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”

The state health department has delayed updating today’s coronavirus numbers for the day, they are normally updated at noon each day

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 says they also found images they can’t identify, and additional charges could be filed.

Cut 10 (12) “…some home.”

Over the weekend Grand Isle beaches were packed as visitors flocked to the southernmost tip of the state. Tourism Commissioner Louise LaFont says the island has some great fishing and they’d love to see anglers return. Just know there are a few restrictions.

Cut 8 (12) “…distancing”

The 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 and recorded images of girls and then uploaded them to an iPad cash register. Iberville Parish Sheriff Brett Stassi says it was an employee that discovered the images.

Cut 9 (09) “…exposed a video”

An LSU Public Policy Lab survey indicates half of the respondents say they have never left their home during the outbreak for social gatherings, religious services, or other reasons not in line with the stay at home order. Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says those age 65 and older were most strict about staying home, with nearly 60% compliance.

Cut 11 (09) “…are not aloud.”

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 Healey says 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.”

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 .”

A record-breaking 400,000 Louisianans have received over a billion dollars in unemployment benefits since March 22^nd, but now that it appears likely part of the economy will begin reopening the Louisiana Workforce Commission is warning beneficiaries to make sure they update their employment status if their employer calls them back from furlough…

Cut 15 (10)“…due.”

That’s Secretary Ava Dejoie who adds in the next 30 days they’ll once again require unemployed workers to provide work search documentation.

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 seconds, distancing

A Louisiana bug expert says the threat of murder hornets is relatively low. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The usual noon COVID number update has been delayed by the Louisiana Department of Health.

The House Governmental Affairs committee hears a resolution today that seeks to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency as it relates to the coronavirus. House Republican Caucus chairman and Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the objective is to put local leaders in control of reopening the economy.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…time.”
Governor Edwards has labeled the effort “misguided” and does not believe the legislature will do it.

A Senate Bill aimed at providing a proposition election to determine whether sports wagering activities and operations will be permitted by a parish, passes through a committee hearing. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration. If it receives legislative approval the proposition would appear on the November 3rd ballot. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns…

Cut 9 (08) “…vote it down”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid over a billion dollars in unemployment payments since March 22nd. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the money went to 404-thousand Louisianans.
Cut 14 (11) “…87.”
LWC paid out 151 million dollars to 103,000 claimants in all of 2019.

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.

LSU has released a survey that shows how residents are handling the COVID-19 pandemic…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today a House committee will debate a resolution that seeks to prevent Governor Edwards from extending the current stay at home order beyond May 15th. Erath Representative Blake Miguez…
cut 5 (07) “…earlier”
Edwards has said ending the COVID-19 emergency would be grossly irresponsible.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would give voters the opportunity to decide in November whether sports betting should be legal. A similar proposal failed last year after heated debate. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry.
Cut 8 (11) “…works for Louisiana.”
Henry says if voters in a parish approve the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted, which would take place next year.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission announces they’ve passed the one-billion dollar mark in unemployment benefits paid to some 404-thousand Louisianans. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says in the next 30 days they’ll once again require unemployed workers to provide work search documentation to continue receiving benefits, but they understand not everyone can work right now….
cut 16 (06) “…play”

The House Governmental Affairs committee hears a resolution this afternoon that seeks to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency as it relates to the coronavirus. House Republican Caucus chairman and Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the objective is to put local leaders in control of reopening the economy.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…time.”
Republicans would rather see parish leaders determine if certain businesses should re-open. Governor Edwards has labeled the effort “misguided” and does not believe the House and Senate will pass it…
Cut 7 (08) “…America”
Edwards says he extended the stay-at-home order through May 15th because some regions in the state continue to show increased hospitalizations and an increase in new cases.

Since March 22nd over 404,000 Louisianans have received unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the highest number ever recorded…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

An LSU Public Policy Lab survey of one-thousand Louisiana adults finds that 50-percent of them say they have followed the stay at home order. Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says those age 65 and older were most strict about staying home, with nearly 60% compliance.
Cut 11 (09) “…are not aloud.”

