A historic veto override session begins tomorrow, as lawmakers have until the end of Saturday to override any of the governor’s 28 vetoes from the last legislative session…
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Hundreds of people spent this past weekend saying goodbye to a legendary figure in Louisiana’s history. Former four-term Governor Edwin Edwards was laid to rest yesterday in Baton Rouge after a public viewing at the state capitol on Saturday.

Health officials say the latest surge in COVID cases has undone over four months of progress the state made in the fight against coronavirus. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal says the Delta variant is a “different beast” than the coronavirus strain that plagued the nation last year…
Cut 14 (12) “…kids.”
She also warns pregnant women could be at higher risk of complications resulting from a Delta infection.

Louisiana Republican U-S Senator Bill Cassidy says the state needs to get its vaccination rates up to fully beat the pandemic. He says vaccines are like seatbelts, you want to have them before the accident happens…
Cut 4 (11) “…younger person.”
Based on data provided by the Louisiana Health Department, 36-percent of Louisiana’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID, one of the lowest percentages in the country.

New Orleans Police have charged a 35-year-old mother with second-degree murder for the fatal stabbing of her infant son. Cops found the woman with a blood-covered railroad spike. She’s been identified as Angelyc Seely and investigators believe she’s a homeless woman believed to be from Detroit. She also had self-inflicted wounds.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine Dr. Catherine O’Neal gives a grim warning for unvaccinated individuals as the Delta variant rages…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Legislature is heading into its first-ever override veto session tomorrow as lawmakers will have the opportunity to override any of the 28 bills that Governor Edwards vetoed from the 2021 legislative session. When asked if he believes a veto session will inhibit him from enacting his policies going forward, Edwards says no.
cut 9 (12) “…that concern.”
Analysts say the biggest driver for the veto session is a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. It will take a two-thirds vote in each chamber to override the governor’s veto.

The college football talking season begins as SEC Media Days get underway in Birmingham, Alabama. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is one of three coaches who will speak today. 24-7 sports college football writer Brandon Marcello says the Tigers could contend for an SEC title this year after a 5-and-5 campaign in 2020
Cut 11 (08) “…last year”

State lawmakers will begin a historic veto session tomorrow. The legislature could override as many as 28 Republican-sponsored bills that Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed…
Cut 7 (06) “…what happens”
Two high-profile bills that the governor vetoed are a measure that would do away with the requirement for a permit to conceal carry a gun and legislation banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Insiders say it was the veto of the latter that inspired a majority of lawmakers to return for an override session.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says the first veto session since the new state constitution was adopted in 1974, demonstrates a proper balance of government powers.
Cut 8 (06) “…in Louisiana.”

Based on data provided by the Louisiana Health Department, 36-percent of Louisiana’s population is fully vaccinated against COVID, one of the lowest percentages in the country. One-point-six million Louisiana residents have completed the vaccine series. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says 21-hundred people who were vaccinated still got COVID-19 and 125 had to be hospitalized…
cut 6 (11) “….fully vaccinated”
Kanter says the median age of serious breakthrough cases is 72.

Today is the unofficial start of the college football season as SEC Media Days begins. LSU beat reporter for the USA Today Network, Glen Guilbeau says despite last year’s mediocre campaign and questions about Ed Orgeron’s job security, many media members expect LSU to have a good season…
Cut 13 (11) “…pretty high”
Coach Ed Orgeron is set to speak today at 1:40 in Birmingham, Alabama.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards was laid to rest yesterday in Baton Rouge after a private funeral service at the Old State Capitol. The public and media were not allowed to attend. It was a week ago today that Edwards died from respiratory issues at the age of 93.

A historic veto override session begins tomorrow, and up to 28 pieces of legislation could be overridden. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

The Louisiana health department continues its push to get more individuals from 12-years-old and up vaccinated. L-D-H says COVID-19 vaccines are widely available at 14-hundred locations. State Health Officer Doctor Joe Kanter says nursing homes show the vaccines work against the virus. Kanter says 85-percent of nursing home residents across the state have initiated or completed the vaccine series
Cut 5 (11) “…outbreak.”

SEC Football Media Days begin today in Birmingham, Alabama, and LSU Coach Ed Orgeron is set to speak at 1:40 PM. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network says this is a critical season for Coach O…
Cut 12 (11) “…hot seat”
CBS Sports has put Orgeron on a list of coaches who are on the hot seat.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards public viewing is underway as he lies in state in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol until seven o’clock tonight. Thousands of people are expected to walk by his casket and view the pictures that have been set up inside the Rotunda. Tomorrow there will be a private funeral for the man known as the Cajun Prince at the Old State Capitol at noon. Louisiana Public Broadcasting is streaming the services.

Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…
Cut 6 (09) “..override”
It will begin Tuesday and cannot exceed five calendar days.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Clinical Medicine, Doctor Catherine O’Neal provided this warning to the millions of Louisiana residents who are not vaccinated against the coronavirus. O’ Neal says if you choose not to get the vaccine, you’re choosing death. She says anyone infected last year does not have immunity to the new Delta variant…
cut 15 (09) “…killing us”
The statewide average daily number of cases per 100-thousand residents has increased 177-percent over the past two weeks.

