Corrected LRN AM Newscall April 1

Gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers have been given the green light to eligibility to apply for unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The 54 new COVID-19 deaths reported yesterday were by far the largest total of deaths the state has seen in any 24 hour period. Matt Doyle has reaction from the Governor…

Cut 2 (30) “…Matt Doyle ” 

___________________________________________

The District Attorney is now faced with prosecuting Rev. Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central for violating the Governor’s Proclamtion. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

____________________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has given the green light to eligibility for gig economy workers such as Uber and Lyft drivers to apply for unemployment assistance.  LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says if someone has recently applied and been denied, for being a 1099 employee, waiter or waitress, or rideshare driver, eligibility will be retroactive.

Cut  4 (10)_ “…of your filing”

Dejoie says the funds aren’t available to pay out to applicants yet as LWC has not received the money from the feds.

Cut 5 (05)  “…no longer working.”

Dejoie says there is no rush for filing as the payments will be retroactive to when employment was halted.

Cut 6 (12) “…process for everyone”

____________________________________________

Louisiana reported its biggest increase in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in a 24 hours period yesterday, evidence that the state has yet to begin flattening the curve. 1,212 new positive tests were reported and 54 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those who haven’t been socially distancing…

Cut 7 (07) “…right now”

Edwards adds that the state has doubled its total number of cases and use of ventilators since March 26th.

The new numbers put the state above 5,000 total cases. Edwards says the jump in cases and deaths is alarming.

Cut 8 (09) “…gets.”

The New Orleans region is now on pace to run out of ventilators by April 4th, and hospital beds by April 7th.

The Governor says these numbers are likely the result of infections that occurred before the statewide stay at home order, so there may be some good news coming soon.

Cut 9 (09) “days″
______________________________________________

Rev Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central was issued a summons Tuesday on six counts of violating of the Governor’s order of large gatherings. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore says even though Spell wasn’t taken into custody it serves the same as an arrest.  Moore says when the governor issues such orders violators can be penalized.

Cut 10 (08) “…calls for.”

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran issued the summons on Tuesday after Rev Spell continued to hold services at the church in which congregation averaged 11-hundred members. Moore explains why Spell received six counts.

Cut 11 (11) “…different days.”

Rev. Spell will be formally charged today but due to the virus the courts are suspended temporarily, and Moore says when a hearing will be held remains to be seen.

Cut 12 (07) “…arraignment”

_________________________________________

There’s widespread frustration about how long it can take to get results back for a coronavirus test, but at the Tulane Medical Center Laboratories tests only take four hours.

Medical Director Dr. Byron Crawford says initially the only FDA approved test was a manual procedure, but the feds recently OK’d a new procedure using equipment Tulane has on-site.

Cut 13 (07) “…hours.”

They run tests in two batches a day for a total of about 200 tests a day for patients who go to University Medical Center or Tulane Medical Center.

Crawford says this kind of equipment is vital because it allows hospitals to quickly process which patients have COVID-19, and which don’t.

Cut 14 (11) “…equipment.”

Crawford says he’s confident this kind of technology will be widely available to other medical centers, and soon.

Cut 15 (08)“…patients”

The project is a joint venture by Tulane, LSU School of Medicine, Children’s Medical Center, and UMC, with the equipment provided by Roche.

5:30 PM Newscast

The Louisiana Health Department reports over 12-hundred new cases and 54 additional deaths to bring our total COVID 19 cases to 5,237 and 239 deaths. Since the state is showing no signs of flattening the curve. Edwards have now requested double the hospital beds for the Morial Convention Center in New Orleans. Governor John Bel Edwards plans to extend his stay at home order until April 30th, which means schools will remain closed for at least the next month. The state has already waived standardized tests for this year, but what if school does not resume this year. How can you decide if a child should be promoted to the next grade or if they are eligible to graduate high school?  Edwards says the state department of education is trying to figure out those questions…
Cut 13 (07) “…young people”
The Bonnet Carre Spillway may be opened later this week due to forecasts of the river rising above flood stage.

Legislators returned to the state capitol today, introduced some bills and left about an hour later. It’s unclear when they’ll return. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says because of the uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak, they are not setting a return date
Cut 14 (11) “…come back”
The 2020 legislative session must conclude by June 1st and a budget must be approved by July 1st.
Due to Louisiana’s hotbed of COVID-19 cases, Texas’s Governor is attempting to mitigate the spread with a mandate requiring a quarantine for Louisiana travelers coming into the Lone Star State. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says anyone who has a previously scheduled medical trip along with a few other exemption statuses can skip the quarantine.
Cut 8 (09) “…apply to them.”
Dwight adds that he has not heard about any checkpoints at the Texas line.

