Louisiana Department of Health officials have tested eleven people for the coronavirus, and all have tested negative. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says the first thing doctors will test for is the flu, since the symptoms are so similar.

Cut 7 (13) “…at the soonest.”

Oil prices plummeted overnight and the price for a barrel of oil now sits in the low to mid 30s. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Dr. Eric Smith says a big part of the collapse is news that Russia and OPEC will both ramp up oil production in an apparent price war, suppressing global prices.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…below.”

That news led to a stock market collapse of seven percent, leading to the markets being halted for 15 minutes this morning.

The 2020 legislative session is underway.  Kevin Barnhart spoke with a political analyst on what we can except.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Two weeks after he was hit by a pitch in the head LSU designated hitter Gavin Dugas hit two, two-run home runs as the Tigers rallied to beat U-Mass Lowell six to four yesterday. The Tigers have won four straight since they were no-hit last Sunday.

Louisiana Tech was swept over the weekend as they dropped three at Wichita State. The Bulldogs rallied from an eight-run deficit but still lost to the Shockers 10 to nine yesterday.

McNeese avoided a sweep as they defeated ULM three to one yesterday. Reid Bourque hit a two-run homer. U-L Lafayette defeated Troy eight to four to win two of three in Pensacola.

Northwestern State won its opening Southland Conference series over Abilene Christian, while Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls both lost.

Five days after suffering a bad home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans got revenge last night beating the T-Wolves in Minnesota 120 to 107. Jrue Holiday had 37 points. New Orleans is four games back of the eighth-seeded Grizzlies in the Western Conference with 18 games to go.

In college basketball, the Ragin Cajuns have a second-round Sun Belt Tournament game tonight at Georgia Southern. The Eagles won their two meetings against U-L Lafayette earlier this season, including a 20-point win in Statesboro. Cajuns Coach Bob Marlin is looking forward to the challenge of winning a Sun Belt Tournament game on the road…
cut 18 (18) ” as well”
The winner will play at Georgia State in a quarterfinal game.

LSU is the three-seed in the SEC Tournament and the Tigers will play a quarterfinal game late Friday night in Nashville. Louisiana Tech will play in the Conference USA Tournament on Thursday night against either Marshall or UTEP.

The Southland Tournament gets underway Wednesday in Katy, Texas. Northwestern State faces Corpus Christi, while McNeese matches up with Lamar, who they just beat on Saturday to get into postseason play. Nicholls is a three-seed and they will have a second-round game on Thursday.

The 2020 legislative session gets underway this afternoon and passing legislation to lower auto insurance rates expects to be a major topic. Republicans say tort reform is one avenue towards lower rates. Matt Doyle spoke with advocates on both sides who laid their cases out….
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor John Bel Edwards will address a joint session of the House and Senate at 1 PM.

Louisiana Department of Health officials have tested eleven people for the coronavirus and all have tested negative. State immunization director Dr. Frank Welch says someone who experiences symptoms would first need to call their doctor to see if they fit the profile for someone in need of testing. If they do, special accommodations will be made.
Cut 6 (12) “…personal protective equipment.”

Oil prices plummeted nearly 30 percent overnight and the price for a barrel of oil its in the low to mid 30s. Associate Director of the Tulane Energy Institute Dr. Eric Smith says COVID-19 fears and worldwide overproduction could lead to a prolonged period where prices stay in the upper 20s, lower 30s per barrel.
Cut 3 (08) “…months”

The 2020 legislative session begins today and for many lawmakers, lowering auto insurance rates is a top priority. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says tort reform could be the answer as Louisiana has the highest jury trial threshold at 50-thousand dollars, which means a jury will not hear a case unless there are at least 50-thousand dollars in damages. He says this allows trial lawyers to judge shop for favorable venues…
cut 7 (09) “…system”

Over 11-hundred bills have been filed for the session that must end by June 1st. Sports betting and recreational marijuana are among the issues to be discussed. Political analyst Clancy Dubos expects to see a push to abolish the death penalty and other criminal justice bills…
cut 5 (08) “…the table”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-authoring legislation that he says will lead to bigger social security checks for teachers, first responders and other public servants who receive Social Security according to their work history. Cassidy says the bill will produce a better formula that allocates based on what workers earn throughout their lifetime…
cut 15 (10) “…should be”
Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states with is called a Windfall Provision.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation announces a three-year, $600,000 grant investment into the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe. Foundation President Michael Tipton says the money will lead to more cancer screenings, prevention and education programs in 12 parishes.
Cut 11 (11) “…the Delta region.”
Tipton says parishes in the Louisiana delta have some of the highest rates of cancer but also some of the latest-stage diagnoses.

