At his briefing today, Governor John Bel Edward says the state is getting closer to its goal of testing 200-thousand people this month…

Cut 14 (12) “…of May”

Louisiana reported 443 new coronavirus cases today to bring the state’s total number of cases to 38,497

Edwards says the number of COVID-19 patients who are ventilators and in the hospital continues to decline. He says as of Wednesday 798 COVID-19 patients are hospitalized…

Cut 15 (10)“ decreasing”

The second named storm of 2020 formed today prior to the official start of the 2020 hurricane season beginning June 1st. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is highly unusual.

Cut 3 (12)  “…87′.”  

Tropical Storm Bertha formed today off the coast of the Carolinas.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces every childcare provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure a healthy reopening following the COVID-19 outbreak. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says supplies have already been distributed to some facilities that are currently open.

Cut 12 (12) “…and family”

Two named storms have formed before the June 1st start of the hurricane season. Matt Doyle spoke to an expert about what that could mean for the rest of the year…

Cut 1 (27) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Louisiana Department of Education announces every childcare provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure a healthy reopening following the COVID-19 outbreak. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian…

Cut 11 (07) “…like bleach”

Louisiana reported 443 new coronavirus cases today to bring the state’s total number of cases to 38,497. But Governor John Bel Edwards says the state continues to make progress in its battle against COVID-19

Cut 13 (10) “number two”  

Edwards says the number of active coronavirus cases is about 10-thousand and that figure has remained steady over the last month or so. He adds 28,700 have been estimated to recover.

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would terminate lawsuits filed by parishes that seek compensation from oil companies for contributing to coastal land loss. According to the Advocate, seven parishes have filed suit against oil and gas companies. Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng says the timing is curious as they are close to reaching a settlement

Cut 8 (08) “…going on.”

Tropical Storm Bertha’s formation off the coast of South Carolina today makes it two named storms so far this year before the start of the official hurricane season June 1^st. This is the third time since 2012 we’ve had two named storms form before the season started so what’s behind the recent trend?

Cut 5 (08)  “…idea”.

That’s State Climatologist Barry Keim who says those years ended with above-average activity.

A House committee approves legislation terminating lawsuits filed by local governments against the oil and gas industry for alleged coastal damage. Former state senator and current director of the Port of Iberia Craig Romero says the lawsuits are a big problem for the industry…

Cut 7 (08) “…60 years ago”

Opponents say if the industry didn’t want to get sued, they shouldn’t have polluted the state’s coast.

The Louisiana Department of Education is helping ensure childcare centers reopen safely…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

A State Police Trooper who died after being struck by a Hammond Police vehicle that was pursuing a fleeing suspect will be laid to rest Thursday in Hammond, and remembered at a ceremony at the University Center on Southeastern’s campus. Attendees will be socially distanced and temperature checked upon entry, and those unable to attend the ceremony can watch via a live stream being provided on State Police’s Facebook page. George Baker was 33-years-old.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Louisiana has fallen below 800 for the first time since late March. A falling hospitalization rate is one of the factors state officials use to decide how and when restrictions on public gatherings and business can be eased.

The Louisiana Department of Education announces every childcare provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure a healthy reopening following the COVID-19 outbreak. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says the state worked with vendors to acquire supplies for 16-hundred childcare providers

Cut 10 (07) “…providers”

The supplies include no-touch thermometers, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and other cleaning products. The supplies were purchased with federal emergency relief funds.

The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion-dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that are being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools, and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

The second named storm of 2020 formed today prior to the official start of the 2020 hurricane season beginning June 1st. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is not the norm. Half of the recorded years with two or more named storms before June 1^st have occurred in the last ten years, and while Keim says 70-80 percent of all activity still occurs during the season…

Cut 5 (10)  “…amazing to me”.

Louisiana drops below 800 total people currently hospitalized for COVID-19 as of today’s update, down from the peak of 2134 people on April 13^th. 443 new cases were also reported along with 21 new deaths bringing the state’s total number of fatalities to 2,617.

