Our Lady of the Lake infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says it is not safe to have fall contact high school sports right now but says she is optimistic about college athletics.  O’Neal says before K-12 contact sports can resume the state needs to prove it can reopen schools without having to shut communities down due to outbreaks.

Cut 3 (09)  “…safely”  

High school football is set to resume October 8^th, but the LHSAA says the state will have to be in Phase Three.

In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, UL Lafayette, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern, and Southeastern all start back to class today.  Nicholls and Grambling started last week. UL System President Jim Henderson says the initial outlook on class and campus operations seems promising.

Cut 9 (11) “…is your responsibility. ”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin proposed plan for the November 3^rd Presidential election and December run-off scales-back eligibility for requesting an absentee ballot compared to the July and August elections. Ardoin says the plan has been tailored to work in Phase Two compared to the stay at home order.

Cut 10 (11) “…to move forward”

The plan would also increase the state’s early voting period to ten days versus seven and add an extra hour and a half to each day.

A 14-year-old girl from St. Mary Parish died over the weekend in a jet ski accident in Lower St. Martin Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says a 17-year-old allowed the victim and another 15-year-old girl to operate separate jet skis, adding that possible charges are pending against the 17-year-old who allowed the girls to operate the jet skis…

Cut 15 (11) “any charges” 

State law says you must be at least 16-years-old to operate a jet ski

5678An infectious disease expert says Louisiana just isn’t ready for fall high school contact sports, and LSU fans may get to be in Tiger Stadium this fall…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A federal judge in New Orleans denies a motion by several bar owners to block the enforcement of Governor Edwards’ order to close bars as a coronavirus spread mitigation effort. Bar owners had contested the order as unconstitutional for closing down certain businesses while letting others operate.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin proposed plan for the November 3^rd Presidential election and December run-off scales-back eligibility for requesting an absentee ballot compared to the July and August elections. Ardoin says the plan has been tailored to work in Phase Two compared to the stay at home order. Ardoin says the emergency plan still faces some hurdles as it has to be approved by lawmakers and receive the signature of the Governor.
Cut 12 (10) “…in the past.”
The plan would also increase the state’s early voting period to ten days versus seven and add an extra hour and a half to each day.
In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, UL Lafayette, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern, Southeastern all start back to class today. UL System President Jim Henderson says they’ve got the protocols to keep the students safe, but they just need them to be cognizant of the risks that come with socializing.

Cut 8 (06) “…that age population.”

LSU game-day tailgating on campus may not be happening this year according to LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan, or atleast not nearly as extensive as it usually is. Galligan was on Talk Louisiana this morning when he made the comments…

Cut 6 (06) “…campus”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin proposes scaling back absentee ballot usage in the upcoming November election compared to what was available in August and July. The only COVID-related reason for requesting an absentee ballot would be testing positive for the virus during or after early voting but before election day.  Ardoin says the observations in July indicate only a small portion of the participation was COVID absentee voters.

Cut 11 (10) “…same in November.”

Southeastern, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern, and UL Lafayette all resumed classes today.  UL System President Jim Henderson says he’s confident and comfortable with the spread mitigation plans the schools have put into place, adding that faculty and staff are doing their best to execute those plans.

Cut 7 (08) “…that we have.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is investigating a fatal jet ski accident in Lower St. Martin Parish. L-D-W-F spokesperson Ed Pratt says two teenage girls were operating separate jet skis when they collided on Saturday.Pratt says Hannah Landry of Franklin was airlifted to a hospital in Ascension Parish with severe injuries

cut 14 (08) “…in Donalsonville”

Pratt says a 17-year-old allowed the two teenage girls to ride the jet skis and he faces possible charges.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan is optimistic that at least some Tigers fans will get to be in Tiger Stadium for the upcoming fall season. While they’ve discussed occupancy limits as low as 30 percent, they are hoping that the nature of how coronavirus spreads will allow for people to be spaced out in the stands.

Cut 5 (11)  “inside”

Galligan did indicate that game day tailgating may be seriously restricted.

