A resolution aimed at ending the Governor’s statewide stay at home order advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 2 (45) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And Edwards says it’s too early to predict whether Louisiana will be ready to enter phase one of re-opening the economy on May 16th.

The Senate Transportation Committee has begun their meeting. On the agenda is a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld telephone while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says the goal is for drivers to have their hands on the wheel and not on their phone…
cut 8 (08) “…your voice”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

After a lengthy and tense debate, a House committee approved Erath Republican Blake Miguez’s resolution that takes the teeth out of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order…
cut 29 (07) “…those rules”
House Concurrent Resolution 58 passed on a nine to seven vote and heads to the House floor for more debate. Here’s Governor Edwards’ reaction…
cut 11 (06) “…resolution”
But there are many business owners who are frustrated with the length of the economic shutdown, including this one from Jefferson Parish, who went before the panel…
cut 12 (08) “…fiasco”
Edwards said it’s too early to determine if the state will move to phase one of reopening on May 16th.

The number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana has surpassed 30-thousand and some of those cases include children. Kevin Barnhart has more on that…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The governor also said at his press briefing that the state has hired an additional 700 workers to staff call centers, under the supervision of epidemiologists, to assist in the state’s effort to conduct contact tracing. Edwards says he’ll release more details on the state’s plan for contact tracing tomorrow.

A Republican-led effort to prevent Governor Edwards from enforcing stay at home order restrictions won its first legislative battle yesterday when the House Governmental Affairs Committee approved the resolution. The proposal would give local governments the power to move forward with reopening based on guidance laid out by the federal government.

Many Republicans have criticized the governor’s decision to extend the Stay at Home order to May 15th, including Congressman Garret Graves, who accuses the governor of trying to derail the President’s re-election effort. …
cut 14 (12) “…being played”
But Edwards’ executive counsel Matthew Block says the President supported the extension and a premature easing of restrictions would be costly…
cut 15 (11) “….nothing”

The Senate Transportation Committee hears legislation today that would prohibit drivers from using a handheld phone while driving a vehicle. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would not prevent a driver from talking on the phone or answering a call….
cut 9 (07) “…your car”
Similiar bills such as this one have failed to receive legislative support.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and the Louisiana Department of Health are holding a series of regional tele-town halls on COVID-19. Earl Benjamin-Robinson says the goal of these informational sessions is to educate the community about COVID-19 response measures….
cut 6 (09) “…social distancing”
One of the tele-halls is today at 4 PM for Monroe area residents. Got to L-P-H-I-dot-org for more information.

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.

Today at the Capitol, the Senate Transportation Committee hears a bill to prohibit the use of a handheld wireless telecommunications device while driving. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his proposal would reduce crashes on Louisiana roadways…
cut 7 (12) “….a movie”
The meeting begins at 10 AM.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and state health department will host two tele-town halls today called “COVID-19, Preparing for the next phase. Earl Benjamin-Robinson is a deputy director with L-D-H and he says they’ll discuss a phased re-opening approach and answer questions from the community….
cut 5 (12) “…answer those questions”
A tele-town hall will start at 11 AM for the Baton Rouge Area and four PM for the Greater Monroe area. For more info go to L-P-H-I-dot org.

After a lengthy and tense debate, a House committee approved Erath Republican Blake Miguez’s resolution that takes the teeth out of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards’s stay at home order…
cut 29 (07) “…those rules”
House Concurrent Resolution 58 passed on a nine to seven vote and heads to the House floor for more debate. Here’s Governor Edwards’ reaction…
cut 11 (06) “…resolution”
Edwards says his decision to extend the stay at home order to May 15th has the support of the White House. But Republican Congressman Garret Graves accused the governor on a Baton Rouge radio station (Mornings with Brian Haldane) of trying to derail the President’s re-election effort…
cut 14 (12) “…being played”

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Deputy Director of LDH’s Office of Community Partnerships and Health Equity Earl Benjamin-Robinson will serve as a moderator and says the events will help calm uncertainties.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…where resources are.”
There will be a tele-town hall at 11 AM for Baton Rouge area residents and then another one for the Greater Monroe area at 4 PM. For a complete list of these town halls and how to participate go to L-P-H-I-dot-org.

The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 A resolution aimed at ending the Governor’s statewide stay at home order advances to the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Governor Edwards showcases some of the impacts on children from COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The Louisiana Public Health Institute and Department of Health are hosting a regional series of tele-town halls with two taking place today. Deputy Director of LDH’s Office of Community Partnerships and Health Equity Earl Benjamin-Robinson will serve as a moderator and says the events will help calm uncertainties.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…where resources are.”

The meetings will address COVID-19 response measures and the phased re-opening approach.  Benjamin-Robinson says there will also be time dedicated to addressing community concerns.

Cut 5 (12)  “…answer those questions..”

The events will also include local panelists including the region’s medical director, faith-based leaders, community advocates, and local elected officials.  Benjamin-Robinson says the events will continue to enforce the importance of mitigation efforts during the reopening.

Cut 6 (09) “…by social distancing.”

A list of the town halls can be found at LPHI.org.
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Covington Senator Patrick McMath will introduce a bill to prohibit the use of handheld devices when you’re behind the wheel in a Senate transportation committee today in an effort to reduce accidents on Louisiana’s roadways.

Cut 7 (12) “…a movie .”.

McMath says in 2018 and estimated 25 to 35 percent of serious crashes were caused by distracted drivers. McMath says states that have enacted similar legislation have seen a significant decrease in serious accidents as a result.  The goal of the bill is to have drivers keep their hands on the wheel and off their phones.

Cut 8 (08) “…your voice.”

