The Legislative season will continue into June as lawmakers take the unusual step of calling, on their own, for a special session to begin immediately after the regular session ends June 1^st.

Lawmakers laid out 41 items they plan to tackle during the period, nearly all dealing with the budget and other fiscal matters.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the COVID-19 shutdown and oil price collapse created serious uncertainty about the state’s finances for the next fiscal year starting July 1^st. Pinsonat says the additional time may give them a clearer picture of just how bad the hit to state revenue will be.

Cut 12 (06) “…that’s a risk.”

Lawmakers must pass a balanced budget by July 1^st.

While the agenda currently only pertains to fiscal items Pinsonat says it could be used as an opportunity to override a potential gubernatorial veto of items like tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates, assuming that legislation can pass the House.

Cut 13 (09) “…will be” 

Fantasy sports taxation and fees for higher education will also be considered.

The House also passes several controversial gun rights bills, one of them allowing concealed carry in a house of worship without the congregation’s permission.

The House passed an amendment onto the state budget banning funding for any contact tracing that mandates citizen participation, but Governor Edwards says concern over contact tracing is unfounded. He told lawmakers the program will not be mandatory, and it is not like Louisiana hasn’t done contact tracing programs before…

Cut 16 (11) “…long time.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend. Nungesser says the state is actively working now at luring tourists for the when it is safe for them to return as last year, they left behind $1.9 billion in tax revenue.

Cut 5 (10)  “…tax base back.”

Louisiana’s state parks have canceled all out of state bookings through phase one and will be relying on locals to fill in some of the lost revenue.

If you’re planning on traveling just know the statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Despite the low price Fuel Analyst Don Redman does not expect the roads to be packed as the list of travel destinations is limited right now.

Cut 6 (11) “ …can go.”

If you are driving into Texas or Mississippi the average for a gallon there is actually a few cents lower, while those headed to Florida will be greeted by prices at 1.87 a gallon.

The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping with the mental stress of the pandemic. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741 to get help 24 hours a day.

Cut 9 (12) “…19.”

The money to run the text line comes from the feds.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is down to 867. Governor John Bel Edwards says the hospitalization rate for this disease is at its lowest level since the end of March. Edwards says the state has also been supplied with thousands of viles of Remdesivir, a drug known to reduce the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients

Cut 15 (11)“  an allocation”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend.  Louisiana’s state parks have canceled all out of state bookings through phase one and Nungesser says now is the time for locals to check them out because there is something for every member of the family.

Cut 3 (06)  “…got canoeing, tubing.”  

When visiting the state’s landmarks, Nungesser says makes sure you put them on social media.

If you’re traveling around the state this weekend some good news for drivers at least is that gas is cheaper than it has been on a Memorial Day weekend since the Bush Administration. Fuel Analyst Don Redman says the statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.”

The price for a barrel of crude oil is hovering in the low 30s after dipping into the negatives a month ago.

Louisianans who are feeling stressed by this new normal are encouraged to reach out to the newly activated Crisis Counseling Text Line. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Governor Edwards clarifies that there is no legal mandate for anyone to respond to contact tracers who may call you if you have been infected with COVID-19 to find out who you may have passed the virus to, and adds its not the first time the state has done contact tracing…

Cut 16 (11) “…long time.”

The SEC announces student-athletes can resume on-campus workouts at their schools starting on June eighth, but there will be stringent health protocols in place. LSU’s Executive Deputy Athletics Director, Verge Ausberry, says they’ve been preparing to welcome football players back next month

Cut 12 (11) “…right now”

There’s been a moratorium on on-campus activities since March 12th.

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is down to 867. Governor John Bel Edwards says the hospitalization rate for this disease is at its lowest level since the end of March. Edwards says the state has also been supplied with thousands of viles of Remdesivir, a drug known to reduce the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients

Cut 15 (11)“  an allocation”

The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping with the mental stress of the pandemic. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741 to get help 24 hours a day.

Cut 9 (12) “…19.”

