Legislation is introduced that would take funding away from local governments and universities that attempt to reduce police budgets for political reasons. Matt Doyle spoke with the author…

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

The Main Street Recovery Program which assists small businesses with pandemic recovery losses puts the breaks on applications. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

The House Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Welfare are set today to discuss occupancy caps for spectators at athletic events. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

The schools of the UL System are participating in an initiative aimed at connecting McNeese State students displaced by Hurricane Laura with resources from other system institutions.  UL System President Jim Henderson says more than 200 McNeese State students have registered for the Cowboy Relief Effort that helps with a variety of needs.

Cut 4 (06) “…cases, to housing.”

Henderson says it is a rewarding effort for the other schools of the UL System to step up with assistance and says the message to McNeese State students is clear.

Cut 5 (05) “…to help you.”

Henderson says so far the response has been tremendous from students relieved to hear this type of help is available.

Cut 6 (11) “…is left behind.”

_____________________

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris introduces legislation that would punish universities, municipalities, and parishes for cutting police budgets.

Harris says he’s highly concerned with the growing “Defund the Police” movement and defund efforts he’s read about in other states. He wants the Legislature to make sure nothing like that happens in Louisiana.

Cut 7 (07) “…pressure”

Under the bill, any university or local government entity that cuts a police budget by at least 10 percent would have to report it to a Legislative committee that would then review the reasoning behind the cut…

Cut 8 (12) “…deduction”

Harris says the Legislature has a duty to intervene in this local budgeting issue because defunding the police in one jurisdiction could imperil regional public safety and business interests.

Cut 9 (11) “…municipality”

_______________________________________

The Main Street Recovery Program aimed to assist Louisiana small businesses with pandemic recovery is no longer accepting applications. State Treasurer John Schroder says the original amount of $275-million that the legislature set aside for the program is almost allocated.

Cut 10 (12) “…as backups.”

The Main Street Recovery Program assists businesses with less than 50 employees recover losses due to the pandemic. The average payout per business so far has been over 10,000 dollars. Schroder says they even pulled advertising for the program because they received so many applications in the last 20 days.

Cut 11 (10) “…on Thursday.”

Since the program began accepting applications July 28^th, Schroder says they’ve issued approximately 6-thousand checks. Schroder says he knows businesses need the funds as quickly as possible, but it is not an instantaneous process.

Cut 12 (11) “…a little time.”

Schroder says business owners who have submitted applications but have yet to receive a grant or a denial can continue to use the portal to check the status of their applications.

____________________________________________________

The House Committee on Education and Committee on Health and Welfare are set today to discuss occupancy caps for spectators at athletic events. Chalmette Republican Ray Garafalo says lawmakers want more answers as to why outdoor athletic events have a more strict occupancy cap of 25% than indoor restaurants who are capped at 75%.

Cut 13 (13) “…that question yet.”

Garafalo says high school football games are a comradery builder and social event, adding that it is owed to the students to allow as many spectators as safely possible.

Cut 14 (06) “…into these issues.”

Governor Edwards has issued a statement saying the proclamation is based on scientific data and guidance from health experts and the White House Coronavirus Task Force in order to ensure the safety of Louisianans. Garafalo believes there is something deeper than that motivating the cap.

Cut 15 (13) “…show the public.”

________________________________________

LSU Center Liam Shanahan says Saturday’s loss to Mississippi State was a wake up call for the Tigers and there are no excuses for their performance. During a zoom conference with reporters, Shanahan was asked if the unusual preseason was a factor in the 10-point defeat to the Bulldogs…

cut 16 (20) “…I’m confident”

LSU safety Jacoby Stevens says they can’t let Saturday’s loss linger…

cut 17 (17) “…press on there’

There were some bright spots from Saturday’s loss. Graduate transfer Jabril Cox played well in his first game in an LSU uniform after a standout career at FCS power North Dakota State. Cox had a pick six for LSU’s first score…
cut 18 (20) “…myself.

