Senate President Page Cortez introduces legislation requiring the Governor to meet with the Legislature before making any decisions related to extensions of public health emergencies. Cortez says the Governor would still maintain his constitutional authority to issue orders, this just gives lawmakers a seat at the table.

Cut 4 (11)“ forth” 

Democrats are pushing back against Republican efforts in the special session to restrict or change the Governor’s public health authority or require him to consult with the Legislature. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James doesn’t expect any of the GOP efforts to make it into law because most Democrats refuse to support the bills, which he says are hypocritical.

Cut 9 (08) “White House”

Legislators will take a look at ways to help Hurricane Laura-ravaged southwest

Louisiana recover in the ongoing special session. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his first priority is securing funding for the region’s school districts. He says at the moment many students are scattered across the state leading to misleading school attendance rolls…

Cut 12 (10) “…funding”

Two people are dead after deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a man they witnessed murder his girlfriend on Monday night.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrived to find the couple in the street and arguing prior to the shooting.

Cut 6 (13) “…killing the suspect.”

The victims have been identified as 54-year-old Louvenia Penwright and her partner Willie Shropshire, 57.

The Senate President files legislation aimed at requiring the Governor to consult with the Legislature before extending public health emergencies beyond the first 30 days. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”  

The state surpasses 5,300 COVID-19 fatalities with 10 new deaths being reported today. The total case count is 165,624… increasing by 553 out of just over 18,000 tests. Hospitalizations increase by 15 to 578, with 80 of those on ventilators.

Two people are dead after deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a man they witnessed murder his girlfriend on Monday night.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrived to find the couple in the street and arguing prior to the shooting.Lopinto says authorities arrived at the Avondale home after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor indicating a male was beating a female.

Cut 7 (08) “…called into 911.”

The identities of the deceased have not yet been released.

Radishes from UL Lafayette will soon be growing in space.  UL Lafayette vegetable researcher Dr. Karl Hasenstein says radishes were selected for their ability to be grown rapidly with a greater quantity in a smaller amount of area on the International Space Station.  The usefulness of the plants also extends beyond the ability to be a food source.

Cut 11 (09) “…consumed by humans.”

Senate President Page Cortez introduces legislation requiring the Governor to meet with the Legislature before making any decisions related to extensions of public health emergencies. Cortez says his legislation would create a committee of legislative leaders who the Governor must speak with should he want to extend an expiring public health order.
Cut 3 (08)  “ending”  
The order would also change the petition process for ending a public health emergency or state of emergency, now requiring a majority of surviving members in both chambers to sign off, instead of just one chamber.
Two people are dead after deputies with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office fatally shot a man they witnessed murder his girlfriend on Monday night.  Sheriff Joe Lopinto says deputies arrived to find the couple in the street and arguing prior to the shooting.

Cut 6 (13) “…killing the suspect.”

Lopinto says authorities arrived at the Avondale home after receiving a 911 call from a neighbor.

With kids spending more time in front of screens these days the number of reported cases of potential online sexual predation of minors was up 200 percent from April to June. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle” 

The Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office has charged 27-year-old Natalie Broussard with negligent homicide after she allegedly left a two-year-old in a vehicle on Sunday afternoon. A cause of death of the child has not been released and authorities say the investigation is continuing. Broussard will make her first court appearance today.

The 2nd special session of the year gaveled in yesterday at 6 PM with lawmakers returning to the Capitol with three main priorities per the call. Expect a lot of discussion about the rapidly dwindling unemployment trust fund and how to stop it from fully draining, and thus causing significant tax hikes on businesses next year. There will also be quite a few attempts coming out of the house that will seek to limit the governor’s broad authority to implement public health restrictions on businesses. Finally, lawmakers will seek to find some way to facilitate the post-Laura recovery in southwest Louisiana. But the issue that is likely to grab the most headlines will be the challenges to the Governor’s public health orders. Bills have been filed that seek to scale back the governor’s authority during an emergency. House Republican Mark Wright of Covington aims to limit the amount of time a state of emergency declaration can go without legislative approval. Wright proposes that any emergency declaration extended beyond 30 days should see more input than just the governor.

Cut 4 (13)“ …of these orders.” 

Lawmakers are scrambling to find cash to fill the near-empty unemployment trust fund but it appears one possibility is now off the table, and that’s the Frontline Worker Rebate Program…

The 250 dollar Frontline Worker Rebate Program has processed about 65 percent of the over 240,000 applications received.

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’re confident they will give away all of the money by the October 31^st application deadline.

Cut 13 (10) “…available”

Eligible workers have to earn less than 50,000 dollars a year and have worked in a specifically listed frontline job for a certain amount of hours during the pandemic.

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation has nothing but good things to say about President Trump’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Metairie native Amy Coney Barrett. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Over in Opelousas, police have charged 24-year-old Maleke Guillory with two counts of negligent homicide after he fatally shot his pregnant girlfriend during an argument. The victim, 31-year-old Tyana Thomas was five-months pregnant.

Calcasieu Parish has been working overtime to get the epicenter of Hurricane Laura’s devastation back to some sense of normalcy. Power has been restored to most areas and the debris has been pushed to the sides of nearly all roads in the parish. President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Tony Guillory says the blue roofs are now a normal sight around the area, a constant reminder to locals of the damage done, long after the national spotlight has moved on.

