4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It results in the Black and Gold getting more salary-cap relief and Jenkins getting an opportunity to become a free agent after this season.

The Saints have announced the signing of cornerback Deatrick (DEE-trick) Nichols. Nichols played for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks this spring and led the league with three interceptions. The Miami native played his college ball at South Florida and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cardinals following the 2018 draft. In 2018, he played in two games with Arizona.

The Carolina Panthers have cut ties with quarterback Cam Newton giving the 2015 NFL MVP a chance to sign with any team. Newton has battled injuries since his MVP season and ESPN reports he passed a physical in Atlanta on Monday as his shoulder and foot checked out well.

The decision has been made to postpone the Summer Olympics in Japan by one year to 2021

3:30 LRN Newscast March 24

The newest numbers of COVID-19 cases from the state brings the total to 1,388 and 46 deaths. That’s an increase of 216 cases and 12 additional deaths. Of the current cases 271 are hospitalized and 94 of those patients require ventilators.  Governor Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the state to mitigate further spread. According to the Governor’s office, the current projections for hospitalization in the New Orleans area significantly exceeds capacity beginning April 4th.

It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. But Edwards says that doesn’t mean you lock yourself in your house, you can spend time outside in the year and playing with the kids

Cut 6 (05) “…encouraged”

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit to the doctor and it requires insurers to cover mental health telehealth services as well.

Cut 13 (12) “…psychiatrist”

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some local breweries and distilleries producing disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds and started making it today.

Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″

 

LRN Newscast 2:30

The number of Coronavirus cases rose sharply today to nearly 14-hundred and the death toll is up to 46.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit…
Cut 12 (12) “…rural areas”

Many Lousiana residents are at home obeying the governor’s stay at home order. Office of Public Health Medical Director Doctor Jim Hussey says stay away from consuming large amounts of alcohol…
cut 8 (09) “…health”

Some breweries have begun producing hand sanitizer that will be given to local doctors and retirement homes.…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau of Louisiana is warning residents not to respond to emails that say you are receiving a government check…
cut 5 (10) “…in there”
Albert says fraud schemes are running rampant with the COVID-19 outbreak.

LRN PM Newscall March 24

Scam artists are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, how can you protect yourself? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Some breweries have begun producing hand sanitizer that will be given to local doctors and retirement homes. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says con artists are using the phone, email and fake internet ads to sell all kinds of false goods.

Cut 3 (12)  “…in the mail.”  

Albert says if you have ordered something in the mail already, and it does show up she urges you not to use it because it could be extremely harmful to your health.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…they are.”

Another scam Albert warns of is a phishing email that says you are receiving a government check immediately requesting your bank account information.

Cut 5 (10)  “…in there.”

To report a fraud or scam related to COVID-19 call the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or email disaster@leo.gov. You can also check the Better Business Bureau’s website at bbb.org/scamtracker.

__________________________________________

It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. But Edwards says that doesn’t mean you lock yourself in your house, you can spend time outside in the year and playing with the kids

Cut 6 (05) “…encouraged”

Office of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Jim Hussey says to help stay sane and healthy during this period you should make a daily schedule, and keep to it.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional support.”

If you’ve had addiction issues, Hussey says now would definitely not be the time to restart old bad habits. He says if you’ve stopped smoking, don’t restart, and…

Cut 8 (09) “…health.”

____________________________________________________

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some local breweries and distilleries producing disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds and started making it today.

Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″

The brewery is purchasing spirits from a local distillery and chemicals from local suppliers.  Knott says the hand sanitizer isn’t for sale though.

Cut 10 (11) “…things like that.”

The initial batch will be 55 gallons.  Knott says the only thing standing in the way of making more is a slowdown in the supply chain.

Cut 11 (09) “…quite a bit more”

The brewery is known for making unique craft beers with Boudin.  Knott says once they get the product to all the first responders, they may look into making boutique hand sanitizers.

_________________________________

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit…

Cut 12 (12) “…rural areas”

Donelon says the emergency also requires insurers to cover mental health services via telemedicine to the extent they would cover in-person visits.

Cut 13 (12) “…psychiatrist”

Donelon says the order also waives restrictions requiring patients to only conduct telemedicine visits with providers in the insurer’s existing telemedicine network…

Cut 14 (09) “…telemedicine networks.”

Donelon says a patient will stay be required to pay a co-pay as they would for an in-person visit.

1:30 LRN Newscast March 24

The newest numbers of COVID-19 cases from the state brings the total to 1,388 and 46 deaths. That’s an increase of 216 case and 12 additional deaths. Of the current cases 271 are hospitalized and 94 of those patients require ventilators.  Governor Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the state to mitigate further spread. According to the Governor’s office the current projections for hospitalization in the New Orleans area significantly exceeds capacity beginning April 4th.

It’s the first full day of Governor Edwards stay at home order. Office of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Jim Hussey says to help stay sane and healthy during this period you should make a daily schedule and keep it.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional support.”

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and your wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says if you have ordered something in the mail already, and it does show up she urges you not to use it because it could be extremely harmful to your health.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…they are.”

Check with Better Business Bureau’s website at bbb.org/scamtracker to see if the product is deemed a scam.

