A State Trooper who was set to be fired for his role in the death of a black man while in police custody has died from injuries sustained in a single-vehicle car crash. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Jeff Palermo”

________________________________

400 “mystery seed” specimens were mailed to Louisiana residents two months ago and a carefully analysis of the specimens revealed some good news. Matt Doyle spoke with Ag Commissioner Mike Strain.

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Republicans will attempt to roll back some of Governor Edwards’ public health restrictions in the upcoming special session, but Edwards isn’t sweating it…

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________

Families whose children receive free or reduced-price lunches in school have only one week left to apply for Pandemic-EBT cards. The cards were authorized to make up for the missed meals children did not receive when schools closed in March. Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson Ted Beasley says families of 500,000 students have applied so far…

Cut 4 (06)“ … the first time” 

Beasley says families of those 264,000 students are leaving a lot of money on the table.

Cut 5 (08)  “dollars”

Beasley says this is money for families that need it most.

Cut 6 (10) “…all day”

To apply go to Louisianabelieves.com.

__________________________

State Trooper Chris Hollingsworth, who was set to be fired for his role in the death of a Black man in police custody, has died from injuries sustained in a single-car crash near Monroe. The FBI is investigating whether Hollingsworth and other troopers covered up how Ronald Greene of West Monroe died in May of 2019. President of Metropolitan Crime Commission Rafael Goyeneche says State Police has done a poor job investigating…

Cut 7 (08) “…answers.”

State Police originally reported that Greene died in a high speed chase, but his family says they’ve uncovered evidence that shows Greene may have been assaulted by Troopers who attempted to arrest him. Goyeneche wonders why this new information is coming out over a year later…

Cut 8 (09) “…May 2019 incident”

Multiple media reports say Hollingsworth received a notice of termination a day before he got involved in a single-vehicle wreck. Goyeneche asks why it took 15 months before State Police took action against Hollingsworth…

Cut 9 (09) “…an explanation”

Governor John Bel Edwards said on Tuesday that he has complete confidence in the head of State Police, Colonel Kevin Reeves, as they investigate Greene’s death.

_______________________________________

Officials say over 16,000 “mystery seed” specimens were sent out to residents nationwide two months ago, but they appear to be mostly harmless. Louisiana Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says we still don’t know exactly who sent the mystery seeds to people in the US, UK, and Caribbean, but…

Cut 10 (11) “…seeds.”

That being said Strain says you still shouldn’t handle or plant the seeds and should report receiving any mystery seed packages to Ag and Forestry.

Strain says in Louisiana we’ve received over 400 mystery seed specimens. Nationwide we’ve seen them come in from 44 different countries…

Cut 11 (04) “…identified.”

Strain says the feds are working to make sure something like this never happens again.

Cut 12 (09) “…plants”

____________________________________________________

The upcoming special session will see a major debate over the reopening of Louisiana’s economy. Since the summer, many GOP lawmakers have vocally condemned the Governor for acting unilaterally on pandemic restrictions, but Edwards says you can’t manage a public health crisis by committee…

Cut 13 (10) “…council”

A legislative petition circulated early in the summer seeking to override the Governor’s public health emergency but was not successful.

Critics have attacked the Governor for issuing broad statewide orders instead of allowing parishes to set their own criteria for the reopening of businesses. Edwards countered…

Cut 14 (11) “critical.”

One of the most prominent complaints appears to be about limitations of where bars can open and the fact they can only serve until 11 pm. Edwards says if the virus is too prevalent there are some things you just can’t do…

Cut 15 (09) “…the virus”

Bars can only open in parishes with less than a five percent positivity rate, which excludes the vast majority of parishes at this moment.

The special session will kick off Monday and run for 30 days. It will also focus on the depleted unemployment insurance trust fund and Hurricane Laura recovery.

___________________________

LSU’s season opener against Mississippi State will certainly feel and sound different on Saturday as Tiger Stadium, which holds 100-thousand fans, will be limited to just 25-thousand because of the coronavirus. But Safety Jacoby Stevens says the smaller crowd will not damper their enthusiasm…

Cut 16 (22) “…upcoming Saturday” 

Saturday also marks Mike Leach’s first game as a head coach in the SEC. His Air Raid offense has been successful at Texas Tech and Washington State and Stevens says Leach knows how to get the most out of his team

Cut 17 (16) “…their potential” 

______________________________________________

There were a lot of heroes in Louisiana Tech’s come from behind one-point win over Southern Miss last Saturday. Freshman linebacker Tyler Grubbs fits that description as he had 16 tackles in his collegiate debut. Coach Skip Holtz compliments Grubbs’ preparation

Cut 18  (30) “…four years” 

The Bulldogs stormed back to beat the Golden Eagles with a reduced roster because of COVID-19. Also Tech didn’t even have many physical practices leading into the game. Holtz says he still can’t believe they won

Cut 19  (29) “…as a coach”    

Louisiana Tech will host Houston Baptist on Saturday. Capacity at Joe Aillet Stadium will be set at 25-percent, 71-hundred available seats and up to one-thousand student tickets. Holtz is looking forward to playing at home

cut 20 (17) “..at.home”

State lawmakers have called themselves into a special session to debate the governor’s coronavirus restrictions, the unemployment trust fund and Hurricane Laura recovery. Jim Shannon has more from the House Speaker…

Cut 1 (29) “…Jim Shannon”  

____________________________

The Main Street Recovery Grant program has obligated more than half of its 275 million dollar fund so far. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

Louisiana lawmakers will start a special session on Monday to address the state’s unemployment trust fund that’s running out of money, to discuss Hurricane Laura recovery efforts and debate the governor’s coronavirus executive orders. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says many legislators are concerned with the ongoing COVID restrictions on businesses..

