New data from the White House shows Louisiana is one of 15 states in the orange zone for new coronavirus cases per capita while most states in the country are in the red zone. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 5 (14) “….our tests”
And the number of COVID-19 patients has climbed past 600.

The Senate Finance Committee has narrowly approved a bill that would allow the Legislature to strip municipalities of state construction funds should they reduce their police budgets by 25 percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the bill is a response to the “Defund the Police” movement. He says the government’s most important function is providing for public safety…
Cut 10 (10) “…forefathers”
Opponents of the bill say the state legislature shouldn’t dictate how local governments spend their tax revenues.

Five people have been arrested for allegedly stealing money from the state unemployment trust fund via fraud and identity theft. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry…
Cut 7 (12) “,…million dollars”
Two of those arrested, Kayla Giles and Teri Thibodeaux allegedly ran a massive fraud scheme targeting unemployment programs in multiple states using 25 stolen identities to siphon off 300,000 dollars in total.

LSU has admitted its football program has committed rules violations and they are reducing the number of scholarships they hand out by eight over two years and Odell Beckham Junior has been banned from the facility for two years. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the self-imposed penalties are in hopes of reducing what the NCAA would impose for infractions…
cut 15 (14) “….pretty good actually”

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry announces the arrest of five people for allegedly receiving unemployment benefits they should not have received. Landry says more arrests are likely to come…
cut 9 (13) “…trust fund”
Landry says the fraudsters stole another person’s identity and filed for benefits on their behalf.

A House-approved bill that would allow legislators to take state construction dollars away from local governments that defund their police department has been approved by the Senate Finance Committee. But the threshold for when the legislation would kick in was raised from ten to 25-percent. Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud supports the change in the proposed law…
cut 13 (11)”…standard”

The state reported 744 more coronavirus cases yesterday and deaths increased by 12 to 5,584. Also, the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized has increased by 22. But Governor Edwards says Louisiana is doing much better compared to other southern states and our mitigation efforts are working.
Cut 6 (13) “…the disease”

The LSU football program is reducing its number of available scholarships by eight over the next two years and it’s banned former star wide receiver, Odell Beckham Junior, for the next two years for handing out cash to players following the national championship game. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins…
cut 16 (11) “>…game too”
The school has also admitted a former booster made payments to a former player’s family.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has announced the arrest of five individuals who fraudulently received COVID-19 unemployment claims. Landry says this is just the beginning of a crackdown on those who attempt to scam the state in trying to collect unemployment benefits…
cut 8 (09) “…trust fund”
Landry says the suspects stole more than 300-thousand dollars since the pandemic began in March.

LSU is imposing self-penalties on its football program after a two-year investigation revealed a booster paid the father of a former player for a no-show job. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says the penalties include a reduction of eight scholarships over two years, plus eliminating a percentage of official and unofficial recruiting visits.
Cut 14 (08) “…is a killer”

Legislation allowing lawmakers to strip state construction funds from municipalities that cut their police budget in an attempt to “Defund the Police” advances to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Compared to other southern states Louisiana is doing better COVID-19 wise, but Governor Edwards doesn’t want COVID fatigue to set in. Brooke Thorington has more

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Brooke Thorington”

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Legislation allowing lawmakers to strip state construction funds from municipalities that cut their police budget in an attempt to “Defund the Police” advances to the Senate floor. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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LSU reportedly imposes self-penalties after a Booster paid the father of a former player and Odell Beckham Jr. handed out cash to players. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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While most of the country is seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases, Louisiana’s numbers have remained steady, but in the last week, daily averages are showing an upward trend.  The state reported 744 additional COVID-19 cases Wednesday and hospitalizations increased by 22, Governor John Bel Edwards says it’s troublesome.

Cut 4 (07) “…me right now”

Edwards points out that while Louisiana is one of 15 states in the “orange zone” for per capita cases most states are in the “red zone” meaning 100 cases per 100-thousand people.

Cut 5 (14) “…our tests”

Governor Edwards says Louisiana is doing much better compared to other southern states and that our mitigation efforts are working.

