9:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 07/02/2020

State Treasurer John Schroder announces that small businesses can begin applying for $275-million dollars’ worth of grants to supplement losses from COVD-19 towards the end of the month. Eligible businesses can receive up 15-thousand dollars.
Schroder says the funding is on a first come first serve bases and small businesses need to apply at la.treasury.gov. An outside vendor will approve applications.
Cut 6 (10) “…and approve”
Schroder anticipates checks will be mailed within 10 days of approval.
State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry calls a pop theory advocating for the purposeful COVID infection of people under the guise of creating herd immunity a “myth”.
Yesterday’s spike in cases was the third-highest on record and nearly ten percent of all tests done are showing up positive. Guidry says this is no time for risky behavior like this theory promotes.
Cut 9 (06) “…serious”

Eighteen private law firms have teamed up with the ACLU of Louisiana in a litigation campaign to challenge discriminatory policing practices. Legal Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Nora Ahmed says
Putting Racist Policing on Trial could bring up to 1000 cases in Louisiana challenging the constitutionality of the situations. The Law firms will be handling cases on a pro bono basis. Ahmed hopes to form a blueprint for litigation that could be used across the nation.
Cut 11 (09) “…implicate racial profiling.”

State and local officials are ramping up testing sites due to an uptick in corona cases in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will begin cracking down on businesses that do not adhere to the rules. Louisiana reported its worse day for new cases since April…2083 new cases.

8:30 A.M. LRN Newscast 07/02/2020

State Treasurer John Schroder announces that small businesses can begin applying for $275-million dollars’ worth of grants to supplement losses from COVD-19 towards the end of the month. Eligible businesses can receive up 15-thousand dollars.
Of the state’s 450-thousand small businesses, approximately 15 percent have received federal funding. Schroder says businesses that have not received any federal funds receive priority for the first 21 days. Then other small businesses will be considered.
Cut 5 (10) “…prequalification”

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry calls a pop theory advocating for the purposeful COVID infection of people under the guise of creating herd immunity a “myth”.
To obtain herd immunity a population would need 60 percent immunity. Even in New York City, the worst single epicenter in the country, herd immunity is believed to be under 20 percent.
Guidry says the theory is also based on a faulty assumption that you cannot get infected more than once.
Cut 8 (10) “…had it.”

With the national spotlight on policing, 18 private law firms have teamed up with the ACLU of Louisiana in a litigation campaign to challenge discriminatory practices. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

If you’re headed down to the capital city this weekend be advised that starting Friday anyone who is seen in East Baton Rouge Parish will be required to have a face covering on. Mayor/President Sharon Broome signed an executive order that goes into place at noon tomorrow. The cities of Zachary, Baker, & Central declined to participate. Violators face up to a $200 dollar fine.

7:30 LRN Newscast 07/02/2020

State health experts warn people not to buy into a pop theory calling for people to purposefully get themselves infected with COVID-19 to create “herd immunity”. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State and local officials are ramping up testing sites due to an uptick in corona cases in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards says the state will begin cracking down on businesses who do not adhere to the rules. Louisiana reported its worse day for new cases since April…2083 new cases.

State Treasurer John Schroder announces that small businesses can begin applying for $275-million dollars’ worth of grants to supplement losses from COVD-19 towards the end of the month. Eligible businesses can receive up 15-thousand dollars. Schroder says his office will begin accepting applications on July 28th.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…Federal aid.”

To help keep students engaged in the learning process over the summer, the Louisiana Department of Education will partner with LPB and offer televised math instruction. Director of Math Science STEM, Jill Cowart says the instructional programming is designed for all students in kindergarten through ninth grade.
Cut 13 (10) “…the screen”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NFL is reportedly cutting its preseason schedule to two games, week one and week four. Each team would play one home game and one on the road. ESPN reports training camps are set to begin around July 28th, but the first preseason games will not be played until August 20th to the 24th. The reason for the restructing of the preseason is so that players can get in better football shape since offseason conditioning programs were canceled.

Four-star prospect Naquan Brown from Vriginia Beach, Virginia is the latest player to commit to LSU as he joins the Tigers 2021 recruiting class. Brown is a six-foot-three, 205 pound outside linebacker-slash-defensive end. Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State and TCU are some of the other teams who offered Brown.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is grieving over the loss of his mother. Beth Holtz, the wife of hall of fame coach Skip Holtz, has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with throat cancer.
_____________________________________________________________

Pelicans guard Jrue (Drew) Holiday will travel to Orlando to finish out the season with his teammates inside the bubble. Holiday’s wife, Lauren Holiday, is pregnant with the couple’s second child and if you recall, Lauren had a brain tumor removed during her first pregnancy. But Jrue says everyone is healthy, so he’s ready to battle for a playoff spot. Holiday also thinks its worth re-starting the season, despite all of the challenges. He says the time inside the bubble will be a chance for the team to bond even more.