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries churning out the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says their initial batch will be 55 gallons.  Knott says the only thing standing in the way of making more is a slowdown in the supply chain.

Cut 11 (09) “…quite a bit more”

It will be donated to healthcare facilities

 

12:30 PM Newscast

46 people are dead from the state’s 1,388 confirmed COVID-19 cases. 43 of the state’s 64 parishes are reporting finding the illness. Governor Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Louisiana in an effort to mitigate the further spread of the coronavirus.

Scam artists are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, how can you protect yourself? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. But Edwards says that doesn’t mean you lock yourself in your house, you can spend time outside in the year and playing with the kids

Cut 6 (05) “…encouraged”

The Governor’s shelter in place order is in effect through April 12th.
A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries churning out the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the green light from the feds and they’ve started making it today. The brewery is purchasing spirits from a local distillery and chemicals from local suppliers.  Knott says the hand sanitizer isn’t for sale though.

Cut 10 (11) “…things like that.”

The initial batch will be 55 gallons.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 24

Governor John Bel Edwards is requesting that the White House declare a major disaster area in his state so that additional federal aid can be made available. In his letter to the president, Edwards says the coronavirus outbreak could result in the New Orleans area running out of hospital beds in early April. The governor says the state has also provided a significant amount of resources in the form of personal protective equipment…
cut 15 (06) “…do it” ‘
The White House has already granted similar federal disaster declarations for California, Washington, and New York.

The governor’s stay at home order lasts until April 12th. Louisiana Public Health Assistant Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the state’s rate of case increase is remarkably high and even with containment measures that may not change in the next few days…
cut 14 (08) “….virus”

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and your wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says con artists are using the phone, email and fake ads on the internet and selling all kinds of false goods.
Cut 3 (12) “…in the mail.”

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries producing the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the green light from the feds and they’ve started making it today.
Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″
Knott says once the sanitizer bottles are produced, they’ll be donated in the area to local doctors and retirement homes.

10:30 LRN Newscast March 24

Gov Edwards is requesting a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Louisiana as the number of cases of COVID-19 grows and the state’s efforts to combat the spread of illness intensifies. The declaration would allow the federal government to provide additional support for state and local agencies in dealing with this growing public health threat. According to the Governor’s office the current projections for hospitalization in the New Orleans area significantly exceeds capacity beginning April 4th. The Governor also spoke with Vice President Pence and renewed Louisiana’s request for a military field hospital.

While much of the state’s workforce is home today, Louisiana’s chemical plant employees are still on the job producing goods needed to fight the virus.  

Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says they may still be in operation but the longer this pandemic goes on, the more the global economy will slow, which means it will take a financial toll on Louisiana’s plants.  

Cut 12 (04) “August”

Essential critical infrastructure workers are now eligible for childcare assistance through the state department of education. A reason why childcare facilities remain open is so health care workers can go to work. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says this program allows eligible families to access subsidized care for children ages 12 and under…
cut 8 (13) “….out to us”

An application for the childcare assistance program can be found at Louisiana-Believes-dot-com.

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been overwhelmed with phone calls pertaining to misinformation of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  Lt. Nick Manale encourages the public to get information from trusted, reliable sources.

Cut 5 (10)  “…state right now.”

9:30 LRN Newscast March 24

Medical professionals and the Governor took on some of the public’s biggest questions Monday night about what we now know about COVID-19, just over two weeks since the state’s first reported case. The President has touted the potential of existing medications for COVID treatment, but Our Lady of the Lake Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Catherine O’Neal says they need further testing, and… 

Cut 13 (12) “work”

The state has reported 1,172 cases and 34 deaths.

Today is the first full day of the Governor’s stay at home order. Louisiana Chemical Association President Greg Bowser says the Governor’s executive order included the chemical industry in a list of “essential” businesses 

Cut 10 (10) “operate.”

The state Department of Education opens the Child Care Assistance Program to support essential critical personnel during the response to COVID-19. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says the help is available to individuals in various critical roles.

Cut 7 (08) “…across the state.”

The Governor’s emergency proclamation closes schools at least through April 12th

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been inundated with phone calls pertaining to rumors of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19.  Lt. Nick Manale encourages you to get your information from reliable sources, he says there is no shortage of information being put out on Twitter and Facebook by state officials related to COVID-19.

Cut 6 (10) “…social media presences.”

8:30 LRN newscast March 24

Louisiana is like many other states, struggling to get much-needed safety equipment for doctors and nurses who are on the frontline of treating Coronavirus-19 cases. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 15 (06) “…it”
Louisiana has 1,172 positive cases. As of Sunday, the department of health says 28-percent of known COVID patients had to be hospitalized.

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been inundated with phone calls pertaining to rumors of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Lt. Nick Manale says while there may be road closures, it’s not because of some of the far-fetched rumors found on social media.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…that information post..”
Manale insists that the public get information from trusted, reliable sources.

Today is the first full day of the governor’s stay at home order. But Louisiana’s chemical plants are still in operation after being deemed essential…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The governor’s stay at home order lasts until April 12th. Louisiana Public Health Assistant Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the state’s rate of case increase is remarkably high and even with containment measures that may not change in the next few days…
cut 14 (08) “….virus”