6:30 LRN Newscast

Governor John Bel Edwards says they continue to see signs that the stay-at-home order is paying off, but he says now is not the time to start slacking on social distancing or spending a lot of time in public settings…
cut 8 (12) “…we were”
Tuesday saw the state’s highest reported one-day increase in deaths at 70, but Edwards says ventilator use is down and the number of new hospitalizations is slowing.

O-M-V locations remain closed due to COVID-19 precautions, but you can renew your driver’s license through the L-A Wallet App. Envoc President Calin Fabre (fay-bree) developed the technology and says if you renew through the app, you’ll have an up to date license available for use in less than a day…
cut 14 (07) “….license”

Schools are doing their best to keep students engaged while outside of the classroom setting. Kevin Barnhart has that story.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The LHSAA executive committee holds its spring meeting today. Executive Director Eddie Bonine holds out hope that spring sports can resume, but that’s dependant on the governor lifting the stay at home order.

AM Newscall 04/08/2020

Could your pets get sick from COVID-19 exposure? Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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Governor Edwards says new data appears to show the state’s stay at home order is working to flatten the curve, but now is no time for residents to get complacent…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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School systems are doing their best to keep students engaged while outside of the classroom setting.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

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With the recent news that a tiger in the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, concern about transmitting the virus from humans to pets has grown.  State public health veterinarian Dr. Gary Balsamo says it’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes animals can get sick from exposure.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…the animal directly.”

Balsamo says the virus survives best on smooth surfaces such as stainless steel, so it is a relatively low threat for animals to carry the virus in their fur.

Cut 5 (09)  “…they’re porous surfaces.”

Balsamo says there are steps to reduce the risk of pets becoming ill from exposure.

Cut 6 (08) “… a lot.”

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It’s been just over two weeks since the state’s stay at home order was implemented and Governor Edwards says it appears the order has resulted in a recent flattening of the curve.

At Tuesday’s press conference the Governor hinted at the fact that the order may have been even more effective at slowing the spread than they planned for, and that’s great news for the state.

Cut 7 (09) “curve”

Tuesday saw the state’s highest reported death total at 70, but Edwards noted that ventilator use is down, and the number of new hospitalizations is slowing.

Edwards says current measures are working, but if people take this news as a sign that they can start slacking on social distancing it’ll all be for naught.

Cut 8 (12) “…we were.”

The Governor noted in a previous press conference that other countries have experienced “waves” of infection where a relaxing of mitigation measures prematurely led to a spike in new cases.

Edwards thanked healthcare workers for developing more efficient treatments and credited the state’s aggressive testing policy for bending the curve.

Cut 9 (08) “…tests″

He noted that the New Orleans region is now no longer projected to run out of ventilator capacity or hospital beds.

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Questions still remain about how the remainder of the school year will be handled, but much of the determination is left in the hands of each district.  Executive Director for the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Michael Faulk says some districts are making the effort to engage students through technology.

Cut 10 (13) “…the state standards.”

Faulk says rural broadband availability has been a hurdle for some districts, so they have resorted to other methods of getting educational content to students.

Cut 11 (12) “…students the packets.”

Faulk says having a personal interaction with teachers inside a classroom setting it is an important element to a child’s educational experience and districts.

Cut 12 (13) “…to the teachers.”

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The LA Wallet app, Louisiana’s digital driver’s license, now allows you to renew your driver’s license in the app itself and have an updated digital result in just 24 hours.

The app was designed by Envoc and President Calvin Fabre (fay-bree) says the next time you log into the app you’ll notice a new button that says “check for renewal” that checks your renewal eligibility.

Cut 13 (07) “…address.”

He adds you do need to make sure your app is up to date first.

Fabre says if you renew through the app you’ll have your up to date license available for use at participating vendors in less than a day.

Cut 14 (07) “license.”

App users will not be charged any additional fees that wouldn’t be charged to those using the standard online renewal process.

OMV offices are closed as long as the stay at home order is in effect so Fabre says now is a good time to try the app, especially considering it is free.

Cut 15 (05)“…right now.”

5:30 PM Newscast

70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up a third of the population. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says relative to other groups African Americans are underinsured.

Cut 8 (10) “…health insurance.”

A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis. When asked if Governor Edwards or President Trump is doing a better job Edwards lead 46-41 percent.  UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s because the question led to a generic partisan split.

Cut 14 (09) “…support”

Landlords are not legally allowed to evict you in April due to Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order.  A landlord might threaten to call police to have a tenant removed, but Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says that is not within police jurisdiction.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…they can handle.”

Allstate says auto insurance policyholders will see a rebate on their April and May premiums due to the lack of driving during the coronavirus pandemic. Real Reform Louisiana, Executive Director Eric Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans driving is down as much as 75-percent, Holl says fewer cars means fewer accidents.

