The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13^th will go on without any fans in attendance. Team President Dennis Lauscha says the spread of the coronavirus in the region is too high, but if it comes down, they have plans in place to welcome fans to the Dome.
Cut 7 (08) “…to our games.”
No further determinations have been made concerning other games at the Dome this season. The state announced over 1,100 new cases today.
41-year-old Taniel Cole is custody after allegedly brandishing a gun in a Shreveport hospital, executing a carjacking, and taking law enforcement on a cross-state chase before being apprehended in Mississippi. Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond says Cole entered Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport and started a domestic dispute with someone there…
Cut 9 (10) “…hospital.”

The Southland Conference joins other leagues in deciding to play football in the spring. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

 The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition for football and other fall sports to the spring semester due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Tom Burnett says questions surrounding the long-term effects of the virus was a factor in their decision

Cut 3 (10)  “…had COVID”  

But the league is giving schools the option of playing nonconference games in the fall, so McNeese can still face U-L Lafayette on September 5th.

The Saints announce no fans will be in the Superdome for their season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs on September 13. Team President Dennis Lauscha says while Orleans Parish is doing better with containing virus spread, fans coming in from other areas are a concern.

Cut 6 (09) “…those numbers down.”

The fate of game attendance for other home games is currently unknown.

42-year-old Curtis Carroll of Tallulah has been arrested and charged with Second Degree Murder related to a woman whose body was found in rural Madison Parish. The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Pamela Oliver of Tallulah, who is believed to have been Carroll’s girlfriend. Master State Police Trooper Michael Reichardt says she was discovered Tuesday.

Cut 15, 6 seconds, river

Oliver was last seen Saturday.

Virtual meetings are an unfortunate part of the new normal but according to career website, Zippa Louisianans are having a hard time staying focused during meetings. Head of content at Zippia Kathy Morris says in Louisiana the number one distraction is multitasking.

Cut 7 (10) “…some actual work”

Morris says 20% of workers say their meetings are never productive and 47% of workers prefer in-person meetings.

The Southland Conference has decided to postpone league competition involving fall sports and will explore the possibility of playing a conference schedule in football, volleyball, soccer and cross country in the spring. But the league is giving its schools the option of participating in limited fall competition.

If you are a TOPS student, but thinking about sitting out the fall semester due to COVID, you could lose your scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12, Big 10 and now the Southland Conference decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

If you are a TOPS student, but thinking about sitting out the fall semester due to COVID, you could lose your scholarship. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12, Big 10 and now the Southland Conference decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

The Department of Children and Family Services is partnering with the Louisiana Community and Technical College System to provide food stamp recipients with employment training in the areas of allied health and construction. Assistant Secretary of Family Support Shavana Howard says this new program will use federal dollars to pay for credentials and provide additional support.
Cut 13 (07) “…to be successful.”
This effort will focus initially at Baton Rouge Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles.

Several college football analysts say liability concerns is part of the reason why the Big 10 and PAC 12 decided to postpone their fall sports seasons because of COVID-19. But what if players signed a liability waiver? Legal analyst Tim Meche says that wouldn’t work, because liability law is different in every state…
cut 6 (10) “…such”

TOPS students who are reluctant to continue their college career this year because of COVID-19, can file paperwork with LOSFA and be approved for an exception to retain their eligibility. LOSFA director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says for those uncomfortable with in-person classes, but want to keep their eligibility…
cut 11 (12) “…chose”
Students who graduated from high school this year, have until fall 2021 to enroll before losing their eligibility.

Zoom meetings are the new normal at the workplace, but a study from Zippia finds 47-percent of workers prefer in-person meetings over the frustrations that come with virtual gatherings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris…
cut 8 (13) “….technical difficulties”

Liability concerns are reportedly one of the leading factors in why the Big Ten and PAC 12 suspended fall sports. Legal analyst Tim Meche says those conferences had good reason to believe that, and there’s already precedent for wide-scale health-related sports lawsuits.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…schools.”
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says the SEC plans on further refining its policies to promote a safe return to play while monitoring the situation.

Zoom meetings in the workplace are common now but Zippia has conducted a study and found that more than half of the workers are doing other things during virtual meetings and 47-percent of workers say they prefer in-person meetings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris says people are most annoyed by unnecessary meetings….
cut 9 (09) “….can be a lot”

The Department of Children and Family Services has started a new program with the community and technical college system that will result in food stamp recipients receiving workforce training at Baton Rouge Community College and SOWELA Technical Community College in Lake Charles. Assistant Secretary for Family Support Shavana Howard says they will focus initially on allied health and construction programs…
cut 15 (10) “….away with employment’
The program provides help with transportation, child care, books, and supplies.

TOPS students can ask LOSFA if they can retain their scholarship if they take a year off from school because of COVID-19. LOSFA director Sujuan Boutte also encourages students to look at online learning to retain eligibility, but you’ll still have to meet GPA requirements…
cut 12 (09) “….the year”

TOPS students who are reluctant to continue their college career this year because of COVID-19, can file papework with LOSFA and be approved for an exception to retain their eligibility. LOSFA director Doctor Sujuan Boutte says for those uncomfortable with in-person classes, but who want to keep their eligiblity…
cut 11 (12) “…chose”
Students who graduated from high school this year, have until fall 2021 to enroll before losing their eligibility.

