Over a month after Laura ripped through the state many central Louisiana Suddenlink customers are still without internet, phone, and television service. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson says Cleco restored power to the region within ten days of Laura’s arrival, but Suddenlink is dragging their feet.

Cut 12 (08) “…competition”

Suddenlink reports about 90 percent of customers have been restored but Johnson says the volume of calls and emails he’s received questions that estimate.

President Barack Obama endorses Army Veteran and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins for U-S Senate. UL-Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says he doesn’t feel the endorsement will sway white Louisianan voters at the polls, but it does raise Perkin’s profile on a national level.

Cut 7 (05)“ go for those” 

160,000 Louisianans have until October 15^th to claim their 1,200-dollar pandemic stimulus check or they’ll have to wait until next year to see the money. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle” 

President Barack Obama endorses Army Veteran and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins for U-S Senate. UL-Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says even though an endorsement is never a bad thing, he doesn’t feel it will sway white Louisiana voters at the polls since only 14-percent of them supported Obama in 2012.

Cut 6 (09)  “…Mr. Perkins”  

Perkins is running against incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy.

After watching Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow break nearly every passing record last season, Myles Brennan gets a chance to show what he can do as the LSU starting quarterback when LSU hosts Mississippi State tomorrow. Brennan says he’s looking forward to writing his own story

Cut 3 (11)  “this season”  

About 160,000 Louisianans who did not claim their pandemic stimulus checks will receive a letter in the mail asking them to contact the IRS. IRS spokesperson Raphael Tulino says most are people who are not required by law to file an income tax return either because they do not make enough money, or they’re senior citizens living on social security.

Cut 11 (07) “…payments.”

The Audubon Nature Institute, which manages the zoo and aquarium in New Orleans, asks the city if they can borrow 10-million dollars. President of the institute, Ron Forman, says they are set to lose 18-million dollars because of the pandemic, even with some visitors able to return in August…

Cut 9 (09) “…do”
Forman says he’s had to lay off two-thirds of its employees.

A state rental assistance program set up to help struggling low-income workers make rent during the pandemic has so far failed to be of much help. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Acadiana schools lead the state in COVID-19 cases among students and staff, according to state department of health. LDH reports there were 97 cases among students and staff. The area includes Acadia, Iberia, Evangeline, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, and Vermillion parishes.

About 160,000 Louisianans who did not claim their pandemic stimulus checks will receive a letter in the mail asking them to contact the IRS. IRS spokesperson Raphael Tulino says nine million Americans will get these letters in an attempt to make sure they get their 12-hundred-dollar stimulus check.

Cut 10 (11) “…the year.”

For more information go to IRS.gov.

The 25-thousand ticketed fans attending tomorrow’s LSU Mississippi State game will have to complete a COVID screening before entering the stadium, they can do so on the LSU Sports Mobile app. LSU Senior Associate AD Robert Munson says all gates will be accessible to ticket holders to enter Tiger Stadium to deter long lines.

Cut 5 (11)  “in that area”

No tailgating is permitted on campus.

Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland is upset over the state’s mismanagement of the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. McFarland says the 24-million dollar program has failed to pay or process thousands of applications from Louisiana families struggling to pay rent. McFarland says the state received federal funding for the program in July…
cut 14 (08) “…delay is”
The Louisiana Housing Corporation is no longer accepting applications because of overwhelming demand.

The Audobon Nature Institute, which manages the zoo and aquarium in New Orleans, is seeking a 10-million dollar loan so they can care for the Institute’s 15-thousand animals. Institute President Ron Foreman says the coronavirus pandemic lockdown has forced them to lay off 600 of their one-thousand employees
cut 8 (10) “…cutter”
The loan will come from a fund earmarked for developing a section of Mississippi River frontage.

The reigning national champion LSU Tigers finally begin their season tomorrow, but for the 25-thousand fans who will be in attendance, they will experience a completely different gameday environment…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Tomorrow also marks the home openers for the Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech. No tailgating allowed outside of Cajun Field and Joe Aillet Stadium as well.

The Saints host Green Bay on Sunday. 750 family members of players, coaches and staff will be in attendance in the Dome.

Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland is upset 24-million dollars in rental assistance has yet to be distributed to Louisiana families who are struggling to make rent. McFarland says in July the state received the funding from the federal CARES Act, but just under 300-thousand dollars has been distributed. McFarland says he’s requested a meeting with the Division of Administration…
cut 15 (10) “…they need”
McFarland says for the upcoming special session he’ll file legislation to create the Council of State which would provide oversight for gubernatorial actions.

There are 160-thousand Louisiana residents who have yet to claim their economic stimulus check and they have until October 15th to claim the check in order to receive the money this year. I-R-S spokesperson Raphael Tulino says if you don’t claim by October 15th…
cut 12 (08) “…2020”
Tulino says they are sending a letter to those residents who have yet to receive their stimulus check.

