The State Fire Marshal encourages business owners to sign up for reopening updates at Open-Safely-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov. Matt Doyle has more…
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A Senate committee will consider several proposals this afternoon that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal at the state’s casinos and race tracks. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”
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Just over half of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association members feel bankruptcy is likely. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Governor John Bel Edwards says the state’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 is seeing encouraging numbers. Edwards says over the last three days, the numbers of deaths have been the lowest seen in over a month, adding that the drop is credited to residents taking mitigation efforts seriously.
The state reported 22 deaths on Monday, after reporting 19 on Sunday and 23 on Saturday. The number of COVID-19 deaths is up to 1,991.
Edwards says there is still room to do better with fighting the spread as Louisiana is seventh in the nation in per capita infections.
Cut 5 (10) “…being number two.”
The Governor’s new stay at home order that kicked in Friday still says restaurant meals must be served for carryout, however, patrons are now allowed to eat that meal in an outdoor dining section. Edwards says it appears that it has been a popular option for businesses.
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Businesses can sign up to receive updates about changes to business restrictions and guidance for reopening at Open-Safely-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov.
State Fire Marshal Butch Browning encourages business owners to sign up and answer a few questions.
To get updates click “register your business” and provide them your business’s email address.
Browning says those that sign up will be put on a list for in-person compliance checks, but you don’t have to wait for that inspection to open…
Once you register your business you’ll be offered a poster you can put up in your business that shows customers you are in compliance with new COVID regulations.
Browning says the site also offers the public an online tool for reporting non-compliant businesses.
Browning says over the weekend they received several complaints of non-compliant restaurants, but upon inspection they were all unfounded.
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A Senate Committee will hear several sports gambling-related bills today. Lake Charles Republican Ronnie Johns has a proposal that calls for a proposition election on sports wagering to be held in every parish in November. Johns says sports betting is already happening illegally…
Cut 10 (09) “…legal industry.”
If parishes were to legalize sports gambling, the activity could not begin until the Legislature approves the tax structure during next year’s fiscal session.
Johns says we’ve given our neighbors a competitive economic advantage by waiting so long to legalize sports betting.
Johns is optimistic the Louisiana Sports Wagering Act would find much the same level of support amongst voters that fantasy sports legalization did.
Sports gambling would be allowed at riverboat casinos, racetracks, and the land-based New Orleans casino, for 20 locations in total.
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Just over half of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association members feel bankruptcy is likely due to low oil prices. Association spokesperson Kati Hyer says the combo of a price war and the drop in demand from COVID-19 have driven oil prices through the floor.
Cut 13 (13) “…and local governments.”
Employees have seen cuts in salary ranging from 6% to 20%. Hyer says oil producers have been obligated to reduce 23% of their workforce already and 77.5% of operators are taking steps now to shut-in production.
Cut 14 (10) “…if they shut-in.”
Hyer says 34% of members have applied for federal assistance, but of those, only 25% received the funding they anticipated.
Cut 15 (09)“…to avoid layoffs.”
Hyer says if this devastating moment in the industry’s history isn’t handled carefully, it could be an end point in history.