An AARP report finds that many Louisiana nursing homes are short-staffed. Director of the Louisiana AARP, Denise Bottcher, says the lack of PPE and an increasing rate of infected workers led to a 40-percent staffing shortage at Louisiana facilities from August 24th to September 20th…
cut 9 (09) “…your infection rate”
Bottcher says the infection rate during that four week period was two-point-seven cases per 100 nursing home residents.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would allow a student who has been prescribed medical marijuana the ability to take the drug at school if its administered by a school nurse. Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly says schools are drug-free zones, but the bill’s author Larry Bagley says the treatment is not illegal…
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The measure heads to the Senate for more debate.

The City of New Orleans will now host the Super Bowl in 2025 instead of 2024. Brooke Thorington explains
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU’s game versus Florida on Saturday has been postponed until December 12th because of a COVID outbreak involving the Gators. The 21st ranked Ragin Cajuns lost their first game of the season last night, losing to Coastal Carolina 30-27. Louisiana Tech legend and NFL Hall of Famer Fred Dean has died from COVID-19 at the age of 68.

Louisiana’s average ACT Composite score has fallen for a third straight year to 18.7. The score is also an all-time low since the state granted all students access to the test in 2013. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state will work with schools to review and potentially realign curriculum to make sure students are prepared to take the ACT…
cut 12 (09) “….so”

The Super Bowl set to be held in New Orleans in 2024 will be pushed back to 2025, because the 2024 date would conflict with Mardi Gras. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says combining the two events is just not feasible…
cut 15 (12) “….we go to 2025”
Legislation allowing school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students is halfway to final passage after clearing the House. Matt Doyle has the story.
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.

For the third straight year, the state’s average ACT composite score has fallen. Louisiana’s Class of 2020 composite score is 18.7 out of a possible 36. That’s down from 18.9 last year and 19.3 in 2018. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says reversing this trend is a priority…
cut 11 (07) “….scholarship”
The minimum score to receive the TOPS Opportunity Award is 20.

AARP releases a COVID-19 Nursing Home Dashboard showing the positivity rate among nursing home residents in Louisiana for August 24th thru September 20th at 2-point-7 cases per 100 residents. AARP State Director Denise Botcher…
Cut 7 (11) “across Louisiana”
The data also shows point six percent of all nursing home residents in Louisiana died of COVID during that roughly one month time period.

No LSU game Saturday because of a COVID outbreak involving the Florida football team. The game has been postponed until December 12th. The 21st ranked Cajuns suffered their first loss of the season as they lost to Coastal Carolina 30-27 on a last-second field goal last night.

New Orleans was awarded the 2024 Super Bowl, but the city will host the big game in 2025 instead because the date for the 2024 game would interfere with the Carnival season as the NFL will soon expand its regular season to 17 games. Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation CEO Jay Cicero says holding both events simultaneously would be impossible…
cut 14 (11) “…and a Mardi Gras”

The controversial suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4^th grader for an incident where he had a BB gun visible in view of his web camera while in class has inspired legislation that is now halfway to final passage. Jennings Representative Troy Romero says Ka’Mauri Harrison was initially threatened with expulsion and deserved due process. This bill would change that in the future…

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The bill had unanimous support.

Under a bill passed by the Senate clergy would be allowed access to their flock in healthcare facilities during public health emergencies even if the facilities are locked down by the state. Minden Senator Robert Mills says it was inspired by an incident up north…

Cut 7 (12) “…got involved”

A bill brought by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick in response to the arrest of Central Pastor Tony Spell is now headed to the Senate after clearing the House. The legislation would prevent the state from penalizing any religious leader or their followers who gather for religious services against state orders during a public health emergency. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says religious institutions are vital…

Cut 14 (10) “…situation”

A strong majority of House members vote to allow school nurses to administer medical marijuana to students with referrals for the treatment. Opponents argue schools are drug free zones but Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says medical marijuana is legal with a referral in Louisiana and this will save a lot of time for students.

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Schools are allowed to opt-out.

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish received he moved a BB gun during a virtual class.  Author of the bill, Jennings Representative Troy Romero, says the legislation allows students to appeal suspensions to the school board and requires all 69 school districts to develop discipline policies for online learning…
Cut 4 (06) “…move forward”

Saturday’s LSU-Florida game has been rescheduled for December 12th in Gainesville because of a coronavirus outbreak with the Gators football team. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin says last week’s trip to Texas A-and-M may have helped spread the virus within the team
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The Senate unanimously passes legislation allowing clergy members access to patients in a hospital during a public health emergency. Bill author Minden Senator Robert Mills says it would protect the religious liberties of patients and families should they want a visit by a clergy member.
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The legislation moves to the House.
The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders who hold in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick was brought in response to the Governor’s restrictions on gatherings during the pandemic, which includes religious activities.
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The bill heads to the Senate.