Governor John Bel Edwards announced the first batch of winners of the “Shot at a Million” lottery. 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond is the winner of the $100,000 scholarship. Edwards says Degrass plans to attend Southeastern University…
Cut 13 (11) “…for Sandra”
Degrasse says she plans to go to medical school, while the 100-thousand dollar cash winner is an 80-year-old man, who served on the New Orleans Police Department for 30 years.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards lies in state for public viewing at the Louisiana Capitol today from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says the current governor and First Lady will be among the first group of people to pay their final respects…
Cut 3 (7) “…of Memorial Hall”
Edwards’s funeral is tomorrow at the Old State Capitol.

For the first time since the state constitution was adopted in 1974 lawmakers will hold a veto override session. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are at least two bills lawmakers are targeting to override, the conceal carry legislation and an anti-transgender bill. Both passed in the regular session with enough votes to override a veto. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 8 (09) “…for this”
The session kicks off on Tuesday.

The governor’s office says the number of people hospitalized for COVID-related symptoms has doubled in the last two weeks. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s not considering implementing COVID restrictions to stop the surge, instead the state will focus on improving its abysmal 50 percent vaccination rate for adults…
Cut 14 (12) “…has been increasing”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents. And AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says thirty-five percent of nursing homes in Louisiana also report a staffing shortage, which she says can only be exacerbated if unvaccinated workers become ill.
Cut 10 (09) “…care for.”

Thousands are expected to walk through the rotunda of the State Capitol today to pay their final respects to former four-term Louisiana Governor Edwin Edwards. The public viewing of his casket is from 10 AM to 7 PM. Edwards was well-liked by many, but controversy always seemed to follow him. His biographer, Leo Honeycutt, hopes Louisianians remember all the good he did…
cut 5 (11) “…the state”
Edwards’ funeral is tomorrow at the Old State Capitol.

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes have 75 percent of their staff vaccinated. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says if you have a family member residing at an assisted living facility, you should remain vigilant as the Delta variant becomes more prevalent.
cut 11 (11) “…nursing homes.”

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Tuesday for a historic veto override session. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Matt Doyle”

There are a couple of lawmakers who will not be at the veto override session because of health issues. Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says she needs to meet with an oncologist on Monday. Senator Ronnie Johns just had full knee replacement surgery. The Lake Charles Republican’s absence could be critical since 26 votes are needed to override a veto in the Senate and there are 27 Republicans in the Senate.

Governor John Bel Edwards says half of all Louisiana adults have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, which is good, but not good enough.

Cut 2 (30)…I’m Erik Piccoli”.  

The Governor also announced with first weekly winners of the Shot At A Million vaccine lottery on Friday. 82-year-old Clement Dasalla of New Orleans won the cash prize and 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond won the scholarship. Winners of the weekly drawings will be announced on Fridays and the grand prize winners on August 13^th.

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents. And AARP State Director Denise Botcher says thirty-five percent of nursing homes in Louisiana also report a staffing shortage, which she says can only be exacerbated if unvaccinated workers become ill.

Cut 10 (09) “…care for.”

Recently departed Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the Capitol Saturday before having a private funeral service Sunday. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says he hopes Louisianans will use this time to reflect on everything Edwards accomplished…

Cut 5 (11) “…for the state”

Sunday’s funeral will be live-streamed on Louisiana Public Broadcasting.

Lawmakers will return to the Capitol Tuesday for a historic veto override session. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “ …I’m Matt Doyle” 

Governor John Bel Edwards announced the first batch of winners of the “Shot at a Million” lottery. The $100,000 cash winner is 82-year-old New Orleanian Clement Dasalla and 17-year old Skyla Degrasse of Hammond won the first scholarship.

Cut 12 (6) “…to be vaccinated

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes meet the industry benchmark for staff vaccinations. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says the benchmark is having 75-percent of staff fully vaccinated.

Cut 9 (09) “…that level.”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards’ funeral will be private on Sunday due to the Delta variant of COVID cases. It will be streamed live by Louisiana Public Broadcasting though.  Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says the Cajun Prince would have preferred an open service…

Cut 4 (11) “…about such things”

Edwards will lie in state at the capitol on Saturday, it is open to the public from 10 until 7.

Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata was hit with a six game suspension for allegedly violating the NFL’s banned substance policy. On Instagram Onyemata said he’s surprised and disappointed with this news, but he’s responsible for what he puts in his body. He says he never knowingly took anything to cause a positive test. No word on what the substance was.

Saints safety Marcus Williams will play the 2021 season on the franchise tag after failing to reach a long-term contract with New Orleans by yesterday’s 3 PM deadline. Williams will make about 13-million dollars this season.

Louisiana Tech has signed men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol to a contract extension that would keep him in Ruston through the 2025-26 season. In six seasons at Tech, Konkol has a 129-and-65 record. The Bulldogs have won 20-plus games in five of those seasons.

The NBA finals continues Saturday with the Bucks and Suns tied at two games apiece.

Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports through Draft Kings after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for them. State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor says an audit of DraftKings finances shows they’ve been losing money for years but that’s not a real problem for the state given their online-only presence.

Cut 15 (10)“..years.”

DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.

Devin Fontenot returns to the Tigers under new head coach Jay Johnson with the goal of being a starting pitcher next year…

cut 18 (18) “…better”