The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. In Louisiana, there have been six presumptive cases of COVID-19 and Governor Edwards told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club that we expect to see more

Cut 15 (11) “…help anything.”

Edwards urges residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing, which includes not shaking hands.

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 objective is keeping tobacco out of kid’s hands.

Cut 7 (13) “…welfare of people.”

The Lt. Governor disagrees with New Orleans Mayor Layota Cantrell’s decision to cancel many city events in the face of a growing number of COVID-19 cases…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is recommending it’s members restrict access to facilities to avoid spreading COVID-19 to those most vulnerable to the virus. The statement from the LNHA asks the public not to visit a nursing home until further notice. Nursing homes in Louisiana will be expected to update their infection control procedures, and implement an extensive screening process for employees and visitors.

The state health department confirmed three new presumptive positive coronavirus cases last night to bring the total number of cases to six. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area, which prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel all St. Patrick’s Day Events. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says given the information from the CDC, he sees no reason to cancel any events or festivals…..
cut 14 (08) “….New Orleans”
Nungesser says the plan is for Jazz Fest to go on as scheduled in late April and early May. But state health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says there’s another festival that may need to be reconsidered…
cut 5 (09) “…festival”
Festival International is currently set for April 22nd-26th.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a meeting this afternoon with his Unified Command Group today to discuss the state’s response to coronavirus. The state currently has six presumptive positive cases of COVID-19 and Edwards told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club today that health officials try to determine when the patient contracted the virus…
cut 16 (12) “….so forth”
The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is asking the public not to visit nursing homes until further notice.

A New York judge has sentenced disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein to 23 years in prison in his rape case. The 67-year-old was facing 29 years. Kelli Knight with the Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault hopes Louisiana judges take notice…
cut 11 (09) “…with that”

State Health officials briefed the Senate health and welfare committee this morning on important questions related to COVID-19.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

State Police say 36-year-old Edward Young III of Lutcher was wounded late Tuesday in a shootout with sheriff’s deputies. Police say St. James Parish sheriff’s deputies encountered Young during an investigation shortly before midnight in Lutcher. Police didn’t say who shot first or what may have prompted the shooting.

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.”

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in a case that fueled the global me-too movement. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says on average one out of five women have been raped or sexually assaulted. Not every woman chooses to come forward or come forward immediately. Knight says the general public doesn’t understand the trauma of the situation.

Cut 10 (11) “…do it.”

The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. In Louisiana, there have been six presumptive cases of covid 19. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area. Louisiana’s Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry told state lawmakers that business owners should have work-from-home options and they should not pressure workers into coming in sick….
cut 4 (11) “…operations there”
Major public events surrounding St. Patrick’s Day and St. Joseph’s Day in New Orleans have been canceled in an effort to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser takes issue with that decision because he says we owe it to the industry not to disrupt tourism unless necessary.
Cut 12 (10) “…trip.”
Disgraced Hollywood mogul 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. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says today’s sentencing sends a message.
Cut 9 (09) “…assaulted.″

A Baton Rouge woman accused of stealing a truck with a dog inside and then abandoning the vehicle on a hot summer day, resulting in the canine dying, has pleaded to several criminal charges. 30-year-old Leslie Aguillard will be sentenced in June.

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 to virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home…

Cut 3 (09)  “…older person”  

Guidry says unless teachers begin to fall ill, or large numbers of students are infected, schools should maybe stay open.

While the focus of many may be on coronavirus, Louisiana is still dealing with an intense flu season. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says the seasonal flu should still not be taken lightly as it can be devastating for both younger and older people.

Cut 7 (09) “…in the country.”

Some of the biggest festivals in the nation are getting canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus.  The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival which, takes place over the course of ten days and welcomes around 400,000 visitors each year is still on.  State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says COVID-19 is not going to spread well in an open-air environment, but…

Cut 11 (07) “…and utensils.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the Capitol copes with the coronavirus. One of the bills requires healthcare workers to explain the side effects of vaccines and another would prevent employers from requiring vaccines.  Amedee says she is not sure whether or not the spread of COVID-19 will help or hurt her cause, but…

Cut 6 (12) “….the bills”

The state has seen six coronavirus cases so far, all in the New Orleans area.

The number of presumptive coronavirus cases in Louisiana is up to six after state health officials confirmed three more cases last night. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area, which prompted the city of New Orleans to cancel St. Patrick’s Day parades and other outdoor events. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health on how they are working with event organizers….
cut 10 (11) “…mutual decision”

There’s so much focus on the coronavirus, what’s happening with the flu? In a typical 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 statewide rates are outpacing that number.
Cut 8 (10) “…we’re at 9.8%.”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the state copes with the growing threat of coronavirus. Amedee says one of her bills mandates healthcare providers to provide patients more information about what is in their vaccines, and potential side effects.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…happening.”
Amedee says another one of her bills would prevent employers from requiring their workforce to be vaccinated.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says a bill that would prohibit local governments from filing lawsuits against energy companies because of damage to the coast could become a big issue in the 2020 session. Pinsonat says Governor Edwards supports the lawsuits, but there could be enough votes for this to pass…
cut 14 (11) “…veto”

The state health department has confirmed three new presumptive positive coronavirus cases to bring the total number of cases in the state to six. All of the patients are from the New Orleans area, which prompted Mayor LaToya Cantrell to cancel all St. Patrick’s Day Events. Doctor Frank Welch with the state office of public health says COVID-19 does not spread well in an open-air environment…
cut 11 (07) “….utensils”
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says given the information from the CDC, he sees no reason to cancel any events or festivals.

The Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Office says a body found yesterday is believed to be that of James Gunnels, an elderly man who has been missing since he left an assisted living facility in Alexandria about a month ago. His truck was found on Valentine’s Day in Morse and a farmer found his body several hundred yards away from his truck.

Coronavirus fears have taken attention away from the seasonal flu, but health officials warn it’s still necessary to be vigilant.
voicer 2 (32) “… I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Houma Representative Beryl Amedee has a bill in the legislative session that would prevent employers from requiring their employees to be vaccinated. She says this legislation was inspired by complaints from nursing students…
cut 5 (08) “….vaccines”
Anti-vaccine legislation is not expected to advance far in the legislature.