The state reported 29 additional deaths from COVID-19 yesterday bringing Louisiana’s death toll to 1,296. The number of cases grew by 348, bringing the total to 23,928. The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized decreased by 13 to 1,748. And since April 4th, the number of patients on ventilators declined from 571 to 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says critical care specialists are finding success in having the sickest coronavirus patients lay on their stomach because it helps to increase the amount of oxygen into their lungs…
cut 15 (14) “…working well”

Today marks ten years since the BP Oil Spill ravaged the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and environmental scars exist. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was recovering as a species before 2010 but since then…
Cut 7 (09) “…effects.”
Muth says there are also fewer successful births of coastal bottlenose dolphins and corals in several locations have permanent oil damage.

Louisiana Tech freshman mechanical engineering major, Avereigh Barras, is using a three-D printer to make ear guards also known as mask strap extenders for medical workers. Barras says her invention as received rave reviews, because it takes pressure off the back of the ears. Barras hopes to make two-thousand of them in the first two weeks…
cut 5 (13) “….some bigger hospitals”
Barras has started a GoFundMe page to help cover the cost of shipping and manufacturing.

Sports fans are gearing up for the NFL draft this week. The Saints have the 24th pick in Thursday night’s first round and the franchise has a history of trading up. Mike Triplett covers the Saints for ESPN and he says the Black and Gold are in a win-now mode, so it’s a possibility they could trade up again…
cut 17 (18) “…will though”
Triplett says the Saints do not have a second-round pick, which probably reduces the chance they move up in the first round.

The Jaguars are reportedly looking to trade former LSU running back Leonard Fournette, who still has two years left on his contract. Fournette rushed for a career-high 1,152 yards and caught a team-high 76 passes last season.

The expectation is for Joe Burrow to be the number one pick in Thursday night’s NFL draft and he’ll begin his professional career in Cincinnati. The Bengals have not won a playoff game since 1991. Former NFL great Peyton Manning told ESPN he recently spoke to Burrow on the phone and Manning warned Burrow his rookie season could be a rough one, but the future Hall of Famer said he learned a lot while taking those lumps. Manning’s Colts went from 3-and-13 in his rookie season to 13-and-3 the next year.

Manning by the way donated one-thousand meals for COVID-19 healthcare workers in the New Orleans area. Volunteers and employees at Drago’s Seafood Restaurant in Metairie prepared the meals on Saturday. Healthcare workers at the Ochsner Hospital System, Tulane and East Jefferson General hospitals received the meals.

William Byron won his second consecutive NASCAR virtual race as he held off Timmy Hill.

The state health department says I-C-U doctors should receive credit for helping to lower the number of COVID-19 patients who need ventilators. On April 4th, the state reported 571 of their COVID-19 patients were on ventilators, now that number is 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter
Cut 13 (09) “…the country”
Kanter says the mortality rate for someone placed on a ventilator in Louisiana is between 40 and 60-percent, while New York and Seattle are over 80-percent.

There are no high school graduation ceremonies planned, but that still hasn’t stopped graduating seniors from picking up their caps and gowns. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says students are picking up their caps and gowns or class rings at drive-thru locations…
cut 11 (10) “….again”

Ten years ago today, the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana exploded, killing eleven workers and spewing nearly five million barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Matt Doyle reports several species impacted still haven’t recovered…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Phase One of federal guidelines on reopening the economy call for limited access to dine in restaurants and gyms, reopening of elective surgical centers, and more. Matt Doyle has local reaction…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Gov. Edwards says the Department of Health and Hospitals is working on new plans to increase non-emergency surgical capacity in the state’s clinics and hospitals.  While no specifics were given, the reopening is expected to happen before May 1.

The Governor toured the PMAC Friday.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the operation started in the garage of Wayne Newhauser, the head of LSU’s Medical Physics department.
Cut 9 (08) “…an arena operation.″
In the near future, Galligan believes the operation will be outputting 1000 gowns a day.
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis.  Many small businesses are keeping the lights on by taking advantage of federal programs like the CARES Act.  LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says, unfortunately, bars have a very unusual business model…
Cut 7 (11) “sense”

Dangerous weather conditions are expected with the arrival of two cold fronts into the state this weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says the first front rolled in late last night into this morning.

Cut 3 (10)  “…severe weather potential.”  

The forecaster puts the portion of Louisiana north of I-10 in an enhanced risk category for severe weather with the remainder at slight risk.

Yesterday, Governor Edwards toured LSU’s Pete Maravich Assembly Center, where university employees are producing Personal Protective Equipment for those on the frontline in the fight against COVID -19. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan credits the ability of departments to work in unison…
Cut 11 (11) “…as a team.”
Galligan says vinyl from old billboards is being used to make gowns.

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis. To contribute or to seek aid visit LHF’s website and look for the South Louisiana Bar Owner Relief Fund.

Cut 8 (06) “…plan”

That’s LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley who says locally officials could help bars by expanding alcohol delivery laws.

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”. Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants. Governor Edwards says any implementation of these phased reopenings will be done on the advice of his Resilient Louisiana Commission that will study the potential tradeoffs of opening the economy.

