A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower when compared to April 2019. State Treasurer John Schroder says when you look at the numbers its surreal and the May report will be nasty.

This Mother’s Day will be difficult for many under current COVID health recommendations. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The gaming experience will be different next time players step into a Louisiana casino. That’s according to Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones who says temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitizing, and a series of screening questions will be asked before setting foot on the gaming floor.
Cut 13 (09) “…wear that mask.”
Jones hopes casinos will re-open by the end of the month.

State transportation work crews are using this time of fewer cars on the roads to pick up litter along state highways that are problem spots. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett hopes the public appreciates the newly cleaned areas by not covering them up with more litter…
cut 5 (110 “….as much”
Mallett says litter cleanup costs the state millions of dollars annually.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to give a more in-depth look into the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing procedures this afternoon. Edwards says the state is hiring 700 workers to help with contact tracing, which is process of figuring out who a coronavirus patient may have exposed
Cut 7 (12) “…close contact with.”
The contact tracers will work under the supervision of epidemiologists at three different call centers.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and Capital Area Regional Medical Director Doctor Dawn Marcelle says if you plan to send flowers to mom, make sure the delivery person doesn’t have contact with mom
Cut 10 (07) “…porch”

With fewer cars on the road, the state transportation department is using this time to remove litter and clear vegetation. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Storms are likely today. There are already reports of power outages in northwest Louisiana.

The coronavirus pandemic led to a 49-day suspension of the legislative session, but state lawmakers still received their 161-dollar daily per diem. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Today at the state capitol, the House Labor Committee rejected a bill requiring most businesses to provide paid sick leave for all of their employees. Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman voted against it…
Cut 30 (05) “….provide this”

On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions. The legislation has the support of the Department of Insurance.  McMath says 19 states already have a handheld cell phone ban for drivers and statistics show the number of accidents has decreased in those states. Richard Brown, the president of a civic group called Citizens for a Better Kenner, testified against the legislation. Brown says the bill does not target the real culprit behind distracted driving…

Cut 14 (10) “…the conversation”

709 of the state’s 2,135 COVID deaths have come from nursing homes according to new data released by the Louisiana Department of Health, who is also reporting 179 facilities have been impacted.

Louisiana lawmakers have been collecting 161 dollars a day in per diem payments, even while the Capitol remained shut for 49 days due to the pandemic. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says because Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget by July 1^st, and the regular session ends June 1^st…

Cut 8 (04) “…happen”

Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s legislation barring drivers from even touching their phone while behind the wheel clears a Senate committee, and while the vote was 5-1 not everyone was in favor. Richard Brown, the president of Citizens for a Better Kenner, testified against the legislation…

Cut 14 (10) “…the conversation”

Notable names from Louisiana are supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.

Cut 3 (12)  “…especially providing food.”  

Feeding Louisiana estimates and additional 233,000 Louisiana residents will experience food insecurity this year because of COVID-19, which is about 21% of the population.

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

A proposal to make it illegal for drivers to handle their cell phones while behind the wheel is headed to the Senate floor…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Louisiana reports 41 new COVID-19 deaths and 253 new confirmed positive cases today, and also reports 3,300 of the state’s 30,600 cases and 709 of the state’s 2,135 deaths have been in nursing homes. 179 nursing homes have reported at least one case.

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says Vidalia Mills has also deployed twenty high-speed weaving looms to make lightweight cotton fabrics for the medical gowns and consumer face masks.

Cut 11 (05) “…locally sourced cotton.”

Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Notable names from Louisiana are supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says food banks have the ability to make monetary donations go a long way.

Cut 5 (11)  “…food banks have.”

Lawmakers were paid their 161 dollar daily per diem during the 49 days the Capitol was closed due to COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

A proposal to make it illegal for drivers to handle their cell phones while behind the wheel is headed to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________________

Notable names from Louisiana are supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.

Cut 3 (12)  “…especially providing food.”  

Feeding Louisiana estimates and additional 233,000 Louisiana residents will experience food insecurity this year because of COVID-19, which is about 21% of the population.

Notable musicians such as Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are part of the campaign.  Patty says Hayes is doing a performance later this month where proceeds will be donated toward the cause.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…now as well.”

Patty says food banks have the ability to make monetary donations go a long way.

Cut 5 (11)  “…food banks have.”

_________________________________________________

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period.

Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.

Cut 6 (07) “…term.”

Lawmakers receive the per diem on top of their 17,000 dollar annual base salary.

Ballard says many lawmakers argue that they were doing legislative work during that period, even if it wasn’t at the Capitol.

Cut 7 (09) “.that time”

Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget by July 1^st, and the regular session ends June 1^st. Ballard says if a June special session must be called…

Cut 8 (04) “…happen”

Per diem payments to lawmakers for the regular session cost the state about two million dollars a year.

______________________________

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

Feibus says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute.

