1130 AM LRN News

Students who take medical marijuana treatments prescribed by their doctor would be able to have their school nurse administer that treatment to them at school should they need it under legislation that cleared the House and is headed to the Senate. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says his bill would save students a lot of time…

Cut 4 (11) “…daily”

Detractors argued it would result in a schedule one drug being permitted in a federal drug-free zone.

New Orleans’ next Super Bowl has been pushed back a year from 2024 to 2025 due to logistics concerns about the 2024 event. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says the scheduling issue arose when the NFL expanded its regular season from 16 to 17 games.

Cut 13 (06) “…of Mardi Gras.”

Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall Of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday afternoon at the age of 68 due to Covid-19.  Dean played for the bulldogs in the early 70’s and had a 10 year NFL career, winning two super bowls with the 49ers.  Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince remembers Dean’s dominance on the football field.

Cut 6 (13) “…years”

Dean is also a member of the Tech and Louisiana sports hall of game.

A Plan to bring high-speed internet to fourteen parishes in Northwest Louisiana clears the Public Service Commission. Rural electric cooperatives serving the area received approval from the PSC to enter the internet business.  Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the initiative is long overdue.

Cut 9 (11) “records, etc”

AM LRN Newscall

Legislation allowing school nurses to administer medical marijuana is halfway to final passage after clearing the House. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

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Ahe average composite ACT score for graduating seniors in Louisiana continues to fall. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The City of New Orleans will now host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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A strong majority of House members vote to allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students with referrals for the treatment.

Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley brought the bill and says it will save a lot of time for students who need the treatment to function.

Cut 4 (11) “…daily”

Bagley says the treatment must be delivered by the parents to the school nurse and administered only by authorized school personnel.

Cut 5 (09) “…campus”

Schools that do not want to participate in the program are allowed to opt-out by informing parents.

Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly voted against the bill saying school zones are currently federal drug-free zones, but Bagley says the treatments are not illegal in Louisiana…

Cut 6 (11) “…marijuana

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AARP releases a COVID-19 Nursing Home Dashboard showing the positivity rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana for August 24th thru September 20th at 2-point-7 cases per 100 residents AARP State Director Denise Botcher…

Cut 7 (11) “across Louisiana”

The data also shows point six percent of all nursing home residents in Louisiana died of COVID during that roughly one month time period.

Botcher says the COVID positive infection rate for staff during that period is 2-point-6 for every 100 workers, which correlates directly with another disturbing trend, the lack of adequate PPE.

Cut 8 (10) “…from coronavirus”

Botcher says the lack of PPE and an increasing rate of infected workers is leading to staffing shortages in 40 percent of Louisiana facilities.

Cut 9 (09) “your infection rate”

Botcher hopes the data will encourage lawmakers to provide funding for adequate testing, PPE and ensure adequate staffing of qualified workers.

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Louisiana’s high school class of 2020 scored an average ACT composite score of only 18.7, the third year in a row the state has seen a drop in scores.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says that number is an all-time low since the state began requiring all students to take the exam in 2013.

Cut 10 (10) “…families.”

Amongst Economical Disadvantaged students, the composite average is down to 17.1.

Brumley has been on the job for about five months now after replacing John White who held the position since 2012. He says reversing this trend is incredibly important.

Cut 11 (07) “scholarship”

To get into LSU you need at least a 22 composite score on the ACT, for TOPS Opportunity aid you need at least a 20.

Brumley says the Louisiana Department of Education will be working with schools to review and potentially realign curriculum to make sure students are ready to take this exam.

Cut 12 (09) “..so”

Haynes Academy, a Jefferson Parish magnet school, had the highest average at 29.9.

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NFL owners approve New Orleans’s revised plan to host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024. The NFL’s regular season is set to expand by one week to 17 games, beginning 2021. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says that extra week clashes with Carnival Season in 2024.

Cut 13 (06) “…of Mardi Gras.”

Cicero says he’s thankful the NFL agreed to the contingency plan and is allowing New Orleans to have Super Bowl 59 instead. Cicero says the availability of hotels to host simultaneous events would be practically impossible and…

Cut 14 (11) “…a Mardi Gras”

Cicero says while the City of New Orleans loves a Super Bowl and a good party, combining the two events is just not feasible.

Cut 15 (12) “…we go to 2025”

Fat Tuesday in 2024 is February 13th and in 2025 the date is March 4th.

