Louisiana reports 54 new COVID hospitalizations putting us at 1581 total, the highest mark since May 1^st. The nearly 2,800 new positive tests put us less than 700 cases away from breaking 100,000 total since the pandemic began, a number that almost certainly will be reached tomorrow.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says these numbers are alarming but starting next week they hope they will level off due to the Governor’s face mask and bar ban mandate. 

Cut 12 (09) “…systems” 

The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave in the central Gulf of Mexico a high chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days.  State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s likely to head for Houston, but if this system continues to develop, we could see some high winds and storm surge along the coastline.

Cut 5 (11)  “for us”

Democrats are lining up to take on Senator Bill Cassidy in November with a number of newly announced candidates saying they’ll file paperwork this week. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins was the highlight, but Paul Bourgeois from Gretna was the first person to sign up to challenge Cassidy. Bourgeois is an epidemiologist and public health librarian. The Gretna resident says he’s running against Cassidy because he tried to repeal the Affordable Care Act…

Cut 9 (12) “…not acceptable.”

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell files paperwork seeking a fourth term in the office representing northwest Louisiana. Campbell is one of the state’s longest-serving elected officials, first elected to the State Senate in 1975. Campbell says he wants to continue his work serving the working people of the state.

Cut 14 (11) “…them.”

Campbell has made several attempts to run for federal and statewide offices but has not been successful, his most recent effort a loss to now-Senator John Kennedy in 2016.

Louisiana reported another 28-hundred coronavirus cases today bringing the total number to 99,354. Hospitalizations also increased by another 54 to 1,581.

Statewide COVID hospitalizations are nearly triple what they were at our low point June 13th, and that has healthcare providers worried about capacity again. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has announced his candidacy for U-S Senate, giving Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy a major challenger from the Democratic Party. Perkins says he’s tired of the political games in Washington DC and he wants to help create a government that serves everyone…
Cut 7 (04) “by them”
Antoine Pierce of Baton Rouge is another Democrat who signed up today to challenge Cassidy. Pierce says reducing poverty is one of his main goals…
cut 10 (12) “….cannabis”
Cassidy touts his work in reducing prescription drug prices and health care premiums.

Qualifying is also underway for the 5th District Congressional race, which is an open seat because Republican Ralph Abraham is not seeking reelection. So far five candidates are signed up

Louisiana has added over 900 COVID hospitalizations since moving into Phase Two June 5th. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that’s concerning healthcare providers who are already dealing with an influx of patients who weren’t being treated during the stay at home order.

Cut 11 (11) “hospital”

We now have 1527 COVID hospitalizations, nearly triple our low point of 542 June 13^th.

Coalition for Responsible Home Education Director Rachel Coleman says many parents are considering homeschooling for the fall with school life being uncertain. Coleman says if you’re considering homeschooling know you must have a caregiver who can be a full-time educator that can provide a curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools of the same grade.

Cut 13 (12) “…school” 

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announces he’s running for U-S Senate, giving Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy a major challenger for the November 3rd election. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Louisiana will remain in Phase Two through early August as the number of people hospitalized by COVID-19 continues to rise…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Qualifying for the November federal election is underway and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy is up for re-election. The doctor from Baton Rouge says he has a strong record to run on…
cut 8 (07) “…more to do”
Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announced this morning that he will for Senate giving Cassidy a major Democratic challenger.

The National Hurricane Center is giving a tropical wave moving towards the central Gulf of Mexico a medium chance of developing into a tropical cyclone in the next 48 hours. State Climatologist Barry Keim says even if this system doesn’t develop into a named storm, it will still bring rain to the Bayou State…
cut 4 (11) “…of Louisiana”
Tropical Storm Gonzalo formed in the middle of the Atlantic this morning. Gonzalo is expected to develop into a hurricane as it heads towards the Caribbean. Gonzalo could be bearing down on Jamaica on Monday.

A new era in Monroe city government is underway as Friday Ellis has been sworn-in as mayor….
cut 15 (11) “….of its residents”
Ellis ran as an independent and defeated longtime mayor Jamie Mayo.

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announced this morning he will run against Republican Senator Bill Cassidy in the November 3rd election. Perkins says he decided to run for the United States Senate because America and Louisiana are at a crossroads…
cut 6 (10) “…..head-on”
Perkins gives Cassidy a major challenger from the Democratic Party, but Cassidy holds a huge fundraising advantage as he seeks a second term.

A tropical wave producing a large area of disorganized showers and thunderstorms will move across the central Gulf of Mexico today and the National Hurricane Center gives it a medium chance to develop into a tropical cyclone over the next two days. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 3 (11) “…tracking”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the state will remain in phase two, which means the current restrictions on businesses and the mask mandate will remain in place through at least August seventh. Edwards says his biggest concern is the upward trajectory in the number of coronavirus patients at hospitals in all regions of the state…
cut 10 (12) “…motor vehicle accident”
Louisiana is reporting 1,527 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, the state’s highest total since May 3rd.

