About one in four Louisiana students lack access to the internet according to a new report. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor Edwards announces nursing homes will be receiving fast-results tests that should allow more visitation in the next few weeks. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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A court showdown over a proposed fall election plan is getting more likely after a House Committee approves a plan that Governor Edwards has called woefully inadequate. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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A new report estimates about a quarter of Louisiana students do not have access to the internet to participate in virtual classes. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says the findings are deeply concerning, adding that in her district, it’s about 46% who are without internet.
Cut 4 (09)“ …it move forward.”
Additionally, 42% of students are without high-speed broadband access that would allow for multiple users in a home to do virtual learning.
Among the ways school districts have attempted to patch the lack of internet access is through the distribution of Wi-Fi hotspots that work off of cellular data. Mizell says the hotspots puts the state in a much better position than it was at the beginning of the pandemic, but it’s not a reliable long-term solution…
Cut 5 (07) “…solution? Absolutely not.”
Mizell says the lack of rural broadband has a much wider impact that stretches beyond virtual education.
Cut 6 (13) “…have no broadband.”
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Governor Edwards expects in a few weeks it will be a lot easier to see your loved ones in nursing homes once new, fast-acting testing equipment is delivered.
Edwards says in the near future nursing homes will be able to more easily accept visitors thanks to the new equipment.
Cut 7 (08) “…visitation.”
Nursing homes have been mostly locked down to non-staff and medical personnel since the pandemic began.
Edwards says the process has already begun, but he doesn’t have an exact date on when your local nursing home will have the capability to conduct these tests.
Cut 8 (11) “…weeks”
Edwards says he understands the strain this has placed on nursing home residents and their family but until the testing equipment is available…
Cut 9 (10) “circumstance”
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Governor John Bel Edwards signs an executive order that sets the state’s goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2025, 50% by 2030, and achieve net-zero by 2050. Policy director for Audubon Louisiana Brent Newman says it’s a historic moment
Cut 10 (10) “…the executive order.”
He says the plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is a doable feat and a new Climate Initiatives Task Force will lead the way.
Cut 11 (10) “…own unique strategy.”
Without action, experts estimate Louisiana could lose as much as 4,000 square miles of coastal land over the next 50 years, based on the rates of sea-level rise, which is indirectly influenced by rates of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Newman says it will be important to get industry on board.
Cut 12 (11) “…of the solution.”
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Louisiana’s guidelines for the fall election are appearing more likely to have to be settled in court after a House committee passes a plan Governor Edwards vows to reject.
Barry Ivey was the lone Republican to vote against the plan Wednesday in committee. He warns if the Governor and Legislature can’t agree it could lead to messy litigation.
Cut 13 (13) “is now”
Under the plan submitted by the Secretary of State and approved 8-6 by House and Governmental Affairs, the only COVID-related reason for requesting an absentee ballot is if you test positive for the virus during early voting or before Election Day. Edwards says that makes no consideration for those susceptible to the virus, or those ordered to quarantine.
Ivey says instead of sending the issue to court the Legislature needs to cease advancing the Secretary of State’s plan and negotiate a deal with the Governor, or the end result is inevitable.
Cut 14 (04) “…to me”
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s plan needs approval by the House, Senate, and Governor to be put into place.
Ardoin says his proposal probably isn’t the best plan, but it was the only one that could pass the Legislature. Ivey says it fails the basic legal requirement to provide a safe voting environment.
Cut 15 (12) “…the law”
The issue will next be taken up Thursday in a Senate committee. There are only 75 days until the November 3rd Presidential Election.
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Myles Brennan finally gets his chance to lead LSU’s offense. Brennan has been with the Tigers since 2017. Since that time there’s been a new head coach, three different offensive coordinators and now COVID-19. But Brennan says having Steve Ensminger, a former LSU quarterback, as his offensive coordinator is reassuring
Cut 16 (19) “ really nice”
Brennan stands at six-foot-four, 220 pounds as he enters his junior season. The Mississippi native says he’s added 45 pounds since his freshman season.
In today’s college football, many quarterbacks look to transfer if they don’t play right away, but Brennan says he knew he would eventually get his chance with the purple and gold
cut 17 (25) “…that position”
Brennan becomes one of the leaders of the team since he’s taking over as starting quarterback. He says it’s a role he gladly accepts
Cut 18 (25) “…whole time”