The state’s unemployment insurance trust fund is nearing depletion after historic levels of need following the pandemic shutdown. Because of that Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation to consider funding the trust as part of the next wave of COVID economic stimulus.

Cut 9 (12) “…are shored up.”

We’ve now seen two straight days with COVID case counts below 2,000 after dealing with average counts clear over 2,000 all of last week. That recent slowing in case growth has Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser confident that fall football can proceed in Louisiana.

Cut 6 (06) “…months.”

He also added he is meeting soon with the Sugar Bowl Committee and is committed to holding the bowl game in New Orleans at the start of next year.

A mystery philanthropist makes a 20 million dollar donation to Xavier University, a historically black college in New Orleans. Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret says it’s the largest single donation in school history and was told by representatives of the donor that they appreciate the importance of institutions like Xavier and the role they play in helping to bridge the nation’s achievement gap.

Cut 14 (06) “…country”

The Associated Press suggests the donation may have been made by MacKenzie Scott, the recently divorced former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The Louisiana Department of Agricultural says since Friday its office has received about 300 calls from people who say they received a mysterious package of seeds. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says if you receive the seeds, usually from shippers in China and Eastern Europe, call the state department of agriculture’s office and do not take them out of the bag or throw them away and most importantly do not plant them…

Cut 5 (07)  “…our crop”

The state reported 69 more COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the statewide total to 3,769. Louisiana’s health department also reported 17-hundred new cases, but for the third time in four days, the state reported fewer COVID patients in the hospital.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser stopped by Talk Louisiana with Jim Engster today and said last weekend broke a record for visitors at State Parks…
cut 8 (09) “…safely”

And Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says his office has now heard from at least 300 people who have received in the mail a small package containing seeds. Strain says if you receive this mysterious package, call the department of ag and do not plan the seeds…
cut 5 (07) “…our crop”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation to provide funding for states to replenish their unemployment insurance trust funds. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
cut 2 (28) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A mystery philanthropist makes a 20 million dollar donation to Xavier University, a historically black college in New Orleans. Xavier President Dr. Reynold Verret calls it a historic contribution.
Cut 12 (08) “…received.”
The Associated Press suggests the donation may have been made by MacKenzie Scott, the former wife of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

The Louisiana Department of Agricultural says since Friday its office has received about 300 calls from people who say they received a mysterious package of seeds. The seeds have a mailing address from either China, United Arab Emirates, or Uzbekistan. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says this could be brushing scam
Cut 3 (10)  “…seeds”  
Strain says the packages have arrived in mailboxes across the country…

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation to consider funding Louisiana’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in the current proposal for COVID-19 relief legislation.  Edwards says the state’s unemployment was 17^th strongest in the nation before the pandemic took a toll on the fund.
Cut 10 (11) “…the solvency.”
Louisiana law mandates the Louisiana Workforce Commission impose a surtax on businesses up to 30% on taxable payroll.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the recent slowing case growth is making him confident that fall football will be played. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports over 1,700 new COVID-19 cases today. The number of active cases is almost 35-thousand, which nearly fills the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans twice.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is optimistic that football and Mardi Gras will not have to be canceled due to the pandemic, and is celebrating yet another record weekend for state parks. Nungesser says the recent slowing in new cases is likely due to the mask mandate and closing of bars, and if this keeps up he expects football to be a go for the fall and Mardi Gras to be back next year.

Cut 6, 6 seconds, months

He also added he is meeting soon with the Sugar Bowl Committee and is committed to holding the bowl game in New Orleans at the start of next year.

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana’s Congressional Delegation to consider funding Louisiana’s Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund in the current proposal for COVID-19 relief legislation.  Edwards says the benefit of the extra help would be widespread.

Cut 9 (12) “…are shored up.”

Four businesses have seen their bar permits suspended after failing multiple compliance checks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is a very rich man suddenly after signing a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth 36-million dollars. And the deal includes a 24-million dollar signing bonus.

The Louisiana Revenue Department will begin sending out 250-dollar checks this week to those frontline workers who had to work during the governor’s stay-at-home order. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications, but not everyone who applied is eligible and they are still accepting applications at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov…
cut 14 (12) “….made available”

The Louisiana Department of Agricultural says since Friday its office has received about 300 calls from people who say they received a mysterious package of seeds. The seeds have a mailing address from either China, United Arab Emirates, or Uzbekistan. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says this could be brushing scam
Cut 3 (10) “…seeds”
Strain says if you receive the seeds call his office and most importantly do not plant them.

Louisiana leads the nation in coronavirus cases per capita, but Governor Edwards says there is evidence cases are plateauing. Edwards says the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has remained flat over the last week, which he says is a sign the mask mandate and the closure of bars is slowing the spread…
cut 8 (12) “…economy open”

The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic ends this week and Congress is debating on extending the benefit and to what extent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says they have thousands of job listings posted at louisiana-works-dot-net. She says if you see a job you would like, send in an application…
cut 13 (07) “…company”

Louisiana has moved to number one in the country in per capita COVID-19 cases. Governor John Bel Edwards….
Cut 7 (07) “…this pandemic is.”
The state health department announced 11-hundred more cases yesterday and the number of COVID-19 deaths has reached 37-hundred, but the number of coronavirus patients has fallen below 16-hundred, which Edwards hopes is a positive sign.