LSU’s game versus Florida this Saturday has been postponed after a large COVID outbreak on the Gators team…

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And that delay will give starting Tiger’s QB Myles Brennan some extra time to heal up. Brennan hasn’t practiced all week after getting beat up during the Tiger’s tight loss to Missouri over the weekend and Coach Orgeron indicated that should the game actually be played Brennan would be doubtful to be in it. LSU’s next game will be at home against the Gamecocks October 24^th.

The Senate unanimously passes legislation allowing clergy members access to patients in a hospital during a public health emergency. The bill by Minden Senator Robert Mills requires the state Health Department to create rules for facilities to do so, and require healthcare facilities to follow them.

Cut 6 (12) “…cases”

The bill also grants healthcare facilities immunity from most lawsuits by those clergy members should they be infected with coronavirus while visiting.

Legislation inspired by the controversial suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4^th grader for briefly handling a BB gun within view of his web camera during an online class is headed to the Senate after unanimous approval in the House.  Jennings Representative Troy Romero says Ka’Mauri Harrison deserved due process…

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The LSU-Florida game this Saturday has officially been postponed due to a COVID outbreak with the Gator football team. The game has tentatively been rescheduled for December 12^th in Gainesville. The team is following SEC COVID management requirements by having individuals with the Florida football program quarantine.  LSU coach Ed Orgeron says in cases like this, player safety is top priority…

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The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders and their congregation who gather for in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill was partially inspired by the arrest of Central pastor Tony Spell who held services despite the ban. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says the bill undoes those charges by clarifying state law was misinterpreted…

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The Louisiana House has approved the Ka’Mauri Harrison bill which was inspired by the story of a fourth-grader in Jefferson Parish suspended for moving a BB gun during a virtual class. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “   I’m Jeff Palemro”  

A LaFourche Parish Sheriff’s Deputy has been arrested and charged after an investigation in which he allegedly tossed a handcuffed woman to the ground twice during an arrest earlier this month. 29-year old Aaron Buckley was arrested Tuesday and fired from his job. A spokesperson for the office says while the suspect was resisting arrest the actions were inappropriate and not in line with their training.

Saturday’s LSU-Florida game has been postponed because of a coroanvirus outbreak involving the Gators. Florida athletic director Scott Stricklin says 21 members of the Gator football program have tested positive. Earlier today on the SEC Coaches teleconference, Coach Dan Mullen says two of his assistants tested positive…
cut 10 (09) “…asymptomatic”
The game has been rescheduled for December 12th in Gainesville.

The Louisiana House has approved the Ka Mauri Harrison Act, which is in response to the six-day suspension a nine-year-old boy in Jefferson Parish received when he moved a BB gun during a virtual class. Harrison initially faced expulsion and Jennings Representative Troy Romero says his legislation will ensure due process
Cut 3 (10) “…necessary”
The measure heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would give religious leaders immunity from fines, penalties, and prosecution for assembling a religious service during a publicly declared emergency. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says religious institutions should remain open during emergencies because they provide more than just spiritual support…
Cut 14 (10) “…situation”
The bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana Senate has approved a measure that would allow clergy vists at hospitals, nursing homes and assisted living facilities during the current pandemic or future public health emergencies. Minden Senator Robert Mills on he got involved in this issue…
cut 7(12) “…got involved”
The Senate voted 34-to-nothing for the measure and it now heads to the House.

This Saturday’s LSU-Florida game in Gainesville is reportedly likely to be postponed due to an outbreak of COVID amongst Florida players and two assistant coaches. That might not be bad news for the 1-2 unranked Tigers who reported today that starting QB Myles Brennan has not practiced this week and would be doubtful to play should the game be held. Coach Ed Orgeron says Brennan was banged up during the Missouri loss…

Cut 12 (13) “…week”

The House approves legislation barring the state from penalizing religious leaders who hold in-person services against orders during a declared emergency. The bill by Oil City Representative Danny McCormick was brought in response to the Governor’s restrictions on all gatherings during the pandemic, which includes religious activities.

Cut 13 (06) “…emergency”

The bill heads to the Senate.

The Ka’Mauri Harrison Act is approved in the House, legislation inspired by the suspension of a Jefferson Parish 4^th grader who briefly had a BB gun in his web camera view during an online class. Ka’Mauri and his father appeared before House Education when that Committee heard the bill. Baton Rouge Representative Rick Edmonds, who is a member of House Ed, says every member on that panel has signed off as a co-author on this bill after hearing Ka’Mauri’s story

Cut 5 (10) “…Louisiana Legislature”

The measure heads to the Senate.

Legislation by Minden Senator Robert Mills that requires the state Health Department to create rules to allow clergy into hospitals and nursing homes during public health emergencies clears the Senate. Mills said his bill protects the religious liberties of patients and families should they want to have a clergy member visit a loved one.

Cut 8 (08) “need”