The Louisiana House passed several proposals today that would either eliminate Governor John Bel Edwards’ COVID-19 public health orders or give lawmakers a bigger say on what restrictions should be in place. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s resolution that would terminate the pandemic emergency declaration after the session ends won approval in the House. Haughton Representative Doddie Horton…

Cut 6 (10)“…to be”

Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman brought a bill that would allow the Legislature to either terminate entire emergency orders, or just parts of one.

Cut 8 (08) “in place.”

Frieman says this bill was in response to concerns from colleagues that the wholesale elimination of a public health emergency declaration would result in the loss of federal funding.

727 people died on Louisiana highways in 2019, the lowest rate the state has seen since records were first kept. Executive Director Lisa Freeman says last year’s numbers were down 46 fatalities from 2018, reversing a five year trend of more deadly wrecks…

Cut 10 (08) “…incredible news.”

Freeman credits higher compliance on seatbelt usage, and safer cars for the downward trend.

38 percent of hotel jobs in Louisiana have been lost due to the pandemic according to the American Hotel and Lodging Association.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says it’s been a tough year, but some of the damage has been blunted by an increase in in state travel.

Cut 13 (09) “…around the state.”

Nearly 900 new COVID-19 cases are reported today, along with 26 additional deaths.

Governor Edwards expressed frustration with Legislative criticism that he doesn’t speak with lawmakers before extending public health orders. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

An 11-year old and an 18-year-old are dead after a State Police Trooper rear-ended another vehicle while responding to a separate crash last night in Ouachita Parish. The Trooper involved in the crash has been identified as Kaleb Reeves, the son of State Police Superintendent, Colonel Kevin Reeves. The deceased have been identified as An-Janne Lindsey and Kajenne Lindsey, both of Monroe.

The 2020 Census is less than a week away from its October 5^th deadline and census workers are hitting the streets to cover the remaining the 5% of Louisiana households that have not yet responded. Assistant regional census manager Marilyn Stephens says there are three ways to participate.
Cut 3 (10)  “…interview by phone.”  
The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says new data out of LSU shows the state’s highway fatality rate dropped to a record low in 2019. L-H-S-C Director Lisa Freeman credits two factors, safer cars and more motorists are buckled up…
Cut 11 (08) “…that’s huge.”
Pedestrian fatalities also dropped 26-percent from 2018 to 2019, stopping an upward trend since 2006.

Louisiana registered its all-time lowest motor vehicle fatality rate in 2019, despite the number of severe crashes remaining virtually the same. Brooke Thorington has more.

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

Two people are dead after a State Police Trooper rear-ended another vehicle while responding to a separate crash last night in Ouachita Parish. WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting the Trooper involved in the crash is the son of State Police Superintendent, Colonel Kevin Reeves. The names of the two people killed have not been released.

At his Thursday press conference, Governor Edwards responded to Legislative efforts to limit his public health authority and criticisms that he doesn’t communicate with lawmakers. A Senate-approved bill would require him to consult with Legislative leaders before extending a public health emergency, but Edwards says he already does, they just don’t like what he says.

Cut 7 (07) “…being made”

Edwards says if legislation makes it to his desk that he believes would hamper pandemic public safety, he will veto it.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation says the emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined to process applications faster and get more money out to struggling low-income renters. LHC director Keith Cunningham says they’re hosting public events across the state, and set up a call center to connect with applicants and help them clean up their paperwork so they can begin getting their rent help.

Cut 6 (11) “assisted”

Governor Edwards expresses frustration with Legislative criticism that he doesn’t speak with lawmakers before extending public health orders. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The city of New Orleans will transition into phase three of its coronavirus pandemic restrictions tomorrow, but still no word on when fans will be able to attend Saints games. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says talks with the NFL franchise continues. The Black and Gold are at Detroit Sunday and the next home game is October 12th against the Chargers.

The Louisiana Housing Corporation says the emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined to process applications faster and get more money out to struggling low-income renters. LHC director Keith Cunningham says the program has been burdened by a lot of red tape. One of those bureaucratic hurdles has been getting buy-in from landlords…
cut 4 (10) “…payment”
Cunningham estimates the 24 million dollar program has the funds to help about 7,500 to 8,500 families.

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission says new data out of LSU shows the state’s highway fatality rate dropped to a record low in 2019. L-H-S-C Director Lisa Freeman credits two factors, safer cars and more motorists are buckled up…
cut 11 (08) “…that’s huge”
Pedestrian fatalities also dropped 26-percent from 2018 to 2019, stopping an upward trend since 2006.

