92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business. NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses can only last for so long before throwing in the towel.
Cut 3 (07) “…three to six months.”
Starns says the leading factor is slow sales.

The CDC is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus. Governor Edwards says the state is awaiting official word from the feds before calling for public face mask usage in Louisiana, but…
Cut 6 (12) “…that.”
Many Asian countries practice widespread use of public mask-wearing during viral scares.

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway this morning to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says by opening the spillway, they are diverting part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans…
cut 9 (11) “…maintain that level”
Murphy says they plan to open 10 to 20 bays today and if the weather cooperates they hope the spillway will only have to be open for a month.

The Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are still required to pay child support during the coronavirus pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales if a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, call a child support worker…
cut 14 (08) “…had been doing”
Under ordinary times, the state can suspend a delinquet parents license or passport, but they Scales says they are not taking that type of action at this time.