7:30 LRN Newscast June 29

The state Department of Education says school bus capacity will be capped at 50 percent if the state remains in Phase Two when classes resume in August. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana has surpassed 56-thousand positive coronavirus cases as the state reported nearly 15-hundred new cases yesterday. That includes both Saturday and Sunday. Governor John Bel Edwards tweeted out that 43-percent of the new cases are from people 29-years old or younger.

A common childhood vaccine might help prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis if a person is infected with COVID-19. LSU Health New Orleans researcher Dr. Paul Fidel says MMR can help boost an adult’s immune system to mount a more effective defense.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…the severe complications.”
Fidel says animal and human trials are set to start on this theory.

The Center for Planning Excellence and UrbanFootprint says Louisiana ranks third nationally at having a high risk of evictions when federal assistance expires on July 31st. Urban Footprint CEO Joe Distefano says 130-thousand households across Louisiana are at risk of evictions, because of high unemployment in the service and hospitality sectors…
cut 8 (09) “….gap”
Distefano says they are hoping Congress can provide more relief to avoid an eviction crisis.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

Mandatory individual workouts will begin this week for the Pelicans as they get to resume their push for the playoffs when the season restarts in Orlando on July 30th. New Orleans will face the Utah Jazz on July 30th and the rest of the schedule features games against the Clippers, Grizzlies, two games against the Kings, the Wizards, Spurs and Magic. Based on current win-loss records, the Pels are the only team in Orlando who has a schedule against teams with a combined record below .500.

LSU sophomore linebacker Marcel Brooks has reportedly entered the NCAA player transfer portal. It’s unknown why Brooks is looking to leave LSU. Brooks showed flashes last season as a freshman and he was expected to have a significant role in Bo Pelini’s new four-three defense.

Cam Newton has found a new job in the NFL. The Patriots have signed the former NFL MVP to a one-year contract.

LSU epidemiologist Edward Trapido with the LSU School of Public Health tells the Reveille he would not recommend that fans watch games inside Tiger Stadium this season. One of Trapido’s colleagues, Susanne Straif-Bourgeois, calls it a logistical nightmare. LSU spokesperson Ernie Ballard says the school still hopes fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium, but a lot still has to be determined by where we are as a state with respect to COVID.

In Webster Parish, offseason workouts have been shut down at all Webster Parish schools because of multiple positive coronavirus tests among student-athletes.

On the PGA Tour, Dustin Johnson won the Travelers Championship in Connecticut yesterday as he finished one shot ahead of Kevin Streelman. Johnson finished at 19-under par for his 21st PGA tour title.

Denny Hamlin held off Kevin Harvick at Pocono Raceway in Pennsylvania. It’s Hamlin’s fourth victory of the season.

6:30 LRN Newscast June 29

If Louisiana is still in Phase Two when schools reopen in August then students who rely on a bus for transportation could be in a bind, because bus occupancy will be limited to 50 percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says school districts are working on solutions and reaching out to parents…
Cut 10 (10) “…school bus”
If the state can move into Phase Three then capacity can increase to 75-percent.

Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel, and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the first few weeks of the pandemic
Cut 13 (08) “…this is about.”
The legislation needs House approval on Senate changes before it heads to the governor’s desk. Front line or essential workers will be eligible for this 250-dollar check if they make less than 50-thousand dollars a year.

An analysis by housing advocates warns that up to 130-thousand households across Louisiana are at risk of evictions. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

AM LRN Newscall for 6-29-2020

It may not be an inoculation to the coronavirus, but could a vaccine for measles, mumps, and rubella help prevent the most severe complications of COVID-19? Kevin Barnhart explains.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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An analysis by housing advocates warns 69,000 to 1332,000 renter households could be evicted in the coming months once federal benefits end July 31st. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The state Department of Education says school bus capacity will be capped at 50 percent if the state remains in Phase Two when classes resume in August. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

_______________________________________________

A common childhood vaccine might help prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis if a person is infected with COVID-19. LSU Health New Orleans researcher Dr. Paul Fidel suggests that live attenuated vaccines such as MMR can help boost an adult’s immune system to mount a more effective defense.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…the severe complications.”

The MMR vaccine protects children from getting measles, mumps, and rubella. Fidel says the antibodies generated from the MMR vaccine could be a reason why only a few children have suffered from severe COVIID complications. He says using the MMR vaccine on adults is a low risk and high reward preventive measure.

Cut 5 (09)  “…potentially helping people”

LSU Health New Orleans is partnering with Tulane University on researching this theory.  Fidel says they plan to give the MMR vaccination to adult primates to see if it can prevent severe complications of COVID-19 and humans as well

Cut 6 (08) “…get the vaccination.”

