Governor John Bel Edwards unloaded on the 65 House of Representatives who signed a petition ordering him to end the pandemic public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.
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And the state has to prepare for another storm, Zeta is expected to be a Category One hurricane or tropical storm when it makes landfall in southeast Louisiana on Wednesday night.

A Pennington Biomedical Research Center survey in April shows similar behaviors worldwide during the stay at home orders. Lead author Dr. Emily Flanagan says 77-hundred people worldwide answered their online questionnaire that asked about diet, physical activity, mental health, and sleep. Flannagan says respondents with increased anxiety noted a shift in sleep patterns.
Cut 12 (11) “numbers locally.”.
Flanagan says anxiety levels doubled among people who took the study.

Construction has been completed on a 72 million dollar widening project of Interstate Ten from southeast Baton Rouge to Ascension Parish. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson…
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Wilson says the extra lane will shave an estimated 15 minutes off the standard commute for those living in the area.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says the petition the House of Representatives signed on Friday ends the governor’s public health emergency orders for COVID-19. When the petition received the necessary signatures, the special session ended on Friday. Crowley Representative John Stefanski says signing the petition was the only option left for lawmakers as the governor rejected all compromise efforts to make the Legislature a partner in COVID policy…
cut 8 (08) “….on that”
Governor Edwards says his COVID emergency orders remain in place despite the petition and he’s ready to argue the issue in court. He says canceling his emergency order will result in a loss of federal funding through the Stafford Act…
cut 6 (08) “….funding”

A global study conducted by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center found that the COVID-19 stay at home orders resulted in a reduction in mental health, sleep and exercise. Lead author of the study, Doctor Emily Flanagan says the survey indicated 25-percent of respondents reported weight gain, even though they were eating out less…
cut 13 (03) “….snacking behaviors”
The survey also found a decrease in physical activity among the 77-hundred people who completed the online questionnaire worldwide.

State officials will cut the ribbon this morning on the completion of the I-10 widening project in East Baton Rouge and Ascension Parishes. State Transportation Secretary Shawn Wilson says this is a big deal for anyone driving in or out of New Orleans and will shave an estimated 15 minutes off the standard commute through the region.
Cut 10 (10) “…compensate”
That’s right now the state will look to widen I-10 in Baton Rouge.

The special session is over and we wait to see what happens with the petition a majority of House members signed that orders Governor John Bel Edwards to end all pandemic public health orders. Edwards says the 65 Republicans who signed the petition have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging, killing 5,631 people in Louisiana…
cut 4 (07) “…serioulsy”
The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week. Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued the seven-day ban on COVID could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…
Cut 7 (09) “as well”
The courts will decide whether the governor’s restrictions will stay in place.

A global survey put together by LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge found that the stay at home orders resulted in people getting less exercise and sleep and anxiety levels doubled. Lead author of the study, Doctor Emily Flanagan, says as the pandemic continues, healthcare providers should monitor their patient’s behavioral changes either in person or virtually…
cut 14 (11) “…time goes”
Pennington says nearly 78-hundred people worldwide completed the detailed online questionnaire.

Governor Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition Friday ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders

The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week. Edwards never-the-less renewed Phase Three for another 30 days telling state residents that the restrictions are still in place.

Edwards appears set to challenge the petition in court…

Cut 28 (14) “…die”

Attorney General Jeff Landry believes the petition is constitutional and told House Republicans he would defend it in court. On Twitter Landry said quote “What’s sad is that the Governor has no confidence in the people he serves. Louisiana citizens have the right to make their own choices about their lives.”

Forecasters say a tropical disturbance in the gulf now has a 90-percent chance of forming into a depression in the next 48-hours. The National Hurricane Center says it’s too early to tell if the system would impact Louisiana.

If you haven’t’ applied for the 250-dollar Frontline Worker Tax Credit you have a week left. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received over 245-thousand applications and issued 134-thousand rebates.

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Ragin Cajuns quarterback Levi Lewis threw for two touchdowns and Chris Smith returned a kickoff 100 yards and ULL used two fourth-quarter interceptions to beat UAB 24-20 last night snapping the Blazers 21-game home winning streak and LSU Freshman quarterback TJ Finley will start today for the Tigers against Caroline. Finley beat out fellow freshman Max Johnson for the start.

Governor Edwards unloaded on the 65 House lawmakers who signed a petition Friday ordering him to end the pandemic public health emergency declaration. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 27 (30) “   I’m Matt Doyle”

The Ragin Cajuns rallied last night in Birmingham to beat UAB 24-20, snapping the Blazers 21-game home winning streak.

Amendment Five on the statewide ballot provides new options for manufacturers and local governments to schedule payments instead of property taxes for industrial expansions. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scotts says the new formula can be used as an economic development incentive.

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Scott says assessors generally oppose the amendment.

The 250-dollar Frontline Worker Tax Credit program still has a little money left in the pot and those who qualify and still haven’t applied only have a week left to claim their cash. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the deadline to apply is October 31^st. Robinson says they’re still getting a steady trickle of forms sent in every day.

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Frontline workers but make under 50,000 annually to qualify.

Governor Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition Friday ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders. Edwards says the petition’s 65 GOP signees have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging on. He says 56-hundred people have died from COVID since March…

Cut 25 (07) “seriously”

The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week.

Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued the seven-day ban on COVID restrictions is reasonable and could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…

Cut 30 (09) “as well”

Edwards appears set to challenge the petition in court and Attorney General Jeff told House Republicans he would defend it in court.

