The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping with the mental stress of the pandemic. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741 to get help 24 hours a day.

Cut 9 (12) “…19.”

The money to run the text line comes from the feds.

The SEC has announced that its student-athletes can resume on-campus workouts at their schools starting on June eighth, but they will work under strict supervision and safety protocols. LSU’s Executive Deputy Director of Athletics, Verge Ausberry, says they’ve been preparing for a June return of their athletes

Cut 12 (11) “…right now”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to use the holiday weekend to explore their state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Louisiana reports a 14.5 percent unemployment rate for the month of April as the pandemic leads to mass job loss. That is slightly below the national rate of 14.7 percent, but has led to more than 1.8 billion dollars in unemployment benefits being paid out to nearly 500,000 Louisianans since March 22^nd. The March unemployment rate was 6.7 percent.

The state reports 39 new COVID-19 fatalities today, bringing the death toll to 2,545. Total cases: 36,925… up by 421.

The state reports 39 new COVID-19 fatalities today, bringing the death toll to 2,545. Total cases: 36,925… up by 421.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend.  When visiting the state’s landmarks, Nungesser says to make sure to snap pics and share them to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or wherever your out of state friends and family may see them.

Cut 4 (13)_ “…unlike a commercial.”

The price of fuel will be conducive for that in-state exploration. The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Despite the low price Fuel Analyst Don Redman does not expect the roads to be packed as the list of travel destinations is limited right now.

Cut 6 (11) “ …can go.”

The Governor’s Games will play host to baseball tournaments starting this morning, some of the first organized team sports to be played in the state since the shutdown. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Executive Director Rudy Macklin says it won’t be like any tournament these players have participated in before.

Cut 13 (13) “…sanitized” 

Games will be played in Lake Charles and the Baton Rouge area. About 100 teams will participate.

The CDC now indicates that coronavirus is not easily spread through contaminated surfaces. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State Police says one of their troopers remains in critical condition after he was badly injured in a car chase earlier this week in Hammond. L-S-P says Trooper George Baker is surrounded by his family. fellow Troopers and hospital staff. The two suspects involved in the police chase are in custody.

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend. Louisiana’s state parks have canceled all out of state bookings through phase one and Nungesser says now is the time for locals to check them out because there is something for every member of the family.
Cut 3 (06) “…got canoeing, tubing.”
When visiting the state’s landmarks, Nungesser says make sure to snap pics and share them on social media.

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a significant spike in fishing license sales since COVID restrictions went in place. LDWF spokesperson Ed Pratt says there was a 53-percent increase in the sale of basic fishing licenses in April and saltwater licenses are also up over last year…
cut 28 (09) “…on the water”

The CDC now indicates that the coronavirus is not easily spread through contaminated surfaces. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says it is still important to keep surfaces clean, even if it’s less of a threat than human-to-human transmission.
Cut 10 (06) “…is a risk.”
Kanter says we should not let up on our precautions, which means keep washing those hands on a frequent basis.

Before heading out for the Memorial Day weekend, Louisiana House members are voting on numerous bills today including pro-gun legislation. Erath Representative Blake Miguez has a bill that would bar local governments from restricting the sale or transfer of guns and ammo during a public emergency. Miguez says it was partially inspired by a declaration of emergency in New Orleans that restricted those rights.
Cut 6 (09) “…was.

Sales of fishing licenses spiked during the Governor’s stay at home order. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The presidents and chancellors of each Southeastern Conference school are set to vote today on whether they will allow student-athletes to return on campus on either June 1st or 15th. LSU is hoping for a June 1st return date. The University of Louisiana at Lafayette says it’s opening its athletic facilities for students-athletes on June eighth.

Louisiana has surpassed 25-hundred COVID-19 deaths with the potential for the death rate to spike upwards in the next few weeks due to clusters forming in nursing homes. LSU Infectious Diseases expert Doctor Catherine O’ Neal…
Cut 23 (11) “the hospital”
The state reports 67-percent of the people listed as a COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana were over the age of 70.

