The Senate unanimously approves legislation that will be heard in a House committee Thursday requiring the Governor to consult with Legislative leaders before extending emergency orders. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Relief groups in southwest Louisiana still need donations to help get people back into livable housing. Matt Doyle spoke to one group trying to make that happen…
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A Denham Springs man is in a Florida jail after he’s found hiding in a teenager’s closet and authorities estimate he’d been living in that closet for over a month. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Today a House Committee will consider Senate approved legislation that would require the Governor consult with Legislative leaders before extending an emergency order.
The legislation was brought by the Senate President and won unanimous approval in the Upper Chamber. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it gives lawmakers a seat at the table.
Cut 4 (09) “…powerful.”
The bill creates a committee of legislative leaders that the Governor, or his staff, must report to and explain why an order had to be extended and when it could feasibly end. The Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court must also be informed.
If passed the Governor would have to give lawmakers seven days’ notice of his intentions to extend an order. Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan says that’ll save legislators a lot of heartburn…
Cut 5 (05) “…live.”
The legislation won support from Senate Dems but some, like New Orleans Senator Troy Carter, worry the bill could be amended to undercut the Governor’s public health authority in the House.
Cut 6 (09) “dangerous”
In its current form, the legislation does not block the Governor from setting restrictions during an emergency, it just requires his office to explain why the restrictions have been set.
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The pace of new donations to Hurricane Laura relief is slowing down, but advocates on the ground say more assistance is still badly needed. Community Foundation of Lake Charles CEO Sara Judson says their organization has raised six million dollars so far with that money focused on efforts that will get people back into housing.
Cut 7 (13) “…thing”
An estimated 12 to 14 billion dollars in damage was done to the region as a result of Laura’s landfall.
The Community Foundation is now about halfway to their final goal and has distributed one million of those dollars to local aid groups, but Judson says they still have a ways to go.
Cut 8 (08) “…to help”
Judson says donations have come into the Foundation from 48 different states and many different countries and from over 3,000 total individuals.
If you’d like to help Judson encourages you to donate at foundation-swla-dot-org, and they’d love to have your money or your time.
Cut 9 (10) “…volunteers”
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A House committee will take up a bill today by an Oil City Republican that aims to block the state from charging people who gather for religious activities against state orders during a declared emergency.
Representative Danny McCormick says the state’s restrictions on religious gatherings during the pandemic are unconstitutional, which is why he brought the bill.
Cut 10 (03) “…constitution.”
Earlier in the pandemic, all public gatherings, including religious gatherings, were banned. Currently, churches are limited in how many people they can have at a service, and how they have to be spaced out.
McCormick says the bill was in part inspired by the story of Central Pastor Tony Spell who was arrested and charged after holding services against state orders.
Cut 11 (10) “…liberty.”
The legislation also provides civil immunity related to religious gatherings during emergency orders.
Governor Edwards has stated that the restrictions on large gatherings were, and still are a vital part of the state’s pandemic mitigation plan, but McCormick is confident most legislators will take his side…
Cut 12 (03) “…this.
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A Denham Springs man is arrested after he’s found hiding in a Florida teenager’s closet, where authorities estimate he’s been staying off and on for over a month. Hernando County Sheriff’s Detective Tom Cameron says 36-year-old Johnathan Lee Rossmoine was found when the victim’s mother saw movement in her daughter’s bedroom.
Cut 13 (08) “…in the closet.”
The victim and the suspect had first met through a chatting app two years ago. Police reports show the victim indicated initially she told Rossmoine she was 18, before admitting prior to meeting in person to actually being 15.
Cameron says Rossmoine had traveled from Louisiana to the victim’s Spring Hill, Florida home to have sex on several occasions. The current stay had lasted about five weeks and the two kept it a secret from the parents.
Cut 14 (10) “…of the closet.”
Cameron says the victim is receiving counseling and checkups to make sure she is okay both physically and mentally
Cut 15 (07) “…boyfriend from her.”
The suspect is charged with four counts of lewd and lascivious behavior with a victim between 12 and 16, obscene communication, and travel to meet after use of a computer to lure child. Additional charges are pending. Bond is set at $25,000.
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ULM is still in search of its first win and the Warhawks as its hosts Georgia Southern on Saturday to complete a three-game homestand. All three of the Warhawks losses have been by double digits. Coach Matt Viator knows his team is better than this
cut 16 (20) “…disappointing”
The Eagles come into Saturday’s game with a one and one record as they lost by two points last week to the Ragin Cajuns. Southern runs an option offense, but Coach Matt Viator says they can throw the ball too
cut 17 (16) “..as well’
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After giving up 37 points in a loss to Green Bay on Sunday, Saints Coach Sean Payton wants to see his defense play with more discipline. He says it was disappointing to see how they played the boot leg on Sunday night
cut 18 (13) “…corrected”
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Saturday was a tough day for the LSU secondary as the Tigers defense allowed Mississippi state Quarterback KJ Costello to throw for an SEC record 623 passing yards. On the other side of the ball, the Tigers gave up seven sacks. After reviewing the tape, LSU Coach Ed Orgeron on the Tigers line play, starting with D-Line
cut 19 (20) “..better there’
Orgeron says he expects All American cornerback Derek Stingley Junior will be able to play this Saturday at Vanderbilt after missing the season opener with an illness. Commodores Coach Derek Mason says Stingley’s return will be a big boost for the Tigers defense
cut 20 (18) “..the field”