The state saw another dramatic increase in COVID cases and hospitalizations today as the Delta variant fueled surge rips across the state. 65 more COVID patients have been admitted to hospitals putting the total number of hospitalizations at 844 while nearly 5,400 new cases were reported today. It’s the third highest single day report in new cases and our hospitalization numbers are now back to where they were in February.

That has many concerned about the start of the fall semester at higher education institutions. UL-Lafayette is one of those programs hoping to combat the increase with their  ‘Don’t Wait. Vaccine!” incentive program. Dean of Students Dr. Margarita Perez says they will hold a drawing and give away 10 prizes to fully vaccinated students.

Cut 9 (10) “…vaccinate.”

Prizes include iPhone, MacBook Airs, and free campus parking.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is asking you for sites submissions known for their unique birding and outdoor recreation as a part of the redesigned Louisiana Birding Trails project. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Erik Piccoli” 

The Louisiana State House is set to gavel in at 1 PM today for the second day of this historic veto override session. They’re set to take up an override of the Governor’s veto of legislation banning transgender atheltes from girls and women’s K-12 and higher ed sports teams. 

The House will consider whether to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. 70 votes are needed to override the veto. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat the 68 Republicans will need two votes and only one of the three independent representatives will be at the capitol today, so they’ll need a Democrat to cross party lines.

Cut 15 (10)“…and helping Republicans.”

The House convenes at 1 pm.

A 17-year-old drown Tuesday after he was thrown from a horse in a retention pond. St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz says Jacory Levier led the horse when into the pond.

Cut 3 (11) “…and drown.” 

The body was recovered hours later.

Six Louisianans have been arrested by the Attorney General’s Office for allegedly defrauding California out of a million dollars in unemployment benefits. Louisiana Bureau of Investigations Special Agent Ernest Green says the scheme was based around filing fraudulent online claims with the nation’s largest state during the early days of the pandemic.

Cut 6 (10) “…system”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is seeking site nominations known for exceptional birding and outdoor recreation to be included for the redesigned Louisiana Birding Trails. Louisiana Byways Director Sharon Calcote says outdoor recreation, which includes birdwatching, accounts for nearly 7 million dollars of income for the state…

Cut 9 (10) “…pretty substantial part.” 

It’s day two of the veto session and the House will have the opportunity to complete the override effort of a bill that would prohibit transgender students from playing organized female sports. But an effort to override a veto of a bill that would remove the need for a permit to carry concealed a gun failed to get two-thirds support in the Senate. The bill is authored by West Monroe Senator Jay Morris…
cut 4 (10) “…first”
Four senators who voted for Morris’s bill on June 1st voted against the override effort yesterday including Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard, who changed his mind after some reflection away from Baton Rouge…
cut 5 (13) “….in the session”

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is asking the public for excellent bird watching sites as the state agency works to redesign the state’s Birding Trails…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Erik Piccoli”

It has been a wet summer, especially for southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says 2021 rainfall totals for the Big Easy are close to surpassing the rainfall total the city normally sees for an entire year…
cut 11 (10) “…to go”

On the opening day of the state’s first-ever veto session, Louisiana’s Republican state Senators were successful in their effort to override Governor Edwards’ veto of a bill that would prohibit transgender students from participating in school sports. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell told lawmakers the public overwhelmingly supports her legislation…
Cut 24 (10) “…give you”
The Louisiana House will have its opportunity today to finalize the override. There are 27 other bills that were vetoed but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the transgender sports bill is the big one…
cut 16 (11) “….mattered”

There is not enough support in the Louisiana Senate to override Governor Edwarsds’ veto of a bill that would allow for adults to conceal carry a gun without a permit. The effort needed 26 votes and 23 Senators voted for the override. Norco’s Gary Smith was the lone Democratic Senator to vote in favor during the regular session, but he says he changed his mind after thinking about his own experience as an avid gun collector.
Cut 6 (11) “…been invaluable.”

It’s been a wet summer across south Louisiana, especially in southeast Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says fronts hardly ever move through the state during the summertime, but that’s not been the case this year…
cut 12 (09) “…wet pattern”
Keim says drier days should be coming soon, but that will also mean hotter temperatures.

The Senate has voted to override Governor Edwards’s veto of a bill that would ban transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports. Brooke Thorington examines whether there are enough votes in the House to complete the override effort….
cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

AT 2 PM, the governor holds his monthly Ask the Governor Show. Edwards will give his thoughts on the override veto session. He’ll also discuss the state’s fourth COVID surge. The state has surpassed 500-thousand total cases since the pandemic started and the number of people hospitalized is 779.

While lawmakers are poised to override Governor Edwards’s veto of a transgender sports bill, an effort to override his veto of a permitless conceal carry bill has failed in the Senate after several lawmakers voted against the override effort, after voting for the legislation during the regular session. One of those lost votes came from Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard…
Cut 5 (13) “…in the session.”

