Governor John Bel Edwards is urging residents to prepare for the possibility of at least a Category Two hurricane making landfall in Louisiana either Friday night or early Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says Hurricane Delta is currently in the Caribbean and is expected to enter the Gulf tomorrow after going over the tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula…
cut 14 (12) “…southeastern Louisiana”
Keim says Delta is expected to be a major hurricane as it moves through the Gulf, but cooler waters near the Gulf coast will weaken the storm.

The Shreveport Police Department is working a triple homicide that happened last night in the Allendale neighborhood. Officers say the bodies of three men were found outside of a vacant house and the victims were shot in the head. The search is ongoing for the suspect or suspects.

A House committee approves a resolution that would block the Fire Marshal from enforcing COVID health rules on businesses…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

That measure heads to the House floor and so does a bill that would result in municipalities losing state construction dollars if they defund their police departments. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala says cutting police budgets would result in more crime…
cut 6 (10) “….for me”

Hurricane Delta continues to strengthen and we are looking a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
voicer 3 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Delta is now a Category Two hurricane and is eyeing a first landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow, but is expected to maintain it’s major hurricane Category status as it gets in the Gulf of Mexico. The National Hurricane Center says it’s possible Delta could be a Cat 4 storm and possibly be a Cat 3 when it makes landfall early Saturday along the Louisiana coast.

A House committee has approved legislation that would result in local governments and universities losing funding for construction projects if they cut their police budgets by ten percent or more. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris is the author of the bill and he’s not a fan of the defund police movement. Bastrop Representative Frederick Jones also disagrees with the Defund movement, but he voted against the bill…
cut 7 (11) “…crying out”
The bill heads to the House floor.

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin after passing away on Sunday at the age of 90. He’s credited for creating the Louisiana Community and Technical College System. L-C-T-C-S president Monty Sullivan says prior to 1998, the state had four community colleges and one technical college. That has since grown to a system of twelve colleges.
Cut 12 (11) “…last 20+ years.”

Hurricane Delta has intensified into a Category Two storm as it’s expected to move over the tip of the Yucatan Peninsula tomorrow and be a major hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday. The current forecast track calls for Delta to make landfall in southeast Louisiana early Saturday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it would be the fourth landfalling storm in Louisiana this season…
cut 16 (06) “….any single season”
2002 and 1923 are the other four landfalling storms.

Former Governor Mike Foster will be laid to rest tomorrow in his hometown of Franklin. Foster died Sunday at the age of 90. He’s known for creating the state’s current community and technical college system. L-C-T-C-S President Monty Sullivan says Foster stressed the importance of gaining skills for the workforce…
cut 11 (10) “…what drove him”

At the state capitol, a resolution that would suspend the Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee. House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says business owners should be free to make their own decisions about how, or if they should open given the current COVID risk level.
Cut 8 (11) “…businesses”
The committee vote was 12 to 5 in favor. One of those in dissent was New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the resolution infringes on the Governor’s constitutionally awarded public health authority.
Cut 10 (07) “…authority”
The resolution moves to the House floor where it is expected to pass much like a series of other bills did last week that targeted the Governor’s public health orders and powers.

Lawmakers sparred in a House committee Monday over legislation that would potentially strip state funding from localities or universities that cut their police budgets by ten percent or more.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris authored the bill. He says the “Defund the Police” movement risks the safety of more than just the people living in areas that cut police budgets…

Cut 4 (11) “safety”

New Orleans representative Gary Carter says if cities feel it is right to move money from law enforcement to services like mental health in an effort to lower crime, they should be able to…

Cut 5 (10) “…Congress”

The bill heads to the full House next.

A resolution that would suspend the State Fire Marshal’s ability to enforce COVID health guidelines on businesses clears a House committee.

House Republican Caucus Chair Blake Miguez says business owners should be free to make their own decisions about how, or if they should open given the current COVID risk level.

Cut 8 (11) “…businesses”

If passed the resolution would stay in place until the adjournment of the 2021 regular session.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry backs the resolution. Civil Division director Angelique Freel says the Legislature has not given the Fire Marshal the authority to shut down businesses for non-compliance.

Cut 9 (10) “in it”

Governor Edwards has tasked the Fire Marshal with COVID code enforcement.

Tropical Storm Delta is now projected to be a major hurricane within the next few days, and possibly maintain strength before making landfall somewhere between Lake Charles and the Flora-Bama line Friday afternoon. The system is slowing down and unfortunately, that means it’ll be stronger than initially projected when it hits. Currently, the center of the track has the system making landfall near St. Mary parish before heading directly northeast to Baton Rouge and then on to Mississippi. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it could be a tense few days while we keep an eye on this system…

Cut 30, 5 seconds, carefully

President Trump will be back in the White House tonight to continue his COVID recovery after spending a few days in the hospital. Congressman Mike Johnson says the President should be able to shake off the disease…

Cut 6 (09)“…illness”

Flags are half-staff today in remembrance of former two-term governor Mike Foster, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90 at his Franklin home. His former Chief of Staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster helped create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, expand TOPS and directed one-point-seven billion dollars to higher education…

cut 4 (12) “….educating people”

During Foster’s final year in office in 2004, his approval rating was at 62-percent.

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. The 47th annual game will take place on April 17. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says it’s a big win for the city.

Cut 12 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

The state is mourning the death of former two-term Governor Mike Foster, who passed away in Franklin at the age of 90. The Korean War vet and businessman from St. Mary Parish created Louisiana’s Community and Technical College System. His former chief of staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster knew the importance of a two-year college degree…

Cut 3 (12)  “…employable.”  

