The Paycheck Protection Program which provides loans to small businesses to keep their workers employed has run out of money. Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says the President is asking Congress to appropriate 251-billion dollars so the program can process loan applications again…
cut 10 (12) “….few days’

As families struggle to put food on the table during the COVID crisis, many are turning to food banks. Second Harvest serves 23 parishes across south Louisiana and their spokesperson Jay Vise says they’ve had to change how they distribute goods at their facilities, with help from the National Guard.
Cut 12 (12) increase”

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James stint in the hospital with COVID-19 caused pneumonia has given him a unique outlook on the virus for a lawmaker. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A lawyer for an East Baton Rouge Parish pastor who has been holding large church services, defying the governor’s order of no gatherings of more than 10 people, is hospitalized with the coronavirus. The Advocate reports Jeff Wittenbrick has been in the hospital since Tuesday. He attended two events at Life Tabernacle Church in Central. Pastor Tony Spell says he’s praying for Wittenbrick.

The loan program set up by the federal government to help small businesses pay employees during the COVID-19 crisis has run out of money. Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says the Paycheck Protection Program has already helped out thousands of Louisiana businesses…
cut 9 (11) “…out of money”
President Trump has asked for additional 251-billion dollars for the program and Scalise is hopeful Congress can approve the additional funding in the next few days.

Governor Edwards announced today who will serve on his Resilient Louisiana Commission. Edwards says this panel will make recommendations on how the state can grow its economy again. The governor is looking at loosing some of the rules of his stay at home order and this panel will receive input from business leaders…
cut 8 (11) “…stand up”

State officials say students will continue education via remote learning for the remainder of the school year as the governor has closed K-12 public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 13 of the top 20 auto insurers doing business in Louisiana are providing premium reductions and rebates to policyholders since people are driving less. He says the rebate programs are resulting in 187-million dollars back into the hands of consumers.

For the first time in the 50-year history of the event, the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival has been canceled. The eight-day extravaganza of music from acts like Foo Fighters, Lizzo, The Who and others as well as food and culture had initially been postponed until the fall, but festival organizers officially pulled the plug on the event today. The news comes following the New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell’s recommendation to cancel all festivals for the remainder of 2020 in an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
The state’s virus death toll increases by 53, bringing the total to 1,156. Total cases: 22,532, up by 581. Among recent new hospitalizations is a Baton Rouge attorney who is part of the legal team representing the Life Tabernacle Church and Pastor Tony Spell in the continued defiance of social distancing orders. The Advocate newspaper reports the lawyer, Jeff Wittenbrink, attended two events at the church earlier this month.

Governor Edwards announces the creation of a commission tasked with producing guidelines that would allow parts of the economy to reopen. Governor Edwards says the Resilient Louisiana Commission and its task forces will begin engaging stakeholders in various sectors of the economy, asking them…
Cut 6 (11) “…spike.”
The Commission Co-Chairs are Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser, Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson, and healthcare executive Terrie Sterling.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has mostly recovered from COVID-19 but says his recovery was grueling and the disease should not be taken lightly. The 37-year-old Democrat says he became symptomatic March 22^nd. James says it’s been frustrating to see a rising chorus of legislators calling for the rapid reopening of the state before conditions are safe.

Cut 4 (11)_ “TORT reform”

The COVID-19 death toll increases by 53, bringing the total to 1,156. Total cases: 22,532, up by 581. Governor John Bel Edwards announces the creation of the Governor’s Economic Task Force which will include Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, LED secretary Don Pierson, and a retired healthcare executive serving as co-chairs.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has mostly recovered from COVID-19 but says his recovery was grueling and the disease should not be taken lightly. The 37-year-old Democrat says he became symptomatic March 22^nd when he woke up in a pool of sweat, and a week later he was suffering in a hospital with pneumonia.

Cut 3 (07)  “…wiped out”  

James says his history of asthma and sinus issues may have contributed to his severe case despite his young age and good health.

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid as part of the newly launched FAFSA Now campaign.  LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says the FAFSA form can feel like a daunting task, but it will not only help unlock federal aid but state and institutional aid for students as well.

Cut 5 (06)  “…stay in school.”

K-12 public schools will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year.  However, students will continue education via remote learning.  Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says the local districts will be tasked with the decision on criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level.

Cut 7 (12) “…to move forward.”

Scioneaux says how to grade students will also be left in the hands of the districts.

