12:30 PM Newscast

The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13th will go on without any fans in attendance. Team President Dennis Lauscha says the spread of the coronavirus in the region is too high, but if it comes down, they have plans in place to welcome fans to the Dome.
Cut 7 (08) “…to our games.”
No further determinations have been made concerning other games at the Dome this season. The state announced over 1,100 new cases today.
41-year-old Taniel Cole is custody after allegedly brandishing a gun in a Shreveport hospital, executing a carjacking, and taking law enforcement on a cross-state chase before being apprehended in Mississippi. Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says Cole entered Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and started a domestic dispute with someone there…
Cut 9 (10) “…hospital.”

The Southland Conference joins other leagues in deciding to play football in the spring. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

1130 AM LRN News

 The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition for football and other fall sports to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Tom Burnett says questions surrounding the long-term effects of the virus was a factor in their decision

Cut 3 (10)  “…had COVID”  

But the league is giving schools the option of playing nonconference games in the fall, so McNeese can still face U-L Lafayette on September 5th.

The Saints announce no fans will be in the Superdome for their season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs on September 13. Team President Dennis Lauscha says while Orleans Parish is doing better with containing virus spread, fans coming in from other areas are a concern.

Cut 6 (09) “…those numbers down.”

The fate of game attendance for other home games is currently unknown.

42-year-old Curtis Carroll of Tallulah has been arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder related to a woman whose body was found in rural Madison Parish. The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Pamela Oliver of Tallulah, who is believed to have been Carroll’s girlfriend. Master State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says she was discovered Tuesday.

Cut 15, 6 seconds, river

Oliver was last seen Saturday.

Virtual meetings are an unfortunate part of the new normal but according to career website, Zippa Louisianans are having a hard time staying focused during meetings. Head of content at Zippia Kathy Morris says in Louisiana the number one distraction is multitasking.

Cut 7 (10) “…some actual work”

Morris says 20% of workers say their meetings are never productive and 47% of workers prefer in-person meetings.

AM Newscall 08/13/2020

A legal expert warns that schools who chose to play fall sports face a real threat of COVID-related lawsuits from players down the road. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

If you’ve been receiving TOPS but are thinking of sitting out the fall semester due to COVID you could lose your eligibility. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

SNAP recipients are receiving high-demand employment training due to a new partnership between the Department of Children and Family Services and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

______________________________

Liability concerns are reportedly one of the leading factors in why the Big Ten and PAC 12 suspended fall sports.

Legal analyst Tim Meche says those conferences had good reason to believe that, and there’s already precedent for wide-scale health-related sports lawsuits.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…schools.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC plans on further refining its policies to promote a safe return to play while monitoring the situation.

Meche says the potential lawsuits would arise from long-term damage or death related to COVID-19 cases linked to athletics programs. But how can you prove a player got the case from sports?

Cut 5 (10)  “…people.”

One idea being pushed to counter potential suits is that players must sign a liability waiver to play, but Meche says liability law is on a state-by-state basis…

Cut 6 (10) “…such.”

The NCAA has already spoken out against the use of athletics waivers by schools, and federal legislation has been proposed that would ban them.

______________________________

Virtual meetings may have become part of the new normal during the pandemic, but a new study from career website Zippia shows that most people are distracted during the meetings. Head of content at Zippia Kathy Morris says in Louisiana the number one distraction is multitasking.

Cut 7 (10) “…some actual work”

Morris says 20% of workers say their meetings are never productive and 47% of workers prefer in-person meetings over the frustrations that come with virtual gatherings.

Cut 8 (13) “…technical difficulties.”

Morris says another factor that may contribute to the distractions and disdain for meetings the amount of time they take away from actual work.

Cut 9 (09) “…can be a lot.”

_____________________________

College students who have been receiving TOPS but are choosing not to take classes in the fall must fill out an exception form with LOSFA or lose their TOPS eligibility.

You can find the application on my-losfa-dot-la-dot-gov, but  LOSFA director Dr. Sujuan Boutte warns that applying is no guarantee.

Cut 10 (11) “required”

Some reasons include if you or a person in your household have morbidities that exacerbate COVID-19, medically documented anxiety related to contracting COVID-19, or a learning disability that precludes online learning.