LSU junior wide receiver Terrace Marshall also picked up where he left off last season as he caught eight passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns. This Saturday, LSU visits Vanderbilt, who held Texas A-and-M to 17 points in a loss. Marshall expects to be successful on Saturday…
cut 19 (16) “…the same’

A House bill from Covington Republican Mark Wright aims to limit the amount of time a state of emergency declaration can go without legislative approval. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________

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” 

___________________________________________

A UL Lafayette biologist is conducting vegetable research with NASA and launching radishes to space on Thursday. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

The second special session of 2020 began last night and 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.” 

Republican lawmakers did not consult with the governor before calling this 30-day session. Governor Edwards has said you can’t respond to a public health emergency by committee. But Wright says his legislation could result in future emergency orders being more effective, because it will have the backing of the legislature as well.

Cut 5 (12) “…we have now.”

Wright calls the legislation an additional layer of checks and balances and says similar consultation with lawmakers exists at the federal level as well.

Cut 6 (09) “…to declare war.”

_____________________

According to the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office, there’s been a 200 percent increase in online sexual predator cases during the pandemic.

Louisiana Internet Crimes against Children Commander Corey Bourgeois says the increase appears to be linked to the fact that kids spent more time online due to the stay at home order.

Cut 7 (12) “…minors”

Despite that increase in activity Bourgeois says the number of total arrests for online predation will likely not be notably higher at the end of the year.

Bourgeois says parents must be the frontline of defense against online predators and keep a close eye and limits on their young children’s internet usage despite pressure not to do so…

Cut 8 (12) “…children”

Bourgeois says nationwide there have been 16 million cases of potential online predation reported by social media companies between April and June to watchdogs, 743 of those were in Louisiana.

Cut 9 (12) “…office”

_______________________________________

Radishes from UL Lafayette will soon be growing in space.  UL Lafayette vegetable researcher Dr. Karl Hasenstein says the research has been in the works for three years but needs to be tested in space to advance cosmic exploration.

Cut 10 (13) “…moon or Mars.”

Seeds will travel to the International Space Station via a rocket launch on Thursday from a NASA facility in Virginia.

Hasenstein says radishes were selected for their ability to be grown rapidly with a greater quantity in a smaller amount of area.  The usefulness of the plants also extends beyond the ability to be a food source.

Cut 11 (09) “…consumed by humans.”

Two batches of 20 radishes will be grown in space, then upon harvest will be sent back to earth for further research, including a comparison to radishes grown on earth at the same time.

Cut 12 (12) “…do the analysis.”

____________________________________________________

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.

Robinson says they only have about 22 million dollars left to give out from the 50 million dollar pot, and over 110,000 eligible workers have received their money.

Cut 14 (03) “rebates”

Robinsons says they still have thousands of people who need to respond to requests for additional information before they can get their cash.

Cut 15 (07) “…information”

________________________________________

LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron admits they should have had a better plan in place on both sides of the ball this past Saturday when they lost to previously unranked Mississippi State 44-34. LSU allowed 623 passing yards and the Tigers offense allowed seven sacks. Coach Ed Orgeron says he looks forward to getting back on track this Saturday at Vanderbilt

Cut 16 (22) “…fixing it” 

Myles Brennan threw for a bunch of yards in his first start, but he was also intercepted twice and brought down behind the line of scrimmage seven times. Orgeron says Brennan needs to make quicker decisions…

Cut 17 (17) “…quarterback would” 

Cornerback Derek Stingley Junior could return to practice as early as today. He missed the season opener after suffering a non-COVID illness on Friday night that sent him to the hospital. Orgeron hopes Stingley can play on Saturday.

He says it hurt that Stingley’s replacement Jay Ward missed a couple of weeks during the preseason because of an injury. LSU’s other starter at corner Cordale Flott got picked on a lot. Orgeron says they still have confidence in this group

Cut 18  (15) “…and practicing” 

___________________________________________________________________

The Saints made Alvin Kamara one of the highest-paid running backs in the league just before the season started and so far that investment is paying off.

Through three games he has 153 rushing yards on nearly five yards a carry and 285 yards through the air with six total touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton highlighted his 52 yard TD catch in Sunday night’s loss…

Cut 19  (15) “…later on”    

Just days before the season opener against the Bucs Kamara signed a five year, 75-million dollar extension with the team. Only Panther’s QB Christian McCaffery makes more at 16 million a year.

