Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin informed lawmakers today on his plan to push Louisiana’s presidential primary and other local elections until July. The presidential primary was originally set for April, then delayed until June and now Ardoin has set a July 11th election date with an expanded early voting period…

Cut 3 (10)  “…themselves.”  

St. John the Baptist remains one of the highest county/parishes per capita in COVID-19 deaths largely because of an outbreak at a veterans home in Reserve that’s killed 16. Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Julie Baxter-Payer says the facility saw its first resident show symptoms March 19^th, and…

Cut 6, 12 seconds, homes

The statewide stay home order was put into place March 22^nd.

The Governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30^th but Edwards has indicated he could extend it. He says when the green light is given to open up more businesses, social distancing will continue, along with other measures…

Cut 10 (09) “state”

Any limited opening would also require businesses to demand limited occupancy.

The Center for Reproductive Rights is suing Louisiana for the state’s attempts to close abortion clinics as part of a shutdown of all services deemed non-essential. Kathleen Pittman, administrator for the Shreveport Clinic, says her facility should not be closed because it is compliant with safety measures designed to restrict the spread of coronavirus.

Cut 8 (08) “…issued.”

Ohio, Oklahoma, and Alabama have had similar suits filed against them.

Governor Edwards says Louisiana will make more medical services available when the state begins the transition of reopening the economy. Elective surgeries such as colonoscopies and arthroscopic surgery are not allowed under the stay at home order, but the governor says you can only postpone those procedures for so long…
Cut 9 (09) “rather than later ″
The governor’s current stay at home order lasts through April 30th and Edwards has indicated he could extend it.

The Department of Corrections has created a review panel that will determine if certain inmates nearing the end of their sentence should be released in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus within jails.  1,200 inmates are eligible for the program.  Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says if an inmate is furloughed, they will not have the same freedoms as someone being released.
Cut 12 (07) “of the furlough.”
Reviews begin Friday.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell recommends no more festivals for the remainder of 2020 due to the coronavirus. When asked what this means for the Saints, Cantrell says she doesn’t think anyone has a clue right now. Cantrell cites the economic and cultural significance of the Saints, and says they are working to do everything in their power to make it work as it is too important for the city. Organizers behind Essence Fest which is typically held in July at the Superdome has announced the events cancellation. Cantrell expressed concern over not only the local efforts to flatten the curve, but how other states where visitors live are preventing further spread.
Congressman Ralph Abraham and the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will take to the skies over Monroe and West Monroe in aerial tribute to first responders and healthcare workers.  Abraham says a team pilot contacted him about performing the tribute after the area was impacted by Sunday’s tornado outbreak.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…in the backseat.”

The flyover will take place at 1pm this afternoon.

Many Louisiana residents look forward to the day when the governor makes the decision to begin the process of reopening the economy. Edwards says when he decides to loosen some of the restrictions, one of the things you’ll see is more medical services available…
cut 14 (08) “….long”
Many “non-essential” medical facilities were shuttered to conserve PPE and free up healthcare workers for a surge in COVID-19 patients.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry believes abortion clinics should not be operating during the stay at home order. The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a lawsuit to make sure abortions continue. Nancy Northup argues abortion services are time-sensitive and essential…
cut 7 (09) “…services’

The Department of Corrections has created a review panel that will determine if certain inmates nearing the end of their sentence should be released in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus within jails. 1,200 inmates are eligible for a furlough review. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says the first group of inmates up for consideration have a pre-existing medical condition and meet other criteria.
Cut 10 (10) “to receive them”
A second group without medical concerns will require the same criteria, plus having already served at least six months.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission is asking laid-off workers to be patient as the state agency works to make sure unemployed workers receive the assistance they are entitled to. Out of work residents complained on social media they only got one 600-dollar payment when they should have received two. The L-W-C says an unprecedented crush of unemployment claims continues to create problems.

The number of people who have died from COVID-19 complications has surpassed one-thousand. The state reported 129 additional deaths yesterday to bring the death toll to 1,013. Matt Doyle has reaction from Governor Edwards…
voicer 3 (28) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has recommended the city should not host any large events due to the coronavirus pandemic. This morning Essence Fest organizers said they will no longer move forward with their plans to have a festival in 2020.

The Center for Reproductive Rights files a lawsuit to stop Louisiana from blocking abortions during the coronavirus crisis. Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says clinics are non-essential facilities and should not be in operation, but abortion rights activist Nancy Northup says medical experts disagree…
cut 9 (13) “…care”
Several other states are also facing similar legal challenges.

