The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana has fallen below 800 for the first time since late March. A falling hospitalization rate is one of the factors state officials use to decide how and when restrictions on public gatherings and business can be eased.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces every childcare provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure a healthy reopening following the COVID-19 outbreak. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says the state worked with vendors to acquire supplies for 16-hundred childcare providers

Cut 10 (07) “…providers”

The supplies include no-touch thermometers, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and other cleaning products. The supplies were purchased with federal emergency relief funds.

The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion-dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that are being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools, and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

The second named storm of 2020 formed today prior to the official start of the 2020 hurricane season beginning June 1st. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is not the norm. Half of the recorded years with two or more named storms before June 1^st have occurred in the last ten years, and while Keim says 70-80 percent of all activity still occurs during the season…

Cut 5 (10)  “…amazing to me”.

Louisiana drops below 800 total people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 as of today’s update, down from the peak of 2134 people on April 13^th. 443 new cases were also reported along with 21 new deaths bringing the state’s total number of fatalities to 2,617.

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would terminate lawsuits filed by parishes that seek compensation from oil companies for contributing to coastal land loss. The bill’s author, Houma Senator Michael Fesi, says these types of lawsuits should be filed by the state.

Cut 6 (10) “ …the coast”

St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis says if you don’t want to get sued then don’t pollute. He also questions the timing of trying to pass this legislation during a global pandemic

Cut 9 (11) “…paying for it”

Tropical Storm Bertha forms today off the coast of the Carolinas making that two named storms for the year before the 2020 hurricane season even begins. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this has only happened five times previous to this and warns that history shows storm activity this early in the year is often a harbinger of a busy season to come. Looking back at the other five years recorded since 1851…

Cut 4 (12)_ “…season.”

One of those years was 2012 when southeast Louisiana was slammed by Hurricane Isaac.

The second named storm of 2020 formed today prior to the official start of the 2020 hurricane season beginning June 1st. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is a highly unusual situation.

Cut 3 (12)  “…87′.”  

Keim warns that history shows storm activity this early in the year is often a harbinger of a busy season to come. 

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says they’re excited to have students return to campus in fall but suggests that mask-wearing may be required when moving around campus or sitting in class…

Cut 7 (09) “…masks.”

He also mentioned that large lecture hall classes may be moved solely online for the fall so that smaller classes can use those larger rooms to conduct class while socially distancing.

Some regions are reporting up to a 170 percent increase in RV sales according to the RV Industry Association as a general fear of flying and cruising puts most vacation plans on hold for the summer. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says people are buying RVs because they let you maintain your own space and social distance while driving around the country.

Cut 10 (11) “…i there”

RV Masters does repair and service work for RVs.

Nicholls State students wrap up the first inaugural class of a program that pairs ten students with ten inmates for one semester to teach both groups about the criminal justice system. Inside Out Program facilitator Kristen Callais says students learned about inmates’ backgrounds and how those backgrounds influenced where they ended up.

Cut 14 (08) “…to”

The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that are being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools, and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says students will have to wear masks when they return to campus in August…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is developing a plan on how they will spend 73-million dollars in federal aid to help the state’s fishing industry. L-D-W-F Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks says another 58-million dollars is to help fishing industries impacted by the lengthy opening of the Bonne Carre Spillway last year…
cut 6 (09) “…the future”

Ten Nicholls State students have just completed a program where they were paired up with ten inmates at the Lafourche Parish prison so both sides can learn more about the criminal justice system. Inside Out program facilitator, Kristen Callais says the class wrapped up with an online group protect and some fun back and forth…
cut 15 (13) “…in jail”

Louisiana Fisheries is set to receive $73 million in Federal Assistance. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Department of Education has announced that every child care provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure the health and safety of staff and children. The supplies include no-touch thermometers, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and other cleaning products. The supplies were purchased with federal emergency relief funds.

RV dealers are experiencing an increase in sales as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced families to change their summer plans. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says social distancing has also led to a spike in sales…
cut 11 (11) “…COVID”

No word yet on if LSU will allow fans inside Tiger Stadium this year. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan said on a webinar hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber that it is possible fans will have to wear masks at football games…
cut 9 (10) “….stay tuned”
LSU is also looking at adjusting its fall semester so that classes conclude prior to Thanksgiving to avoid a second wave coronavirus cases.