Boutte says for those uncomfortable with in-person classes, but who want to maintain their eligibility…

Cut 11 (12) “…chose”

If you do switch from taking in-person classes to online courses Boutte says you’ll still have to meet GPA and full-time student requirements…

Cut 12 (09) “the year”

Spring 2020 high school grads have until fall 2021 to enroll before they lose eligibility.

_______________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is partnering with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to help SNAP recipients receive high-demand employment training.  DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this partnership will allow for those going through programs to get additional support.

Cut 13 (07) “…to be successful.” 

The partnership could also help fill the gap with other hurdles that stand in the way of education including assistance for transportation and childcare expenses.

The partnership is initially limited to a couple of training programs and locations, but Howard says that could expand in the future.

Cut 14 (07) “…in Lake Charles.”

Howard says with the proper training in allied health and construction, someone can likely land a gig quickly.

Cut 15 (10) “…away with employment.” 

5:30 PM Newscast

The state education department says you can email complaints to them if your local school is not following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13th will go on without any fans in attendance. No further determinations have been made concerning other games at the Dome this season. The building normally can house over 74-thousand fans.

As many as 200,000 Louisianans on unemployment could be ineligible to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly benefits. Workers must receive at least 100 dollars a week in state benefits to qualify for the 300 extra. Governor Edwards also raised concerns that without some federal intervention the state unemployment trust fund will soon be depleted, and the state will have to start borrowing that money from the feds.

Cut 8 (09) “…1st.”

State beneficiaries can receive a maximum of 247 dollars a week.

California Senator Kamala Harris is named Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, a move that’s excited Baton Rouge Representative Ted James who was involved with Harris’s primary effort. James says Harris recognizes the unique issues facing the south…

Cut 10 (13) “…times last year.”

430 PM LRN News

The state education department has created an email address where the public can file complaints about a school not following minimum COVID-19 health requirements established by BESE. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the address is l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov….

Cut 3 (12)  “…face coverings”  

Brumley says they have received a few concerns already.

Governor Edwards says he is concerned about the funding mechanism for the new round of federally enhanced weekly unemployment benefits. Edwards was alarmed that the benefit is being funded by FEMA emergency relief funds during hurricane season.

Cut 7 (12) “weeks”

Bayou Segnette State Park cabins and campgrounds will reopen to the public Friday after being used to isolate COVID-positive patients who had nowhere to stay but didn’t need hospitalization. Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says the site is completely safe and ready for visitors to pour in this weekend…

Cut 12 (08) “…again”

The state is taking reservations now, and you can use promo code welcome back to get four nights for the price of three through September 7th.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden announced the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate yesterday for the November election. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James was involved with Harris’s campaign while she was still a Democratic challenger and says the selection is no surprise to him.

Cut 9 (08) “…Republicans as well.”

3:30 PM Newscast

Nearly half of all Louisiana unemployment recipients may not qualify to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly payments. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The manhunt is over for Taniel Cole, who is accused of shooting a man in the leg at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center this morning, then carjacking a woman to get away. The Meridian Police Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol arrested 41-year-old Cole after crashing on Interstate 20 about 9 miles from the Mississippi/Alabama state line.

The state education department has created an email address where the public can file complaints about a school not following minimum COVID-19 health requirements established by BESE. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says schools who refuse to follow these guidelines put themselves at risk of being sued if a student is infected by COVID-19
Cut 5 (06)  “…as well.”
The email address is l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov.
Bayou Segnette State Park cabins and campgrounds will reopen to the public Friday after being used to isolate COVID-positive patients who had nowhere to stay but didn’t need hospitalization. Three state parks were used for isolation, and Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says they had quite a few guests.
Cut 13 (04) “state” 
The state is taking reservations now, and you can use promo code welcome back to get four nights for the price of three through September 7th.

230 PM LRN News

As many as 200,000 Louisianans on unemployment could be ineligible to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly benefits, because the benefits come with the requirement that a person be paid at least 100 dollars a week in state benefits to qualify. Governor Edwards says that’s only about half of all state unemployment beneficiaries…

Cut 6 (09) “…this”

Those receiving under 100 dollars may receive a prorated 300 dollar payment.