4:30 PM Newscast

 

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to extend his stay at home order until April 30th, which means schools will remain closed for at least the next month. The academic year is scheduled to be completed in May. Edwards says acting state superintendent Beth Scioneaux is working to develop a plan

Cut 12 (10) “…of things”

Due to Louisiana’s hotbed of COVID-19 cases, Texas’s Governor is attempting to mitigate the spread with a mandate requiring a quarantine for Louisiana travelers coming into the Lone Star State. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says Louisiana travelers need to fill out a form from Texas Department of Public Safety before embarking on their trip.

Cut 7 (10) “…14-day quarantine station.”

Legal ramifications have come down on Rev. Tony Spell, the pastor at the helm of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central that has repeatedly defied the Governor’s ban on large gatherings with congregations regularly exceeding 1,100.  Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell was charged with six counts of violation of the emergency order.

Cut 10 (11) “…him this week.”

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer seniors concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health Sciences will be on the call to answer health-related questions.

Cut 3 (10)  “… be doing”  

4:45 LRN Sportscast

During an interview on ESPN’s morning television show “Get Up”, Saints Coach Sean Payton said 2020 will be Drew Brees final season. Brees signed a two-year contract earlier this month, but the final year on the deal is voidable. Payton says back-up Taysom Hill views himself as a starting Q-B and so do the Saints.

NFL owners voted today to expand the number of playoff teams to 14, one additional team from each conference will get in the postseason. The team with the best record in each league will get a first-round bye. So on wildcard weekend, there will be three playoff games Saturday and three more Sunday.

And the NFL’s president and general counsel Jeff Pash said today it’s there expectation that the season will start on time, with fans in the stands, despite the global coronavirus pandemic. They plan to release a full schedule by May 9th.

The H-B-O documentary “The Scheme” airs tonight and we are expecting to hear the FBI wiretaps that reportedly feature LSU basketball coach Will Wade talking with middleman Christian Dawkins about payments for recruits. Dawkins has been convicted for helping to funnel thousands of dollars between college basketball programs and recruits. So far Wade and LSU have avoided an NCAA investigation, but LSU beat reporter Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network says that could change after tonight’s documentary airs…
cut 17 (20) “…court of law
The documentary airs at 8 PM.

NCAA President Mark Emmert announces that he and his top executives will take a 20-percent pay cut as a result of lost revenues. Last week the NCAA announced that its distribution to Division One schools this year will go from 600 million dollars to 225 million dollars.

3:30 LRN Newscast March 31

A Central pastor is charged with six counts of violating of the Governor’s emergency order after continuing to hold services with congregations of over 11-hundred people.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The Louisiana Health Department reports over 12-hundred new cases and 54 additional deaths to bring the total COVID 19 cases to 5,237 and 239 deaths. The Governor plans to extend his stay at home order to April 30th.

Legislators returned to the state capitol today, introduced some bills and left about an hour later and it’s unclear when they’ll return. The 2020 legislative session must conclude by June 1st and a budget must be approved by July 1st. The chambers were not full as the legislators present practiced social distancing.  House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says at this point it’s better to be flexible on a return date

Cut 15 (08)“…to work.”

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting tomorrow to answer seniors’ concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says they wanted to hold it call for not just members but everyone, especially people in outlying areas of the state, to make sure they are aware of resources during this critical period.

Cut 5 (11)  “…they are.”

PM Newscall March 31

Texas tightens restrictions on travelers from Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

A Central pastor is charged with six counts of violation of the Governor’s emergency order after continuing to hold services with congregations of over 1,100.  Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer seniors concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health Sciences will be on the call to answer health-related questions.

Cut 3 (10)  “… be doing”  

Bottcher says LaVonda Dobbs of 211 will also be on the call to speak about services that are available to seniors.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…SNAP benefits.”

Bottcher says they wanted to hold the Telephone Town Hall for not just members but everyone, especially people in outlying areas of the state, to make sure they are aware of resources during this critical period

Cut 5 (11)  “…they are.”

The call is open for anyone to participate in. To do so you call 1-877-229-8493. It will take place at 10:10 am.

__________________________________________

Due to Louisiana’s hotbed of COVID-19 cases, Texas’s Governor is attempting to mitigate the spread with a mandate requiring a quarantine for Louisiana travelers coming into the Lone Star State. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says the mandate does not close the border.

Cut 6 (07) “…roadway in Louisiana.”

