New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell testified in front of the Legislature that the Crescent City is facing a 150 million dollar shortfall since the pandemic began in March. Cantrell says they’ve been granted less than 60 million dollars in federal CARES Act money by the state, and that’s just not enough…

Cut 9, 10 seconds, feeling it

The city announced last week 4,000 workers city workers will be furloughed one day per pay period through the end of the year.

Lake Charles residents are picking up the pieces once again this hurricane season after being inundated with rain from Hurricane Delta Friday. Mayor Nic Hunter says while Delta was a much weaker storm than Laura it ended up being a much wetter storm…

Cut 7 (08) “water”

The Louisiana House gives approval to a resolution that would suspend the state Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce Governor Edwards coronavirus orders on businesses. Jim Shannon has the story….

Cut 1 (30) “   I’m Jim Shannon”  

A study of statewide death totals from March 1^st to August 1^st shows a 27 percent increase in deaths relative to what was expected during that period before the pandemic. That “excess death” increase is higher than the national average of 20 percent, and our 27 percent sits fourth behind New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.  

You have less than 24 hours now to register to vote in the November 3^rd Presidential election or change your registration. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says the only place you can register to vote today is online, and you need to do it before the clock strikes midnight to be able to participate…

Cut 13 (11) “dot com.”

Once you are registered Ardoin encourages you to download the GeauxVote Mobile App.

Lake Charles is recovering from its second named storm in the last six weeks and Mayor Nic Hunter says the mood in town right now is emotional and frustrated as many homes that had their roofs blown off in Laura got flooded due to rain from Delta. Hunter says the city will recover but not without help from FEMA, and a guarantee that the Agency will cover 100 percent of the damages incurred by the city like it did for Hurricane Michael…

Cut 9 (10) “if not more”

A bill that would result in a loss of construction funding for local governments who decide to reduce their police department’s budget by ten percent advances out of the House…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Saints won 30-27 in overtime last night after being down by as much as 17 points in the first half against the Chargers. The offense was led by a 12 catch 122 yard performance from new addition, wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, but the standout player last night was the Chargers’ rookie QB Justin Hebert who broke a Monday night rookie record with four TD passes.

The House Labor Committee has rejected legislation that would have increased the state unemployment benefit from 247 to 347 dollars a week. The panel heard testimony from struggling unemployed workers. Latoya Howard is a furloughed New Orleans Convention Center worker who says she’s played by the rules and worked her whole life but now can’t pay her bills.

Cut 5 (12) “…system.”

Just six weeks after Lake Charles was battered by Laura’s extreme winds the city endured over a foot of rainfall from Hurricane Delta flooding many homes.

Mayor Nic Hunter says Delta was two categories weaker than Laura but a much wetter storm.

Hunter says the mood in the city is not great as people try to recover from yet another punch, many of whom have yet to even agree to insurance settlements regarding Hurricane Laura.

Cut 8 (11) “…right now”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would give the state the authority to take construction funds away from a local government that defunds its police department’s budget by more than ten-percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says cuts to law enforcement will lead to an increase in crime…

He says, this bill will make a city or parish think twice before defunding its police department

Cut 12 (10) “..future”

Harris’ measure passed on a 61-26 vote and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

Today is the last day to register to vote in the November 3^rd election and your only option to do so is online at Geaux-Vote-Dot-Com.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says time is quickly running out. Ardoin says we’ve seen a spike in registration that indicates a lot of enthusiasm for the November ballot…

Cut 15 (12) “interest”

Early voting for the November 3^rd election starts Friday and runs through October 27^th from 8 AM to 7 PM.

Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter says residents are “despondent, frustrated, and emotional” after suffering a blow from yet another named storm. Matt Doyle spoke with the Mayor…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would give the state the authority to take construction funds away from a local government that defunds its police department’s budget by more than ten-percent. An opponent of the legislation, Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, says the defund the police movement has not happened in Louisiana, plus there’s a task force is looking at ways to improve police practices
Cut 11 (10) “…these issues”

Today is the last day to register to vote in the November 3rd election and your only option to do so is online at Geaux-Vote-Dot-Com.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says Once you are registered download the GeauxVote Mobile App which provides registration info along with voting locations and ballot information.
Ardoin says changing your registration couldn’t be faster or easier, and registering for the first time doesn’t take long.
Cut 14 (11) “…possible”

LSU has five days before its next game to fix a defense that’s allowing nearly 500 yards a game. Coach Ed Orgeron has asked his defensive coaches to simplify the defense in the hopes of eliminating the big plays . LSU has also struggled to get the running game going. They only rushed for 49 yards against Missouri. But Orgeron says they are still averaging 39 points a game…
cut 20 (:08) “.run the football”

A bill that would have increased the state unemployment benefit from a maximum of 247 dollars to 347 dollars a week was rejected in a House committee. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m matt Doyle”

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would give the state the authority to take construction funds away from a local government that defunds its police department’s budget by more than ten-percent. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says cuts to law enforcement will lead to an increase in crime…
Cut 10 (06) “…not sky rocketed.”

Today is the last day to register to vote in the November 3rd election and your only option to do so is online at Geaux-Vote-Dot-Com.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says time is quickly running out and if have any changes to make, or first-time voter registration to do now is the time to do it.
Cut 13 (11) “dot com.”