In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, UL Lafayette, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern, Southeastern all start back to class today. UL System President Jim Henderson says they’ve got the protocols to keep the students safe, but they just need them to be cognizant of the risks that come with socializing.

Cut 8 (06) “…that age population.”

A 14-year-old girl from St. Mary Parish died over the weekend in a jet ski accident in Lower St. Martin Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says a 17-year-old allowed the victim and another 15-year-old girl to operate separate jet skis, and possible charges are pending against the 17-year-old who allowed the girls to operate the jet skis…

Cut 15 (11) “any charges” 

State law says you must be at least 16-years-old to operate a jet ski. 

Louisiana reports one of the lowest new COVID positive test totals in weeks today at just 735. But there is some bad news, total hospitalizations rose by 30, a reversal of a weeks long trend of lowering numbers.

Our Lady of the Lake infectious disease expert Dr. Catherine O’Neal says it is not safe to have fall contact high school sports right now. O’Neal says before those sports can resume the state needs to prove it can reopen schools without shutting communities down because of outbreaks, and have an average percent positive rate on COVID tests of five percent.

Cut 3 (09)  “…safely”  

Governor Edwards says the statewide percent positive rate is about ten percent.

Southeastern, ULM, McNeese, Northwestern, and UL Lafayette all resumed classes today.  UL System President Jim Henderson says he’s confident and comfortable with the spread mitigation plans the schools have put into place, adding that faculty and staff are doing their best to execute those plans.

Cut 7 (08) “…that we have.”

Nicholls and Grambling started last week. LSU starts next week.

A 14-year-old girl from St. Mary Parish died over the weekend in a jet ski accident in Lower St. Martin Parish. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says a 17-year-old allowed the victim and another 15-year-old girl to operate separate jet skis

Cut 13 (06) “…one another” 

State law says you must be at least 16-years-old to operate a jet ski.

The state revenue department says 240-thousand people have applied for the 250-dollar hazard pay check that’s available to workers who were forced to work during the governor’s stay at home order. But Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve had problems verifying workers’ information on many of the applications…

cut 9 (10) “…name”

This week the state Revenue Department will mail thousands of letters to frontline workers who had problems with their tax rebate applications. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The LSU Tigers are also putting the pads on today as they get ready for their season opener on September 26th. Today, the SEC will release each school’s 10-game schedule. Week one games will be revealed at two PM and then the complete schedule comes out at six o’clock.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry is reaching out to auto insurance companies who are not currently offering coverage in Louisiana to let them know the state has made changes to its civil litigation system for car crashes. LABI President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform legislation approved in the special session has made the state’s judicial system more transparent and fair.
Cut 6 (10) “…your services here.”
The Louisiana House Democratic Caucus says the tort reform legislation approve in June will not lead to lower rates.
Louisiana will need to begin borrowing money from the feds to fund our unemployment insurance program as of September 7^th. Louisiana Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says even if the state runs out of money in the trust fund, the state is constitutionally mandated to keep paying benefits, so…
Cut 10 (07) “…benefits.”
Dejoie says over 20 states are already borrowing money from the feds to fund their unemployment programs.

Today is election day in 38 parish. Polls opened at 7am and close at 8pm. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages everyone to vote today and he also wants to remind voters due to COVID-19 some polling places have been relocated. To find you polling place you can use the Geaux Vote mobile app or geauxvote-dot-com that’s g-e-a-u-x vote.

Three women who allegedly assaulted a Baton Rouge Chili’s worker for asking them to social distance have been arrested. A video of the event sparked national outrage, and Baton Rouge Police Sgt Don Coppola says the case rightfully had the public’s interest…

Cut 4 (10)“ ..Crime Stoppers 

A gofundme account for the victim, 17-year old Kelsy Wallace has raised close to $60 thousand to help pay for college. Wallace plans to attend Xavier University and major in pre-med.

Governor John Bel Edwards says once flu shots are available folks need to line up and get one or our healthcare capacity could be pushed to its limits in the upcoming fall season due to COVID-19.

Cut 7 (07) “…care delivery system..”