The 14 days will be done at a quarantine station of the traveler’s choosing and they can only leave for medical treatment. Travelers can also quit the quarantine any time they want and head back to Louisiana.

Dwight says Louisiana travelers need to fill out a form from Texas Department of Public Safety before embarking on their trip.

Cut 7 (10) “…14-day quarantine station.”

Dwight says anyone who has a previously scheduled medical trip along with a few other exemption statuses can skip the quarantine.

Cut 8 (09) “…apply to them.”

Dwight adds that he has not heard about any checkpoints at the Texas line.

____________________________________________________

Legal ramifications have come down on Rev. Tony Spell, the pastor at the helm of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central that has repeatedly defied the Governor’s ban on large gatherings with congregations regularly exceeding 1,100.  Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell has now been summoned.

Cut 9 (10) “…give his fingerprint.″

Spell has not been jailed for his actions.  Corcoran says they’ve tried to give Spell warnings before and attempted to resolve the manner by other means throughout the week.

Cut 10 (11) “…him this week.”

Corcoran says the public’s health and safety should priority number one and Spell’s continued actions were directly working against that.

Cut 11 (11) “…spread this virus.”

Another service is still on the schedule for Tuesday night.

________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to extend his stay at home order until April 30th, which means schools will remain closed for at least the next month. The academic year is scheduled to be completed in May. Edwards says acting state superintendent Beth Scioneaux is working to develop a plan

Cut 12 (10) “…of things”

The Advocate reports that a survey finds that 39 of Louisiana’s 69 school districts are offering online instruction.

The state has already waived standardized tests for this year, but what if school does not resume this year. How can you decide if a child should be promoted to the next grade or if they are eligible to graduate high school?  Edwards says the state department of education is trying to figure out those questions…

Cut 13 (07) “…young people”

______________________________________________________

Legislators returned to the state capitol today, introduced some bills and left about an hour later. It’s unclear when they’ll return. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says because of the uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak, they are not setting a return date

Cut 14 (11) “…come back”

The 2020 legislative session must conclude by June 1st and a budget must be approved by July 1st. The House and Senate chambers were not full today and the legislators present practiced social distancing. Schexnayder says at this point it’s better to keep flexible on a return date

Cut 15 (08)“…to work.”

PM LRN Newscall

Texas tightens restrictions on travelers from Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

A Central pastor is charged with six counts of violation of the Governor’s emergency order after continuing to hold services with congregations of over 1,100.  Matt Doyle has the story.

 

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer seniors concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health Sciences will be on the call to answer health-related questions.

Cut 3 (10)  “… be doing”  

Bottcher says LaVonda Dobbs of 211 will also be on the call to speak about services that are available to seniors.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…SNAP benefits.”

Bottcher says they wanted to hold the Telephone Town Hall for members not just members but everyone, especially people in outlying areas of the state, to make sure they are aware of resources during this critical period

Cut 5 (11)  “…they are.”

The call is open for anyone to participate in. To do so you call 1-877-229-8493. It will take place at 10:10 am.

__________________________________________

Due to Louisiana’s hotbed of COVID-19 cases, Texas’s Governor is attempting to mitigate the spread with a mandate requiring a quarantine for Louisiana travelers coming into the Lone Star State. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says the mandate does not close the border.

Cut 6 (07) “…roadway in Louisiana.”

The 14 days will be done at a quarantine station of the traveler’s choosing and they can only leave for medical treatment. Travelers can also quit the quarantine any time they want and head back to Louisiana.

Dwight says Louisiana travelers need to fill out a form from Texas Department of Public Safety before embarking on their trip.

Cut 7 (10) “…14-day quarantine station.”

Dwight says anyone who has a previously scheduled medical trip along with a few other exemption statuses can skip the quarantine.

Cut 8 (09) “…apply to them.”

Dwight adds that he has not heard about any checkpoints at the Texas line.

____________________________________________________

Legal ramifications have come down on Rev. Tony Spell, the pastor at the helm of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central that has repeatedly defied the Governor’s ban on large gatherings with congregations regularly exceeding 1,100.  Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell has now been summoned.

Cut 9 (10) “…give his fingerprint.″

Spell has not been jailed for his actions.  Corcoran says they’ve tried to give Spell warnings before and attempted to resolve the manner by other means throughout the week.

Cut 10 (11) “…him this week.”

Corcoran says the public’s health and safety should priority number one and Spell’s continued actions were directly working against that.

Cut 11 (11) “…spread this virus.”

Another service is still on the schedule for Tuesday night.

