3:30 LRN Newscast July 1

When it comes to COVID-19 hospitalizations, Governor Edwards says the state has lost all the progress it made in the first half of June in the second half of the month.

Cut 12 (08) “…they’ve ever been.”

Edwards has announced there will be no new restrictions put into place following a report that shows one of the largest single-day increases in COVID-19 cases, just over 2,000, since the beginning of the pandemic.

Orleans and Jefferson Parish have already begun mandating mask usage while inside all businesses as a result of the new spike and today East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome announcedMasks will be also mandatory, especially inside businesses. Broome also said she’s not ruling out the possibility of closing bars. East Baton Rouge Parish was the second-highest parish of COVID cases today with 227.

Tort reform supporters are taking a victory lap today after yesterday’s bipartisan passage of legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by changing the way lawsuits are handled. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the bill is packed with items insurers say will save them a lot of money. Once Governor Edwards signs it Pinsonat says the ball moves into the Insurance Commissioner’s court.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…job”

 

The Louisiana Department of Veteran’s Affairs is asking citizens to participate in a letter-writing campaign to show support to those in veteran’s homes. LDVA Director of Communications Brandee Patrick says in March for the safety of residents, they had to limit visitors to mitigate the spread of the virus. The letter-writing campaign is a way of showing residents they are not forgotten.

Cut 11 (11) “…about them.”