The House made its feelings about the Governor’s public health emergency restrictions known today, approving nine different items that do everything from end the declaration after the session ends to allow the Legislature to get rid of some restrictions they don’t like. Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s resolution to terminate the pandemic emergency declaration after the session ends won approval. Haughton Representative Doddie Horton says it would roll back everything put into place by the Governor.

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. 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.

Cut 8 (08) “in place.”

The House’s more aggressive approach to the Governor’s authority to implement public health restrictions contrasts with the Senate’s idea that the Governor should maintain his authority to do so, but build greater oversight powers that would mandate the Governor discuss why he extended any order.

LaPolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says there’s a major philosophical argument happening in Baton Rouge over whether changes to public health emergencies should be made now, or set into place for the next disaster, as evidenced by the nine different instruments that passed…

23, 9 seconds, approach

Alford says the biggest hurdle House lawmakers have to overturning or limiting the Governor’s authority is the veto pen. He notes that while all public health order legislation passed with a clear majority, it came up just shy of a veto-proof majority. Alford says that’s why so many different approaches have been suggested because lawmakers will need to see what actually makes it past the Governor…

24

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. One of the proposals is from Abita Springs Representative Larry Frieman. Frieman’s bill would allow the Legislature to either terminate entire emergency orders, or just parts of one.

Cut 8 (08) “in place.”

Governor Edwards says the current restrictions on bars are vital to reducing COVID-transmissions and saving lives. Edwards Administration staff have frequently repeated that bars create environments conducive to the spread of coronavirus, and Edwards says we can’t risk more youth cases with colleges now reopened.

Cut 14 (06) “…cases.”

About a third of parishes are still blocked from reopening bars.

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. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the trooper, Kaleb Reeves, son of State Police Superintendent Colonel Kevin Reeves, was not injured in the crash, but the other driver involved, Kenneth Lindsey, was taken to a hospital with moderate injuries.

Cut 10 (06) “…were pronounced dead.”

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 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.”  

Governor Edwards says the current restrictions on bars are necessary to keep COVID-transmission low and save lives. Only bars in parishes with lower than a five percent positivity rate on new COVID tests may open. Edwards says that’s because areas with higher rates just have too much community spread.

Cut 13 (10) “…positivity.”

About a third of parishes are still blocked from allowing bars to reopen.

The Louisiana House passed several proposals today that would either eliminate Governor 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”

Two are dead after a State Police trooper rear-ends a vehicle in Ouachita Parish. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A deceased Louisiana State Trooper is heard on tape admitting that he beat and choked a Black man, Ronald Green, during an altercation that followed a pursuit in May 2019. Green then died on the scene. The audio obtained by WAFB-TV is from the body-camera footage of Trooper Chris Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth was killed in a single-car crash last week after he learned he was being fired because of the incident.

The House sends a number of bills to the Senate today that would allow the legislature to either significantly limit, or overturn the Governor’s public health emergency declarations, and restrictions such as mask mandates and stadium capacity limits. One of those bills was from Covington Representative Mark Wright, who’s effort would create an automatic process for the Legislature to approve or reject an emergency declaration extension by the Governor.

Cut 7 (12) “…to us.”

Governor Edwards defended his public health orders, especially the bar limitations, saying they’re saving lives. Bars in parishes that can open can only serve until 11 PM, can only do table service, and are limited to 25 percent capacity. Edwards says these aren’t arbitrary rules.

Cut 12 (09) “task force.”

State Police Superintendent Colonel Kevin Reeves’ son, Kaleb Reeves, allegedly rear-ended a car while responding to a call last night, killing an 11-year-old and an 18-year-old. Trooper Michael Reichardt says it has not yet been determined if Trooper Reeves will be put onto administrative leave.

Cut 11 (08) “…two young individuals.”

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 5% of Louisiana households that have not yet responded.  Assistant regional census manager Marilyn Stephens says elected officials are emphasizing the importance of this year’s participation because the 2010 census was not looked at as a complete census for Louisiana.

Cut 5 (09) “…a major difference.”

An 11-year old and an 18-year-old are dead after a southbound State Police Trooper rear-ended another vehicle while responding to a separate crash last night in Ouachita Parish on Highway 165. Trooper Michael Reichardt says the trooper involved in the crash is the son of State Police Superintendent, Colonel Kevin Reeves.

Cut 9 (07) “…driver’s side door.”

Reeves was en route to an 18-wheeler crash in Caldwell Parish.

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 the greatest concentration of homes that have not responded to the census is in the northern portion of the state.

Cut 4 (04) “…into Shreveport..”

There are three ways to participate, speak with an enumerator when they come to your door, go online to mycensus2020 dot gov or do the interview by phone.

The House approves a number of items that would significantly limit, if not overturn the Governor’s ability to set pandemic public health restrictions.

Cut 1 (32) “…Matt Doyle”  

A deceased Louisiana State Trooper is heard admitting on tape that he beat and choked a Black man during a struggle that followed a May 2019 pursuit. The audio, obtained by WAFB-TV, is from the body-camera footage of Trooper Chris Hollingsworth. Hollingsworth died in a single-car crash last week, after he learned he was being fired as a result of the incident in which Ronald Green died.

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.