The Audubon Nature Institute, which manages the zoo and aquarium in New Orleans, has asked the city if they can borrow 10-million dollars because they are in a dire situation. President of the institute, Ron Forman, says they are set to lose 18-million dollars because of the pandemic, even with some visitors able to return in August…
cut 9 (09) “….do”
Forman says he’s had to lay off two-thirds of its employees.

Before you dress up in your best purple and gold face mask to attend Saturday’s season opener, LSU ticket holders age 18 and older must complete a COVID-19 screening. Senior Associate Athletic Director Robert Munson says the simple questionnaire can be found on the LSU Sports Mobile App
cut 4 (08) “…to go”
The LSU Sports Mobile app will also load your digital ticket.

A 24 million dollar state rental assistance program established in July has so far only distributed just under 300,000 dollars to struggling low-income renters, according to Jonesboro Representative Jack McFarland. McFarland says the program has received 40,000 applications and only about 120 people have actually received financial aid…
Cut 13 (10) “…mortgages”
The application period for the program was closed just three days after it opened due to “overwhelming demand” according to the Louisiana Housing Corporation. The L-H-C has not commented on the matter.

The Audubon Institute, which manages New Orleans’ famous Zoo and Aquarium, needs to borrow ten million dollars to stay afloat. Audubon Institute President Ron Foreman says they started off the pandemic losing a million a week, but due to staff reductions are down to 300,000 a week and can’t get any lower.
Cut 7 (10) “…species.”
The loan will come out of an escrow account and is pending city approval.

160,000 Louisianans have until October 15th to claim their 1,200 dollar pandemic stimulus check or they’ll have to wait until next year to see the money. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards will be in Lake Charles this morning to talk with local officials about Hurricane Laura recovery efforts. The Lafayette Police Department has revised its use of force policy and officers can no longer use chokeholds and must intervene when they see another officer use unreasonable force.

A state rental assistance program designed to help struggling low-income workers make rent during the pandemic has failed to be of much help…
cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Jefferson Parish Public school system suspended a fourth-grader for six days after he was seen during virtual class instruction picking up a BB gun that his younger brother tripped over. Officials say Ka Mauri Harrison violated in-class instruction policy, while the student’s family says the school district violated their privacy and didn’t give their child due process.

There are about 160-thousand Louisiana residents who have yet to get their stimulus check. I-R-S spokesperson Raphael Tulino says most of these recipients do not file an income tax return because they do not make enough money or they’re living on social security.
Cut 11 (07) “…payments.”
Tulino says these individuals will receive a letter from the IRS telling them how they can claim their stimulus.

Tomorrow is the long-awaited season opener for the LSU Tigers as Tiger Stadium is set to host 25-thousand fans for the game against Mississippi State. LSU senior associate athletics director Robert Munson says unfortunately because of the coronavirus pandemic, they are asking fans not to tailgate…
cut 6 (12) “….don’t have to”
Saturday is also the home opener for the Ragin Cajuns and Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

For the first time in weeks, the National Hurricane Center is NOT monitoring any named systems or disturbances in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says he’s still expecting a record this year for named storms…

Cut 7 (11)“ of things” 
There have been 23 named storms this year and the record was set in 2005 with 27.

Louisiana saw a notable drop in the rate of women murdered by men in 2018, about 15 percent. Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence Director Mariah Wineski says it appears a number of legislative efforts are finally coming to fruition.

Cut 9 (08) “…orders”

About 92-hundred households in six parishes hit hard by Hurricane Laura are eligible for housing assistance and that includes the opportunity to put a FEMA trailer on their property. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Jeff Palermo”  

Former Louisiana State Police trooper Jason Boyet pleads guilty to distributing pornography depicting children as young as 3 years old. 42-year old Boyet faces five to 20 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for January 20. Boyet was the 2018 Trooper of the Year.

Louisiana saw a 15 percent decline in the rate of women who were murdered by men from 2017 to 2018. Matt Doyle has the story.
cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reported 581 additional coronavirus cases today bringing the state’s total to over 163-thousand. The state also reported 16 more deaths which brings the state’s death toll to 5,241. The number of patients hospitalized by COVID fell by 17 to 575.

FEMA RVs are headed to southwest Louisiana for residents whose homes are uninhabitable due to Hurricane Laura. FEMA hopes to place trailers on the homeowner’s property, but they may also create R-V parks. FEMA will contact residents whose homes have been identified as uninhabitable. Individual Assistance Supervisor Liz Redferan says if a Laura survivor initially declines the offer, they can reconsider.

Cut 5 (12)  “calling us back ”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser has received a flu shot and he’s encouraging all Louisiana to get the vaccination as well. Nungesser participated in a Walgreens Flu Shot promotion with Baton Rouge Senator Regina Barrow. Nungesser says getting the flu shot can save your life…

Cut 14 (10) “…nationally”