Louisiana reports 333 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, but only 22 new deaths were reported today. That marks three days in a row at under 25 new reported deaths, but weekend and Monday numbers tend to be much lower due to reporting logjams.

The House is back in action after a month-long COVID hiatus, with the Senate set to follow at 2 pm. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the state faces significant health and economic challenges, but…

Cut 4 (10)_ “our way.”

And the state scores a 260 million dollar federal grant for school districts aimed at helping them get students back up to speed. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says districts can use the funds to provide time for extra instruction if a student has fallen behind…

Cut 7 (11) “…might have.”

For those that are looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods and support the state’s ag industry, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry introduces a new online tool that can help…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The 2020 legislative session resumed today 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”   

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James was among those not present.  James was hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia a month ago and says the House chamber is not a safe environment. James says if the session must go on legislative leaders need to ensure the only items seeing daylight are the budget, COVID-related bills, or essential business.

Cut 9 (08) “…danger”

Louisiana school systems receive 260 million dollar coronavirus relief grant from the feds.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 physical schools remain closed.
Cut 6 (10) “…happen.”
The money is being disbursed to schools by LDE the based on the number of low-income children served in each district.
A Lafayette drug testing company reaches a deal with suppliers to provide a test that will show patients within ten minutes whether they have coronavirus antibodies. Having anti-bodies may indicate you are now immune to the virus but the FDA says that’s yet to be proven. Global Data Fusion Founder and CEO Ed Roy says if it’s true his supplier is prepared to mass-produce the tests.
Cut 15 (11)“…tested”
Roy says the test process is easy and only requires participants to give a small prick of blood from their fingertip.

After over a month-long hiatus, the House resumed its business this morning at 9 and the Senate is set to convene at 2 pm. Legislation addressing the economy and COVID-19, along with the budget is expected to take center stage, but Senate President Page Cortez still expects the auto insurance reform bills to be heard…

Cut 5 (10)  “…question.”

One prominent member of the Legislature will not be in attendance today, Baton Rouge Representative Ted James. James was hospitalized with COVID-19 linked pneumonia a month ago and despite some safety measures says the House chamber is not a safe environment

Cut 7 (11) “…challenge”

The session must end at 6 PM on June 1st. If a budget is not approved, a special session will be called.

Good health appears to be one way to increase your odds when fighting COVID-19 and The Louisiana Department of Agriculture has an online tool that can help you find locally grown healthy foods. Manager of the Louisiana Farm to School Program Johannah Frelier (free-ler) says the Louisiana Farm Food Map and Directory can help you find immune-boosting local produce.

Cut 12 (12) “…nutrient filled food.”

The tool can be found in the coronavirus information center section of the Department of Ag’s website.

A Lafayette company is set to offer 10-minute coronavirus anti-body tests to Louisiana businesses. Having anti-bodies may indicate you are now immune to the virus but the FDA says that’s yet to be proven. Global Data Fusion Founder and CEO Ed Roy says if it’s true his supplier is prepared to mass-produce the tests.

Cut 15 (11)“…tested”

The 2020 legislative session resumed this morning as the House gaveled back in just after nine o’clock. The regular session must come to a close on June 1st and the state must approve a 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. The Revenue Estimating Conference will meet May 11th to provide legislators with a dollar figure on how much they can spend. Senate President Page Cortez says they anticipate it will be less than this fiscal year, but they don’t know much…
cut 6 (11) “….out months”
Governor Edwards has said the Legislature is an essential business, but Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, who was hospitalized with COVID-19, will not be at the Capitol this month….
cut 8 (09) “….out there”

For those looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods and support local farmers, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture introduces a new online tool that can help…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

You can now enter Texas and not have to self-quarantine for two weeks. The screening stations along the Texas-Louisiana borders are gone as the Lone Star State has rescinded its quarantine orders. Also, Carnival Cruise Line has announced it has canceled all cruises out of New Orleans this summer but will begin limit service on August 1st out of Miami, Port Canaveral, and Galveston.

Lawmakers return to the State Capitol today to resume the 2020 session, but not all legislators will be present. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, who was hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia, says the House chamber is not a safe environment for him…
cut 7 (11) “….challenge”
James has since recovered but noted there’s no confirmation currently that those who’ve caught the virus once can’t be reinfected.