In the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the federal agency now says the coronavirus does not spread easily by touching surfaces or objects, but it still may be possible. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says human-to-human transmission is still the predominant means of spread and the risk fluctuates based on the proximity between individuals as well as the duration of that contact.
Cut 12 (06) “…that’s a risk.”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports they saw a significant increase in fishing license sales during the COVID-19 shutdown. L-D-W-F spokesperson Ed Pratt says the spike in sales was noticeable as early as March, but Pratt says there is never a bad time to take up fishing as it is great for social distancing and it won’t break the bank.
Cut 9 (08) “…is just $5.”
Pratt says the money from the selling of licenses funds various LDWF programs.

And youth baseball returns this weekend in Lake Charles and the Baton Rouge area as U-S-S-S-A and the Governor’s games are hosting tournaments. Former LSU basketball star Rudy Macklin oversees the Governor’s games and says social distancing will still be enforced…
cut 15 (09) “…future”
The Governor’s games also host volleyball, boxing, gymnastics, basketball, track and field, and many other sports during the course of a normal year.

The CDC now indicates that coronavirus is not easily spread through contaminated surfaces. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

If you are heading to Florida for the Memorial Day weekend, Florida is still requiring Louisiana travelers to the Sunshine State to self-quarantine once they reach their destination for 14 days or the duration of their stay, whichever is shorter. Congressman Steve Scalise says Florida’s order is not realistic and not something that’s ultimately going to be upheld.

The Louisiana House will take up a few controversial gun rights bills today. Capitol observer Clancy DuBos says HB 140 by Erath Representative Blake Miguez would block local governments from limiting where guns can be carried.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…topic.”
Supporters of the measure say it’s designed to stop municipalities from creating a patchwork of different laws that turn a law-abiding citizen into a criminal when crossing a jurisdictional line.

The Governor’s Games is hosting youth baseball tournaments in Lake Charles and the Baton Rouge area this week. Executive Director of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Rudy Macklin, says families will have to sit six feet away from other families, players will also have to adhere to social distancing guidelines when not in the game…
cut 14 (11) “…you out”

The CDC now indicates that coronavirus is not easily spread through contaminated surfaces. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says it is still important to keep surfaces clean, even if it’s less of a threat than human-to-human transmission.
Cut 10 (06) “…is a risk.”
Kanter says we should not let up on our precautions, which means keep washing those hands on a frequent basis.

At the state capitol today, lawmakers in the House are set to debate a few gun bills that are being pushed by second amendment rights advocates. House Bill 334 allows concealed carry in houses of worship. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot says it is only with the permission of church leaders, but capitol observer Clancy Dubos says the legislation makes no mention of needing permission…
cut 5 (10) “…that”
Also on the agenda is a bill that would block local governments from limiting where guns can be carried.

Play Ball! Youth baseball returns to Louisiana this weekend as the Governor’s Games hosts tournaments in the Baton Rouge area and Lake Charles…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a significant spike in fishing license sales since COVID restrictions went in place. LDWF spokesperson Ed Pratt says there was a 53-percent increase in the sale of basic fishing licenses in April and saltwater licenses are also up over last year…
cut 8 (09) “…on the water”

In the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the federal agency now says the coronavirus does not spread easily by touching surfaces or objects, but it still may be possible. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joe Kanter says despite the change of wording, stay on high alert when it comes to hygiene…
cut 11 (12) “…high touch surfaces”

A lot more people are fishing. State Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Ed Pratt says Louisianans purchased thousands of more fishing licenses during the first month and half of the stay at home order than they did during the same time in 2019…
Cut 7 (12) “…the huge difference.”

Nearly 29-thousand Louisiana residents filed for unemployment last week which is more than 12 times as many as a year earlier. But that’s the lowest number since pandemic restrictions were put in place. The state reports 321-thousand Louisianans were receiving unemployment last week.

Hundreds of kids will take to the baseball diamond this weekend as the Governor’s Games and U-S-S-S-A host baseball tournaments in Lake Charles the Baton Rouge area. Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Executive Director Rudy Macklin says it won’t be like any tournament these players have participated in before…
cut 13 (13) “…sanitized”