The 24 million dollar emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined with the hope of getting more money out to struggling low-income renters, and faster…

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Governor Edwards expressed frustration with Legislative criticism that he doesn’t speak with lawmakers before extending public health orders. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Louisiana registered its all-time lowest motor vehicle fatality rate in 2019, despite the number of severe crashes remaining virtually the same. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

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The Louisiana Housing Corporation says the emergency rental assistance program has been streamlined to process applications faster and get more money out to struggling low-income renters.

LHC director Keith Cunningham says the program has been burdened by a lot of red tape. One of those bureaucratic hurdles has been getting buy-in from landlords…

Cut 4 (10) “payment.”

The program offers aid to struggling low-income renters who’ve lost income due to the pandemic and initially had a surge of 40,000 applications before the application process was closed just days after opening. Cunningham estimates the 24 million dollar program has the funds to help about 7,500 to 8,500 families.

Cunningham says another problem is that unlike CARES Act funds, these came with burdensome federal paperwork and eligibility requirements that take time to process.

Cut 5 (10) “…has been”

As such, the 24 million dollar program has only distributed about half a million dollars so far to 160 renters, but Cunningham says seven million total dollars have been obligated, if not yet paid.

Cunningham says they’re hosting public events across the state, and set up a call center to connect with applicants and help them clean up their paperwork so they can begin getting their rent help.

Cut 6 (11) “assisted”

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At his Thursday press conference, Governor Edwards responded to Legislative efforts to limit his public health authority and criticisms that he doesn’t communicate with lawmakers.

A Senate-approved bill would require him to consult with Legislative leaders before extending a public health emergency, but Edwards says he already does, they just don’t like what he says.

Cut 7 (07) “…being made”

The bill by Senate President Page Cortez would mandate the Governor, or his staff, answer questions about why a public health order is being extended and when it may end seven days before that order is set to take place. However, it does not hamper the Governor’s authority to issue the order.

Edwards attacked a House resolution that, in its current form, would undo all of the Governor’s COVID-related public health orders. He says those orders are saving lives and not up for debate.

Cut 8 (11) “…in place”

The resolution, by Speaker Clay Schexnayder, would fully suspend the public health emergency 30 days after the special session ends.

Edwards indicated he’s a bit frustrated by the Legislative efforts to interfere in his administration’s work fighting the pandemic.

Cut 9 (10) “…to do”

Edwards says if legislation makes it to his desk that he believes would hamper pandemic public safety he will veto it.

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The Louisiana Highway Safety Commission reports the highway fatality rate dropped to a record low in 2019. Executive Director Lisa Freeman says based on data from the LSU Center for Analytics and Research in Transportation Safety, 727 people died on Louisiana highways in 2019, a decrease of 46 fatalities from 2018, reversing a five-year trend

Cut 10 (08) “…incredible news.”

Data shows that 727 people died on Louisiana Highways in 2019, a decrease of 46 from 2018.

Freeman credits safer cars being on the road and an increase in car restraint usage.

Cut 11 (08) “…that’s huge.”

In 2019 Eighty-eight percent of Louisianans used their seatbelts.

Another factor Freeman points out is that Louisianans are getting the message not to drink and drive.

Cut 12 (11) “…previous years.

However, Freeman does point out that the number of distracted driving fatalities increased in 2019 by 158.

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A new report from the American Hotel & Lodging Association indicates 38% of Louisiana hotel jobs have been lost because of the coronavirus pandemic.  Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says some of the gaps in the hotel business has been partially patched due to in-state travel.

Cut 13 (09) “…around the state.”

Nungesser says the state is already doing its part to market the area to incoming conventions and conferences by incentivizing organizers with free Louisiana seafood and Louisiana musical performers for their events.

Cut 14 (11) “…not come back.”

The worry about cancelling Mardi Gras and other events in 2021 continues to grow with some, but Nungesser says that he is still hopeful that Carnival season will still take place.

Cut 15 (08) “…I’m cautiously optimistic.” 