Cut 14 (10) “…die”

Louisiana could see another round of severe weather on tomorrow.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis. LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says all bars are closed and unlike restaurants, they don’t have the option of takeout or delivery.

Cut 6 (10) “…bills”

The Governor toured the PMAC Friday.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the makeshift PPE factory has produced gowns from donated billboard vinyl.

Cut 10 (08) “…first three days.”

In the near future, Galligan believes the operation will be outputting 1000 gowns a day.

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”. Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants. The Pelican Institute is calling on Louisiana to implement Phase One May 1^st.Phase One reopenings are being left to local governments with recommendations of implementation on a parish by parish basis. VP of Policy and Governmental Affairs Renee Amar says the phase-ins are effective because they’re flexible…

Cut 13 (10) “…place”

Dangerous weather conditions are expected with the arrival of two cold fronts into the state this weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says the potential for severe weather on Sunday is not as great as it was last weekend, but it could still be a bumpy ride and is still worth monitoring.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…across into Georgia.”
The forecaster puts the portion of Louisiana north of I-10 in an enhanced risk category for severe weather with the remainder at slight risk.
The Governor toured the PMAC Friday.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the operation started in the garage of Wayne Newhauser, the head of LSU’s Medical Physics department.
Cut 9 (08) “…an arena operation.″
In the near future, Galligan believes the operation will be outputting 1000 gowns a day.

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”.  Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants. The Pelican Institute is calling on Louisiana to implement Phase One May 1^st.  VP of Policy and Governmental Affairs Renee Amar…
Cut 12 (07) “recommended”
The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis.  Many small businesses are keeping the lights on by taking advantage of federal programs like the CARES Act.  LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says, unfortunately, bars have a very unusual business model…
Cut 7 (11) “sense”
Kelley says locally officials could help bars by expanding alcohol delivery laws.

Over 1,200 people are now confirmed to have died of COVID-19 in Louisiana as the state tallies another 57 fatalities. Despite the growing loss of life the spread of the virus appears to be slowing consistently as ventilator use and hospitalizations are down.

This will be a good weekend for social distancing with some nasty weather headed our way.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the rain potential is up to about an inch and a half, which will be a relief for south Louisiana…

Cut 5 (09)  “…a bigger problem.”

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis. LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley says, unfortunately, bars have a very unusual business model, and federal stimulus isn’t well suited for it…

Cut 7 (11) “sense”

The Governor toured the PMAC today.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan credits the ability of departments to work in unison to get the job done.

Cut 11 (11) “…as a team.”

In the near future, Galligan believes the operation will be outputting 1000 gowns a day.

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”. Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants. The Pelican Institute is calling on Louisiana to implement Phase One May 1^st.

Cut 12 (07) “recommended”

That’s VP of Policy and Governmental Affairs Renee Amar.

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”. Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants. Governor Edwards says any implementation of these phased reopenings will be done on the advice of his Resilient Louisiana Commission that will study the potential tradeoffs of opening the economy.

Cut 14 (10) “…die”

New infections are down in Louisiana but the death toll continues to rise with 57 new COVID-19 fatalities reported today.

The Governor toured the PMAC today.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the operation started in the garage of the head of LSU’s Medical Physics department.

Cut 9 (08) “…an arena operation.″

Dangerous weather conditions are expected with the arrival of two cold fronts into the state this weekend. State climatologist Barry Keim says the first front will roll in late Friday night into Saturday morning.

Cut 3 (10)  “…severe weather potential.”  

The forecaster puts the portion of Louisiana between I-10 and I-20 in the slight to an enhanced risk category for severe weather.

The Louisiana Hospitality Foundation is raising money to help bar owners stay afloat and keep your favorite local watering hole alive through the COVID Crisis. To contribute or to seek aid visit LHF’s website and look for the South Louisiana Bar Owner Relief Fund.

Cut 8 (06) “…plan”

That’s LHF Executive Director Jennifer Kelley who says locally officials could help bars by expanding alcohol delivery laws.

Louisiana’s total COVID death count hits 1,213 after another 57 deaths were reported today. The virus still seems to be mostly effecting three areas in particular: Baton Rouge, Shreveport, and the New Orleans metro area which is home to over half of the state’s total cases. Ventilator use and hospitalizations are down.

Social distancing won’t be hard this weekend as Louisiana could see another round of severe weather on Sunday. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The Trump Administration issues guidelines to states on how to reopen their economies in three “phases”. Phase one continues to encourage social distancing but allows activities like limited dine-in access to restaurants, and Phase One reopenings are being left to local governments with recommendations of implementation on a parish by parish basis. The Pelican Institute VP of Policy and Governmental Affairs Renee Amar says her organization backs implementing this plan come may 1^st…

Cut 13 (10) “…place”

The Governor toured the PMAC today.  The home of LSU basketball is playing host to a giant operation to create PPE for frontline healthcare workers.  Interim LSU President Thomas Galligan says the makeshift PPE factory has produced gowns from donated billboard vinyl.

Cut 10 (08) “…first three days.”