Senator Bill Cassidy filed his papers today in Baton Rouge to run for a second term in office. Cassidy’s opponents took turns digging at this record since qualifying began Wednesday, but the state’s senior Senator says he’ll stand behind his work over the past six years.

Cut 6 (11) “…debate that”

The primary election is November 3^rd.

Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it will produce numerous thunderstorms and some rain bands in Louisiana this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will hinder some outdoor activities….

Cut 4 (10)_ “activity .”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces that starting on Saturday bars and restaurants will be prohibited from selling takeout alcoholic beverages. Cantrell says this means bars will be closed throughout Orleans Parish…

Cut 12 (09) “…large gatherings” 

The city is also reducing the size of indoor social gatherings to no more than 25 people. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 50 people.

As hospitals across the state reach capacity with COVID-19 patients, some healthcare facilities have enough beds, but they are having staffing issues to provide adequate care for patients.  As daily case counts continue to set records across the state with community spread, Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman in Lafayette says the public needs to understand when a healthcare worker contracts COVID it creates a large absence in the workplace.

Cut 11 (07) “than that”

Governor John Bel Edwards has renewed the proclamation that extends Phase Two, which includes the statewide mask mandate and bar closures until August seventh. Edwards is once again asking residents to follow the mitigation measures that are in place…
cut 12 (10) “….do our part”
The state reported another 21-hundred coronavirus cases and an additional 30 deaths today to bring the state’s death toll to 3,604.

Senator John Kennedy says Senate Republicans are discussing another coronavirus relief package. This one would have a one-trillion dollar price tag and provide additional assistance for those unemployed. Kennedy says the bill would also contain money for public schools and it would contain language that he supports, giving states more autonomy on how they can use the share they receive…
cut 15 (08) “…90-plus points”

Qualifying for the November third election wraps up at 4:30 today. This morning Senator Bill Cassidy filed the necessary paperwork to be on the ballot. The doctor from Baton Rouge is seeking a second term and knows this campaign will be different because of COVID-19…
cut 8 (08) “…with people”
As of 2:30 this afternoon, 13 candidates have signed up to challenge Cassidy.

Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it’s helping to produce showers and thunderstorms across south Louisiana. But State Climatologist Barry Keim is not expecting significant flooding
Cut 3 (11) “…handle it.”
A coastal flood advisory is in effect until tonight as minor coastal flooding is expected.

The Louisiana Health Department reported 2,142 new coronavirus cases today to bring the state’s total to 103-thousand. The death toll also rose by another 30 to 3,604. Hospitalizations also rose to 16-hundred. Several hospitals are reporting their I-C-U’s are filling up with COVID patients and staffing is also a problem. Doctor Henry Kaufman with Our Lady of the Lourdes in Lafayette…
cut 10 (07) “…physicans”
The state made a request to the federal government for 700 health care workers, but other states are facing similar situations.

Tropical Storm Hanna is gaining strength as it moves over the Western Gulf of Mexico and it’s set to make landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow. State Climatologist Barry Keim says coastal parishes can expect at least three inches of rain through Monday….
cut 5 (12) “…is possible”

The state’s senior Senator was in Baton Rouge today signing up to run for a second six-year term in office. Matt Doyle was there…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle

In St. John the Baptist Parish, Judge Jeff Perllioux, who is accused of molesting his teenage daughter’s friends, qualified for re-election today. Perllioux has been suspended since 2018, but has held on to his seat as he awaits on trial on three counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile and a sexual battery charge. Perilloux denies any wrongdoing.

The state’s COVID hospitalizations rises to 1600, the highest number since May 1. There are also just over 2100 new cases and 29 new fatalities.
Senator Bill Cassidy filed his papers today in Baton Rouge to run for a second term in office against 11 other candidates. The state Democratic Party and one of his challengers Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins have slammed the Senator, accusing him of being M-I-A during the pandemic. Cassidy says he’s been in daily contact with constituents.

Cut 7 (10) “received it”

Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it will produce numerous thunderstorms and some rain bands in Louisiana this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it will hinder some outdoor activities….

Cut 4 (10)_ “activity .”

Hospitals in Louisiana are facing staffing shortages due to COVID-19 and having trouble filling the void. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Senator Bill Cassidy filed his papers today in Baton Rouge to run for a second term in office against 11 other candidates.  Cassidy’s opponents took turns digging at this record since qualifying began Wednesday, but the state’s senior Senator says he’ll stand behind his work over the past six years.
Cut 6 (11) “…debate that”
Five of his opponents are Democrats, one is a Libertarian, and five are nonaffiliated.
As hospitals across the state reach capacity with COVID-19 patients, some healthcare facilities have enough beds, but they are having staffing issues to provide adequate care for patients.  Governor John Bel Edward asked FEMA for approximately 700 healthcare workers.

Cut 9 (09) “…their staff.”

Tropical Storm Hanna is eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas tomorrow, but it will produce rainfall in south Louisiana this weekend. State Climatologist Barry Keim says is not expecting significant flooding

Cut 3 (11)  “…handle it.”  

Hanna will produce numerous thunderstorms and some rain bands in Louisiana.

