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”

_____________________________________

 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” 

___________________________________________

Just over half of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association members feel bankruptcy is likely. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

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.”

The state reported 22 deaths on Monday, after reporting 19 on Sunday and 23 on Saturday. The number of COVID-19 deaths is up to 1,991.

Edwards says there is still room to do better with fighting the spread as Louisiana is seventh in the nation in per capita infections.

Cut 5 (10)  “…being number two.”

The Governor’s new stay at home order that kicked in Friday still says restaurant meals must be served for carryout, however, patrons are now allowed to eat that meal in an outdoor dining section.  Edwards says it appears that it has been a popular option for businesses.

Cut 6 (08) “…that was safe.”

______________________________

Businesses can sign up to receive updates about changes to business restrictions and guidance for reopening at Open-Safely-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov.

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages business owners to sign up and answer a few questions.

Cut 7 (11) “…commerce”

To get updates click “register your business” and provide them your business’s email address.

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…

Cut 8 (11) “…provided”

Once you register your business you’ll be offered a poster you can put up in your business that shows customers you are in compliance with new COVID regulations.

Browning says the site also offers the public an online tool for reporting non-compliant businesses.

Cut 9 (10) “…followed”

Browning says over the weekend they received several complaints of non-compliant restaurants, but upon inspection they were all unfounded.

____________________________________

A Senate Committee will hear several sports gambling-related bills today. Lake Charles Republican Ronnie Johns has a proposal that calls for a proposition election on sports wagering to be held in every parish in November. Johns says sports betting is already happening illegally…

Cut 10 (09) “…legal industry.”

If parishes were to legalize sports gambling, the activity could not begin until the Legislature approves the tax structure during next year’s fiscal session.

Johns says we’ve given our neighbors a competitive economic advantage by waiting so long to legalize sports betting.

Cut 11 (07) “…time.”

Johns is optimistic the Louisiana Sports Wagering Act would find much the same level of support amongst voters that fantasy sports legalization did.

Cut 12 (10) “…that time”

Sports gambling would be allowed at riverboat casinos, racetracks, and the land-based New Orleans casino, for 20 locations in total.

_____________________________________

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%. Hyer says oil producers have been obligated to reduce 23% of their workforce already and 77.5% of operators are taking steps now to shut-in production.

Cut 14 (10) “…if they shut-in.”

Hyer says 34% of members have applied for federal assistance, but of those, only 25% received the funding they anticipated.

Cut 15 (09)“…to avoid layoffs.”

Hyer says if this devastating moment in the industry’s history isn’t handled carefully, it could be an end point in history.

The Louisiana Department of Education disperses 260 million dollars in federal funding to school districts, with guidance on how to properly use the funds…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The Legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht warned state lawmakers to expect a slow recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________________

The 2020 legislative resumed this morning when the Louisiana House convened this morning. 78 out of the 104 House members were present for roll call. The Legislative Black Caucus urged legislative leaders to reconvene on May 15th instead. But House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says they can’t wait any longer

Cut 3 (10)  “…work to do”   

Schexnayder says the state faces significant health and economic challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but as a legislative body they are up to the task

Cut 4 (09)_ “our way.”

The Louisiana House is a member short. Representative Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish died from COVID-19. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has said he will not be at the capitol after COVID-19 and sent him to the hospital.

Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says he’s recovered from COVID-19 and asked legislators to wear a mask when talking with others…

Cut 5 (08)  “…doing so”

_________________________________________________

Louisiana school systems receive a 260 million dollar coronavirus relief grant from the feds, with guidance on how to use the funds coming from The Louisiana Department of Education.

Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says the funds will make sure every kid has a computer and access to the internet if school campuses remain closed.

Cut 6 (10) “…happen.”

The money is being disbursed to schools by LDE based on the number of low-income children served in each district.

Bahgian says the funds will also be used to make a plan for every student based on their academic progress and, if needed, provide extra time to help some catch up to their classmates, so…

Cut 7 (11) “…might have.”

Louisiana received an additional 27 million from the feds that will be set aside for grant opportunities and support for critical systems.

Baghian says with this funding districts can develop a plan for the 2020-2021 school year to ensure every student hears from an educator every day.

Cut 8 (08) “…minds”

LDE also encourages school districts to use the money to craft flexible scheduling for the next school year.

______________________________

The Louisiana Lottery has come up with a way for players to redeem cash prizes between $5,000 and $600 since lottery offices are closed. Spokesperson Kim Chopin says send photocopies of the winning ticket, along with a completed prize claim form and a picture of your driver’s license to lottery headquarters…

Cut 9 (05) “…present to us.”

A Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim form can be found on their website.

When you send photos of your winning ticket Chopin says to be sure to take clear photos and….

Cut 10 (08) “…that ticket.”

Chopin also advises you to hold onto the original ticket incase your prize gets lost in the mail.

Chopin says if you have a winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket, or your Louisiana Lottery winning ticket is over $5000 they are providing an option to claim that prize

Cut 11 (08) “…CDC guidelines.”

To set up a prize payment appointment, email prizepayments@louisianalottery.com

The emergency prize claim extension remains in effect until claim offices are deemed fully functional.  Tickets set to expire March 24 – May 25 are extended until August 15th. Prize tickets of less than $600 can be redeemed at any Lottery retailer.

______________________________

The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee not to expect a quick economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Greg Albrecht says Louisiana will not be able to recover, until the national and world economy recovers…

Cut 12 (11) “…like this”

Albrecht anticipates a significant loss in state revenues for the fiscal year that begins in July.  He says all you have to do is look at the price of oil.

Cut 13 (09) “…etcetera.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets on Monday and they’ll give a projection on how money the state will have available for next fiscal year.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism says tourism is Louisiana’s fourth-largest employer, but Albrecht says it will take a while for that part of our economy to bounce back…

Cut 14 (12) “…people are seeing.”