A bill to end lawsuits filed by coastal parishes against oil and gas companies alleging they owe millions for damaging the wetlands is dead for the session. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs lobbied state lawmakers to vote for the bill because he says the lawsuits are preventing oil and gas companies from investing in Louisiana. He adds the lawsuits will only help the trial lawyers, not the parishes…
cut 10 (10) “…everybody else”
But St. Bernard President Guy McInnis says the oil and gas industry has to pay for the damage they’ve done to the coast…
cut 11 (05) “…wetland.
Supporters of the bill say they will bring the issue back to the legislature next year.

Debate is underway in the Louisiana House over a tort reform bill that supporters say will lower Louisiana’s sky-high auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says nowhere in the bill does it say that insurance companies must reduce rates if this reform effort becomes law…
cut 14 (09) “…guarantee”
Garofalo says every insurance company has told them they’ll lower rates by at least 10-percent if this bill passes.

Louisiana colleges are making preparations for having students on campus in the fall. U-L System President Jim Henderson says masks will be prevalent on their nine campuses…
cut 8 (10) “….is available”
Henderson also expects the fall semester will be adjusted at many of their schools, so students are off campus by Thanksgiving.

The department of health will not be releasing updated COVID-19 case numbers and testing data due to technical issues today, however, data on hospitalizations and vent usage is available and the state reaches a landmark of fewer than 100 total patients on ventilators. Numbers have not been that low since March. Hospitalizations have also declined again, but 26 additional deaths are being reported.

Legislation barring local governments from suing oil and gas companies for coastal damage dies in the House. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the failure to pass this legislation will cost the state thousands of potential new jobs because oil companies will refuse to invest here.

Cut 9 (10) “…decision is”

Proponents believe the coastal damage lawsuits should be handled by the state, and not local governments.

It will be a different atmosphere on college campuses this fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. Henderson says this spring they learned how to improvise and implement technology, and it will be part of the changes to assist those at high-risk.

Cut 7 (10) “…possible”

Masks will also be required in the classroom.

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation and he’s confident allowing contract workers the right to deliver booze won’t be a problem.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…happens”.

The state reaches a landmark of fewer than 100 total COVID-19 patients on ventilators today. Numbers have not been that low since March. Hospitalizations have also declined again, but 26 additional deaths are being reported.

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.

Cut 6 (12) “ …after Thanksgiving”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…crazy”  

Family, friends, coworkers, and Governor Edwards paid their respects to the life of 33-year-old State Police Trooper George Baker at his memorial service yesterday in Hammond. Baker was struck by a Hammond Police vehicle last week while assisting in the capture of a fleeing suspect and died of his wounds. Governor Edwards says Trooper Baker was a true public servant

Cut 11 (11) “…service continues”

That service included a deployment to the Middle East. He also served in the Greensburg Police Department and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office. Trooper Baker is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Harper, his parents, sisters and extended family.

LSU researchers make a new discovery that helps healthcare providers understand what can make COVID-19 so deadly, especially among African Americans…
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Southwest Louisiana Congressman Clay Higgins tells CNN that masks are a bacteria trap and do not help slow the spread of the coronavirus. Higgins suggested that if you can smell through the mask, then it’s not stopping people from catching COVID-19. The C-D-C disagrees.

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says his office is looking into complaints that at least 12 schools have held summer workouts, disobeying the June 8th start date order. Bonine says it’s disappointing some schools are not following the rules…
cut 9 (09) “…this point”
Bonine says schools and coaches who hold summer workouts before June eighth could be fined and suspended.

Governor John Bel Edwards spoke at the memorial service for fallen State Trooper George Baker, who died earlier this week from injuries he sustained while involved in a police chase in Hammond last week. Edwards had this message for Baker’s wife Heather and his daughter Harper…
cut 12 (12) “…legacy alive”
Baker was just 33-years-old.

LSU researchers say autopsies on ten African Americans who died from COVID-19 had blood clots in their lungs. Director of Pathology Research at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine Doctor Richard Vander Heide says the small vessel clotting is a new finding that appears to be specific to COVID…
cut 6 (10) “…recover”

The LHSAA says they are looking into allegations that some schools are holding summer workouts, even though they are not supposed to until June eighth. Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they’ve received time-stamped photos and videos of the practice sessions…
cut 8 (08) “….surevelliance”
Bonine says the executive committee meets next week and more details will be released then.