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The Saints head into the bye weekend with a 3-2 record and tied for first place in the NFC South with Tampa Bay and Carolina. Defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins says the best is yet to come with this team

cut 16 (25) “about that”

The Saints next game will be October 25th against Carolina. It’s a home game for the Black and Gold, who may play future home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium, because fans are allowed there and not the Superdome. Rankins says the biggest difference is that weather could be a factor in Baton Rouge

cut 17 (19) “downtown”

 

cut 18 (24) ” winning football” 

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cut 19 (08) “.brand of football”‘

 

cut 20 (10) “.correct it”

530 PM LRN News/Legislative Report

The controversial suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader for an incident where he had a BB gun visible in view of his web camera while in class has inspired legislation that is now halfway to final passage. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says Ka’Mauri Harrison was initially threatened with expulsion and deserved due process. This bill would change that in the future…

Cut 3 (10)  “…necessary”   

The bill had unanimous support.

Under a bill passed by the Senate clergy would be allowed access to their flock in healthcare facilities during public health emergencies even if the facilities are locked down by the state. Minden Senator Robert Mills says it was inspired by an incident up north…

Cut 7 (12) “…got involved”

A bill brought by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick in response to the arrest of Central Pastor Tony Spell is now headed to the Senate after clearing the House. The legislation would prevent the state from penalizing any religious leader or their followers who gather for religious services against state orders during a public health emergency. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says religious institutions are vital…

Cut 14 (10) “…situation”

A strong majority of House members vote to allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students with referrals for the treatment. Opponents argue schools are drug free zones but Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says medical marijuana is legal with a referral in Louisiana and this will save a lot of time for students.

Cut 4 (11) “…daily”

Schools are allowed to opt-out.

330 PM LRN News

LSU’s game versus Florida this Saturday has been postponed after a large COVID outbreak on the Gators team…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

And that delay will give starting Tiger’s QB Myles Brennan some extra time to heal up. Brennan hasn’t practiced all week after getting beat up during the Tiger’s tight loss to Missouri over the weekend and Coach Orgeron indicated that should the game actually be played Brennan would be doubtful to be in it. LSU’s next game will be at home against the Gamecocks October 24th.

The Senate unanimously passes legislation allowing clergy members access to patients in a hospital during a public health emergency. The bill by Minden Senator Robert Mills requires the state Health Department to create rules for facilities to do so, and require healthcare facilities to follow them.

Cut 6 (12) “…cases”

The bill also grants healthcare facilities immunity from most lawsuits by those clergy members should they be infected with coronavirus while visiting.

Legislation inspired by the controversial suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader for briefly handling a BB gun within view of his web camera during an online class is headed to the Senate after unanimous approval in the House.  Jennings Representative Troy Romero says Ka’Mauri Harrison deserved due process…

Cut 3 (10)  “…necessary”   

1230 PM LRN News

This Saturday’s LSU-Florida game in Gainesville is reportedly likely to be postponed due to an outbreak of COVID amongst Florida players and two assistant coaches. That might not be bad news for the 1-2 unranked Tigers who reported today that starting QB Myles Brennan has not practiced this week and would be doubtful to play should the game be held. Coach Ed Orgeron says Brennan was banged up during the Missouri loss…

Cut 12 (13) “…week”

The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders who hold in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick was brought in response to the Governor’s restrictions on all gatherings during the pandemic, which includes religious activities.

Cut 13 (06) “…emergency”

The bill heads to the Senate.

The Ka’Mauri Harrison Act is approved in the House, legislation inspired by the suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader who briefly had a BB gun in his web camera view during an online class. Ka’Mauri and his father appeared before House Education when that Committee heard the bill. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, who is a member of House Ed, says every member on that panel has signed off as a co-author on this bill after hearing Ka’Mauri’s story

Cut 5 (10) “…Louisiana Legislature”

The measure heads to the Senate.

Legislation by Minden Senator Robert Mills that requires the state Health Department to create rules to allow clergy into hospitals and nursing homes during public health emergencies clears the Senate. Mills said his bill protects the religious liberties of patients and families should they want to have a clergy member visit a loved one.

Cut 8 (08) “need”

1230 PM LRN News

This Saturday’s LSU-Florida game in Gainesville is reportedly likely to be postponed due to an outbreak of COVID amongst Florida players and two assistant coaches. That might not be bad news for the 1-2 unranked Tigers who reported today that starting QB Myles Brennan has not practiced this week and would be doubtful to play should the game be held. Coach Ed Orgeron says Brennan was banged up during the Missouri loss…

Cut 12 (13) “…week”

The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders who hold in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick was brought in response to the Governor’s restrictions on all gatherings during the pandemic, which includes religious activities.

Cut 13 (06) “…emergency”

The bill heads to the Senate.

The Ka’Mauri Harrison Act is approved in the House, legislation inspired by the suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4th grader who briefly had a BB gun in his web camera view during an online class. Ka’Mauri and his father appeared before House Education when that Committee heard the bill. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, who is a member of House Ed, says every member on that panel has signed off as a co-author on this bill after hearing Ka’Mauri’s story

Cut 5 (10) “…Louisiana Legislature”

The measure heads to the Senate.