Congressman Ralph Abraham will fly with the Aeroshell Aerobatic team over the Monroe area at 1 PM today in a tribute to first responders and health care workers. Abraham says Aeroshell will take to the air in four vintage aircrafts…
cut 6 (13) “…sometimes not”

The State Department of Corrections has set up a special review panel that will consider whether certain non-violent offenders within six months of the completion of their sentence should be released from jail. Corrections Secretary James LeBlanc….
cut 11 (12) “….public health emergency”
LeBlanc says this effort to alleviate the crowding in jails due to the coronavirus pandemic mirrors what U-S Attorney General William Barr has recommended with federal prisons.

At 4 PM today, Governor John Bel Edwards will provide a COVID-19 response update. Joining him will be Acting State Superintendent of Education Beth Scioneaux to discuss how to handle the remainder of the school year as physical campuses will remain closed for the rest of the academic year…
cut 15 (06) “….should”

An abortion-rights group files a lawsuit against the state for designating abortion clinics as non-essential and requiring those services to be shut down as part of the Governor’s stay at home order…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Congressman Ralph Abraham will ride along with the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team for a flyover at 1 PM today over the Monroe area in four World Two-era planes. Abraham says they are doing this to thank first responders and healthcare workers and it should be a great show…
cut 5 (08) “….possible”

Louisiana has surpassed one-thousand deaths from COVID-19. The state reported 129 more fatalities bringing the death toll to 1,013. Governor John Bel Edwards says much of the spike was the result of a reporting backlog, but that doesn’t make it any easier to process…
cut 13 (10) “….anyone”
Today, the governor holds his monthly call-in show at two PM.

The Center for Reproductive Rights has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to block the state’s efforts to close abortion clinics because of the coronavirus pandemic. Kathleen Pittman, administrator for the Hope Medical Group in Shreveport, says their facility is practicing social distancing and they do not use equipment needed by most hospitals…
cut 8 (08) “…issued”
Attorney General Jeff Landry says the abortion clinics are trying to make the argument that the rules do not apply to them.

The coronavirus pandemic is giving about 12-hundred non-violent inmates a chance for a medical release. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell recommends no more festivals for the remainder of 2020 due to the coronavirus. If that becomes a reality, it would mean the cancellation or postponement of events such as Jazzfest, Essence Fest, French Quarter Fest, and Voodoo Experience. Cantrell expressed concern over not only the local efforts to flatten the curve, but how other states where visitors live are preventing further spread.

National Weather Service indicates at least seven tornadoes ravaged north Louisiana and that number is expected to grow. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

There’s activity underway again at the PMAC on LSU’s campus but it’s not the norm. Ashley Arceneaux, Chief of Staff for the LSU President says the university community is working together to support medical providers and the facility has become a production center for PPE, like reusable gowns from billboard vinyl with locally donated materials.

Cut 3 (10)  “…themselves.”  

Arceneaux says the vinyl is donated by Lamar Advertising and Circle Graphics.

LSU Health New Orleans has enrolled its first patient in a clinical trial that will evaluate the safety and effectiveness of hydroxychloroquine alone or with Azithromycin as a treatment for COVID-19. Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Meredith Clement says they are enrolling patients who meet these criteria…

Cut 9 (11) “prior″

The study may enroll up to 600 at University Medical Center, if they have enough patients eligible.

LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow was a guest on the ESPN morning show in Baton Rouge Off the Bench with Jordy Culotta and T-Bob Hebert and had a lot of great things to say. Burrow says during the coronavirus pandemic he’s been living at home and only going outside to work out. Burrow is expected to be picked by the Bengals with the top overall pick and says he had nothing to do with star wide receiver A-J Green getting the franchise tag.

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey is getting paid. The 23-year-old has reportedly agreed to a four-year, 64 million dollar contract. So that gives you an idea on what running back Alvin Kamara could demand, as he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract set to make just over two million dollars.

And could see the next college football season in the spring. ESPN broadcaster Chris Fowler says that idea is gaining momentum because starting the season in early September doesn’t seem realistic.

The Louisiana Sports Writers Association has named LSU’s Skylar Mays as the men’s’ basketball player of the year in the Bayou State. The senior from Baton Rouge averaged nearly 17 points a game. Ragin Cajuns Forward Jalen Johnson is the newcomer of the year as he averaged 16 points a contest. LSU’s Trendon Watford is the freshman of the year after averaging 14 points and seven rebounds a game. And Louisiana Tech’s Eric Konkol is the coach of the year as the Bulldogs went 22 and 8 last season.

LSU employees are now producing personal protective equipment at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center for front line healthcare workers. Chief of Staff for the LSU president, Ashley Arceaneaux, says billboard vinyl donated by Lamar Advertisting is helping to produce the heavy-duty, reusuable gowns…
cut 4 (11) “…front line”
Masks are also being produced and then the P-P-E goes to the state office of emergency preparedness, who distributes them to hospitals in need.