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would use 811-million in coronavirus relief aid to establish a 300-million dollar small business grant program. But the governor says the 811-million dollars should go to local governments who have spent millions responding to the COVID crisis. House Appropriations Chairman Jermone Zeringue of Houma says without small businesses, state and local government lose out on tax revenues…
cut 14 (07) “…state government”
The measure heads back to the Senate, who has already approved the bill, but the upper chamber sought a 200-million dollar grant program. The differences needs to be resolved by 6 PM Monday. That’s when the regular session ends.

And supporters of a bill to end lawsuits filed by coastal parishes against oil and gas companies allegeding they owe millions for damaging the wetlands is dead for the session. So they’ll have to try again next year.

The Louisiana House approves a bill that would set up a 300-million dollar grant program for small businesses. The money would come from federal coronavirus relief aid that the governor would like to use to help local government agencies who have experienced losses during the pandemic. The Senate’s version of this bill called for 200-million for small businesses, so River Ridge Representative John Illg asks why the extra 100-million…
cut 15 (07) “…stop”
New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell slammed the legislation, saying it yanks away desperately needed funds from local governments.

Today the full House will discuss a controversial tort reform bill that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates by making changes to the state’s legal system. Opponents argue it will not lead to lower rates and it will make it harder for people to get their cases resolved if involved in a car accident.

LSU researchers say autopsies performed on ten African Americans who died from COVID-19 had blood clots in their lungs which also significantly contributed to their death. Director of Pathology Research at LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Richard Vander Heide…
cut 5 (09) “…benefit”

The LHSAA is investigating at least a dozen schools for holding workouts before the June 8th summer start date…
cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House approves legislation that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses who did not receive federal assistance. Matt Doyle has the story…
Cut 3 (31) “…Matt Doyle”

This proposal still needs Senate approval as the upper chamber approved this measure already, but their version calls for a 200-million dollar small business grant program, not 300-million dollars.

Today, the House votes on a Senate-backed tort reform bill that aims to lower auto insurance rates.

State Trooper George Baker, who died from injuries sustained when he was hit by a Hammond Police car during a police chase, was laid to rest yesterday. The 33-year-old also served in the military and with the Greensburg Police Department and St. Helena Sheriff’s Office. At Baker’s memorial service, Governor Edwards called Baker a true public servant…
cut 11 (11) “…community service”

LHSAA executive director Eddie Bonine says his office is looking into complaints that 12 schools are holding summer workouts, even though the association has said schools can not have student-athletes gather until at least June 8th. Bonine says it’s disappointing some schools are not following the rules…
cut 9 (09) “…this point”
Bonine says schools and coaches who are holding summer workouts now could be fined and suspended.

The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses by using money provided to the state from the federal CARES Act. The measure passed on a 72-26 vote, but New Orleans Representative Gary Carter argued the governor would rather send this money to local governments …
Cut 13 (11) “…dollars”
But supporters of the measure, that still needs Senate approval, say without small businesses, local governments lose out on more tax revenue.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating at least 12 schools for allegedly holding summer workouts prior to the June 8th start date. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they were notified about the possible violations by other schools and…
Cut 7 (09) “…the right thing.”
Bonine says possible punishment could be announced next week.

LSU researchers make a new discovery that helps healthcare providers understand what can make COVID-19 so deadly, especially among African Americans. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

COVID-19 deaths in Louisiana increased by 18 yesterday to 2,635. According to the Louisiana Department of Health, 55-percent of the victims were black. 58-percent of the people who have died from COVID-19 also battled hypertension, 35-percent had diabetes.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating at least 12 schools for allegedly holding summer workouts prior to the June 8th start date. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they were notified about the possible violations by other schools and…
Cut 7 (09) “…the right thing.”
Bonine says he’s disappointed there are schools who could not follow the June 8th start date. He says possible punishment could be announced next week.

In NFL news, former Saints cornerback Eli Apple has signed with the Carolina Panthers. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell is hopeful coaches will be able to return to team facilities next week. Also, the NFL owners tabled a proposal that would have allowed teams a chance to convert on fourth-and-15 instead of going for an onside kick.

Louisiana Tech plans to begin voluntary football workouts on June 8th. Athletic Director Tommy McClelland says players are allowed back on campus next week…
Cut 16 (18) “in general”
McClelland says players will be screened daily for coronavirus symptoms and that includes answering a questionnaire and temperature checks. He says masks will also be required during meetings.

ULM athletic director Scott McDonald tells the Monroe News-Star that student-athletes may begin using the weight room inside Malone Stadium on June 1st and Ragin Cajuns athletics director Bryan Maggard says their football players will begin voluntary workouts on June eighth.