The department of Children and Family Services has partnered with the state’s community and technical college system to help food stamp recipients receive workforce training for high-demand jobs…
cut 14 (07) “…Lake Charles”
That’s Shavana Howard, assistant secretary for Family Support who says they hope the program expands so that it helps more than just a few hundred SNAP recipients.

Liability concerns are reportedly factors in why the PAC 12 and Big 10 decided not to play football in the fall. But can you prove that a football player got infected by COVID-19 while playing and practicing? Legal analyst Tim Meche says sure you can…
cut 5 (10) “….people”
Meanwhile the SEC, Sun Belt and Conference USA are among the leagues working to play football in the fall.

Zoom meetings are the new normal at the workplace, but a study from Zippia finds 47-percent of workers prefer in-person meetings over the frustrations that come with virtual gatherings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris…
cut 8 (13) “….technical difficuluties”

College students who have been receiving TOPS but are choosing not to take classes in the fall must fill out an exception form with LOSFA or lose their TOPS eligibility. The application can be found at my-losfa-dot-la-dot-gov. LOSFA director Dr. Sujuan Boutte…
Cut 10 (11) “required”
Boutte says a student must show a person in their household has morbidities that exacerbate COVID-19, medically documented anxiety related to contracting COVID-19, or a learning disability that precludes online learning.

The Saints announce there will be no fans in the Superdome for the season opener against Tampa Bay on September 13th. The team says its cautiously optimistic that fans will be able to attend the next home game on September 27th.

Some SNAP recipients can receive high-demand employment training due to a new partnership between the Department of Children and Family Services and the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Virtual meetings are the new normal, but a study from career website Zippia finds that most workers are distracted during the meetings. Zippia’s Kathy Morris says in Louisiana the number one distraction is multitasking.
Cut 7 (10) “…some actual work

The state education department says you can email complaints to them if your local school is not following COVID-19 safety guidelines. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The Saints’ season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on September 13^th will go on without any fans in attendance. No further determinations have been made concerning other games at the Dome this season. The building normally can house over 74-thousand fans.

As many as 200,000 Louisianans on unemployment could be ineligible to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly benefits. Workers must receive at least 100 dollars a week in state benefits to qualify for the 300 extra. Governor Edwards also raised concerns that without some federal intervention the state unemployment trust fund will soon be depleted, and the state will have to start borrowing that money from the feds.

Cut 8 (09) “…1st.”

State beneficiaries can receive a maximum of 247 dollars a week.

California Senator Kamala Harris is named Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden’s running mate, a move that’s excited Baton Rouge Representative Ted James who was involved with Harris’s primary effort. James says Harris recognizes the unique issues facing the south…

Cut 10 (13) “…times last year.”

The state education department has created an email address where the public can file complaints about a school not following minimum COVID-19 health requirements established by BESE. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says the address is l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov….

Cut 3 (12)  “…face coverings”  

Brumley says they have received a few concerns already.

Governor Edwards says he is concerned about the funding mechanism for the new round of federally enhanced weekly unemployment benefits. Edwards was alarmed that the benefit is being funded by FEMA emergency relief funds during hurricane season.

Cut 7 (12) “weeks”

Bayou Segnette State Park cabins and campgrounds will reopen to the public Friday after being used to isolate COVID-positive patients who had nowhere to stay but didn’t need hospitalization. Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says the site is completely safe and ready for visitors to pour in this weekend…

Cut 12 (08) “…again”

The state is taking reservations now, and you can use promo code welcome back to get four nights for the price of three through September 7^th.

Presidential candidate Joe Biden announced the selection of Kamala Harris as his running mate yesterday for the November election. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James was involved with Harris’s campaign while she was still a Democratic challenger and says the selection is no surprise to him.

Cut 9 (08) “…Republicans as well.”

Nearly half of all Louisiana unemployment recipients may not qualify to receive the new 300 dollar federally enhanced weekly payments. Matt Doyle has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The manhunt is over for Taniel Cole, who is accused of shooting a man in the leg at Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center this morning, then carjacking a woman to get away. The Meridian Police Department and Mississippi Highway Patrol arrested 41-year-old Cole after crashing on Interstate 20 about 9 miles from the Mississippi/Alabama state line.

The state education department has created an email address where the public can file complaints about a school not following minimum COVID-19 health requirements established by BESE. Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says schools who refuse to follow these guidelines put themselves at risk of being sued if a student is infected by COVID-19
Cut 5 (06)  “…as well.”
The email address is l-d-o-e-covid-19-support-at-la-dot-gov.
Bayou Segnette State Park cabins and campgrounds will reopen to the public Friday after being used to isolate COVID-positive patients who had nowhere to stay but didn’t need hospitalization. Three state parks were used for isolation, and Assistant Secretary for the Office of State Parks Brandon Burris says they had quite a few guests.
Cut 13 (04) “state” 
The state is taking reservations now, and you can use promo code welcome back to get four nights for the price of three through September 7^th.