Cut 6 (13) “…the disease”

Edwards says he remains in contact with the Coronavirus Task Force and continues to follow White House mitigation guidelines.

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Five people have been arrested for allegedly stealing money from the state unemployment trust fund via fraud and identity theft.

The unemployment trust fund is so low on cash the state is having to borrow money from the feds just to keep the checks coming. Attorney General Jeff Landry says it takes money from those who need it.

Cut 7 (08) “to do”

Two of those arrested, Kayla Giles and Teri Thibodeaux allegedly ran a massive fraud scheme targeting unemployment programs in multiple states using 25 stolen identities to siphon off 300,000 dollars in total. Giles was already awaiting trial on a 2nd-degree murder charge related to a 2018 incident where she allegedly shot and killed her fiance in a Walmart parking lot. The three others alleged combined to steal about 20,000 dollars.

Landry asks the public to report anyone they suspect of committing insurance fraud to the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 866-720-5721.

Cut 8 (09) “…mind”

Landry says more arrests are likely to come…

Cut 9 (04) “to occur”

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Senate Finance narrowly approves a bill that would allow the Legislature to strip municipalities of state construction funds should they reduce their police budgets by 25 percent.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the bill is a response to the “Defund the Police” movement. He says government’s most important function is providing for public safety…

Cut 10 (10) “…forefathers”

Under the bill, any municipality that reduces the police budget by 25 percent could be summoned to testify in front of a Legislative committee. Should that committee decide the reduction significantly harms public safety that municipality could be blocked from receiving state construction funds in the next fiscal year.

Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver objected to the bill saying local budgeting decisions are none of the Legislature’s business.

Cut 11 (10) “to have”

And Lafayette Senator Gerald Boudreaux opposed the bill on the grounds that it creates a precedent wherein the Legislature could claim further control of local budgets on other issues…

Cut 12 (08) “government”.

When the bill left the House the threshold was set at a ten percent reduction but Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud says in small towns police budgets can see major fluctuations year to year.

Cut 13 (11) “standard.”

Harris, who wrote the bill, agreed to the amendment to raise the limit to 25 percent with no argument. It heads to the Senate floor next, and if approved there would have to return to the House for concurrence on this amendment.

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Sports Illustrated reports LSU is imposing self-penalties after a two-year investigation revealed a booster paid the father of a former football player for a job he never showed up for. Tiger Rag Magazine Editor Ron Higgins says penalties include a reduction in scholarships, eliminating a percentage of official and unofficial recruiting visits.

Cut 14 (08) “…is a killer”

LSU has also self-imposed a 21-day reduction of the normal 168 days of allowable off-campus contacts.

Higgins says the self-imposed penalties are in hopes of reducing what the NCAA would impose for the infractions.

Cut 15 (14) “..pretty good actually”

And former LSU star Odell Beckham Junior is been banned from the program for two years after handing out cash to players following the national championship. Higgins says it could have been worse.

cut 16 (11) “game too”

Last October, John Paul Fumes, the former CEO of Our Lady of the Lake Foundation was sentenced to 33 months in federal prison for stealing 555-thousand dollars from the foundation. Prosecutors say 180-thousand dollars went to the father of former LSU lineman Vadal Alexander.

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La Tech will look for its seventh straight win over UTSA when the two teams meet in the Alamodome on Saturday in San Antonio. Bulldogs coach Skip Holtz says even though Tech has dominated this series as of late, there’s been some close games between the two teams…

cut 17 (20)    anything less”

Last year, Tech defeated the Roadrunners 41-27 in Ruston. The Bulldogs are coming off a 35-17 loss to Marshall. Tech’s offense only produced 267 total yards and the defense allowed the Thundering Herd to convert on third down 13 times. But Holtz says after watching the film the players realize if they play fundamentally sound, they could be a really good team…

cut 18 (13) ” getting better” 

