Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office and afterwards praised the federal government’s commitment to supply Louisiana with enough test kits so that it can test at least 200,000 individuals a month for the coronavirus.  Edwards says that’s a critical piece in their COVID-19 response efforts

Cut 12 (06) “…the economy”

Edwards is hopeful the state can begin a phase one reopening of the economy on May 16th.

Not all Republicans are happy with Governor Edwards and his extention of the stay at home order until May 15th and are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says state law allows lawmakers to revoke a governor’s disaster order if a majority of the House or Senate agree to a written petition

Cut 9 (09) “…do this.″

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves says after an initial 30 percent hit to his company’s sales due to the COVID shutdown they’ve bounced back to even, but most local restaurants aren’t so lucky. He says do to expanded carry out options many have been able to hit 50 percent of their expected sales and hope to survive long enough to make it to the economic reopening. Even after that though, the biggest fear is…

Cut 5 (07)  “…recession.”

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says people are staying in and ordering more online, but deliveries are causing anxiety for shoppers.

Cut 8 (11) “…this time too.”

President Donald Trump praised Louisiana today for its response to the coronavirus pandemic. The Republican President met with Edwards in the Oval Office today. The Democratic governor says they could not do it without the help of the federal government…
Cut 14 (12) “…the key”
Edwards is hopeful that additional test kits from the federal government will result in Louisiana testing 200-thousand individuals for the coronavirus next month.

Not all Republicans are happy with Governor Edwards and his extention of the stay at home order until May 15th and are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. The governor’s stay at home order is designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, but Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says it’s also forcing people into poverty, especially in parishes that are reporting a small number of cases…

Cut 11 (09) “…of New Orleans.”

Restaurant dining rooms are closed and customers appear to be getting more and more comfortable with grabbing multi-course take-out meals. Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves predicts this trend will continue long after the virus is defeated.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…buisness.”

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

Personal finance website WalletHub says their survey shows 43 percent of Americans are comfort buying, spending more on non-essentials now than they were before the pandemic. Around 60 percent of people aged 30-44 report comfort buying compared to just 32 percent over the age of 59. Analyst Jill Gonzales says in terms of the non-essential purchases, most of it is related to entertainment.

Cut 7 (13) “…people buying toys.”

Republican lawmakers are looking to revoke Governor John Bel Edwards emergency declaration that would revoke the state’s stay at home order.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office, thanking the President for committing to provide Louisiana with additional testing supplies…

Cut 13 (13) “…the best”

About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub.  While some overspending may be attributed to stockpiling essentials, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says many shoppers are “comfort-buying” online.

Cut 6 (09) “…to social isolation.”

Of those who have engaged in comfort buying, 63 percent are keeping their purchases below $150.

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves predicts many of the restaurant industry changes made due to the coronavirus outbreak will stick around long after the virus fades. Graves says the industry is notorious for having workers come in even when sick, and that’s unlikely to be the case going forward. He also pointed to additions like sneeze guards in drive-throughs…

Cut 3 (06)  “…members”   

Graves adds sanitation and food safety practices implemented during this time are also likely to be maintained due to public demand.

Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office and afterward praised the federal government’s commitment to supply Louisiana with enough test kits so that it can test at least 200,000 individuals a month for the coronavirus.  Edwards says that’s a critical piece in their COVID-19 response efforts

Cut 12 (06) “…the economy”

Governor Edwards’ stay at home extension may have the President’s seal of approval but it isn’t backed by many local Republican leaders. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh is set to circulate a petition that if signed by half of either the Senate or House would override the order. He says Edwards could not veto it.

Cut 10 (07) “…be over”

The governor’s executive counsel has sent a letter to legislative leadership informing them that rescinding the governor’s order would threaten billions of dollars in federal funding to Louisiana.

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves says after an initial 30 percent hit to his company’s sales due to the COVID shutdown they’ve bounced back to even, but most local restaurants aren’t so lucky. He says do to expanded carry out options many have been able to hit 50 percent of their expected sales and hope to survive long enough to make it to the economic reopening. Even after that though, the biggest fear is…

Cut 5 (07)  “…recession.”

About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says people are staying in and ordering more online, but deliveries are causing anxiety for shoppers.

Cut 8 (11) “…this time too.”

Louisiana reports 44 new COVID-19 related fatalities today.

Louisiana reports 44 new COVID-19 related deaths today, along with a continued decrease in hospitalizations, and a plateauing in ventilator use. 57 percent of those who have died from the disease are men.

