The 2^nd special session of the year was called in large part to address Legislative grievances with Governor Edwards’ handling of pandemic public health restrictions and a number of instruments are now passing quickly through the process tackling that issue.

The most ambitious appears to be a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says this would strip the Governor of his power to set restrictions and give the Legislature time to craft their own…

Cut 6 (04) “…better”

But Governor Edwards argues his orders have and continue to save lives, and revoking his authority would be irresponsible.

Cut 8 (11) “…in place” AM

That resolution is heading to the House floor.

While lawmakers tangle over whether mask mandates should be in place one lawmaker excoriated her colleagues for refusing to wear a mask while working at the Capitol. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says many lawmakers are setting a poor example for the public and endangering their staff…

Cut 12 (10) “…other members’ health.”

The Senate backs a bill by Slidell Senator Haron Hewitt stripping the Governor of his ability to veto emergency election plans. Governor Edwards recently rejected a Legsialtively backed plan by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin that would have restricted the level of COVID-related absentee ballots in the upcoming fall election. A federal judge ruled against the order forcing the state to revert to its previously implemented summer plan.

The major committees all have the day off Friday so expect a quiet day at the capitol.

A House committee advances a resolution by the House Speaker that would suspend all COVID public health orders by the Governor for 30 days after the special session ends. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”  

The state reports just over 600 new COVID-19 cases today, with 8 new fatalities. Total hospitalizations… 534, down by 19… Ventilator usage also sees a decrease to 75, down by 4.

Don’t let the fall weather fool you.  Hurricane season is not over in Louisiana.  While many of the state’s October landfalls have happened ealier in the month, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31.  State climatologist Barry Keim says Juan is the latest into a season that a hurricane has made landfall in Louisiana, meaning no storm has made a Louisiana landfall in the last month of hurricane season.

Cut 5 (08) “…are not zero.”

The records date back to 1851.

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says during the summer when the LHSAA was trying to figure out how to play high school football during a pandemic, his phone was blowing up about the possibility that the season would be canceled…

Cut 10 (10) “…lit up.”

A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. Much of the discussion at the committee centered on the damage done to businesses by the ongoing orders. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says the restrictions exacerbated Laura’s economic hit…
Cut 7 (09) “…punch.”
The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says this will help keep lawmakers more informed on issues involving high school sports

Cut 9 (09) “…institutions.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration.

Don’t let the fall weather fool you.  Hurricane season is not over in Louisiana.  While many of the state’s October landfalls have happened ealier in the month, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31.  State climatologist Barry Keim says it may not have been the most powerful hurricane, but its stationary nature pummeled south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…end of October.”

Weather pros are keeping an eye on an area of disturbance over the west-central Caribbean. The national hurricane center is giving the area a 40% chance of formation into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours.

Don’t let the fall weather fool you.  Hurricane season is not over in Louisiana.  State climatologist Barry Keim says it’s too early to let your guard down because the history books reflect that storms can make a Louisiana landfall in October.

Cut 3 (10)  “…of the month.”  

While many of the state’s October landfalls may be frontloaded, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31. The records date back to 1851.

The pace of new donations to Hurricane Laura relief is slowing down, but advocates on the ground say more assistance is still badly needed. Community Foundation of Lake Charles CEO Sara Judson says their organization has raised six million dollars so far with that money focused on efforts that will get people back into housing.

Cut 7 (13) “…thing”

A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. The resolution was brought by House Speaker Clay Schexnayder who says it would allow the Legislature to then craft a new public health plan themselves.

Cut 6 (04) “…better.”

The session is expected to end in late October.

A Denham Springs man is facing multiple sex crimes after he traveled from his home in Louisiana to have sex with an underage girl in Spring Hill, Florida. Hernando County Sheriff Detective Tom Cameron says 36-year-old Johnathan Lee Rossmoine actually lived in the girl’s closet for the last five weeks and the victim’s parents did not know…
Cut 14 (10) “…of the closet.”
Rossmoine was found when the victim’s mother saw something move in her daughter’s bedroom closet.

A Senate-approved bill requiring the Governor inform lawmakers seven days prior to the extension of any public order, and explain why the extension was necessary is being taken up in a House committee today. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan says forcing the Governor to give lawmakers some heads up will save everyone a lot of heartburn…

Cut 5 (05) “…live.”

The bill creates a committee of legislative leaders that could question the Governor about the order but has no authority to stop the order from being extended. Because the bill doesn’t challenge the Governor’s power it had the full backing of Senate Dems, but New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says if the House were to amend it to strip public health authority from the Governor that would change quickly…

Cut 6 (09) “dangerous”

Some House Republicans have indicated they would like to see the Governor’s unilateral authority reduced on emergency orders, a sentiment that could work its way into the bill.

