Clement Dasalla and Skyla Degrasse are the first weekly winners in the state’s shot At A million Vaccine lottery. Dasalla, an 80-year-old New Orleans resident, won the first of four $100,000 cash prizes. Degrasse, a 17-year-old from Hammond, won the first of nine $100,000 scholarships. The next set of weekly winners will be announced next Friday. You can register at Shot At A million dot com.

AARP’s latest dashboard shows less than 6-percent of Louisiana nursing homes meet the industry benchmark for staff vaccinations. AARP State Director Denise Botcher says the benchmark is having 75-percent of staff fully vaccinated.

Cut 9 (09) “…that level.”

In Louisiana, only 41-percent of nursing home staff are fully vaccinated compared to 79-percent of residents.

Louisiana lawmakers will hold a veto session beginning on Tuesday. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says only 12 members of the Senate and 35 House members voted against having a session. A majority vote in either chamber would have canceled the veto session. Pinsonat says now all eyes are on the Senate.

Cut 7 (09) “…social issues.”

Pinsonat says vetoed legislation prohibiting transgender athletes from competing in female sports is one of the issues driving the veto session.

Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the State Capitol this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. He will be the 5th governor to lie in state, a distinction that Edwards biographer Leo Honeycutt says is decided by the speaker of the house and president of the senate…

Cut 3 (7) “…of Memorial Hall” 

Edwards private funeral will be held Sunday at the old state capitol.

Lawmakers will hold a veto session for the first time since the current state Constitution was enacted in 1974. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says capitol observers have expected an override session ever since the governor vetoed a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports…

Cut 6 (09) “..override”

Longtime allies of Governor Edwin Edwards will pay their last respects Saturday as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at the state Capitol. Longtime lawmaker Francis Thompson says Edwards will ultimately be remembered as one of the state’s greatest governors despite his many scandals and stint in federal prison.

Cut 12 (12) “…state”

There will be a private funeral at the Old State Capitol on Sunday, it will be streamed live.

Renters in Louisiana are on average facing rental rates that aren’t compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium looming they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

At 11 Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference announcing the first round of winners in the state’s Shot At A Million vaccine lottery.  The governor will also address increasing COVID case numbers in the state and discuss the Delta variant. On Thursday the state reported just over 1,500 new cases and 504 hospitalizations.

It’s official lawmakers will hold a veto session as they will return to the Capitol next week for five days to override any one of the 28 vetoes that the governor issued from the last legislative session.

The public can pay their final respects to former Governor Edwin Edwards tomorrow as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at the Louisiana Capitol from 10 AM to 7 PM. Delhi Representative Francis Thompson was a state legislator during Edwards’ first term in the 1970s and Thompson it was the start of a friendship that lasted for 40 years.…
Cut 10 (12) “..measure it.”
A private funeral will take place Sunday at the Old State Capitol.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition reports Louisians need to make 18-dollars an hour in order to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Research analyst Dan Threet says there needs to be a stronger effort to bridge the gap between income and housing costs…
cut 8 (10) “…renter protection”

Louisiana ranks at the top of the list, that’s the list for the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says the average sales tax rate in Louisiana is 9.55-percent and coming in at a close second place, is Tennessee.
Cut 4 (10) “…major taxes.”
The tax foundation says Louisiana ranks 45th for state and local tax burden, when you also factor, income, business and property taxes.

Former Governor Edwin Edwards will Lie in State tomorrow at the State Capitol from 10 AM to 7 PM giving the public an opportunity to pay their final respects. Longtime Louisiana lawmaker and Delhi Representative Francis Thompson says Edwards understood the need for rural development and how metro areas would not grow if the agricultural economy was not built up…
cut 11 (11) “….bridges”
A private funeral will be held on Sunday for Edwards.

A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows Louisiana renters have to make nearly 18 dollars an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Research analyst Dan Threet says compared to Louisiana wages…
Cut 7 (10) “…a modest home”
The issue is more pronounced in New Orleans where renters must make nearly $21 and in Baton Rouge where they must make nearly $20.

The Bayou State ranks at the top when it comes to something few like to pay. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

We should find out shortly if Louisiana lawmakers will hold a historic override veto session next week. Legislators had until midnight last night to turn in a ballot to cancel the veto session. It takes a majority vote from either the Senate or House to cancel the veto session. There are two vetoes lawmakers are targeting to override, a conceal carry bill and a bill to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls sports.

Edwin Edwards will lie in state at the State Capitol tomorrow, allowing the public to pay their last respects to the former four-term governor from 10 AM to 7 PM. Matt Doyle spoke with one of his longtime legislative allies about Edwards’ legacy…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 11 AM at the state capitol to discuss the rise in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. There are over 500 people hospitalized as a result of the virus for the first time since early March.

The Tax Foundation says Louisiana ranks number one for the highest average state and local sales tax rate in the nation at over 9.5-percent. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says a common problem plaguing most states is that their sales tax base is not as broad as it should be. She says during the depression most states concentrated sales taxes on goods versus services and now that the economy has shifted.
Cut 6 (07) “…amount of money.”
But Louisiana ranks 45th for overall state and local tax burden.

In 2018, voters in 47 parishes approved the legalization of online fantasy sports betting and the Louisiana Gaming Control Board yesterday approved a license for Draft Kings to operate in those 47 parishes. State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor on how much tax revenue Draft Kings could generate for Louisiana…
cut 14 (06) “…state”

According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana has the highest average state and local sales tax rate in the nation at 9.55 percent, which is a shade higher than Tennessee’s. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says on average states rely on their sales tax for 24-percent of their state and local tax collection…
cut 5 (10) “….up there”
The Tax Foundation says Louisiana ranks 38th for state and local individual income tax collections and 43rd for state and local property tax collections.

Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports through Draft Kings after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for them. Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Division Trooper Joseph Hall says they conducted a thorough background check of Draft Kings…
Cut 13 (07) “…industry.”
DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.

Renters in Louisiana are on average facing dues that are not compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium ending at the end of the month they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

Renters in Louisiana are on average facing dues that aren’t compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium coming to a close they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Erik Piccoli.”

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The Bayou State ranks at the top when it comes to something few like to pay. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.” 

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Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state Saturday at the State Capitol. Matt Doyle spoke with one of his longtime legislative allies about Edwards’ legacy…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Louisiana ranks at the top of the list, that’s the list for the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says the average sales tax rate in Louisiana is 9.55-percent and coming in at a close second place, is Tennessee.

Cut 4 (10) “…major taxes.”

The Bayou State consistently ranks high when you compare sales tax rates among other states. Cammenga says on average states rely on their sales tax for 24-percent of their state and local tax collection.

Cut 5  (10) “…up there.”

Cammenga says a common problem plaguing most states is that their sales base is not as broad as it should be. She says during the depression most states concentrated sales taxes on goods versus services and now that the economy has shifted.

Cut 6 (07) “…amount of money.”

She says tax rates can sometimes be a determining factor for companies looking to relocate.

_______________________________

A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows Louisiana renters have to make nearly 18 dollars an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in the state. Research analyst Dan Threet says compared to Louisiana wages…

Cut 7 (10) “…a modest home” 

The issue is more pronounced in certain parts of the state such as New Orleans where renters must make nearly $21 and in Baton Rouge where they must make nearly $20.

Threet says responses to unaffordable housing include the short-term distribution of emergency rental assistance money and in the long term addressing the structural housing affordability problem…

Cut 8 (12) “…enforce renter protection”

With the end of the eviction moratorium, certain renters are likely to face eviction and displacement in the following months. Threet says about 16% of renters across the country are not current on their rent…

Cut 9 (11) “…rent payment go late”

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Longtime allies of Governor Edwin Edwards will pay their last respects Saturday as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at one of his favorite places on earth, the state Capitol.

Longtime lawmaker Francis Thompson entered the legislature during Edwards’ first term. He says the two of them went hunting and fishing together every year for 40 years. He says Edwards won every competition…

Cut 10 (12) “..measure it.”

Thompson, a Delhi Democrat, says Edwards understood the need for rural development and how the cities wouldn’t grow if the agricultural economy wasn’t built up.

Cut 11 (12) “…bridges.”

The two did have a major disagreement over Edwards’ push to expand gambling in the state.

Thompson says Cajun Prince will ultimately be remembered as one of the state’s greatest governors despite his many scandals and stint in federal prison.

Cut 12 (12) “…state”

A private funeral will be Sunday that will be streamed live.

__________________________________

Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports for at least one site after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for DraftKings yesterday.

Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Division Trooper Joseph Hall says they conducted a thorough background check of everyone involved with the company before signing off.

Cut 13 (07) “…industry.”

DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.

State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor says DraftKings expects to see about 15.5 million in net revenue for the current fiscal year.

Cut 14 (06) “…state.”

Traylor says an audit of DraftKings finances shows they’ve been losing money for years but that’s not a real problem for the state given their online-only presence.

Cut 15 (10)“..years.”

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With The MLB draft in the books LSU coach Jay Johnson can get a feel for what his roster may look like next season.  The Tigers return every starting position players from last year’s team and several key pitchers elected to return to LSU.  Coach Johnson says a veteran presence will be a positive for his team.

Cut 16 (16) “…high level” 

While he has a bunch of players returning, he’s also filling out his staff as he is bringing in Marc Wanaka as a volunteer assistant, who has coached under Johnson at multiple stops.  Coach Johnson says he’s excited to have him on staff.

Cut 17 (12) …of time.” 

One player who decided to stay in Baton Rouge is pitcher Devin Fontenot.  Fontenot was the team’s closer last season but says he returned to LSU to prove he can be in the starting rotation.

Cut  18 (18)”..better.”

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Cut 19 (14) “…lives.” 

Cut 20 (27)  “…next weekend.” 

Louisiana has entered another surge in COVID cases, this time largely due to the more transmissible and virulent Delta variant. The state reported 1,500 new COVID positive tests and for the first time since early March, we now have over 500 COVID patients in the hospital. LSU Health Shreveport Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. John Vanchiere says your best protection against the new variant is to get vaccinated, but know it’s not 100 percent protection…

Cut 10 (09) “…zero.”

Only half of Louisiana adults have been vaccinated.

Online fantasy sports gaming has been approved by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board for at least one site, DraftKings. It’s anticipated that the service will be available for use sometime tonight if not by tomorrow. Only residents in 47 parishes that approved the activity will be allowed to log in.

The NRA and National Association for Gun Rights have been running in-state campaigns to persuade lawmakers to enter a veto override session July 20^th and overturn the Governor’s veto of legislation that would eliminate the need to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm. NAGR spokesperson Chris Stone says right now the state is a regional outlier…

Cut 6 (07) “..this year”

Stone says currently there are 21 states that allow the concealed carry of a firearm without needing a permit.

A 49-year-old Franklin man is under arrest for allegedly severely burning a woman and killing a small child. State Fire Marshal spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says the female victim was able to tell responders that she and Derwin Hamilton were involved in an argument, then…

Cut 4 (05) “…on fire.”