Renters in Louisiana are on average facing dues that aren’t compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium coming to a close they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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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.” 

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Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state Saturday at the State Capitol. Matt Doyle spoke with one of his longtime legislative allies about Edwards’ legacy…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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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.

Cut 4 (10) “…major taxes.”

The Bayou State consistently ranks high when you compare sales tax rates among other states. 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.”

Cammenga says a common problem plaguing most states is that their sales 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.

Cut 6 (07) “…amount of money.”

She says tax rates can sometimes be a determining factor for companies looking to relocate.

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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 in the state. Research analyst Dan Threet says compared to Louisiana wages…

Cut 7 (10) “…a modest home” 

The issue is more pronounced in certain parts of the state such as New Orleans where renters must make nearly $21 and in Baton Rouge where they must make nearly $20.

Threet says responses to unaffordable housing include the short-term distribution of emergency rental assistance money and in the long term addressing the structural housing affordability problem…

Cut 8 (12) “…enforce renter protection”

With the end of the eviction moratorium, certain renters are likely to face eviction and displacement in the following months. Threet says about 16% of renters across the country are not current on their rent…

Cut 9 (11) “…rent payment go late”

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Longtime allies of Governor Edwin Edwards will pay their last respects Saturday as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at one of his favorite places on earth, the state Capitol.

Longtime lawmaker Francis Thompson entered the legislature during Edwards’ first term. He says the two of them went hunting and fishing together every year for 40 years. He says Edwards won every competition…

Cut 10 (12) “..measure it.”

Thompson, a Delhi Democrat, says Edwards understood the need for rural development and how the cities wouldn’t grow if the agricultural economy wasn’t built up.

Cut 11 (12) “…bridges.”

The two did have a major disagreement over Edwards’ push to expand gambling in the state.

Thompson says Cajun Prince will ultimately be remembered as one of the state’s greatest governors despite his many scandals and stint in federal prison.

Cut 12 (12) “…state”

A private funeral will be Sunday that will be streamed live.

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Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports for at least one site after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for DraftKings yesterday.

Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Division Trooper Joseph Hall says they conducted a thorough background check of everyone involved with the company before signing off.

Cut 13 (07) “…industry.”

DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.

State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor says DraftKings expects to see about 15.5 million in net revenue for the current fiscal year.

Cut 14 (06) “…state.”

Traylor says an audit of DraftKings finances shows they’ve been losing money for years but that’s not a real problem for the state given their online-only presence.

Cut 15 (10)“..years.”

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With The MLB draft in the books LSU coach Jay Johnson can get a feel for what his roster may look like next season.  The Tigers return every starting position players from last year’s team and several key pitchers elected to return to LSU.  Coach Johnson says a veteran presence will be a positive for his team.

Cut 16 (16) “…high level” 

While he has a bunch of players returning, he’s also filling out his staff as he is bringing in Marc Wanaka as a volunteer assistant, who has coached under Johnson at multiple stops.  Coach Johnson says he’s excited to have him on staff.

Cut 17 (12) …of time.” 

One player who decided to stay in Baton Rouge is pitcher Devin Fontenot.  Fontenot was the team’s closer last season but says he returned to LSU to prove he can be in the starting rotation.

Cut  18 (18)”..better.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

Louisiana has entered another surge in COVID cases, this time largely due to the more transmissible and virulent Delta variant. The state reported 1,500 new COVID positive tests and for the first time since early March, we now have over 500 COVID patients in the hospital. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says your best protection against the new variant is to get vaccinated, but know it’s not 100 percent protection…

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

Only half of Louisiana adults have been vaccinated.

Online fantasy sports gaming has been approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for at least one site, DraftKings. It’s anticipated that the service will be available for use sometime tonight if not by tomorrow. Only residents in 47 parishes that approved the activity will be allowed to log in.

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights have been running in-state campaigns to persuade lawmakers to enter a veto override session July 20^th and overturn the Governor’s veto of legislation that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm. NAGR spokesperson Chris Stone says right now the state is a regional outlier…

Cut 6 (07) “..this year”

Stone says currently there are 21 states that allow the concealed carry of a firearm without needing a permit.

A 49-year-old Franklin man is under arrest for allegedly severely burning a woman and killing a small child. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the female victim was able to tell responders that she and Derwin Hamilton were involved in an argument, then…

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.” 

COVID cases topped 1,500 today and now just over 500 people are hospitalized. Health officials say we’re in the midst of another surge. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) …I’m Brooke Thorington”.  

