Officials have issued voluntary evacuation orders for residents of Acadia and Lafayette Parishes ahead of Delta’s anticipated landfall in eastern Cameron Parish Friday. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter is once again prepping his hurricane-ravaged community for another oncoming storm. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________

Voluntary evacuation orders are in place for residents of Acadia and Lafayette parishes ahead of Delta’s Friday landfall in eastern Cameron Parish. Lafayette Consolidated Government spokesperson Jamie Angelle says if you must stay you can, but Friday likely won’t be very pleasant…

Cut 3 (08)  “…area”  

While Delta looks like it won’t be a major hurricane at landfall Angelle says the hurricane still has everyone’s attention after what happened to their neighbors just over a month ago…

Cut 4 (06) “seriously”

Lafayette will implement a curfew starting at 12PM Friday lasting until 6 AM Saturday morning.

Acadia Sheriff KP Gibson says he’s already seen residents in the flood-prone southern portion of the parishes leaving, and they’re moving inmates out of the parish into facilities in north Louisiana…

Cut 5 (07) “…doing.”

Gibson says if you can leave please do, but if you plan to ride out the storm Friday in the parish make sure you are ready to do so.

Cut 6 (11) “…before.”

Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Cameron, Allen, Jeff Davis, and Calcasieu Parishes.

________________

Hurricane Delta continues its approach towards the Louisiana coast. National Weather Service Lake Charles meteorologist Chanelle Stigger says exactly six weeks after Laura clobbered the area, they are bracing for round two. The storm track has shifted west over the last few days, but landfall in Cameron is more likely now.

Cut 7 (08) “…couple of advisories.”

Stigger says the biggest problem appears to be wind damage with sustained speeds of 90-100 miles per hour, with gusts up to 120, but Delta will bring other issues.

Cut 8 (08) “…threat for tornadoes.”

Stigger says although the storm is not expected to be a major hurricane at landfall, southwest Louisiana is still a compromised and Delta is making things much worse.

Cut 9 (11) “standby”

____________________________________

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says he can’t believe another hurricane is set to strike the city again, but you can’t let fatigue keep people from taking this storm seriously.  Hunter is urging Lake Charles residents to get out.

Cut 10 (07) “…through Hurricane Delta.”

Hunter says the decision to leave is one that needs to be made quickly.

Cut 11 (06) “…today to evacuate.”

Hunter says it all may seem like a bad dream, but adds that Lake Charles is a resilient community that will get through this.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

_____________________________________________

Hurricane Delta is expected to make landfall tomorrow nearly in the same location as Hurricane Laura did six weeks ago today. Governor John Bel Edwards hopes the most impacted parts of Cameron and Calcasieu will miss the brunt of this next storm…

Cut 13 (11) “…very tired”

The governor says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in a dozen hotels mostly in New Orleans.

Edwards says they are still housing six-thousand Hurricane Laura evacuees in hotels mostly in New Orleans.  The governor says Delta has grown in size since hitting the Yucatan Peninsula

Cut 14 (12) “…Port Fourchon”

Rain and storm surge predictions for Hurricane Delta don’t look too severe, but we could see heavy wind damage deep inland. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”  

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There was a tense moment in a Committee hearing about legislation that would grant immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency. Brooke Thorington has the story…

cut 2 (33) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

_____________________________

Most of the Louisiana coast is now under a Hurricane Watch as Delta is on track to make landfall in the state sometime Friday, and potentially as a category three hurricane. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the most likely point of impact right now appears to be somewhere in St. Mary, Iberia, or Vermillion Parishes.

Cut 3 (07)  “…center.”  

Delta is currently crossing the Yucatan Peninsula.

Keim says Delta is currently only forecasted to bring about four to eight inches of rain to the state…

Cut 4 (07) “like that”

The NWS storm surge forecast calls for seven to eleven feet of surge from Pecan Island to Port Fourchon, and four feet of surge elsewhere along the coast.

Keim says Delta’s biggest threat at the moment appears to be its potential to bring some heavy wind damage deep inland…

Cut 5 (09) “…Alexandria.”

Delta will be only the third named storm to hit the state in October since 1851.

_________________

Hurricane Delta forces the relocation of this Saturday’s Missouri-LSU game.  Instead of taking place at Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will be heading to Columbia, Missouri.  LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the team is adapting to the last-minute shakeup.

Cut 6 (09) “…practice in Missouri.”

