The state has reported an additional presumptive case of the coronavirus bringing our total to 14. The office of Public Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says 11 of the cases are from Orleans Parish…
cut 5 (12) “…New Orleans area”
The other patients are from Jefferson, Lafourche and Caddo Parish. Iberia Parish was once on the list, but it has been removed.

Congress is seeking to pass an economic stimulus package to prevent a prolonged economic slowdown. President Trump has proposed a payroll tax cut. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s unsure about the idea.
Cut 7 (10) “…anyway”

LSU is encouraging the campus community not to travel for Spring Break…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The NBA has suspended its season, fans are not allowed at NCAA Basketball Tournament games, including the women’s Final Four in New Orleans. The SEC will not have fans at games on their campuses through March 30th. The LHSAA is still allowing fans to watch state basketball tournament games at the Burton Coliseum in Lake Charles. But that’s subject to change.

Governor John Bel Edwards has said we’ll see updated coronavirus case numbers at 9 AM. But as of 9 AM today the number of cases is holding steady at 13. Ten of the patients are from Orleans, one from Jefferson, one from LaFourche and one from Caddo Parish.

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is asking the public not to visit their loved ones in a nursing home. Matt Doyle spoke with LSU Health New Orleans about the request…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

In an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus, Tulane, Loyola, and UNO have transitioned to online classes. LSU is still holding regular classes, but they’ve asked students and faculty not to travel for spring break. Shola from Baton Rouge has scrapped her travel plans. She says developments in recent days have changed her outlook on just how serious the virus is.
Cut 14 (11) “…get a notification.”

The Dow Jones Industrial Average has lost another two-thousand point today and for the second time, this week trading has been halted after triggering a circuit breaker. Some employers are asking their workers to work from home. We haven’t seen schools close because of the pandemic, Senator Bill Cassidy says that could lead to a parent losing income…
cut 9 (08) “….child”

State officials announce the number of presumptive cases of coronavirus in Louisiana has grown to 13. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The NBA is suspending its season until further notice. As of now, the NCAA Basketball Tournament will be played, but fans will not be allowed in arenas. That includes the women’s final four in New Orleans April third and fifth. The SEC has also decided to keep fans away for its contests through March 30th.

There are three presumptive positive COVID-19 cases at a New Orleans retirement home. This news, plus the deadly outbreak connected with a Seattle-area nursing home prompted the Louisiana Nursing Home Association to prohibit the public from entering their facilities until further notice. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Fred Lopez says that means even if you aren’t showing symptoms…
Cut 10 (07) “…transmitting it.”

Spring Break is coming and LSU is asking students and faculty to consider canceling any travel plans they may have. Some of the students we spoke with say they are now staying put. Reese from New Orleans says his Spring Break travel plans have already fallen through due to a Miami music festival cancelation.
Cut 13 (09) “…first world problem.”
LSU says they know some students will travel, so they are considering whether to close school for awhile after spring break.

Governor John Bel Edwards has declared a public health emergency as the state is reporting 13 presumptive cases of coronavirus. Three residents of the Lambeth House, a retirement center in New Orleans have tested positive and Louisiana nursing homes are restricting access into their facilities. An outbreak at a Seattle-nursing home has resulted in at least 15 deaths LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Fred Lopez says we can’t let that happen here.
Cut 11 (11) “…of COVID-19.”

Congress is seeking to pass an economic stimulus package to prevent a prolonged economic slowdown. President Trump has proposed a payroll tax cut. Senator Bill Cassidy says he’s unsure about the idea.
Cut 7 (10) “…anyway”

LSU is encouraging the campus community not to travel for Spring Break…
Cut 3 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The NBA has suspended its season, fans are not allowed at NCAA Tournament games, including the women’s Final Four in New Orleans. The SEC will not have fans at games on their campuses through March 30th. Governor Edwards says, unfortunately, these decisions are necessary…
cut 6 (12) “….with local governments”

Louisiana now has 13 presumptive cases of COVID-19, a number that’s ballooned from just one reported case Monday. We now have coronavirus cases in St. Tammany, LaFourche, Iberia and Caddo parishes. The elderly are at risk for the most devastating impacts of the virus, so Governor Edwards says recent developments at a New Orleans nursing home are concerning.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…Lambeth House.”
Louisiana nursing homes are screening visitors and restricting who can enter their facilities.

