Low-income renters who are struggling to pay their rent can now apply for help through the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux debunks a theory that Louisiana’s COVID-19 case count has been inflated. The Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recently added to the theory with a Facebook post that questioned the validity of the parish’s case count as reported by LDH. Billioux says they have looked into the claim.

A West Monroe man was arrested after allegedly hitting a cop with his car and resisting arrest after refusing to wear a mask inside a Walmart. West Monroe Police Chief Jeff Terrell says when 64-year old Ricky Taylor refused a Walmart employee’s request to wear a mask a police officer working detail for Walmart intervened. Authorities say Taylor had a verbal altercation with the officer, refused to give to his identification, left the store, and got into his car, and then it got physical.
Cut 11 (08) “…bumped the officer.”

Governor Edwards approves business tax cuts and credits that will cost the state an estimated 25 million dollars in the current budget year, and at least 230 million dollars over the next five years.
The cuts come in many forms, including a substantial portion for the casino industry, and a yearlong suspension of the corporate franchise tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s anyone’s guess as to whether they’ll make much of an impact.
Cut 14 (09) “…struggling”

Is the Department of Health inflating COVID-19 case counts? Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux debunks that theory. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”
The state is now taking applications for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, an initiative aimed at helping low-income people who are struggling to make rent.
Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham says
The program currently has a 24 million dollar fund, but the state aims to find additional money to boost the pot.
Payment amounts and qualification depends on income, household size, and fair market rent prices in your area. Cunningham says you can only make 30 percent of the state’s average median income.
Cut 8 (07) “…or more.”

A West Monroe man was arrested after allegedly hitting a cop with his car and resisting arrest after refusing to wear a mask inside a Walmart. West Monroe Police Chief Jeff Terrell says when 64-year old Ricky Taylor refused a Walmart employee’s request to wear a mask a police officer working detail for Walmart intervened.
Cut 10 (10) “trespass notice.”
Governor Edwards approves business tax cuts and credits that will cost the state an estimated 25 million dollars in the current budget year, and at least 230 million dollars over the next five years.
The cuts come in many forms, including a substantial portion for the casino industry, and a yearlong suspension of the corporate franchise tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…
Cut 13 (09) “…services.”

Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux debunks a theory that Louisiana’s COVID-19 case count has been inflated by individuals being retested only to find out they are still positive for coronavirus. Billioux made it clear the state is not listing every positive test result as a new case.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…that one case.”

The state is now taking applications for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, an initiative aimed at helping low-income people who are struggling to make rent.
Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham says the program can provide short-term help to renters whose finances have been impacted by the pandemic.
Cut 7 (10) “…the program.”

A West Monroe man is in jail after allegedly getting violent after being denied access to a Walmart for not wearing a facemask. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

COVID cases are surging and hospitalization numbers are rising sharply, but deaths and ventilator use are not following at the same rate as the state’s first wave in April. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says healthcare providers have developed new techniques to aid COVID patients that were not available in March and April, including an antiviral that is much more accessible.

Cut 7 (11) “without”

A Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally shot two people and left a third-person fighting for her life is now in custody. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the manhunt that went on for over 24 hours wrapped up when 51-year-old Neil Broussard surrendered by going to a Dollar General and asking an employee to call the cops.

Cut 12 (12) “…heroic of them.”

Broussard was arrested at the store near the wooded area in Beauregard Parish where authorities had been searching for him.

The Office of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of offices that will operate using only online appointment scheduling by seven. OMV Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says they’re going to monitor these locations and if the process works out consider implementing it as a normal business practice even after the pandemic passes.

Cut 11 (07) “…good thing.”

The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing ownership and the new proprietors will no longer display the collection of exotic animals that have put a spotlight on the business.  The flagship animal, a 550-pound Bengal tiger named Tony, died in 2017.  Following the euthanizing of Tony the Tiger due to age-related health issues, the main attraction became Caspar the Camel.  The camel and a kangaroo are now residing at the Alexandria Zoological Park.  Now-former truckstop owner Michael Sandlin says he still owns some of the other animals.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…at my homestead.”

COVID cases are surging and hospitalization numbers are rising sharply, but deaths and ventilator use are not following at the same rate as the state’s first wave in April. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says it appears that’s because this new wave of cases is disproportionately impacting young people.

Cut 6 (10) “…people”

Hart says Ochsner currently has plenty of ventilator capacity, but that hospital bed usage has seen a big increase over the last month.

The Office of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of offices that will operate using only online appointment scheduling by seven. OMV Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says the online scheduler is very easy to use.