Torrential rain led to flooding in parts of St. Tammany Parish yesterday as south Louisiana has been mired in a wet summer. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says the weather pattern is expected to change in the next few days which will benefit the drought stricken areas of our country…
cut 13 (08) “…little bit’

All of the attention is on the Louisiana House as the override veto session enters a second day. Yesterday, the Senate voted to override Governor Edwards veto of a bill that bans transgender athletes from playing female sports. The House will have that same opportunity today. 70 votes are needed and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if the G-O-P needs votes from Democrats in order to override the veto it might not happen…
cut 15 (10) “…and helping Republicans”
The House convenes at 1 PM.

It has been a wet summer, especially for south Louisiana. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the 2021 rainfall totals for the Big Easy are close to surpassing the rainfall total the city normally sees for an entire year…
cut 11 (10) “…to go”

The Louisiana Senate has killed an effort to override the Governor’s veto of legislation that would remove the need to get a permit to carry a concealed firearm for those 21 and older. West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says his bill is a 2nd Amendment issue and the state already allows people to carry guns without a permit.
Cut 4 (10) “…first.”
The legislation passed during the regular session with 27 votes, but four lawmakers who voted yes earlier this year, voted no yesterday. Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says he changed his mind after speaking with law enforcement leaders in his district. He says after that happened he got inundated with hateful messages…
Cut 7 (11) “…grandkids.”

An effort to override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation allowing concealed carry without a permit is defeated in the Senate after four lawmakers backed away from their regular session support. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The vote was 23 to 15 in favor to override the governor’s veto of permitless concealed carry. 26 yes votes were needed.

It’s the House’s turn today to consider whether to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. 70 votes are needed in the lower chamber after the Senate narrowly voted to override the governor’s veto of Senate Bill 156. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if lawmakers vote upon party lines, the 68 Republicans in the House need two votes and there are two independent representatives attending the session.
Cut 14 (08) “…the governor.”
The House convenes at 1 PM.

If you are a bird watcher and know a good place to watch, the Louisiana Office of Tourism wants to know about it as they are updating the state’s Birding trails for the first time in 20 years…
cut 8 (12) “…around the state”
Louisiana Byways Director Sharon Calcote says nominations can be submitted to la-birding-trails-dot-com.

An effort to override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation allowing concealed carry without a permit is defeated in the Senate after four lawmakers backed away from their regular session support. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (39) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

___________________________________

The Louisiana Office of Tourism is asking you for sites submissions known for their unique birding and outdoor recreation as a part of the redesigned Louisiana Birding Trails project. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Erik Piccoli” 

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Legislation to ban transgender athletes from female sports narrowly clears a hurdle in the Senate and now it moves to the House. But does it have the vote to overturn the Governor’s veto? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

_______________________________

The Senate kills an effort to override the Governor’s veto of legislation that would remove the need to get a permit to carry a concealed firearm for those 21 and older.

West Monroe Senator Jay Morris says his bill is a 2^nd Amendment issue and the state already allows people to carry guns without a permit.

Cut 4 (10) “…first.”

The final vote was 23-15, three votes shy of the two-thirds needed to override the veto. It cleared the Senate with 27 votes during the regular session but lost support in the nearly three months since that vote from one Democrat and three Republicans.

One of those lost votes came from Natchitoches Senator Louie Bernard. He says he changed his mind after some reflection away from Baton Rouge.

Cut 5 (13) “…in the session.”

Norco’s Gary Smith was the lone Democratic Senator to vote in favor during the regular session, but he says he changed his mind after thinking about his own experience as an avid gun collector.

Cut 6 (11) “…been invaluable.”

Smith also argued the Supreme Court has already ruled requiring concealed carry permits does not violate the 2^nd Amendment.

Marrero Senator Patrick Connick says he changed his mind after speaking with law enforcement leaders in his district. He says after that happened he got inundated with hateful messages…

Cut 7 (11) “…grandkids.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Franklin Foil also voted against overriding the veto after supporting the legislation during the regular session.

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The Louisiana Office of Tourism is seeking site nominations known for exceptional birding and outdoor recreation to be included for the redesigned Louisiana Birding Trails. Louisiana Byways Director Sharon Calcote says the submissions will help breath new life into these habitats that were developed in the 2000s…

Cut 8 (12) “…around the state.”

Birdwatching has a major impact on the tourism industry with 45 million Americans partaking in the activity. Calcote says outdoor recreation, which includes birdwatching, accounts for nearly 7 million dollars of income for the state…

Cut 9 (10) “…pretty substantial part.” 

Submissions can include local parks, state parks, wildlife management areas, and even private sites as long as the property owner agrees birdwatchers can visit their area. Calcote says currently there are around 254 trails on the website but that number isn’t fixed…

Cut 10 (6) “…anything that’s nominated.” 