In that 52 yard explosion against Green Bay Kamara broke six different tackles off a short line of scrimmage dump-off pass. Payton says he’s just a tough player to keep down…

cut 20 (16) “..tackle”

One month has passed since Hurricane Laura’s landfall on southwest Louisiana and the impacted communities have been working nonstop to get the area back to normal. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________

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”  

_____________________________

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”  

Alvin Kamara had a huge game for the Black and Gold with 197 yards from scrimmage, including a 52-yard touchdown catch that saw him break five tackles. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 288 yards and three touchdowns, but he says mistakes keep costing them

Cut 4 (12)“ opportunities” 

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” 

_________________

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 most people have gotten electricity back, but the next big hurdle is getting people housed.

Cut 6 (08) “…next biggest issues.”

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

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.”

Guillory says the blue roofs are now a normal site 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 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…

Cut 10 (12) “…sciences”

Maggio says Northwestern 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”

____________________________________________________

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. Senator Bill Cassidy says Barrett is incredibly well-qualified and she walks the talk and D-C Democrats fear that

Cut 12 (11) “…besides themselves”

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. But Cassidy says the Senate should move forward since the American people elected a Republican President and the Senate has a Republican majority

Cut 13 (10) “…to do”

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 second special session of the year begins this evening with lawmakers authorized to tackle a wide range of topics over the next 30 days. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

A Jefferson Parish fourth grader’s suspension for having a BB gun in view of his web camera during a virtual class has drawn the attention of Attorney General Jeff Landry. Matt Doyle spoke with the A-G…

Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Hurricane Laura is estimated to be the costliest storm in Entergy Louisiana’s history, $1.4 billion dollars in damage to the company’s infrastructure. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_______________________________

Lawmakers will kick off the second special session of the year this evening at 6 PM.

The depleted unemployment trust fund, the Governor’s public health restrictions, and Hurricane Laura recovery are the three major stated reasons for the session but LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says a range of issues will be discussed over the next 30 days.

Cut 4 (10)“ …topics” 

Alford says traditionally hurricane response has been considered a federal-only issue but this Legislature has shown an interest in expanding their reach so we could see some state-level interventions in Laura recovery efforts…

Cut 5 (06) “area”

Frustration amongst some Republicans over COVID restrictions on businesses is reportedly a driving factor in the session being called. Parks Senator Fred Mills says the current restrictions will be discussed and input from all sides will be sought…

Cut 6 (13) “…possible”

Mills says lawmakers will hear from a range of experts and involved parties over how the state’s public health response could be improved.

Cut 7 (09) “…compromise”

Senate President Page Cortez says current laws dictating gubernatorial authority during public health crises didn’t imagine a situation as long-lasting as COVID. Cortez says lawmakers will consider whether some of that authority should be shared.

Cut 8 (11) “…involved”

The unemployment trust fund is expected to run out of money next week, triggering higher payroll taxes on businesses and reduced benefits for recipients starting next year. In response, some state leaders have suggested using money allocated to a small business grant program to sure up the fund, but Cortez says the State Treasurer John Schroder has put that idea to rest…

Cut 9 (09) “…trust fund”

_______________________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry is investigating whether the Jefferson Parish School system violated the constitution by suspending a fourth-grader after a teacher saw the child move a BB gun during virtual instruction. Woodmere Elementary 4th grader Ka Mauri Harrison was suspended for six days.

Cut 10 (09) “…care.”

The nine-year-old’s brother had entered the room and tripped over the gun, at which point Harrison place the gun to the side, but still within view of his web camera. Harrison now has a weapons violation on his permanent record.

Landry says not only was it an overreaction, but it was also a violation of his constitutional rights, in this case, his 2^nd amendment rights.

Cut 11 (12) “…speech.”

Harrison returned to school Thursday after his suspension ended.

The case raises the question of whether schools can control what they see in a student’s web camera. Landry says at most virtual classes are public spaces, which don’t have the same restrictions as physical school property.