Cut 10 (09) “…information.”

A Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally shot two people and left third person fighting for her life is now in custody. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the manhunt that went on for over 24 hours wrapped up when 51-year-old Neil Broussard surrendered by going to a Dollar General and asking an employee to call the cops. Mancuso says a motive for Broussard’s actions is still unclear.

Cut 14 (06) “…would like that.”

The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing ownership and the new proprietors will no longer display the collection of exotic animals that have put a spotlight on the business.  The flagship animal, a 550-pound Bengal tiger named Tony, died in 2017.  Now-former truck stop owner Michael Sandlin says that death hit him hard.

Cut 3 (08)  “…getting another tiger.”  

The Office of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of offices that will operate using only online appointment scheduling by seven. OMV Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says it’s a good way to provide a safer, more convenient experience that avoids making people wait outside.

Cut 9 (10) “…outside.”

Breaux Bridge, Marksville, Opelousas, Plaquemine, Thibodaux, Vivian, and West Monroe join the nine other existing offices to move to online scheduling.

A Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally shot two people and left third-person fighting for her life is now in custody. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says 51-year-old Neil Broussard was arrested at a Dollar General store near the wooded area in Beauregard Parish where authorities had been searching for him. The suspect did not have the murder weapon on him and no confession.

Cut 13 (09) “…to continue working.” 

A Slidell daycare worker, 34-year old Leann Simon, faces one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. The St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s office says Simon allegedly twisted the child’s arm behind its back before lifting the child up by the arm.  The parents contacted authorities last week after taking the child to the hospital.

New ownership of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete has discontinued the roadside zoo attraction that has garnered a lot of attention over the years.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

New ownership of the Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete has discontinued the roadside zoo attraction that has garnered a lot of attention over the years.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

 Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________

COVID cases are rising sharply, but ventilator use and deaths are not following at the same rate, so why is that? Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_____________________________

The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing ownership and the new proprietors will no longer display the collection of exotic animals that have put a spotlight on the business.  The flagship animal, a 550-pound Bengal tiger named Tony, died in 2017.  Now-former owner Michael Sandlin says that death hit him hard.

Cut 3 (08)  “…getting another tiger.”  

Following the euthanizing of Tony the Tiger due to age-related health issues, the main attraction became Caspar the Camel.  The camel and a kangaroo are now residing at the Alexandria Zoological Park.  Sandlin says he still owns some of the other animals.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…at my homestead.”

Sandlin considers himself and animal welfare advocate and says stepping away from the ownership of the truck stop and roadside zoo has been an emotional process.

Cut 5 (09)  “…me I think.”

The Tiger Truck Stop has been no stranger to controversy over the years, most recently drawing attention after a Florida woman bit the camel’s testicles after entering the animal’s enclosure to retrieve her dog.

______________________

COVID cases are surging and hospitalization numbers are rising sharply as well, but deaths and ventilator use are not following at the same rate as the state’s first wave in April. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says it appears to be because this new wave of cases is disproportionately young people.

Cut 6 (10) “…people”

Hart says Ochsner currently has plenty of ventilator capacity, but that hospital bed usage has seen a big increase over the last month.

Dr. Hart says healthcare providers have also developed new techniques to aid COVID patients that were not available in March and April, including an antiviral that is much more accessible.

Cut 7 (11) “without”

Early in the pandemic hospitals were reporting a concerning decline in the number of people going to the ER or visiting clinics for non-COVID treatments that could be vital for maintaining their health, but Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says patients appear to be a lot more comfortable going back to their healthcare providers these days.

Cut 8 (10) “…now”

_______________________

The Office of Motor Vehicles is expanding the number of offices that will operate using only online appointment scheduling by seven.

OMV Spokesperson Matthew Boudreaux says it’s a good way to provide a safer, more convenient experience that avoids making people wait outside when the building hits capacity.

Cut 9 (10) “…outside.”

Boudreaux says the online scheduler is very easy to use.

Cut 10 (09) “…information.”

Boudreaux says they’re going to monitor these locations and if the process works out consider implementing it as a normal business practice even after the pandemic passes.

Cut 11 (07) “…good thing.”

Breaux Bridge, Marksville, Opelousas, Plaquemine, Thibodaux, Vivian, and West Monroe join the nine other existing OMV offices to move to online scheduling.

_________________________________________________________

A Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally shot two people and left a third-person fighting for her life is now in custody. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the manhunt that went on for over 24 hours wrapped up when 51-year-old Neil Broussard surrendered by going to a Dollar General and asking an employee to call the cops.

Cut 12 (12) “…heroic of them.”

