Tulane researchers discover coronavirus can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours after being breathed out of a COVID-19 positive person’s mouth. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says that caught them by surprise because that level of staying power is unusual for a coronavirus.

Cut 5 (09)  “…2003”

It’s a startling discovery that backs up recent concerns that the virus can be transmitted just by breathing without a mask on instead of coughing.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fleids asks BESE to suspend all athletic activities for the fall K-12 semester due to COVID-19, a move that’s taken many in the high school athletics community by surprise. Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says it’s another twist for coaches who would like more guidance on the future of sports from the LHSAA…

Cut 14 (07) “…football in phase 2.”

The Pels depart for the NBA Orlando Bubble today, a grand experiment that aims to see whether sports can be viable in the middle of a pandemic if everyone agrees to isolate themselves from the outside world. Veteran Guard JJ Reddick says all of the outside distractions will weigh heavily on players, and the winning teams may not be the ones that just had the most talent.

Cut 9 (10) “…group”

The Pels start the season July 30^th against the Jazz and are 3.5 games back of the 8^th seed with eight games to be played.

Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the Pearl River and Pascagoula turtles have been on the decline due to a threat of their habitats and…

Cut 10 (12) “…medicinial markets.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19.  Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says the request caught him and many others by surprise, adding that it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities.

The Pels head for the Orlando bubble today to prep for the July 30^th restart of the season against the Jazz. The departure raised some eyebrows from forward Brandon Ingram, who says he’s not confident the bubble experiment will work as cases in Florida skyrocket, and guard Lonzo Ball who is concerned the restart will take attention away from ongoing conversations about racial injustice…

Cut 8 (06) “…going on.”

Tulane researchers uncover evidence that coronavirus particles can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours once expelled…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Casino jobs are being slashed across the state. More than 4,000 have already been lost as the gaming industry is seeing year to year revenue declines of over 60 percent for May. The bulk of the losses are coming in the Shreveport market, where horseshoe has laid off 1,875 people. In Baton Rouge L’Auberge has lost 161 jobs. 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Feilds’ call that all K-12 sports be canceled for the fall shocked many in the high school sports community, including Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta, who says it sounds like a knee jerk reaction…

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities.

The Pelicans are on their way to Orlando today to enter The Bubble at Disney World for at least the next month. The team will begin with a few days in quarantine upon arrival in separate hotel rooms, and frequent testing will be enforced. No one, including staff, is to leave the designated areas while the season is going on. That may sound like a lot of safety measures, but even with that level of scrutiny Forward Brandon Ingram says he’s not confident this experiment will work. 

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

LSU’s championship rings have arrived to commemorate the accomplishments of the team during its 15-0 season widely regarded as the greatest in college football. They’re coming in three varieties, an SEC Championship ring that’s yellow gold and ringed with 16 purple stones for each of the team’s 16 conference championships, and 37-10 engraved on the side in honor of the Tiger’s drubbing of the Bulldogs.  

The second ring comes from the College Football Playoffs, and is the first since the ring was first commissioned to have an altered face incorporating purple stones.  

The crown jewel is the official National Championship ring. It’s the first championship ring to incorporate all three school colors, purple, gold, and white. It also pays homage to the team’s 1958, 2003, and 2007 Championships with four stones embedded in it. One side of the ring features Tiger Stadium, the other the State of Louisiana.  It’s being called one of the largest championship rings ever made. 

In other LSU news Harvard grad transfer, Liam Shanahan appears to be set to compete at center, with Coach O saying he’s got a good shot to win the job.  

Tulane researchers discover SARS-Covid-2 can be exhaled on tiny droplets that occur naturally when breathing, suspend itself in the air, and remain infectious for over half a day. Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they tested the infectious droplets in a highly controlled setting.

Cut 4 (12)_“…suspension”

Roy adds despite the small size, even these droplets can be stopped by mask-wearing.

The Pelicans depart for the NBA Bubble in Orlando today with a few players having mixed feelings about the restart of the NBA season. Forward Brandon Ingram was asked if he was confident about the bubble experiment working out and the season actually finishing. He says he’s not confident about that.

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields requests BESE suspend fall sports for K-12 schools, but it isn’t sitting well with everyone. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

(Commodities, or)

38-year-old Bridgette Digerolamo, a white Baton Rouge woman living on Confederate Avenue has been arrested after allegedly pulling a gun on a black family that was driving through the neighborhood during a period of heavy rain and flooding. A social media video does not show that incident specifically but does show the woman brandishing a handgun.