Cut 10 (12) “…go down”

430PM LRN News

Governor Edwards says despite today’s record high reported death total of 70 the general data suggests we are flattening the curve of new infections, and it appears the stay at home order is working to stave off a nightmare scenario where the New Orleans region will run out of ventilators.

A poll shows 66 percent of the state approves of Governor Edwards. It’s a remarkable jump from his approval numbers last year, but UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says you can pin a lot of it on the “rally around the flag” polling effect of a public emergency.

Cut 13 (12) “…that point”

70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up about 32 percent of the state’s population. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says one reason is that the virus is most prevalent in the New Orleans area.

Cut 6 (08) “pandemic”

Real Reform Louisiana praises Allstate Insurance for offering “Shelter in Place Paybacks” for their car insurance customers due to the number of reduced drivers on the roads. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl explains what Allstate customers can expect.

Cut 9 (11) “…last month.″

Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans driving is down as much as 75-percent.

Landlords can not legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th. Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says tenants have legal protection from a landlord’s retaliation for not paying rent.

Cut 3 (11)  “…from the home.”  

 

4:45 LRN Sportscast April 7

The NFL has released its all-decade team for the 2010s and there’s one current member of the Saints on that squad, defensive end Cam Jordan. New Orleans drafted Jordan in 2011 and since that time he’s recorded 87 sacks, 114 tackles for a loss, two interceptions, ten forced fumbles, and ten fumble recoveries. Former Saints players Darren Sproles and Jahri Evans are also on the team. Quarterback Drew Brees is not on the 2010s NFL All-Decade team. Two quarterbacks were chosen, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. A couple of former LSU Tigers are on the team, Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu.

Former Holy Cross High School and McNeese quarterback James Tabary is among the thousands on the COVID-19 front lines. Tabary is working at the University Medical Center in New Orleans distributing inventory to all doctors and nurses, including personal protective equipment. Tabary is doing so with a heavy heart, his grandfather passed away last week from the virus.

This is supposed to be Masters Week, instead the prestigious major has been rescheduled for November. The first round is set for November 12th at Augusta National. That weekend the Masters will go head-to-head with college football and the NFL.

Major League Baseball is looking at the possibility of starting its season in May, with all of the teams playing their games in the Phoenix, Arizona area. There are a lot of hurdles to leap over for this to happen, like the safety of the players. It would have to require regular testing of the players and still practicing social distancing, which means no mound visits, having players sit in the stands instead of the dugout and using an automated strike zone, instead of the home plate umpire standing behind the catcher.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver says he will not make a decision on restarting their season until May. The N-H-L is looking at finishing its season at rinks in North Dakota.

Oklahoma State head football coach Mike Gundy says his plan is to return to their facilities on May 1st.

3:30 LRN Newscast April 7

70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up a third of the population. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says one reason is that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for this demographic is that they are more likely to be a risk for certain underlying conditions that are untreated.
Cut 7 (12) “…conditions.”

A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the splits show a surprising 56 to 25 percent approval/disapproval from state Republicans when asked how he’s handling the crisis.
Cut 12 (07) “…as well.”

 

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but that doesn’t excuse someone from paying rent nor allow landlords permission to retaliate.  Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says it is important to have some sort of documentation on hand showing that you reside at the address in the event that you are accused of not being a tenant.
Cut 5 (12)  “…you live there.”
Allstate says auto insurance policyholders will see a rebate on their April and May premiums due to the lack of driving during the coronavirus pandemic. Real Reform Louisiana, Executive Director Eric Holl says Allstate is setting the example and he’s asking Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to encourage other insurance companies to do the same because now is not the time to be overcharging customers for car insurance they aren’t using.
Cut 11 (11) “…not driving”

2:30 LRN Newscast April 7

The state reports 70 new COVID deaths today, the new single-day high for fatalities, along with now having over 16,000 confirmed cases, and just under 2,000 COVID hospitalizations. Of those hospitalized a fourth of those patients are on ventilators.

70 percent of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana are African Americans, who only make up 32 percent of the population. Matt Doyle asked a medical expert why that is…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Real Reform Louisiana praises Allstate Insurance for offering rebates to their customers due to reduced driving. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans, driving is down as much as 75-percent, Holl says fewer cars means fewer accidents.

Cut 10 (12) “…go down”

A survey from Public Policy Polling shows growing support for Governor Edwards. When asked if Governor Edwards or President Trump is doing a better job, Edwards leads 46-41 percent. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says that’s because the question led to a generic partisan split.

Cut 14 (09) “…support”

LRN PM Newscall April 7

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but knowing your legal protections from retaliation is important.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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70 percent of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana are African Americans, who only make up 32 percent of the population. Matt Doyle asked a medical expert why that is…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but that does not excuse someone from paying rent.  Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says tenants have legal protection from a landlord’s retaliation for not paying rent.

