The Louisiana Revenue Department will begin sending out 250-dollar checks this week to those frontline workers who had to work during the governor’s stay-at-home order. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications, but not everyone who applied is eligible and they are still accepting applications at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov…
cut 14 (12) “….made available”

The Louisiana Department of Agricultural says since Friday its office has received about 300 calls from people who say they received a mysterious package of seeds. The seeds have a mailing address from either China, United Arab Emirates, or Uzbekistan. Ag Commissioner Mike Strain says this could be brushing scam
Cut 3 (10) “…seeds”
Strain says if you receive the seeds call his office and most importantly do not plant them.

Louisiana leads the nation in coronavirus cases per capita, but Governor Edwards says there is evidence cases are plateauing. Edwards says the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has remained flat over the last week, which he says is a sign the mask mandate and the closure of bars is slowing the spread…
cut 8 (12) “…economy open”

The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit put in place because of the COVID-19 pandemic ends this week and Congress is debating on extending the benefit and to what extent. Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says they have thousands of job listings posted at louisiana-works-dot-net. She says if you see a job you would like, send in an application…
cut 13 (07) “…company”

Louisiana has moved to number one in the country in per capita COVID-19 cases. Governor John Bel Edwards….
Cut 7 (07) “…this pandemic is.”
The state health department announced 11-hundred more cases yesterday and the number of COVID-19 deaths has reached 37-hundred, but the number of coronavirus patients has fallen below 16-hundred, which Edwards hopes is a positive sign.

The state revenue department says they’ll begin sending one-time 250-dollar payments this week to front-line workers who had to work during the governor’s stay at home order….
cut 15 (07) “….coming days’
Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they have received 205-thousand applications and you can apply at frontline-workers-dot-la-dot-gov.

The 600-dollar a week federal unemployment benefits are coming to an end Friday. Matt Doyle spoke with the Louisiana Workforce Commission about what that means for those without a job…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Three people are in custody and Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies are searching for a fourth person in the 2018 disapppearance of Donald Atkins. Danniel Barrett is wanted for second-degree murder. Joseph Hendricks, Thomas Davis and Paige Williams have already been booked on murder charges.

The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit for those who lost their job or faced reduced hours due to the COVID-19 pandemic ends this week. That’s why Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie is encouraging unemployed indviduals to search for jobs on their website, louisiana-works-dot-net…
cut 11 (10) “….living”
Congress is looking at extending the benefits, but the 600-dollars a week could be reduced.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies have confucted five-thousand compliance checks on businesses making sure they are following COVID-19 restrictions…
cut 9 (09) “…is actually complying”
So far, four bars in Lousiana have had their permits suspended.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue is still accepting applications from frontline workers who could be eligible for a one-time $250 payment for working during the governor’s stay at home order. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington

Former LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow is a very rich man suddenly after signing a four-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals worth 36-million dollars. And the deal includes a 24-million dollar signing bonus.

Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill are trying to come together on a new coronavirus relief aid package. The 600-dollar weekly unemployment benefit is set to end this week and GOP lawmakers would like to reduce that to 200-dollars a week…
cut 4 (05) “….after that”
That’s Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy. Democrats say they are willing to reduce the weekly unemployment benefit, but they have not indicated how much it should be reduced.

Louisiana Workfroce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie says now is the time to look for work since it’s unknown what will happen with the weekly federal unemployment benefits. Dejoie says there are thousands of jobs listed on their Helping Individuals Reach Employment network…
cut 12 (09) “…salary”
Dejoie says go to louisiana-works-dot-net to see if there’s a job for you.

Four bars in Louisiana have had their licenses suspended because they failed to comply with the restrictions put in place by the governor to slow the spread of the coronavirus. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
cut 10 (12) “….those four licenses”
Meanwhile, Louisiana has moved to number one in the nation in per capita cases.

Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says 250-dollar one-time payments will go out this week to front-line workers who had to work during the governor’s stay at home order. Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications and if you did not recieve a receipt of your application contact the department…
cut 16 (11) “…an email”
The application period at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov closes October 31st.

Louisiana leads the nation in coronavirus cases per capita, but Governor Edwards says there is evidence cases are plateauing. Edwards says the number of coronavirus patients in the hospital has remained flat over the last week, which he says is a sign the mask mandate and the closure of bars is slowing the spread…
cut 8 (12) “…economy open”
At this time, there are no plans to add any other restrictions.

The Louisiana Revenue Department will begin sending out 250-dollar checks this week to those frontline workers who had to work when the governor’s stay-at-home order went into place. Secretary Kimberly Robinson says they’ve received 205-thousand applications, but not everyone who applied is eligible and they are still accepting applications at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov…
cut 14 (12) “….made available”

The state has started cracking down on businesses that are not following COVID restrictions. Kevin Barnhart reports Alcohol Tobacco Control has suspended the permits of four bars…
cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are working on a new coronavirus relief bill. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says they are looking at trying to help restaurants…
cut 5 (10) “….restaurants”

The country’s second biggest teacher’s union threatens to back strikes in areas that are not doing enough to ensure school safety for teachers and students. That came from the American Federation of Teachers and their Louisiana Chapter President Larry Carter says in hotspots across Louisiana union members are actively discussing that as an option of last resort.

Cut 12 (09) “…schools.” 

The AFT earlier this month adopted a resolution backing the reopening of schools only in areas where the positivity rate for tests was under five percent. Over the past few weeks, the rate has hovered around ten percent but has recently dropped under eight percent.