________________________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards plans to extend his stay at home order until April 30th, which means schools will remain closed for at least the next month. The academic year is scheduled to be completed in May. Edwards says acting state superintendent Beth Scioneaux is working to develop a plan

Cut 12 (10) “…of things”

The Advocate reports that a survey finds that 39 of Louisiana’s 69 school districts are offering online instruction.

The state has already waived standardized tests for this year, but what if school does not resume this year. How can you decide if a child should be promoted to the next grade or if they are eligible to graduate high school?  Edwards says the state department of education is trying to figure out those questions…

Cut 13 (07) “…young people”

______________________________________________________

Legislators returned to the state capitol today, introduced some bills and left about an hour later. It’s unclear when they’ll return. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says because of the uncerainity around the COVID-19 outbreak, they are not setting a return date

Cut 14 (11) “…come back”

The 2020 legislative session must conclude by June 1st and a budget must be approved by July 1st. The House and Senate chambers were not full today and the legislators present practiced social distancing. Schexnayder says at this point it’s better to keep flexible on a return date

Cut 15 (08)“…to work.”

______________________________________________________

 

 

Cut 16  (12)  …so forth” 

 

________________________________

 

230PM LRN News

A Pentecostal Pastor in Central has been issued a summons after repeatedly holding services of over a thousand people in defiance of the Governor’s shelter in place order. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the public’s health and safety should priority number one and Tony Spell’s continued actions were directly working against that.

Cut 11 (11) “…spread this virus.”

Another service is still on the schedule for tonight.

Legislators returned to the state capitol today, introduced some bills and left about an hour later. It’s unclear when they’ll return. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says because of the uncertainty around the COVID-19 outbreak, they are not setting a return date

Cut 14 (11) “…come back”

The 2020 legislative session must conclude by June 1st and a budget must be approved by July 1st. 

Due to Louisiana’s hotbed of COVID-19 cases, Texas’s Governor is attempting to mitigate the spread with a mandate requiring a quarantine for Louisiana travelers coming into the Lone Star State. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says the mandate does not close the border.

Cut 6 (07) “…roadway in Louisiana.”

The 14 days will be done at a quarantine station of the traveler’s choosing and they can only leave for medical treatment. Travelers can also quit the quarantine any time they want and head back to Louisiana.

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer seniors concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says LaVonda Dobbs of 211 will also be on the call to speak about services that are available to seniors.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…SNAP benefits.”

The call takes place at 10:10 AM

1:30 LRN Newscast March 31

Legal ramifications have come down on Rev. Tony Spell, the pastor at the helm of the Life Tabernacle Church in Central that has repeatedly defied the Governor’s ban on large gatherings.  Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran (Cork oh ran)  says Spell has now been summoned.

Cut 9 (10) “…give his fingerprint.″

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer seniors concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health Sciences will answer health-related questions and LaVonda Dobbs of 211 will also be on the call to speak about services that are available to seniors across the state.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…SNAP benefits.”

The latest numbers from The Louisiana Health Department reports over 12-hundred new cases and 54 additional deaths to bring our total COVID 19 cases to 5,237 and 239 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says since the state is showing no signs of flattening the curve, he plans to extend the stay at home order to April 30th.

Texas tightens restrictions on travelers from Louisiana.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

12:30 LRN Newscast

The Louisiana Health Department reports over 12-hundred new cases and 54 additional deaths to bring our total COVID 19 cases to 5,237 and 239 deaths. Since the state is showing no signs of flattening the curve, Governor John Bel Edwards plans to extend his stay at home order beyond April 13th to April 30th…
cut 10 (11) “…are on”

Starting today all food stamp recipients in Louisiana will automatically receive the maximum benefit, which will impact 265-thousand households in Louisiana. Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says work requirements and interviews with caseworkers are also being waived…
cut 25 (05) “…about that”
Walters says many food stamp recipients should see their snap cards uploaded with additional benefits tonight and it will be loaded again on April 17th.

Texas is requring that Louisiana residents who come into their state self quarantine for 14 days. Louisiana State Police Trooper Dustin Dwight says the 14 days will be done at a quarantine station of the traveler’s choosing and there’s a form you can fill out with the Texas Department of Public Safety…
cut 7 (10) “…14-day quarantine station”
Dwight says this order does not prohibit or limit a motorists’ ability to travel into Texas for scheduled medical treatment.

AARP Louisiana is holding a Telephone Town Hall Meeting Wednesday to answer senior’s concerns about the coronavirus. State Director Denise Bottcher says Dr. Benjamin Springgate with LSU Health Sciences will be on the call to answer health-related questions.
Cut 3 (10) “… be doing”
To participate, call 1-877-229-8493 the call will take place as 10:10 am.