Attorney General Jeff Landry wants Governor Edwards to allow hair salons and barbershops to open before the stay at home order ends May 15^th. Landry says good haircare improves personal hygiene and mental wellbeing.

Cut 9 (07) “…cut their hair”

A Baton Rouge man’s 2006 non-unanimous conviction for rape and kidnapping will be taken up by the US Supreme Court in a challenge to the constitutionality of previously decided non-unanimous jury verdicts. Thedrick Edwards is serving multiple life sentences on a series of 11-1 and 10-2 convictions that were decided along racial lines in the jury. His attorney Andre Belanger explains their objective…

Cut 3 (11)  “…petition”   

AG Landry opposes overturning past non-unanimous convictions.

The University of Louisiana System announces a 45 percent tuition discount rate for returning adults who have taken college courses and are returning to school. UL System President Jim Henderson says the process of finding the right path to a degree doesn’t get much more convenient now.

Cut 13 (11) “…the market today.”

The program matches those who sign up with a coach who will help the returning student navigate their return to academics.

After a record breaking 53.2 million people visited Louisiana in 2019 the state is scrambling to save the tourism industry. The future of tourism is murky but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this isn’t the first time we’ve weathered a storm and rebounded to set new records.

Cut 6 (11) “…bounced back.”

The 53.2 million was a four percent increase over 2018.

After setting a new record for visitors in Louisiana last year the tourism industry is bracing for a bleak 2020. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Louisiana surpasses the 2,000 mark on COVID-19 fatalities with 51 new deaths, raising the total to 2,042. The state is has seen an encouraging number when it comes to ventilator usage, dipping below the 200 mark to 194, down by 26 from yesterday. Total cases: just shy of 30,000 and expected to eclipse that tomorrow.

After ruling all non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional the US Supreme Court will now decide whether that decision applies retroactively. The case involves a Baton Rouge man, Thedrick Edwards, serving multiple life sentences, but the jury hearing the case did not deliver a unanimous verdict in 2006. His attorney Andre Belanger (bah-lon-jay) says the case should be overturned…
Cut 4 (08)_ “injustice.”
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes overturning past non-unanimous convictions.
The University of Louisiana System announces a special tuition rate for adults wanting to return to school to finish their degree through the Compete LA program. UL System President Jim Henderson says the new rate provides an average discount of $450 per course, adding the process of finding the right path to a degree doesn’t get much more convenient.
Cut 13 (11) “…the market today.”

Lousiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has sent a letter to the governor urging him to allow barber shops and hair salons to reopen. Landry says even with social distancing guidelines in place, there are ways a person can get their hair cut or nails done safely…
cut 11 (11) “….should be optional”
Governor Edwards has indicated barbers and nail salons will re-open when phase one of reopening the economy begins, which could be May 15th.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state sent another record in 2019 for visitors, with 53-million tourists last year. Nungesser looks forward to the day when big events return and he wants the state to help out…
cut 8 (11) “…struggling”

The University of Louisiana System announces a special tuition rate for adults wanting to return to school to finish their degree at one of their nine campuses through the Compete LA program. UL System President Jim Henderson says the new rate provides an average discount of $450 per course.
Cut 12 (12) “…the adult learner.”
The UL System launched Compete LA last fall and has enrolled more than 2,000 returning students.

The U-S Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a Baton Rouge man serving a life sentence on rape and kidnapping charges, but the jury did not come to a unanimous decision. His attorney, Andre Belanger, says his client Thedrick Edwards, should have his conviction thrown out since the nation’s highest court recently ruled non-unanimous jury verdicts are unconstitutional…
cut 5 (08) “…hope”
District Attorney Hillar Moore opposes overturning Edwards’ conviction, calling him a “bad dude”

The number of COVID-19 deaths has surpassed two-thousand as the state reported 51 more fatalities today, bringing the death toll to 2,042. The Louisiana Health Department also reports 323 new cases as the total number of cases is just shy of 30-thousand.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is urging the governor to open up barber shops and hair salons. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana set another record with 53-million visitors in 2019. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says they are looking at a sharp decrease this year, but his office is reaching out to groups that canceled their events in Louisiana…
cut 7 (08) “….musician”
Nungesser says the state can start welcoming tourists back once Louisiana enters phase two of re-opening the economy.

After ruling all non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional the US Supreme Court will now decide whether that decision applies retroactively. The case involves a Baton Rouge man serving multiple life sentences, but the jury hearing the case did not deliver a unanimous verdict in 2006. His attorney Andre Belanger explains the objective…
cut 3 (10) “…petition”
Belanger’s client, Thedrick Edwards, was convicted on multiple counts, including kidnapping and rape.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is pushing for the Governor to greenlight the reopening of barbershops and hair salons.  Landry says it is a step in the right direction of getting the economy running and stresses the importance of haircuts as a matter of personal hygiene and mental well-being.