The Louisiana House meets today to discuss a variety of bills that would give lawmakers more of a say when the governor issues emergency orders. At a news conference yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards expressed frustration by the Legislature’s attempt to interfere in his administration’s work fighting the pandemic…
cut 9 (10) “…to do”

According to a report from the American Hotel and Lodging Association, 38-percent of Louisiana hotel jobs have been lost as a result of the pandemic and another 32-percent of workers could be unemployed in several months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser hopes that’s not the case…
cut 14 (11) “…not come back”
The Lt. Governor’s office is promoting staycations as a way to keep the tourism industry afloat.

Louisiana registered its all-time lowest motor vehicle fatality rate in 2019, despite the number of severe crashes remaining virtually the same. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Two people are dead after a State Police Trooper rear-ended another vehicle while responding to a separate crash last night in Ouachita Parish. WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge is reporting the Trooper involved in the crash is the son of State Police Superintendent, Colonel Kevin Reeves. The names of the two people killed have not been released.

Data released out of LSU shows the motor vehicle crash fatality rate in 2019 reached an all-time low as there was a decrease of 46 fatalities from 2018 to 2019. Louisiana Highway Safety Commission Director Lisa Freeman says the number of motor vehicle crashes has remained the same, but vehicles are built safer and fewer people are drinking and driving…
cut 12 (11) “….previous years”
But Freeman says fatalities as a result of distracted driving are on the rise.

It sure feels like Fall outside today, but many fall festivals have been canceled because of COVID-19. The hope is that Mardi Gras celebrations will not be impacted next year. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is hopeful…
cut 15 (08) “….I’m cautiously optimistic”
The state reported 608 more COVID-19 cases yesterday bringing the state’s total to 166-thousand. The death toll increased by eight to 5,329.

The Louisiana House meets this morning and they are expected to vote on several different measures that seek to reduce the governor’s authority when issuing emergency orders. On the agenda is House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s resolution that would overturn John Bel Edwards’ coronavirus orders for a month after the Special Session ends. Edwards says those orders are saving lives and not up for debate…
cut 8 (11) “….in place” (3X)

Lawmakers have also complained about a 24-million dollar emergency rental assistance program that’s only distributed about 400-thousand dollars to help tenants get caught up on rent. Louisiana Housing Corporation Director Keith Cunningham says they’ve reduced the application length and allowing electronic signatures…
cut 5 (10) “…has beeN”

The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports the highway fatality rate dropped to a record low in 2019. Executive Director Lisa Freeman says based on data from the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, 727 people died on Louisiana highways in 2019, a decrease of 46 fatalities from 2018, reversing a five-year trend…
cut 10 (08) “…incredible news”

A new report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicates 38% of Louisiana hotel jobs have been lost because of the coronavirus pandemic. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the job losses could have been worse.
Cut 13 (09) “…around the state.”
The Lt. Governor’s office says statewide leisure and hospitality jobs have improved by 44-percent since record lows in April.

The 24 million dollar emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined with the hope of getting more money out to struggling low-income renters, and faster…
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The 2^nd special session of the year was called in large part to address Legislative grievances with Governor Edwards’ handling of pandemic public health restrictions and a number of instruments are now passing quickly through the process tackling that issue.

The most ambitious appears to be a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says this would strip the Governor of his power to set restrictions and give the Legislature time to craft their own…

Cut 6 (04) “…better”

But Governor Edwards argues his orders have and continue to save lives, and revoking his authority would be irresponsible.

Cut 8 (11) “…in place” AM

That resolution is heading to the House floor.

While lawmakers tangle over whether mask mandates should be in place one lawmaker excoriated her colleagues for refusing to wear a mask while working at the Capitol. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says many lawmakers are setting a poor example for the public and endangering their staff…

Cut 12 (10) “…other members’ health.”

The Senate backs a bill by Slidell Senator Haron Hewitt stripping the Governor of his ability to veto emergency election plans. Governor Edwards recently rejected a Legsialtively backed plan by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin that would have restricted the level of COVID-related absentee ballots in the upcoming fall election. A federal judge ruled against the order forcing the state to revert to its previously implemented summer plan.

The major committees all have the day off Friday so expect a quiet day at the capitol.

A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. Much of the discussion at the committee centered on the damage done to businesses by the ongoing orders. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says the restrictions exacerbated Laura’s economic hit…

Cut 7 (09) “…punch.”

The session is scheduled to end late October.

Senator Karen Carter Peterson expresses her displeasure with a lack of spread mitigation efforts from fellow lawmakers.  Peterson highlights that mask usage is the top recommendation of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Cut 13 (13) “…we should do.”

Peterson says it is imperative that lawmakers set a good example for constituents.

The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says this will help keep lawmakers more informed on issues involving high school sports

Cut 9 (09) “…institutions.”

Don’t let the fall weather fool you.  Hurricane season is not over in Louisiana.  While many of the state’s October landfalls have happened earlier in the month, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31.  State climatologist Barry Keim says it may not have been the most powerful hurricane, but its stationary nature pummeled south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…end of October.”