The governor confirmed three new presumptive coronavirus cases last night, bringing the state’s total to six. The three new patients live in Orleans Parish. The six known cases in Louisiana are from the New Orleans area, which prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel all parades and second lines scheduled for this weekend.

Festival season is right around the corner, could we see more cancellations or postponements? Kevin Barnhart has more…
cut 3 (32) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There’s been so much focus on the coronavirus, what’s happening with the flu? In a typical flu season, the regional baseline for the percentage of doctor visits for flu-like symptoms is just below 4 percent. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says currently, the national and statewide rates are outpacing that number.
Cut 8 (10) “…we’re at 9.8%.”

Bills have been filed in the legislative session to loosen vaccine requirements. Houma Representative Beryl Amedee has a measure that would ban employers from requiring employees to be immunized. Amedee says she’s not sure if the spread of the coronavirus will help or hurt her cause…
cut 6 (12) “….the bills”

Coronavirus fears have many lawmakers at the Capitol avoiding the customary hugs and glad-handing.  Many lawmakers were business as usual before Monday’s news of the state’s first case broke. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he shook a lot of hands earlier in the morning…

Cut 7 (04) “…elbows.”

Governor Edwards announced this afternoon two more presumptive cases of coronavirus, bringing the grand total to three in Louisiana.  All are in the New Orleans area.
Six people have been arrested in a human trafficking sting executed by north Louisiana law enforcement.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at an area hotel.

Cut 3 (10)  “…if you will.”  

Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor.  Taylor was shot in the head three times in January and his body was found in a wooded area near the town of Angie.  Chief Deputy Mike Haley says their suspect is the victim’s cousin, 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson. Haley says the family expected the suspect would be someone Taylor knew.
Cut 13 (09) “…was a relative.”
Bond is set at $800,000.
A New Iberia woman is dead and her boyfriend, 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez is charged with second degree murder. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.
Cut 9 (12) “…the victim deceased.″

The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley.

The state added two new presumptive cases of coronavirus today, and lawmakers are mentally preparing to put aside their natural inclination to glad hand and kiss babies for the next few months as they hunker down in Baton Rouge for the 2020 session. Before giving his opening address to the Legislature the Governor avoided handing out his customary handshakes. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris noticed that, but says he won’t be deterred by COVID-19…

Cut 8 (09) “…over there”

Several other lawmakers interviewed said they would begin refraining from their usual handshakes. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says she’s keeping Purell and Lysol on her at all times, and wants there to be a universally agreed upon contact policy at the Capitol…

Cut 6 (11) “…interact”

COVID-19 won’t be keeping Governor Edwards from pursuing his agenda this year…

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”   AM 03-10

A series of bills has been filed by Houma Rep Beryl Amedee that would require doctors disclose more information to patients about vaccines, and bar employers from requiring employees be vaccinated. Amedee says current events are likely to raise the bill’s profiles….

Cut 6 (12) “….the bills” AM 3-11

Louisiana’s two newest presumptive coronavirus patients are being treated at two New Orleans area hospitals, Touro and University Medical Center. That brings the state’s total up to three, with all cases being centered on the New Orleans area.

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the January shooting death of a Washington Parish teen and it’s the victim’s cousin.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A human trafficking bust in Bossier Parish leads to six arrests and the seizures of drugs and weapons.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at area hotels, and those arrested could be looking at more charges as the investigation continues.

Cut 5 (11)  “…to anybody else.”

A woman is dead and her boyfriend has been arrested in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says witnesses told investigators the couple had been fighting all day long, off and on before the 10PM Saturday night killing at the camper trailer they both lived in.

Cut 10 (11) “…apprehend Mr. Valdez.”

The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley of New Iberia. The suspect has been identified as 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez.

Louisiana has two new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total up to three. All cases so far have been found in the New Orleans area. The spread in cases has the Capitol on alert with the start of the session bringing lawmakers in from around the state yesterday. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says she’s keeping Purell on her at all times…

Cut 6 (11) “…interact”

The cousin of an LGBTQ teen found shot dead in the woods outside of Angie has been arrested in connection with the murder. 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor was found in January, and Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley isn’t sure why 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson did it…

Cut 12 (08) “…of the moment.”

Washington Parish criminal records do not show Dawson had any prior criminal history in the parish.

A woman is dead and her boyfriend has been arrested in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.