The state revenue department says they’ll begin sending one-time 250-dollar payments this week to front-line workers who had to work during the governor’s stay at home order….
cut 15 (07) “….coming days’
Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they have received 205-thousand applications and you can apply at frontline-workers-dot-la-dot-gov.

The 600-dollar a week federal unemployment benefits are coming to an end Friday. Matt Doyle spoke with the Louisiana Workforce Commission about what that means for those without a job…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Three people are in custody and Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for a fourth person in the 2018 disapppearance of Donald Atkins. Danniel Barrett is wanted for second-degree murder. Joseph Hendricks, Thomas Davis and Paige Williams have already been booked on murder charges.

The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit for those who lost their job or faced reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic ends this week. That’s why Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie is encouraging unemployed indviduals to search for jobs on their website, louisiana-works-dot-net…
cut 11 (10) “….living”
Congress is looking at extending the benefits, but the 600-dollars a week could be reduced.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies have confucted five-thousand compliance checks on businesses making sure they are following COVID-19 restrictions…
cut 9 (09) “…is actually complying”
So far, four bars in Lousiana have had their permits suspended.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is still accepting applications from frontline workers who could be eligible for a one-time $250 payment for working during the governor’s stay at home order. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is a very rich man suddenly after signing a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth 36-million dollars. And the deal includes a 24-million dollar signing bonus.

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to come together on a new coronavirus relief aid package. The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit is set to end this week and GOP lawmakers would like to reduce that to 200-dollars a week…
cut 4 (05) “….after that”
That’s Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Democrats say they are willing to reduce the weekly unemployment benefit, but they have not indicated how much it should be reduced.

Louisiana Workfroce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says now is the time to look for work since it’s unknown what will happen with the weekly federal unemployment benefits. Dejoie says there are thousands of jobs listed on their Helping Individuals Reach Employment network…
cut 12 (09) “…salary”
Dejoie says go to louisiana-works-dot-net to see if there’s a job for you.

Four bars in Louisiana have had their licenses suspended because they failed to comply with the restrictions put in place by the governor to slow the spread of the coronavirus. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
cut 10 (12) “….those four licenses”
Meanwhile, Louisiana has moved to number one in the nation in per capita cases.

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says 250-dollar one-time payments will go out this week to front-line workers who had to work during the governor’s stay at home order. Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications and if you did not recieve a receipt of your application contact the department…
cut 16 (11) “…an email”
The application period at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov closes October 31st.

Louisiana leads the nation in coronavirus cases per capita, but Governor Edwards says there is evidence cases are plateauing. Edwards says the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has remained flat over the last week, which he says is a sign the mask mandate and the closure of bars is slowing the spread…
cut 8 (12) “…economy open”
At this time, there are no plans to add any other restrictions.

The Louisiana Revenue Department will begin sending out 250-dollar checks this week to those frontline workers who had to work when the governor’s stay-at-home order went into place. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications, but not everyone who applied is eligible and they are still accepting applications at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov…
cut 14 (12) “….made available”

The state has started cracking down on businesses that are not following COVID restrictions. Kevin Barnhart reports Alcohol Tobacco Control has suspended the permits of four bars…
cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are working on a new coronavirus relief bill. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says they are looking at trying to help restaurants…
cut 5 (10) “….restaurants”

The country’s second biggest teacher’s union threatens to back strikes in areas that are not doing enough to ensure school safety for teachers and students. That came from the American Federation of Teachers and their Louisiana Chapter President Larry Carter says in hotspots across Louisiana union members are actively discussing that as an option of last resort.

Cut 12 (09) “…schools.” 

The AFT earlier this month adopted a resolution backing the reopening of schools only in areas where the positivity rate for tests was under five percent. Over the past few weeks, the rate has hovered around ten percent but has recently dropped under eight percent.

The state reports 1125 cases today, the lowest new daily case count in three weeks, but Governor Edwards announces the state is now number one in per capita new cases though, even with today’s low count.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies have charged two teens with the murder of a 53-year-old Lake Charles man found lying in the road last week. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the kids did the murder with a weapon stolen right down the street from the shooting, and he’s asking area parents to keep better track of what their kids are up to…

Cut 4 (10)_ “tolerating this”

A 16-year-old and a 13-year-old have been charged in Bennet’s murder which happened at around 11:00 last Thursday night.

In an effort to stop runaway youth COVID transmission, the governor’s office releases a PSA featuring half a dozen young people describing the serious symptoms they had as a result of COVID-19. Those in the video discussed some of the misconceptions about how youth are allegedly “unaffected” by the virus.

Cut 7 (12) “…spread it”