Draft Kings will become the first fantasy sports betting company to be allowed in Louisiana. The Louisiana Gaming Control Board unanimously approved the request for an operator’s license on Thursday. Gaming investors were told that an expected 15.5 million dollars will be brought in bringing 1.3 million dollars in tax revenue for the state.

Gun rights organizations are hoping to sway local lawmakers to override the Governor’s veto on constitutional carry. Opponents of the bill fear that more shootings and crime would increase if the veto is overturned but NAGR spokesperson Chris Stone says there’s no data supporting that claim

Cut 7 (09) “…crumble.”

There are currently 21 states that have passed the constitutional carry legislation

The Jimmie Davis bridge is undergoing repairs and will be closed over the weekend. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm and alternative routes are available

Cut 13 (09) “…Barksdale bridge”

This weekend was chosen due to the lack of large events scheduled.

With 1,500 new COVID cases and a total of 504 hospitalizations in Louisiana, health officials say the Delta variant and low vaccination rates are to blame. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere…

Cut 9 (12) “…variant.”
The Jimmie Davis Bridge on Highway 511 will close this weekend for repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says this weekend was chosen due in part to the lack of large events scheduled in the surrounding area and hopes that by Monday the repairs will be finished…

Cut 14 (10) “…coming in” 

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights are wading into the battle over Governor Edwards’ veto of constitutional carry legislation. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Mercedes-Benz logo will no longer adorn the Superdome following the end of a 10-year long contract with the German automaker. In May of 2020, the announcement was made by Mercedes stating they wouldn’t seek a renewal. The contract was reportedly between $50 and $60 million dollars. The Saints have been seeking a deal with Caesars Entertainment but nothing has been confirmed.

Over 500 people are hospitalized in Louisiana with COVID for the first time since March 10^th. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere this new surge is driven by the more transmissible and virulent Delta variant, and while available vaccines do offer a lot of protection against the variant, they aren’t perfect…

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

1,500 new positive COVID tests were also reported today.

National gun rights organizations are hoping a last-minute campaign to sway lawmakers into heading back to Baton Rouge to override the Governor’s veto of constitutional carry legislation will pay off. National Association for Gun Rights spokesperson Chris Stone says if the veto stands Louisiana will be a regional outlier…

Cut 6 (07) “..this year”

A 49-year-old Franklin man is under arrest for allegedly severely burning a woman and killing a small child. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the female victim was able to tell responders that she and Derwin Hamilton were involved in an argument before Hamilton attacked them…

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.” 

The child is reportedly Hamilton’s grand-nephew.

In northwest Louisiana, the Jimmie Davis Bridge along Highway 511 that crossed the Red River in Bossier and Caddo Parishes will be closed over the weekend for scheduled repairs. DOTD Spokesperson Erin Buchannan says work will begin on Friday at 8 pm.

Cut 12 (12) “…approaches.”

They expect work will be completed by 6 am on Monday.

1,500 new COVID cases were reported today and the state now has over 500 COVID-related hospitalizations, lending further evidence to the idea that we are in the midst of a new surge propelled by the more virulent and transmissible Delta variant. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says vaccination hesitancy is a major factor for the increase.

Cut  11 (10) “…emerging.” 

49-year old Derwin Hamilton of Franklin is under arrest for allegedly setting a fire in his hometown that killed his great-nephew and left a woman he was in a relationship with badly burned.  State Fire Marshal Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the incident has shaken the small community.

Cut 5  (10) “…condition.” 

Parents should see the first of six-monthly advanced child tax credits in their account today. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says there will be no statewide mask mandate in K-12 public schools when the school year starts next month, and there won’t be a vaccine mandate for students either. Brumley says the goal for the upcoming school year will be to get the experience as close as possible to how it used to be before the pandemic, and while it will be for the most part there’s one policy that will remain in place…

Cut 8 (09) “…follow that.”

Senator Bill Cassidy says it’s a relief to hear that in person education will be returning shortly. He says even with the new, more threatening Delta variant circulating only students with preexisting health conditions should seek an alternative learning environment.

Cut  11 (07) “…complications” 

We’ll know by Friday if lawmakers will be heading back to Baton Rouge for a veto override session. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it appears likely that neither the House nor Senate will see the majority support for cancelling the session that would be needed to call it off. Once that session kicks off on July 20^th however it’s anyone’s guess which vetoes will get overridden…

Cut 5  (10) “…legislation.” 

Graduates of Grambling and LA Tech are being offered 10,000 dollars to return to Ruston.  Mayor Ronny Walker says this “Welcome to Ruston” push is aimed at skilled remote workers, and they hope to get 25 eligible applicants this year, and 50 the next…

Cut 12 (12) “…got 25 applications.”

