”

The number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital has fallen below 13-hundred to 1,281. Edwards says nearly a month ago, there were 16-hundred COVID-19 patients hospitalized

Cut 13 (12) “available today” 

The state also reported 41 more COVID-19 deaths as the death toll rose to 42-hundred. Edwards says 49-percent of the victims are white and 49-percent are black but black residents make up 33-percent of Louisiana’s population

Cut 14 (06) “over-represented”

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42-year-old Curtis Carroll of Tallulah has been arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder of 38-year-old Pamela Oliver of Tallulah, who is believed to have been Carroll’s girlfriend. Master State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says Oliver’s body was discovered Tuesday yesterday in Madison Parish…

Cut 15 (06) “river” 

Oliver was last seen alive on Saturday. The Madison Parish Sheriff’s Office assisted in the arrest. Reichardt says helping rural parishes solve serious crimes is a big part of what LSP does.

Cut 16 (08) “it did” 

Carroll is also a suspect in an arson that occurred several weeks ago, but is not related to this homicide.

2:30 LrN Newscast August 13

The Southland Conference has decided to postpone fall sports until next spring, which means no football this fall for Northwestern State, McNeese, Southeastern and Nicholls. Southland Commissioner Tom Burnett says the NCAA released a new set of health and safety requirements last week and that caught the attention of school leaders…
Cut 5 (06) “…or not”
The Ragin Cajuns were set to host McNeese on September 5th. That game will no longer happen. The same for Southeastern at Tulane.

The Saints announce no fans will be in the Superdome for the season opener versus Tampa Bay on September 13. Team President Dennis Lauscha says while Orleans Parish is doing better in reducing the spread of the virus, fans coming in from other areas is a concern.
Cut 6 (09) “…those numbers down.”
Lauscha says they are cautiously optimistic about fans attending games later in the year.

42-year-old Curtis Carroll of Tallulah has been arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder of 38-year-old Pamela Oliver of Tallulah, who is believed to have been Carroll’s girlfriend. State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says Oliver’s body was discovered yesterday in Madison Parish…
Cut 15 (06) “river”
Oliver was last seen alive on Saturday. Authorities have not released a motive.

Shreveport Police released more details today about yesterday’s shooting and carjacking at a hospital. Police Chief Ben Raymond says 41-year-old Taniel Cole shot an innocent bystander during a domestic dispute and then fled the scene…
cut 11 (12) “…unharmed”
Raymond says the shooting victim is expected to make a full recovery. Cole was eventually arrested in Mississippi.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Southland Conference has announced it will not play its league schedule in football, vollyeball, soccer and cross country in the fall and they’ll look to play those seasons during the spring semester. Commissioner Tom Burnett says the health and safety of their student athletes led to the decision, but they look forward to a unique spring season…
cut 4 (09) “….it will occur”
And the Southland is also giving its schools the opportunity to play non-conference games this fall. Louisiana Tech says Houston Baptist plans to play the Bulldogs on September 19th, but Southeastern Louisiana will not play Tulane in the season opener.

President Donald Trump says he spoke with LSU football coach Ed Orgeron about playing college football. Mr. Trump did not disclose any details, but the president is a supporter of college football in the fall and not the spring.

When the Saints kickoff the season on September 13th against Tampa Bay, there will be no fans in the Superdome. Team President Dennis Lauscha says the spread of the coronavirus in the region is too high, but if it comes down, they have plans in place to welcome fans to the Dome…
cut 7 (08) “…to our games’

A legal expert warns that schools who chose to play fall sports face a real threat of COVID-related lawsuits from players down the road.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

10:30 LRN Newscast August 13

The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition involving fall sports and will explore the possibility of playing a conference schedule in football, volleyball, soccer and cross country in the spring. But the league is giving its schools the option of participating in limited fall competition.

If you are a TOPS student, but thinking about sitting out the fall semester due to COVID, you could lose your scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12, Big 10 and now the Southland Conference decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

If you are a TOPS student, but thinking about sitting out the fall semester due to COVID, you could lose your scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12, Big 10 and now the Southland Conference decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

9:30 LRN Newscast August 13

The Department of Children and Family Services is partnering with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to provide food stamp recipients with employment training in the areas of allied health and construction. Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this new program will use federal dollars to pay for credentials and provide additional support.
Cut 13 (07) “…to be successful.”
This effort will focus initially at Baton Rouge Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles.

Several college football analysts say liability concerns is part of the reason why the Big 10 and PAC 12 decided to postpone their fall sports seasons because of COVID-19. But what if players signed a liability waiver? Legal analyst Tim Meche says that wouldn’t work, because liability law is different in every state…
cut 6 (10) “…such”

TOPS students who are reluctant to continue their college career this year because of COVID-19, can file paperwork with LOSFA and be approved for an exception to retain their eligibility. LOSFA director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says for those uncomfortable with in-person classes, but want to keep their eligibility…
cut 11 (12) “…chose”
Students who graduated from high school this year, have until fall 2021 to enroll before losing their eligibility.

Zoom meetings are the new normal at the workplace, but a study from Zippia finds 47-percent of workers prefer in-person meetings over the frustrations that come with virtual gatherings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris…
cut 8 (13) “….technical difficulties”

8:30 LRN Newscast August 13

Liability concerns are reportedly one of the leading factors in why the Big Ten and PAC 12 suspended fall sports. Legal analyst Tim Meche says those conferences had good reason to believe that, and there’s already precedent for wide-scale health-related sports lawsuits.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…schools.”
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC plans on further refining its policies to promote a safe return to play while monitoring the situation.

Zoom meetings in the workplace are common now but Zippia has conducted a study and found that more than half of the workers are doing other things during virtual meetings and 47-percent of workers say they prefer in-person meetings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris says people are most annoyed by unnecessary meetings….
cut 9 (09) “….can be a lot”

The Department of Children and Family Services has started a new program with the community and technical college system that will result in food stamp recipients receiving workforce training at Baton Rouge Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles. Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says they will focus initially on allied health and construction programs…
cut 15 (10) “….away with employment’
The program provides help with transportation, child care, books, and supplies.

TOPS students can ask LOSFA if they can retain their scholarship if they take a year off from school because of COVID-19. LOSFA director Sujuan Boutte also encourages students to look at online learning to retain eligibility, but you’ll still have to meet GPA requirements…
cut 12 (09) “….the year”

7:30 LRN Newscast August 13

TOPS students who are reluctant to continue their college career this year because of COVID-19, can file papework with LOSFA and be approved for an exception to retain their eligibility. LOSFA director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says for those uncomfortable with in-person classes, but who want to keep their eligiblity…
cut 11 (12) “…chose”
Students who graduated from high school this year, have until fall 2021 to enroll before losing their eligibility.

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12 and Big 10 decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

Zoom meetings are the new normal at the workplace, but a study from Zippia finds 47-percent of workers prefer in-person meetings over the frustrations that come with virtual gatherings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris…
cut 8 (13) “….technical difficuluties”