Louisiana scores another 205 million dollars from BP oil spill money to help address coastal land loss and ecological issues.  Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Bren Haase says over $25 million will be put toward oyster-related projects, including the construction of two brood reefs in St. Bernard Parish. The reefs will be closed to harvesting but are located near open harvesting areas.

Cut 13 (10) “…can eat them.” 

Haase says $3 million will be going toward a system that is in place to respond to injured marine mammals

48-year old Tammy Dabney, 27-year old Rodneka Dabney, and 46-year old Erica Dabney have all been charged in the assault of a Baton Rouge Chili’s hostess that was caught on camera. The incident allegedly began when the victim, 17-year old Kelsy Wallace asked the group the women were a part of to follow social distancing requirements. Baton Rouge Police Sgt Don Coppola says the young girl had to be treated at a local hospital for minor injuries.

Cut 5 (10)  “this happens”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Wallace.

Governor Edwards pleads with residents to get a flu vaccination this year to preserve medical capacity for fall COVID patients. Edwards says this year’s vaccination is not yet available, but when it is, you’ll hear about it.

Cut 8 (06) “…shot this year.”

The fate of New Orleans Mardi Gras parades in 2021 is still up in the air after krewes met Thursday and came to no definitive decision on the matter. The heart of the season is set for early-mid February next year, but there’s no indication a vaccine will be widely available by then. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says there’s been some suggestions addressing that problem…

Cut 10 (06) “…weeks”

Fat Tuesday is February 16^th in 2021.

The husband of Nancy Parker, the New Orleans news anchor who was killed in a plane crash a year ago tomorrow is suing the FAA for $23 million. Glen Boyd claims that the FAA was negligent when it approved the flight that crashed on Aug. 16, last year killing Parker and pilot Franklin J.P. Augustus. The lawsuit alleges FAA officials allowed the flight to proceed even though the plane had a history of mechanical issues and had maintenance problems that delayed the flight the day of the crash.

Today is election day in 38 parishes. Polls opened at 7 am and close at 8 pm. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages everyone to vote today and he also wants to remind voters due to COVID-19 some polling places have been relocated. To find your polling place you can use the Geaux Vote mobile app or geauxvote-dot-com that’s g-e-a-u-x vote.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes met to discuss next year’s season, with the result being a clear message that no one knows if it will actually happen. Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy says there’s not a lot of optimism about having large scale parades in the Crescent City, but he cautions…

Cut 9 (11) “…parades.”

He also adds that funding for the creation of floats is up in the air as some krewes are having difficulty securing membership dues do to the uncertainty.

The state is receiving another $205 million in BP oil spill money for a variety of projects to help recover from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Bren Haase says $176 million will be used to build marshland in the upper Barataria Basin

Cut 12 (11) “…the Mississippi River.”

Governor John Bel Edwards expresses concern over the upcoming flu season.  Edwards says the message is clear about the flu vaccine this year.

Cut 6 (06) “…past or not.”

Edwards says the combination of having spikes in both COVID and flu cases at the same time could be detrimental to medical facility capabilities.

Baton Rouge Police arrest three women for allegedly assaulting a teenage worker at Chili’s, who was trying to enforce social distancing. A cell phone captured the attack on the hostess, who told a large group of women they could not be seated together. Baton Rouge Police Sgt Don Coppola says the public helped with the investigation.

Cut 3 (08)  “…three individuals”  

48-year old Tammy Dabney is charged with aggravated second-degree battery, while 27-year old Rodneka Dabney and 46-year old Erica Dabney were charged with disturbing the peace and simple battery.

The state is receiving another $205 million in BP oil spill. Executive Director of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Bren Haase says $3 million will be going toward a system that is in place to respond to injured marine mammals.

Cut 14 (07) “…the save them.”

The state department of public health has obtained a temporary restraining order against a Lincoln Parish restaurant after excessive non-compliance. The department says the most recent visit to The Peking Palace in Ruston on Wednesday confirmed again that the restaurant was violating the Governor’s Proclamation prohibiting self-service buffets. A hearing is scheduled for August 21^st.

New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewes are not sure if they will roll next year. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”