A school-record five LSU Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Joe Burrow went number one overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. And the first round ended with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs selecting Clyde-Edwards Helaire. The Saints took Michigan center Cesar Ruiz.

A petition is circulating urging Governor Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when, and how to lift the stay at home order and implement the federal phase one reopening…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Louisiana Supreme Court extends an order delaying all jury trials until June 30^th. The order was initially filed April 6^th and there’s some fear that a three-month delay in cases will create a nightmare of a trial backlog, but Legal Analyst Tim Meche says it’s unlikely the extended delay will result in any legal or constitutional challenges that would impact the court once trials resume.

Cut 9 (09) “…that occur.

While there is limited evidence cats can suffer from COVID-19, the Louisiana SPCA is asking owners not to seek tests for their pets. While cats can catch the virus, CEO Anna Zorrilla says the SPCA recommends people suffering from mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 still keep their pets with them.

Cut 12 (12) “at the time”

If you are positive, Zorrilla says you should practice extra caution when interacting with your pet.

The Louisiana Supreme Court has ordered that all jury trials in Louisiana should be suspended until June 30th because of the coronavirus pandemic. Legal analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana’s court system can handle the trial backlog in cases and dealt with something similar after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. He also says D-A’s and sheriffs have made an effort to release low-risk detainees who are awaiting trial…
cut 8 (08) “…running”

It’s possible some department stores could re-open sometime next month, but retail experts at Columbia University say very few will survive the economic shutdown. Local retail analyst Wade Ragas agrees with that opinion, but he says other shopping brands are doing well…
cut 6 (09) “…Costco”

An animal protection organization is asking folks not to request COVID-19 tests for their pets. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow has officially changed his stripes as the Bengals selected the former record-breaking LSU quarterback with the top pick last night. Burrow was one of five Tigers selected in the first round, which is a school record. The Saints used their first-round pick on center Cesar Ruiz, who was a two-time All-Big 10 selection.

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt starts an online petition to give Louisiana residents a chance to urge Governor John Bel Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when and how they reopen their economies. Hewitt says a statewide stay at home order is not working for areas of the state with low case counts.
Cut 13 (10) “…guidelines.”
The online petition can be found at open-la-now-dot-com. Edwards is planning to lift some restrictions after April 30th, but he wants everyone to have their expectations properly set for what it will look like.
Cut 16 (09) “…before”
The governor is expected to provide more details early next week.

The Louisiana Supreme Court extends an order delaying all jury trials until June 30th. The order was initially filed April 6th and there’s some fear that a three-month delay in cases will create a nightmare of a trial backlog, but Legal Analyst Tim Meche says Louisiana learned from Katrina and Rita…
Cut 7 (08) “…hurricanes”
Meche says DAs and sheriffs have made an effort to release low-risk detainees who are awaiting trial.

Department stores have been closed since March and retail experts at Columbia University’s Business School say few of them will be able to survive. Retail analyst Wade Ragas says brick and mortar department stores can’t compete with e-commerce and social distancing also creates hurdles for the current business model…
cut 5 (11) “….into the store”

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has started an online petition for residents to sign that would urge Governor John Bel Edwards to open Louisiana on a parish by parish basis. Hewitt says this grassroots online petition at open-LA-now-dot-com restores the voice of Louisiana voters….
cut 14 (08) “….heard”
But Edwards says he does not plan on allowing local parishes to open before the stay at home order ends, or to allow parishes to relax restrictions more than others.
Cut 15 (09)“…phase one.”
Part of that threshold calls for Louisiana to have 140-thousand coronavirus tests conducted a month. Edwards says that should be doable in May.

The coronavirus pandemic may result in the demise of many department stores according to retail experts at Columbia University…
cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow was the first pick in last night’s N-F-L draft and will now battle Andy Dalton to be the starting Q-B in Cincinnati…
cut 17 (10) “….this city”
A school-record five LSU Tigers were selected in the first round, including running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire to the Super Bowl champion Chiefs. The Saints used their first-round pick to take Michigan center Cesar Ruiz.

A school-record five LSU Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Joe Burrow went number one overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. And the first round ended with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs selecting Clyde-Edwards Helaire. The Saints took Michigan center Cesar Ruiz.

A petition is circulating urging Governor Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when, and how to lift the stay at home order…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Few department stores are likely to survive once the coronavirus pandemic is over, according to retail experts at Columbia University’s Business School. New Orleans consultant of real estate valuations Wade Ragas says department stores already have a tough time competing with e-commerce…
Cut 4 (12)_ “…with this country.”

While there is limited evidence cats can suffer from COVID-19, the Louisiana SPCA is asking owners not to seek tests for their pets. CEO Anna Zorrilla says right now we want to make sure COVID testing is focused on humans, who have a more critical need.
Cut 10 (09) “infected”
Two cats tested positive in New York City, but the CDC reports there is no evidence cats can transmit the virus back to humans.