Cut 3 (10)  “…voice in it”  

Edwards says he’s relied on public health experts and the White House Coronavirus Task Force to guide the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. He says there’s evidence the measures they’ve taken are working. But Schexnayder says they are not working for everyone.

Cut 4 (10)“ …that are not” 

Schexnayder says the state’s Unemployment Trust Fund is another major priority. He says in March the fund had one-point-one billion dollars, but now has less than 100-million dollars and when it runs out of money, a higher payroll tax on businesses will kick in…

Cut 5 (11)  “on them ”

The special session will last 30 days and lawmakers can file and consider bills on 70 items.

_________________

The Louisiana Law Enforcement Association says once all of the facts come out, four Shreveport police officers indicted for negligent homicide in the death of a mentally disturbed man will be exonerated. A grand jury handed down the indictments last week and L-L-E-A director Chris Stewart says Caddo District Attorney James Stewart has mismanaged the case

Cut 6 (06)  “…at all”  

James Stewart says 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen’s death in April could have been prevented. There’s video evidence of officers wrestling, hitting and tazing McGlothen, who was then left in the back of a police cruiser for 48-minutes, largely unsupervised. Chris Stewart says the public has an incomplete picture of what happened

Cut 7 (08)“ …right now” 

Because the case has yet to go to trial, Chris Stewart says he can’t provide specific reasons on why the officers will be exonerated, but he’s confident that will be the outcome

Cut 8 (04)  “…vindicated” 

The four officers facing charges are 28-year-old Treona McCarter, 27-year-old Brian Matthew Ross, 27-year-old James LeClare and 25-year-old D’Marea Johnson.

________________________

More than 170 million dollars in Main Street Recovery Grants have been obligated so far from the small business assistance program’s 275-million-dollar fund. 

State Treasurer John Schroder says within that 275-million-dollar program was a promise to dedicate at least 40 million to women, minority, and veteran owned businesses. They’ve hit that mark, and… 

Cut 9 (05) “…dollars”

Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that are headquartered in Louisiana, and who suffered economic losses due to COVID can apply for grants worth up to 15,000 dollars. The average payout per business so far has been over 10,000 dollars.  

There’s some discussion that funds from the program should be reallocated to the dwindling unemployment trust fund, but Schroder believes they’re set to give away the entire pot by the November 4th deadline. 

Cut 10 (08) “…the money”

While 170 million has been obligated to eligible businesses, only about 40 million has been sent out so far.  

Schroder says it’s not too late for your business to apply for the free cash… 

Cut 11 (05) “…thousand”

_______________________

Has father time finally caught up to 41-year-old Saints QB Drew Brees? Through two games the legend has looked off, missing throws he used to nail with ease and barely pushing the ball down the field. When asked point-blank about that narrative Brees responded…

Cut 12 (08) “…us win”

Brees passed for 312 yards and one TD with one pick in last night’s 34-24 loss to the Raiders. He had 160 and two TDs in last week’s 34-23 win over the Bucs.

Brees’ “air yards”, the distance his average pass travels before being caught, sits at just 4.8. That’s the lowest of his career through the first two games of a season. Brees says he’s just going to the open man…

Cut 13 (06) “…do it.”

That 4.8 air yards per pass is the lowest of any QB through two games since Brett Favre in 2009. Favre would go on to bounce back and make it to the NFC Championship game, losing to the Saints.

The offense has looked troubled through two games, but Brees says they’ll get the usually prolific outfit back on track…

Cut 14 (05) “…close”  (2x)

According to Football Outsiders, the team’s offensive efficiency rating through two games ranks 12^th.

Beginning today you can visit your loved ones in veterans homes. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

President Trump says he’ll name a replacement for the recently departed Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg by Saturday, and called for a vote before the November 3^rd election. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

LSU announces an all-time enrollment record of 34,290 students. Jeff Palermo reports the university is also celebrating a more diverse student body…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_______________________________

Louisiana veterans homes will begin allowing in-person visits today for the first time since the pandemic began.

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs spokesperson Brandee Patrick says everyone entering the facilities will be required to mask up and get screened just like the staff does every morning…

Cut 4 (11)“ …given one” 

Homes included in the initial visitation program are in Monroe, Bossier City, Reserve, and Jennings, and the program will only be allowed at facilities that have not had a staff member or resident test positive for 14 days.

For at least the next 28 days visitations will have to happen outdoors and visitors will have to stay six feet away from their loved ones. Patrick says it will likely take place on the spacious patios…

Cut 5 (10)  “areas.”

Patrick says visitations will be conducted Monday through Friday from 9 to 11 AM and 1 to 4 PM, and visitors must call the home to set up a reservation.

Cut 6 (08) “…done.”

The protocol was designed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and the CDC.

__________________________

President Trump says he will name a replacement for recently deceased Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Friday or Saturday.