Cut 3 (11)  “…from the home.”  

A landlord might threaten to call police to have a tenant removed, but Adams says that is not within police jurisdiction.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…they can handle.”

Adams says it is important to have some sort of documentation on hand, whether it is a lease, a utility bill, or a piece of mail showing that you reside at the address in the event that you are accused of not being a tenant.

Cut 5 (12)  “…you live there.”

On the federal level, the CARES Act prevents landlords from evicting tenants and/or charging late fees through July 25th for tenants with Section 8 vouchers, Rural Development vouchers, or if a landlord has a HUD, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac mortgage.

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70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up about 32 percent of the state’s population.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says there are three likely reasons for that. The first is that the virus is most prevalent in the New Orleans area.

Cut 6 (08) “pandemic”

African Americans make up 60 percent of the city’s population per Census estimates.

Diaz says the second reason is that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for patients who have co-morbidities.

Cut 7 (12) “…conditions.”

Diaz says the third reason why African Americans are more likely to die of COVID than other groups is that relative to other groups they are underinsured.

Cut 8 (10) “…health insurance.”

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Real Reform Louisiana praises Allstate Insurance for offering “Shelter in Place Paybacks” for their car insurance customers due to the number of reduced drivers on the roads. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl explains what Allstate customers can expect.

Cut 9 (11) “…last month.″

Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans driving is down as much as 75-percent, Holl says fewer cars means fewer accidents.

Cut 10 (12) “…go down”

Holl says Allstate is setting the example and he’s asking Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to encourage other insurance companies to do the same because now is not the time to be overcharging customers for car insurance they aren’t using.

Cut 11 (11) “…not driving”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is expected to issue a statement soon. 

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A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis and 66 percent now approve of his job performance overall.

UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the splits show a surprising 56 to 25 percent approval/disapproval from state Republicans when asked how he’s handling the crisis.

Cut 12 (07) “…as well.”

Edwards’ overall approval sits at 82 percent among Democrats, 64 percent among Independents, and 49 percent among Republicans.

It’s a remarkable jump from his approval numbers last year, but Cross says you can pin a lot of it on the “rally around the flag” polling effect of a public emergency.

Cut 13 (12) “…that point”

1,023 Louisiana’s were surveyed April 3rd and 4th for the poll.

When asked if Governor Edwards or President Trump is doing a better job Edwards lead 46-41 percent. Cross says that’s because the question led to a generic partisan split.

Cut 14 (09) “…support”

90 percent of state Republicans approve of Trump’s job while 23 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Independents do.

1:30 LRN Newscast April 7

70 percent of the COVID-19 fatal cases in Louisiana are African Americans. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says a major factor is  the community spread of the virus in the New Orleans area.
Cut 6 (08) “pandemic”

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but knowing your legal protections from retaliation is important…
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Allstate says auto insurance policyholders will see a rebate on their April and May premiums because of the lack of driving during the coronavirus pandemic. Real Reform Louisiana, which is pushing for lower auto insurance rates, applauds the move. Executive Director Eric Holl…
cut 9 (11) “…they paid”
Holl hopes other insurance providers offer similar rebates.

According to a public policy poll, 68-percent of respondents approve of the job Governor John Bel Edwards is doing when it comes to handling the COVID-19 crisis. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says it’s a big jump from the 51-percent Edwards received in November when he was re-elected…
cut 13 (12) “….that point”

1230PM LRN News

Louisiana reports 70 new COVID deaths today, the new single day high for fatalities, along with now having over 16,000 confirmed cases, and just under 2,000 COVID hospitalizations, 519 of those patients being on ventilators. Two thirds of the cases are still being reported in the New Orleans region, but Shreveport/Bossier and Baton Rouge have a growing caseload. Tensas Parish remains the only parish to not to have a reported case.

The ongoing crisis is crippling the economy and putting a growing number of Americans out of a job, depriving them of the ability to pay their rent. Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says the Governor made it illegal to evict people at least through April, and if your landlord is threating to call the police and have you evicted, just know that’s not within their jurisdiction.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…they can handle.”

Texas is maintaining it’s policy of quarantining visitors from out of state that cross into Texas, and having troopers stop some drivers at the border with Louisiana. Governor Edwards says restricted travel is playing a big part in lowering transmission rates, which is why he isn’t faulting Texas’s governor for screening some drivers who cross state lines.

Cut 15 (12)“…just not.”

A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis and 66 percent now approve of his job performance overall. UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the splits show a surprising 56 to 25 percent approval/disapproval from state Republicans when asked how he’s handling the crisis.

Cut 12 (07) “…as well.”

Edwards’ overall approval sits at 49 percent among Republicans.