REVISED

The number of coronavirus cases is up to 257 in Louisiana and two more patients died this morning bringing the total number of deaths to six. The governor expects the number of coronavirus cases to increase dramatically over the next 24 to 36 as the state plans to receive about a thousand test results…

Cut 13 (11) “…from that”

Edwards says if you believe you should be tested and don’t have a primary physician, please dial the state’s coronavirus hotline, 2-1-1.

A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central believes the virus is politically motivated, adding the church will not have its freedom of assembly taken away.

Cut 5 (08)  “…back to normal.”

In addition to a stimulus package Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government is also working to get more testing kits out, so more people can be tested. A drive-thru testing site in Baton Rouge had to suspend operations yesterday after it ran out of testing kits. He says finding out who has the virus is critical to stopping the spread…

Cut 7 (05) “…get better”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says part of the surge in applications is likely because people think the program is being expanded as it does in natural disasters, but that’s not the case…

Cut 9 (14) “…SNAP″

To find out more about services you can send a text to 898-211 that’s 898-211.

The number of coronavirus cases is up to 257 in Louisiana and two more patients died this morning at the Lambeth House, a retirement facility in New Orleans. A total of six people have now died from the virus. Governor Edwards says health experts estimate the state has two weeks to minimize the spread of the coronavirus
Cut 12 (15) “…health care”
Edwards continues to implore Louisiana residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing.
Congress is working on a massive economic stimulus package that will result in Americans receiving a direct payment from the federal government. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the goal is for the first check to be issued April 6^th
Cut 6 (07) “…is going.”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications. Despite the increased work needed to process all the new applications, DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters does not foresee any disruptions to the usual distribution calendar.
Cut 10 (09) “office”
SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.
A capital region church is continuing to hold services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. The Life Tabernacle Church in Central had an around their average attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday. Rev. Tony Spell says they are not pressuring the congregation to show up and says the church also does not have the technology to conduct services remotely.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…that others may.”
Spell believes the virus panic is politically motivated.

A 5^th person has died of COVID-19 related complicated in Louisiana, this time another resident of Lambeth House, a nursing home in New Orleans. Senator Bill Cassidy spoke with reporters this morning saying he’s been working with hospitals to prepare for the possibility that a lot more cases could be coming soon…

Cut 8 (15) “…bed capacity.”

The virus is having a devastating economic impact that’s led to a doubling of food stamp applications.

Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says if you’re considering applying, the best way to find out about benefits is to text to 898-211, or…

Cut 11 (11) “concerns”

The Life Tabernacle Church in Central is continuing with its normal services, despite regularly attracting a crowd of over 1100. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Louisiana’s death toll from COVID19 increases to 5 with another death coming from a New Orleans nursing home. Despite the rising numbers, the threat of spread is not stopping a capital region church from holding services as normal, defying the ban of gatherings of 50 or more people. Rev. Tony Spell says police have shown up after services at the Life Tabernacle Church in Central threatening to disband the next gathering.
Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  
The church had an attendance of over 1,100 on Sunday, which is about normal.
Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the federal government is also working to get more testing kits out, so more people can be tested. A drive-thru testing site in Baton Rouge had to suspend operations yesterday after it ran out of testing kits. Cassidy says finding out who has the virus is critical to stopping the spread…
Cut 7 (05) “…get better”

The Department of Children and Family Services has seen a doubling in the usual number of food stamp applications. DCFS Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says part of the surge in applications is likely because people think the program is being expanded like it would in natural disaster. The problem is… it isn’t.
Cut 9 (14) “…SNAP″
SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says committee hearing dates are set and bills are ready to move when the legislative session is scheduled to resume on March 31. Schexnayder says he and Senate President Page Cortez have worked on a contingency plan in the event that COVID-19 slows down things even more, but he does not foresee that being an issue.
Cut 13 (04) “people’s jobs done.”

There are now 240 known coronavirus cases across 13 parishes in Louisiana as the total number of cases rose by nearly 50 this morning. The death toll remains at four. Governor John Bel Edwards will provide an update at 12:30 today.

The restaurant industry is feeling the impact of the fight against COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Voicer 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Congress is working on a massive economic stimulus package that will result in Americans receiving a direct payment from the federal government. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the goal is for the first check to arrive by the end of the first week of April…
cut 6 (07) “….is going”
Speculation out of Washington D-C says the first check could be around one-thousand dollars.

Many people are out of work as a result of the coronavirus and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced or your workplace has been closed temporarily than you could be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy said on a conference call with reporters this morning that Americans could receive a check from the federal government by April. And a second check would follow six to eight weeks later. Cassidy says the Coronavirus checks are part of a large economic stimulus package Congress is considering….
cut 5 (10) “…etcetera”

Thousands of Louisianans are not getting paid as a result of the coronavirus. Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie says if your work hours have been reduced, if your workplace closed temporarily or if you have been instructed to go home and are not getting paid, then you may be eligible for up to 247-dollars a week in benefits…
cut 10 (08) “…abide by”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire or call 1-866-783-5567.