The declaration has sparked a firestorm with the Presidential Election just over 40 days away but  ULM Poli Sci Professor John Sutherlin says he expects that nominee won’t be confirmed before November 3^rd…

Cut 7 (12) “…issue.”

Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell says the upper chamber will move to confirm before the inauguration next year. That’s caused Democrats to cry foul over precedent Senate Republicans set when they blocked President Obama’s nominee in 2016.

Sutherlin says the next justice will almost certainly have to be a woman, and New Orleans native and Federal Appellate Judge Amy Coney Barrett appears to be at the top of the shortlist.

Cut 8 (07) “…judge”

Fox News reports that Mr. Trump has met with Barrett.

The 48-year-old Barrett is a protégée of former Justice Antonin Scalia, and a graduate of Dominican High in New Orleans, and Notre Dame Law School. She was named to the Appellate Court by President Trump in 2017.

A replacement judge for Ginsburg would likely shift the High Court’s balance on issues like the Affordable Care Act and abortion. Sutherlin says Barrett is clear on one of them…

Cut 9 (07) “…Wade”

Democratic leaders have signaled that they’re willing to pull out all the stops to halt the nomination process until after the inauguration, and even threatened to add new seats to the court if a Trump nominee is approved and Democrats win the upcoming election.

_______________________________________

The Saints had a double digit lead in Las Vegas on Monday night, but the Raiders got rolling in their new stadium and defeated New Orleans 34-24. For the second straight week the Saints offense couldn’t get into a  rhythm while the Raiders had the ball for 36-plus minutes. Coach Sean Payton says allowing the Raiders to convert 10-of-17 on third downs hurt

Cut 10 (12) “…as well.”

Raiders Quarterback Derek Carr threw for 282 yards and three touchdowns, while Saints Q-B Drew Brees threw for 312 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once at the end of the second quarter…

Cut 11 (12) “…in person.”

The Saints defense had trouble stopping Raiders tight end Darren Waller, who had 12 catches for 103 yards and one touchdown. Also New Orleans committed ten penalties for 129 yards. Defensive end Cam Jordan says they have a lot to fix before their next game on Sunday against Green Bay…

Cut 12 (12) “…these mistakes”

New Orleans hosts the 2-0 Packers on Sunday night. The Saints are 1-1.

____________________________________________________

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, LSU has set a record for enrollment at 34-thousand students and for the third-straight year, the school has broken a record for the largest and most diverse freshman class in university history. Interim President Tom Galligan says these gains speak to the reputation of LSU…

Cut 13 (12) “…wonderful, wonderful state”

Freshmen enrollment is a record 67-hundred students and Galligan says the freshman class is made up of 17-percent Black students, which is a record and Hispanic students in the freshman class is also a record at nine-percent…

Cut 14 (10) “…welcoming environment.”

LSU has also broken records for retention rate as the first to third-year retention is 75-percent.

LSU has received criticism for its holistic admission approach, which considers a student’s background, the rigor of curriculum they took in high school and life circumstances. Some say the school has lowered its standards, but Galligan says the quality of student entering LSU has not wavered…

Cut 15 (09) “…admissions.”

___________________________

Junior Quarterback Myles Brennan will begin the difficult task on Saturday in trying to follow the footsteps of Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow. Brennan will be the starting QB for the reigning national champs when they host Mississippi State. Brennan has been waiting for his opportunity and Coach Ed Orgeron says he’s always believed in the Mississippi native…

Cut 16 (21) “…summertime” 

Burrow benefited by playing with fellow first round picks Justin Jefferson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He also had Biletnikoff award winner Ja’Marr Chase. Brennan doesn’t have those weapons, but he will have the opportunity to connect with big tight end Arik Gilbert. Coach Ed Orgeron says Gilbert has drawn comparisons to former Detriot Lions receiver Calvin Johnson…

Cut 17 (20) “…Calvin Johnson” 

LSU’s offense set all kinds of passing records last season. Orgeron says for LSU to have an explosive passing attack again, Brennan needs to make smart decisions with the football…

Cut 18  (16) “…make plays” 

__________________________________________________

ULM is off to an 0-2 start after losing to Texas State 38-17 last Saturday. Warhawks Quarterback Colby Suits threw for 377 yards in a loss, but Coach Matt Viator wants a more balanced attack and would like to get the ground game going

Cut 19  (22) “…football better”    

ULM running back Josh Johnson was held to just three yards a carry on 17 attempts last week. The Warhawks are home again this Saturday against UTEP. The Miners from Conference USA are two and one on the season as they have wins over Stephen F Austin and Abilene Christian, but were blown out by Texas. Viator on what UTEP likes to do on defense

cut 20 (13) “…home again”

State lawmakers could vote as early as today to call themselves into a special session. Jim Shannon on what legislators will consider…

Cut 1 (31) “…Jim Shannon”  

____________________________

Louisiana local governments are projected to lose an average of six percent of their expected revenue for the 2021 fiscal year. Matt Doyle has the story.

cut 2 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

It appears likely that lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge for a special session covering several different issues that would start next Monday.

The vote to enter the session is imminent, and LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it will cover everything from Hurricane Laura to unemployment, but…

Cut 3 (07)  “…emergency.”  

Alford says a number of Republican lawmakers are not happy with the COVID restrictions still in place, including capacity limits, bar limitations, and the outright closure of some businesses.