Local school systems have been rolling out their plans for the upcoming school year, but some parents are uneasy about sending their children back into the classroom. Coalition for Responsible Home Education Director Rachel Coleman says if you commit to homeschooling, you need to submit a form to BESE and be approved…
cut 12 (09) “….district”

Governor Edwards has made the decision to extend Phase Two coronavirus restrictions for another two weeks. That means restaurants, barbershops, retailers and churches can only allow 50-percent capacity in their buildings. Edwards says extension of Phase 2 will also keep the restrictions put in place on July 13th…
cut 9 (10) “….consumption of alcohol”
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says they are disappointed the state remains in Phase Two for two more weeks.

There are some parents considering homeschooling as a possible option to educate their children in the middle of a pandemic. Coalition for Responsible Home Education Director Rachel Coleman says families must have a caregiver who can commit to homeschooling full time….
Cut 11 (11) “…happens.”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announced this morning he’s running for U-S Senate, providing Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy with a major Democratic challenger. The other competitive federal race for the November election will take place in the 5th district as Ralph Abraham is not running for re-election. There are several well-known republicans running and ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley says Grambling State chief operating officer Martin Lemell will provide an option for Democratic voters….
cut 7 (06) “…pool”

Independent Friday Ellis has been sworn-in as the mayor of Monroe. Ellis says it’s an honor to lead the biggest city in northeast Louisiana…
cut 16 (06) “….serve you well”
Ellis says he wants the city to come together and no longer be divided by north and south Monroe.

Louisiana will remain in Phase Two through early August as the number of people hospitalized by COVID-19 continues to rise. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Qualifying for the November federal election is underway and Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announced this morning that he will challenge Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy in the U-S Senate race. Cassidy is seeking his second term, while Perkins, a black Democrat, is serving his first term as mayor of Shreveport.

The fifth district Congressional race officially gets underway today with the start of qualifying. Several candidates are looking to replace the retiring Ralph Abraham. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley, says there are three well-known Republicans running, Abraham’s Chief of Staff Luke Letlow, Alexandria Representative Lance Harris and Ouachita Parish Police Juror Scotty Robinson…
cut 6 (11) “….Luke”
Stockley says there is a major Democratic candidate in the race, Grambling State Executive Vice President Martin Lemelle.

A new era in Monroe city government is underway as Friday Ellis has been sworn-in as mayor….
cut 15 (11) “….of its residents”
Ellis defeated longtime mayor Jamie Mayo on July 11th.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana will remain in Phase Two for reopening of Louisiana’s economy through at least early August.
Cut 8 (08) “…go from here.”
Edwards says the number that troubles him the most is the increase in COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized. 1,527 are hospitalized, the highest it’s been since May 3rd.

Qualifying for the federal elections begins today and Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who is up re-election, will face a major Democratic challenger. Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins announced this morning he’s getting into the race. LSU-Shreveport Political Science Professor Jeffrey Sadow says Perkins is in his first term as mayor of the state’s third-largest city…
cut 4 (09) “…this office”

Homeschooling is seeing a surge in interest as many parents are not comfortable sending their kids back to classrooms. Matt Doyle has tips for first-time homeschoolers…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The United Daughters of the Confederacy have reached an agreement with Caddo Parish to remove a 30-foot high Confederate monument from the courthouse grounds to private land. The parish has already set aside 500-thousand dollars to disassemble the monument and move to another location. The Caddo Parish Commission voted in 2017 to move the statue.

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the state will remain in phase two, which means the current restrictions on businesses and the mask mandate will remain in place through at least August seventh. Edwards says his biggest concern is the upward trajectory in the number of coronavirus patients at hospitals in all regions of the state…
cut 10 (12) “…motor vehicle accident”
Louisiana is reporting 1,527 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized, the state’s highest total since May 3rd.

Friday Ellis begins his first full day as the mayor of Monroe today. Ellis says he has high hopes for the city…
cut 14 (11) “…honoring those commitments”
Ellis defeated former mayor Jamie Mayo in the July 11th election.

Qualifying for the November election begins today with election watchers keeping a close eye on who shows up for the Senate race and the open 5th district Congressional seat. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

And we are just getting word that Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has decided to enter the U-S Senate race and challenge Republican Incumbent Bill Cassidy.

Qualifying for the November ballot begins at 8 AM tomorrow and as of now, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy does not face a major Democratic challenger, but Outgoing State Democratic Party Director Stephen Handwerk says we may be surprised by a prominent member of the party signing up this week due to the high level of energy in the party right now…

Cut 5 (08)  “…MIA”

Antoine Pierce, a Baton Rouge progressive activist, and New Orleans teacher Peter Wenstrup are the two announced Democrats so far.

The Southwestern Athletic Conference has made the decision to move its fall sports, including football, to the spring. Grambling President Rick Gallot says the decision protects the health of their student-athletes

Cut 6 (10) “…deadly virus”

New Orleans Fire Chief Tim McConnell says one of the bodies that has been trapped in the Hard Rock Hotel collapse site is likely to be recovered by the end of the week and the other by the middle of next week. McConnell says the rubble is very delicate and potentially dangerous to recovery workers.

Cut 10 (13) “…that could change.”

It’s been ten months since the construction site partially collapsed, killing three.

The National Hurricane Center has upgraded the chance of development for a tropical wave currently over western Cuba and making its way into the Gulf. State Climatologist Barry Keim says there’s a medium chance the disturbance will develop into a tropical depression over the next five days.

Cut 13 (06) “…Mexico.” 

Governor Edwards announces that the state will remain in Phase Two for at least another two weeks.