LSU pathologists make a new discovery that helps healthcare providers understand what can make COVID-19 so deadly. Matt Doyle has the story.

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association is investigating 12 schools for allowing sports teams to begin training before the summer start date. Brooke Thorington has more.

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The Louisiana House approves legislation that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small buisinesses who did not receive federal assistance. Matt Doyle has the story…

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Autopsies on African American COVID-19 victims by LSU researchers find new information on how the disease damages your lungs by causing hemorrhaging. LSU Health New Orleans head of Pathology Research Dr. Richard Vander Heide says they’ve performed 26 autopsies and surveyed the victims’ lungs…

Cut 4 (10)_ “clots”

Vander Heide says they found heart disease, obesity, and other comorbidities in nearly all of those studied which may be linked to the blood clotting.

Cut 5 (09)  “..benefit”

Vander Heide says those clots and hemorrhaging can result in complications like strokes, and…

Cut 6 (10) “…recover” 

The victims were autopsied at University Medical Center in New Orleans.

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The Louisiana High School Athletic Association delayed summer training dates due to the COVID-19 pandemic but 12 schools are under investigation for violating the start date. The association changed the date from May 17th to June 8th to fall in line with the Governor’s proposed timeline of reopening the state. LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine says they were notified about the violations by other schools and…

Cut 7 (09) “…the right thing.”

Bonine said he’s extremely disappointed that the association is having to look into the matter. He says they have received time-stamped photographs and videos of the alleged practice sessions.

Cut 8 (08) “…survelliance.”

Bonine, who declined to name the 12 schools, says the executive committee will meet June 3^rd to discuss the situation. Schools and coaches could receive, fines, suspensions, or placed on probation.

Cut 9 (09) “this point.”

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Fallen State Trooper George Baker was laid to rest yesterday following a private memorial service at the University Center on the Southeastern Louisiana campus. Baker was killed at the age of 33 while assisting in the chase of a suspect in Hammond last week. His sister, Stephanie Smith, spoke on behalf of the family…

Cut 10 (13) “…overwhelming”

The suspects involved in the chase are facing several charges.

Baker served in the military. That included a deployment to the Middle East. He also served in the Greensburg Police Department and the St. Helena Parish Sheriff’s office. Governor Edwards says Trooper Baker was a true public servant

Cut 11 (11) “…service continues”

Trooper Baker is survived by his wife Heather, daughter Harper, his parents, sisters and extended family. Edwards had this message to the family….

Cut 12 (12) “…legacy alive.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a bill that would create a 300 million dollar grant program for small businesses. The measure still needs Senate approval on changes made to the bill by the House.

The money will be drawn from 811 million dollars the state received from the federal CARES Act. New Orleans Representative Gary Carter argued this money is intended to help local governments…

Cut 13 (11) “…dollars” 

The Louisiana Congressional Delegation sent Governor Edwards a letter asking the 800 million be sent to local governments to cover COVID-related revenue loss.

Houma Representative Jermone Zeringue says these grants are crucial for propping up businesses that fell through the cracks when it came to the big federal stimulus programs.

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Companies that received other federal programs will be barred from receiving funds for the first 21 days as well. Businesses must have fewer than 50 employees to qualify.

Initially, the proposal only called for 200 million to be used for the grant program. River Ridge Representative John Illg questioned why the additional 100 million was added.

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New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell slammed the legislation, saying it damages local government’s ability to provide crucial COVID-related healthcare.

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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.

McClelland says its their hope fans will be allowed to attend football games, but not decisions have been made yet…

Cut 17  (30) “…very understanding” 

College athletics will likely change because of the coronavirus pandemic. There’s been some speculation that Conference USA and Sun Belt could merge as a result. McClelland doesn’t see it happening…

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Governor Edwards has the final say on whether voters will decide if they want sports betting legalized in their parish. Jeff Palermo has more…

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A Senate Committee approves legislation allowing concealed carry permit holders to bring a gun in a house of worship with the pastor’s permission, but without having to inform the congregation. Matt Doyle has more.

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Legislation is heading to the governor’s desk that will ask voters on November 3rd if sports betting should be legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a parish approves the referendum, then lawmakers will vote next year on the regulation and taxation of sports wagering, which will be controversial

Cut 3 (05)  “…should go”  

An effort to legalize sports betting failed in the legislature last year. Henry says by putting the issue before the voters, lawmakers can then decide how they should vote when the sports betting and taxation bills come before them in 2021…

Cut 4 (09)_ “…pass the tax”

Supporters say sports betting is already happening and if it was legal than the state can tax the activity to generate revenue. Opponents say legal sports betting will produce more problem gamblers, which ends up costing taxpayers.

Henry says the ballot question will ask voters if sports wagering activities and operations should be permitted in your parish. He says lawmakers will determine next year where sports bets can be taken

Cut 5 (05)  “…next step”.

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A bill that removes many restrictions on who can be prescribed medical marijuana is nearing final legislative passage. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the treatment has helped many, including former Governor Kathleen Blanco. Mills says Blanco’s daughter said the medical cannabis gave her mom a few more good days before she died…

Cut 6 (06) “ …little while”

On a 28-to-six vote, the Senate approved the measure that would allow a state-licensed doctor to recommend the treatment for any debilitating health conditions. Mills assured the Senate this was not an effort to legalize recreational marijuana…

Cut 7 (04) “…medcinal issue” ”

Under current law, cannabis can only be used to treat a specific list of diseases or disorders that includes cancer, seizures, Parkinson’s, and PTSD. Mills says this legislation removes those restrictions…

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Before the bill goes to the governor’s desk, the House will need to approve Senate changes to the measure.

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Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraged by the state’s recent COVID-19 numbers, but as for a decision on Phase Two reopening that will have to wait. Edwards says the data is still being analyzed, but it’s encouraging to see the number of hospitalizations has fallen below 800

Cut 9 (10) “…decision is”

He hopes to make the announcement on June 1^st on possible movement to Phase Two, Phase One is currently in effect until June 5^th.

The number of patients who are hospitalized dropped by another 37 on Thursday to 761.

Edwards says based on the number of positive cases of those who have been tested and the fact that you can be an asymptomatic carrier it is so important that we all wear masks.

Cut 10 (10) “…everybody else”

Edwards says the state has made great progress going from number two in the country to number nine of COVID-19 cases per capita because so many have cooperated with guidelines, but we must continue to do so.

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A House-approved bill allowing a concealed handgun permit holder to bring a gun into a church without informing the congregation heads to the Senate floor for final passage.

Lake Charles Senator Mark Abraham began the hearing by addressing one of most commonly cited concerns related to the bill…

Cut 12 (09) “…firearms”

The legislation still requires a concealed carrier to ask the pastor or other leader of the house of worship for permission to carry while on the premises.

Louisiana Shooting Association President Dan Zelenka says it will make churches a safer place.

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Churches can currently allow concealed carry, but the congregation must be informed who is carrying. Bill sponsor Representative Bryan Fontenot says that requirement made carriers a target.

Church Attorney Andrew Wilson spoke against the bill. He says the measure would call for anti-carry churches to post large “no gun signs”, ruining church atmospheres.

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Wilson also cited scripture quoting Jesus as saying weapons should not be deployed to protect his followers.

Reverend John David Andrew, speaking on behalf of the Episcopal Dioceses of Louisiana, says this bill endangers the safety of students going to schools attached to churches…

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The Senate Judiciary C reported the bill to the floor on a 4-1 vote.