Un and underemployed Louisianans can expect to see a much bigger unemployment insurance payments starting Monday…
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Outdoor plans for Easter Sunday are now in jeopardy due to severe weather in the forecast. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Starting Monday, Louisianans who lost their jobs or had their hours reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will receive federally enhanced unemployment insurance payments in addition to the unemployment they already receive from the state.
State Workforce Commission Director Ava Dejoie says the higher payments should be automatically added to your benefits if you’ve recertified your hours.
State benefits cap out at 247 dollars a week, but the feds are now throwing an extra 600 dollars a week on top of it.
Dejoie says contract workers who did not previously qualify for the state’s unemployment now qualify for the federal benefits…
Self-employed, gig economy, and workers whose employer’s hadn’t paid into the trust fund will now qualify.
Dejoie says the state received the federal funds this week, and so many recipients will receive two weeks’ worth of benefits on their Monday check.
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54-year-old Lafourche Parish Freshman Representative Reggie Bagala passed away Thursday from COVID-19.
Bagala succeeded former Representative Truck Gisclair in House District 54. Gisclair says Bagala was an energetic public servant, excited to serve his first term at the Capitol.
Gisclair says he doesn’t remember ever seeing Bagala without a smile on his face, and he was known for his distinctive chuckle.
Gisclair says the Republican went into state politics inspired to create higher-paying jobs for Louisianans after his son had to leave the state to find employment.
Bagala’s diagnosis was made public April 1st by his family. He was on a ventilator for more than a week.
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Be prepared for severe weather on Easter Sunday. State climatologist Barry Keim says the Storm Prediction Center has south Louisiana under an enhanced threat on Sunday and the northern half is under a moderate risk on Sunday.
Cut 9 (13) “…hail and tornadoes.″
Keim says the severe weather threat will materialize late Saturday night and heavy rainfall is possible as well
Cut 10 (09) “…of the coronavirus.”
The Storm Prediction Center only has five risk levels for severe weather, so Keim says for Louisiana to be second from the top indicates a serious situation on Sunday.
Cut 11 (11) “…so brace yourself.”
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Governor Edwards says the state will look at its options for potentially partially reopening Louisiana next month as coronavirus infections continue to level off.
The curve is flattening, but fatalities remain high. Edwards says tough times are still ahead and acknowledged Thursday’s COVID-linked passing of state representative Reggie Bagala.
Edwards also saluted the brave medical workers who’ve been pulling incredibly long hours keeping patients alive during the epidemic.
And says the state has been working hard to try and secure as much PPE as possible for those on the frontlines.