Broussard was arrested at the store near the wooded area in Beauregard Parish where authorities had been searching for him. Mancuso says the man did not have the murder weapon on him at the time of arrest and they have not gotten a confession out of the suspect.

Cut 13 (09) “…to continue working.” 

Mancuso says a motive for Broussard’s actions is still unclear.

Cut 14 (06) “…would like that.”

Broussard is accused of killing 17-year-old Kyla Hildalgo and 18-year-old Kaleb Charlton at a home in Westlake.  A third victim, 40-year-old Catherine Hidalgo was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized.

A Lake Charles man who authorities say fatally shot two people and left third-person fighting for her life is now in custody. Calcasieu Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the manhunt that went on for over 24 hours wrapped up when 51-year-old Neil Broussard surrendered by going to a Dollar General and asking an employee to call the cops.

Cut 12 (12) “…heroic of them.”

Broussard is accused of killing 17-year-old Kyla Hildalgo and 18-year-old Kaleb Charlton at a home in Westlake.  A third victim, 40-year-old Catherine Hidalgo was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized.

The Pelicans have announced that rookie Zion Williamson has left the NBA bubble in Walt Disney World to attend to an urgent family medical matter. Team officials say Williamson is expected to return to Orlando for the NBA restart at a later date.

New Covid-19 numbers from the state health department show an increase of 2,280 cases, the daily percent of positive tests is at 9.96 just under 10 percent. 24 more deaths reported today for a total now of 3,375.

Hospitalizations increased today by 32 to 1,401 and vent usage is up by 13 to 162.

Early in the pandemic hospitals were reporting a concerning decline in the number of people going to the ER or visiting clinics for non-COVID treatments that could be vital for maintaining their health, but Ochsner CEO Warner Thomas says patients appear to be a lot more comfortable going back to their healthcare providers these days.

Cut 8 (10) “…now”

The governor put a moratorium on elective surgeries early in the pandemic that were allowed to resume April 27^th.

COVID cases are up and hospitalization numbers are rising as well, but deaths and vent usage are not following at the same rate as the state’s first wave in April. Ochsner Chief Medical Officer Dr. Robert Hart says it appears this wave is disproportionately young people and they’ve developed new techniques to aid COVID patients that weren’t available in earlier in the pandemic, including a more accessible antiviral.

Cut 7 (11) “without”

Hospitalizations increased today by 32 to 1,401 and vent usage is up by 13 to 162.

A Slidell day worker 34-year old Leann Simon, faces one count of second-degree cruelty to a juvenile. The St. Tammany Parish sheriff’s office says they were contacted by the parents of a two-year-old child on July 8^th after the toddler was taken to a hospital and doctors determined the child’s arm was broken.

Stephen Handwerk is stepping away from his position at the helm of the Louisiana Democratic Party.  Handwerk is the longest-serving executive director for the party and says it is time to pursue new challenges.

Cut 13 (09) “…done my time.” 

The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing ownership and the new proprietors will no longer display the collection of exotic animals. Former owner Michael Sandlin considers himself an animal welfare advocate and says stepping away from the ownership of the truck stop and roadside zoo has been an emotional process.

Cut 5 (09)  “…me I think.”

The Tiger Truck Stop has been no stranger to controversy over the years, most recently drawing attention after a Florida woman bit Casper the Camel’s testicles after entering the animal’s enclosure to retrieve her dog.

New Covid-19 numbers from the state health department show an increase of 2,280 cases and 24 more deaths reported, for a total now of 3,375 and hospitalization data has is yet to be posted for the day. Governor Edwards will have a hold a press briefing this afternoon at 2:30.

COVID cases are rising sharply, but ventilator use and deaths are not following at the same rate, so why is that? Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

In West Monroe, a 64-year man hit a police officer with his car after he was asked to wear a face mask in Walmart.  Police say Ricky Taylor refused to give the officer his identification and when the officer was writing down his license plate Taylor then struck the officer with his car.  Another officer had to arrest Taylor and a struggle ensued. Taylor was booked on charges of resisting an officer, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and disturbing the peace.

The Tiger Truck Stop in Grosse Tete is changing owners and the new proprietors will no longer have exotic animals.  The flagship Bengal tiger named Tony, died in 2017 and the truck stop gained national attention last fall when Casper the Camel was involved in a nutty altercation with a Florida woman. Former owner Michael Sandlin says he still owns some of the animals that used to reside at the truck stop.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…at my homestead.”

The Casper and a kangaroo from the truck stop now reside at the Alexandria Zoological Park.