October 2020

State lawmakers load up budget with $22M in pet projects

BATON ROUGE (AP) — In a special session called to respond to the coronavirus pandemic, Louisiana legislative leaders are proposing to steer $22 million in state cash to local pet projects, a list crafted behind closed doors that received little public discussion and followed no specific vetting process.

The earmarks tucked into a budget bill could come up for final passage Thursday in the House and Senate. But a first attempt to pass the seven-page list of dollars divvied up to municipal agencies ran into a buzzsaw of criticism Wednesday night from rank-and-file House lawmakers.

La. man sentenced in crash that killed pregnant woman

NEW IBERIA (AP) — A Louisiana man convicted of killing a 22-year-old pregnant woman and her 1-year-old child in a car crash has been sentenced to 50 years in prison.

Dylan Leblanc, of Youngsville, received his prison sentence Tuesday in New Iberia, according to a statement from the District Attorney’s Office.

Dueling town halls for Trump, Biden after debate plan nixed

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden will compete for TV audiences in dueling town halls on Thursday night instead of meeting face-to-face for their second debate as originally planned.

The two will take questions in different cities on different networks: Trump on NBC from Miami, Biden on ABC from Philadelphia. Trump backed out of plans for the presidential faceoff originally scheduled for the evening after debate organizers said it would be held virtually following Trump’s coronavirus diagnosis.

Harris suspends travel after staffer tests positive for COVID-19

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — Kamala Harris, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, will suspend in-person events until Monday after two people associated with the campaign tested positive for coronavirus.

Joe Biden’s presidential campaign said Thursday that Biden had no exposure, though he and Harris spent several hours campaigning together in Arizona on Oct. 8. Both have tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times since then.

Postal service agrees to reverse service changes

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The U.S. Postal Service agreed Wednesday to reverse changes that slowed mail service nationwide, settling a lawsuit filed by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock during a pandemic that is expected to force many more people to vote by mail.

The lawsuit filed against Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and the U.S. Postal Service on Sept. 9 argued changes implemented in June harmed access to mail services in Montana, resulting in delayed delivery of medical prescriptions, payments, and job applications, and impeding the ability of Montana residents to vote by mail.

Nude photos and death threats: Scandal topples Alaska mayor

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A stunning tale of inappropriate behavior between a politician and a television anchor, death threats and nude photos culminated in a joint police and FBI investigation, the arrest of the journalist and the resignation of the mayor of Anchorage.

Ethan Berkowitz, the top elected Democrat in Alaska, submitted his resignation to the Anchorage Assembly on Tuesday night, just days after he vehemently denied allegations by YourAlaskaLink anchor Maria Athens that he had posted nude photos of himself on an underage website.

Farmers, LSU AgCenter agents assessing crops in Hurricane Delta’s aftermath

CROWLEY — Hurricane Delta cut a similar path through Louisiana as Hurricane Laura, with many crops still in the field affected by the second major storm to hit the state in six weeks.

Lawmakers want more say over high school sports

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana lawmakers Wednesday edged closer to inserting themselves into the decision-making of high school sports, a response to parents’ criticism about the state athletic association’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak.

Father, daughter survive tree crashing through home

BAKER (AP) — A woman and her father lived to tell their tale after a tree crashed through their Louisiana home during Hurricane Delta and almost crushed them.

Saints explore moving home games to LSU so fans may attend

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have begun discussions with LSU about holding the NFL club’s future home games at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, a team spokesman said Tuesday.