Cut 12 (08) “precedent”

The Jefferson Parish Public School System does not comment on a student’s individual record.

But they point to their policy that says the illegal carrying, possession, or use of a firearm or dangerous weapon within the boundaries of school property is a crime.

____________________________________________________

Entergy Louisiana estimates the cost to restore power following Hurricane Laura is one-point-four billion dollars. CEO Phillip May says 18-hundred transmission towers were damaged or destroyed and the number of distribution poles lost is only second to Hurricane Rita.

Cut 13 (12) “…after the storm”

May says the company is exploring avenues to minimize as much as possible passing on recovery costs to Entergy customers.

Cut 14 (09) “our customers”

For a ten year period after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Entergy customers had a surcharge on their bill to pay for those restoration costs..

______________________________________________

The defending national champion LSU Tigers have some soul searching to do after getting upset in the season opener by Mississippi State 44-34. Bulldogs Quarterback K.J. Costello threw for an SEC record 623 yards and five touchdowns. Safety Jacoby Stevens called in an embarrassing performance

Cut 15 (11) “…show up today”

Mississippi State had three players record at least 100 receiving yards. The Tigers played without All-American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior, because of a non-COVID illness that put him in the hospital on Friday. Coach Ed Orgeron says they tried to play man-to-man defense with an inexperience secondary

Cut 16 (20) “…obviously” 

The offense had its issues as well on Saturday. Coach Ed Orgeron called quarterback Myles Brennan’s performance inconsistent…

Cut 17 (16) “…beat up front” 

Brennan threw for 345 yards and three touchdowns, but he was also intercepted twice and sacked seven times as the Tigers new offensive line had trouble protecting him. Brennan says they don’t want to get used to losing

Cut 18  (18) “…move forward” 

LSU is at Vanderbilt on Saturday night.

___________________________________________________________________

The 27th ranked Ragin Cajuns are 3-0 for the first time since 1988 after squeaking out a 20-18 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday at Cajun Field. The Eagles took a one point lead with 54 seconds left, but Cajuns quarterback Levi Lewis completed three passes to set up a 53-yard field and Nate Snyder nailed it. Coach Billy Napier on Snyder who missed four fields in three games before that remarkable kick…

Cut 19  (19) “…kick”    

The Cajuns won despite not having several starters and reserves available because of COVID-19 and injuries. Napier says this game will serve as a great learning tool for these young adults

cut 20 (25) “..game of football”

U-L Lafayette’s next game is a week from Wednesday, October 7th, at Appalachian State.

LSU begins defense of its national championship with a new quarterback, Myles Brennan. Jeff Palermo has more on the six-foot-four junior from Mississippi…

Cut 1 (31) “…Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________

Many central Louisiana Suddenlink customers still don’t have internet, phone, and TV service over a month after Hurricane Laura struck. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

After watching Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow break nearly every passing record last season, Myles Brennan gets a chance to show what he can do as the LSU starting quarterback when LSU hosts Mississippi State tomorrow. Brennan says he’s looking forward to writing his own story

Cut 3 (11)  “this season”  

Brennan has appeared in 17 games for the Tigers since 2017, mostly in mop up duty. The six-foot-four junior was asked how he’ll keep his emotions in check now that he’s the starter

Cut 4 (12)“ field first” 

LSU only returns two starters on offense and three starters on defense from last year’s national championship team. But Brennan says despite the inexperience they’ll be just fine

Cut 5 (11)  “calling us back ”

_________________

Former President Barack Obama has endorsed Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins for U-S Senate. UL-Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says an endorsement is never a bad thing, but he doesn’t feel it will sway white Louisiana voters at the polls since only 14-percent of them supported Obama in 2012.

Cut 6 (09)  “…Mr. Perkins”  

However, Cross says the endorsement does raise Perkin’s profile on a national level.

Cut 7 (12)“ go for those” 

Cross says there has not been much attention focused on the Senate race because Louisiana is perceived as a red state and it’s unlikely to flip.

Cut 8 (11)  “…being spent.” 

Perkins is running against incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy.