LSU is looking at adjusting its fall semester so classes are done before Thanksgiving break. The idea behind this is to avoid a second coronavirus outbreak in late fall, early winter. Executive Vice President Provost Stacia Haynie says they are also looking at moving smaller classes to larger classrooms and…
cut 8 (08) “…online”
Haynie says masks could be required as well.

The RV Industry Association reports a 170-percent increase in RV sales as families who are not interested in getting on a plane, are looking at campers as their mode of transportation for summer vacations. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says if you are a first-time R-V buyer, inspect it front to back…
cut 12 (11) “…industry”

Ten Nicholls State students and ten Lafourche Parish Prison inmates spent the spring semester learning together about the criminal justice system in a first of its kind class in Louisiana. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

Did you watch America’s Got Talent last night on N-B-C? Louisiana native Archie Williams sang Elton John’s “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down or Me.” His story is an interesting one. The 59-year-old spent 36 years at Angola for the rape and stabbing of a Baton Rouge woman. He was exonerated last year as a result of new DNA evidence.

When LSU students return to campus next fall they could be required to wear masks while around others. Interim President Thomas Galligan discussed that possibility during a webinar hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber…
cut 7 (09) “…masks” (3x)
And Galligan says if LSU fans are allowed inside Tiger Stadium, they will be wearing masks.

The state’s fishing industry will receive 73-million dollars in federal aid. 58-million dollars is to help fishermen who sustained losses during the prolonged opening of the Bonne Carre Spillway last year and the other 15-million dollars is to assist Louisiana fishermen and other parts of the industry affected by the COVID-19 pandemic…
cut 5 (08) “….to dealers”
That’s L-D-W-F Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks.

According to the RV Industry Association, RV sales are up by as much as 170 percent compared to this time last year. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says the allure of an RV is clear right now…
Cut 10 (11) “…in there”

Nicholls State has concluded its first inaugural class for a program that pairs ten students with ten inmates for one semester to teach both groups about the criminal justice system. Inside Out Program facilitator Kristen Callais says the program is the first of its kind in Louisiana.
Cut 13 (12) “…process”
The program was done in cooperation with Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre.

The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that’s being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says students will have to wear masks when they return to campus in August…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is set to receive $73 Million in Federal Assistance to help the state’s fishing industry offset financial losses from freshwater flooding in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic. LDWF Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks says the total estimated loss to the industry for flooding last year is $338 million, but any assistance is appreciated.
Cut 4 (12)_ “fishing community.”
Banks says LDWF must develop a spending plan for the funds before they are received.

Tort reform that supporters say will lower the state’s near highest in the nation auto insurance rates is now just one step away from the Governor’s desk after clearing a House committee. Governor Edwards and legislative Democrats have expressed concern over certain aspects of the legislation and an overall critique that the bill does nothing to lower auto insurance rates, but River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his legislation clearly requires insurance companies reduce rates by 10-percent

Cut 6 (08) “ …not one”

Talbot says one of the provisions saving insurers a lot of money involves drastically reducing the jury trial threshold, allowing for more reasonable settlements from crashes…

Cut 7 (06) “…than us”

Democrats would rather see laws passed that would prevent a person’s credit score, gender, or marital status from determining a person’s auto insurance rates. But Talbot argues that will not lower premiums…

Cut 8 (09) “…gets higher.”

A package of budget bills was passed by the House Tuesday calling for a 30 billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year starting July 1^st.

The budget now heads to the Senate with only a week left in the regular session, and it is not expected that the Upper Chamber will sign off on it before the regular session ends June 1^st.

It is because of that a special session will begin immediately after the regular session ends. Senate GOP Caucus Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt of Slidell says the special session will consider the budget alongside a series of tax breaks for COVID impacted businesses. She says no matter what happens though the constitution requires the budget be balanced and passed by July 1^st.

Cut 15 (08)“budget” 5-25