Governor Edwards says more and more planning is being put into what the state might look like as we transition out the potential end of the shelter in place order…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state’s number of nursing home COVID-19 fatalities climbs to 275. The stats of coronavirus impacts on nursing homes are released on Mondays and Wednesdays, with yesterday’s death toll jumping by 74 from Monday and more than doubling the 130 cases reported one week earlier. The total number of infections among nursing home residents is up to 1,324, almost 300 more than were reported Monday.

K-12 public schools will remain closed to students for the remainder of the school year.  However, students will continue education via remote learning.  Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says the local districts will be tasked with the decision on criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level as well as how to grade students.

Cut 9 (10) “…recommend pass/fail.″

Scioneaux says the hurdles created by a lack of widespread technological infrastructure is something that will be overcome with a mix of high-tech and low-tech distance learning practices.

Louisiana has seen a slight increase in fatal accidents during this time compared to last year despite the fact roads are a lot less traveled these days. State Police Lt. Nick Manale says this is not a good time for you to get into a wreck and have to visit a hospital.

Cut 13 (11) “…actions.”

Governor Edwards says it’s too early to say what kind of impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on football in the fall. Edwards speculates that if there are football games, the stadiums will not be full…
cut 12 (11) “…checked”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is recommending no large events in the Crescent City for the rest of 2020, but a Saints spokesperson says it’s planning for games to be played and added it’s too important for the city.

State Police say they’ve seen an uptick in fatal wrecks, even though fewer vehicles are on the highways. Lt. Nick Manale says just because you have more room to operate your vehicle, you can’t neglect basic driver safety…
cut 15 (10) “…seat belt”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to attend college. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 13 of the top 20 auto insurers doing business in Louisiana are providing premium reductions and rebates to policyholders since people are driving less. He says the rebate programs are resulting in 187-million dollars back into the hands of consumers.

Some states are mandating their residents to wear masks in certain public areas, like grocery stores. Governor John Bel Edwards is not certain at this point if he’ll issue a similar mandate. His staff continues to look at what restrictions will be in place in May and one of the provisions could be that masks are required for some workers…
cut 11 (09) “…mask on”
Edwards is expected to announce the members of his economic resilience task force today.

State Police say they have seen a noticeable decrease in drivers on the roads, but there’s been an increase in careless and distracted driving and that’s led to an increase in fatal wrecks compared to this time last year. Lt. Nick Manale…
cut 14 (10) “…travel for”

State officials say students will continue education via remote learning for the remainder of the school year as the governor has closed K-12 public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

President Trump is expected to announce new social distancing guidelines today in an effort to re-open the country. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says we need to trust Americans to reopen the economy in the right places, at the right time. He says if we don’t, the economy will collapse. Some say more coronavirus testing needs to be in place first.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell files a proclamation to extend the city’s “Stay at Home” order until May 16th. Governor Edwards says that declaration does not guarantee he will extend the statewide order past April 30th. He says it’s clear some regions are still more heavily impacted by the coronavirus than others.
Cut 10 (09) “same thing”
About 50 percent of the state’s confirmed positive cases have been found in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

State Police says they have seen a slight increase in fatal accidents despite the fact roads are a lot less traveled these days. Lt. Nick Manale says this is not a good time for you to get into a wreck and have to visit a hospital.
Cut 13 (11) “…actions.”
Manale says while there is a decrease in vehicles on state highways, there is an increase in careless or distracted driving.

Louisiana schools are closed for the rest of the academic year, but the state says students will continue to receive an education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent of Education Beth Scioneaux says a lack of widespread technological infrastructure is creating hurdles to online learning, but that can be overcome with a mix of high-tech and low-tech distance learning….
cut 8 (11) “…regards to technology”
Scioneaux says they will provide guidance to local school districts when it comes to determining how schools decide if a student advances to the next grade.

For high school seniors, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is encourgaing them to complete their FAFSA forms that can result in financial assistance to attend college…
cut 6 (10) “….member of society”
That’s LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says they can offer seniors and parents assistance in filling out the forms at MyLOSFA-dot-LA-dot-gov.

Governor Edwards says more and more planning is being put into what the state might look like once restrictions are loosened with the stay at home order…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has extended the city’s stay at home order until May 16th. Governor Edwards posted on social media last night that the state has received a social distancing grade of C minus and the state can do better.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an order that keeps K-12 public schools closed for the remainder of the school year. However, students will continue education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says local districts will be tasked with developing the criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level.
Cut 7 (12) “…to move forward.”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to secure money for college. LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says completing the FAFSA form can feel like a daunting task, but they are offering virtual assistance
Cut 4 (08)_ “…for my education.”
The assistance tool can be found at MyLOSFA.LA.gov.