Following closure since mid-March, casino guests are excited to get back on the gaming floor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Louisiana scores 190 million dollars from the feds to significantly expanding COVID-19 testing capacity. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak that’s infected about 100 people at three Acadiana crawfish farms.
The outbreaks are centered on dormitory housing for migrant workers. Crawfish Promotion Board Chairman David Savoy says these farm outbreaks are unlikely to spread into the local community.
Cut 3 (11) “…together.”
The outbreak was discovered as part of the state’s efforts to expand testing in congregate housing settings.
Savoy says the outbreak occurred at the end of the season and likely will not impact overall production.
Cut 4 (05)_ “…too great.”
Savoy says the workers live in communal spaces where social distancing is not possible and does not believe the industry could have done anything differently to avoid the outbreaks.
Cut 5 (09) “…cost.”
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Casinos are experiencing a promising start to reopening after being closed since mid-March. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says players are showing up and are not pushing back against virus spread mitigation efforts of wearing masks and social distancing.
Cut 6 (09) “ …the virus hit.”
Jones adds that people were lined up at the doors waiting on the casinos to reopen on Monday.
Jones says out of town guests are showing up since a majority of the state’s gaming tourism does not rely on air travel.
Cut 7 (11) “…some Louisiana folks.”
Properties are limited to 25% occupancy and can operate half of their gaming positions. Before guests are allowed on the gaming floor, they go through a temperature check, sanitize their hands, are given masks, and encouraged to wear them.
Two Boyd Gaming properties are set to reopen today, bringing the grand total to 13 casinos back in business. Jones says there is still a chance that Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier City, which had previously announced a permanent closure, may still reopen.
Cut 8 (08) “…back in business.”
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The feds award Louisiana 190 million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing.
Early on in the pandemic, it could be hard to get a test even if you thought you were exposed, but Congressman Garret Graves says once this funding is applied that will no longer be the case.
Cut 9 (09) “…tested.”
The money will also be used to establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure.
Governor Edwards has expressed optimism the state will move into Phase Two in June. Graves says this funding ensures we have the testing capacity to meet the federal benchmarks to do so.
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The money came to the state through legation passed by Congress three weeks ago that also refilled the Payroll Protection Program fund.
Graves says the level of testing this funding provides is vital to returning to some sense of normalcy before a vaccine is made.
Cut 11 (11) “…reemergence”
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The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. Brumley will fill the position once occupied by John White. The Sabine native was one of 21 applicants and during his interview, he described a team effort to improve public education
Cut 12 (11) “…those things”
Brumley has led Jefferson Parish Schools since 2018. Before that he spent six years as the superintendent of the DeSoto Parish School System which became an A-rated district under his watch.
Dr. Brumley says early childhood education is very important to him…
Cut 13 (13) “early brain”
Dr. Brumley on what he would like to see from teachers in the classroom…
Cut 14 (14) “…child faces”
BESE will now work to finalize a contract with Dr. Brumley.