Tomorrow is deadline day for lawmakers to submit ballots requesting the July 20^th veto override session be canceled. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

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State Superintendant of Education Cade Brumley says the goal for the upcoming school year is for class to be a lot closer to the pre-pandemic experience. Eric Piccoli has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Eric Piccoli”.  

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Tomorrow is the deadline for lawmakers to turn in ballots to cancel the upcoming veto override session.

LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it appears likely that less than half of both the House and Senate will turn in ballots, meaning the override session will begin July 20^th.

Cut 3 (10)  “…legislators.”

Alford says the Senate is showing the most hesitance at the moment towards holding a veto override session. Once those ballots are submitted Alford also says residents will know which lawmakers voted to not hold a session.

Alford says we’ve started to see some powerful out-of-state interest groups get involved in the lobbying process in favor of a session, particularly the NRA and the National Association for Gun Rights.

Cut 4 (09) “…circus.” 

Both of those groups are in favor of overriding the Governor’s veto of Constitutional Carry legislation that would eliminate the need for those over the age of 21 to get a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm.

Alford says right now there only seems to be clear support for overriding one of the Governor’s 28 vetoes once lawmakers head into session.

Cut 5  (10) “…legislation.” 

Governor Edwards vetoed legislation barring transgender athletes from participating in K-12 and college girls’ and women’s sports.

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Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says at this point the expectation is that the upcoming K-12 school year will look, in many ways, normal.

While the State Health Department and CDC recommend unvaccinated students and teachers mask up while at school Brumley says that decision will ultimately be left to the individual districts.

Cut 6 (07) “…school year”

Children 12 and older are eligible to receive a COVID vaccine but Brumley says they will not be requiring students take the shot before returning to school in the fall.

Cut 7 (06) “…family.”

Brumley says there’s really only one hard statewide K-12 COVID mandate that will be in place.

Cut 8 (09) “…follow that.”

Brumley says they will also recommend districts maintain three feet of separation between students in the classroom.

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Statewide COVID case numbers and hospitalizations are spiking due to the more virulent Delta variant with students set to return to class in less than three weeks. Senator and Physician Bill Cassidy says there’s reason to be worried about the spread of Delta, but it shouldn’t result in continued virtual learning.

Cut 9 (05) “…end of story.”

Cassidy says the CDC recommends students return to the classroom and says we should follow their guidelines.

Cut 10 (07) “…infected.”

COVID outbreaks among school systems in Louisiana were sporadic in the 20-21 school year with mitigation efforts in place. Cassidy says only students with preexisting health conditions should seek an alternative learning environment.

Cut  11 (07) “…complications” 

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The city of Ruston is offering $10,000 to LA Tech and Grambling University graduates if they choose to return to the community. Mayor Ronny Walker hopes the aptly named “Welcome to Ruston” initiative will attract 25 graduates this year and 50 next year…

Cut 12 (12) “…got 25 applications.”

Anybody can apply but the requirements specify that applicants must work from home to receive the $10K over a period of four years.

Walker hopes the program and the city of Ruston itself will attract both the young and old…

Cut 13 (11) “…within a city”

The selection process will be determined by a committee of five people from across the community and each year those chosen for the award will have to verify that they are still working remotely in Ruston.

Walker says immediate graduates are not excluded from the initiative…

Cut 14 (12) “…work remotely” 

State Superintendant of Education Cade Brumley says the goal for the upcoming school year is for class to be a lot closer to the pre-pandemic experience. Eric Piccoli has more…

Cut 2 (30) …I’m Eric Piccoli”.  

Will the Superdome be filled to capacity when New Orleans hosts Green Bay in the season opener? Health officials are concerned about the rising number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations as a result of the Delta variant. The city’s health director says they need to see what happens with this more dangerous strain.

Tomorrow is the deadline for lawmakers to turn in ballots to cancel the upcoming veto override session. LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says the session appears likely to happen but right now there only seems to be clear support for overriding one of the Governor’s 28 vetoes once lawmakers head into session.

Cut 5  (10) “…legislation.” 

Governor Edwards vetoed legislation barring transgender athletes from participating in K-12 and college girls’ and women’s sports.

 The city of Ruston is offering $10,000 to LA Tech and Grambling University graduates if they choose to return to the community. Mayor Ronny Walker hopes the aptly named “Welcome to Ruston” initiative will attract 25 graduates this year and 50 next year…

Cut 12 (12) “…got 25 applications.”