Tulane researchers uncover evidence that coronavirus particles can suspend in the air and remain infectious for up to 16 hours once expelled. Kevin Barnhart has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

The Pelicans depart for the NBA bubble in Orlando today with some players a bit uneasy about resuming play. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields requests BESE suspend fall sports for K-12 schools, but it isn’t sitting well with everyone. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

Tulane researchers discover SARS-Covid-2 can be exhaled on tiny droplets that occur naturally when breathing, suspend itself in the air, and remain infectious for over half a day.

Tulane National Primate Research Center Director of Infectious Disease Aerobiology Chad Roy says they tested the infectious droplets in a highly controlled setting.

Cut 4 (12)_“…suspension”

That controlled setting did not account for the effects of sunlight, wind, or other naturally occurring things that could impact the particle.

Roy says that level of staying power is unusual for a coronavirus.

Cut 5 (09)  “…2003”

While it is concerning to know that the virus can be spread by more than just coughing, Roy says the good news is those droplets can still be stopped by a mask.

Cut 6 (11) “…material”

__________________

The Pelicans depart for the NBA Bubble in Orlando today with a few players having mixed feelings about the restart of the NBA season.

Forward Brandon Ingram was asked if he was confident about the bubble experiment working out and the season actually finishing. He says he’s not confident about that.

Cut 7 (09) “…we’ll see”

Florida has seen an explosion of COVID cases recently, with Orlando being one of the state’s hotspots.

Guard Lonzo Ball has been active in George Floyd protests in his native Los Angeles since the season was paused. He says there’s just so much more going on right now that’s more important than the game.

Cut 8 (06) “…going on.”

The NBA has committed to painting black lives matter on the Orlando courts and allowing players to wear other BLM messaging on their jerseys.

Veteran Guard JJ Reddick says all of the outside distractions will weigh heavily on players, and the winning teams may not be the ones that just had the most talent.

Cut 9 (10) “…group”

The Pels start the season July 30^th against the Jazz and are 3.5 games back of the 8^th seed with eight games to be played.

_______________

Federal wildlife managers have agreed to study if rare freshwater turtles found only in Louisiana and Mississippi should receive endangered species protections. Jason Totoiu (Two-toy) Sr. Attorney for the Center for Biological Diversity says the Pearl River and Pascagoula turtles have been on the decline due to a threat of their habitats and…

Cut 10 (12) “…medicinial markets.”

Totoiou says if the Feds decide to grant endangered species protections for the two freshwater turtles’, the Fish and Wildlife Service will have to enter in consultations with other federal agencies.

Cut 11 (07) “…be reviewed.”

In addition to cooperation with other federal agencies, Totoiou says the designation would also secure funding dedicated to preserving the species.

Cut 12 (08) “…and restoration.”

The turtles, which can live 30 years, are considered some of the least-studied reptiles in North America.

___________________________________

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields has asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19.  Catholic High football coach Gabe Fertitta says the request caught him and many others by surprise, adding that it feels like a knee-jerk reaction.

Cut 13 (11) “…to do that..”

Fields made the request in a letter to BESE on Monday that would include all athletic activities with student in-person participation in a group setting such as conditioning, practice, and team meetings.

Fertitta’s football program has only seen three players test positive for COVID-19 and he feels that the proper precautions have been taken without a massive outbreak.  Fertitta says the LHSAA has yet to issue guidance but does not blame them since the whole situation feels like a big waiting game.

Cut 14 (07) “…football in phase 2.”

Fertitta says he doesn’t have the answer at this point but continues to stress the importance of embracing each day to his players.

Cut 15 (07) “…what happens tomorrow.”

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The number of COVID-19 hospitalizations is back above one-thouand for the first time since the middle of May. 1,025 are now hospitalized as a result of COVID-19, 109 of them are on ventilators. The state also reported 23 new deaths for a total of 68,263.

Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic? And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.
cut 2 (30) “…reporting”

Over 103-thousand people early voted in person for Saturday’s presidential primary and at least another 76-thousand sent in a mail-in ballot. JMC Analytics Pollster John Couvillon says those are huge numbers for a presidential primary already decided…
cut 3 (12) “…newsworty”
Couvillon says it’s also newsworthy that more blacks than whites voted early based on numbers posted Sunday by the Secretary of State’s office.

A team of scientists that includes researchers at LSU Health New Orleans believe they’ve discovered a new class of pipeline drugs that can relieve pain and reduce fever with the danger of addiction. Doctor Nicholas Bazan says they also believe their drugs are less toxic to the liver and kidneys than the painkillers on the market…
cut 10 (09) “…to the kidney”
Bazan says the drugs they discovered need FDA approval.

Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but there’s still been a robust turnout for Saturday’s election. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Add Shreveport to the list of local governments requiring masks for everyone inside a business. Mayor Adrian Perkins’ order goes into effect tomorrow at 5 PM. The number of people hospitalized statewide by COVID-19 surpassed one-thousand today and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

LSU Health New Orleans researchers have discovered a new class of pipeline drugs that can relieve pain and reduce fever with the danger of addition or damage to the live or kidneys. Dr. Nicolas Bazan says they believe these new chemical entities reduced pain in two models and reduced fever in another model. He says the Food and Drug Administration will begin their investigation soon…
cut 11 (07) “…new drug”

Another major festival in Louisiana has been postponed until 2021. The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Orleans will not take place in October, but they may still have a virtual food event. Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says that’s because everyone loves a good gumbo…
cut 14 (11) “…the world”

Voting by mail has been a very popular option so far in the early voting period of the 2020 presidential primary set for July 11th. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says 44 percent of early voting has come by mail this year, and he forecasts 17 percent of all primary ballots will be mail-in by the time the primary ends. Extrapolating that for the general election…

Cut 5 (10)  “…votes.”

Another Louisiana staple announces a cancellation, The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia is the largest tourism event for the parish and Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says the annual October event is a large undertaking and they waited as long as possible to make a decision about the event.

Cut 12 (08) “…this year.”

Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has surpassed one-thousand as the state health department reports another 61 hospitalized today because of the coronavirus. The number of total cases rose by 19-hundred and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but Louisiana voters are still highly engaged in the upcoming July 11^th election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________

Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says we’ve seen unusually high early voting turnout for the upcoming July 11^th Presidential Primary election.

Couvillon says both primaries have already been decided, and with turnout still high that likely portends a high turnout November election.

Cut 3 (12)  “…newsworthy.”  

JMC estimates this year we could see turnout at 70 percent in the general election.

Black Democrats make up about 37 percent of the early voting turnout so far, which is much higher than normal. Couvillon says that won’t change any races here, but will have an impact in swing states…

Cut 4 (07)_ “…trump.”

44 percent of early voting has come by mail this year, and Couvillon says he forecasts 17 percent of all primary ballots will be mail-in by the time the primary ends. Extrapolating that for the general election…

Cut 5 (10)  “…votes.”

In-person voting has ended, but mail-in ballots can still be submitted for the primary.

______________________

With all the economic uncertainty in the world today, can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how?  UNO Professor of Finance Mark Rosa says it is possible, but you need to consider a few things first about your company such as the pandemic’s impact on the business.

Cut 6 (11) “…could go through.”

Rosa says even if your employer has been hit hard with furloughs and layoffs, it is still possible to ask for a pay bump if you are picking up the extra work left in the absence of former coworkers.

Cut 7 (07) “…money my way”

Some companies may have a salary freeze in place, so asking for a bonus might be the path to extra money.  But if you absolutely can’t get more money, Rosa recommends asking for perks such as more paid time off.

Cut 8 (13) “…their cash reserves.”

_______________________

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence discover a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever.  The findings are now published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.  Senior Author Dr. Nicolas Bazan says this drug could be used as a non-addictive substitute for opioids.

Cut 9 (06) “…and so on.”

But addiction isn’t the only problem this drugs can tackle.  Bazan says other painkillers when used above a certain level are toxic to the liver.

Cut 10 (09) “…to the kidney.”

Bazan says the intellectual property behind these new technologies have been licensed from LSU Health New Orleans to the life science start-up South Rampart Pharma and development is continuing inot late pre-clinical stages.

Cut 11 (07) “…new drug.”

_________________________________________________________

Another Louisiana staple announces a cancellation, The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia is the largest tourism event for the parish and Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says the annual October event is a large undertaking and they waited as long as possible to make a decision about the event.

Cut 12 (08) “…this year.”

Instead, they are entertaining virtual options. Faulk-Gonzales admits it’s hard to conceptualize a virtual food event, but in planning for alternatives this year she’s heard some creative ideas.

Cut 13 (06) “…about that.” 

Because more people are cooking at home due to the pandemic Faulk-Gonzales hopes they will look to the 2020 Virtual Gumbo Event for guidance.

Cut 14 (11) “…gumbo in the world”

________________________

Cut 15 (10) “…stadium” 

Cut 16 (11) “ light bills”