AM LRN Newscall

Early voting begins Friday in Louisiana and turnout is expected to record-breaking. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says preparation is key to this election. Brooke Thorington explains.

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Governor Edwards says he refuses to acquiesce to the vast majority of House-backed legislative efforts that aim to limit his broad authority to order public health restrictions. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Dire predictions of K-12 school reopenings resulting in mass transmission of coronavirus have not come true so far. Matt Doyle has the story.

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Early voting begins Friday in Louisiana and wraps up October 27th.  You can’t vote Sundays but Monday through Saturday polls open at 8 am and close at 7 pm. There’s a lot of interest in this election but Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says don’t assume the worst when you see a long line.

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Due to the pandemic, you could be eligible to vote absentee and Ardoin encourages you to make the request as soon as possible. Ardoin says if you have an underlying health condition you can request an application to vote absentee, along with other reasons…

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Voters displaced by the hurricanes can visit the Secretary of State’s website for detailed information on how to cast their ballot this year. Ardoin says time is of the essence.

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Ardion also recommends using the Geaux Vote App, that’s G-E-A-U-X, before driving to the polls because some locations have been changed for COVID mitigation efforts. You can visit sos-dot-la-dot-gov for more information on the 2020 election.

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The House has now passed a number of measures aimed at limiting the Governor’s public health authority and Governor Edwards says if they make it to his desk he’s likely to veto them.

The House has aggressively gone after the Governor’s broad powers, but Edwards refuses to surrender any of those public health tools while the pandemic continues to rage.

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The House has backed everything from a complete elimination of all public state-level health restrictions to measures targeting restrictions as specific as limits on religious gatherings.

Edwards reiterated that he feels a special session aimed at attacking his authority was unwarranted.

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It is currently unknown how the Senate will react to the rash of these bills that are headed their way.

Edwards touted his record handling the pandemic and says the public health authority granted to him by the State Constitution has helped him guide Louisiana through this crisis.

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So far the state has only had 495 reported cases of COVID in K-12 students and 1,063 cases in school staff since the fall semester began.

Before schools reopened there were some dire predictions of school-based outbreaks causing major community spread but Assistant State Health Officer Dr. Joe Kanter says that hasn’t been the case.

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Kanter says that’s thanks in large part to educators who are keeping their classrooms safe, and the Louisiana Department of Health’s early warning system currently in place in two-thirds of schools…

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Under the early warning system, the Louisiana Department of Education can keep track of infection data pertaining to their school without needing students or staff to self-report.

Kanter says despite the success they have identified a few problem areas where infections are most likely to occur.

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Louisiana has been blessed by a cold front this morning with north Louisiana temperatures in the 50s and south Louisiana temps in the 60s with little humidity.

State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s some of the best weather we’ve seen in a long time.

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Tomorrow morning the temperature will drop into the low 40s for north Louisiana and the 50s for south Louisiana.

Keim says this cold front should help ward off any tropical systems in the area, and as more of these cold fronts move over the north-central Gulf Coast…

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So how long should we expect this wonderful weather to last?

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La Tech welcomes 3-0 Marshall to Joe Aillet Stadium on Saturday. The Thundering Herd beat Appalachian State earlier this season and they own a league victory over Western Kentucky. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says Marshall is a good football team

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Marshall leads Conference USA in scoring offense, averaging 38 points a game. Holtz says they are second in the league in rushing offense…

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Tech is coming off a 21-17 homecoming win over UTEP. Running Back Israel Tucker had two touchdowns and Holtz says it’s good to see the senior from Rummel High School have some success

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530 PM LRN News/Legislative Report

The onslaught of House bills targeting the Governor’s public health authority continued with the veto-proof approval of legislation that would allow the Legislature to overturn state restrictions on in-person visitation in nursing homes during the COVID pandemic.

Were the bill to become law the House and Senate Health committees would essentially be granted veto powers over any state-level restrictions on visitation.

Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala brought the bill after speaking with the Alzheimer’s Association…

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But Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox has some concerns…

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The House has now passed everything from a complete elimination of all public state-level health restrictions to measures targeting restrictions as specific as limits on religious gatherings, and while it is unknown whether these efforts will gain final approval in the Senate Governor Edwards is making it clear that most of those efforts are dead on arrival to his desk…

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At the start of this special session, Edwards indicated that he felt a legislative gathering was not necessary at the moment and perhaps should have waited until the state received additional federal bailout funds. He says he’s disappointed that this has become the focus of the year’s 2nd special session.

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Edwards touted his record handling the pandemic and says his constitutionally granted authority has helped him guide us through this crisis.

430 PM LRN News

The House approves another bill that seeks to limit the Governor’s authority to enact public health restrictions. This time it’s legislation allowing the Legislature to overturn certain limits on in-person visitation at nursing homes while the COVID pandemic is still active. The legislation passed but back in committee, there were some concerns that the Legislature is not equipped to make these kinds of decisions.

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That’s Kenner Representative Joe Stagni who ultimately voted for the legislation.

A plan to allow rural electric co-ops to bring high-speed internet to fourteen parishes in North Louisiana clears the Public Service Commission. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says currently the electric co-ops provide some of the lowest power rates in the state and he expects them to be able to provide high-speed internet at reasonable rates as well to rural areas.

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Former Louisiana Tech football star Fred Dean has passed away at the age of 68 after losing a battle with COVID-19. Taylor Sharp has more.

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New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell backs the idea of the Saints playing home games in Tiger Stadium for the time being. Cantrell says that’s cause Tiger Stadium is outdoors..

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3:30 LRN Newscast Oct 15

The Louisiana House has approved a bill allowing the Legislature to strike down parts of the Governor’s COVID-19 public health orders pertaining to limitations on in-person visitation at nursing homes. Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox says the bill may restrict the Governor from re-implementing restrictions on nursing homes should we be hit with another wave of COVID.

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The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell supports the idea of the Saints temporarily playing their home games at LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Cantrell says no other NFL facility with a fixed roof is allowing fans to attend their games.

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A plan to bring high-speed internet to fourteen parishes in north Louisiana clears the Public Service Commission. Rural electric cooperatives serving the area received approval from the PSC to enter the internet business.  Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the initiative is long overdue.

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Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday at the age of 68 from Covid-19. Dean is also enshrined at the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince says not only was Dean a great player, he was also an exceptional person.

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The state health department reports 823 COVID-19 today cases and 12 deaths.

2:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would allow the Senate and House Health Committees strike down COVID public health restrictions that limit in-person visitation at nursing homes. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Early voting begins tomorrow for the November third presidential election. It will continue through Tuesday, October 27th, excluding Sundays. Early voting will take place at your parish registrar of voters’ office or other designated locations from 8 AM to 7 PM.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell thinks LSU’s Tiger Stadium would be a great place for Saints home games because she says there’s no way given the current conditions with COVID that she can allow 20-thousand fans in the Superdome…
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The Saints have talked with LSU about playing their home games at Tiger Stadium so they have fans in the stands.

The Public Service Commission votes unanimously to allow Claiborne Electric and Northeast Louisiana Power to use federal grants and low-interest loans to provide high-speed internet from Webster Parish eastward to the Mississippi River. Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a necessity for economic development.
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Campbell predicts it will take 15 months to provide high-speed internet to the area.

1:30 LRN Newscast Oct 15

A House committee approved a bill allowing the Legislature to strike down parts of the Governor’s COVID-19 public health orders pertaining to limitations on in-person visitation at nursing homes. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala brought the bill after speaking to frustrated constituents and the Alzheimer’s Association…

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The New Orleans Saints football team is meeting with LSU officials to discuss the possibility of moving games to Tiger Stadium. The Superdome is limited with the number of fans it can hold during the pandemic because it is an indoor stadium. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is supportive of the move.

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The Saints played in Tiger Stadium in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina.

A plan to allow rural electric co-ops to bring high-speed internet to fourteen parishes in North Louisiana clears the Public Service Commission. PSC Commissioner Foster Campbell says currently the electric co-ops provide some of the lowest power rates in the state and he expects them to be able to provide high-speed internet at reasonable rates as well to rural areas.

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Campbell predicts high-speed internet availability in the area in 15 months.

Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday afternoon from Covid-19. Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince says even though Dean played out west for the Chargers and 49er’s, he never forgot where he came from.

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Dean played for the bulldogs in the early 70’s and had a 10-year NFL career, winning two super bowls with the 49ers.

He was 68 years old.

12:30 LRN Newscast Oct 15

The PSC votes unanimously to allow Claiborne Electric and Northeast Louisiana Power to use federal grants and low-interest loans to provide high-speed internet from Webster Parish eastward to the Mississippi River. Commissioner Foster Campbell says it’s a necessity for economic development.

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Campbell predicts it will take 15 months to provide high-speed internet to the area.

A strong majority of House members vote to allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students with referrals for the treatment. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the treatment must be delivered by the parents to the school nurse and administered only by authorized school personnel.

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Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday at the age of 68 from to Covid-19. Dean is also enshrined at the Louisiana Tech Athletics Hall of Fame and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame. Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince says not only was Dean a great player, he was also an exceptional person.

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The state health department reports 823 COVID-19 today cases and 12 deaths.

And New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell supports a move by the Saints to play in Tiger Stadium.

 

1130 AM LRN News

Students who take medical marijuana treatments prescribed by their doctor would be able to have their school nurse administer that treatment to them at school should they need it under legislation that cleared the House and is headed to the Senate. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says his bill would save students a lot of time…

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Detractors argued it would result in a schedule one drug being permitted in a federal drug-free zone.

New Orleans’ next Super Bowl has been pushed back a year from 2024 to 2025 due to logistics concerns about the 2024 event. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says the scheduling issue arose when the NFL expanded its regular season from 16 to 17 games.

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Louisiana Tech legend and Pro Football Hall Of Famer Fred Dean passed away Wednesday afternoon at the age of 68 due to Covid-19.  Dean played for the bulldogs in the early 70’s and had a 10 year NFL career, winning two super bowls with the 49ers.  Former LA Tech Sports Information Director Keith Prince remembers Dean’s dominance on the football field.

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Dean is also a member of the Tech and Louisiana sports hall of game.

A Plan to bring high-speed internet to fourteen parishes in Northwest Louisiana clears the Public Service Commission. Rural electric cooperatives serving the area received approval from the PSC to enter the internet business.  Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell says the initiative is long overdue.

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10:30 LRN Newscast Oct 15

Legislation allowing school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students is halfway to final passage after clearing the House. Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Matt Doyle”

A Louisiana football legend has died from COVID-19. Former Louisiana Tech star and Pro Football Hall of Famer Fred Dean has died at the age of 68. Dean was an outstanding pass rusher for the Bulldogs from 1971 to 1974 after graduating from Ruston High. He went on to play for 12 years in the NFL, winning two Super Bowls with the 49ers in 1981 and 1984.

Louisiana’s high school class of 2020 scored an average ACT composite score of only 18.7, the third year in a row the state has seen a drop in scores. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says that number is an all-time low since the state began requiring all students to take the exam in 2013.

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Amongst Economically Disadvantaged students, the composite average is down to 17.1.

NFL owners approve New Orleans’s revised plan to host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024. The NFL’s regular season is set to expand by one week to 17 games, beginning 2021. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says that extra week clashes with Carnival Season in 2024.

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Fat Tuesday in 2025 is March 4th.

9:30 LRN Newscast October 15

The average composite ACT score for graduating seniors in Louisiana continues to fall. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The LSU Board of Supervisors has finally announced the creation of a search committee to select the university’s new president. Thomas Galligan, dean of LSU’s law school, has served as the interim president since January 1st. Galligan says he’ll apply for the job and Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne could be a candidate too.

An AARP report finds that nearly four in ten Louisiana nursing home residents suffered from staff shortages during a four week period from August to September. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says the COVID positive infection rate for staff during that period is two-point-six for every 100 workers, which correlates with another disturbing trend, the lack of adequate PPE…
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The Louisiana House has approved a measure that would give a child the ability to take medical marijuana while at school. Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley is the author of the bill and says the treatment must be delivered by the parents to the school nurse and administered only by authorized school personnel…
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The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.