The state hits a milestone with COVID-19 testing. Governor Edwards says Louisiana has surpassed million coronavirus tests since testing began in March. He also says the state has already passed the testing goal for the month of July and Louisiana has the second-highest testing rate of all states since the beginning of the pandemic. To date 84, 131 cases have been confirmed Hospitalizations increased by 7 to 1,369.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopts a list of minimum COVID safety standards that school districts will be called on to implement once classes resume. Parents, teacher’s unions, and even a board member raised concerns about whether physical classes should resume, but Ochsner Pediatrics Chair Dr. William Lennarz says current data suggests the risk is low.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…sick”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says they are having network connectivity issues with the website where front-line workers can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the technical issue is also impacting those who are trying to file their state income taxes.

Cut 8 (05) “…very soon”

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies are on the hunt for a shooting suspect that left two people dead, and a third fighting for her life at a home in Westlake.  Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says the agency is currently searching a wooded area in Beauregard Parish for 51-year-old Neil Broussard with the help from the FBI, State Police, and other agencies.

Cut 10 (10) “…safe, thank goodness.”

Police says it was 40-year-old Catherine Hidalgo, who called 911, she’s currently in the hospital.

The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopts a list of minimum COVID safety standards that school districts will be called on to implement once classes resume. The recommendations cover everything from mandatory face coverings to group size maximums. Children’s Hospital Chief Quality Officer Dr. Leron Finger says if schools follow these rules…

Cut 3 (11)  “…to school.”  

Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s deputies are on the hunt for a shooting suspect that left two people dead, a third fighting for her life at a home in Westlake.  Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Tony Mancuso says deputies were dispatched to the home around 4 AM after a call from one the victims concerning the suspect, 51-year-old Neil Broussard.

Cut 9 (11) “…shot multiple times.”

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says they are having network connectivity issues with the website where front-line workers can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says Frontlineworkers.la.gov began accepting applications at midnight and by seven AM they accepted more than 14-thousand applications. Robinson says they have funding available for 200-thousand applicants…

Cut 7 (07) “October 31st”

Over 2,000 new confirmed positive cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the state along with 14 additional deaths, but so far the hospitalization data has not been reported. Nearly 7,000 additional people are reported to have recovered from the disease, giving the state about 31,000 known ongoing cases, and the state also passed one million total COVID-19 tests conducted.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved minimum safety standards for the reopening of public schools. They include social distancing guidelines and a face mask requirement. Matt Doyle reports schools that refuse to follow the recommendations could get sued…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Retail giant Walmart says they will begin requiring shoppers to wear masks in order to enter their stores starting next Monday. Walmart says they will have an employee at the front door enforcing the face mask policy.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says they are having network connectivity issues with the website where front-line workers can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says the state Office of Technology Services is working to resolve the problem as quickly as possible…
Cut 6 (08) “…connectivity issues”
Frontlineworkers.la.gov began accepting applications at midnight and by seven AM they accepted more than 14-thousand applications.

Coach Ed Orgeron was part of the roundtable discussion that involved Vice President Mike Pence and Governor John Bel Edwards at LSU’s Tiger Stadium yesterday. Orgeron said its important to have football this year and Pence agrees…
cut 13 (12) “…love football”
SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey has said the league will make a decision in late July on what may occur with the football season.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved a set of health rules for public schools to safely reopen and they call for masks inside the classroom. There is a new state law protecting schools from COVID-related suits, but State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says protection can be lost if they do not follow BESE’s guidelines.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…ability.”
The adopted minimum safety standard approved by BESE calls for every adult and students in grades 3 through 12 wearing a face covering to the greatest extent possible and practical.

Not everyone is happy about the face mask requirement. Louisiana parent Melissa Berry says masks are a hindrance to education.
Cut 5 (09) “…taught.”

Front line workers who make less than 50-thousand dollars and were required to show up to work during the first couple of months of the pandemic are eligible for a 250-dollar hazard pay check. If you think you are eligible, you can apply at front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…
cut 9 (07) “…paper check issued”
Robinson says eligible workers can expect to receive a $250 check in two to three weeks after their application is approved.

A heat advisory is in effect once again for the northern half of the state as heat index values will range between 105 to 110 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 14 (09) “….particularly heat sensitive”
Not as hot in south Louisiana today as there’s a better chance for temperature cooling thunderstorms.

Eligible Louisiana frontline workers can apply for a $250 COVID-19 hazard paycheck beginning today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Law enforcement in south Louisiana is searching for a double homicide suspect. Authorities say 51-year-old Neil Broussard of Lake Charles killed two people in Westlake and kidnapped a 14-year-old year girl, who has been found safe. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s office believes Broussard is driving a black Hyundai Elantra.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved the minimum health and safety standards schools need to have in place to reopen safely. There are restrictions on group sizes and school bus capacity. COVID-19 symptom monitoring, students washing hands regularly and face coverings for students in third through 12th grade. Assistant state health officer Doctor Joseph Kanter says these measures are needed…
cut 6 (13) “….closures”
During a meeting at LSU with Vice President Mike Pence, Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise said we’ve got to get kids back in schools…
cut 12 (12) “….in school”

Vice President Mike Pence continued to hammer the fact that kids need to be back in the classroom on schedule for the fall semester during Tuesday’s visit to Baton Rouge
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

And the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has adopted minimum health and safety standards for the reopening of public schools. Class sizes are limited to no more than 25 people in a room in phase two, daily COVID-19 symptom monitoring checks should take place and face coverings are required for adults and students in grades three through 12.

The Louisiana Department of Revenue says front line workers who were required to show up at their job during the first few weeks of the pandemic can apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck today. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson says applicants can visit front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov to submit a payment request
Cut 7 (12) “…did the work.”
Robinson says eligible workers can expect to receive the check-in two to three weeks after their application is approved. Individuals who make more than 50-thousand dollars a year are not eligible.

The extreme heat relents a bit in south Louisiana today, but the northern half of the state is still under a heat advisory. State Climatologist Barry Keim says we are weeks away from any real relief…
cut 16 (07) “…smart about it”

On a day when Louisiana reported 22-hundred more coronavirus cases, Vice President Mike Pence expressed confidence the state will slow the spread of the virus. Pence encouraged Louisiana residents to listen to the guidance from state officials and that means wearing a mask in public…
Cut 10 (08) “…do it again.”
The state is reporting 1,362 patients hospitalized with COVID-19. That’s the highest the number has been since May 7th.

Grocery store clerks, bus drivers, garbage collectors, and nurses who were required to work during the first couple months of the pandemic can now apply for a 250-dollar hazard paycheck. Louisiana Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…
cut 8 (11) “…prior year”
To apply go to front-line-workers-dot-la-dot-gov.

The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has approved a set of health rules for public schools to safely reopen and they call for masks inside the classroom. There is a new state law protecting schools from COVID-related suits, but State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says protection can be lost if they do not follow BESE’s guidelines.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…ability.”
The adopted minimum safety standard approved by BESE calls for every adult and students in grades 3 through 12 wearing a face covering to the greatest extent possible and practical.

A heat advisory is in effect once again for the northern half of the state as heat index values will range between 105 to 110 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 14 (09) “….particularly heat sensitive”