The game was originally set for Saturday night, but with the change in venue comes a change in kickoff time. Orgeron says the 11 AM kickoff will be a benefit, because a night game would have resulted in the team rolling back into Baton Rouge extremely early Sunday morning…

Cut 7 (06) “…advantage for us.”

____________________________________

Legislation granting criminal and civil immunity to those who gather for religious services against state orders during an emergency clears a House committee.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says his bill is in response to the state’s ban on in-person church services early in the pandemic…

Cut 8 (10)..and well.”

Central Pastor Tony Spell testified at the committee. He says Central police had no right to arrest him for continuing in-person services in spite of the state ban.

Cut 9 (12) “…Governor.”

Spell was challenged by Chairman Ted James who contested the accusation, citing the Governor’s record.

The legislation also aims to retroactively void charges like those against Pastor Spell, but James says even if this is signed into law it can’t be applied to past cases.

Cut 10 (06) “…retroactive.”

The bill heads next to the House where a series of efforts restricting or overturning the Governor’s public health orders have passed.

____________________________________________

It was just over a month ago that Rapides Parish was roughed up by Hurricane Laura and now the area is in the track of Hurricane Delta.  Rapides Parish Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Tommy Carnline says the area has a feeling of exhaustion in seeing they may get a second round with the 2020 hurricane season.

Cut 11 (09) “…getting really absurd.”

Carnline says deputies are already preparing to clear the roads for utility restoration teams as well as first responders.

Cut 12 (09) “…it happens bad.”

Carnline says the message to residents is to prepare now.  Make sure to have the supplies needed to be self-sustainable for three days and tank up at the gas station now in the event power is lost later.

Cut 13 (11) “…days and food.”

If the current track holds, the National Hurricane Center forecasts Hurricane Delta will be a Category Three storm when it hits the Louisiana coast on Friday.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “   I’m Kevin Barnhart”

________________________________

A bill goes before the House Education Committee today to address the suspension of a fourth grader for having a BB gun in his bedroom during virtual class. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

__________________________________________

Mike Foster, Louisiana’s 53^rd governor, is being laid to rest today in his hometown of Franklin.  Kevin Barnhart spoke with former Governor Bobby Jindal about Foster’s legacy.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

The National Hurricane Center is now anticipating Hurricane Delta will be a Category Three storm as it approaches the Bayou State on Friday. National Weather Service New Orleans Director Ben Schott says the impacts of Delta when it comes onshore will be significant

Cut 4 (12) “surge”

Delta will cross over the Yucatan today and Schott says once it gets past the peninsula, the forecast models should have a better idea of a potential landfall. Schott says forecasters do expect the storm to weaken as it approaches the Gulf Coast, but

Cut 5 (13) “…life threatening impacts”

Governor John Bel Edwards admits Delta is another difficult challenge for the state, but that should not prevent us from getting prepared

Cut 6 (13) “right now”

_______________________________

A bill addressing the suspension of a 4^th grader in Jefferson Parish for having a BB Gun in his bedroom during virtual class will be heard today in the House Education Committee. The author of the proposal, Jennings State Representative Troy Romero, wants to establish a separation between the classroom and home.

Cut 7 (12) “school environment”

Romero says in a school setting the school has full control of the environment, but in a virtual setting, which can include a private home, there are differences.

Cut 8 (11) “…that distinction”

And allow parents to appeal both a suspension or an expulsion of the student.

Originally in the case of the BB Gun in the home, Jefferson Parish School Board expelled the 4^th grader and later reduced it to a suspension. Romero believes they overreacted to the situation.

Cut 9 (09) “I’m concerned”

________________________

The Regeneron experimental monoclonal antibody treatment that was administered to President Trump following his COVID-19 diagnosis is actually being studied in Shreveport with clinical trials at Willis-Knighton Clinical Research.  Principle investigator Dr. Bocchini (Bo-keenee) says so far there is a lot of good evidence from the studies that it’s a safe approach.

Cut 10 (08) “…patients with COVID-19”

Bocchini says the idea is that the lab-grown antibodies are giving to a patient in an effort to combat the virus from continue to replicate within someone’s body.

The antibodies are administered intravenously.

Cut 11 (10) “…to take place.”

The treatment has been cited by experts as one of the most promising tools in combatting COVID-19.  Bocchini’s reaction to hearing the treatment was being administered President?

Cut 12 (09) “…to the hospital.”

