Early voting in Louisiana is underway for the presidential primary election and in 24 parishes local items are also on the ballot. This election has been delayed twice due to COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this early voting day period is longer to reduce the risk of large crowds congregating at polling places.

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Only registered democrats or republicans can vote in their respective primaries.

Health officials in New Orleans have identified new clusters of COVID-19, tracing them to a graduation party and a large gathering at outside of an Orleans Parish bar. A number of how many are affected was not released. And in Baton Rouge an outbreak of more than 100 cases is linked to Tigerland bars and restaurants near the LSU campus. Officials encourage those who were in contact with the outbreaks to get tested and self-quarantine.

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says facilities who fail to follow the state’s testing guidelines could be hit with sanctions…

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Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility.

A special will air on CBS Sunday night featuring New Orleans native singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. Connick along with his filmmaker daughter Georgia Connick embarked on a pandemic roadtrip to interview essential workers who are putting their lives at risk.  “United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes,” also features celebrity friends of Connick and performances by Branford and Wynton Marsails and Irma Thomas. The 7pm special will also raise funds for a variety of carries.