The state reported 67 more COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the death toll to 1,540. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Edwards was asked if there will be high school football this year. The governor says he’s optimistic…
Cut 15 (07)“…to be”

The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. The Tax Foundation estimates about 16-percent of the workforce has applied or is receiving unemployment benefits in Louisiana. Economist Loren Scott says low oil prices will prevent Louisiana from bouncing back as fast as other states…

Cut 4 (06)_ “…Lafayette”

Scott made the comments during the first meeting of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce which legislative leaders formed in an effort to provide the Legislature with policy recommendations on how to jump-start the economy.

Deadly storms slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto, rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man.  Sherriff’s spokesperson Mark Pierce says the heavy rainfall produced a strong current in a drainage ditch. Pierce says rains just hammered the region.

Cut 11 (10) “…rain”

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says car shoppers should be able to find great deals…

Cut 9 (08) “…vehicle than now.″

Green adds that implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet and car buyers can have a vehicle delivered to their home for a test drive.

The Legislative Economic Recovery Task Force began the difficult assignment today of providing the state legislature with ideas on how to jump-start the economy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The state has surpassed 15-hundred COVID-19 deaths as the Louisiana Department of Health reported 67 additional fatalities bringing the death toll to 1,540. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 14 (12) “…Hurricane Katrina.”

Deadly storms slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto, rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man.  In Rapides Parish 67-year-old Becky Roberts was killed by a potential tornado in Lecompte. National Weather Service forecaster Seth Warthen says the suspected supercell was highly unusual for the area.

Cut 12 (08) “…assesment.”

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet. He says car buyers can test drive a vehicle and not even go to the dealer.

Cut 8 (08) “…get your vehicle.”

Green says car shoppers can find some great deals at this time.

The LSU Alexandria campus was hit by a tornado yesterday, one of many Rapides Parish locations that took storm damage. Around 930 last night the tornado struck just 200 yards away from where the students who remained on campus were living in a dorm. No lives were lost at the campus and no major structural damage was observed.

Elsewhere in Rapides one person wasn’t so lucky. 67-year-old Becky Roberts was killed in Lecompte. National Weather Service forecaster Seth Warthen says the potential tornadoes were part of a long track supercell that appeared to have traveled a long distance.

Cut 13 (10) “…Parish.”

The storm system also brought heavy rains in DeSoto Parish. Sherriff’s spokesperson Mark Pierce says a flash flood killed a man in Mansfield when it produced a strong current in a drainage ditch.

Cut 10 (10) “…too strong”

The national unemployment rate rose to 20 percent as mass furloughs and layoffs continue due to the coronavirus shutdown. Economist Loren Scott estimates 349-thousand unemployment claims for the month of April in Louisiana, because of the economic shutdown…

Cut 3 (07)  “…22-percent”  

The Tax Foundation estimates about 16-percent of the workforce has applied or is receiving unemployment benefits in Louisiana.

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says they are certainly impacted by the stay at home order…

Cut 7 (09) “…more than that.”

Green says these days car buyers can test drive a vehicle and not even go to the dealer.

A Rapides Parish woman was killed by a suspected tornado and a DeSoto Parish man died in a flash flood yesterday.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 67 more COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the death toll to 1,540. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Edwards was asked if there will be high school football this year. The governor says he’s optimistic…
cut 15 (07) “…to be”

The economic shutdown is hurting a lot of different facets of our economy including car sales. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says car shoppers should be able to find great deals…
cut 9 (08) “…vehicle than now”
Green says many car buyers are using the internet to shop for their vehicle and if you want to test drive a truck or car, many dealers will bring the vehicle to you.

The Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce had its first meeting today. Chairman Jason DeCuir says the regular legislative session is expected to resume next month and lawmakers are looking for immeidiate triage ideas by May 7tn…
cut 5 (10) “….immediately’
Senate President Page Cortez from Lafayette has told the Advocate he tested positive for the coronavirus last month, but had a mild case and is fine now.

The state has surpassed 15-hundred COVID-19 deaths as the Louisiana Department of Health reported 67 additional fatalities bringing the death toll to 1,540. Governor John Bel Edwards
Cut 14 (12) “…Hurricane Katrina.”
Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve. Louisiana reported 481 new cases and the number of patients hospitalized and on ventilators continues to decline.

Deadly storms slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto, rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man.  Sherriff’s spokesperson Mark Pierce says the heavy rainfall produced a strong current in a drainage ditch. Pierce says rains just hammered the region.

Cut 11 (10) “…rain”

The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has confidence in the Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce, a group of private-sector business leaders which legislative leaders formed in an effort to provide the Legislature with policy recommendations on how to jump-start the economy, to develop long-term solutions.

Cut 6 (11) “…the economy back ”

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet. He says car buyers can test drive a vehicle and not even go to the dealer.

Cut 8 (08) “…get your vehicle.”

Green says car shoppers can find some great deals at this time.