______________________________________

Louisiana’s 53^rd governor, Mike Foster, is being laid to rest today in his hometown of Franklin.  Foster was at the helm of the state for two terms from 1996 through 2004.  Former Governor Bobby Jindal served in the Foster administration and remembers Foster as a down to earth guy.

Cut 13 (08) “…he came from.”

90-year-old Foster died Sunday.

Jindal says Foster was early to bed, early to rise.  If you tried to call him at the office of the Governor’s mansion too late in the afternoon, you could expect a wake-up call the next day.

Cut 14 (12) “…this is Mike.”

Jindal says he recently met with Foster when it became clear that he was nearing the end of his life.

Cut 15 (11) “…to lose weight.”

Private services will be held at his home, Oaklawn Manor, at 11 a.m. followed by a public graveside service at 12:30 p.m. at Franklin Cemetery, complete with a military send-off.
______________________________________

The Ragin Cajuns are back in the Top 25 AP and coaches polls, even though they didn’t play last Saturday. They come in at number 23 as they get ready for Saturday’s home game against Coastal Carolina. Coach Billy Napier says hopefully the ranking motivates his players to perform at a higher level

cut 16 (24) “…keep winning.”

Saturday is a matchup between two undefeated teams. Coastal Carolina leads the Sun Belt in scoring and they rank second in the league in total defense. Napier says Coastal has improved its personnel on defense…

cut 17 (20) “good job’

________________________________________________

A break out star on LSU’s defense this season has been junior college transfer Ali Gaye, who has emerged as the Tigers best pass rusher. Gaye transferred in from Garden City Community College and says coaching has allowed him to take his game to a different level

cut 18 (20) “.on me” 

Gaye leads the SEC in quarterback pressures through two games. Gaye says he didn’t think he would be a starter right away, but wants to be one of the defensive linemen in the country…

cut 19 (24) “.a temmate’

Hurricane Delta is a Category 4 storm, but is expected to weaken to a Cat 2 before a projected Saturday landfall in southeast Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (29) “   I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________

Still too early to say the exact impacts Hurricane Delta will bring to Louisiana, but state and local governments are getting prepared. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Hurricane Delta is now a Category 4 storm and once again Louisiana is in the crosshairs of this major hurricane.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says before it becomes an issue for the northern Gulf Coast on Saturday, it’ll make an initial landfall in Mexico.

Cut 3 (09)  “…it is now.”  

Gilmore says the current forecast shows the storm weakening to a Cat 2 before the projected landfall in southeast Louisiana, but says the impacts will still be a major concern.

Cut 4 (09) “day on Saturday.”

Gilmore says the impacts of the storm extend beyond storm surge.

Cut 5 (10) “…of the storm.”
_________________

2020 continues to be an extremely difficult year for most and an active hurricane season is another straw to the camel’s back. Hurricane Laura was devastating for southwest Louisiana and now Hurricane Delta is on track to strike the state. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore says understanding that an increased level of stress is a normal reaction is the first step towards coping.

Cut 6 (11)“…that stress”

Prepping for disaster and a storm’s failure to impact the state is another added stressor. But Moore says to decrease the anxiety you should always take action by preparing.

Cut 7 (08) “…anxious feelings.”

2020 has brought about multiple ongoing complex issues from COVID, to job losses, and political bickering. Moore says we shouldn’t forget that coping with hurricanes does incorporate a sense of finality.

Cut 8 (10)…unknowns to the hurricane.”

Moore also recommends focusing on self-care during difficult times and to reach out to a professional for assistance with your mental health.

______________________________________

Louisiana’s entire coastline is in the cone of uncertainty for Hurricane Delta which could make landfall on Saturday. The five-day forecast shows a potential landfall near St. Mary Parish. St. Mary Parish Emergency Preparedness Director David Naquin says they are anticipating Delta to weaken before getting to Louisiana…

Cut 9 (10) “…a bit.”

Naquin says his biggest concern is St. Mary Parish gets hit with a huge storm surge and several inches of rain. He says sandbagging operations are underway

Cut 10 (10) “…up now.”

Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness spokesperson Mike Steele says just because it’s October doesn’t mean Delta can not do major damage, so prepare now

Cut 11 (10) “…go away.”

This is the sixth time Louisiana has been in the cone of uncertainty during this busy hurricane season.

Steele says they are in contact with the coastal parishes to assess their needs

Cut 12 (07) “…evacuation orders.”

