11:30 LRN Newscast July 6

A 19-year-old man is dead and a 22-year-old man is behind bars facing a murder charge after an argument inside Dillard’s at Mall St. Vincent in Shreveport accelerated to violence in the Mall’s parking lot Saturday afternoon. Shreveport Police Department Spokesperson, Angie Willhite…

Cut 7 second degree murder :11

Treyvious Dotie of Shreveport was arrested in connection and charged with the shooting death

The AARP indicates the state is not doing a good enough job with the basic COVID-19 precautions needed to stem the loss of life and protect residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher …

Cut 10 (09) “…raising the alarm.”

Health experts warn that testing negative for COVID after having significant exposure to a COVID positive person is no guarantee you weren’t infected. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Casino’s in Louisiana have announced mass layoffs are coming. The L’Auberge casinos in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge are cutting more than 600 jobs between the two following the Covid pandemic. The Treasure Chest in Kenner is also reliving 340 people of their employment and Boomtown in Harvey is cutting right at 200 jobs.

1030 AM LRN News

Health experts warn residents not to return to work if they’ve been ordered to quarantine, even if they test negative for COVID during that quarantine period. Ochsner Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you get exposed and immediately seek a COVID test the answer may not be helpful.
Cut 7 (08) “…negative”

State officials are calling on all residents to redouble their spread mitigation efforts like mask wearing and social distancing as Louisiana sees a 57 percent increase in hospitalizations over the last two weeks.

The minimum wage did not get much attention in the recent session, but Bogalusa Representative Malinda White says that’s going to change in 2021. White plans on educating legislators about how our high auto insurance rates are linked to our low minimum wage and how workers can’t afford both rent and insurance rates at or near 7.25 an hour…

Cut 6 (03) “…relatable”

AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says in recent weeks, the AARP has learned that about a third of facilities are not in compliance with regular testing of nursing home residents and staff, but non-compliance has been an issue for quite some time in different areas of cleanliness.
Cut 12 (12) “…before the pandemic..”

Nationally, 50,000 long term facility residents have died from the virus.

Governor Edwards is expected to sign a bill placing an eight percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports wagering, effectively OKing the activity in the 47 parishes that voted for it in 2018. Crowley Representative John Stefanski authored the legislation and believes those that want to participate in fantasy sports with the showdown between Drew Brees and Tom Brady in the first week of NFL games this year should be good to go.
Cut 15 (08) “…it wouldn’t be.”

9:30 A.M. LRN Newscasdt 07/06/2020

An estimated 13 percent of Louisiana motorists are uninsured, and a Bogalusa Representative says increasing the minimum wage would lower that number.
The business lobby has never been a fan of raising the minimum, but Representative Malinda White says many workers don’t make enough money to both keep a roof over their heads and pay for auto insurance, so they go uninsured. She says that leads to a vicious cycle when they get caught.
Cut 5 (10) “…a break”

Governor Edwards is expected to sign a bill placing an eight percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports wagering.
In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting and have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component to win cash prizes with services like FanDuel and DraftKings. Crowley Representative John Stefanski authored the legislation and says those companies are standing by ready to implement the regulation.
Cut 14 (11) “…the ground running.”

Ochsner Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you get exposed and immediately seek a COVID test the answer may not be helpful.
She says the recent increase in demand for testing, as cases surge in Louisiana, has Ochsner announcing they will no longer test non-symptomatic patients.
Cut 9 (06) “…kits”
Kemmerly says they are saving those kits for symptomatic patients in urgent care and emergency room facilities.
Casinos in Louisiana are no longer rolling the dice on employees as mass layoffs are coming. The L’Auberge casinos in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge are slicing more than 600 jobs between the two following the COVID crisis. The Treasure Chest in Kenner also paired off 340 people. Boomtown in Harvey cut right at 200.

8:30 A.M LRN Newscast 07/06/2020

The AARP of Louisiana is sounding the alarm on long term care facilities and what they say is their inability to take basic COVID-19 precautions. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Ochsner Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you get exposed and immediately seek a COVID test the answer may not be helpful.
She says that is because the virus can take days, or even over a week to be detected by current tests.
Cut 8 (06) “…detected.”

Significant exposure is having contact with a COVID positive person within six feet for longer than 15 minutes.
Governor Edwards is expected to sign a bill placing an eight percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports wagering. Crowley Representative John Stefanski authored the legislation and says after it is signed into law, the gaming control board then can set rules.
Cut 13 (11) “…accept the revenue.”

And the start of this work week will involve some rain. From Shreveport to New Orleans expect widely scattered thunderstorms throughout the day. Some may develop into severe weather with lightning. So grab your umbrella on your way out the door.