The House Natural Resources Committee has approved legislation that would terminate lawsuits filed by parishes that seek compensation from oil companies for contributing to coastal land loss. The bill’s author, Houma Senator Michael Fesi, says these types of lawsuits should be filed by the state.

Cut 6 (10) “ …the coast”

St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis says if you don’t want to get sued then don’t pollute. He also questions the timing of trying to pass this legislation during a global pandemic

Cut 9 (11) “…paying for it”

Tropical Storm Bertha forms today off the coast of the Carolinas making that two named storms for the year before the 2020 hurricane season even begins. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this has only happened five times previous to this and warns that history shows storm activity this early in the year is often a harbinger of a busy season to come. Looking back at the other five years recorded since 1851…

Cut 4 (12)_ “…season.”

One of those years was 2012 when southeast Louisiana was slammed by Hurricane Isaac.

The second named storm of 2020 formed today prior to the official start of the 2020 hurricane season beginning June 1st. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this is a highly unusual situation.

Cut 3 (12)  “…87′.”  

Keim warns that history shows storm activity this early in the year is often a harbinger of a busy season to come. 

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says they’re excited to have students return to campus in fall but suggests that mask-wearing may be required when moving around campus or sitting in class…

Cut 7 (09) “…masks.”

He also mentioned that large lecture hall classes may be moved solely online for the fall so that smaller classes can use those larger rooms to conduct class while socially distancing.

Some regions are reporting up to a 170 percent increase in RV sales according to the RV Industry Association as a general fear of flying and cruising puts most vacation plans on hold for the summer. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says people are buying RVs because they let you maintain your own space and social distance while driving around the country.

Cut 10 (11) “…i there”

RV Masters does repair and service work for RVs.

Nicholls State students wrap up the first inaugural class of a program that pairs ten students with ten inmates for one semester to teach both groups about the criminal justice system. Inside Out Program facilitator Kristen Callais says students learned about inmates’ backgrounds and how those backgrounds influenced where they ended up.

Cut 14 (08) “…to”

The Louisiana House has approved a 30-billion dollar spending plan for next fiscal year. It contains nearly a billion dollars in federal aid that are being used to avoid deep cuts to state services. The proposal fully funds TOPS, K-through-12 schools, and social services. The budget heads to the Senate, but final approval is not expected until a special session that will start on Monday night.

LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says students will have to wear masks when they return to campus in August…
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is developing a plan on how they will spend 73-million dollars in federal aid to help the state’s fishing industry. L-D-W-F Assistant Secretary Patrick Banks says another 58-million dollars is to help fishing industries impacted by the lengthy opening of the Bonne Carre Spillway last year…
cut 6 (09) “…the future”

Ten Nicholls State students have just completed a program where they were paired up with ten inmates at the Lafourche Parish prison so both sides can learn more about the criminal justice system. Inside Out program facilitator, Kristen Callais says the class wrapped up with an online group protect and some fun back and forth…
cut 15 (13) “…in jail”

Louisiana Fisheries is set to receive $73 million in Federal Assistance. Brooke Thorington explains.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Department of Education has announced that every child care provider in the state will receive free supplies to help ensure the health and safety of staff and children. The supplies include no-touch thermometers, masks, gloves, hand sanitizer, soap, and other cleaning products. The supplies were purchased with federal emergency relief funds.

RV dealers are experiencing an increase in sales as the COVID-19 pandemic has forced families to change their summer plans. Operational Manager for RV Masters in Kenner Jeff Charrier says social distancing has also led to a spike in sales…
cut 11 (11) “…COVID”

No word yet on if LSU will allow fans inside Tiger Stadium this year. LSU interim president Thomas Galligan said on a webinar hosted by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber that it is possible fans will have to wear masks at football games…
cut 9 (10) “….stay tuned”
LSU is also looking at adjusting its fall semester so that classes conclude prior to Thanksgiving to avoid a second wave coronavirus cases.