The Governor’s moratorium on evictions ends today. Brooke Thorington spoke with a couple of landlords…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”
_____________________________________
A political analyst says due to the widespread adoption of mail-in voting it is unlikely we will know who wins the November Presidential election the night the polls close…
___________________________________________
Governor Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill. Kevin Barnhart on what happens next…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
_______________________________________________
Evictions are scheduled to begin today after being frozen by the Governor since late March. Patrick McCarron with Thomas Jefferson Real Estate says he’s looking forward to proceeding with evictions as it has been a frustrating few months for landlords who’ve had tenants who’ve refused to pay rent.
McCarron says during that time landlords have been legally obligated to continue to provide basic services at the properties.
Baton Rouge landlord Steve Myers says the number of people who will be facing eviction varies but it appears that the vast majority of tenants have been making rent since the pandemic began.
Landlords who receive federal assistance or federally backed loans may not proceed with evictions until late August.
Myers says many tenants who have been struggling financially have been offered hardship plans by their landlords to weather the COVID shutdown.
Housing advocates warn the resumption of evictions during the pandemic constitutes a serious threat to public health. For more information on tenants’ rights contact the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
______________________________________________________
A Louisiana pollster believes it may take up to a week to know the results of the November Presidential election. JMC Analytics and polling founder John Couvillon says that’s because many swing states are adopting mail-in voting…
California, which allows mail-in votes to be submitted as late as Election Day, took weeks to officially report the results of the Democratic Primary earlier this year.
Couvillon says for example President Trump won Pennsylvania by just 40,000 votes in 2016, a state that just OK’d widespread mail-in voting…
The analyst warns even in Louisiana, where the state has adopted restricted mail-in voting due to COVID-19, the substantial increase in mail ballots could produce slowdowns in election reporting.
Couvillon says even though the delay may frustrate some he still sees mail-in voting as the wave of the future…
Studies suggest there is little to no partisan impact from the adoption of mail-in voting.
________________________________________
The investigation continues into Thursday night’s murder-suicide that resulted in the deaths of four children and two adults at the Parkview Apartments in Monroe. Interim Police Chief Reggie Brown says 30-year-old Brittany Tucker killed a neighbor, her four kids, ranging from five months to 12 years old and then shot herself. Brown says Tucker battled mental illness.
Cut 10 (04) “…to her actions.”
Brown says Tucker was diagnosed with mental illness within the past couple of years and was receiving treatment.
But the chief says neighbors told detectives that prior to Thursday’s shooting that Tucker was seen walking, showing irrational behavior and waving a gun in her hand.
Brown says they believe Tucker purchased the handgun at a local gun store, adding the investigation is ongoing as to how and why Tucker was allowed to obtain the firearm.
Authorities are asking the public to call your local police department or 911 if you see someone with a history of mental health issues acting irrationally.
______________________________
As expected Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the tort reform bill aimed at lowering car insurance rates by making changes to the state’s civil litigation system. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the timing, with just over two weeks left in the special session, indicates Edwards does not believe the veto will be overturned.
Edwards cited the measure does not contain a mandate to lower auto insurance rates as assured by its supporters. Pinsonat says the debate over this bill will continue into the special session.
Cut 14 (12) “…high insurance rates.”
Pinsonat foresees the Governor suffering some backlash in his relationship with lawmakers over this veto.
Edwards says he’s willing to work with anyone operating in good faith to reach a compromise. He says he’s confident they can reach an agreement on a bill that will have broad support.
____________________________________________
Louisiana Tech confirms a football player has tested positive for COVID-19. The school says the student-athlete will self-quarantine for the next 14 days. Tech says additional football student-athletes could have been exposed and those players will also be mandated to self-quarantine for the next two weeks.
Prior to Saturday’s announcement, Coach Skip Holtz said he was proud with how his players stayed in great shape during the COVID shutdown
Holtz says they’ve had enough time to prep for 2020. The Bulldogs had to halt spring practice in mid-March because of COVID-19. Holtz says the battle for starting quarterback will not get going again, until they get back on the field…
The three-man race to replace J’Mar Smith at quarterback is between Abilene Christian transfer Luke Anthony, redshirt senior Westin Elliot and redshirt sophomore Aaron Allen.
Senior linebacker Ezekiel Barnett says he missed not being around the guys when players were sent home as the pandemic began in Louisiana