A petition to roll back the public health emergency failed, and Alford says Legislative attempts to override the Governor’s order will be tough to pull off…

Cut 4 (06)“ …possible” 

Initially, it was thought an October special session would be called to allocate potential Congressional relief money, but Alford says those D.C. negotiations have stalled and lawmakers may have to return to Baton Rouge in December for another special session if those funds get passed.

Alford says even if Republicans manage to file an effort to override his public health emergency many lawmakers feel the issue will have to be settled in court.

Cut 5 (11)  “inherent ”

Alford says it is likely the session would begin September 28th and run 30 days.

_________________

Pineville Police say one of its officers was shot last night in the leg behind a shopping center in what authorities are calling a police ambush. Deputy Chief of Pineville P-D Darrell Basco says the wounded officer heard two gunshots shortly after he exited his police cruiser

Cut 6 (08)  “…and released”  

Basco says the second shot hit the rear door of the police car. He says Crimestoppers has offered a five-thousand-dollar reward for information

Cut 7 (10)“ …the area” 

Basco says the officer was on routine patrol when the shooting occurred near the intersection of Military Highway and Donahue Ferry Road. He says they are not sure if this was a planned attack

Cut 8 (11)  “…right now.”

________________________

Most of south Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Beta is expected to produce several inches of rain in the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain will be on and off for the new few days

Cut 9 (09) “…four days”

Keim says if you are tired of the hot weather there is some good news. He says the rainfall and cloud cover will hold down the high temperatures…

Cut 10 (11) “…low 80s”

Tropical Storm Beta is a slow mover and after making landfall in Texas, it’s expected to move northeast and the center of the storm will be in central Louisiana as a depression on Thursday morning.

Keim says as long as Beta doesn’t produce huge amounts of rain over a short period of time, Louisiana should be able to handle its rainfall

Cut 11 (11) “…accommodate rain ”

_______________________

Louisiana local governments are expected to see a 714 million-dollar decline in revenues for the 2020 and 2021 fiscal years combined due to COVID and Laura.

Legislative Auditor economist Ed Seyler says local governments are heavily dependent on sales taxes which have seen major reductions due to mandatory business closures and mass layoffs…

Cut 12 (08) “…taxes”

For the 2021 fiscal year, the expected total revenue loss sits just under six percent for local governments statewide.

Hurricane ravaged Cameron and Calcasieu are expected to see a 17 and 10 percent drop in 2021 revenue respectively. Seyler says there’s a chance though that storm repair could soften the blow…

Cut 13 (08) “…jobs.”

Other parishes seeing the largest declines in fiscal year 2021 are Orleans at 13 percent, Jefferson and Natchitoches at eight percent, and St. John, St. Tammany, and Beauregard at six percent.

Seyler says the numbers were compiled by the Auditor’s office into a report you can find on their website. He says the numbers are troubling…

Cut 14 (07) “…Louisiana.”

An optimistic projection estimates a loss of only 523 million during those years, while a more pessimistic projection pegs it at 860 million.

__________________________

State employer payroll taxes are likely to go up and unemployment benefits likely to go down next year due to the depleted state unemployment trust fund…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________

The state is working to implement new federal guidelines to allow visitations at nursing homes. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 2 (31) “…Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

Four Shreveport cops are indicted on negligent homicide charges in the April death of a 44-year-old mentally ill man. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle.”  

_______________________________

Researchers at Baton Rouge General say a taste test may predict how vulnerable a person is to severe illness from COVID-19. Doctor Henry Barham, a rhinologist, says they have found that people who have trouble detecting certain bitter flavors are at a higher risk for developing more symptoms…

Cut 4 (08)“ …would do” 

The loss of taste and smell are hallmark symptoms of COVID-19 patients.

Barham says their initial study involved 100 people who had COVID. He says the second study that’s ongoing involves five-thousand people as they try to determine if a taste test can predict COVID-19 severity…

Cut 5 (09)  “…on now.”

Barham also notes that as people get older they lose the ability to taste as well…

Cut 6 (11) “…the big one.”

Barham says even if you test out as a “supertaster” you should still get the vaccine once it becomes available.

__________________________

The unemployment trust fund has dropped below 100 million dollars and that will likely mean reduced benefits for recipients and higher taxes on businesses next year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says if the trust fund is below 100 million in 2021, the maximum weekly benefit will drop to 221 dollars from the current 247 dollars, but…

Cut 7 (04) “…benefits.”

Dejoie says when it comes to higher taxes on employers each employer has their own experience rating with the trust fund so…

Cut 8 (09) “…significantly.”

Dejoie says because of the dual-threat to both the unemployed and employers it’s vital that Congress include unemployment trust fund relief in the next pandemic relief bill.

Cut 9 (09) “…COVID”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meeting is set to meet September 30^th to discuss and verify the status of the trust fund.

_______________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is implementing new federal guidelines that lifts the ban on nursing home visits. State Director of the Louisiana AARP Denise Botcher says new guidance from the feds allows nursing homes to conduct outdoor visitation with social distancing…

Cut 10 (10) “…to Louisiana families.”

In addition to outdoor visits, nursing homes in parishes with no more than 10 percent test positivity and without any new onset of COVID cases in the last 14 days can allow indoor visitation.

Botcher says the inability to visit in person has been a difficult period for families when phone calls and virtual visits have been the only option.

