State lawmakers could call themselves into a special session next week as there’s frustration over Governor John Bel Edwards Phase 3 order that restricts how many businesses can operate. But LA-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says the votes might not be there to overturn any of the governor’s coronavirus restrictions…
cut 4 (06) “…possible”
Alford says a 30-day special session could begin next Monday. The state’s dwindling unemployment trust fund and Hurricane Laura issues will also be discussed.

Tropical Storm Beta is moving closer to Texas’ coastline, but it will produce rain across the state over the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rainfall and cloud cover will hold down temperatures…
cut 10 (110 “…low 80s”

The state is working to implement new federal guidelines to allow visitations at nursing homes. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

The state reported 249 coronavirus cases today and nine deaths.

It appears likely that lawmakers will be returning to Baton Rouge for a special session covering more than a dozen issues that would start September 28^th. The vote to enter the session could be held as early as today, and LaPolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says it’s going to cover everything from Hurricane Laura to unemployment, but…

Cut 3 (07)  “…emergency.”  

Alford says many Republicans are frustrated with the current COVID restrictions, but it’s unclear whether they could find the votes to override the order.

Most of south Louisiana is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night as Tropical Storm Beta is expected to produce several inches of rain in the Bayou State. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the rain will be on and off for the new few days

Cut 9 (09) “…four days”

For some good news, at least temps will stay out of the 80s until mid-week.

Four Shreveport cops are indicated on negligent homicide in the April death of a mentally ill man who they beat severely, then allegedly left in the back of their squad car for 48 minutes without performing any medical intervention. 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen was in an altercation with a homeowner when officers arrived, and Family attorney James Carter says police were well aware of his mental condition due to incidents from earlier that day…

Cut 14 (09) “…unfortunate.”

A coroner’s report showed McGlothen had a broken nose, jaw, and heavily swollen face after the encounter.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is implementing new federal guidelines that lifts the ban on nursing home visits. State Director of the Louisiana AARP Denise Botcher says new guidance from the feds allows nursing homes to conduct outdoor visitation with social distancing…

Cut 10 (10) “…to Louisiana families.”

Four Shreveport police officers have been indicted on negligent homicide and malfeasance charges for their roles in the death of 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Junior, who died in police custody last April. The family attorney for McGlothen, James Carter, says McGlothen was left in a police vehicle for 48 minutes after an intense physical encounter with officers…
cut 13 (11) “…beat him”
Caddo District Attorney James Stewart says McGlothen’s death was preventable. Shreveport Police Chief Ben Raymond has declined to comment on the indictments.

Pineville Police say one of their officers was ambushed last night while leaving his patrol car at a shopping center. Officials say the officer was shot in the leg and was transported to the hospital. Pineville police are looking for the shooter.

State lawmakers could vote as early as today to call themselves into a special session. Jim Shannon on what legislators will consider…
Cut 1 (31) “…Jim Shannon”

Meanwhile, families can visit loved ones in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities as a result of new federal guidance. Outdoor visitation is allowed and indoor visitation can take place in parishes with no more than 10-percent test positivity. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher…
cut 12 (06) “…one time”

Researchers at Baton Rouge General say a taste test may predict how vulnerable a person is to severe illness from COVID-19. Doctor Henry Barham, notes that as people get older they lose the ability to taste as well…
Cut 6 (11) “…the big one.”

The unemployment trust fund has dropped below 100 million dollars and that will likely mean reduced benefits for recipients and higher taxes on businesses next year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says because of the dual-threat to both the unemployed and employers it’s vital that Congress include unemployment trust fund relief in the next pandemic relief bill.
Cut 9 (09) “…COVID”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is implementing new federal guidelines that lifts the ban on nursing home visits. State Director of the Louisiana AARP Denise Botcher says the inability to visit in person has been a difficult period for families when phone calls and virtual visits have been the only option.
Cut 11 (12) “…in person.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport cops on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Officers arrested McGlothen April 5th and after McGlothen was handcuffed video revealed that he was severely beaten and tased, and left for 48 minutes without aid. Family attorney James Carter…
says it’s unconscionable that police would beat Mr. McGlothen so severely, and then just leave him handcuffed in the back of a car…
Cut 15 (07) “…to happen.”

The state is working to implement new federal guidelines to allow visitations at nursing homes. Brooke Thorington has more
Cut 2 (31) “…Brooke Thorington”

The unemployment trust fund has dropped below 100 million dollars and that will likely mean reduced benefits for recipients and higher taxes on businesses next year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says when it comes to higher taxes on employers each employer has their own experience rating with the trust fund so…
Cut 8 (09) “…significantly.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport cops on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Officers arrested McGlothen April 5th and after McGlothen was handcuffed video revealed that he was severely beaten and tased, and left for 48 minutes without aid. Carter…

Video shows McGlothen, apparently handcuffed, on the ground resisting while officers beat him with a baton, kicked him, punched him, and tased him as he screams. After no longer moving the beating continues, and he is then stood upon his knees and kicked into the ground, lifted back up, and slammed into a squad car.
McGlothen was in an altercation with a homeowner when officers arrived, and Family attorney James Carter says police were well aware of his condition due to incidents from earlier that day…
Cut 14 (09) “…unfortunate.”