Legislation by Minden Senator Robert Mills that requires the state Health Department to create rules to allow clergy into hospitals and nursing homes during public health emergencies clears the Senate. Mills said his bill protects the religious liberties of patients and families should they want to have a clergy member visit a loved one.

Cut 8 (08) “need”

1130 AM LRN News

LSU’s game at 10th ranked Florida on Saturday is in jeopardy, because of a COVID-19 outbreak among U- F players and two assistant coaches. Gators Coach Dan Mullen says they’ve paused all football activities…

Cut 9 (11) “as possible”

It may not be a bad time to reschedule as LSU starting QB Myles Brennan has an injury and would be doubtful to play if the game were held this weekend.

The Senate unanimously passes legislation allowing clergy members access to patients in a hospital during a public health emergency should a patient or a patient’s family request they be present. The bill by Minden Senator Robert Mills requires the state Health Department to create rules for facilities to do so…

Cut 6 (12) “…cases”

The House Democratic Caucus spoke outside the Capitol yesterday, venting frustrations with their GOP colleagues who they accused of being fixated on going after the Governor while ignoring issues like the pandemic housing crisis. New Orleans Representative Mandie Landry hit Republicans over rejecting efforts to support struggling renters, or to shield their rental records should they be evicted during the pandemic.

Cut 10 (10) “…principles.”

Saints Coach Sean Payton says he’s open to having home games in Tiger Stadium as the team eyes ways to play in front of fans after receiving no confirmation from New Orleans officials that that would be a possibility this season in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints would prefer the Dome, but really want some fans in the stands…

Cut 14 (09) “…Tiger Stadium”

AM LRN Newscall

An NFIB survey indicates that 20-percent of small businesses are in danger of laying off employees in the next six months. Brooke Thorington has more.

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House Democrats gathered outside the steps of the Capitol Tuesday afternoon to vent their frustrations with Republican legislative efforts to undermine the Governor’s public health authority. Matt Doyle was there…

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The Saints are exploring the possibility of playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium since they are not allowed to have fans at the Superdome. Matt Doyle has the story…

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Three of Senator Bill Cassidy’s Democratic challengers met for the first candidate forum of the Senate race, a forum Cassidy declined to attend.

Cassidy’s opponents took turns tearing into the Senator for not appearing. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins took the first shot…

Cut 4 (13) “…Louisianans”

Cassidy says he did not attend because all 15 candidates on the ballot had not agreed to go to the forum hosted by the Baton Rouge Press Club.

The candidates took shots at Cassidy’s vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act and his support for the 2017 tax reform bill. Baton Rouge activist Antoine Pierce says Cassidy voted for a giveaway to the rich.

Cut 5 (10) “… job.”

A common theme from the trio was that Cassidy had grown too detached from Louisiana during his time in D.C. New Orleans school teacher Peter Wenstrup says Cassidy is only thinking about himself.

Cut 6 (12) “…themselves”

The election will be on the November 3rd ballot. Should any candidate not win more than 50 percent of the vote a runoff will be held on December 4th.

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An NFIB survey indicates that one in five small businesses warn of layoffs in the next six months. Louisiana specific data is unavailable, but State Director Dawn Starns says she is getting similar feedback from small businesses struggling due to COVID-19 pandemic

Cut 7 (10) “form of PPP”

And of those who received Paycheck Protection Program loans, the NFIB says 86-percent of those businesses have spent the entire loan and are applying for forgiveness.

Starns says consumer confidence is also down and when people don’t spend money small businesses begin to shutter.

Cut 8 (10) “…right now”

According to Starns, bars and restaurants have been the hardest hit during the pandemic along with entertainment venues.

Cut 9 (10) “to be”

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The House Democratic Caucus blasted legislative Republicans, saying the GOP is fixated on attacking the Governor’s public health authority and ignoring other major issues.

New Orleans Representative Mandy Landry hit Republicans over rejecting efforts to support struggling renters, or to shield their rental records should they be evicted during the pandemic.

Cut 10 (10) “…principles.”

Another New Orleans Representative, Royce Duplessis, expressed his frustration over Republicans rejecting his bill to increase the maximum state unemployment benefit from 247 to 247 dollars a week.

New Orleans Representative Aimee Freeman says her Republican colleagues have misplaced priorities right now.

Cut 11 (09) “state”

Freeman has a bill that will be heard today in committee that would create a process to automatically distribute Pandemic EBT cards to families of students who receive reduced or free lunch at school.