Cut 10 (06) “…masks a week.”

Feibus says Vidalia Mills has also deployed twenty high-speed weaving looms to make lightweight cotton fabrics for the medical gowns and consumer face masks.

Cut 11 (05) “…locally sourced cotton.”

______________________________

 On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions. The legislation has the support of the Department of Insurance. Warren Byrd spoke on behalf of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon…

Cut 13 (10) “…is in favor of” 

McMath says 19 states already have a handheld cell phone ban for drivers and statistics show the number of accidents has decreased in those states.

Richard Brown, the president of a civic group called Citizens for a Better Kenner, testified against the legislation. Brown says the bill does not target the real culprit behind distracted driving…

Cut 14 (10) “…the conversation”

The coronavirus pandemic led to a 49-day suspension of the legislative session, but state lawmakers still received their 161-dollar daily per diem. Matt Doyle has more…
voicer 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Today at the state capitol, the House Labor Committee rejected a bill requiring most businesses to provide paid sick leave for all of their employees. Abita Springs Republican Larry Frieman voted against it…
cut 30 (05) “….provide this”

A proposal that makes it illegal for a driver to hold or handle a cell phone while driving is heading to the Senate Floor. The Senate Transportation Committee voted five to one in favor of the measure. The legislation has the support of the Department of Insurance. Warren Byrd spoke on behalf of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon…
cut 13 (10) “….is in favor of”
Similiar legislation has failed to pass in previous this session.

A textile mill in Concordia Parish will soon be producing masks and gowns for front line health care workers. Managing partner for Vidalia Mills Dan Feibus says they’ve purchased an automated surgical grade mask-making machine, along with two automatic N-95 high-protection mask making machines. He says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute…
cut 10 (06) “…masks a week”
Feibus says they’re also using 20 high-speed looms to make fabric for gowns.

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period.  Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.  Ballard says many lawmakers argue that they were doing legislative work during that period, even if it wasn’t at the Capitol.

Cut 7 (09) “.that time”

On a five to one vote, the Senate Transportation Committee approved a proposal to make it illegal to use a hand-held cell phone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says distracted driving causes numerous wrecks and the phone is what distracts most drivers

Cut 12 (08) “…in Louisiana”

McMath’s measure heads to the Senate floor, but similar bills have failed to pass in previous sessions.

Notable musicians such as Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are just some of the recognizable names from Louisiana supporting “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for a statewide network of food banks.  Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says Hayes is doing a performance later this month where proceeds will be donated toward the cause.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…now as well.”

Vidalia Mills, a Louisiana-based producer of yarns and fabrics is adding to its production portfolio with the purchase of an automated surgical mask making machine and two automatic N-95 mask making machines to help manufacture PPE.  Managing partner Dan Feibus says the machinery should arrive by the end of the month.

Cut 9 (10) “…or early August.”

Feibus says the machinery has the capability of producing 50 masks a minute.

Louisiana reports 41 new COVID-19 deaths and 253 new confirmed positive cases today, continuing this month’s trend in lower death rates and fewer new positive cases.

Those declining numbers are making some antsy to restart the economy before the Governor’s stay at home order ends May 15^th, and a resolution that would undo that order is getting closer to passage. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez’s resolution cleared a House Committee and would remove the Governor’s ability to enforce the order, and this Jefferson Parish business owner says she’s a fan of it…

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

Governor Edwards’ Executive Counsel Matthew Block says their team of medical experts advised against opening May 1^st because a premature relaxing of restrictions could be costly…

Cut 15 (11)“…nothing”

The Capitol may have been closed for 49 days but Louisiana lawmakers were still paid their 161 dollar daily per diem throughout that period. Advocate Bureau Chief Mark Ballard says despite the compressed schedule legislators will still collect 14,000 dollars aimed at reimbursing expenses for lawmakers while in session.

Cut 6 (07) “…term.”

Lawmakers receive the per diem on top of their 17,000 dollar annual base salary. Per diem payments to lawmakers for the regular session cost the state about two million dollars a year.

A House committee approves a Republican-led resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order. House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez of Erath is the author of the measure and argued local governments should establish COVID restrictions, not the Governor.
Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”
Democrats on the committee oppose the resolution. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…
Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”
Despite this argument, the panel sent the resolution to the House floor on a nine to seven vote. If Governor Edwards does not extend the stay at home order, Miguez says he will not push the resolution any further.

Notable names from around Louisiana are joining together to support “Feeding Louisiana Love,” a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness and funding for food banks. Feeding Louisiana executive director Korey Patty says 773,000 Louisiana residents struggle with food security under normal circumstances.
Cut 3 (12) “…especially providing food.”
Notable musicians Amanda Shaw and Hunter Hayes are among those participating with the social media campaign.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host a tele-town hall this afternoon called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. L-D-H Deputy Director Earl Benjamin-Robinson says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community. It will start at four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.