Cut 11 (12) “…in person.”

Botcher says visitors will be required to wear face coverings, wash their hands, and social distance.

Cut 12 (06) “…one time.”

____________________________________________________

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport cops on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Officers arrested McGlothen April 5^th and after McGlothen was handcuffed video revealed that he was severely beaten and tased, and left for 48 minutes without aid. Family attorney James Carter…

Cut 13 (11) “…beat him.”

Video shows McGlothen, apparently handcuffed, on the ground resisting while officers beat him with a baton, kicked him, punched him, and tased him as he screams. After no longer moving the beating continues, and he is then stood upon his knees and kicked into the ground, lifted back up, and slammed into a squad car.

McGlothen was in an altercation with a homeowner when officers arrived, and Carter says police were well aware of his condition due to incidents from earlier that day…

Cut 14 (09) “…unfortunate.”

A coroner’s report showed McGlothen had a broken nose, jaw, and heavily swollen face after the encounter. The report also came to the conclusion that McGlothen’s death was likely preventable, although not the direct result of the beating, but of “Excited Delirium”.

Carter says it’s unconscionable that police would beat Mr. McGlothen so severely, and then just leave him handcuffed in the back of a car…

Cut 15 (07) “…to happen.”

Treona McCarter, Brian Ross, D’Marea Johnson, and James LeClare were also charged with malfeasance. Police Chief Ben Raymond has declined comment on the indictments.

___________________________

The Saints will look to improve to 2-0 tonight when they face the Raiders in their new stadium in Las Vegas. New Orleans All Pro receiver Michael Thomas will not play because of a high ankle sprain. Quarterback Drew Brees says the Black and Gold have a next man up mentality

Cut 16 (14) “…do have” 

Tight end Jared Cook agrees it’s next man up….

Cut 17 (16) “…about that” 

______________________________________________

The 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns rallied back from a two touchdown deficit to beat Georgia State 34-31 in overtime to improve to 2-0. Elijah Mitchell rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns to help spark the comeback. Coach Billy Napier says they needed Mitchell, because overall they were not consistent enough on offense

Cut 18  (17) “…play better” 

Quarterback Levi Lewis threw for 279 yards and two touchdowns, but he was also intercepted twice. The Cajuns were also just 3 of 14 on third downs and allowed 223 yards rushing. But Napier says the most important thing is that they are 2-0

Cut 19  (19) “…the most”    

____________________________________________

Louisiana Tech was without six starters and 20 players from their two-deep because of COVID-19, but still rallied back from a 17-point deficit in the third quarter to beat Conference USA rival Southern Miss 31-30. The Bulldogs scored the game tying touchdown in the final seconds and added the extra point for the win. Coach Skip Holtz says he’ll never forget this victory

cut 20 (20) “…competed tonight”

Bars in a limited number of parishes have begun inviting patrons back for the first time in months. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

Two of the best to ever play football in the Bayou State will be enshrined into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services so far a little over 60,000 have applied for DSNAP in the areas impacted by Hurricane Laura. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________

The state is seeing cooler and dryer air as a cold front sweeps across Louisiana and high pressure from Canada has taken control of the weather across the eastern United States.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says summer weather is not over with yet, but this is a welcomed break.

Cut 4 (12)“ …in the 80s.” 

Keim says this weather pattern will also come with very low humidity with dew points in the low 60s for the most part.

Cut 5 (08)  “…be absolutely fantastic.”

Keim says it isn’t all good news as there is tropical depression 22 has formed in the southwestern Gulf.  Early models indicate the storm could hit south Texas.

Cut 6 (11) “…the next week.”

__________________________

The first bars have begun reopening in select Louisiana parishes that have less than a five percent positivity rate on COVID tests.

City Bar in Crowley opened up Wednesday night. Owner Chad Monceaux (mon-so) says he’s been getting calls from antsy patrons ready to return to their favorite watering hole.

Cut 7 (09) “…good stuff.”

About seven parishes have so far have been permitted by the state to reopen bars.

Under Phase Three bars that can open must do table service and limit indoor capacity to 25 percent. Governor Edwards has warned Phase Three could last months and Monceaux worries about what that could mean…

Cut 8 (11) “…families.”

Monceaux has accumulated 40,000 dollars of debt to keep the business running since the shutdowns were first ordered in March.

Edwards issued an order yesterday allowing businesses to serve alcohol until 11 PM, up from 10 PM, but Monceaux says that’s still a problem…

Cut 9 (07) “…*laughs*”

Monceaux also noted there is conflicting information between various state agencies as to when you are allowed to begin serving.

_______________________________________

The 2021 Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame induction class features one of the best receivers to play for the Saints, LSU’s most decorated player on defense, and a college basketball legend. Hall of Fame Chairman Doug Ireland says the Saints all-time leading receiver Marques Colston will be enshrined in June…

Cut 10 (10) “…in New Orleans.”

Also going into the Hall from the gridiron is former LSU defensive tackle Glen Dorsey, who helped lead the Tigers to a 2007 national championship. Ireland says Dorsey was a two-time All-American and named SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Cut 11 (09) “…senior year.”

Former LSU basketball star Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf is also part of the 2021 class. Ireland says the high-scoring guard for the Tigers was the SEC player of the year as a freshman and sophomore

Cut 12 (11) “…college basketball.”