A House committee is set to hear a resolution today that seeks to end the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

New Orleans has approved the demolition of three buildings near the partially collapsed Hard Hard Hotel. City officials say the demolition will provide space for the large cranes that are needed to tear down the hotel structure that partially fell last October, killing three workers. The bodies of two of the victims have yet to be recovered.

An LSU survey finds that 50-percent of residents are complying with the state’s stay at home order which asks residents not to attend any large social or religious gatherings. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says the survey of one-thousand Louisiana adults also found that 56-percent of respondents say they attempt to stay six feet away from others, but most residents choose not to wear a mask in public…
cut 12 (10) “….leave the house”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid over a billion dollars in unemployment payments since March 22nd. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the money went to 404-thousand Louisianans.
Cut 14 (11) “…87.”
LWC paid out 151 million dollars to 103,000 claimants in all of 2019.

LSU has released a survey that shows how residents are handling the COVID-19 pandemic…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today a House committee will debate a resolution that seeks to prevent Governor Edwards from extending the current stay at home order beyond May 15th. Erath Representative Blake Miguez…
cut 5 (07) “…earlier”
Edwards has said ending the COVID-19 emergency would be grossly irresponsible.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has announced that over one-billion dollars in unemployment benefits have been distributed to over 404-thousand Louisianans. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the rate of new claims is declining and some businesses could re-open later this month. Dejoie says if you return to work with reduced hours, report your earnings at the end of the week…
cut 15 (10) “…due”
Dejoie says if you return to work to your normal schedule, discontinue filing for benefits.

A Senate committee has approved a bill that would give voters a chance in November to vote on whether they want to legalize sports betting. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a majority of voters in a parish vote for the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted…
Cut 10 (10) “…next session”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

LSU surveyed one-thousand adults and found 50-percent of them have not attended social or religious gatherings that are inconsistent with the state’s stay at home order. Also, 74-percent of the respondents believe the U-S and Louisiana should continue orders that are designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says the survey was taken during the last two weeks of April…
cut 13 (11) “….continue those policies”

Today a House committee hears a resolution that would suspend Governor Edwards’ stay at home order. Conservative Republican lawmakers also started a petition that takes similar action but House Republican Delegation Chairman Blake Miguez says his resolution doesn’t…
cut 6 (03) “…funds”
But the Edwards administration says the resolution would shut down the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Since March 22nd over 400,000 Louisianans have received unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the highest number ever recorded. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A Baton Rouge man’s 2006 non-unanimous conviction for rape and kidnapping will be taken up by the US Supreme Court in a challenge to the constitutionality of previously decided non-unanimous jury verdicts.  Thedrick Edwards is serving multiple life sentences on a series of 11-1 and 10-2 convictions that were decided along racial lines in the jury. His attorney Andre Belanger says the conviction was unconstitutional.

Cut 4 (08)_ “injustice.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is pushing for the Governor to greenlight the reopening of barbershops and hair salons.  Landry encourages the Governor to issue guidance for the reopening and says spread mitigation techniques can be implemented into the haircuting process.

Cut 11 (11) “…should be optional.”

Louisiana reports 51 additional COVID fatalities today brining the state total above 2,000.

After a record breaking 53.2 million people visited Louisiana in 2019 the state is scrambling to save the tourism industry. Cities and parishes are cash strapped and Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says to save major event tourism the Legislature needs to authorize more tourism assistance to local governments.

Cut 8 (11) “…struggling”

Nungesser says tourism is the fourth largest industry in the state.

The University of Louisiana System announces a special tuition rate for adults wanting to return to school to finish their degree at one of their nine campuses through the Compete LA program.  UL System President Jim Henderson says the program gives employers a bigger talent pool to hire from and will generate more revenue…

Cut 14 (08) “…state of Louisiana.”