Is the Department of Health inflating COVID-19 case counts? Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux debunks that theory. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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Low-income renters who are struggling to pay their rent can now apply for help through the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Matt Doyle has the story.

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A West Monroe man is in jail after allegedly getting violent after being denied access to a Walmart for not wearing a facemask. Brooke Thorington has more…

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Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux debunks a theory that Louisiana’s COVID-19 case count has been inflated by individuals being retested only to find out they are still positive for coronavirus. Billioux made it clear the state is not listing every positive test result as a new case.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…that one case.”

The Red River Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recently added to the theory with a Facebook post that questioned the validity of the parish’s case count as reported by LDH. Billioux says they’ve looked into the claim.

Cut 5 (09) “…as 56 cases.”

Billioux says the health officials have nothing to gain from inflated numbers, adding that the spreading of misinformation about testing through hearsay can be dangerous.

Cut 6 (07) “…testing in general.”

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The state is now taking applications for the Louisiana Emergency Rental Assistance Program, an initiative aimed at helping low-income people who are struggling to make rent.

Louisiana Housing Corporation Executive Director Keith Cunningham says the program can provide short-term help to renters whose finances have been impacted by the pandemic.

Cut 7 (10) “…the program.”

The program currently has a 24 million dollar fund, but the state aims to find additional money to boost the pot.

Payment amounts and qualification depends on income, household size, and fair market rent prices in your area. Cunningham says you can only make 30 percent of the state’s average median income.

Cut 8 (07) “…or more.”

Applicants also cannot currently be in public housing or be receiving other federal rental assistance.

Governor Edwards says the program will be administered on a first come first served basis, and qualifying applicants will have rent payments made on their behalf.

Cut 9 (04) “…landlords”

The application process can be accessed through 211 or Louisianarenthelp.com.

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A West Monroe man was arrested after allegedly hitting a cop with his car and resisting arrest after refusing to wear a mask inside a Walmart. West Monroe Police Chief Jeff Terrell says when 64-year old Ricky Taylor refused a Walmart employee’s request to wear a mask a police officer working detail for Walmart intervened.

Cut 10 (10) “trespass notice.”

Authorities say Taylor had a verbal altercation with the officer, refused to give to his identification, left the store, and got into his car, and then it got physical.

Cut 11 (08) “…bumped the officer.”

A second officer was called to make the arrest and a struggle ensued.

The suspect reportedly said he had a medical condition that prevents him from wearing a mask and he could not see the officer behind his vehicle. Terrell says if Taylor really had a condition he could have just done curbside pickup.

Cut 12 (12) “…to wear a mask”

Taylor was booked on charges of resisting an officer, aggravated assault with a motor vehicle, and disturbing the peace.

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Governor Edwards approves business tax cuts and credits that will cost the state an estimated 25 million dollars in the current budget year, and at least 230 million dollars over the next five years.

The cuts come in many forms, including a substantial portion for the casino industry, and a yearlong suspension of the corporate franchise tax. Political Analyst Bernie Pinsonat…

Cut 13 (09) “…services.”

The tax cuts and credits were legislative priorities for the GOP in the recent special session.

The cuts and credits are aimed at helping companies who’ve been hammered by COVID-related economic loss. Pinsonat says it’s anyone’s guess as to whether they’ll make much of an impact.

Cut 14 (09) “…struggling”

Early in the special session, Edwards expressed concern about the fiscal responsibility of the proposed cuts and credits, but Pinsonat says the pandemic likely inspired him to step outside his comfort zone.

Cut 15 (12) “…did”