The latest report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 53 to a total of 755 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 19,253, up by 970. 2,054 are hospitalized.  Use of ventilators has increased to 479, up by 6.
Un and underemployed Louisianans can expect to see a much bigger unemployment insurance payments starting Monday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19.  Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.

Cut 8 (10) “leaving”

Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.The Storm Prediction Center only has five risk levels for severe weather, so Keim says for Louisiana to be second from the top indicates a serious situation on Sunday.

Cut 11 (11) “…so brace yourself.”

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening Louisiana next month as coronavirus infections continue to level off. The curve is flattening, but fatalities remain high. Edwards says tough times are still ahead and saluted the brave medical workers who’ve been pulling incredibly long hours keeping patients alive during the epidemic.
Cut 13 (12) “…Louisiana”
54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away yesterday from COVID-19. Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says he doesn’t remember ever seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.
Cut 7 (09) “…guy”
Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family.

Outdoor plans for Easter Sunday are now in jeopardy due to severe weather in the forecast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the higher payments should be automatically added to your benefits if you’ve recertified your hours.
Cut 3 (07)  “…Congress”  

The curve of new hospitalizations is flattening but daily reported deaths totals remain high with Louisiana adding another 53 COVID fatalities. Those fatalities should level off if hospitalizations and new infections decrease, and Governor Edwards says much of that comes down to the great work of frontline healthcare workers. He says to support their efforts the state has distributed a lot of PPE.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

Several state facilities including Tiger Stadium and the Govenor’s Mansion were lit in pale blue last night at 8PM in honor of healthcare worker’s efforts.

Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the severe weather threat will materialize late Saturday night and heavy rainfall is possible as well

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state. State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says contract workers who did not previously qualify for the state’s unemployment now qualify for the federal benefits…

Cut 4 (10)_ “are.”

Self-employed, gig economy, and workers whose employer’s hadn’t paid into the trust fund will now qualify.

The largest auto insurer in Louisiana, State Farm, announces it’s providing it’s roughly one million customers a 25 percent rebate on their April and May premiums, following a decision by Allstate to do the same. ESPN reports Drew Brees will take a position as a Sunday Night Football studio analyst after he retires from the NFL. NBC won the bidding war for the highly sought after talent. He will also do game day analysis for Notre Dame games.

Louisiana reports 53 new COVID deaths, and 970 new confirmed cases, but the trend towards a flattening of the curve in hospitalizations and ventilator use continues.

Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening next month if coronavirus infections continue to level off, but Edwards says tough times are still ahead of us, and acknowledged the death of 54-year-old freshman state representative Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish yesterday.

Cut 12, 13 seconds, right now

Bagala died of COVID-19 symptoms after being placed on a ventilator following his admission to the hospital. Former Representative Truck Gisclair knew him well and says Bagala couldn’t wait for his first day at the Capitol.

Cut 6 (06) “the road”

Starting Monday hundreds of thousands of Louisianans who’ve lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to COVID-19 will be receiving federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments. Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says the state got the federal funds this week, and so many recipients will be receiving two weeks’ worth of benefits on their Monday check.

Cut 5 (06)  “…payment”

State benefits cap out at 247 dollars a week, but the feds are now throwing an extra 600 dollars a week on top of it.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in the marginal category of severe weather risk on Saturday with a warm front passing though, then an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

The noon report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 53 to a total of 755 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 19,253, up by 970. 2,054 are hospitalized.  Use of ventilators has increased to 479, up by 6.
Un and underemployed Louisianans can expect to see a much bigger unemployment insurance payments starting Monday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away yesterday from COVID-19.  Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.

Cut 8 (10) “leaving”

Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.The Storm Prediction Center only has five risk levels for severe weather, so Keim says for Louisiana to be second from the top indicates a serious situation on Sunday.

Cut 11 (11) “…so brace yourself.”

The noon report rises the state’s COVID-19 death toll by 53 to a total of 755 fatalities. Confirmed cases: 19,253, up by 970. Use of ventilators has increased to 479, up by 6.
54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away yesterday from COVID-19. Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says he doesn’t remember ever seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.
Cut 7 (09) “…guy”
Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday. Keim expects rain totals to be up to 2 inches, with rainfall amounts tapering off closer to the coast.

Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”

The state is investigating whether two abortion clinics are performing procedures during the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Governor admits it’s likely that schools will remain closed for the remainder of the academic year after he receives a letter from the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education asking him to keep the doors shut. That’s raised a number of questions, and Director of education policy at the Pelican Institute Ethan Melancon says parents need reassurance that their child’s education will not fall victim to the virus.

Cut 11 (10) “…valuable instruction time.”

54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away yesterday from COVID-19. Bagala proceeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54, who says he was enthusiastic…

Cut 6, 6 seconds, the road

Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1^st by his family. The Representative was hospitalized and put on a ventilator, but his condition continued to deteriorate until his passing.

Severe weather is going to trounce on outdoor Easter plans.  State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has the state in the marginal category of severe weather risk on Saturday with a warm front passing through, then an enhanced and moderate risk on Sunday.

Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″

Keim says expect rain totals to be up to 2 inches.

Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites, and you don’t have to worry about shortages because this year’s batch was made back in February. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says over the last week, the company has donated about 15,000 candy eggs to those battling the pandemic.

Cut 15 (06)“…two food banks.”

Governor Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve but warns life is unlikely to go back to normal anytime soon. Models show a steep drop-off in expected COVID deaths in Louisiana relative to projections at the start of the month, but…
Cut 4 (07)_ “…May.”
Edwards says that’s not an official announcement that the stay at home order is being extended, but it’s a possibility.

The governor is expected to announce soon that schools will be closed for the remainder of the year. Ethan Melancon, director of education policy at Pelican Institute for Public Policy, understands the need to close physical school sites, but parents still have a lot of questions…
cut 12 (07) “…in grade”
Melancon says 44-percent of the districts are not providing adequate distance learning opportunities.

The Attorney General’s office is assisting the state department of health in investigating whether Louisiana’s three abortion clinics are violating the stay at home order by performing non-emergency medical procedures. Attorney General spokesperson Deanna Fortin on what happens if these facilities are found to be in violation…
cut 8 (12) “…this”

Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says the Easter Bunny should not experience any disruptions in the supply chain as they got their candies prepped early.
Cut 13 (07) “…back in February.”
Nelson says Easter candy sales have slumped recently with residents focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend.

The Attorney General’s Office is investigating reports of elective surgical centers, including abortion clinics, continuing operations despite the state’s stay at home order, which prohibits elective medical procedures and surgeries. A-G spokesperson Deanna Fortin says they’ve received complaints about two of the state’s three clinics…
Cut 6 (03) “… Rouge.”
Governor John Bel Edwards was asked if he thought an abortion was an elective procedure…
cut 30 (10) “…soon”
And the governor is expected to announce soon that schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Schools have been closed since mid-March and BESE president Sandy Holloway says they’ve heard that 39 of Louisiana’s 69 school districts have offered various forms of distance learning, while others say learning is still taking place…
cut 10 (03) “…of learning”

Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate says the pandemic isn’t impacting the availability of their holiday candy. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”

There’s the potential for severe weather on Easter Sunday. Forecasters say the northern half of the state is under a moderate risk of severe weather, while south Louisiana is under an enhanced threat. Strong storms moved through south Louisiana last night, knocking down numerous trees in Opelousas.

A state lawmaker has passed away from the coronavirus. Freshman House member Reggie Bagala from LaFourche Parish died yesterday at the age of 54. He was on a ventilator for more than a week. Governor John Bel Edwards calls Bagala a successful businessman, devoted family member and active volunteer.

The state is investigating whether two abortion clinics are performing procedures during the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Governor Edwards is expected to announce that schools will remain closed for the rest of the academic year. Pelican Institute for Public Policy education director Ethan Melancon says before any decision is made, the state should release a specific plan for how and when students will return to school for remediation of the time spent out of the classroom…
cut 11 (10) “…instruction time”

It is Good Friday and kids would normally be out of school today for this religious holiday. Kids also enjoy Easter candy at this time of the year. CEO of Ponchatoula-based Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says sales have slumped with consumers focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend…
cut 14 (06) “…Heavenly Hash”
Nelson says they’ve donated thousands of chocolate eggs to health care workers on the front-line and food banks.