A Denham Springs man is arrested after he’s found hiding in a Florida teenager’s closet, where authorities estimate he’s been staying off and on for over a month.  Hernando County Sheriff’s Detective Tom Cameron says 36-year-old Johnathan Lee Rossmoine was found when the victim’s mother saw movement in her daughter’s bedroom.

Cut 13 (08) “…in the closet.”

The victim and the suspect had first met through a chatting app two years ago. 

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick’s bill providing civil and criminal immunity to people who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency is ebing heard today in committee. McCormick says the bill was in part inspired by the story of Central Pastor Tony Spell who faces charges for holding large services against state orders…

cut 11 (10) “….liberty”

The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joe Kanter defended the current spectator cap by saying it isn’t the social distancing in the stands that is the area of concern, but the choke points within a venue. Kanter says the challenge extends beyond knowing and accepting the risk involved because coronavirus spreads even without any symptoms.

Cut 8 (13) “…without knowing it (x2).”

Baton Rouge Republican Rick Edmonds says the inability to attend high school football is detrimental to families who feel it’s a time-honored tradition. Edmonds tells state health officer, Dr. Jimmy Guidry, he wants the policy to be reviewed for possible amendments to allow more people in the stands.

Cut 9 (07) “…given to that.”

The Senate unanimously approves legislation that will be heard in a House committee Thursday requiring the Governor to consult with Legislative leaders before extending emergency orders. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A House committee will take up a bill today by an Oil City Republican that aims to block the state from charging people who gather for religious activities against state orders during a declared emergency.  Representative Danny McCormick says the state’s restrictions on religious gatherings during the pandemic are unconstitutional, which is why he brought the bill.
Cut 10 (03) “…constitution.”

The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning.  Assistant state health officer Dr. Joe Kanter defended the current spectator cap by saying it isn’t the social distancing in the stands that is the area of concern.

Cut 7 (10) “…risk of transmission.”

The high school football season kicks off tomorrow night.

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry warns a Legislative committee there will be another spike in COVID cases during flu season, and the spike will rival the numbers we saw in spring.  Guidry says his prediction is based on the 1918  Spanish Flu pandemic where a spring wave subsided only to be replaced by a much deadlier late fall outbreak.

Cut 3 (10)  “people”  

The House Governmental Affairs Committee heard several bills today that would give lawmakers more of a say when it comes to emergency orders. Most of the focus was on Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland’s bill. It would create a Council of State to give input on whether an emergency order should go beyond 30 days.  The governor, state treasurer, attorney general, House Speaker, and Senate President would be members on the council  Democrats on the committee have concerns, including Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins…

Cut 14 (10) “these decisions”

Attorney General Jeff Landry visits with the family of a Jefferson Parish fourth-grader who was suspended earlier this month after handling a BB gun in view of his webcam during a virtual learning session.  Landry says the punishment, including a weapons violation on his permanent record, is an overreaction.The child was not given a chance to appeal his punishment.  Landry says after meeting with the family, it is clear the parents taught their children about accountability.

Cut 11 (07) “…to be accountable.”

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry warns a Legislative committee there will be another spike in COVID cases during flu season, and the spike will rival the numbers we saw in spring.Guidry expressed concerns about efforts to further relax public health restrictions. He says numbers may be low now, but they’re only low because of the ongoing mitigation measures.

Cut 4 (12)“at home” 

The state reports 452 new COVID cases today, surpassing a grand total of 166,000 cases. The active case count is estimated to be just over 6500.

The discussion over the 25-percent maximum capacity at athletic events took the spotlight at a legislative committee this morning.  Baton Rouge Republican Rick Edmonds says the inability to attend high school football is detrimental to families who feel it’s a time-honored tradition.

Cut 6 (10) “…of those families.”

The high school football season kicks off tomorrow night.

Attorney General Jeff Landry visits with the family of a Jefferson Parish fourth-grader who was suspended earlier this month after handling a BB gun in view of his webcam during a virtual learning session.  Landry says the punishment, including a weapons violation on his permanent record, is an overreaction.The child was not given a chance to appeal his punishment.  Landry says legal action can often be a lengthy process, but he’s committed to seeing this through and getting justice for Ka’Mauri.

Cut 12 (09) “…be made whole.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee heard several bills today that would give lawmakers more of a say when it comes to emergency orders. Most of the focus was on Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland’s bill. It would create a Council of State to give input on whether an emergency order should go beyond 30 days. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White is also concerned McFarland’s measure will result in a public health emergency turning political

Cut 15 (07) “for direction”