Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell was arrested for aggravated assault, this morning. Police allege Spell backed a bus in the direction of a protester in front of his suburban Baton Rouge church Sunday. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell wanted to be arrested at his church with a press conference, but that wasn’t going to happen.
Spell has posted bond and plans to hold services tonight.
The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10-million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bog-eh-ohn) says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.
Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses. The 350-billion-dollar program ran out of money after 13 days. It offers forgivable loans to companies with fewer than 500 employees who spend 75 percent of their loan allotment on payroll. Graves says it was highly popular.
A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.