Cut 8 (12) “…forget about you.”

Enrollment at Natchitoches based Northwestern State University is up five percent this year to a record 11,447 students. Demons President Nick Maggio says he 136-year-old institution was well prepared for pandemic due to its robust online class offerings that have been a big hit with non-traditional students.

Cut 11 (07) “…levels”

It has been one month since Hurricane Laura made landfall, bringing widespread destruction to southwest Louisiana.  President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Tony Guillory says streets are cleared of debris, with much of it being pushed to roadsides.  About 120 trucks are being utilized for debris pickup.
Cut 7 (09) “…back through again.”
Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm around 1AM on August 27^th.

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional delegation is thrilled with President Trump’s decision to nominate Metairie native Amy Coney Barrett for a seat on the U-S Supreme Court. Benton Congressman Mike Johnson met Barrett at a student leadership event in 1988 when they were high school. Johnson says Judge Barrett is a female version of Justice Antonin Scalia, who served on the court for 30 years until his death in 2016

Cut 14 (12) “…same mold”

The Saints have their first two-game losing streak since 2017 as they lost to Green Bay 37-30 last night. A Taysom Hill fumble in the fourth quarter turned the momentum in the Packers favor, plus New Orleans committed eight penalties. Coach Sean Payton says his team is facing a bit of gut check

Cut 3 (08)  “the truth”  

It’s the second straight week the Saints defense gave up more than 30 points.

Enrollment at Natchitoches based Northwestern State University is up five percent this year to a record 11,447 students. Demons President Nick Maggio says the 136-year-old institution is thriving and seeing gains across the board.

Cut 9 (10) “classes”

Maggio says prospective students are responding well to the University’s focus on promoting a curriculum that prepares them for in-demand jobs, and jobs of the future…

Senator Bill Cassidy backs moving ahead with the nomination process for Supreme Court nominee and Metairie native Amy Coney Barrett. Cassidy says it’s the will of the people who elected a Republican President and the Senate has a Republican majority

Cut 13 (10) “…to do”

Cassidy’s main opponent in the US Senate race, Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, has said the Senate should not vote on a justice nominee until next year.

Most of the power has been restored in Hurricane Laura ravaged Calcasieu parish, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean a lot of lights are on at night. President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Tony Guillory says there are a lot of parish residents who can’t actually live in their homes.

Cut 6 (08) “…next biggest issues.”

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm around 1AM on August 27^th.

While the Saints as a whole have been pretty terrible running back Alvin Kamara is certainly living up to the hefty contract he signed just before the season started. Alvin Kamara had a huge game for the Black and Gold against the Packers in last night’s 37-30 loss. He gathered 197 yards from scrimmage, including a 52-yard touchdown catch that saw him break five tackles. Meanwhile Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, but he says mistakes keep costing them

Cut 4 (12)“ opportunities” 

Enrollment at Natchitoches based Northwestern State University is up five percent this year to a record 11,447 students. Demons President Nick Maggio says prospective students are responding well to the University’s focus on promoting a curriculum that prepares them for in-demand jobs, and jobs of the future…

Cut 10 (12) “…sciences”

Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation has nothing but good things to say about President Trump’s nomination to the Supreme Court, Metairie native Amy Coney Barrett. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster has entered hospice care. The two-term Republican first won the seat in 1996 and was popular enough at the time to avoid having to enter a run-off to win reelection. Foster is 90 and currently lives in Franklin.

Calcasieu Parish has been working overtime to get the epicenter of Hurricane Laura’s devastation back to some sense of normalcy. Power has been restored to most areas and the debris has been pushed to the sides of nearly all roads in the parish. President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Tony Guillory says the blue roofs are now a normal sight around the area, a constant reminder to locals of the damage done, long after the national spotlight has moved on.

Cut 8 (12) “…forget about you.”

Enrollment at Natchitoches based Northwestern State University is up five percent this year to a record 11,447 students. Demons President Nick Maggio says he 136-year-old institution was well prepared for pandemic due to its robust online class offerings that have been a big hit with non-traditional students.

Cut 11 (07) “…levels”

One month after Hurricane Laura made landfall in Cameron Parish most of the lights are back and the streets have been mostly cleaned. President of the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury Tony Guillory says the debris has been pushed to the roadsides and about 120 trucks are being utilized for debris pickup.

Cut 7 (09) “…back through again.”

Hurricane Laura made landfall as a Category 4 storm around 1 AM on August 27^th.

The Saints have their first two-game losing streak since 2017 as they lost to Green Bay 37-30 last night. It’s the second straight week the Saints defense gave up more than 30 points. They failed to force a turnover last night, only had one sack and gave up a couple of big passing plays. Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins says the mistakes they are making can be corrected…

Cut 5 (12)  “haven’t been” 

Enrollment at Natchitoches based Northwestern State University is up five percent this year to a record 11,447 students. Demons President Nick Maggio says prospective students are responding well to the University’s focus on promoting a curriculum that prepares them for in-demand jobs, and jobs of the future…

Cut 10 (12) “…sciences”

Graduate school enrollment is also up eight percent.

LSU plummeted in the polls after an embarrassing 44-34 loss to then unranked Mississippi State Saturday. The Tigers are now ranked 20^th while the Bulldogs are 16^th.