7:30 LRN Newscast 07/06/2020

Health experts warn that testing negative for COVID after having significant exposure to a COVID positive person is no guarantee you were not infected. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Casino’s in Louisiana are no longer rolling the dice on employees as mass layoffs are coming. The L’Auberge casinos in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge are slicing more than 600 jobs between the two following the covid crisis. The Treasure Chest in Kenner also paired off 340 people. Boomtown in Harvey cut right at 200.

The AARP indicates the state is not doing a good enough job with the basic COVID-19 precautions needed to stem the loss of life and protect residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says congressional action is needed to make sure facilities are regularly testing and have the appropriate PPE.
Cut 11 (11) “…for virtual visitation.”

Nationally, 50,000 long term facility residents have died from the virus.

An estimated 13 percent of Louisiana motorists are uninsured, and a Bogalusa Representative says increasing the minimum wage would lower that number.
The business lobby has never been a fan of raising the minimum, but Representative Malinda White says if the working poor got a living wage they could afford insurance, lowering rates for everyone.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…poverty.”

6:45 Sports

The fourth of July weekend was a busy time for LSU recruiting as the Tigers received two verbal commitments from four-star prospects. Zachary wide receiver Chris Hilton announced his verbal pledge on Friday and that was followed up by defensive end Keanu Koht from Vero Beach, Florida. Hilton is rated as the state’s fourth best prospect. Last season, Hilton hauled in 43 receptions for 846 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Also on the recruiting front, the nation’s top rated quarterback Caleb Williams committed to Oklahoma over LSU and Maryland. Louisiana’s top prospect, defensive tackle Maason Smith listed his top eight finalists and LSU is among that group along with Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Miami and Oregon.

In the NFL, the players association has reportedly let the league know that they think there should not be a preason. The league has suggested two preseason games instead of four.
________________________________________________________________

The Pelicans will have three exhibition games prior to the resumption of their season in Orlando. They’ll play the Nets on July 22nd, the Nuggets on the 25th and the Bucks on the 27th. Milwaukee has shut down its practice facility after new coronavirus test results. Teams will begin leaving tomorrow for the NBA’s bubble in Orlando. The Pels will stay at the Yacht Club Resort.

Two former LSU Tigers have tested positive for COVID-19 as summer camp is underway for Major League Baseball. The two who tested positive are Yankees All-Star infielder D-J LeMahieu and Phillilles pitcher Aaron Nola. LeMahieu is said to be asymptomatic, while Nola’s case might be linked to a coronavirus outbreak last month at Philadelphia’s spring training facility in Clearwater, Florida.

On the PGA Tour, the beefed up Bryson DeChambeau won the Rocket Mortgage Classice by three strokes for his first victory this season.

And Kevin Harvick won at the Brickyard, defeating Matt Kenseth as NASCAR ran in Indianapolis.

6:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 07/06/2020

If you’ve had significant exposure to a person with COVID-19 but still test negative should you go back to work before your 14-day quarantine ends? Health experts say no.
Ochsner Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you get exposed and immediately seek a COVID test the answer may not be helpful.
Cut 7 (08) “…negative”

The AARP indicates the state is not doing a good enough job with the basic COVID-19 precautions needed to stem the loss of life and protect residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says around long-term care facilities make up around 1,500 deaths in the state.
Cut 10 (09) “…raising the alarm.”

Tort reform advocates say recently passed legislation will lower auto insurance rates 10-15 percent, but how can we get that number even lower? This Bogalusa representative has an idea…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

AM LRN Newscall for 7-6-2020

Tort reform advocates say recently passed legislation will lower auto insurance rates 10-15 percent, but how can we get that number even lower? This Bogalusa representative has an idea…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

Health experts warn that testing negative for COVID after having significant exposure to a COVID positive person is no guarantee you weren’t infected. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

The AARP of Louisiana is sounding the alarm on long term care facilities and their inability to take basic COVID-19 precautions.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

An estimated 13 percent of Louisiana motorists are uninsured, and a Bogalusa Representative says increasing the minimum wage would lower that number.

The business lobby has never been a fan of raising the minimum, but Representative Malinda White says if the working poor got a living wage they could afford insurance, lowering rates for everyone.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…poverty.”

Tort reform advocates say recently passed legislation will lower rates by 10-15 percent, but if that number holds up Louisiana would still rank among the highest rates in the nation.

White says many workers don’t make enough money to both keep a roof over their heads and pay for auto insurance, so they go uninsured. She says that leads to a vicious cycle when they get caught.

Cut 5 (10)  “…a break”

White says the state’s high number of uninsured motorists is directly linked to our low wages, which results in some of the nation’s highest auto insurance rates.

Cut 6 (03) “…relatable”

__________________

If you’ve had significant exposure to a person with COVID-19 but still test negative should you go back to work before your 14-day quarantine ends? Health experts say no.