The Saints fell behind 20-3 but clawed back to beat the Los Angeles Chargers 30-27 in overtime. New Orleans tied the game at 20 early in the fourth quarter on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Drew Brees to Jared Cook. Coach Sean Payton says that was one of several big plays
cut 16 (23) “the win”

The House Labor Committee has rejected legislation that would have increased the state unemployment benefit from 247 to 347 dollars a week.
The panel heard testimony from struggling unemployed workers. Montrell McGraw is a furloughed hotel worker and says at 247 dollars a week he has to make tough choices.
Cut 4 (10) “…down to”

Just six weeks after Lake Charles was battered by Laura’s extreme winds the city endured over a foot of rainfall from Hurricane Delta flooding many homes.
Mayor Nic Hunter says Delta was two categories weaker than Laura but a much wetter storm.
Cut 7 (08) “water”

A bill that would result in a loss of construction funding for local governments who decide to reduce their police department’s budget by ten percent advances out of the House. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

The Legislature returned to work Monday after convening last Wednesday ahead of Hurricane Delta and the House discussed a bill that would allow the Legislature to strip local governments of state construction funding should they reduce their police budget by more than ten percent.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris brought the bill and has previously mentioned his effort is a response to the “Defund the Police” movement but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says…

Cut 11 (10) “…these issues” PM

Harris responded to James’ argument by telling the House this bill will make a city or parish think twice before defunding its police department

Cut 12 (10) “..future” PM

Harris’ measure passed and heads to the Senate for more discussion.

House Labor Committee members considered but ultimately rejected a proposal to increase state unemployment benefits from 247 dollars a week to 347 dollars a week.

The hearing saw emotional testimony from members of the public who’ve lost their jobs due to the pandemic. These two New Orleans tourism industry veterans spoke about their struggles to meet their basic needs at only 247 dollars a week.

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The legislation came as the state is having to borrow money from the feds to keep the unemployment trust fund afloat. Jim Patterson, vice president of governmental relations at Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, says we can’t afford this right now.

Cut 6 (12) “…up there” (trim)

Without federal intervention, it is likely that payroll taxes will be hiked on businesses starting next year to replenish the fund.

An 11-year-old took a school bus on a joy ride through north Baton Rouge Sunday morning. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Utility companies say they are making significant progress in restoring power following Hurricane Delta. Entergy says they’ve restored electricity for 255-thousand customers down from a peak of 320-thousand. Cleco says they’ve restored power to 84-percent of their customers, about 22-thousand are still without electricity.

New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond says he’s shocked and angry after learning a priest had sex on the church’s altar at Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Pearl River. Aymond says he personally consecrated a new altar for the church…
cut 13 (04) “….burned
Father Travis Clark and two women have been arrested on obscenity charges for allegedly having relations with two women on the altar in late September.

In Washington Parish, a senior at Pine High School will be allowed to repaint a picture of President Donald Trump in his assigned parking spot after the school board had the painting covered up. Attorney Yigal Bander says the superintendent was concerned the painting would create controversy, but he says the real controversy started when the picture was painted over with grey paint…
cut 4 (08) “…was a problem”
Bander expects the painting of President Trump will be re-painted soon in the parking spot of Ned Thomas, a senior at Pine High School.

A priest has been arrested and removed from ministry after allegedly having sexual relations with two women at the alter at Saints Peter and Paul Church in Pearl River. A witness captured video of the incident that reportedly involved a half-naked priest and two women in corsets and heels. New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond…
Cut 12 (08) “…actions.”
The former priest 37-year-old Thomas Clark and the two women allegedly involved have been charged with obscenity.

Cameron Parish residents are back cleaning up the streets and surveying storm damage from Hurricane Delta for the second time in six weeks. Police Jury Vice President Scott Trahan says they can’t believe they’re going through this again…
Cut 8 (08) “do it”

A federal judge has ruled in favor of a high school senior at Pine High School in Washington Parish after the school board decided to paint over his painting of President Donald Trump at his assigned parking spot. Attorney Yigal Bander represents Ned Thomas and says he’s not surprised by the ruling
Cut 3 (12) “… the United States”
Thomas will have his parking spot re-painted with a picture of the President.

An 11-year-old Baton Rouge boy faces several charges, including theft of a motor vehicle and aggravated flight, after stealing a school bus and taking it for a joyride. Baton Rouge Police Sergeant L’Jean McNeely says the young boy saw two buses sitting at Progress Head Start in Scotlandville yesterday…
cut 9 (12) “…joy ride”
The bus hit three vehicles before crashing into a tree.

Baton Rouge Police have charged an 11-year-old with several criminal charges after he stole a bus and led authorities on a chase before crashing the bus into a tree. Police spokesperson, Sgt L’Jean McKneely, says the child took the bus from Progress Head Start Center in Scotlandville…
cut 10 (12) “…crash”
The boy hit three vehicles and one of the charges he faces is aggravated assault, because he allegedly purposely tried to hit a vehicle.

The New Orleans Archdiocese has removed two priests from ministry, Fathers Patrick Wattigny and Travis Clark. Wattigny has admitted to sexual abuse of a minor in 2013 and Clark has been arrested on an obscenity charge. Archbishop Gregory Aymond…
cut 14 (11) “….priests”

A federal judge rules that a high school senior in Washington Parish can repaint a picture of President Donald Trump on school grounds. Jim Shannon has more…
Cut 1 (30) “ I’m Jim Shannon”

Residents in Cameron Parish are trying to get back on their feet after a second hurricane made landfall in their parish in a six week period. Cameron Police Jury Vice President Scott Trahan says his mom lived in Cameron for 48 years before Hurricane Rita hit in 2005…
cut 7 (08) “…telling”