Tulane, Loyola, and UNO have transitioned to online classes. LSU has yet to do so. A student by the name of Gabe from Lafayette says he has no issue if the university decided to halt on-campus classes…
cut 15 (10) “….that pretty easily”

With public events being canceled, travel being restricted and the possibility of people being quarantined and not working, the nation’s economy is expected to take a downturn. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy says the best way to avoid an economic slowdown would be if Congress approved a robust infrastructure package…
cut 8 (12) “….jobs”

The Coronavirus is affecting sporting events. The NBA has suspended its season. The SEC will not allow fans at its sporting contests through March 30th. The boys basketball state tournament in Lake Charles continues with fans, but that may change.

Governor Edwards declares a public health emergency as the state now has 13 presumptive cases of COVID-19, a number that’s ballooned from just one reported case Monday. Cases are now being found around the state, and community spread is thought to be occurring.

The nationwide spread prompted a historic decision by the NCAA to bar fans from attending all Men’s and Women’s NCAA tournament games, including the Women’s final four set for April 3^rd and fifth in New Orleans.

Tulane, Loyola, and UNO have also announced they are transitioning to online teaching.

Edwards says there’s also a concerning development at a New Orleans nursing home…

30

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is criticizing New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrel’s decision to cancel several city events, including the St. Patrick’s Day Parade set to roll this weekend. Nungesser says until the Governor or feds call for events to be canceled such a declaration is only going to hurt the tourism industry, and tell tourists that Louisiana is not open for business.

Cut 14 (08) “…New Orleans.”

To compensate for potentially declining international tourism, the Lt. Governor plans to reallocate advertising to areas within driving distance of the state.

With the cancellation of those New Orleans events there’s growing interest in whether or not other major festivals like French Quarter, or Jazz Fest, would also be axed. State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says those are being looked at, but there’s one event in particular that is concerning…

Cut 5 (09)  “…festival.”

COVID-19 was the talk of the Capitol as the Senate Health and Welfare Committee took the lead in questioning the Louisiana Department of Health’s State Health Officer crucial questions that need to be answered as the number of coronavirus infections in Louisiana continues to rise.

The committee raised concerns about the state’s upcoming festival season that’s jam packed with big gatherings in public spaces.  State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says there’s one festival in particular that may be problematic.

Cut 5 (09)  “…festival.”

Other health officials at the meeting begged business owners to prepare work-from-home options, and to not pressure workers into coming in sick.  Guidry says know that your workforce is likely to shrink…

Cut 4 (11)_ “…of operations”

COVID fears aside Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the legislature will have a bitter fight this session over the right for local governments to sue oil and gas companies for damage to their coastlines. The oil lobby is pushing hard for the change. Pinsonat says it would likely result in fewer suits filed against the industry.

Cut 13 (10) “…companies.” AM AM

Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says the clock is ticking to comply with the federal legislation.

Cut 6 (10) “…law is presently.”

The federal law holds retailers responsible for underage sales, and applies to vape sales as well.

The NCAA says March Madness games, including the women’s Final Four in New Orleans, will be played without spectators in attendance.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed concerns that COVID-19 could cause a significant disruption in the state’s tourism industry. Nungesser says he doesn’t see a need to announce any festival cancellations unless the feds or Governor call for cancellations. He says we owe it to the industry not to disrupt tourism unless necessary.
Cut 12 (10) “…trip.”

State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six. The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle the virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home.
Cut 3 (09)  “…older person”  

Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says he could foresee some pushback in getting the law pass.

Cut 8 (12) “…it into law.”

The law would apply to vape related products as well.

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in a case that fueled the global me-too movement and encouraged women to speak out against sexual assault and harassment. Weinstein was sentenced 20 years for first-degree criminal sexual act and three years for third-degree rape. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says today’s sentencing sends a message.

Cut 9 (09) “…assaulted.″