If you are driving into Texas or Mississippi the average for a gallon there is actually a few cents lower, while those headed to Florida will be greeted by prices at 1.87 a gallon.

The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Despite the low price Fuel Analyst Don Redman does not expect the roads to be packed as the list of travel destinations is limited right now.

Cut 6 (11) “ …can go.”

Governor Edwards says the state is boosting up its contact tracing efforts. Republican lawmakers have expressed concerns that the state will mandate people to participate if they get a call from a contact tracer. Edwards says there’s not a mandate for anyone to participate and Louisiana has done this before

Cut 16 (11) “…long time.”

The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping with the mental stress of the pandemic. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741 to get help 24 hours a day.

Cut 9 (12) “…19.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to use the holiday weekend to explore their state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Despite the low price Fuel Analyst Don Redman does not expect the roads to be packed as the list of travel destinations is limited right now.

Cut 6 (11) “ …can go.”

The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 is down to 867. Governor John Bel Edwards says the hospitalization rate for this disease is at its lowest level since the end of March. Edwards says the state has also been supplied with thousands of viles of Remdesivir, a drug known to reduce the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients.

Cut 15 (11)“  an allocation”

The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741.

Cut 11 (10) “…some time”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend. Louisiana’s state parks have canceled all out of state bookings through phase one and Nungesser says now is the time for locals to check them out because there is something for every member of the family.
Cut 3 (06) “…got canoeing, tubing.”
When visiting the state’s landmarks, Nungesser says make sure to snap pics and share them on social media.

The price of fuel will be perfect for that in-state exploration. The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Despite the low price Fuel Analyst Don Redman does not expect the roads to be packed as the list of travel destinations is limited right now.

Cut 6 (11) “ …can go.”

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser is encouraging Louisiana residents to explore their state over the holiday weekend.  Louisiana’s state parks have canceled all out of state bookings through phase one. Nungesser says the state is actively working now at luring tourists for the when it is safe for them to return as last year, they left behind $1.9 billion in tax revenue.

Cut 5 (10)  “…tax base back.”

The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Fuel Analyst Don Redman expects this to be the last holiday weekend that prices will be this low, and by the 4^th of July…

Cut 8 (09) “…right now.”

The price for a barrel of crude oil is hovering in the low 30s after dipping into the negatives a month ago.

The Crisis Counseling Text Line is now active in Louisiana for residents who need help coping. GOHSEP Preparedness Section Chief Rubby Douglas says all you have to do is text reach out in all caps, one word to 741-741. There are crisis call centers already active but Douglas says not everyone is comfortable voicing their fears to another person.

Cut 10 (07) “…lot more”

The SEC announces student-athletes can resume on-campus workouts at their schools starting on June eighth. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey says they are preparing to begin the fall sports season as currently scheduled and this limited resumption of voluntary athletic activities on June 8th is an important initial step. LSU’s Executive Deputy Athletics Director, Verge Ausberry, it’s their hope the football season can start on time

Cut 14 (06) “…into to”

The state reports 39 new COVID-19 fatalities today, bringing the death toll to 2,545. Total cases: 36,925… up by 421. Hospitalizations dropped by 17 to 867 and vent usage is down by three to 104.

Louisianans who are feeling stressed by this new normal are encouraged to reach out to the newly activated Crisis Counseling Text Line. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

The SEC announces student-athletes can resume on-campus workouts at their schools starting on June eighth, but there will be stringent health protocols in place. The SEC says the decision was made by the league’s Return to Activity and Medical Guidance Task Force. LSU Infectious Diseases Expert Catherine O’ Neal is on that panel and LSU’s Executive Deputy Athletics Director, Verge Ausberry says Doctor O’ Neal is a great resource for them.

Cut 13 (12) “the year”  

The statewide average for a gallon of gas sits at 1.63 heading into Memorial Day weekend. Fuel Analyst Don Redman says Memorial Day gas prices haven’t been this low since the Bush Administration.

Cut 7 (11) “…right now.”