________________________

State lawmakers approved the taxing rate for online fantasy sports betting in June, but players will have to wait until at least mid-November before they can legally use Fan Duel and Draft Kings. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says the Gaming Control Board still has to act…

Cut 9 (10) “…case”

Stefanski says when there’s a change to Louisiana’s gambling laws, there’s a lengthy wait for approval between the public input periods, the Gaming Control Board, and the Legislature…

Cut 10 (11) “…so chose”

Stefanski says online fantasy sports gaming is currently in a period of public comment under the Gaming Control Board. Once that period passes the issue will be shot back to the Legislature for final approval of rules, then back to the Gaming Control Board for potential finalization at a November 19^th meeting.

Despite passing legislation and parish-by-parish votes approving the activity,  Louisiana is one of only eight states where you can’t log onto FanDuel or Draft Kings and play. Stefanski explains the delay…

Cut 11 (11) “…have that”

____________________________________________________

A month after Laura ripped through the state many central Louisiana Suddenlink customers are still without internet, phone, and television service.

Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says Cleco restored power to the region within ten days of Laura’s arrival, but Suddenlink is dragging their feet.

Cut 12 (08) “…competition”

Suddenlink CEO Dexter Goei reported that about 90 percent of customers had been restored but Johnson says the sheer volume of constituent calls and emails he gets puts that estimation into question.

Johnson says there are a lot of kids who can’t take their online classes, businesses who can’t operate, nursing home residents who are isolated, and clinics who can’t receive medical records.

Cut 13 (10) “…not right”

Suddenlink was purchased by foreign firm Altice in 2012. Johnson says since then Cenla customers have seen a drastic decline in the quality of their service, but unfortunately, Suddenlink is the only provider in the area.

Johnson says because of this incident and the company’s history of selling services they can’t provide they’re pushing the Attorney General to start using his power to intervene, and…

Cut 14 (06) “…consideration”

About 92-hundred households in six parishes hit hard by Hurricane Laura are eligible for housing assistance and that includes the opportunity to put a FEMA trailer on their property. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________

Louisiana saw a 15 percent decline in the rate of women who were murdered by men from 2017 to 2018. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

FEMA is providing manufactured housing units to residents in southwest Louisiana who are not able to live in their homes because of Hurricane Laura damage. FEMA Division Supervisor Gerry Stolar says there are about 92-hundred households in six parishes who qualify for this type of assistance

Cut 3 (08)  “homeowner’s site”  

Stolar says they are also looking at putting dozens of manufactured homes in lots around Lake Charles.

FEMA trailers caused illnesses for those living in the portable homes after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, because of a hazardous level of formaldehyde. Stolar says those issues have been resolved

Cut 4 (10)“ occurred there” 

FEMA will contact residents whose homes have been identified as uninhabitable to determine their housing needs. FEMA Individual Assistance Supervisor Liz Redfearn says if a Laura survivor initially declines the offer, they can reconsider

Cut 5 (12)  “calling us back ”

FEMA says there are 11-thousand storm victims living in 47-hundred hotel rooms in Louisiana.

_________________

For the first time in two weeks, there are no tropical cyclones in the Atlantic Basin,  after a breathless few weeks where as many as five named storms were active in the Atlantic at once.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says the quiet period is due to the nature of tropical systems…

Cut 6 (12)  “…energy”  

The National Hurricane Center is currently not monitoring any systems other than the scattered remains of Beta currently in Mississippi.

Keim says he’s still expecting a record this year for named storms…

Cut 7 (11)“ of things” 

There have been 23 named storms this year, eight hurricanes, and two major hurricanes. The record for named storms was set in 2005 with 27.

Keim says some of the modeling community is projecting after about a week’s break the Basin will again start churning out systems…

Cut 8 (08)  “…season” 

________________________

Louisiana saw a notable drop in the rate of women murdered by men in 2018, about 15 percent.

Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says it appears a number of legislative efforts are finally coming to fruition.

Cut 9 (08) “…orders”

54 female homicide victims were identified in the report for 2018, with 34, or 63 percent, of them being Black women.

67 percent of victims were killed with a firearm, but Wineski says a 2018 law requiring domestic abusers to transfer possession of their firearms is just now coming into play.

