The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team is now calling for an extremely active 2020 season. Jeff Palermo has the details

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A million masks are being distributed to schools across the state thanks to a partnership between GOHSEP and the Louisiana Department of Education. Matt Doyle has more.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Senator Bill Cassidy proposes a second round of stimulus checks that would send 1,000 dollars to most Americans, instead of the previous 1,200 to working adults and 500 to their children. Cassidy says parents with young children are in the most pain right now and the next round of stimulus checks should reflect that.

Cut 3 (10)  “…childcare”  

The annual income limit to receive a check would still be 75,000 dollars for an individual and 150,000 for joint filers.

It may be 200 dollars less for some people, but Cassidy says a grand would still go a long way.

Cut 4 (8)_ “is.”

Recent college or high school grads who did not qualify in the last round would qualify under this bill.

Cassidy says the bill is not just about helping those in need, it’s about stimulating the economy, and this is a more efficient way to do it.

Cut 5 (12)  “…need.”

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The Colorado State Hurricane forecast team has revised its forecast and they are now calling for an extremely active season with 24 named storms. C-S-U researcher Jhordanne Jones says they also believe we’ll see a dozen hurricanes, five of them will be major hurricanes

Cut 6 (10) “…active season”

2005 set the record for most named storms in one year with 27 and that includes Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Jones says warm sea surface temperatures and very low wind shear in the tropical Atlantic are primary factors for the extremely active season…

Cut 7 (10) “…The Caribbean”

The 2020 hurricane season has already produced nine named storms and this latest forecast from CSU increases their projected storm total from 20 to 24. Jones says their research also says there’s a 48-percent chance for a major hurricane to hit the Gulf Coast this year

Cut 8 (10) “do that”

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The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and the Louisiana Department of Education have partnered to provide a million masks for schools.

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says that’s enough to provide one reusable mask for every school employee and student.

Cut 9 (09) “…long way.”

Physical classes in seven districts are set to begin later this week.

Brumley says the masks will be washable and durable.

Cut 10 (11) “…office”

The masks will be distributed to public, charter, and non-public schools.

Brumley says there’s no doubt there will be additional, costly expenses like providing additional PPE throughout the semester, but it must be done.

Cut 11 (07) “…education”

Anyone entering a Louisiana school campus during the fall semester will be required to wear a mask.

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A Baton Rouge dad is in jail after his 10-year-old son is shot during an alleged drug transaction and it accused of having his young kids help in the manufacturing the drugs.  Baton Rouge Police Sgt. L’Jean McKneely says when the kid’s mom learned of the gunshot wound, the kids spilled the beans on the operation.

Cut 12 (13) “…of their dad.” 

36-year-old Kevin Evans Jr. and his girlfriend 29-year-old Meagan Toney have been charged with second-degree cruelty to juveniles and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

McKneely says the kids described to police what happened that lead to the shooting.

Cut 13 (13) “…by gun fire.” 

The child was taken to a hospital following the shooting with non-life-threatening injuries to the hand and leg.  Police are still looking for the shooter.

McKneely says having a drug ring become a family activity where kids get hands-on experience in all the processes in making and distributing narcotics is something that he’s never heard of before.

Cut 14 (10) “…heard of that.”

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley is confident in the protocols for spread mitigation as schools begin to re-open. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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LSU’s D-D Breaux announces she’s retiring after 43 years as head coach of the Tigers gymnastics program. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says classes begin this week for seven different school systems. Brumley says many schools are using a hybrid model, a split between virtual and in-person learning. Brumley says they’ve allocated over 300-million dollars in federal money to improve virtual instruction

Cut 3 (10)  “…for teachers”  

Brumley says the state is working with experts across the nation on establishing best practices in various areas pertaining to virtual instruction.

Cut 4 (10)_ “of vetting that.”

Brumley says the guidance from the state level does leave room for local autonomy in how a school system handles its mix of virtual and in-person instruction.

Cut 5 (10)  “…decide to use.”

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Legendary coach D-D Breaux announced today she’s retiring after 43 years as the leader of LSU women’s gymnastics program. Co-head coach Jay Clark will take over. The 67-year-old Breaux admits the past year has been difficult with the death of her mother and then the coronavirus pandemic

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re in”

Breaux is leaving on top as the Tigers are three-time defending SEC champions and fans have been packing the PMAC to watch their meets. The Donaldsonville native says after building the gymnastics program into a national powerhouse, she can now spend more time with her four grandchildren…

Cut 7 (10) “…right time’”  (2x)

Breaux is not completely leaving LSU as she’s been named as an ambassador for LSU, so she plans to be involved in a lot of different community service projects…

Cut 8 (10) “do that”

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State Treasurer John Schroder estimates about 10,000 small businesses have completed an application for Main Street Recovery grants, but they’re running into some issues and misconceptions from applicants.

He says some haven’t filed annual reports with the Secretary of State, many others haven’t filed their taxes, and…

Cut 9 (08) “…bookkeeping.”

Those who qualify can receive up to 15,000 dollars in no-strings-attached cash. Applicants must have fewer than 50 employees to be eligible.

Schroder says about 65 percent of applicants are using their smartphone to sign up. The problem is…

Cut 10 (08) “…application”

Schroder says they’ll need about 30,000 businesses to complete the application process before the fund is exhausted.

The Treasurer says there’s also been misunderstanding about who can apply. One, you can apply if you received federal aid and two, the program is not just for minorities.

Cut 11 (04) “…everybody.”

Schroder says about 70 percent of applicants are classified as minorities. The state widely publicized that 40 million of the 275 million dollar fund was to be set aside for minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses.

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Governor John Bel Edwards announces Louisiana will remain in phase two for another three weeks until August 28th as he plans to officially extend the state’s coronavirus restrictions on Thursday. Edwards says this means the mask mandate and bar closure order will stay in place

Cut 12 (10) “…for ourselves.” 

Edwards says the White House coronavirus task force recommends that the state keeps its mitigation measures in place. But he says there is encouraging news, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital is on the decline

Cut 13 (11) “…seven days” 

There are currently 1,487 COVID-19 patients in the hospital statewide. Edwards says there are also fewer people showing up at ER’s reporting COVID-like symptoms. Edwards says we can continue to reduce the transmission of the virus, but it will take everyone doing their part

Cut 14 (12) “…as well.”