Cut 9 (12) “…the victim deceased.″

The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley of New Iberia.

A human trafficking bust in Bossier Parish Friday night leads to six arrests, and a number of drug seizures. Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.  Authorities recovered marijuana, meth, ecstasy, a firearm, and a vehicle.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says over the years the area has seen various arrests linked to prostitution, but the human trafficking factor takes the arrests to the next level.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…not a victimless crime.”

Lawmakers at the Capitol for this year’s session say they’re reconsidering shaking hands and kissing babies now that COVID-19 has arrived…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Six people have been arrested in a human trafficking sting executed by north Louisiana law enforcement.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at an area hotel.

Cut 3 (10)  “…if you will.”  

Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.

A woman is dead and her boyfriend, 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez, has been charged with second-degree murder in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says witnesses told investigators the couple had been fighting all day long, off and on, on Saturday before investigators arrived.
Cut 10 (11) “…apprehend Mr. Valdez.”
The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley of New Iberia.
Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor, apprehending the victim’s cousin, 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson.  Taylor was shot in the head three times in January and was found in a wooded area near the town of Angie. The crime was viewed by some as a potential hate crime.  Haley Chief Deputy Mike Haley says they are uncertain of the exact motive that led to the killing.
Cut 12 (08) “…of the moment.”
Bond is set at $800,000.

Glad handing and hugs are likely on their way out at the Capitol this session as the threat of coronavirus has lawmakers reassessing the way they interact with each other and the public. Many lawmakers were business as usual before Monday’s news of the state’s first case broke. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he shook a lot of hands earlier in the morning…
Cut 7 (04) “…elbows.”
Louisiana has tested 17* patients so far, with one of them, a Jefferson Parish resident, coming back presumptively positive.
Six people have been arrested in a human trafficking sting executed by north Louisiana law enforcement.  The arrests took place at an area hotel. Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says further charges are possible and the investigation will continue.
Cut 5 (11)  “…to anybody else.”
Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.
A woman is dead and her boyfriend has been arrested in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.

Cut 9 (12) “…the victim deceased.″

The manner of death has not been released and the victim has only been identified as a 38-year-old white female. The suspect has been identified as 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor.  Taylor was shot in the head three times in January and was found in a wooded area near the town of Angie.  Chief Deputy Mike Haley says the suspect has been identified as the victim’s cousin, 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson.

Cut 11 (06) “…set at $800,000.”

Haley says they are uncertain of the exact motive that led to the killing.

A human trafficking bust in Bossier Parish Friday night leads to six arrests, and a number of drug seizures. Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.  Authorities recovered marijuana, meth, ecstasy, a firearm, and a vehicle.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says over the years the area has seen various arrests linked to prostitution, but the human trafficking factor takes the arrests to the next level.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…not a victimless crime.”

Seventeen people have now been tested for COVID-19 in Louisiana with one presumptive case being a resident in Jefferson Parish. Those coronavirus fears have many lawmakers at the Capitol avoiding the customary hugs and glad-handing, but Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says not everyone is afraid of a handshake.

Cut 8 (09) “…over there”

Typically drivers start seeing increases at the pump this time of year, but that isn’t the case in 2020. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Louisiana has its first presumptive case of coronavirus and an email to VA employees indicates the patient has been hospitalized at the VA Medical Center in New Orleans since Friday. Governor John Bel Edwards says now is not the time to panic, instead, get prepared.
Cut 7 (09) “…them to do.”
The state health department has asked people who came in contact with the patient to self-isolate for 14 days.

Fears over the Coronavirus are limiting travel and gas prices are falling as demand declines. GasBuddy-dot-com petroleum analyst Allison Mac says the statewide average is $2.07 for a gallon of regular gasoline and falling…
cut 6 (11) “….the state average”

At the state capitol, it’s the first day of committee hearings as the 2020 regular session is underway. Governor John Bel Edwards is once again supporting legislation to raise the minimum wage…
cut 11 (12) “….in July”
National Federation of Independent Business state director Dawn Starns says it’s disappointing to hear Governor Edwards double down on pressing forward with minimum wage increases. Starns says the Governor’s attempt to fulfill a campaign promise will only result in lost jobs.
Cut 12 (07) “…next ten years.”

Authorities say an 18-year-old Pineville High School student has died in a fatal crash that happened in Avoyelles Parish on Sunday. Corry Barbay was pronounced dead at the scene.