Ochsner Infectious Disease specialist Dr. Sandra Kemmerly says if you get exposed and immediately seek a COVID test the answer may not be helpful.

Cut 7 (08) “…negative”

Significant exposure is having contact with a COVID positive person within six feet for longer than 15 minutes.

Kemmerly says that’s because the virus can take days, or even over a week to build up in your system enough to actually be detected by current tests.

Cut 8 (06) “…detected.”

So if you are asked to self-quarantine for 14 days a negative COVID test does not release you from that quarantine.

And on the topic of testing for COVID, the recent increase in demand for testing as cases surge in Louisiana has Ochsner announcing they will no longer test non-symptomatic patients.

Cut 9 (06) “…kits”

Kemmerly says they are saving those kits for symptomatic patients in urgent care and emergency room facilities.

_______________

The AARP indicates the state is not doing a good enough job with the basic COVID-19 precautions needed to stem the loss of life and protect residents and staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. AARP State Director Denise Bottcher says around long term care facilities makeup around 1,500 deaths in the state.

Cut 10 (09) “…raising the alarm.”

Nationally, 50,000 long term facility residents have died from the virus.  Bottcher says congressional action is needed to make sure facilities are regularly testing and have the appropriate PPE.

Cut 11 (11) “…for virtual visitation.”

Bottcher says in recent weeks, the AARP has learned that about a third of facilities are not in compliance with regular testing of residents and staff, but non-compliance has been an issue for quite some time in different areas of cleanliness.

Cut 12 (12) “…before the pandemic..”

The AARP also opposed any sort of immunity from accountability for facilities with issues linked to COVID-19.

 

___________________________________

Governor Edwards is expected to sign a bill placing an eight percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports wagering.  Crowley Representative John Stefanski authored the legislation and says after it is signed into law, the gaming control board then has the ability to set rules.

Cut 13 (11) “…accept the revenue.”

In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting and have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component in order to win cash prizes with services like FanDuel and DraftKings.  Stefanski says those companies are standing by ready to implement regulation.

Cut 14 (11) “…the ground running.”

Stefanski believes those that want to participate in fantasy sports with the showdown between Drew Brees and Tom Brady in the first week of NFL games this year should be good to go  .

Cut 15 (08) “…it wouldn’t be.”

____________________________

 

1030 AM LRN News

Governor Edwards says our current escalation in COVID cases began almost exactly two weeks after Memorial Day and he wants residents to avoid a repeat for the 4th of July. Edwards advises against going to fireworks displays this year. He says if you attend one of the few public displays still happening do some from your car, but better yet…

Cut 11 (07) “virtually.”

New data from a study of residents in Jefferson and Orleans Parish indicates that asymptomatic carriers of COVID are more infectious than previously thought.

And if you can’t help yourself and need some pyrotechnics to celebrate the night the State Fire Marshal encourages you to practice fireworks safety.  Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says Once you are finished with your celebration be sure to wet down fireworks and deposit them away from the home.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

If you’re setting up a new pool in your backyard Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) has some good news for you, there’s no data available so far that says the virus spreads in the water.

Cut 3 (12)  “…properly maintained.”  

A Monroe man dies after what is believed to be a fireworks-related incident. Police say witnesses told them on July 2nd Damorrious Hollins was holding a mortar round that accidentally was set off while pointing at his leg. The explosion did significant damage to his left hip area, which resulted in Hollins’ death later that day. 

Louisiana records over 1,700 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, putting our average new case count since June 22nd at clearly over 1,000. Hospitalizations have also risen to their highest levels since May 23rd

 

930 AM LRN News

Governor Edwards asks the public to avoid any crowds today for the 4th of July, and do not participate in large gatherings.

Cut 10 (08) “…the same”

This request comes as the state has seen the virus bounce back with a vengeance in the last two weeks and fears are growing that another surge could hit two weeks from now if people don’t socially distance for the 4th.

If you’re staying home to light fireworks, and fireworks are actually legal in your area, the State Fire Marshal’s office has a few tips for you. SFM Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says be sure to wet down fireworks after use and if you do place them in a garbage can put that receptacle away from your home.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

Backyard pools are growing in popularity as public pools get shut down. If you’re a new pool owner Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says Always keep an eye on children at the pool. Hlavsa says drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in children ages one to four and never swim when you are sick.

Cut 5 (13)  “…have diarrhea”

The Pelicans are getting ready to restart the season in the Orlando Bubble later this month and rookie forward Zion Williamson says he’s ready to get back on the court…

Cut 14 (11) “…from certain situations.”

Williamson was recently named one of three cover athletes for NBA 2k21 after just 19 games played last season. The late Kobe Bryant and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard were also selected as cover athletes this year.