Former LSU track and field coach Pat Henry, former Southern star and MLB infielder Rickie Weeks, former Nicholls softball pitcher Courtney Blades-Rogers, former Richwood football coach Mackie Freeze and 1980 Bassmaster Classic Champion Bo Dowden of Natchitoches are the other 2021 inductees.

____________________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services receives federal approval to operate a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program in three more parishes, including Caddo, LaSalle, and St. Landry.  DCFS Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says so far a little over 60,000 have applied for DSNAP.

Cut 13 (04) “…40,000 applications.”

The new additions bring the total number of parishes eligible for DSNAP to 21.

So far, $12 million has been paid out in DSNAP benefits, but Howard says they expected another 100,000 to apply for the assistance in impacted areas.

Cut 14 (09) “…in and apply.”

Depending on their situation, those eligible families could be leaving lots of available assistance on the table.

Cut 15 (08) “…assistance that’s available.”

Step-by-step instructions on how to apply can be found at dcfs.la.gov/DSNAP.

___________________________

ULM hosts their first home game of the season Saturday night with Sunbelt rival Texas State rolling into north Louisiana.

ULM Athletic Director Scott McDonald says fans will be there to cheer on the Warhawks, but they’re expected to be on their best COVID-mitigating behavior…

Cut 16 (16) “…others” 

ULM opened the season with a tough 37-7 road loss against Army last weekend.

So what can we expect attendance to be?

Cut 17 (13) “…football” 

Tailgating is banned, and the band, spirit groups, and cheerleaders won’t be on the field for the contest, they’ll have to stay up in the stands. After the game ends and the teams leave they’ll be allowed onto the field to perform.

There was a time when it looked like all of college football would be canceled, and McDonald says just getting to this point has been a real challenge…

Cut 18  (15) “…play  

This weekend’s game will be the first college football game to be played in Louisiana with fans.

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After having last week’s game postponed because of a COVID-19 outbreak within the team, La Tech will open the season tomorrow night at Conference USA foe Southern Miss. The Bulldogs are expected to play two quarterbacks, Aaron Allen and Luke Anthony. Tech also has new offensive and defensive coordinators. Even Head Coach Skip Holtz is not sure what we’ll see

Cut 19  (18) “…everybody else”     

Southern Miss has played a game as they lost to South Alabama in their season opener. But following the game 5th year head coach Jay Hopson resigned and receivers coach Scotty Walden took over as interim head coach. Holtz doesn’t expect Walden to make drastic changes to what Southern Miss likes to do

cut 20 (19) “…they have”

7,600 unemployment claimants received notices that they’d been overpaid due to a technical error with a Louisiana Workforce Commission vendor. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Haunted Houses will need to request special permission to open this year in order to operate under COVID restrictions. Matt Doyle spoke with the State Fire Marshal Butch Browning

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

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A technical issue resulted in 76-hundred unemployment claimants receiving an erroneous message claiming they owed overpayment money to the state and feds.

Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says they are working with their vendor to resolve the issue and claimants do not need to get involved.

Cut 3 (07)  “…contend with.”  

The error resulted in some receiving requests for over ten thousand dollars of back payments.

The overpayment notices were generated last week and sent to beneficiaries who made their claims on March 29^th and 30^th. Dejoie says claimants did not make a mistake…

Cut 4 (05)“ …apologize.” 

Dejoie says they worked fast to fix the problem…

Cut 5 (12)  “correction.”

If you’ve been impacted by this technical error and have questions you are encouraged to email LWC.

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Hurricane Laura had a substantial effect on the agriculture industry and Monroe pecan farmer Abraham Lincoln says his nuts were severely impacted.  Lincoln says while there are still some nuts in the trees, there aren’t enough to make it beyond his local customers.

Cut 6 (08) “…nuts for that.”

The damage to the nuts is even more detrimental since this year appeared to be a promising harvest.

Lincoln says on a good year, his operation will move about 3 million pounds of nuts, but this year, he anticipates it will be closer to a quarter-million pounds.

Cut 7 (05) “…on the ground.”

Nuts that were knocked out of trees are not salvageable.

Lincoln says he invested extra care into the crop that would have been harvested by the first of October.

Cut 8 (13) “…what it was.”

Louisiana isn’t the only state to see its pecan crops negatively impacted by hurricanes.  Georgia is the nation’s largest pecan producer and they’ve been impacted by Hurricane Sally.

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Haunted Houses will be allowed to open this year but under strict permitting requirements and pandemic health restrictions.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says only 50 people total will be allowed in the building…

Cut 9 (11) “…escort”

Due to these restrictions, haunted houses will not be able to be used as venues for other entertainment until the house ceases operation.

Browning says because of how COVID spreads the houses will only be allowed to take groups through six people at a time.

Cut 10 (12) “…report”

Requirements like mandatory mask-wearing and social distancing between groups from different households will also be in effect. Browning says each facility will have guidelines to follow.

Cut 11 (06) “…threat.”

To open each facility will have to check in with the state on OpenSafely.la.gov to get guidance on what they need to do to begin.

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Utility provider B-E-C-i says they’ve restored power to 60-percent of their membership as power has nearly been restored to all of their customers in Vernon and Rapides Parishes. Spokesperson Danielle Tilley says getting the lights on for the rest of their members who are out will not be easy

Cut 12 (12) “…takes some time.”