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LSU Coach Ed Orgeron calls starting quarterback Myles Brennan very questionable to play Saturday versus South Carolina. Brennan suffered a torn abdomen according to The Athletic. Max Johnson or T-J Finley will start at QB if Brennan can’t play. Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp says there’s not a dropoff in talent between Brennan and the true freshmen

cut 19 (11) “very talented”‘

Muschamp doesn’t expect to see LSU make adjust its playing calling just because they are playing a freshman at quarterback

cut 20 (09) “.seeing”

Senate Finance narrowly approves legislation that would allow the Legislature to strip municipalities of state construction funds should they reduce their police budgets by 25 percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the bill is a response to the “Defund the Police” movement. He says the government’s most important function is providing for public safety…

Cut 10, 10 seconds, forefathers (TRIM)

Shreveport Senator Gregory Tarver objected…

Cut 11, 10 seconds, to have

When the bill left the House the threshold was set a ten percent reduction but Evangeline Parish Senator Heather Cloud says in small towns…

Cut 13, 11 seconds, standard

The House and Senate agree on legislation allowing lawmakers to strike down specific public health restrictions without overturning the Governor’s entire public health order. Erath Representative Blake Miguez says his constituents demanded action on loosening pandemic health restrictions and this bill gives lawmakers a tool to do that.

Cut 8 (09) “..people”

The bill is headed to the Governor and if signed would allow certain limitations like stadium capacity to be struck down while maintaining orders like mask mandates. The Governor has previously indicated he would veto efforts to undercut his public health authority. Under the bill, the Governor would still be allowed to issue an emergency order but 30 days later when it came time for a renewal a majority vote in the House and Senate could remove certain parts of it.

The Ka’Mauri Harrison act, legislation inspired by the suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4^th grader who had a BB gun briefly visible in view of his webcamera during an online class has been approved in the Senate and House and is headed to the Governor’s desk.

LSU Police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity after a student was hospitalized with alcohol intoxication. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says the incident is hauntingly familiar to the Max Gruver case in 2017 but this time witnesses are cooperating.

Cut 5 (14) “…its gone”

A driver of a pickup truck died this morning when he crashed head-on into a school bus in Terrebonne Parish. Two children on the bus suffered minor injuries, but State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 43-year-old Troy Lyons of Schriever was killed despite wearing a seat belt…

cut 15 (12)”…did not survive”

The House and Senate agree on legislation concerning the Governor’s public health orders.

Under the bill, the Governor would still be allowed to issue an emergency order but 30 days later when it came time for a renewal a majority vote in the House and Senate could remove parts of the order, or overturn it. Erath Representative Blake Miguez disagrees with critics who say limiting the Governor’s authority is dangerous…

Cut 10 (09) “….response”

It doesn’t sound like LSU quarterback Myles Brennan will play in Saturday night’s home game against South Carolina. Coach Ed Orgeron says his starting Q-B continues to slowly recover from an injury.

Cut 12 (06) “ .very questionable” 

If Brennan is out, LSU will start a true freshman at quarterback, either T-J Finley or Max Johnson. The last time a freshman started at QB was in 2014 against Auburn.

LSU Police are investigating an alleged hazing incident involving Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity after a student was hospitalized with alcohol intoxication. LSU Greek life was in the national spotlight after the death of freshman pledge Max Gruver for alcohol poisoning in 2017. It sparked legislation enforcing harsher penalties and holding social organizations responsible.  East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore believes it’s making a difference.

Cut 7 (10) “…they respond”

The House and Senate agree on legislation allowing lawmakers to strike down specific public health restrictions without overturning the Governor’s entire public health order. The bill only won 54 votes, had 30 nays, and 21 lawmakers abstained. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey called the legislation a mess that lawmakers were given no time to read before the vote was held…

Cut 11 (05) “…this.”

The Saints will be allowed to play in front of fans after the team reached an agreement with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. The phased plan will begin with 3,000 fans this Sunday, before increasing to 6,000 fans for the November games and as much as 15,000 fans for December.  Coach Sean Payton says this is a great way to gradually allow fans back into the Dome.