And ESPN reports it will cost over 150-million dollars for the league to complete the season and hold the playoffs at the Walt Disney Resort. The league projects a one-billion dollar revenue loss because of the coronavirus.

LSU pitcher Ben McDonald, second baseman Todd Walker and shortstop Alex Bregman have been named to the ESPN Greatest All-time College Baseball Team. LSU leads the nation with three players on the team. All three players were two-time All-Americans.

6:30 LRN Newscast 07/02/2020

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry calls a pop theory advocating for the purposeful COVID infection of people under the guise of creating herd immunity a “myth”.
Guidry says the theory has no evidence to back it up and ignores just how volatile viruses can be.
Cut 7 (11) “…fire”

Eighteen private law firms have teamed up with the ACLU of Louisiana in a litigation campaign to challenge discriminatory policing practices. Legal Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Nora Ahmed says they are trying to capture cases that were not economical to be taken to court.
Cut 10 (11) “…stories as well.”

Small businesses in Louisiana that have not received any federal relief funds for COVID-19 expenses can begin applying for grants later this month. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

AM Newscall 07/02/2020

Small businesses in Louisiana that have not received any federal relief funds for COVID-19 expenses can begin applying for grants later this month. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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State health experts warn people not to buy into a pop theory calling for people to purposefully get themselves infected with COVID-19 to create “herd immunity”. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

With the national spotlight on policing, 18 private law firms have teamed up with the ACLU of Louisiana in a litigation campaign to challenge discriminatory practices. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

_______________________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder announces that small businesses can begin applying for $275-million dollars’ worth of grants to supplement losses from COVD-19 towards the end of the month. Eligible businesses can receive up 15-thousand dollars. Schroder says his office will begin accepting applications on July 28th.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…Federal aid.”

Of the state’s 450-thousand small businesses, approximately 15 percent have received federal funding. Schroder says businesses that have not received any federal funds receive priority for the first 21 days. Then other small businesses will be considered.

Cut 5 (10)  “…prequalification”

Schroder says the funding is on a first come first serve bases and small businesses need to apply at la.treasury.gov. An outside vendor will approve applications.

Cut 6 (10) “…and approve”

Schroder anticipates checks will be mailed within 10 days of approval.

________________________

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry calls a pop theory advocating for the purposeful COVID infection of people under the guise of creating herd immunity a “myth”.

Guidry says the theory has no evidence to back it up and ignores just how volatile viruses can be.

Cut 7 (11) “…fire”

To obtain herd immunity a population would need 60 percent immunity. Even in New York City, the worst single epicenter in the country, herd immunity is believed to be under 20 percent.

Guidry says the theory is also based on a faulty assumption that if you can’t get infected more than once.

Cut 8 (10) “…had it.”

Yesterday’s spike in cases was the third-highest on record and nearly ten percent of all tests done are showing up positive. Guidry says this is no time for risky behavior.

Cut 9 (06) “…serious”

__________________________________

Eighteen private law firms have teamed up with the ACLU of Louisiana in a litigation campaign to challenge discriminatory policing practices. Legal Director of the ACLU of Louisiana Nora Ahmed says they are trying to capture cases that were not economical to be taken to court.

Cut 10 (11) “…stories as well.”

The initiative is called “Justice Lab: Putting Racist Policing on Trial” and over time it seeks to bring up to 1000 cases in Louisiana challenging the constitutionality of the situations. Law firms will be handling cases on a pro bono basis. Ahmed hopes to form a blueprint for litigation that could be used across the nation.

Cut 11 (09) “…implicate racial profiling.”

Ahmed says they are partnering with law school legal clinics around the country who are in a position to take on these appeals in an effort to continue the development of law pertaining to excessive force and racial profiling but also challenge qualified immunity.

Cut 12 (07) “…the first place.”

____________________________

To help keep students engaged in the learning process over the summer, the Louisiana Department of Education will partner with LPB and offer televised math instruction. Director of Math Science STEM, Jill Cowart says the instructional programming is designed for all students in kindergarten through ninth grade.

Cut 13 (10) “…the screen” 

Cowart says when schools closed early due to the pandemic they were forced to create at-home learning resources available online. Through the partnership with LPB, more families will now have access to resources beginning July 6th with a focus on keeping students engaged.