____________________________________________

Private funeral services for Former Louisiana Governor Mike Foster will take place tomorrow morning at his Oaklawn Manor Home. A public military graveside service will be held afterward. Foster was not a career politician as he says in this 2010 interview, he waited until his late 50s before he ran for the state senate

Cut 13 (11) “…I ran”

Foster was a millionaire businessman who served as the state’s governor from 1996 to 2004. His grandfather, Murphy Foster Senior, served as governor from 1892 to 1900. Mike Foster said in this 2010 interview he didn’t think much about politics for most of his life

Cut 14 (07) “…I ran.”

There were tense arguments in a House committee yesterday as members approved legislation that would strip state funding from municipalities or universities that cut police budgets by 10 percent or more. Matt Doyle covered it…

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

A House committee approves a resolution that would block the State Fire Marshal from enforcing COVID health codes on businesses. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

__________________________________________

The ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season has formed with the intensification of Hurricane Delta and, once again, it appears to be heading for the Louisiana coast.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

Lawmakers sparred in a House committee Monday over legislation that would potentially strip state funding from localities or universities that cut their police budgets by ten percent or more.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authored the bill. He says the “Defund the Police” movement risks the safety of more than just the people living in areas that cut police budgets…

Cut 4 (11) “safety”

The bill would require municipalities and schools to submit an annual report to the Joint Legislative Committee of the Budget detailing the status of their police budgets. Entities that cut more than ten percent of that budget must prove the cut would not have a “significant and harmful effect on public safety” or risk being ineligible for new capital outlay funding in the next fiscal year.

New Orleans representative Gary Carter says if cities feel it is right to move money from law enforcement to services like mental health in an effort to lower crime, they should be able to…

Cut 5 (10) “…Congress”

Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says the state is already one of the most crime-ridden in the nation and cutting police budgets would exacerbate that.

Cut 6 (10) “for me”

Bastrop representative Frederick Jones says the bill is insulting to African Americans. He says while he disagrees with the “Defund” movement…

Cut 7 (11) “crying out”

The bill heads to the full House next.

_______________________________

A resolution that would suspend the State Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee.

House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says business owners should be free to make their own decisions about how, or if they should open given the current COVID risk level.

Cut 8 (11) “…businesses”

If passed the resolution would stay in place until the adjournment of the 2021 regular session.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry backs the resolution. Civil Division director Angelique Freel says the Legislature has not given the Fire Marshal the authority to shut down businesses for non-compliance.

Cut 9 (10) “in it”

Governor Edwards has tasked the Fire Marshal with COVID code enforcement, citing his broad authority during a declared public health emergency.

The committee vote was 12 to 5 in favor. One of those in dissent was New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the resolution infringes on the Governor’s constitutionally awarded public health authority.

Cut 10 (07) “…authority”

The resolution moves to the House floor where it is expected to pass much like a series of other bills did last week that targeted the Governor’s public health orders and powers.

________________________

Among the accomplishments being remembered about the late Mike Foster’s time as Governor is the establishment of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. LCTCS President Monty Sullivan says Foster’s stressed importance of the access to gaining skills for the workforce was clear.

Cut 11 (10) “…what drove him.”

90-year-old Foster passed away over the weekend.

Sullivan says prior to 1998, the state had four community colleges and one technical college. That has since grown to a system of twelve colleges.

Cut 12 (11) “…last 20+ years.”

The LCTCS is now in 53 parishes and Sullivan says the system is where it is today because of the vision of Foster. Prior to Foster, the opportunity was limited by geography to access to education in a way that puts people in jobs.

Cut 13 (07) “…two-year college education.”

______________________________________

Louisiana is once again bracing for the impact of another hurricane as Hurricane Delta approaches.  The storm is the ninth hurricane of the 2020 Atlantic season.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the storm is currently in the Caribbean and is expected to enter the Gulf on Wednesday morning.

Cut 14 (13) “…on Friday afternoon.”

Keim says conditions are extremely favorable for strengthening with very low wind shear and very warm sea surface temps.  The storm is expected to hit major hurricane status.

Cut 15 (11) “…hurricane at landfall.” 

Delta is forecast to have winds of 120 miles per hour in a couple of days.  If that forecast comes to fruition, it would become the strongest Greek named hurricane in the Atlantic on record, breaking the old record set in 2005 by Hurricane Beta, which had 115 mph max sustained winds.