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Louisiana Tech is at 22nd ranked BYU tonight in a matchup of two teams who are trying to go 3-0 on the season. The Cougars own two blowout victories over Navy and Troy and they are averaging 622 total yards of offense. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says BYU can move the ball by running it or passing it

cut 16 (14) “..right now”

La Tech has victories over Southern Miss and Houston Baptist. Bulldogs Quarterback Luke Anthony is coming off a six-touchdown performance against the Huskies. But Holtz says Anthony has more room to grow…

cut 17 (19) “.get better”‘

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Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas was limited at practice for a second straight day as he tries to return to the field this Sunday when New Orleans visits the Detroit Lions. Quarterback Drew Brees says Thomas is moving around well…

cut 18 (20) “…from there” 

The Saints have their first losing streak since 2017 and Quarterback Drew Brees is receiving some criticism. But running back Alvin Kamara still has full confidence in Drew

cut 19 (25) “.shut up’

The Saints are tied with Dallas for second-most penalties in the NFL. Safety Malcolm Jenkins says some of the flags are unavoidable…

cut 20 (15) “..live with”

A House committee advances a resolution by the House Speaker that would suspend all COVID public health orders by the Governor for 30 days after the special session ends. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”  

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A bill is advancing that would require four members of the state legislature to sit on the Louisiana High School Athletic Association executive board. Jeff Palermo has more…

cut 2 (33) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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Don’t let the fall weather fool you. Hurricane season is not over. State climatologist Barry Keim says it’s too early to let your guard down because the history books reflect that storms can make a Louisiana landfall in October.

Cut 3 (10)  “…of the month.”  

The records date back to 1851.

While many of the state’s October landfalls may be frontloaded, Hurricane Juan made landfall on October 29, 1985, looped around, and made a second landfall on October 31.  Keim says it may not have been the most powerful hurricane, but its stationary nature pummeled south Louisiana.

Cut 4 (12) “…end of October.”

Juan is the latest into a season that a hurricane has made landfall in Louisiana.  Keim says that means no storm has made a Louisiana landfall in the last month of hurricane season.

Cut 5 (08) “…are not zero.”

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A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says his resolution would eliminate all COVID public health restrictions established by the Governor, and give the Legislature time to craft their own.

Cut 6 (04) “…better”

The session is expected to end in late October.

Much of the discussion at the committee centered on the damage done to businesses by the ongoing orders. Sulphur Representative Les Farnum says the restrictions exacerbated Laura’s economic hit…

Cut 7 (09) “…punch.”

The Governor has called previous attempts to suspend the order irresponsible and says they would lead to an immediate loss of a substantial amount of federal funding under the Stafford Act.

Haughton Representative Doddie Horton says the orders infringe on resident’s liberty and need to be eliminated quickly. She says that starts with the mask mandate in schools.

Cut 8 (11) “…face.”

The resolution moves to the House floor.

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The Senate Education Committee approves legislation that would require the Louisiana High School Athletic Association to have four state legislators serve on the executive board of the LHSAA. Monroe Senator Stewart Cathey says this will help keep lawmakers more informed on issues involving high school sports

Cut 9 (09) “…institutions.”

Cathey says during the summer when the LHSAA was trying to figure out how to play high school football during a pandemic, his phone was blowing up about the possibility that the season would be canceled…

Cut 10 (10) “…lit up.”

LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine told the panel he communicates with several legislators already and is okay with lawmakers on the executive board, he just doesn’t think a law is needed

Cut 11 (11) “…and Speaker.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration.

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Senator Karen Carter Peterson expresses her displeasure with a lack of spread mitigation efforts from fellow lawmakers.  Peterson slammed those lawmakers who were not using masks.

Cut 12 (10) “…other members’ health.”

Peterson highlights that mask usage it the top recommendation of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.

Cut 13 (13) “…we should do.”

Peterson says the Capitol should hold itself to a higher standard that places like Walmart and Whole Foods who mandate masks while inside.  Peterson adds it is imperative that lawmakers are setting an example for constituents.

Cut 14 (11) “…help me somebody.”