Former Governor Edwin Edwards public viewing is underway as he lies in state in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol until seven o’clock tonight. Thousands of people are expected to walk by his casket and view the pictures that have been set up inside the Rotunda. Tomorrow there will be a private funeral for the man known as the Cajun Prince at the Old State Capitol at noon. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is streaming the services.

Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…
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It will begin Tuesday and cannot exceed five calendar days.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine, Doctor Catherine O’Neal provided this warning to the millions of Louisiana residents who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus. O’ Neal says if you choose not to get the vaccine, you’re choosing death. She says anyone infected last year does not have immunity to the new Delta variant…
cut 15 (09) “…killing us”
The statewide average daily number of cases per 100-thousand residents has increased 177-percent over the past two weeks.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced the first batch of winners of the “Shot at a Million” lottery. 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond is the winner of the $100,000 scholarship. Edwards says Degrass plans to attend Southeastern University…
Cut 13 (11) “…for Sandra”
Degrasse says she plans to go to medical school, while the 100-thousand dollar cash winner is an 80-year-old man, who served on the New Orleans Police Department for 30 years.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards lies in state for public viewing at the Louisiana Capitol today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says the current governor and First Lady will be among the first group of people to pay their final respects…
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Edwards’s funeral is tomorrow at the Old State Capitol.

For the first time since the state constitution was adopted in 1974 lawmakers will hold a veto override session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are at least two bills lawmakers are targeting to override, the conceal carry legislation and an anti-transgender bill. Both passed in the regular session with enough votes to override a veto. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
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The session kicks off on Tuesday.

The governor’s office says the number of people hospitalized for COVID-related symptoms has doubled in the last two weeks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not considering implementing COVID restrictions to stop the surge, instead the state will focus on improving its abysmal 50 percent vaccination rate for adults…
Cut 14 (12) “…has been increasing”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents. And AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says thirty-five percent of nursing homes in Louisiana also report a staffing shortage, which she says can only be exacerbated if unvaccinated workers become ill.
Cut 10 (09) “…care for.”

Thousands are expected to walk through the rotunda of the State Capitol today to pay their final respects to former four-term Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. The public viewing of his casket is from 10 AM to 7 PM. Edwards was well-liked by many, but controversy always seemed to follow him. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, hopes Louisianians remember all the good he did…
cut 5 (11) “…the state”
Edwards’ funeral is tomorrow at the Old State Capitol.

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes have 75 percent of their staff vaccinated. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says if you have a family member residing at an assisted living facility, you should remain vigilant as the Delta variant becomes more prevalent.
cut 11 (11) “…nursing homes.”

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Tuesday for a historic veto override session. Matt Doyle has the story…
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There are a couple of lawmakers who will not be at the veto override session because of health issues. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she needs to meet with an oncologist on Monday. Senator Ronnie Johns just had full knee replacement surgery. The Lake Charles Republican’s absence could be critical since 26 votes are needed to override a veto in the Senate and there are 27 Republicans in the Senate.

It’s official lawmakers will hold a veto session as they will return to the Capitol next week for five days to override any one of the 28 vetoes that the governor issued from the last legislative session.

The public can pay their final respects to former Governor Edwin Edwards tomorrow as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at the Louisiana Capitol from 10 AM to 7 PM. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a state legislator during Edwards’ first term in the 1970s and Thompson it was the start of a friendship that lasted for 40 years.…
Cut 10 (12) “..measure it.”
A private funeral will take place Sunday at the Old State Capitol.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports Louisians need to make 18-dollars an hour in order to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Research analyst Dan Threet says there needs to be a stronger effort to bridge the gap between income and housing costs…
cut 8 (10) “…renter protection”

Louisiana ranks at the top of the list, that’s the list for the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says the average sales tax rate in Louisiana is 9.55-percent and coming in at a close second place, is Tennessee.
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The tax foundation says Louisiana ranks 45th for state and local tax burden, when you also factor, income, business and property taxes.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards will Lie in State tomorrow at the State Capitol from 10 AM to 7 PM giving the public an opportunity to pay their final respects. Longtime Louisiana lawmaker and Delhi Representative Francis Thompson says Edwards understood the need for rural development and how metro areas would not grow if the agricultural economy was not built up…
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A private funeral will be held on Sunday for Edwards.

A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows Louisiana renters have to make nearly 18 dollars an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Research analyst Dan Threet says compared to Louisiana wages…
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The issue is more pronounced in New Orleans where renters must make nearly $21 and in Baton Rouge where they must make nearly $20.

The Bayou State ranks at the top when it comes to something few like to pay. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We should find out shortly if Louisiana lawmakers will hold a historic override veto session next week. Legislators had until midnight last night to turn in a ballot to cancel the veto session. It takes a majority vote from either the Senate or House to cancel the veto session. There are two vetoes lawmakers are targeting to override, a conceal carry bill and a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls sports.

Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the State Capitol tomorrow, allowing the public to pay their last respects to the former four-term governor from 10 AM to 7 PM. Matt Doyle spoke with one of his longtime legislative allies about Edwards’ legacy…
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Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 11 AM at the state capitol to discuss the rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. There are over 500 people hospitalized as a result of the virus for the first time since early March.

The Tax Foundation says Louisiana ranks number one for the highest average state and local sales tax rate in the nation at over 9.5-percent. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says a common problem plaguing most states is that their sales tax base is not as broad as it should be. She says during the depression most states concentrated sales taxes on goods versus services and now that the economy has shifted.
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But Louisiana ranks 45th for overall state and local tax burden.

In 2018, voters in 47 parishes approved the legalization of online fantasy sports betting and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board yesterday approved a license for Draft Kings to operate in those 47 parishes. State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor on how much tax revenue Draft Kings could generate for Louisiana…
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According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana has the highest average state and local sales tax rate in the nation at 9.55 percent, which is a shade higher than Tennessee’s. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says on average states rely on their sales tax for 24-percent of their state and local tax collection…
cut 5 (10) “….up there”
The Tax Foundation says Louisiana ranks 38th for state and local individual income tax collections and 43rd for state and local property tax collections.

Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports through Draft Kings after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for them. Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Division Trooper Joseph Hall says they conducted a thorough background check of Draft Kings…
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DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.

Renters in Louisiana are on average facing dues that are not compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium ending at the end of the month they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”