Cut 4 (07)   “…there”   

It doesn’t sound like LSU quarterback Myles Brennan will play in Saturday night’s home game against South Carolina. Coach Ed Orgeron says If Brennan can’t play, LSU will start a true freshman at quarterback, either T-J Finley or Max Johnson. Orgeron has confidence in both players

Cut 13 (07) “…will play”

Orgeron says a decision on who will start will be made later this week.

A bill is headed to the Governor’s desk that if signed would allow lawmakers to strike down certain pandemic public health restrictions. Matt Doyle covered the bill’s testy final vote on the House floor…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

34-year-old Wendell Sanchez of Gonzales is charged with first degree raped after police say he raped and impregnated an 11-year old girl.  Ascension Parish Sheriff’s deputies learned of the incident Sunday after the victim was brought to the hospital with stomach pains. Bond was set at over a half-a-million.

An early-morning crash involving a school bus in Terrebonne Parish claims the life of a Schriever man. LSP Trooper Thomas Gossen says the head-on crash happened shortly after 6:30 when the driver of a truck crossed the center line on Highway 56.

Cut 14 (11) “… at the scene”

It doesn’t sound like LSU quarterback Myles Brennan will play in Saturday night’s home game against South Carolina. Coach Ed Orgeron says his starting Q-B continues to slowly recover from an injury.

Cut 12 (06) “ .very questionable” 

If Brennan is out, LSU will start a true freshman at quarterback, either T-J Finley or Max Johnson. Last time a freshman started at QB was 2014 against Auburn.

An LSU fraternity is under investigation for an alleged hazing incident and East Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore says it’s reminiscent of Max Gruver in 2017. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 1 (31) “ I’m Brooke Thorington”

The LSU football program is reportedly self-imposing a reduction of eight scholarships over the next two years because of payments to the family of a former football player. The school is also banning former wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior for two years after handing out cash to players following the national championship game.

A driver of a pickup truck died this morning when he crashed head-on into a school bus in Terrebonne. Two children on the bus suffered minor injuries, but State Police Trooper Thomas Gossen says 43-year-old Troy Lyons of Schriever was killed despite wearing a seat belt…
cut 15 (12)”…did not survive”
The crash remains under investigation.

The Saints will be allowed to play in front of fans after the team reached an agreement with New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. Beginning this Sunday against the Carolina Panthers, 3,000 fans will be allowed inside the Superdome. Coach Sean Payton is glad the two sides worked out a resolution
Cut 3 (07) “…schedule”
And the Pelicans apparently have a new coach as there are reports the team has agreed to a four-year deal with Stan Van Gundy.

Legislation has cleared the Capitol and is headed to the Governor’s desk that would allow, through a majority vote in the House and Senate, for lawmakers to essentially line-item veto certain COVID public health restrictions issued by the Governor. The Democratic Caucus voted against the bill. Laplace Representative Randal Gaines says striking at the Governor’s ability to manage the pandemic endangers public health.

Cut 9 (09) “crisis”

Supporters of the bill disagree saying that after 30 days the Legislature should be more involved in managing crisis restrictions.

The Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity at LSU is under investigation for an alleged hazing incident that lead to the hospitalization of a freshman with alcohol poisoning.  East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says Moore plans to meet with LSU Police tomorrow and discuss evidence and details…

Cut 6 (11) “some time

The Saints and New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell reach an agreement to allow some fans into the Superdome for gamedays. The phased plan will begin with 3,000 fans this Sunday, before increasing to 6,000 fans for the November games and as much as 15,000 fans for games in December. Coach Sean Payton says this is a great way to gradually allow fans back into the Dome.

Cut 4 (07)   “…there”   

Only season ticket holders will be allowed in and these numbers are below the reported 35 percent capacity requested by the team in August.

It doesn’t sound like LSU quarterback Myles Brennan will play in Saturday night’s home game against South Carolina. If Brennan can’t play, LSU will start a true freshman at quarterback, either T-J Finley or Max Johnson. Coach Ed Orgeron has confidence in both guys

Cut 13 (07) “…will play”

Orgeron says a decision on who will start will be made later this week.