The state reports 1125 cases today, the lowest new daily case count in three weeks, but Governor Edwards announces the state is now number one in per capita new cases though, even with today’s low count.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies have charged two teens with the murder of a 53-year-old Lake Charles man found lying in the road last week. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the kids did the murder with a weapon stolen right down the street from the shooting, and he’s asking area parents to keep better track of what their kids are up to…

Cut 4 (10)_ “tolerating this”

A 16-year-old and a 13-year-old have been charged in Bennet’s murder which happened at around 11:00 last Thursday night.

In an effort to stop runaway youth COVID transmission, the governor’s office releases a PSA featuring half a dozen young people describing the serious symptoms they had as a result of COVID-19. Those in the video discussed some of the misconceptions about how youth are allegedly “unaffected” by the virus.

Cut 7 (12) “…spread it”

The American Federation of Teachers threatens to back “safety strikes” in certain areas of the country if more is not done to assure the safety of teachers and students when they return to the classroom. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says striking is a last resort, but so far, they’re not convinced many schools are safe to open next month, and not happy about the lack of progress being made to do so.

Cut 14 (10) “…safe.”

Louisiana’s COVID-19 testing has hit another hurdle with the turnaround time on getting results.  Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the timeliness makes the difference in stopping the spread versus just adding numbers to the stats.

Cut 10 (08) “…probably not useful.”

In an effort to stop youth COVID transmission, the governor’s office releases a PSA featuring half a dozen young people describing the serious symptoms they had as a result of COVID-19. Those in the video discuss some of the misconceptions about how youth are allegedly “unaffected” by the virus.
Cut 7 (12) “…spread it”
The PSA ends with the young folks imploring their friends to mask up.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies have charged two teens with the murder of a 53-year-old Lake Charles man found lying in the road last week. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says they believe a 16-year-old used a stolen gun to shoot Anthony Bennett.

Cut 3 (10)  “…car burglary”  

A 16-year-old and a 13-year-old have been charged in Bennet’s murder.

The American Federation of Teachers says “safety strikes” are on the table if more is not done to ensure teacher and student safety before schools reopen. Matt Doyle spoke with the Louisiana Branch…

cut 2 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle.”  

Four bars are facing permit suspensions following noncompliance with Governor Edwards’ emergency order aimed at mitigating the spread of COVID-19. The permits are for the Sand Dollar Tiki Bar in Grand Isle, Frosty Factory in Lake Charles, Pelican Pub in Gonzales, and Wo-de’s Chill Spot in Harvey. Hearings are set for August 5^th and 6^th.

Louisiana’s COVID-19 testing has hit another hurdle with the turnaround time on getting results.  Early in the pandemic, there was a lack of nasal swabs to conduct tests, but now Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says some labs are struggling with the supply chain for the reagents needed to get results.

Cut 9 (10) “…shorter turnaround times.”

In an effort to stop youth COVID transmission, the governor’s office releases a PSA featuring half a dozen young people describing the serious symptoms they had as a result of COVID-19.

Cut 6 (12) “…taste.”

Eighteen to 29-year-olds have the highest number of infections of any age group recorded by the state at 24-thousand, six thousand higher than the next highest age group.

Louisiana’s COVID-19 testing has hit another hurdle with the turnaround time and the supply chain for the reagents needed to get results. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the strain put onto the state’s testing capabilities could soon have an impact on who is eligible to be swabbed at community testing sites.

Cut 11 (11) “and drive-up sites.”

In an effort to stop youth COVID transmission, the governor’s office releases a PSA featuring half a dozen young people describing the serious symptoms they had as a result of COVID-19. The most recent wave of cases has been driven by community spread amongst young adults. The PSA ends with the young folks imploring their friends to mask up.

Cut 8 (12) “…down”

The American Federation of Teachers threatens to back “safety strikes” in certain areas of the country if more is not done to assure the safety of teachers and students when fall classes resume. Two weeks ago when we spoke with Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter he said safety strikes were not being considered, but Carter says since then the situation has deteriorated.

Cut 13 (10) “…community” 

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies have charged two teens with the murder of a 53-year-old, Anthony Bennett of Lake Charles. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the whole country is seeing these types of incidents, children committing violent crimes. The sheriff says there are parents who need to take back control of their kids.

Cut 5 (10)  “…discpline.”

A 16-and 13-year-old have been charged in the murder.

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff deputies have charged two teens, a 16-year-old and a 13-year-old, have been charged with the murder of a 53-year-old Lake Charles man found lying in the road last week. The murder happened at around 11:00 last Thursday night. Sheriff Tony Mancuso says this is an example on why parents need to be involved in teenagers’ lives.

Cut 4 (10)_ “tolerating this”

The American Federation of Teachers threatens to back “safety strikes” in certain areas of the country if more is not done to assure the safety of teachers and students when fall classes resume. Louisiana Federation of Teachers President Larry Carter says in hotspots across Louisiana union members are having active conversations about potentially staging safety strikes.

Cut 12 (09) “…schools.” 

Extended wait times for COVID-19 testing results become the latest hiccup in the state’s fight against the coronavirus. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

The state reports 1125 cases today, the lowest new daily case count in three weeks. Fatalities rise by 26 to 3,700. Hospitalizations: 1,583, down 17. Baton Rouge now has more cases of COVID-19 than New Orleans. Governor Edwards will hold a coronavirus press briefing at 4pm this afternoon.