Tropical Storm Delta continues to strengthen in the west-central Caribbean and this system is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday morning as a hurricane and possibly developing into a Category Two storm before a potential landfall along Louisiana’s coast Friday morning. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says October hurricanes are not unheard of…
Cut 11 (07) “…in October too.”

President Donald Trump will be released from the hospital Monday afternoon and allowed to continue recovering from COVID-19 at the White House. The infection of the President and 11 prominent Republicans is reportedly linked to a ceremony celebrating the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barret. Congressman Mike Johnson disagrees with that assumption.

Cut 8 (08) “White House.”

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. The 47^th annual game will take place April 17. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says the city is excited for the opportunity to welcome students, alum, and fans from both universities and assures that the city and its partners will make it a spectacular event.

Cut 13 (11) “…in the world.”

Due to renovations scheduled for the spring, the game’s traditional home of the Superdome was unavailable.

Forecasts show Louisiana could be smacked with yet another tropical system as early as Friday. Tropical Storm Delta is predicted to be a weak hurricane when it makes landfall somewhere on the north-central Gulf Coast.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says where it lands though is anyone’s guess this far out…

Cut 10 (06) “…Panama City Beach, FL.”

Reports indicate there were a few scary moments for the President Friday and Saturday as he battled COVID-19. Many were frustrated with changing stories about the President’s status throughout the weekend but Congressman Mike Johnson says staff were doing the best you could expect in the situation…

Cut 7 (10) “…they’ve been.”

Reports indicate the President was suffering from some severe symptoms Friday and Saturday and was treated with a cocktail of experimental treatments, Remdesivir, and a powerful steroid.

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says while the game will take place April 17th, plans are already being put into place to ensure the game is compliant with COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 14 (07) “…of this event.”

The only other time the game has not been played in New Orleans was 2005 when it was played in Houston due to Hurricane Katrina.

Former Governor Mike Foster passed away in hospice care over the weekend at the age of 90. His former chief of staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster’s party switch from Democrat to Republican before the 95 election foreshadowed a coming trend…

Cut 5 (12) “…become Republican.”

Tropical Storm Delta is getting better organized and strengthening in the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says the storm appears to be on track for a Friday morning landfall.
Cut 9 (04) “…that may change.”
The cone of uncertainty stretches from the Louisiana-Texas state line to the Florida panhandle.

President Donald Trump will be released from the hospital Monday afternoon and allowed to continue recovering from COVID-19 at the White House. Congressman Mike Johnson says the President is a high-energy and healthy individual who should be able to shake off the disease…
Cut 6 (09)“…illness”
The state reported 230 new coronavirus cases and nine new deaths. Also, hospitalizations increased by 29 to 547.

Bayou Classic officials announced today the annual football game will be played in Shreveport next Spring, not New Orleans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU announces alcohol will be for sale at Saturday night’s home game against Missouri. Also, the school says ticketholders will no longer need to complete a CDC wellness check before entering Tiger Stadium. Governor Edwards says this will also be the case at other athletic venues like Cajun Field and Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston.

The Bayou Classic football game between Southern and Grambling traditionally held Thanksgiving weekend in New Orleans is getting a new home for 2021 as it moves to Shreveport. The 47th annual game will take place on April 17. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins says it’s a big win for the city.
Cut 12 (11) “…state of Louisiana.”

Tropical Storm Delta continues to strengthen in the west-central Caribbean and this system is expected to enter the Gulf of Mexico Wednesday morning as a hurricane and possibly developing into a Category Two storm before a potential landfall along Louisiana’s coast Friday morning. National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says October hurricanes are not a rare event…
cut 11 (07) “…October too”

Flags are half-staff today in remembrance of former two-term governor Mike Foster, who passed away yesterday at the age of 90 at his Franklin home. His former Chief of Staff, Stephen Perry, says Foster helped create the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, expand TOPS and directed one-point-seven billion dollars to higher education…
cut 4 (12) “….educating people”
During Foster’s final year in office in 2004, his approval rating was at 62-percent.

President Donald Trump remains hospitalized as he continues to recover from COVID-19. The infection of the President and 11 prominent Republicans is reportedly linked to a ceremony celebrating the Supreme court nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barret. Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson disagrees with that assumption.
Cut 8 (08) “White House.”

President Donald Trump remains hospitalized for COVID-19 after receiving his diagnosis for the disease last week. Congressman Mike Johnson says his Republican contacts have indicated that the President’s condition has improved significantly.The weekend saw a series of often conflicting reports about the President’s condition, including revelations that he was sicker than officials first let on, but Johnson says…
Cut 7 (10) “…they’ve been.”
Louisiana reports 230 new COVID cases today and 9 new deaths.
Tropical Storm Delta is strengthening over the northwestern Caribbean Sea and is expected to become a hurricane on Tuesday.  National Weather Service New Orleans meteorologist Kevin Gilmore says the storm appears to be on track for Friday morning landfall as a Cat 1. Gilmore says the current projected path has Louisiana in the crosshairs for that landfall, but the cone of uncertainty is much wider.

Cut 10 (06) “…Panama City Beach, FL.”

Former two-term Governor Mike Foster is being remembered fondly today after passing away at the age of 90. Jeff Palermo spoke to his former chief of staff…

Cut 1 (31) “   I”m Jeff Palermo”