Starting in August unemployed Louisianans will no longer get 300 dollar federally boosted unemployment payments. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”
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With 94% of COVID-19 cases and 97% of deaths coming from un-vaccinated patients in Louisiana, misinformation and a lack of education about the vaccines could jeopardize the progress made in stopping the spread. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”
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The catalyst for the veto session was Senate Bill 156 that would ban transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. The Senate had a two-thirds majority for an override, but the House fell short by two votes. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (42) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Unemployed Louisianans will no longer receive 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly unemployment payments after next week.
Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Cates says a Legislative agreement signed by the Governor will end the benefits about a month before they were set to expire.
Cut 4 (11) “…ARP benefits”
About 147,000 Louisianans were still receiving the federally boosted payments as of this week.
In exchange for the premature end of the federally boosted payments starting next year weekly state unemployment benefits will increase 28 dollars to a 275 dollar weekly maximum.
Cut 5 (07) “…amount up (x2).”
The agreement came after a major push from business groups who felt the benefits were making it harder for them to hire workers as the economy reopened. Opponents argue some industries hadn’t recovered enough to warrant ending the program early.
Since the CARES Act went into effect in March of 2020 LWC has distributed about nine billion dollars in state and federal benefits to 900,000 Louisianans.
Cut 6 (06) “…going.”
If you’re looking for a job visit LA-Works-Dot-Net or attend the statewide job fair set for August 4th.
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With nearly 5,400 new coronavirus cases reported on Wednesday and hospitalizations at their highest level since February, health officials say the fourth wave of COVID-19 is costing the state months of progress. Director of Infection Control and Prevention at Ochsner Dr. Katherine Baumgarten says 94% of the cases and 97% of the deaths are from un-vaccinated patients.
Cut 7 (09) “…they’re our family members.”
Almost 11,000 have died from COVID-related symptoms in Louisiana. The spread of misinformation online about the safety of vaccines has slowed down the rate at which they’re administered. Baumgarten says the best way to combat this phenomenon is by talking to those who are concerned individually and sharing data with them.
Cut 8 (12) “…why they’re hesitant.”
In light of the new Delta variant, both the vaccinated and especially the un-vaccinated are encouraged to wear a mask indoors since the vaccine isn’t 100% effective. During his monthly radio show “Ask the Governor” Governor Edwards highlighted the importance of vaccine availability across the state.
Cut 9 (11) “…agree to be vaccinated.”
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Political analyst Clancy DuBos says the Legislature’s failure to overturn any veto this week strengthens the hand of the Governor.
DuBos says calling the veto session was a gamble that didn’t pay off for Republican Legislative leadership who now know they can’t override the Democratic Governor’s vetoes…
Cut 10 (11) “…other things.”
Redistricting is expected to take place sometime next year.
DuBos says this historic veto override session established an expectation that finding 26 votes in the Senate and 70 in the House will be very difficult for Republicans.
Cut 11 (10) “…veto sessions.”
DuBos says the power of House and Senate leadership has taken a hit and they’ll need to regroup before taking on the Governor again next year.
Cut 12 (10) “…community.”
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The highly contested vetoed bill to ban transgender athletes from participating in women’s sport failed to garner enough votes in the House thus allowing the governor’s veto to stand. Governor John Bel Edwards says on the first hand the bill is unnecessary…
Cut 13 (13) “…from doing.”
Louisiana Family Forum President Gene Mills says he is very disheartened legislators failed to override the veto. Seventy votes were needed, and veto opponents failed to reach a two-thirds majority by two votes. Some representatives even changed their vote from the regular session on Senate Bill 156.
Cut 14 (10) “…back home.”
Edwards says the bill is a solution looking for a problem because it’s not even an ongoing issue, but it could jeopardize the state’s tourism industry that’s been severely impacted by the pandemic.
Cut 15 (12)“…conventions.”
Mills says transgender athletes pose a threat to women’s sports and he’s disappointed House members didn’t rise to the occasion and remedy the issue.
Cut 16 (11) “…their opinion.”
Lawmakers failed to override any of the governor’s 28 vetoes from the 2021 regular session.
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Name, Image, and Likeness has been a focal point at SEC Media Days and reports say that Alabama quarterback Bryce Young is closing in on one million dollars worth of endorsements. Alabama coach Nick Saban says he’s not sure how NIL will impact the locker room.
Cut 17 (18) …than others.”
Covid vaccinations also dominated the headlines. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey says that six out of the 14 teams have at least 80 percent of the team vaccinated. Saban says there are two factors for players to consider before getting the shot.
Cut 18 (21)”…a team.”
Another big topic in college football is the proposed expansion of the college football playoff. C-F-P has talked about expanding to 12 teams. Mississippi State Coach Mike Leach would like to see more than that
Cut 19 (15) “…look forward to it.”