A new study finds more than one in three Louisiana residents lack access to an adequate food source and the coronavirus pandemic has made the problem of food insecurity worse. Center for Planning Excellence is behind the analysis and CEO Camille Manning-Broome says food insecurity has increased dramatically in New Orleans and Baton Rouge…
cut 8 (08) a humanitarian crisis”
The report says the number of Louisiana residents living in food insecure communities has increased by over 500-thousand since the pandemic began.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association predicts that 25-percent of the state’s restaurants will close as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Economist Loren Scott says much of that is linked to problems making rent…
cut 6 (08) “…right now”

People who choose to mask up in New Orleans could receive a raffle ticket for a 10,000 dollar drawing. The project is led by several Mardi Gras Krewes. Krewe of Red Beans founder Devin De Wulf says the idea was inspired by his time as a teacher, where he learned about the power of positive reinforcement.
Cut 10 (12) “prize.”
De Wulf says they started handing out raffle tickets yesterday and a drawing will be held on August 4th.

Friday Ellis will be sworn in as the new mayor of Monroe this afternoon. Ellis defeated longterm mayor Jamie Mayo in the July election 10 days ago.

Governor Edwards will hold a COVID-19 press briefing at 2:30. An announcement is expected on Phase 2, which is set to expire on Sunday.