Keim says if this track holds, this will be the fourth landfalling storm in Louisiana this season.

cut 16 (06) “…any single season.”

The only other years to have four landfalling storms are 2002 and 1923.

_______________________________________________

One-fourth of the NFL is complete and the Saints have a 2-and-2 record heading into a Monday night matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers are 1-3, but rookie quarterback Justin Hebert has played well. Coach Sean Payton on preparing for a quarterback they’ve never faced before…

cut 17 (20) “on tape’

In Sunday’s win over Detroit, the Saints got great contributions from their two running backs, Alvin Kamara and Latavius Murray. The two combined for 202 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. Murray on feeding off of Kamara

cut 18 (20) “.the field” 

______________________________________________________

LSU Quarterback Myles Brennan looked more comfortable in the pocket in Saturday’s win over Vanderbilt. Coach Ed Orgeron says they worked Brennan’s pocket presence prior to last Saturday’s game…

cut 19 (20) “.the money’

After giving up over 600 passing yards in the season-opening loss to Mississippi State, LSU held Vanderbilt to 113 passing yards. The 17th ranked Tigers are also getting back starting defensive tackle Glen Logan after a two-game suspension. Orgeron says he’s been practicing every day…

cut 20 (23) “..I’m excited”

Former two-term Governor Mike Foster is being remembered fondly today after passing away at the age of 90. Jeff Palermo spoke to his former chief of staff…

Cut 1 (31) “   I”m Jeff Palermo”  

____________________________

Bayou Classic officials announced today the annual football game will be played in Shreveport next Spring, not New Orleans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________

The state is mourning the death of former two-term Governor Mike Foster, who passed away in Franklin at the age of 90. The Korean War vet and businessman from St. Mary Parish created Louisiana’s  Community and Technical College System. His former chief of staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster knew the importance of a two-year college degree…

Cut 3 (12)  “…employable.”  

Perry says Foster also helped expand TOPS and directed one-point-seven billion dollars to higher education

Cut 4 (12) “…educating people..”

Foster was a democrat when he was elected to the Louisiana Senate in 1987. But when he qualified to run in the 1995 governor’s race he switched to Republicans. Perry says it was the start of a movement in Louisiana…

Cut 5 (12) “…become Republican.”

Foster helped launched former Governor Bobby Jindal’s political career when he named Jindal his Health Secretary when he was just 24 years old.

_________________

President Donald Trump will be released from the hospital Monday afternoon and allowed to continue recovering from COVID-19 at the White House.

Congressman Mike Johnson says the President is a high-energy and healthy individual who should be able to shake off the disease…

Cut 6 (09)“…illness”

Reports indicate the President was suffering from some severe symptoms Friday and Saturday and was treated with a cocktail of experimental treatments, Remdesivir, and a powerful steroid.

The weekend saw a series of often conflicting reports about the President’s condition, including revelations that he was sicker than officials first let on, but Johnson says…

Cut 7 (10) “…they’ve been.”

The President has filmed several videos from within Walter Reed Hospital and Sunday had the Secret Service drive him around the facility to wave at fans from within the vehicle.

The infection of the President and 11 prominent Republicans is reportedly linked to a ceremony celebrating the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barret. Johnson disagrees with that assumption.

Cut 8 (08) “White House.”

Video and pictures from the Rose Garden celebration show many of the now confirmed infected individuals having close, unmasked contact with a number of other dignitaries at the event.

______________________________________

Tropical Storm Delta is strengthening over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says the storm appears to be on track for a Friday morning landfall.

Cut 9 (04) “…that may change.”

Gilmore says the current projected path has Louisiana in the crosshairs for that landfall, but the cone of uncertainty is much wider.

Cut 10 (06) “…Panama City Beach, FL.”

Gilmore says coastal residents should not rest on this storm just because it is threatening this late in the season as the northern Gulf Coast has a history of notable storms.

Cut 11 (07) “…in October too.”

___________________________________

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. The 47^th annual game will take place April 17. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says it’s a big win for the city.

Cut 12 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

The only other time the game has not been played in New Orleans was 2005, when it was played in Houston due to Hurricane Katrina.

Perkins says the city is excited for the opportunity to welcome students, alum, and fans from both universities and assures that the city and its partners will make it a spectacular event.

Cut 13 (11) “…in the world.”

Perkins says while the game will take place in April, plans are already being put into place to ensure the game is compliant with COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 14 (07) “…of this event.”