Republican lawmakers who are upset with Governor Edwards extending the stay at home order until May 15th are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says state law allows lawmakers to revoke a governor’s disaster order if a majority of the House or Senate agree to a written petition

Cut 9 (09) “…do this.″

The governor’s executive counsel has sent a letter to legislative leadership informing them that rescinding the governor’s order would threaten billions of dollars in federal funding to Louisiana, plus re-opening schools and change unemployment provisions.

Restaurant dining rooms are closed and customers appear to be getting more and more comfortable with grabbing multi-course take-out meals. Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves predicts this trend will continue long after the virus is defeated.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…buisness.”

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

Personal finance website WalletHub says their survey shows 43 percent of Americans are comfort buying, spending more on non-essentials now than they were before the pandemic. Around 60 percent of people aged 30-44 report comfort buying compared to just 32 percent over the age of 59. Analyst Jill Gonzales says in terms of the non-essential purchases, most of it is related to entertainment.

Cut 7 (13) “…people buying toys.”

Raising Cane’s founder and CEO Todd Graves predicts many of the restaurant industry changes made due to coronavirus will stick around long after the virus fades. Graves says the industry is notorious for having workers come in even when sick, and that’s unlikely to be the case going forward. He also pointed to additions like sneeze guards in drive-throughs…

Cut 3 (06)  “…members”   

Graves adds sanitation and food safety practices implemented during this time are also likely to be maintained due to public demand.

About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub.  While some overspending may be attributed to stockpiling essentials, WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says many shoppers are “comfort-buying” online.

Cut 6 (09) “…to social isolation.”

______________________________________________

High School Seniors don’t seem to be deterred from heading to college in the fall despite the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. According to University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson applications and admissions are up across the board.

Cut 11 (08) “…don’t know”

Henderson also adds they plan on having campuses open in fall.

Acadiana is one of the state’s regions where the coronavirus case count continues to climb, but the area is now seeing a decrease in total deaths and hospitalizations. Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory says his region was able to get in front of the virus surge with spread mitigation efforts early on and flattening the curve has lengthened the timeline for reopening.

Cut 8 (10) “…extending the timeframe.”

Some lawmakers appear to be considering a legislative effort to overturn the Governor’s stay at home order.

The state is working to increase coronavirus testing and what about Mardi Gras next year. Matt Doyle reports the governor spoke about both topics…
voicer 1 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Edwards is in Washington D.C. today. He’s one of a handful of governors who President Donald Trump asked to meet with one-on-one. In a statement, Edwards says he plans to talk with the President about plans to re-open additional businesses next month and surging their testing capacity.

The University of Louisiana System is planning to have students on their nine campuses this fall. And U-L System president Doctor Jim Henderson says despite a lot of uncertainty, applications and admissions are up across the board…
cut 11 (08) “….don’t know”
LSU interim president Thomas Galligan has told faculty and staff that LSU plans to begin a phased approach to returning to campus around May 15th.

There is frustration over Governor John Bel Edwards extending the stay at home order until May 15th. The governor says there are three regions of the state that’s still seeing an increase in cases. Acadiana is one of those areas. Lafayette Mayor-President Josh Guillory calls on the public to do its part, so a phase one re-opening of the economy can begin…
cut 9 (13) “…is team player”

Governor John Bel Edwards is in Washington D-C today for a one-on-one meeting with President Donald Trump. Edwards says he looks forward to the conversation with the president about the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The governor says he’ll also share the state’s plans to re-open additional businesses next month and efforts to surge the state’s testing capacity to 200-thousand tests per month.

The surviving Baton Rouge Police officer wounded in Sunday’s fatal shootout that killed another officer is showing promising signs of recovery. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

On Friday, restaurants can begin to offer outdoor dining, where customers can pick up food for take out, but instead of going home, they can eat at a table outside of the restaurant. But New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says that will not happen in the Crescent City and Cantrell says a discussion should take place on whether Mardi Gras can happen next year. Governor Edwards was asked his thoughts on Mardi Gras 2021…
cut 6 (08) “…to know”

The Termite swarm season is starting, mostly a south Louisiana event. LSU AgCenter Entomologist Karen Sun says the problematic Formosan subterranean termites are an invasive species originally from Asia but thrive in Louisiana’s heat and humidity…
cut 13 (09) “…worst infested areas”
The pests will swarm through June, congregating around lights after dark.