Local governments have been reimbursed 127 million dollars so far as part of the CARES Act.  Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the money did not reimburse revenue losses for local governments and only paid for COVID-related expenditures.
Cut 7 (11) “…pandemic”
Other professional services and contracts for things like mental health counseling and financial consulting also applied.

Louisiana hit the 100,000 COVID case milestone Thursday. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Hospitalizations in the state are up to 15-hundred and vent use up to 200. Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman says staffing is stretched the Lafayette Hospital…

Cut 5 (11)  “…an issue.”

The U-S Senate is about to begin debating the fifth coronavirus relief package, which will likely come with a trillion-dollar price tag.  Senator John Kennedy expects there will be additional help for unemployment compensation, but it will not be at the same $600 per week level.

Cut 13 (12) “…in their job.” 

Local governments have been reimbursed 127 million dollars so far as part of the CARES Act. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says the bulk of the money reimbursed so far has gone to southern parishes hit hard in the early days like Orleans and Jefferson Parishes.

Cut 8 (10) “…parish”

The funding comes from a 524-million-dollar fund for local governments.

Louisiana has surpassed 100-thousand coronavirus cases, becoming the 12th state to do so and the smallest state to reach the grim milestone. Governor John Bel Edwards…
Cut 10 (09) “…check.”
Edwards has signed the executive order that extends the statewide mask mandate, keeps bars closed, and also keeps the state in Phase 2 of reopening through August 7th.

Healthcare officials in Acadiana warn the public that they are running out of regional healthcare capacity due to COVID-19 case growth. Lafayette General Health Chief Medical Officer Dr. Amanda Logue says their system hospitals and ICUs are full of COVID patients.

Cut 4 (11)_”…of them”

The U-S Senate is about to begin debating the fifth coronavirus relief package, which will likely come with a trillion-dollar price tag.  Senator John Kennedy is pushing a measure for local and state governments who have previously had funding in past coronavirus relief bills, to have more autonomy with how that money is spent, including use for operating expenses which are not linked to COVID-19.

Cut 15 (09) “…get 90+ votes.” 

Local governments have been reimbursed 127-million dollars so far as part of the CARES Act. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne  says the bulk of the money so far has gone to southern parishes hit hard in the early days like Orleans and Jefferson Parishes and that it’s interesting to note that 12 rural northern Louisiana parishes have not submitted an application for any reimbursements.

Cut 9 (11) “…parishes”

Governor John Bel Edwards has renewed the proclamation that extends Phase Two, which includes the statewide mask mandate and bar closures until August seventh. Edwards is once again asking residents to follow the mitigation measures that are in place…
cut 12 (10) “….do our part”
Edwards renewed his proclamation on a day Louisiana surpassed 100-thousand coronavirus cases. The state is reporting over 15-hundred COVID-19 hospitalizations and nearly 200 of those patients are on a ventilator. Several hospitals have suspended elective surgeries again. Our Lady of the Lourdes CMO in Lafayette Doctor Henry Kaufman…
cut 6 (11) “….differed”

The state is reporting they’ve sent 127-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to local governments for reimbursement of COVID-related expenditures. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne…
Cut 7 (11) “…pandemic”
Other professional services and contracts for things like mental health counseling and financial consulting also applied.

The U-S Senate is about to begin debating the fifth coronavirus relief package, which will likely cost a trillion dollars. Senator John Kennedy expects there will be assistance for unemployed workers, but the benefits will not be at the same $600 per week level that it has been at.
Cut 13 (12) “…in their job.”
Not all Republican lawmakers are in agreement with the latest relief effort as some feel the cost is too much.

The state is now reporting 101-thousand coronavirus cases, becoming the 12th state to surpass 100-thousand cases and the smallest to do so population wise. There are some who suggest Louisiana is double-counting cases for people who test positive multiple times. Edwards says that’s not happening and called it a disinformation campaign aimed at minimizing how serious the situation is…
cut 11 (09) “…saying
The number of people hospitalized in Louisiana is up to 15-hundred and those on ventilators is close to 200. Our Lady of the Lourdes C-M-O Doctor Henry Kaufman says staffing is getting stretched thin at their Lafayette Hospital…
cut 5 (11) “…an issue”

Senator John Kennedy says the Senate is working on another coronavirus relief package that would extend enhanced unemployment benefits that are about to expire. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Meanwhile, Louisiana’s Senior Senator Bill Cassidy is set to qualify today for re-election as he’s seeking a second term. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins qualified yesterday providing Cassidy a serious challenger from the Democratic Party. Qualifying ends at 4:30 PM today.

Louisiana has surpassed 100-thousand coronavirus cases, becoming the 12th state to do so and the smallest state to reach the grim milestone. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 10 (09) “…reality check’
Edwards has signed the executive order that extends the statewide mask mandate, keeps bars closed and also keeps the state in Phase 2 of reopening through August 7th.

Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says Republicans are discussing a fifth coronavirus relief package that would provide additional help for people out of work and also provide more money for public schools so they can safely reopen. But Kennedy says students should not be forced back into the classroom…
cut 14 (11) “….be forced to”

Healthcare capacity in the Acadiana region is running low as the coronavirus spreads through the community. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Tropical Storm Hanna has formed in the central Gulf of Mexico, eyeing a landfall near Corpus Christi, Texas, but it will bring rain to south Louisiana.