_______________________

Louisiana teachers earn about 4,000 dollars a year less than their southern regional counterparts according to a new report. Matt Doyle has the story

Cut 1 (28) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

________________________________

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says a recent study shows uncontrolled blood sugar levels for type 2 diabetics can lead to long-term cognitive issues. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana has lost one of its favorite governors as Mike Foster has passed away at the age of 90. Kevin Barnhart has more on Foster’s legacy…

Cut 3 (33)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_______________________________

A new report shows Louisiana teachers make an average of 4,000 dollars a year less than their peers in other southern states. Last year the gap was just 2,300 dollars but Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says nearby states approved significant pay hikes. Now state teachers are stuck with pandemic workloads at low pay.

Cut 4 (09) “people.”

This comes despite a 1,200 dollar raise passed last year. Carter says while Louisiana was busy catching up other nearby states were busying pushing further ahead.

Carter says there’s real reason to be concerned that the pay gap will result in Louisiana teachers leaving. He says we already see it within the state where pay varies significantly from parish to parish.

Cut 5 (07) “…doing”

Carter says given the current economic climate it will be difficult to close that gap unless the feds come through with another pandemic bailout package for states…

Cut 6 (12) “dollars”

_____________________

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center researcher says type 2 diabetics can improve brain function with consistent control of blood sugar levels versus only losing weight and increasing exercise. Director of Biomedical Imaging, Owen Carmichael says type two diabetes doubles your risk of developing cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimer’s.

Cut 7 (11) “…blood sugar”

Carmichael says many people think once you are diagnosed with diabetes it’s just a matter of taking medication, but in reality, it’s a lifestyle change, and controlling your blood sugar is not as easy as it sounds.

Cut 8 (08) “…get as well”

Carmichael says this news is imperative to reducing the long-term cognitive issues and losing weight and exercising after cognitive issues have begun might not restore verbal learning skills and overall memory.

Cut 9 (06) “…under control”

The study examines 11-hundred participants and cognitive tests were conducted between 8 and 13 years after they started the study.

_______________________________________

Former two-term Governor Mike Foster passed away Sunday at the age of 90 at his home in Franklin. Foster started in politics when he was elected as a state senator for St. Mary Parish in 1987 at the age of 57. Eight years later he was elected governor and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says education was Foster’s main focus…

Cut 10 (09) “…community colleges”

Foster also rose teacher pay. According to his former press secretary, Marsanne Golsby, during Foster’s eight years in office, the average teacher received 11,500 in raises, a 43-percent increase.

Pinsonat says Foster was one of the state’s more popular governors. He says when his second term concluded in 2004 that popularity spread across Republicans and Democrats

Cut 11 (08) “…and universities.”

Foster was one of 16 individuals who ran for governor in 1995. The ballot also included former Governor Buddy Roemer, future U-S Senator Mary Landrieu and at that time Congressman Cleo Fields. But Pinsonat says Foster ran a fantastic campaign

Cut 12 (12) “…public’s imagintion.

Foster died from age-related illnesses. Funeral details have not been announced.
______________________________________

The House and Senate appear to be at odds over how to handle the Governor’s public health authority and business restrictions just one week into the special session.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says the first week showed how each chamber is feeling about the Governor’s handling of the pandemic…

Cut 13 (09) “…approach.”

The Senate passed legislation that would require the Governor to notify Legislative leaders seven days ahead of time of any public health emergency extensions, and explain why it was necessary. The House has passed everything from a complete repeal of his declaration to bills allowing lawmakers to pick and choose what restrictions should be upheld.

The Senate passed one signature bill addressing public health authority last week, but Alford says the House approved nine different items tackling questions of gubernatorial emergency powers…

Cut 14 (04) “…making.”

Alford says there’s a mix of resolutions and bills that would strip the Governor of his public health powers in play, but the resolutions are only temporary, and any bills are likely to be rejected…

Cut 15 (05) “…authority.” 

________________________________________

Despite missing several starters because of injuries, COVID-19 concerns in the middle of the night and falling behind 14-0 early, the Saints still came away with a victory in Detroit beating the Lions 35-29. Quarterback Drew Brees threw an early interception but played well the rest of the way to snap a two-game losing streak

cut 16 (24) “..close it out”

Brees threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns. Emmanual Sanders had six catches for 93 yards.