Since Governor John Bel Edwards has shut down dining at restaurants, many establishments have changed their menus and providing take out and delivery service. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says L-R-A-dot-org is a valuable resource for industry workers impacted by the outbreak and more information will be coming soon for consumers trying to find open restaurants…
cut 9 (09) “….times a day”

The state capitol is free from lawmakers as the 2020 regular session is on a hiatus until at least March 31st. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says when they return, they’ll need to work on passing a budget by July 1st…
cut 14 (10) “…to a halt”
The legislative session is set to end on June 1st.

We’re about an hour away from the state department of health updating the number of coronavirus cases in Louisiana. We entered today with 196 cases and four deaths. The New Orleans area remains the epicenter. 136 cases in Orleans Parish and 35 in Jefferson Parish. The number of cases is expected to rise.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says social distancing is the best weapon against COVID-19…
voicer 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Many people are out of work as a result of the business closures and Louisiana Workforce Commission executive director Ava Dejoie says the number of unemployment claims has tripled…
cut 11 (10) “….as well”
You can file a claim at Louisiana-works-dot-net-slash-hire. If your work hours have been reduced, partial benefits could be available to up to a maximum of 247-dollars a week.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says committee hearing dates are set and bills are ready to move when the legislative session is scheduled to resume on March 31. Schexnayder says he and Senate President Page Cortez have worked on a contingency plan in the event that COVID-19 slows down things even more, but he does not foresee that being an issue.
Cut 13 (04) “people’s jobs done.”

Unemployment insurance claimants will no longer have to wait a week from their last check to file, and requirements for keeping benefits are being relaxed. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The restaurant industry is having to adjust to the precautionary closings of dining areas. President of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Stan Harris says there is a fear of the unknown and questions remain as to how long this could last.
Cut 7 (06) “…part of it.”

The federal government is looking at passing an economic stimulus package that would help workers and businesses as a result of the partial economic shutdown because of the spread of the coronavirus. Emergency checks for Americans is a possibility and the overall economic aid package could approach one trillion dollars. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says this must be done and can be done…
cut 6 (06) “…higher”

Meanwhile, state lawmakers are back in their districts as they wait to resume the 2020 regular session on March 31st. The session is set to end June 1st and a budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st must be passed. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says he’s not too concerned about the number of days that will be left to conduct the remainder of the session…
cut 15 (10) “…people of Louisiana”

Congress and the President are discussing a massive series of potential bailouts and financial aid packages to counter the economic devastation being caused by COVID-19. Senator Bill Cassidy says a growing number of lawmakers and the President back a plan to send every American a check in the next few weeks.
Cut 4 (11)_ “patch”
Lawmakers are discussing sending Americans a one-thousand dollar check.

The restaurant industry is facing a difficult time as the spread of the coronavirus has prohibited the public from eating inside those establishments. Restaurants can still serve food via drive-thru, curbside or delivery. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the industry is grateful for these exceptions…
cut 8 (06) “….to their customers”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says the number of people to file unemployment claims was triple than the normal volume on Monday and Tuesday. Casinos, bars, gyms and movie theaters are closed for a month. The tourism industry is also taking a hit. L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says workers who are experiencing a temporary layoff or reduction in hours are encouraged to apply for benefits but keep in mind if you’re a 10-99 employees…
cut 12 (13) “…benefits”
L-W-C is waiving the requirement that those receiving benefits prove they are actively searching for work.

In the last update for the day, the Louisiana Department of Health reveals that 196 cases of COVID-19 have been found in the state so far up from 136 yesterday. 136 are found in Orleans Parish. East Baton Rouge also finds it’s first case today. Four people have so far died from the virus, with two of the victims coming from a New Orleans nursing home that’s seen a number of cases.

The Governor ordered the closure of a number of businesses yesterday, and restrictions on restaurants as a result of the growing number of cases, and the 2020 Legislative Session was suspended until March 31^st as a result. Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins isn’t happy about that decision. Higgins says it’s an infringement on people’s rights, and there’s no way to charge them.

Cut 5 (13)  “…is our property.”

The Governor’s office has responded saying Congressman Higgins clearly cares more about Facebook views than Louisianans.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is seeking a waiver so they can cancel standardized exams for this year, which would also mean test scores would not be part of a teacher’s evaluation. BESE President Sandy Holloway says certain requirements for graduating seniors have also been set aside…

Cut 8 (12) “…them through this.”

BESE has already decided that annual school performance scores will not be announced next year.

Drew Brees and the Saints have reportedly agreed to a new two-year 50-million dollar contract to keep the future hall of famer in New Orleans. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says he’s getting old but Brees can still win games…

Cut 13 (09) “…this league”

There are some Saints fans who believe the team should turn to backup Teddy Bridgewater. But Bridgewater is reportedly finalizing a deal with Carolina.