Following the storm, the initial estimate was that full restoration could take four to five weeks.

Cut 13 (04) “…in that estimate.”

Others that may not have power restored by the end of September may have too much damage to their structure to receive power.  Tilley says in addition to the over 100 employees working in their offices, they still have plenty of boots on the ground to finish the job.

Cut 14 (07) “…area working hard.” 

Education leaders present an update on the return to learning in Calcasieu Parish following Hurricane Laura. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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A federal judge orders Louisiana to go back to using the summer election plan for the upcoming fall elections. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Hurricane Laura was the strongest storm to hit Louisiana in over 100 years when it made landfall in Cameron Parish. Just over three weeks later the Parish is struggling to recover…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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The damage sustained from Hurricane Laura to the campus of McNeese State in Lake Charles is estimated to be around $200 million.  McNeese President Daryl Burckel says there isn’t one part of the campus that has not been affected by the hurricane.

Cut 4 (07)“ …significant water intrusion.” 

The first day back to class will be Friday.  Burckel says students face hurdles in virtual education with a lack of access to electricity and internet service, so some learning could be done in the parking lot.

Cut 5 (11)  “…also have hotspots.”

The university hopes to have contractors on site starting November 1.

The Calcasieu Parish School System is facing similar obstacles in recovery as out of 76 school campuses and office complexes, 74 had damage and 15 had substantial damage because the roofs came off.  The estimated total damage is about $300 million.  Superintendent Karl Bruchhaus says internet connectivity is limited.

Cut 6 (12) “…schools with internet.”

The district plans to open schools in as they become ready, with 5-7 opening next week.  Online learning is set to resume September 28.

Bruchhaus says assessments have been completed on 309 of the district’s 350 school buses.  Only 124 would be suitable for the road.

Cut 7 (08) “…damage on buses.”

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US District Court Judge Shelly Dick rules against the Secretary of State’s election plan that rolled back much of the summer’s mail-in balloting opportunities.

Dick says the heavy limitations on COVID-related mail-in voting “imposes a burden on people’s right to vote.” Governor Edwards agrees.

Cut 8 (07) “…do that.”

Under Ardoin’s plan, the only COVID-related reason for requesting an absentee ballot is that if you test positive for the virus during early voting or before Election Day.

The plan was backed by the Legislature but rejected by Edwards who raised concerns the proposal made no considerations for those with co-morbid conditions, and…

Cut 9 (09) “…positive”

The summer plan allowed people to request absentee ballots if they or someone in their household were high-risk COVID individuals, or if they were diagnosed with, or feeling symptoms of COVID-19.

The judge ordered Louisiana to reinstate the summer election plan. Edwards says that’s not an undue burden.

Cut 10 (09) “…do so.”

Ardoin, in a statement, responded saying “A decision as to how to proceed will be made after careful consideration of the facts is weighed with the fact that absentee voting currently underway for some voters, and early voting mere weeks away.”

_______________

LSU officials address the fan experience at Tiger Stadium this fall.  Athletics Director Scott Woodward says the stadium will be at 25% capacity to accommodate social distancing and spectators will be required to wear masks.  Fans are being asked not to tailgate, which Woodward says will be one of the biggest differences.

Cut 11 (10) “…the woods yet.”

Woodward admits that spread mitigation efforts are going to have an impact on fans’ game-day experience, but they are going to try to make it as positive as possible.

Cut 12 (12) “…normal as possible.”

Woodward and Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan say the availability of students section tickets will be downsized in proportion with the rest of the stadium.

Cut 13 (09) “…sounds right. Yeah.”
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Cameron Police Jury Vice President Scott Trahan estimates more than half of the homes in the storm-ravaged parish were completely destroyed by Hurricane Laura.

Trahan says he’s been told it could be up to three months before most of the parish gets power back, but even when the power lines get rebuilt there won’t be many homes turning the lights back on.

Cut 14 (07) “…left.”

The parish has an estimated population of just under 7,000 and was still recovering from damage caused by Hurricane Rita in 2005.

At the Sacred Heart Graveyard, 150 caskets floated away from their tombs. Trahan says after having similar incidents in recent storms it’s time the parish starts filling caskets with concrete…

Cut 15 (11) “…go anywhere”

A Cemetery Task Force has been formed to help hunt down, identify, and rebury the lost caskets.

Standing water sat across much of the parish for over a week after the Laura made landfall. Trahan says a pumping effort helped clear up the area, but in many tributaries, the water is still high.

Cut 16 (11) “…with it” 

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LSU moves back to a four-three defense this season under defensive coordinator Bo Pelini. Linebacker Jabril Cox on what you can expect

Cut 17 (15) “…to offenses” 

Taking over as the starting center this season is graduate transfer Liam Shanahan, who was a three-year starter at Harvard. Shanahan says the move to the South has been a good one…

Cut 18  (13) “…to it”  

Shanahan started 30 consecutive games for the Crimson and was named to the All-Ivy League last season. The Massachusetts native says this is the first time he’s lined up at center…

Cut 19  (24) “…down here”     

A bar in Monroe attempts to open against the Governor’s orders and is shut down just 25 minutes into service. Matt Doyle spoke with the owner of the Junkyard bar…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

An LSU economist predicts it will take at least two years to recover 90 percent of the jobs lost to the COVID Recession. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Louisiana Community and Technical College System launches the Reboot Your Career program designed to help those who may be unemployed due to the pandemic get training for a high-wage, high-demand gig. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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The Junkyard Bar in Monroe planned to open yesterday against the Governor’s orders but was shut down just 25 minutes into service.