State lawmakers return to the capitol for a three-month-long legislative session today. The biggest issue to be discussed is how to reduce auto insurance rates. Republican lawmakers will look to tort reform, including lowering the jury trial threshold from 50-thousand dollars as a way to lower rates. But Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl says lowering the threshold is just a handout to the business lobby…
cut 8 (12) “…rates”
Governor Edwards supports legislation that addresses the factors that lead to higher auto insurance rates, like a person’s credit score and whether they are single.

And the governor is also expected to push for a higher minimum wage and equal pay legislation. Political analyst Clancy Dubos doesn’t see these bills passing…
cut 6 (06) “…opposing them”
The session must end on June 1st.

Federal legislation is introduced that would undo a law penalizing Louisiana teachers and first responders when it comes to social security benefits. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation is providing a three-year, 600-thousand dollar grant to the Mary Bird Perkins Center in Monroe to increase cancer screenings in 12 northeast Louisiana parishes. Foundation President Michael Tipton this area has a high rate of late-stage cancer diagnoses…
cut 13 (12) “…outcomes for people”

Today marks the beginning of the 2020 legislative session. Kevin Barnhart spoke with a political analyst on what to expect.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Just over 11-hundred bills have been filed. The session gets underway at noon and it must end on June 1st.

Meanwhile, state health officials continue to monitor for coronavirus. Eight people have been tested for Covid-19, but the tests came back negative, so still no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Louisiana.

Senator Bill Cassidy has co-authored legislation that he says would replace a formula known as the Windfall Elimination Process, which is known for calculating Social Security benefits for teachers, first responders and other public servants. Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states to enforce the Windfall Provision, but he’s still confident the legislation will pass….
cut 16 (12) “….pass
Cassidy says the bill has the support of the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation has provided the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe with a 600-thousand dollar grant to increase cancer screenings. Foundation president Michael Tipton says the Louisiana delta has some of the highest rates of cancer, but also some of the late-stage diagnoses…
cut 12 (07) “….much better outcomes”

The 2020 legislative session begins today and is expected to be dominated by “tort reform” and whether lawsuit reform would actually lower auto insurance rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says Louisiana has the highest jury trial threshold at 50-thousand dollars, which means a jury will not hear a case unless there are at least 50-thousand dollars in damages. He says this allows trial lawyers to judge shop for favorable venues to get the largest payment for their client…
cut 7 (09) “…system”
Instead of lowering the jury trial threshold, Real Reform Louisiana is backing a series of bills that would end insurance rate discrimination policies that are banned in other states. Real Reform Louisiana spokesperson Eric Holl…
Cut 9 (13) “…credit score.″
The legislative session must end on June 1st.

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is co-authoring legislation that he says will lead to bigger social security checks for teachers, first responders and other public servants who receive Social Security according to their work history. Cassidy says the bill will produce a better formula that allocates based on what workers earn throughout their lifetime…
cut 15 (10) “…should be”
Cassidy says Louisiana is one of 16 states with is called a Windfall Provision.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana Foundation announces a three-year, $600,000 grant investment into the Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Monroe. Foundation President Michael Tipton says the money will lead to more cancer screenings, prevention and education programs in 12 parishes.
Cut 11 (11) “…the Delta region.”
Tipton says parishes in the Louisiana delta have some of the highest rates of cancer but also some of the latest-stage diagnoses.

Today marks the beginning of the 2020 legislative session. Over a third of the lawmakers are brand new, adding mystery as to which direction the session may go. Political analyst Clancy DuBos says what we do know is that there’s potential for a contentious debate over the state budget, even though legislators are not dealing with a deficit…
Cut 4 (09)_ “…money goes where.”
Governor Edwards is looking to increase state funding for public schools, higher ed, and pre-k education.

Several bills have been filed seeking to decrease auto insurance rates. Democrats in the legislature would like to pass bills that prohibit the use of a credit score or whether a person is single as factors for auto insurance rates. But Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says such legislation could have unintended consequences…
cut 10 (11) “…public”

Senator Bill Cassidy along with Texas Senator Ted Cruz have introduced legislation to make sure public sector workers like teachers and first responders receive Social Security benefits according to their work history. Cassidy says the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System backs the change, which would replace the current formula for calculating benefits.
Cut 14 (11) “…government.”
If passed, the changes would impact social security checks for current retirees.

State health officials say they’ve tested eight individuals for the Coronavirus and none of them came back positive. Still no confirmed Coronavirus cases in Louisiana.