4:30 PM Newscast

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants.

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. The normal crawfish production season starts near the end of December and will go through the middle of June, but LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says some producers have already pulled the plug on their season or will end it by the first week of May because of prices falling below their breakeven point.

Cut 13 (11) “…of market outlet.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. One-third of providers say they’ll have to close permanently if the state remains shutdown, and Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says we can’t afford to lose them.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses maintain payroll. Graves says the program has bipartisan support but it’s being held up by politicians who want to tie it to pet projects.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

Graves says if the program isn’t replenished by the end of the month then everyone in Congress should be thrown out.