If your child’s school is not following COVID-19 minimum health requirements Superintendant of Education Cade Brumley encourages you to file a complaint at l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov. Brumley says they have received a few concerns already. He says once they receive a complaint, the local school system leader and school board president are notified

Cut 4 (11)“ …department” 

________________________

 

Kamala Harris will campaign alongside Democratic Presidential nominee Joe Biden as a VP candidate, a move that’s won applause from Baton Rouge Representative Ted James who worked on Harris’s primary campaign. James says the historical significance of having a black woman who graduated from an HBCU is not lost on him.

Cut 11 (11) “…his running mate.”

Harris graduated from Howard University.

Bayou Segnette State Park cabins and campgrounds will reopen to the public Friday after being used to isolate COVID-positive patients who had nowhere to stay but didn’t need hospitalization. State parks have seen record attendance this summer, and Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says that’s because they are COVID-safe.

Cut 14 (11) “distance”

1230 PM LRN News

Governor Edwards says he is concerned about the funding mechanism for the new round of federally enhanced weekly unemployment benefits. Edwards was alarmed that the benefit is being funded by FEMA emergency relief funds during hurricane season.

Cut 7 (12) “weeks”

Edwards says as many as half of all Louisiana recipients may not qualify to receive the 300 dollar payments as well.

California Senator Kamala Harris is named Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, a move that’s excited Baton Rouge Representative Ted James who was involved with Harris’s primary effort. James says Harris recognizes the unique issues facing the south…

Cut 10 (13) “…times last year.”

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the state is seeing increasing cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children associated with COVID-19.  Kevin Barnhart has the story

Cut 1 (27) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state now reports over 100,000 people are deemed to have recovered from COVID-19, which leaves about 26,000 known active cases in the state after Louisiana reports another 1,200 new cases.

11:30 AM Newscast

As many as 200,000 Louisianans on unemployment could be ineligible to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly benefits. Workers must receive at least 100 dollars a week in state benefits to qualify for the 300 extra. Governor Edwards says that’s only about half of all state unemployment beneficiaries…

Cut 6 (09) “…this”

A spokesperson for Senator Bill Cassidy told The Advocate that people receiving under 100 dollars a week from the state could get a prorated cut of the 300 dollar federal benefit.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden announced the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate yesterday for the November election. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James was involved with Harris’s campaign while she was still a Democratic challenger and says the selection is no surprise to him.

Cut 9 (08) “…Republicans as well.”

The state education department has created an email address where the public can file complaints about a school not following minimum COVID-19 health requirements established by BESE. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the address is l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov….

Cut 3 (12)  “…face coverings”  

Brumley says they have received a few concerns already.

A statewide manhunt is on for Taniel Cole, who accused of shooting a man in the leg at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center. Shreveport Police say the suspect made threats to kill any law enforcement officer or any others who tried to stop him today and believe he may have left the facility by foot or by a vehicle. Residents in the area are asked to stay in their homes. Cole is considered armed and dangerous.

10:30 AM Newscast

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the state continues to see an increasing number of cases of Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or M-I-S-C, associated with COVID-19.On Monday, the state reported a fourth death linked to M-I-S-C. Billioux says the length of time the ailment can impact a child varies depending on the severity of the case.
Cut 5 (09)  “…doing for them.”
Billioux says about 40% of children with M-I-S-C have heart inflammation.
After months of lobbying the crawfish industry will be included in the federal Coronavirus Food Assistance Program aimed at helping food producers impacted by the pandemic. Congressman Ralph Abraham made the announcement. He says crawfishermen were slammed by having the pandemic shut the country down during their peak spring season.
Cut 7 (10) 2020.”

The PAC 12 and Big Ten have suspended fall sports but the SEC, ACC and Big 12 are still planning on holding its season. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC plans on further refining its policies to promote a safe return to play while monitoring the situation. USA Today sports writer Glenn Guilbeau says don’t expect any SEC decision to be made imminently.

Cut 12 (09) “definition”

Investigators with State Police are looking into an officer-involved shooting that put a burglary suspect in the hospital.  Shortly after 5 on Tuesday morning, Lafayette Police responded to a complaint of a burglary.  Trooper Thomas Gossen says when officers arrived, they made contact with the subject.

Cut 13 (07) “…discharging his weapon.” 

No officers were injured and the suspect is in stable condition.