New Orleans Saints receiver Emmanuel Sanders has tested positive for COVID-19 and Michael Thomas did not practice Friday due to his recent hamstring injury. Neither are expected to play Sunday against Carolina. Thomas hasn’t played for the team since the season opener when he sprained his ankle.

LSU Freshman QB TJ Finley will get the start Saturday against South Carolina in place of the injured Myles Brennan Finley beat out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  Taylor Sharp has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “  I’m Taylor Sharp”  

Governor Edwards passionately rebuked House Republicans for signing a legislative petition ordering him to end all pandemic public health orders. Edwards says the petition’s signees have their heads buried in the sand and refuse to acknowledge that the pandemic is still raging on. He says over 5,600 people have died from COVID since March…

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The petition also orders the Governor not to issue any additional public health emergency declarations for a week. Crowley Republican Representative John Stefanski argued that is reasonable and could demonstrate the state is ready to advance past Phase Three…

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Senate President Page Cortez weighed in on why a similar petition was not circulated in the Upper Chamber. He said Senators were concerned that there wasn’t enough data to back it up.

The petition is highly likely to end up in court and House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez told us Attorney General Jeff Landry counseled House lawmakers prior to the signing of the petition. He says they were told the petition is constitutional and he would back up efforts to force the Governor to follow the law and cease the emergency declaration in the courts. Miguez says members preferred to handle concerns about COVID restrictions with legislation, but his veto threats left them no other choice.

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Only one bill limiting Governor Edwards’ unilateral public health authority passed and Edwards has all but confirmed he will veto it.

Legislation by Alexandria Representative Lance Harris that would have potentially stripped state construction funding from municipalities that defund their police departments is dead for now as lawmakers wrapped up their business for the 2^nd special session of the year without Senate approval for the bill.

The Saints will be without their top two receivers for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers. Emmanuel Sanders has been placed on the reserve-COVID list, so he can not play this Sunday. And wide receiver Michael Thomas who was expected to be back this Sunday, has been ruled out with hamstring and ankle injuries. At least there will be three-thousand fans in the Dome for Sunday’s game.

The Ragin’ Cajuns are in action tonight as they look to bounce back after suffering a loss to Coastal Carolina last week. The Cajuns visit the UAB Blazers for a 7 PM kickoff. This will not be an easy task as UL Lafayette coach Billy Napier says UAB is a well coached team.
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The Blazers are 4-and-1, while the Cajuns are three and one. KIck-off is at 7 PM.

LSU Freshman QB TJ Finley will get the start Saturday against South Carolina in place of the injured Myles Brennan as the Ponchatoula native beat out fellow freshman Max Johnson. Taylor Sharp has the story…
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Kick-off between South Carolina and LSU is at 6 PM in Tiger Stadium.

Also on Saturday, Tulane will be at UCF on Saturday. The Green Wave are 0-and-3 in the American Athletic Conference. ULM looks for its first win of the season they visit South Alabama. And Louisiana Tech is at UTSA. The Bulldogs have won six straight over the Roadrunners

And La Tech introduced its new athletic director today, ERick Wood, who spent the last five years at UCF.

House GOP lawmakers sign a legislative petition ordering Governor Edwards to end the ongoing pandemic public health emergency and all of its restrictions. Governor Edwards fired back this afternoon saying he will challenge the petition and that nothing about the current Phase Three restrictions have changed as of now.

House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says members preferred to handle concerns about COVID restrictions with legislation, but his veto threats left them no other choice.

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House Democratic Chair Sam Jenkins blasted the petition saying it denies the reality of COVID…

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Amendment Five on the statewide ballot provides new options for manufacturers and local governments to schedule payments instead of property taxes for industrial expansions. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scotts says the new format is basically payment in lieu of taxes, or PILOT.

Cut 7 (12) “…to manufacturers”

The 250 dollar Frontline Worker Tax Credit program still has a little money left in the pot and those who qualify and still haven’t applied only have about a week left to claim their cash. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve had to deny just over 46,000 applications so far for ineligibility and if you’ve applied by not received a denial letter yet…

Cut 11 (06) “…review.”

Robinson says they’re waiting on additional information from 33,000 applicants.

The House signs a petition ordering the governor to end the COVID public health emergency, cease all pandemic public health restrictions, such as the mask mandate, and blocks him from issuing a new order for seven days. Governor Edwards will challenge the petition in court and announced at an afternoon press conference that restrictions remain in place and will be enforced while the issue is settled in court.

House GOP leaders have long chaffed at the Governor’s public health authority and unilateral power to implement business restrictions like capacity limits and bar closures. They believe the restrictions are doing more harm than good and should be settled at the local level instead of through state-level mandates.

Governor Edwards and Democrats slammed the petition calling it reckless and dangerous, a threat to public safety. House Democratic Caucus Chair Sam Jenkins says the reality of the pandemic has not sunk in for many of his Republican colleagues.

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Attorney General Jeff Landry has advised the House GOP Caucus that the petition should hold up in court and he is prepared to defend it.

LSU Freshman Quarterback TJ Finley will start against South Carolina on Saturday in Tiger Stadium.  The Ponchatoula native earned the starting nod after beating out fellow freshman Max Johnson.  This is a tough spot for a freshman to be in but his father David Finley says TJ has been preparing for this moment and will be ready to go.

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Amendment Five on the statewide ballot provides new options for manufacturers and local governments to schedule payments instead of property taxes for industrial expansions. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scotts says the new formula can be used as an economic development incentive.

Cut 6 (10) “property taxes”

Scott says assessors generally oppose the amendment.