Louisiana gets sued by abortion-rights advocates for designating abortion services as non-essential and requiring those services to be shut down as part of the Governor’s stay at home order…
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The coronavirus pandemic is giving about 12-hundred non-violent inmates a chance for medical release. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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1,013 Louisianans have died of COVID-19 as of today, with a record 129 COVID deaths being reported yesterday. Matt Doyle has reaction from the Governor…
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Congressman Ralph Abraham and the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team will take to the skies over Monroe and West Monroe in aerial tribute to first responders and healthcare workers. Abraham says a team pilot contacted him about performing the tribute after the area was impacted by Sunday’s tornado outbreak.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…in the backseat.”
The flyover will take place at 1pm this afternoon. Abraham says there is a chance that spectators could get a little bit more than just flying in formation.
Cut 5 (08) “…that’s aerodynamically possible.”
Abraham says the team is one of the top aerial teams in the world, with four vintage aircrafts to put on the tribute.
Cut 6 (13) “…times, sometimes not.”
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The Center for Reproductive Rights is suing Louisiana for the state’s attempts to close abortion clinics as part of a shutdown of all services deemed non-essential.
President Nancy Northup says attempting to force clinic closures violates due process and equal protection. She says abortion services are time-sensitive and essential.
Ohio, Oklahoma, and Alabama have had similar suits filed against them.
Kathleen Pittman, administrator for the Shreveport Clinic, says her facility should not be closed because it is compliant with safety measures designed to restrict the spread of coronavirus.
Attorney General Jeff Landry says clinics are non-essential facilities and should not be in operation right now, but Northup says medical experts disagree.
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The Department of Corrections has created a review panel that will determine if certain inmates nearing the end of their sentence should be released in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus within jails. 1,200 inmates are eligible for the program. Corrections Secretary Jimmy LeBlanc says the first group of inmates up for consideration have a pre-existing medical condition and meet certain criteria.
A second group without medical concerns will require the same criteria, plus having already served at least six months.
LeBlanc proposes a panel compromised of himself, Director and Executive Director of Probation & Parole Board, a victim’s advocate as appointed by the Governor, Executive Director of the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association, and Executive Director of the District Attorney’s Association or a designee of any of the panel members.
Cut 11 (12) “…public health emergency.”
The efforts to alleviate the crowding in jails locally mirrors the same actions being taken at the federal level based on the order of US Attorney General William Barr.
LeBlanc says if an inmate is furloughed, they will not have the same freedoms as someone being released.
Cut 12 (07) “of the furlough.”
Reviews begin Friday.
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Governor Edwards struck a somber tone yesterday as the state reported crossing the 1,000 COVID-19 death mark, but noted the curve of new infections has flattened.
A single day record 129 COVID deaths were logged yesterday, and while Edwards says much of the spike was the result of a reporting backlog, it is not any easier to process.
But with the rate of new cases declining Edwards is looking forward to the loosening of some restrictions in the future. He says one of the first things is making more medical services available.
Many “non-essential” medical facilities were shuttered to conserve PPE and needed medical equipment, and to free up healthcare workers for a potential surge in cases.
Edwards says even if some services reopen this spring, schools will not be one of them so the state has to make an effort to expand access to distance learning.
All physical school locations will be closed in the state through the term ending May 20th.
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