Cut 14 (11) “…the math”

The instructional broadcasts will be available on Louisiana’s three public television channels which can be accessed via antenna, cable or satellite service. They will also be available via on-demand.

Cut 15 (08) “…themselves”

Lessons will run through July 31st.

530 PM LRN News

Governor Edwards warns the state is on a bad trajectory of COVID case growth that could, if it were to continue, have him consider putting some restrictions back in place. Edwards says the rate of positivity among tests has gone up to just shy of 10% which is the White House’s recommended level for reopening.

Cut 14 (10) “…you did before.”

Over 2,000 new cases were reported today, the 3rd highest mark since the pandemic began.

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat calls it a historic achievement in what had become one of the most prominent political issues in the state.

Cut 3 (11) ”…insurance  

Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products including tinctures for use under the tongue.  Southern University President Ray Belton says the products have the ability to contribute to the health and welfare of the state and so much more.

Cut 7 (10) “…on the economy.”

Southern becomes the first HBCU to have THC and CBD product lines.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. Currently, there are more than 600 residents living in five veteran’s homes across the state. LDVA spokesperson Brandee Patrick says  you can find a listing of addresses at VetAffairs.LA.Gov.

Cut 10 (10) “…addresses.”

445 PM LRN News

The Saints Preseason could be set to get two games shorter according to a report from Pro Football Talk. The two most likely games appear to bet he 1st and fourth games, which means an away game in Los Angeles against the Rams August 14th and a home game in the dome against the Dolphins September 3rd. This comes as the league is preparing to move ahead with its schedule for the regular season despite a nationwide spike in cases.

Pels rookie sensation Zion Williamson will be one of three cover athletes for NBA 2k21, the long-running basketball video game. Williamson called it a dream come true in an interview with ESPN, saying he’s wanted to grace the cover of that game since he was a kid. Williamson will feature on the front of game boxes for next-gen ps5 and Xbox X consoles, while Portland star guard Damien Lillard will feature on the current-gen ps4 and Xbox One games. A final cover athlete has yet to be announced.

ESPN reports the NBA will not have an age limit for coaches heading into the “bubble” in Disney World for the restart of the NBA season. The league assured coaches and staff that those with those who are high risk for other reasons may be told to stay home.

The Pels are 30 days away from returning to the court in Orlando. Point guard Jrue Holliday says the days off have been nice but…

30

The Pels are 3.5 games back of the 8th seed in the West.

LSU Pitcher Ben McDonald, second basemen Todd Walker, and shortstop Alex Bregman have been named to the ESPN all-time college baseball team.

4:30 PM Newscast

Baton Rouge will now be one of three locations selected by the feds to ramp up testing by 5000 more tests per day. Edwards says the uptick in coronavirus metrics has garnered the attention of the White House, especially in the Capital Region.

Cut 13 (11) “…be seriously considered.” 

Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome has mandated the use of face coverings while inside of businesses.

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the legislation seemed dead in the water up until just a few hours before the session closed when the Governor struck a deal with Republicans.

Cut 5 (10)  “…the bill”

 

Southern University unveils its line of THC-based medical marijuana products known as AYO (I-O).  The launch sees the release of six different products including tinctures for use under the tongue.  CEO of Southern’s growing and processing partner Ilera Holistic Healthcare Dr. Chanda Mecias says they are also rolling out topical solutions.

Cut 6 (08) “…just the beginning.”

Louisiana has recently expanded the law to allow any doctor to recommend the product to any patient with a debilitating ailment starting August 1.

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. Visitation has been limited due to COVID-19 and LDVA Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says they wanted to boost morale.

9 (08) “…praying for them.”

3:30 LRN Newscast July 1

When it comes to COVID-19 hospitalizations, Governor Edwards says the state has lost all the progress it made in the first half of June in the second half of the month.

Cut 12 (08) “…they’ve ever been.”

Edwards has announced there will be no new restrictions put into place following a report that shows one of the largest single-day increases in COVID-19 cases, just over 2,000, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Orleans and Jefferson Parish have already begun mandating mask usage while inside all businesses as a result of the new spike and today East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announcedMasks will be also mandatory, especially inside businesses. Broome also said she’s not ruling out the possibility of closing bars. East Baton Rouge Parish was the second-highest parish of COVID cases today with 227.

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the bill is packed with items insurers say will save them a lot of money. Once Governor Edwards signs it Pinsonat says the ball moves into the Insurance Commissioner’s court.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…job”

 

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. LDVA Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says in March for the safety of residents, they had to limit visitors to mitigate the spread of the virus. The letter-writing campaign is a way of showing residents they are not forgotten.

Cut 11 (11) “…about them.”