A similar concept is being tested in other countries with a tuberculosis vaccine.
________________________

Housing advocates warn Louisiana is likely to suffer a substantial wave of evictions after enhanced federal assistance for rent and unemployment ends July 31st.

Center for Planning Excellence CEO Camille Manning-Broome says due to Louisiana’s service-based economy they estimate 69,000 to 132,000 renter households are at risk once benefits end.

Cut 7 (12) “magnitude.”

Nationally that number is estimated to be nearly seven million.

Urban Footprint CEO Joe DiStefano says compared to other states Louisiana has the third-highest risk of evictions. He says due to the COVID economy…

Cut 8 (09) “gap”

Orleans, Jefferson, East Baton Rouge, Caddo, Lafayette, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Calcasieu, Ouachita, and Bossier are the parishes listed as most vulnerable.

DiStefano says a wave of evictions at this scale would destabilize communities and drastically strain state services.

Cut 9 (10) “issue”

Urban Footprint and CPEX are calling on the Louisianan Congressional delegation to back the 100 billion dollar Emergency Rental Assistance and Rental Market Stabilization Act of 2020 to head off the crisis.

__________________________________

If Louisiana is still in Phase Two when schools reopen in August then students who rely on busses could be in a bit of a bind, with busses limited to 50 percent occupancy.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says districts are working on solutions to the school bus capacity limit. He says systems will be reaching out to parents…

Cut 10 (10) “…school bus”

The state will remain in Phase Two for another 27 days due to the recent spike in cases.

Brumley says Phase Two school bus limitations and other restrictions mean students may be doing a split of distance and congregate learning should schools reopen without moving to Phase Three.

Cut 11 (07) “…education.”

Groups at the school would be limited to no more than 25 people under Phase Two. That number increases to 50 under Phase Three.

Brumley indicated K-12 educators are hoping the state will no longer be in Phase Two when classes resume due to these kinds of difficulties.

Cut 12 (09) “…capacity.”

____________________________

Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel, and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the first few weeks of the pandemic

Cut 13 (08) “…this is about.” 

The legislation needs House approval on Senate changes before it heads to the governor’s desk. It passed out of the Senate on a 38-0 vote. Monroe Senator Jay Morris says federal coronavirus relief dollars will pay for the tax credit…

Cut 14 (12) “…of our state”

Front line or essential workers will be eligible for this 250-dollar check if they make less than 50-thousand dollars a year. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter wishes they could do more…

Cut 15 (10) “…amount”

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10:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Governor Edwards is demanding businesses comply with coronavirus restrictions as the state reported another 13-hundred cases yesterday. Edwards says the state office of public health, A-T-C, and state fire marshal deputies will conduct robust compliance checks on businesses when they get complaints they are not following Phase two restrictions…
Cut 5 (11) “…a whole”
Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says in order to stop the surge in cases, Louisiana residents should wear masks in the public and maintain social distancing…
Cut 14 (07) “…neighbors safe.”
Due to a planned power outage at an L-D-H office in New Orleans, the state will not update its coronavirus cases today.

Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check from the state is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the few weeks of the pandemic…
cut 13 (08) “…this is about”

A common childhood vaccine might help prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis if a person is infected with COVID-19. LSU Health New Orleans researcher Dr. Paul Fidel suggests that live attenuated vaccines such as MMR can help boost an adult’s immune system to mount a more effective defense.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…the severe complications.”
Fidel says they plan to give the MMR vaccination to adult primates to see if it can prevent severe complications of COVID-19.

9:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Governor Edwards plans to increase enforcement efforts on non-compliant businesses as coronavirus cases continue to surge. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The C-D-C now says pregnant women may be more at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 than those who are not expecting. This news comes on the heels of a Baton Rouge mother who gave berth to a premature baby but died from COVID-19 complications. The newborn girl is fighting for her life in intensive care.

The University of Louisiana System is anticipating a five percent loss of revenue by the end of the 2021 fiscal year. President Jim Henderson says part of the revenue loss can be attributed to a drop in enrollment. Henderson says his pitch to students uncertain of returning is still the same, a 14-percent annual rate of return on their degree from a U-L system school.
Cut 8 (08) “…investment”
For the current fiscal year that ends Tuesday, the UL System is set to suffer a 28 million dollar loss.

The famous Mr. Mardi Gras, Blaine Kern Sr. has died at the age of 93. Kern founded Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern had the ability to engage and captivate people like few others and made Mardi Gras what it is.
Cut 11 (07) “…quite a promoter.”

8:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Governor Edwards is demanding businesses comply with coronavirus restrictions as the state reported another 13-hundred cases yesterday. Earlier this month, the governor loosened capacity restrictions on businesses and re-opened bars. The governor says that decision is not why we are seeing a spike in cases…
Cut 3 (10) ”…a mask”
Businesses who have employees that come in contact with customers are required to wear masks. And Edwards says the public should be wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands frequently.

Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the vast majority of new cases is coming from community spread. Billioux says the percentage of tests that are positive is eight-percent, the federal goal is to keep it below 10-percent.
Cut 13 (09) “…increases there”

The University of Louisiana System is bracing for a 28 million dollar net hit to revenue this fiscal year, and is planning for a five percent total drop in revenue for the fiscal year starting Wednesday. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU has set its fall academic calendar. Classes will begin August 24th. The fall holiday in October has been canceled and students will not return to campus to finish the fall semester after the Thanksgiving holiday. The final few classes and finals will be held online.

7:30 LRN Newscast June 27

Louisiana logged another 1,300 new COVID cases yesterday, putting the state close to the 55-thousand total case mark. Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the vast majority of new cases are coming from community spread. He says more people are showing up to emergency room departments with COVID-19 symptoms
Cut 12 (12) “…epidemic”
The percentage of tests that are positive is eight-percent, the federal goal is to keep it below 10-percent.

Governor John Bel Edwards says we are seeing more cases within the community because there are some businesses not practicing social distancing and not following capacity requirements…
Cut 4 (12)_ “…these mandates.”
Edwards says he’ll shut a business down before placing tighter restrictions on all businesses.

In New Orleans, they are mourning the death of Blaine Kern, Sr., who was known as Mr. Mardi Gras. Kern was the founder of Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern’s energy and creativity did not slow down in the later years of his life.
Cut 10 (10) “…just didn’t stop.”
Kern built his first Mardi Gras float on the back of a mule-drawn wagon with his father in 1932 and is credited for turning Mardi Gras float building into a multi-million dollar business. He was 93-years-old.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau has a new president for the first time in 31 years as Jim Harper from Rapides Parish has been elected to replace Ronnie Anderson. Harper is a crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer, who previously served as vice president.

530 PM LRN News

Governor Edwards plans to increase enforcement efforts on non-compliant businesses as coronavirus cases continue to surge.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

While raw numbers are increasing the percentage of test performed that are showing up positive is still just below the federal level recommended. The feds want fewer than ten percent of tests to show positive, while today’s numbers showed eight percent. One metric that is concerning is hospitalizations. After falling for weeks the recent spike has us back up to where we were as of late May.

The famous Mr. Mardi Gras Blaine Kern Sr. dies at 93. Kern was the founder of Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern had the ability to engage and captivate people like few others, and made the modern Mardi Gras what it is.

Cut 11 (07) “…quite a promoter.”

The UL System is anticipating a five percent loss of revenue by the end of the 2021 fiscal year due to COVID-19 under the current likely scenario. UL System President Jim Henderson says they can absorb that kind of reduction and still supply a quality education, but if the pandemic were to get any worse that may be difficult.

Cut 6 (07) “…about”

The worst-case scenario they’ve drawn up shows a 150 million dollar loss in revenue due to drastic declines in enrollment and the cancellation of sports.

4:30 PM Newscast

Governor Edwards is demanding businesses comply with coronavirus restrictions as the state reported another 13-hundred cases today. Edwards says the state office of public health, A-T-C and state fire marshal deputies will conduct robust compliance checks when they get complaints…

Cut 5 (11)  “…a whole”

Hospitalizations rose to 700 today.

Assistant health secretary Alex Billioux says 91-percent of the cases are tied to community spread rather than congregate settings like nursing homes. He says in order to stop the surge in cases, Louisiana residents should wear masks in the public and maintain social distancing…

Cut 14 (07) “…neighbors safe.”

Due to a planned power outage of the L-D-H’s office in New Orleans, the state will not update its coronavirus cases on Saturday.

Blaine Kern, Sr., who was widely considered Mr. Mardi Gras, has died. He was 93.  Kern was the founder of Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern’s energy and creativity did not slow down in the later years of his life.

Cut 10 (10) “…just didn’t stop.”

Kern built his first Mardi Gras float on the back on a mule-drawn wagon with his father in 1932 and is credited for turning Mardi Gras float building into a multi-million dollar business.

The UL System is anticipating a five percent loss of revenue by the end of the 2021 fiscal year. President Jim Henderson says some of the loss is due to enrollment from students who are delaying entering college. He says they are being upfront about what expectations should be.

Cut 7 (08) “…2019”