House Democratic Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins says any efforts to undermine the Governor’s authority will be rejected, but Democrats may agree to a Senate bill increasing legislative oversight of his public health decisions.

Cut 12 (10) “..on”

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The Saints say they have met with LSU officials about playing their home games in Tiger Stadium since the city has been unwilling to allow partial fan attendance at games in the Superdome. WWL Radio Sports Director Kristian Garic says the Saints are getting frustrated as many other NFL teams can have fans at their games

Cut 13 (11) “safely.”

The Saints have requested that the city allow ticketed fans to occupy 25-percent of the Superdome’s 73-thousand seat capacity. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office says they remain concerned about having 20-thousand people in an indoor venue. Garic says the Saints would prefer the Dome, but they have an option…

Cut 14 (09) “…Tiger Stadium”

The Saints’ next home game is October 25th versus Carolina. After that, they don’t play another home game until November 15th. Garic expects an agreement will be reached with the city, but it might not be 25-percent capacity…

Cut 15 (08) “for the money”

The NFL says there are currently 15 NFL teams that have been approved to host fans and they anticipate more cities coming online in the next few weeks.

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Two undefeated teams meet tonight in Lafayette as the 21st ranked Cajuns host Coastal Carolina in a big Sun Belt tilt on ESPN. The Cajuns are second in the Sun Belt in scoring defense, but Coastal leads the league in scoring, averaging 44 points a game. Coach Billy Napier says their quarterback Grayson McCall is impressive…

cut 16 (16) “that way”

This is the Cajuns first game since September 26th. They had a previously scheduled game against Appalachian State postponed because of COVID. Napier says they also had to recently halt practices because of Hurricane Delta

cut 17 (30) “sight of”

Napier says they need to use their ranking in the polls as a positive…

cut 18 (24) ” winning football” 

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Meanwhile, LSU’s defense is working on fixing the mistakes that has led to a 1-2 record for the first time since 1994. Tigers defensive end Glen Logan says they are getting back to the fundamentals

cut 19 (08) “.brand of football”‘

Logan says his message to the younger players is to watch the film and learn from your mistakes

cut 20 (10) “.correct it”

530 PM LRN News/Legislative Report

House Republicans push through another legislative instrument designed to limit the Governor’s public health authority.

Erath Representative Blake Miguez brought a resolution that would suspend the Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce things like business capacity limits, mask-wearing requirements, and other pandemic restrictions on commerce. Miguez says it’s the Fire Marshal who is enforcing the limitations on fan attendance at Tiger Stadium.

Cut 3 (11)  “…Texas A-and-M fan”   

But Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty the Fire Marshal has been kind and courteous to business owners and doing his best to make sure people are safe.

Cut 5 (10) “…nefarious actor”

The resolution heads to the Senate.

The House Democratic Caucus blasted legislative Republicans outside the Capitol, hitting their colleagues on everything from rejecting efforts to protect renters to refusing to increase unemployment benefits while fixating on the Governor’s public health authority. Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins says they’re all frustrated but may agree to back a Senate effort that would increase Legislative oversight of the Governor’s public health decisions.

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New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell testified in front of the Legislature about the 150 million dollar budget shortfall her city is facing, and her frustration that they were only given 60 million in CARES Act money from the state to address it. She says they’ve had to partially furlough all 4,000 city workers…

Cut 10 (09) “…table”

GOP legislators told the Mayor her revenue issues wouldn’t be as bad if she loosened her city’s pandemic health limits on businesses.

1230 PM LRN News

The House backs a resolution that would suspend the State Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID public heath restrictions, the latest in a series of House supported efforts that would limit or eliminate the Governor’s ability to unilaterally enforce pandemic limitations on businesses.

The resolution was brought by Erath Representative Blake Miguez who says the Governor is hurting the state’s ability to recover economically from the pandemic by implementing overly harmful restrictions on commerce.

Cut 4 (10)   “…allows that to happen” 

The state Fire Marshal is not the agency that issues penalties. The state Office of Alcohol and Tobacco Control and the state Health Department handle those duties. Metairie Representative Stephanie Hilferty argued her interactions with State Fire Marshal Butch Browning have all been positive…

Cut 5 (10) “…nefarious actor”

The Resolution heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The City of New Orleans has seen a 150 million dollar budet shortfall due to the pandemic and Mayor Latoya Cantrell warns that while New Orleans may be uniquely harmed due to its tourism economy local governments across the state are also feeling the pain. The city is furloughing its entire 4,000 person workforce for one day per pay period through the end of the year to save an estimated six million dollars. Cantrell says they had no choice.

Cut 10 (09) “…table”

The Legislative Budget Office anticipates a 714 million dollar decline in local government revenue for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years due to the pandemic.