Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several key metrics…
cut 15 (10) “…the state”
Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can reopen for the first time since March.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather near the Yucatan Peninsula is becoming better organized and there’s a high chance it will form into a tropical storm tonight or tomorrow. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says Louisiana residents should monitor…
cut 5 (08) “…threat”

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the deaths of twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper is devastating news…
Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”
Blake Cooper was the director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.

State lawmakers have approved the regulatory framework so residents in 47 parishes can participate in online fantasy sports contests. In a special session that starts tonight, legislators will figure out how it should be taxed. Fairness for Fantasy sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says the tax bill will be more contentious than this regulatory bill…
cut 13 (07) “…debate”

The regular session comes ends at 6 PM and lawmakers are looking to pass several bills in the final hours. Still needing final approval, a tort reform measure that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates by 10-percent. And Republican legislative leaders are looking to pass a measure that would use 300-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to set up a small business grant program.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana is headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Final legislative approval has been given to a bill that sets up the regulatory framework so residents in 47 parishes can compete in online fantasy sports contests for money. Legislators still need to figure out how it will be taxed. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says that will be discussed during a special session that begins at 6:01 tonight. He asks fantasy sports players to get involved in the debate..
cut 14 (09) “….package”

Today is the first day of the 2020 hurricane season. Spokesperson for the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness Mike Steele says get your hurricane prep kit together now and consider using COVID-related items like masks, wipes, and sanitizer, along with the standard items…
cut 4 (07) “….kit”
He says to get ready go to get-a-game-plan-dot-org.

Governor Edwards will announce at 2:30 this afternoon whether the state is ready to move into Phase two of reopening of the economy. That means bars and summer camps can re-open and non-essential travel can resume, but the state will continue to work to limit the spread of COVID-19…
cut 30 (10) “…it remains deadly”
The state reported just four new deaths today, bringing the state’s total to 2,690.

Many people in central Louisiana are grieving over the deaths of Ben and Blake Cooper. The two businessmen from Alexanderia were killed in a small plane crash in Pineville yesterday. But President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says Blake’s seven-year-old son survived the crash but is in bad shape…
cut 8 (09) “…to live”
The N-T-S-B is investigating the cause of the crash.

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.
Cut 12 (08) “this year
The special session is set to begin one minute after the regular session ends at 6:00 tonight.

Another bill heading to the governor’s desk is a measure that eases the restrictions on who can be recommended to use medical marijuana. The state currently has a specific list of diseases and conditions, but Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s bill opens it up to anyone who is suffering from a debilitating condition…
cut 11 (10) “…were telling me”
The governor is expected to sign the bill.

The House gives final passage to legislation removing most restrictions on which patients can receive medical marijuana from doctors to include any condition a doctor considers debilitating to an individual patient.  Bill author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.

Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”

With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk.

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two highly respected men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the Tioga High grads were very active in the community.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the future”

Louisiana surpasses 40,000 COVID-19 cases today, with four new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 2690.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.

Cut 3 (08)  “…support”  

Steele says to start preparing for the season head over to https://www.getagameplan.org/

There’s a possibility we could see a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. National Weather Service Forecaster Stephen Carboni, says what was Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific is moving over Central America and

Cut 15 (10) “southern gulf”

A Sunday afternoon plane crash in Pineville kills two men and leaves a 7-year-old in the ICU.  The small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff.  The two men have been identified as twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper.  President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph knew the two men.

Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”

Blake Cooper was the executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.  Randolph says the brothers were very active in the community.

Families of children who receive free or reduced-price meals are eligible for Pandemic EBT cards to help offset those meals lost when schools closed early, but they need to act fast. Syndi Dunn, Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson says applications must be completed by June 8^th.

Cut 7 (11) “…$285 per child.”

Governor Edwards will announce today whether the state will move into Phase two of reopening the economy on Friday. That means bars and summer camps can re-open and non-essential travel can resume. But Edwards says even if the state goes to phase two that doesn’t mean COVID-19 has left the state…
cut 14 (10) “…it remains deadly”
The state reported just six new deaths yesterday, bringing the state’s total to 2,686.

Anxiety levels for many people went up this past weekend as they watched violent protests break out across the country over the death of George Floyd, who died while in police custody in Minneapolis. Doctor Tonya Hansel with the Tulane School of Social Work says if you feel helpless, try to do some volunteer work…
cut 6 (09) “….the end”

It’s the final day of the regular session and Republican lawmakers are poised to pass a tort reform bill that supporters say will reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Governor Edwards has concerns and could veto it, because it may not lead to lower rates. And U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the governor can pick off a few votes in both chambers to avoid a veto override…
cut 11 (08) “…give out”

Families who have children who normally receive free and reduced-price meals at school are elgible for a Pandemic EBT debit card that’s worth 285-dollars per child. But the deadline to apply is next Monday. Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn says they’ve processed applications for about 62-percent of all elgible children…
cut 8 (07) “…June 8th”
The application can found at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

Governor John Bel Edwards will announce at 2:30 today whether the state is ready to move into Phase 2 of reopening the economy. Edwards says the metrics used to make the decision to move into phase one are still in play for determining whether the state is ready for phase two
Cut 13 (13) “…cases”

It’s also the final day of the 2020 regular session. The Republican led legislature will look to give final passage to a tort reform measure that supporters say will lead to a reduction in auto insurance rates by 10-percent. U-L Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says if the governor doesn’t like it, he could veto it, but legislators are staying in Baton Rouge for a special session…
cut 12 (08) “…session”
The regular session ends at 6 PM, the special session begins at 6:01 PM.

The deadline is nearing for families of children that received free or reduced-price meals at Louisiana schools to apply for Pandemic EBT cards. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

It was a violent weekend across the country as many protests in response to the death of George Floyd during a police arrest in Minneapolis turned violent. Add this to the anxiety many are feeling over COVID-19. Doctor Tonya Hansel with the Tulane School of Social Work says if you are feeling stressed, reach out to a friend or family member…
cut 5 (04) “…able to”

The tort reform bill that supporters say will reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent is expected to receive final legislative passage today on the final day of the regular session. Governor Edwards is not a supporter of the bill and UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says Edwards could veto it…
Cut 10 (10) “…override”
The governor’s office is involved in negotiations on the final draft of the bill that will be presented to lawmakers later today.

Today is the first day of the 2020 hurricane season and the National Hurricane Center there’s an 80-percent chance we could see tropical storm Cristobal form in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. Stephen Carboni is with the National Weather Service in Lake Charles…
cut 16 (11) “…of that”

Governor Edwards will announce today whether the state will move into phase two of reopening the economy. A Tulane social worker warns people may suffer a new wave of COVID-related anxiety. Matt Doyle has more
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Families who have children that received free and reduced-price meals at school have one more week to apply for a Pandemic E-B-T card that’s worth 285-dollars per child. State Department of Education spokesperson Sydni Dunn…
cut 9 (11) “…not required”
The application can be found at Louisiana-believes dot-com.