There was a concern the game would be postponed because fullback Michael Burton tested positive for COVID-19, but it turned out to be a false positive. However, several players were up into early Sunday morning waiting on another round test results. Sanders says they would not use that false-positive test as an excuse…

cut 17 (17) “.we did”‘

Coach Sean Payton says no one was going to feel sorry for them

cut 18 (18) “..did that” 

New Orleans next game is a week from tonight against the Los Angeles Chargers, who lost to Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South with a 3-1 record. The Saints are 2-and-2.

___________________________________________________

LSU played much better on Saturday night and it resulted in a 41-7 win over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Quarterback Myles Brennan looked more decisive and comfortable and he ended up throwing 337 yards and four TD passes. Brennan credits a lot of drill work leading up to the game

cut 19 (14) “.saw improvement’

The defense also had a much better showing. The Commodores were held to 266 yards of offense and intercepted Ken Seals twice and sacked him three times. Safety Jacoby Stevens had eleven tackles

cut 20 (19) “..good game”

The House approves a number of items that would significantly limit, if not overturn the Governor’s ability to set pandemic public health restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “…Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

Two are dead after a State Police trooper rear-ends a vehicle in Ouachita Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

The 2020 Census is less than a week away from its October 5^th deadline and census workers are hitting the streets to cover the remaining the 5% of Louisiana households that have not yet responded.  Assistant regional census manager Marilyn Stephens says there are three ways to participate.

Cut 3 (10)  “…interview by phone.”  

Stephens says the greatest concentration of homes that have not responded to the census is in the northern portion of the state.

Cut 4 (04) “…into Shreveport..”

Stephens says elected officials are emphasizing the importance of this year’s participation because the 2010 census was not looked at as a complete census for Louisiana.

Cut 5 (09) “…a major difference.”

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The Louisiana House passed several proposals today that would either eliminate Governor John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 public health orders or give lawmakers more authority.

Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s resolution to terminate the pandemic emergency declaration after the session ends won approval. Haughton Representative Doddie Horton…

Cut 6 (10)“…to be”

Supporters of the resolution say the Legislature would then have time to craft their own pandemic public health policy.

Covington Representative Mark Wright’s bill would create an automatic process for the Legislature to approve or reject an emergency declaration extension by the Governor.

Cut 7 (12) “…to us.”

30 days after the declaration is first made if either the Upper or Lower Chamber rejects the extension or aspects of the extension, it would not go into place.

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman brought a bill that would allow the Legislature to either terminate entire emergency orders, or just parts of one.

Cut 8 (08) “in place.”

Frieman says this bill was in response to concerns from colleagues that the wholesale elimination of a public health emergency declaration would result in the loss of federal funding.

None of the bills approved had enough votes to override a governor’s veto. The resolution to suspend the governor’s order doesn’t need the governor’s signature.

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An 11-year old and an 18-year-old are dead after a southbound State Police Trooper rear-ended another vehicle while responding to a separate crash last night in Ouachita Parish on Highway 165. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the trooper involved in the crash is Kaleb Reeves, the son of State Police Superintendent, Colonel Kevin Reeves.

Cut 9 (07) “…driver’s side door.”

Reeves was en route to an 18-wheeler crash in Caldwell Parish.

Reichardt says the trooper was not injured in the crash, but the other driver involved, Kenneth Lindsey, was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.

Cut 10 (06) “…were pronounced dead.”

The deceased have been identified as 11-year-old An-Janne Lindsey and 18-year-old Kajenne Lindsey, both of Monroe.

Reichardt says it has not yet been determined if Trooper Kaleb Reeves will be put onto administrative leave.

Cut 11 (08) “…two young individuals.”

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Governor Edwards says the current restrictions on bars are necessary to keep COVID-transmission low and save lives.

Bars in parishes that can open can only serve until 11 PM, can only do table service, and are limited to 25 percent capacity. Edwards says these aren’t arbitrary rules.

Cut 12 (09) “task force.”

Those under 21 are now not allowed to enter bars.

Only bars in parishes with lower than a five percent positivity rate on new COVID tests may open. Edwards says that’s because areas with higher rates just have too much community spread.

Cut 13 (10) “…positivity.”

About a third of parishes are still blocked from allowing bars to reopen.

Edwards Administration staff have frequently repeated that bars create environments conducive to the spread of coronavirus, and Edwards says we can’t risk more youth cases with colleges now reopened.

Cut 14 (06) “…cases.”