Legislative Report/530 PM News LRN

Legislation banning drivers from holding their cell phones while on the road sails through the Senate and is headed to the House. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says his bill is about public safety, but it would also save everyone in Louisiana money on their car insurance…

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Opponents have called the restriction too burdensome and vague, but McMath says he has worked hard to clean the bill up…

Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”

And for those concerned about its potential impact on civil liberties he says the bill…

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

A House Committee, on near-unanimous votes, approves three gun rights bills that will now advance to the House Floor.

One of the bills would allow people to enter churches with concealed handguns if they have a permit. Another bill would largely erase a local jurisdiction’s ability to limit where guns can be carried, overturning local ordinances and restricting those limitations to state government. The final piece of legislation would limit the Governor and other state official’s ability to regulate the sale of guns and ammo under a state of emergency.

Lawmakers congratulated Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie on her department’s deft handling of record-breaking numbers of unemployment insurance claims. Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain says…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

And Haughton Representative Dodie Horton thanked LWC for agreeing to implement work search requirements in the coming weeks…

Cut 5 (11)  “…balance.”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will not be the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says that decision will be made by the SEC and university leaders. He says they are planning for numerous scenarios
Cut 12 (11) “…on that”

LSU is hoping the players can return to campus in June. Coach Ed Orgeron is looking forward to quarterback Myles Brennan leading the offense.
cut 19 (18) “…pressure on him”

The full Senate has approved a bill giving voters a chance to decide if they want sports betting legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if his proposal gets full legislative approval, the proposition will appear on the November ballot
Cut 16 (13) “…moving forward.”
The proposal heads to the House for more consideration.

Even though Louisiana is moving into phase one of reopening, the LHSAA announces that offseason workouts will not begin until at least June 8th. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says the delay gives schools more time to make sure they have all the proper safety measures in place.

McNeese has ended its search for a new athletics director, because of a decline in revenues from no spring sports. The school plans for a full fall sports season and a new search during the 2020-21 academic year.

4:30 PM Newscast

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 827 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day case count increase in over a month, due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting over 600 cases from tests as far back as March. Total cases: 33,489. Total fatalities: 2,351, up by 36.

Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene
Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”
Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus.

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will be the SEC and university leaders, not the NCAA, who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June and says the football coaches returned to their offices about two weeks ago

Cut 14 (10) “…back in shape”

330 PM LRN News

Many businesses are prepped and ready for the gradual restart of the Louisiana economy set to begin tomorrow as the Governor releases an official proclamation today declaring the stay at home order is ending Friday, and Phase One will begin. Edwards says the social distancing regulations and limits on capacity to 25 percent are all part of keeping the rate of transmission for COVID-19 as close to one or lower as possible. He thanks residents for getting us this far…

Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

A bill banning drivers from touching their cell phones flies through the Senate and is headed to the House. Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Louisiana sees 40,000 new unemployment insurance applications last week, down from 50,000 new applications the week before. The record-breaking case application numbers are being processed by Louisiana Workforce Commission, whose executive director Ava Dejoie received rave reviews from a House Committee earlier today. One of those came from Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

Today the US reported three million new unemployed workers, bringing to national total to 36.5 million.

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will be the SEC, not the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says it’s also too soon to decide if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium for potential games

Cut 13 (10) “of things”  

230 PM LRN News

The state sees another 40,000 new residents file for unemployment and as of last week 325,000 qualified beneficiaries were paid out. Many lawmakers appear to be impressed with the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s ability to handle the record-breaking crush of applications, including Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox who thanked executive director Ava Dejoie at a Committee hearing earlier today…

Cut 3 (07)  “appropriately.”  

One LWC model predicts the trust fund paying out state benefits only has about another four months of money in it if claims were to remain at current levels, but those claims could dip as the state enters Phase One of the limited economic reopening tomorrow.

Bars, spas, and a few other sectors won’t be starting up Friday, and Louisiana Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says it’s just not safe to open those businesses yet…

Cut 10 (12) “…the state.”

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will not be the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says that decision will be made by the SEC and university leaders. He says they are planning for numerous scenarios

Cut 12 (11) “…on that”

Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June.

Covington Senator Patrick McMath’s legislation banning drivers from touching their cell phone while driving breezes through the Senate and is headed to the House floor. Some opponents raised concerns that the potential new law would give police the authority to violate constitutional property rights just for seeing you fiddling with your phone, but McMath says…

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

McMath says Louisiana’s current law prohibiting texting and driving is impossible to enforce because if the police pull someone over for texting and driving, a driver can say they were using the phone for some other function.