Cut 9 (07) “…cut their hair”

Landry is calling on the move to be made as soon as possible and says the reopening would be a part of the restoration of people’s liberty.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 is seeing encouraging numbers.  Edwards says over the last three days, the numbers of deaths have been the lowest seen in over a month, adding that the drop is credited to residents taking mitigation efforts seriously.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…out and about.”

After a record breaking 53.2 million people visited Louisiana in 2019 the state is scrambling to save the tourism industry. The future of tourism is murky but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this isn’t the first time we’ve weathered a storm and rebounded to set new records.

Cut 6 (11) “…bounced back.”

The 53.2 million was a four percent increase over 2018.

Just over half of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association members feel bankruptcy is likely due to low oil prices. Association spokesperson Kati Hyer says the combo of a price war and the drop in demand from COVID-19 have driven oil prices through the floor.

Cut 13 (13) “…and local governments.”

Employees have seen cuts in salary ranging from 6% to 20%.

Louisiana has set up a new website called open-safely-dot-la-gov that will assist businesses and religious organizations on how to safely resume operations once the state moves into phase one of reopening the economy. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the site also allows the public to report non-compliant businesses…
cut 9 (10) “….followed”

A Louisiana Oil and Gas Association survey has found that 78-percent of operators have already begun taking steps to shut-in production. LOGA spokesperson Kati Hyer says many operators have received loan assistance, but it’s still not enough…
cut 15 (09) “….layoffs

The House Appropriations Committee heard a bleak outlook when it comes to state revenues from the legislature’s chief economist. Greg Albrecht says mineral revenue, sales, and income tax collections will be down for the foreseeable future and it will take a long time for tourism to bounce back…
cut 24 (12) “…people are seeing”
An official revenue projection will be made next Monday when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets.

This afternoon a Senate committee will consider proposals that would ask voters in November if they support the legalization of sports betting in Louisiana. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says we’ve given our neighbors to the east a competitive advantage by waiting to legalize sportsbooks…
cut 11 (07) “…time”
Johns is the author of the Louisiana Sports Wagering Act.

The state has activated a new website called open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov. It provides guidance to businesses and churches on how they can get back on their feet as Louisiana moves towards re-opening more of the economy. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
Cut 7 (11) “…commerce”
Governor Edwards could announce next week that the state is moving into phase one of re-opening of the economy.

It’s Cinco De Mayo, traditionally a big day for Mexican restaurants. Edwards is reminding people that social distancing still needs to be observed as restaurants are able to have outdoor dining. The governor is pleased with how restaurants and customers responded last weekend…
cut 6 (08) “…that was safe”

A Senate committee will consider several proposals this afternoon that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal at the state’s casinos and race tracks. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has announced it will hold a virtual graduation ceremony online starting at 10 AM on May 15th. After the ceremony, the names of the graduating class will be displayed in Tiger Stadium. A university spokesperson says a physical graduation ceremony is still planned for the 2020 class, but a date on when that might occur is unknown.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says a new survey finds just over half of its members believe bankruptcy is likely because of low oil prices. LOGA spokesperson Kati Hyer says a price war and significant drop in demand have driven oil prices through the floor.
Cut 13 (13) “…and local governments.”
Hyer says their members have already been forced to lay off 23-percent of their workforce.

Louisiana is approaching 30-thousand coronavirus cases and two-thousand deaths from COVID-19. Governor Edwards says Louisiana is seventh in the nation in per capita infections…
cut 5 (10) “….being number two”

The governor’s office is asking businesses and churches to register with a new website called Open Safely Dot-Gov. The site provides detailed guidelines for re-opening. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says those that sign up will be put on a list for in-person compliance checks, but you don’t have to wait for that inspection to open, once the state moves into the different phases of re-opening…
cut 8 (11) “….provided”
It’s possible Governor Edwards will announce next week that the state is moving into phase one of re-opening the economy.

At the state capitol today, a Senate committee will hear several bills that seek to put a question on the November ballot that asks voters do they support legalizing sports betting. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns knows there is support for the proposal…
cut 12 (10) “…that time”

Governor Edwards says the state’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 is seeing encouraging numbers. Edwards says over the last three days, the deaths reported have been the lowest seen in over a month. He says residents are taking mitigation efforts seriously.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…out and about.”
The state reported 22 deaths on Monday, after reporting 19 on Sunday and 23 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says 78-percent of oil producers have already begun taking steps to shut-in production. LOGA spokesperson Kati Hyer says shuttering is happening at an alarming rate…
cut 14 (08) “….if they shut-in”
The State Fire Marshal encourages business owners to sign up for reopening updates at Open-Safely-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee to expect a big drop in available revenues for next fiscal year’s budget. Greg Albrecht says all you have to do is look at the price of oil.
Cut 23 (09) “…etcetera.”