Meanwhile, the legislators who are reporting to the capitol have 28 days to pass a budget before the regular session must end June 1st. Before the coronavirus pandemic, lowering auto insurance rates was a big topic. Senate President Page Cortez still expects the tort reform bills to be heard
Cut 5 (10) “…question.”

A Lafayette company is set to start offering a rapid result coronavirus antibody test. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana reported 20 new COVID-19 deaths yesterday, the smallest increase in weeks. The state’s death toll is just shy of two-thousand. The state also reported just new 200 cases, also one of the lowest single-day totals in weeks, The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized decline by 15 to 1,530, the number of patients on ventilators increased by five to 213.

State lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for the resumption of the 2020 legislative session. Legislators have been away from the State Capitol since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic and safety concerns still exist. But House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s time to get back to work
Cut 4 (07)_ “…care of”
But not all lawmakers will be present when the House gavels in at 9 AM. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James, who has recovered from a rough battle with COVID-19, says he’s not mentally ready to re-enter the House chamber that holds over one-hundred representatives. James says if the session must go on, legislative leaders need to ensure the only items discussed are the budget, COVID-related bills, or essential business…
Cut 9 (08) “…danger”

Lafayette firm Global Data Fusion says it will soon offer large quantities of antibody test kits that can determine if someone has had the coronavirus in ten minutes. Global Data Fusion CEO Ed Roy says the test is highly accurate and provides two important pieces of information…
cut 14 (08) “…the past”
Having anti-bodies may indicate you are now immune to the virus. The Lafayette company says the first tests should arrive in the coming days.

If you are searching for farm-fresh foods and looking to support Louisiana farmers, then check out the Louisiana Farm Food Map and Directory tab on the state department of agriculture’s website…
cut 11 (05) “…they are selling”
That’s Johannah Frelier, manager of the Louisiana Farm to School Program, who says the site identifies farms selling directly to consumers.

Safety is on the mind of legislators as they return to the state capitol for the resumption of the 2020 legislative session today. Brooke Thorington has more…
cut 1 (31) “….I’m Brooke Thorington”

The state health department reported just 20 more COVID-19 deaths yesterday bringing the state’s total to 1,969. How does that compare with the flu? Louisiana had a bad flu season between 2018-19 and the state reported 1,550 influenza deaths.

A Lafayette drug testing company reaches a deal with suppliers to provide a test that will show patients within ten minutes whether they have coronavirus antibodies. Global Data Fusion CEO Ed Roy says it only requires participants to give a small prick of blood from their fingertips.
Cut 13 (07) “…minutes.”
Global Data Fusion is set to offer the test to hospitals.

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture introduces a new online tool for those looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods. It’s called the Louisiana Farm Food Map and Directory. Manager of the Louisiana Farm to School Program Johannah Frelier says it’s a great way to support the state’s ag industry.
Cut 10 (09) “…to those farms.”
Frelier says the Louisiana Farm Food Map can be found in the coronavirus information center section on the Ag Department’s website.

On Friday as new COVID-19 case numbers were released Dr Alex Billioux, Assistant Secretary of Health with the Department of Health explained the jump in cases came from labs that are new to reporting. Of the 710 new cases yesterday, 381 were from those new labs. Billoux pointed out some of the cases reported were over two weeks old and…

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Oil City Republican Representative Danny McCormick is one of several lawmakers to be a part of a grassroots rally outside the Governor’s Mansion at noon today.  McCormick says the goal is to send a clear message to the Governor and the state legislature.

Cut 9 (09) “…and could not do.”

The state is ramping up COVID-19 contact tracing this month and that means you may be getting a call from a health official if you or someone close to you tests positive.   Governor Edwards says contact tracing is critical to stopping the spread of the virus. If you test positive, Edwards says the state will want information from you that could help identify others you may have infected.

Cut 7 (09) “…virus.”

The Louisiana Legislature will resume the 2020 regular session on Monday and several safety restrictions will be in place. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the legislative focus this session will be more narrow than usual.

Cut 14 (08) “…set forth”

If the Legislature does not pass a budget by June 1st a special session will likely be called to pass the budget by the July 1st deadline.