Nominations can be submitted at www.labirdingtrails.com by September 30th

_____________________________________

Following weeks of heavy rainfall certain locations across the state are close to reaching their average rainfall total before August. State Climatologist Barry Keim says are the current rate this could be a record-breaking year…

Cut 11 (10) “…months to go.”

The southern half of the state has been hit the hardest with cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans seeing an increase of 19 inches and 24 inches respectively while in Shreveport the increase has only been by almost four inches. Keim says that prior to march the rainfall level was below normal but the excessive number of fronts has changed everything…

Cut 12 (09) “…excessively wet pattern.” 

The severe drought occurring in the western part of the United States is related to the downpour in Louisiana. Keim says all the rain-producing weather systems are bypassing the west due to a large ridge but the pattern will do some shifting in the next few days…

Cut 13 (08) “…dry out a little bit.”

_____________________________________

It’s the House’s turn today to consider whether to overturn the governor’s veto of a bill that bans transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. 70 votes are needed in the lower chamber in order to override the veto. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says if lawmakers vote upon party lines, the 68 Republicans will need two votes and there are two independent representatives are attending the session.

Cut 14 (08) “…the governor.”

Pinsonat says if Republicans need a Democrat to vote in order for this highly charged piece of legislation to be overturned.

Cut 15 (10)“…and helping Republicans.”

Governor Edwards vetoed 28 pieces of legislation from the 2021 legislative session, but the anti-transgender legislation is likely the only one that may be overridden…

Cut 16 (11) “…mattered.”

Pinsonat says if the transgender veto is overridden, it won’t make Edwards a complete lame duck for the remainder of his term but it could make it more difficult for him.

_________________________________

LSU all-American cornerback Derek Stingley enters the season as the one of top players in all of college football. He’ll wear the coveted number seven jersey this season, which usually goes to the team’s best playmaker. Stingley says he’s excited to wear the number.

Cut 17 (12) …leave a mark.” 

After winning a national title in 2019 LSU is coming off a disappointing 5-5 season in 2020.  Stingley says he’s ready for a bounce-back season.

Cut  18 (13)”…this year.”

Senior offensive tackle Austin Deculus has been at LSU for quite some time and is adjusting to new O-line coach Brad Davis after playing under James Cregg for the past few seasons. Deculus thinks coach Davis is a great fit in Baton Rouge

Cut 19 (15) “…great fit for us.” 

The Senate votes to override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation banning transgender athletes from playing on girls’ sports teams, sending the effort to the House where another two-thirds vote will be needed to complete the override. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell told lawmakers her legislation is popular…

Cut 14 (10) “…these” 

But Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says current Louisiana High School Athletic Association rules all but prohibit transgender athletes already…

Cut 15 (04) “…problem” 

The Senate also rejected a push to override Governor Edwards’ veto of legislation that would allow Louisianans to carry a concealed handgun without a permit or training. The failed override saw four Senators back away from their support in the regular session, putting it three votes shy of the two-thirds needed.

Parts of western St. Tammany Parish got inundated this morning leading to some home and street flooding. Slidell National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Bannan says the area was already soaked with rain over the past few weeks, and when a land breeze blew through…

Cut 3 (12) “…10 inches.” 

Bannan says the area will experience widespread showers today, Wednesday, and possibly into Thursday.

There will be no COVID-related game rescheduling in the SEC this year according to Commissioner Greg Sankey. Sankey says if a team does not have enough players to play as a result of COVID, they may have to forfeit that game

Cut 7 (09) “…comes up”

The Advocate reports more than 90-percent of the LSU football team is vaccinated, one of the highest rates in the SEC.

The veto override of legislation banning transgender athletes from playing female sports clears the first hurdle, passing the Senate with one vote to spare. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says 400 major businesses put out a statement calling bills like this discriminatory…

Cut 16 (12) “…law.” 

The NCAA has indicated that passage of this bill may endanger New Orleans’ hosting rights for the 2022 Final Four.

But Houma Senator “Big Mike” Fesi, speaking in support of the bill, says money shouldn’t factor into this decision…

Cut 17, 11 seconds, morals

The bill heads to the House

A number of St. Tammany Parish residents awoke to flash floods this morning.  Parish Officials say while the drainage systems were working as designed, events like today show a need for a comprehensive approach towards addressing drainage. St. Tammany Parish Public Information Director Michael Vinsanau says the worst flooding occurred in Mandeville south of I-12 along US 190…

Cut 5 (11) “…area”

Additional rain is expected in the coming days.

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says they will not reschedule football games this season if a team has a COVID outbreak. The Advocate reports more than 90-percent of the LSU football team is vaccinated, one of the highest rates in the SEC. Sankey says the league or schools cannot force players to get vaccinated, but they can educate…

Cut 9 (09) “…from our perspective.”