LRN PM Newscall May 14

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

Governor Edwards says as the state begins to reopen its economy, it’s important to remember we are still battling a public health crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________________

Louisiana sees 40,000 new unemployment insurance claims last week and the House Labor Committee tells Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie her department is handling the crush of claims well.

Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox is impressed…

Cut 3 (07)  “appropriately.”  

The increase of 40,000 new claimants is lower than the previous week’s increase of 50,000 new claimants.

Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain passed along his constituent’s thanks…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

Today the US reported three million unemployed workers, bringing to national total to 36.5 million.

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton thanked LWC for agreeing to implement work search requirements in the coming weeks…

Cut 5 (11)  “…balance.”

As of last week, 325,000 qualified for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana.

_________________________________________________

Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene

Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”

Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus. He says if too many people go beyond what the CDC and state health department recommends, we will be back to square one

Cut 7 (10) “.would”

The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 23-hundred and the state is reporting over 33-thousand cases as the state prepares to reopen a portion of its economy. Edwards says the rate of transmission in some parts of the state is lower than one and he hopes to keep it that way

Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

_______________________

The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.

McMath says he has spent a significant amount of time drafting the legislation to make it less burdensome on drivers when it comes to being able to still utilize the phone in the vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”

McMath says Louisiana’s current law prohibiting texting and driving is impossible to enforce because if the police pull someone over for texting and driving, a driver can say they were using the phone for some other function.

McMath says there is language in the bill to prevent a cell phone violation from leading to a violation of constitutional rights.

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

_____________________________

LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will not be the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says that decision will be made by the SEC and university leaders. He says they are planning for numerous scenarios

Cut 12 (11) “…on that”

Ausberry says it’s also too soon to decide if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium for games

Cut 13 (10) “of things”  

Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June. He says the football coaches returned to their offices about two weeks ago

Cut 14 (10) “…back in shape”

1:30 PM Newscast

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance, placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 827 new COVID-19 cases, the biggest single-day case count increase in over a month, due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting over 600 cases from tests as far back as March. Total cases: 33,489. Total fatalities: 2,351, up by 36.

Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially lift the stay at home order tomorrow, which will loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus. He says if people do not follow the CDC and state health department recommendations, we will be back to square one…
Cut 7 (10) “.would”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the state’s historical sites, and 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks have lots of cancellations, so there has never been a better time for locals to enjoy what state parks have to offer.

Cut 13 (09) “…by Louisiana residents.” 

State Parks will begin taking reservations on Friday.

12:30 PM Newscast

The state reports its biggest single-day COVID-19 case count increase since April 10, with 827 new cases. The large increase is due in part to an influx of old results from labs that are just now being reported, including a large lab reporting 609 cases administered as early as March. Total cases: 33,489. 36 new fatalities bring the state’s death toll to 2,351.

Governor Edwards says as the state begins to reopen its economy, it’s important to remember we are still battling a public health crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

 

The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says he has spent a significant amount of time drafting the legislation to make it less burdensome on drivers when it comes to being able to still utilize a phone while in a vehicle.
Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”
Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks are incentivizing residents to staycation and check out all the trails, the fishing, and more.

Cut 14 (12) “…4th night free (x2).”

All out-of-state bookings at state parks have been canceled through phase one of the economic reopening

11:30 AM Newscast

The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.
Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__
Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.
Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene
Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”
Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus.

Not every buisiness will be open for buisiness Friday when the stay at home order lifts. Matt Doyle has more on why places like bars will remain closed…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says the park rangers and attendants will be on the job as visitors come to the parks.

Cut 15 (11)“…back to Louisiana.”

10:30 AM Newscast

Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen Friday. Barbershops and salons have been closed since March, so the backlog of those in need of a haircut may create the need for extended business hours.  Director of the State Board of Cosmetology Steve Young says that should not be an issue.
Cut 5 (09)  “…sure many will.”
Mask-wearing and other spread mitigation efforts will be mandated during a hair appointment.
Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 23-hundred and the state is reporting nearly 33-thousand cases as the state prepares to reopen a portion of its economy. Edwards says the rate of transmission in some parts of the state is lower than one and he hopes to keep it that way.
Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

Some business advocates are frustrated that tattoo parlors, bars, and spas will not be allowed to open for business Friday.  But Louisiana Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says it’s just not safe to open those sectors yet, and cited White House guidelines recommending places like bars remain closed.  Billioux says some establishments, like restaurants, lend themselves well to adapting to social distancing guidelines, and some business models just could not make it work.

Cut 12 (11) “…that setting”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the state’s historical sites, and 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks have lots of cancellations, so there has never been a better time for locals to enjoy what state parks have to offer.

Cut 13 (09) “…by Louisiana residents.” 

State Parks will begin taking reservations on Friday.