State employer payroll taxes are likely to go up and unemployment benefits likely to go down next year due to the depleted state unemployment trust fund…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Researchers at Baton Rouge General say a taste test may predict how vulnerable a person is to severe illness from COVID-19. Doctor Henry Barham, says
The loss of taste and smell are hallmark symptoms of COVID-19 patients.
Barham says their initial study involved 100 people who had COVID. He says the second study that’s ongoing involves five-thousand people as they try to determine if a taste test can predict COVID-19 severity…
Cut 5 (09) “…on now.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is implementing new federal guidelines that lifts the ban on nursing home visits. State Director of the Louisiana AARP Denise Botcher says new guidance from the feds allows nursing homes to conduct outdoor visitation with social distancing…
Cut 10 (10) “…to Louisiana families.”

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport cops on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Officers arrested McGlothen April 5th and after McGlothen was handcuffed video revealed that he was severely beaten and tased, and left for 48 minutes without aid. Family attorney James Carter…
Cut 13 (11) “…beat him.”

Researchers at Baton Rouge General say a taste test may predict how vulnerable a person is to severe illness from COVID-19. Doctor Henry Barham, a rhinologist, says they have found that people who have trouble detecting certain bitter flavors are at a higher risk for developing more symptoms…
Cut 4 (08)“ …would do”

The unemployment trust fund has dropped below 100 million dollars and that will likely mean reduced benefits for recipients and higher taxes on businesses next year. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says if the trust fund is below 100 million in 2021, the maximum weekly benefit will drop to 221 dollars from the current 247 dollars, but…
Cut 7 (04) “…benefits.”

Four Shreveport cops are indicted on negligent homicide charges in the April death of a 44-year-old mentally ill man. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

Tropical Storm Beta is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday as it moves towards the Texas coastline. The 10am update from the National Hurricane Center reports that Beta is now moving northwest at 3 miles per hour with sustained winds of 60 miles per hour. The forecast has Beta turning northeast as it gets close to the coastline and turn towards Louisiana. Eventually the center of Beta will be south of Lake Charles early Thursday morning as a tropical storm. A tropical storm warning is now in effect for Intercoastal Louisiana and a storm surge watch has been issued as far east as Cameron.

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport police officers on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Family Attorney James Carter says police were aware of his condition due to incidents earlier in the day…

Cut 14 (09) “…unfortunate.”

Governor Edwards says the state will move quickly to implement new federal guidelines to expand nursing home visitation. CMS imposed restrictions on nursing homes in March to control the spread of COVID to protect one of the most vulnerable populations.  AARP spokesperson Denise Botcher.

Cut 10 (14) …Louisiana families

Nursing homes in parishes with no more than 10 percent test positivity and without any new onset of COVID cases in the last 14 days can allow indoor visitation.

Governor John Bel Edwards releases a statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Edwards says, “Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazing pioneer whose long and storied career in the law broke barriers and inspired many across the nation, men and women.” She was 87.

Tropical Storm Beta is expected to become a hurricane on Sunday as it moves towards the Texas coastline. Beta is currently moving north at 8 miles per hour and is expected to turn west towards the central Texas coast. The five-day forecast track has Beta turning northeast as it gets close to the coast and move towards Louisiana. Eventually the center of Beta will be south of Lake Charles early Thursday morning as a tropical storm. A tropical storm watch is up as far east as Morgan City and a storm surge watch has been issued as far east as Cameron.

A federal judge orders the state to use the summer election plan for the fall election, and that means we could see more absentee ballots than usual. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin warns we won’t know the election results in Louisiana for the November 3^rd election until at least the 4^th. Ardoin says that’s because mail-in ballots take longer to count, and…

Cut 11 (04) “…election.”

State Senator Bill Cassidy issues a statement on the passing of Chief Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Cassidy says “Justice Ginsburg’s death adds to the tragedies of 2020. While Americans mourn, we can also celebrate her pursuit of justice, her service to country and the gracious resilience with which she lived.” Ginsburg was 87.

A Caddo Parish grand jury indicts four Shreveport cops on negligent homicide charges linked to the April death of a mentally ill man, 44-year-old Tommie McGlothen Jr. Officers arrested McGlothen April 5^th and after McGlothen was handcuffed video revealed that he was severely beaten and tased, and left for 48 minutes without aid. Family attorney James Carter…

Cut 13 (11) “…beat him.”

The four police officers were also charged with malfeasance. A trial date has not been set.

Tropical Storm Beta has formed in the Gulf and Mexico and is forecast to become a minimal hurricane near the Texas coast early next week. A storm surge watch has been issued as far east as Cameron, Louisiana, and a Tropical Storm Watch as east as Morgan City. Beta is currently moving north at 8 mph but is expected to take a slow northwestward turn later today. National Weather Service Meteorologist Donald Jones  Cut 4 (11)“ …end up”  Governor John Bel Edwards releases a statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Edwards says, “Justice Ginsburg was a trailblazing pioneer whose long and storied career in the law broke barriers and inspired many across the nation, men and women.” She was 87.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin warns under the election plan the state was ordered to adopt by a federal judge it is unlikely we will know the full results of the November 3^rd election until the next day. The order calls for Louisiana to adopt the election plan used in the summer. Ardoin says that will likely mean a significant increase in absentee ballots.

Cut 9 (12) “…strange times”

Coach Ed Orgeron will get the national spotlight when the LSU coach’s story is told on Sunday night on CBS’s 60 minutes.  Special assistant to the head coach Derek Ponamsky says production was originally set to take place in March with spring practice but got pushed back to the summer due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cut 6 (11)  “…dealing with COVID.”  

It airs tomorrow night at 6:30 on CBS