Owner Lane Clark says with bills pilling up he had no choice but to try to open, but when he did ATF arrived and told him he could either surrender his liquor license or be arrested if he served another beer…

Cut 4 (06)“ …fighting” 

Clark is asking other bar owners to follow his lead saying suspensions of licenses don’t mean much if you can’t open anyway.

Clark had publicized his reopening beforehand and opened the doors at 3 PM Tuesday only to have ATF arrive at 3:25.

Cut 5 (10)  “…came in.”

A hearing has been set for September 30^th in Baton Rouge.

Clark says it’s not right that bars seem to be just about the only business not allowed to operate right now. He also says it’s not fair that many restaurants have gotten into the bar business…

Cut 6 (04) “…drinking”

Edwards has defended his decision to keep bars shuttered, pointing to guidance and requests from the White House Coronavirus Task Force that the state do so due to the still high prevalence of the virus. Edwards and the Task Force say bars lead to lax judgment and promote social behaviors that can create super spreading events.

____________________

The Louisiana Economic Outlook estimates by 2022 Louisiana will have recovered only 90 percent of the jobs lost in the COVID Recession.

LSU Economist Dr. Loren Scott says by the end of this year Louisiana will have lost 105,000 jobs to the pandemic economic collapse, and our recovery will be less of a V and more of a Nike Swoosh…

Cut 7 (07) “…back up”

72,600 of those jobs will return by the end of 2021, but only 94,100 of the jobs will have returned by 2022, leaving 11,500 jobs lost across the state.

What’s driving much of this slow recovery? Scott says a lot of it boils down to their projection that oil prices will only rise to 49 dollars a barrel by 2022, doing real damage in oil-dependent regions…

Cut 8 (10) “…2023.”

The Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and Hammond regions are all projected to regain all of the jobs they lost by 2022, but the Shreveport-Bossier region, due to reliance on casinos, is only expected to get 70 percent of their 10,600 lost jobs back.

The report was conducted before Hurricane Laura devastated southwest Louisiana, but Scott anticipates the region will see higher than expected growth due to all of the wind damage caused by the storm.

Cut 9 (08) “…everything”

____________________________

Two Kenner men are under arrest and a third suspect wanted for the rape of a juvenile under the age of 13.  Kenner Police Commander of Criminal Investigations Michael Cunningham says the three suspects were home alone with the victim when they began making sexual advances to the child, offering money for sex.  The victim then locked herself in her room.

Cut 10 (11) “…sexually assaulted her.”

The two arrested have been identified as brothers Raul and Wilmer Paz-Perez, both 35, and 31-year-old Elder Paz-Perez is still on the loose.

Cunningham says the suspect that is on the run was in a relationship with the mother of the victim.

Cut 11 (07) “…a second investigation.”

Cunningham asks that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Elder Paz-Perez contact law enforcement or Crime Stoppers.

Cut 12 (09) “…track him down.”

___________________

The Louisiana Community and Technical College System launches a program designed to help those who may be unemployed due to the pandemic. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says the Reboot Your Career program aims to train no less than 5000 individuals in the 2021 fiscal year.

Cut 13 (07) “…of their families.”

Training focuses on skillsets for in-demand jobs such as industrial technology, healthcare, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and information technology.

Sullivan the training programs for certifications are much quicker than trying to get a degree, with durations between 8 and 12 weeks.

Cut 14 (07) “…go to work.”

The program comes with reduced tuition and no application fees. Sullivan says the funding comes from the federal CARES Act.

Cut 15 (11) “…in Louisiana’s people.”

More info can be found online at LCTCS.edu/reboot.

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LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron says starting defensive lineman Neil Farrell has returned to the team after announcing in August he would not play because of the coronavirus. Farrell’s grandmother was hospitalized with COVID-19, but tweeted last week that his grandmother is getting better every day and he missed football. Orgeron says it remains to be seen if Farrell will play in the season opener

Cut 16 (09) “…what happens” 

Orgeron says his three starting linebackers are Damone Clark, Jabril Cox and Micah Baskerville. Coach O says Baskerville looks comfortable in Bo Pelini’s defense…

Cut 17  (14) “…helped Michael”  

Orgeron says another player that has made tremendous strides is offensive tackle Dare Rosenthal. He was recruited out of Ferriday High School and started at LSU on defense, but Orgeron says he saw Rosenthal gain confidence last December while working out on the o-line…

Cut 18  (27) “…draft pick”     

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After a historic win on the road at Iowa State, the 19th ranked Ragin Cajuns begin Sun Belt Play this Saturday at Georgia State. After going 2-and-10 in 2018, the Panthers were 7-and-6 last season. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says G-S-U Coach Shawn Elliot is building a good program…

cut 19 (25) “…coming back”

The Cajuns made a statement last week beating Iowa State on ESPN. This Saturday’s game will be on ESPN 2 and Napier says playing another early Saturday game on national television is good for the program…

cut 20 (14) “…out there”