McMath says the bill still allows you to talk on the phone by using the Bluetooth or wireless feature through your car or…

Cut 9 (07) “…your car”

Louisiana currently has a no texting and driving bill already in effect.

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A House committee approves a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s authority to enforce the stay at home order.

The resolution was brought by House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez who says local governments should be establishing COVID restrictions, not the Governor.

Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”

Miguez says the resolution would not jeopardize federal disaster funding.

Governor Edwards called out Miguez by name at his Wednesday afternoon press conference and assailed the legislative effort.

Cut 11 (06) “…resolution.”

Edwards says any changes to the stay at home order will be announced next Monday and will be based on the recommendations of the administration’s healthcare experts.

The committee was a heated marathon that featured a few small business owners speaking out against the stay at home order, including this one from Jefferson Parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

The effort was opposed by Democrats on the committee, including New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…

Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”

Congressman Garret Graves weighed in, accusing Edwards of trying to undermine President Trump’s reelection effort by harming the economy.

Cut 14 (12) “…being played.”

But Edwards’ Executive Counsel Matthew Block says the stay at home extension to May 15^th was supported by the President and adds a premature lifting of restrictions could be costly…

Cut 15 (11)“…nothing”

The resolution heads to the House floor next. It would only need a simple majority of the House and Senate for passage and could not be vetoed by the Governor.

________________________

A House committee was home to a lengthy, and often heated debate about the future of the Governor’s stay at home order Wednesday.

House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez’s resolution suspending the Governor’s ability to enforce the statewide stay at home order passed House and Governmental affairs after hours of debate. Miguez says local governments should be establishing COVID restrictions, not the Governor.

Cut 10 (11) “…to lives”

Miguez says the resolution would not jeopardize federal disaster funding.

Governor Edwards called out Miguez by name at his Wednesday afternoon press conference and assailed the legislative effort.

Cut 11 (06) “…resolution.”

Edwards says any changes to the stay at home order will be announced next Monday.

The committee featured a few small business owners speaking out against the stay at home order, including this one from Jefferson Parish.

Cut 12 (08) “…fiasco.”

The legislation was opposed by Democrats, including New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis who says the virus doesn’t respect parish lines…

Cut 13 (13) “…that?.”

The resolution heads to the House floor next. It would only need a simple majority of the House and Senate for passage and could not be vetoed by the Governor.

And today Covington Senator Patrick McMath will introduce a bill to prohibit the use of handheld devices when you’re behind the wheel in an effort to reduce accidents on Louisiana’s roadways.

Cut 7 (12) “…a movie .”.

The Senate Insurance Committee voted against legislation today that would prohibit insurance companies from using a driver’s gender, credit score rating or whether they are a widow in determining auto insurance rates. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau argued credit score has nothing to do with a person’s driving record

Cut 12 (10) “…their rates”

Women who have lost their husbands are frustrated to see their rates go up after their spouse dies. But insurance commissioner Jim Donelon defended the reason on why that happens…

Cut 14 (12) “…the cost”

Luneau did score one victory today. The Senate Insurance Committee approved his bill that prohibits insurance providers from setting a rate based on whether a person in the military is deployed for more than six months. That bill heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in the northern parts of Washington state, but experts say the level of concern is relatively low. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says Louisiana’s climate would be suitable for murder hornets, but the hornet’s ability to migrate is limited due to being a social insect in need of a queen to maintain a colony.

Cut 5 (12)  “…establish a colony.”

While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.  It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says Tourism is the lifeblood of that small community and since they opened to vacationers Friday the crowds have rapidly grown.

Cut 7 (10) “…back .”

The latest report on COVID-19 numbers was delayed today due to network issues impacting the database that powers the coronavirus reporting system. 52 additional fatalities are being reported bringing the death count to 2094. Total cases: 30,399, up by 403. Hospitalizations, down by 47 to 1,465 and ventilator usage, down by seven to 187.
The operating manager of Zeke’s snowball stand in Plaquemine is in jail charged with 537 counts of video voyeurism. Authorities say 31-year old Clinton Brocksmith placed a pinhole camera in the bathroom of the snowball stand and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi is urging parents to contact the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s office if their child was an employee of the snowball stand during the last two and a half years while Brocksmith was the manager.

Cut 11 (06) “…in that area.”

Last weekend the Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says beaches are open to the public but they’d appreciate it if people would space out a bit more.

Cut 6 (12) “…distancing.”

Murder hornets have captured the spotlight after the giant Asian insect was detected in northern parts of the state of Washington, but experts say the level of concern is still relatively low.  LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the few that have been found were contained in Washington.

Cut 3 (12)  “…of that area.”  

While human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.  It’s the ability to kill mass amounts of honeybees rapidly that is the most concerning.

The Senate Insurance Committee rejected legislation today prohibiting auto insurance rate making based on gender, credit score, and whether a person is a widow. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon opposed the legislation and says the bills will not lower our rates, which are among the highest in the nation…
cut 13 (08) “…. the amount of money”
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau brought the legislation forward and is disappointed with the outcome. But he scored one victory. His bill prohibits insurance providers from setting rates based on whether a person in the military is deployed for more than six months….
cut 15 (08) “…laughter”
The bill that prevents higher rates for deployed soldiers heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

The governor’s stay at home order is not keeping people away from Grand Isle…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Murder Hornets have arrived in the United States from Asia. They’ve been spotted in Washington State. LSU AgCenter entomologist Kristen Healey says the risk of them getting to Louisiana is low and she explains how the insect got its name…
cut 4 (07) “…matter of hours”
Human deaths have been attributed to the murder hornet, but Healey says those are normally linked to an allergic reaction.