Cut 10 (10) “…firearms”

Despite the drop, Louisiana still had the 5^th highest rate in the nation. Wineski says we have a lot of work to do when it comes to identifying situations that will eventually become homicides.

Cut 11 (12) “…opportunities”

Louisiana’s rate of 2.26 victims per 100,000 women in 2018 was 77 percent higher than the national average.

____________________________________________________

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has received a flu shot and he’s encouraging all Louisiana to get the vaccination as well. Nungesser participated in a Walgreens Flu Shot promotion with Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow

Cut 12 (08) “…side effects”

Nungesser says it’s especially important to get the flu shot this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic…

Cut 13 (09) “…to do”

Nungesser says getting the flu shot can save your life…

Cut 14 (10) “…nationally”

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says the November election should not stop President Trump from naming a Supreme Court Justice nominee. Jim Shannon has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Jim Shannon”  

____________________________

The vast majority of Entergy Louisiana customers in southwest Louisiana have now had their power restored. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

A Pineville police officer who alleged Sunday night that he had been ambushed and shot is now under arrest for allegedly shooting himself and then lying about it.

Deputy Chief of Pineville P-D Darrell Basco says the incident was investigated and they now believe Officer John Goulart Jr. filed a false report.

Cut 3 (10)  “shot him”  

The incident occurred behind a shopping center, and Goulart suffered minor injuries and was released from the hospital Monday.

Basco says they’re still piecing together exactly what happened but they’re confident Goulart was lying.

Cut 4 (09)“ office” 

Goulart has been booked into the Rapides Parish Detention Center and is on administrative leave.

Basco says the incident is incredibly disappointing.

Cut 5 (13)  “to do ”

CrimeStoppers offered a 5,000 dollar reward for information leading to an arrest in what was initially believed to have been an ambush.

_________________

Democrats say the winner of the November presidential election should be the one who names a new justice to replace the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat. But Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy says the U-S Constitution says nothing about the electoral calendar

Cut 6 (11)  “…Senate votes”  

The President is expected to announce a nominee on Saturday and hearings could start next month. But Kennedy says the Senate will not rush to hold a confirmation vote before the election

Cut 7 (10)“ …we’re ready” 

Kennedy says as a member of the Judiciary Committee, he’ll judge the nominee on basis of intelligence, temperament and integrity and he’s not looking for a judge to be a politician in robes…

Cut 8 (08)  “…ought to be” 

________________________

Only 2,500 Entergy Louisiana customers in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes remain without power just under a month after Laura devastated southwest Louisiana.

Spokesperson Brandon Scardigli says restoring power to the hard-hit area has been a monumental task.

Cut 9 (10) “…time”

Entergy Louisiana sustained an estimated 1.25 to 1.4 billion dollars in damage to its infrastructure as a result of the storm.

Scardigli says they managed to get power back to 99 percent of their customers by bringing a 13,000 worker strong army into southwest Louisiana.

Cut 10 (09) “…Canada”

About 13,000 total customers remain without power in Cameron and Calcasieu parishes.

Scardigli says those 2,500 customers are scattered throughout the parish and not in just one geographical area. He says they’re mostly homes that were severely damaged.

Cut 11 (09) “…right away”

____________________________________________________

During a visit to LSU’s campus, White House Coronavirus Response Coordinator Doctor Deborah Birx says the changes made to Louisiana’s COVID-19 mitigation measures saved lives. Birx says two and a half months ago, 80-percent of the parishes had over a ten-percent positivity rate on coronavirus tests taken, but there’s been a decline in cases since the mask mandate

Cut 12 (05) “…masks work”

On July 11th, Governor Edwards called for a statewide mask mandate and closed bars. Birx says it’s important these mitigation measures stay in place…

Cut 13 (07) “…discussion”

Since Birx was on the LSU campus, she was asked about the university having 25-thousand fans inside Tiger Stadium this Saturday for the season opener versus Mississippi State. Birx says it’s important that fans stay socially distanced from others and the no tailgating rule is a good one…

Cut 14 (10) “…event”