Two abortion clinics have been cited for maintaining operation in the state amidst the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
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Leadership from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent a letter to the Governor supporting such a move by the Governor to close schools for the remainder of the year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (33) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
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Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate says the pandemic isn’t impacting the availability of their holiday candy. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Governor Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve but warns life is unlikely to go back to normal anytime in the next few months.
Federals projections show a steep drop-off in expected COVID deaths in Louisiana relative to projections at the start of the month, but…
Edwards says that’s not an official announcement that the stay at home order is being extended, but a warning that it’s being considered.
The Governor says when the order is lifted, it will be lifted in stages, and the rate of new infections will be closely monitored. If new infections increase too fast, the state will shut down again.
The governor’s current stay at home order lasts until April 30th.
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The Attorney General’s Office is investigating reports of elective surgical centers, including abortion clinics, continuing their operations despite the Governor’s stay at home order.
Spokesperson Deanna Fortin says at least two of the state’s three clinics are reported.
An endoscopy center in Shreveport was also reported.
Fortin says the Governor’s order calls for the suspension of all elective and non-emergency medical procedures. She says some cancer surgeries have had to be delayed, and…
Similar situations in other states have been reported, and advocates argue that abortion is not something you can put off for several weeks.
Fortin says facilities that do not comply with the Governor’s order will be eligible to receive a citation.
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Governor Edwards indicates it is likely that school will remain closed for the rest of the school year. Leadership from the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education has sent a letter to the Governor supporting such a move. BESE president Sandy Holloway says research shows closures would be in the best interest of public health.
Cut 9 (07) “…facilities too soon.″
Holloway says although on-campus operations have halted, the educational process has not.
Director of education policy at the Pelican Institute Ethan Melancon says while the fight to contain COVID-19 is an important one, parents need reassurance that their child’s education will not fall victim to the virus.
Cut 11 (10) “…valuable instruction time.”
Melancon says a lack of a clear game plan for the rest of the school year is raising more questions than answers.
Cut 12 (10) “…students are wondering.”
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Easter is different this year, but Easter baskets can be filled with traditional candy favorites. CEO of Ponchatoula-based candy maker Elmer Chocolate Rob Nelson says the Easter Bunny should not experience any disruptions in the supply chain as they got their candies prepped early.
Cut 13 (07) “…back in February.”
Nelson says Easter candy sales have slumped recently with residents focused on shopping for essential items, but he’s optimistic sales will pick up this weekend.
Cut 14 (06) “…and Heavenly Hash.”
The Gold Brick and Heavenly Hash are consistently neck and neck for being the most popular of the brand’s varieties of candy eggs, and is followed closely by Pecan Eggs.
Nelson says over the last week, the company has donated about 15,000 candy eggs to those battling the pandemic.
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The LHSAA’s 2019-20 athletic season is over as executive director Eddie Bonine cancels the seasons for the various spring sports. Baseball, softball, track and field and other sports have been on hold since mid-March. Bonine says they hoped that those seasons could resume, but the continuing spread of the coronavirus left them with no choice but to end high school sports for this school year
Bonine feels horrible for the seniors…
Bonine hopes the fall sports season will start on time. He says football teams maybe given an extra week of preseason practice, but eligibility issues will have to be addressed…
Bonine says the LHSAA’s executive committee will meet again in June to discuss the fall sports seasons.