The state reports three more deaths and 60 more coronavirus cases today in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports that brings our total to 257…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Attorney General Jeff Landry issued a statement that the Governor does have the authority to take certain actions to limit the size of public gatherings, suspend some legal deadlines and order restaurant and bars to limit service. Landry says the governor working with the Public Health Officer and the Secretary of the Department of Health has a broad scope of authority in a public health crisis to protect the public.

A capital region church is continuing to hold 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 telling them next time it’ll be the National Guard that will disband the gathering.

Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  

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” 

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The state reports three more deaths and 60 more coronavirus cases today in Louisiana. Jeff Palermo reports that brings our total to 257…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A capital region church is continuing to hold 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 telling them next time it’ll be the National Guard that will disband the gathering.

Cut 3 (11)  “…enforce upon us.”  

The church had an attendance of over 1,100 from 5 parishes on Sunday, which is about normal.

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 is politically motivated, adding the church will not have its freedom of assembly taken away.

Cut 5 (08)  “…back to normal.”

The church’s most recent service on Tuesday night drew over 300 people.
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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 6th

Cut 6 (07) “…is going.”

The amounts would depend on income and family and the two potential cash infusions will cost 250-billion dollars each.

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”

Cassidy, a doctor, says he supports Governor Edwards’ dramatic measures to close down schools, restaurants and bars. He’s been in contact with hospitals to make sure they are ready as the virus is showing no signs of slowing down…

Cut 8 (15) “…bed capaicty.”

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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″

SNAP sends benefits to roughly 770,000 Louisiana residents currently.

Despite the increased work needed to process all the new applications, Walters does not foresee any disruptions to the usual distribution calendar.

Cut 10 (09) “office”

If you’re one of those new applicants, Walters says the best way to find out about benefits is to text to 898-211, or…

Cut 11 (11) “concerns”

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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 third fatality today has been reported today in Jefferson Parish bringing our total to seven. 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.

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 tests 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.

The governor also says he’s requested Small Business Administration disaster loan assistance for all 64 parishes and he’s suspended eviction and foreclosure notices for now to prevent homelessness

Cut 14 (06) “…make their payments.”

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.”