Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13^th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19.

So much more oil is being produced than consumed right now that producers are running out of places to store it, leading to a pricing quirk where future on a barrel of oil are in the never before seen negatives.  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the energy industry is on the verge of collapse…

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Ten years ago today the BP Oil Spill killed 11 rig workers and coated much of the state’s coastline in tar. The cleanup job was immense, but Congressman Garrett Graves, who was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time, remembers it was expedited by a one of its kind agreement cut with BP to get projects off the ground in record time…

Cut 7 (10) “down payment”

A survey of Louisiana small businesses finds nearly 60-percent of them are at the risk of closing over the next five months…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict. In 2018, Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

The combination of coronavirus related economic shutdowns and an ongoing international price war has pushed the price of a barrel of oil into never before seen territory: negative prices. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the only way these prices can bounce back to reasonable levels is if the economy is restarted, and drastic tax cuts on the industry are enacted.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

Oil started the year at over 60 dollars a barrel.

It’s been ten years since the deadly BP Oil spill coated the coast in tar. Congressman Garrett Graves, who was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time remembers how much progress that one calamity undid…

Cut 6 (10) “…made”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict in a 6-3 ruling of a case brought by Evangelisto Ramos, who was found guilty of killing a woman in New Orleans in 2014 on a 10-2 vote that he appealed on constitutional grounds. The decision will likely result in some high-profile retrials of people on direct review. Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says one of those will likely be for Ronald Glasser who was convicted of murdering NFL running back Joe McKnight in 2016.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

The state stay at home order is set to lift April 30th, but in New Orleans it’s been extended to May 16^th. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says he talking with Mayor Latoya Cantrell, who might reconsider the extension.

Cut 13 (09) “…make it”

Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13^th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19. To date 24,523 cases have been reported and 1,328 fatalities. 56 percent of the fatalities are African American.

Crude oil trading hits the lowest price in history. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is co-chair of the Resilient Louisiana Commission tasked with reopening businesses across the state.

Cut 12 (11) “…shops, etc”

Nungesser says the commission is looking at options of phases of reopening businesses.

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana. There are likely hundreds of people incarcerated in Louisiana due to non-unanimous verdicts whose cases are decided and whose appeals are done.  Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says for them…

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

Louisiana reports a slight increase in the total number of COVID-19 hospitalizations today for the first time since April 13^th, and 32 more Louisianans are also reported to have died from COVID-19.

New demographic data now shows 56 percent of COVID deaths in the state were African Americans, down from the 70 percent initially reported, and 56 percent of all patients to die had hypertension.

Oil prices have collapsed to the lowest point ever recorded as the economy screeches to a halt and an international price war rages on. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says at a just a few dollars a barrel many Louisiana wells are planning to shut off 100 percent of production because they can’t find a place to sell…

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana. In 2018 Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

After the amendment passed Oregon remained the only state not to require unanimous jury verdicts.

Some schools are organizing drive-through pickup for caps, gowns, and class rings for juniors and seniors who are missing out on some of the seminal events of their high school years. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says his company is working with schools to establish drive-by locations where parents can bring their kids to get some semblance of pomp and circumstance.

Cut 10 (09) “possible.”

When adjusted for inflation, crude oil trading hits the lowest price in history. On Monday, West Texas Intermediate futures traded below $11 a barrel for the first time since 1986, reaching $10.63 early Monday morning. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the economic impact on oil is not surprising.
Cut 3 (10) “…in that range.”

Today is the 10 year anniversary of the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

The number of COVID-19 patients on ventilators has declined from a high of 571 on April 4th down to 349. Assistant State Health Officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says I-C-U doctors have learned how to better treat the disease

Cut 14 (07) “…fluid.”
Some schools are organizing drive-through pickup for caps, gowns, and class rings for students who are missing out some of the memorable events of their high school years. Jostens sales rep Jim Rabb says they’ve taken precautions to maintain social distancing and all employees are wearing at least gloves. He says it’s not mandatory, but he’s requesting participants wear a mask…
Cut 12 (10) “possible.”

A Louisiana Tech freshman is 3-D printing a contraption for medical personnel intended to relieve the pressure on the ears from the elastic bands on face masks. Inspired by a Canadian boy scout’s invention she saw, Avereigh Barras recently started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the cost of the shipping and manufacturing which she says has seen an abundance of support.
Cut 6 (07) “…do add up.”
Her invention has been distributed to more than 7 states.

Since April 4th, the number of patients on ventilators has declined from 571 to 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says critical care specialists are finding success in having the sickest coronavirus patients lay on their stomach, because it improves oxygen flow into their lungs…
cut 15 (14) “…working well”

Today marks ten years since the BP Oil Spill and environmental scars still exist. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says the endangered Kemp’s ridley sea turtle was recovering as a species before 2010 but since then…
Cut 7 (09) “…effects.”
Muth says there are also fewer successful births of coastal bottlenose dolphins and corals in several locations have permanent oil damage.

A Louisiana Tech freshman is using a 3-D printer to make ear guards which medical personnel can use to relieve the pressure on the ears from the elastic bands on face masks. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Vernon Parish authorities say numerous homes were damaged by the severe weather system that moved through the state yesterday. The National Weather Service is investigating to see if it was a tornado that caused damage in the Leesville area. Another round of severe weather is expected Wednesday.

The state health department says I-C-U doctors should receive credit for helping to lower the number of COVID-19 patients who need ventilators. On April 4th, the state reported 571 of their COVID-19 patients were on ventilators, now that number is 349. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter
Cut 13 (09) “…the country”

Today is the 10-year anniversary of the Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion that killed eleven people and produced one of the largest environmental disasters in U-S history. National Wildlife Federation Gulf of Mexico Restoration Director David Muth says sea turtles, dolphins and corals have all been negatively impacted, but there have been some bright spots…
cut 9 (050 “…restored”
16-billion dollars in criminal and civil fines were made available for the restoration of the Gulf and another 12-billion dollars will be used through 2032.

High School seniors and juniors are missing out on spring graduation and ring ceremonies, but that’s not stopping them from getting their caps, gowns, and rings. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state department of corrections has announced its first inmate death from the coronavirus. The D-O-C says the victim was 69-year-old with underlying health conditions. The Angola prisoner was not identified, but officials say he was serving a life sentence for murder since 1978.