As the state waits on more vaccines to come into Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards expresses concern that hospitals are getting stretched to their limit. Jeff Palermo has the story…
Cut 1 (28) “ …I’m Jeff Palermo”
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Senator Bill Cassidy warns that a 748 billion dollar bipartisan COVID relief bill is American’s only hope of getting some aid from Congress before the Christmas break. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 2 (28) …I’m Matt Doyle.”
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The Louisiana Attorney General is warning residents about an increase in “porch pirates” stealing Christmas packages from front doors.
AG’s office spokesperson Emmie Fuson says if your package gets stolen contact your local authorities but just know it is a difficult crime to solve. She says your best bet in solving that crime is…
Cut 3 (08) “..camera.”
But Fuson says preventing your package from being stolen in the first place should be your top priority. She’s got a few tips for avoiding that potential heartbreak…
Cut 4 (11) “..alerts”
Fuson also recommends having a trusted neighbor pick up your packages once you get a delivery alert that they have arrived.
And the best way to guarantee your package makes it safely under the Christmas Tree is for you to handle it yourself.
Cut 5 (10) “..possession”
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The state health department reported 50 more COVID-19 deaths today bringing the death toll to 6,895. The number of COVID patients hospitalized increased by 70 and there are nearly 16-hundred COVID patients in the hospital. Governor John Bel Edwards says he was on a call with CEOs of the state’s largest hospitals this week
Cut 6 (07) “…so forth”
Edwards says there’s been a surge in COVID patients following Halloween and Thanksgiving and it’s important to avoid another surge following Christmas. He says the best way to preserve capacity is by following the mitigation measures…
Cut 7 (12) “…patients”
Edwards says the state will receive 39-thousand Pfizer vaccines this week and another 40-thousand next week. He says the Moderna coronavirus vaccine which is up for F-D-A approval this week, will be available for Louisiana nursing home residents starting on December 28th…
Cut 8 (10) “…these vaccines.”
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Senator Bill Cassidy says lawmakers either pass a 748 billion dollar bipartisan COVID relief bill or nothing will get done before Congress’ Christmas break.
Cassidy worked on this legislation with a few of the more centrist Democrat and Republican Senators and House members. He says with split chambers this is American’s only hope for relief…
Cut 9 (10) “.in town.”
The legislation does not include another stimulus check. A separate effort is ongoing to force a vote on a new round of 1,200 dollar direct payments.
Cassidy highlighted the two biggest pieces of the bill…
Cut 10 (10) “…businesses.”
That new round of PPP would include restaurants and music venues. Food assistance, rental assistance, and vaccine distribution funds are also included.
Cassidy says the bill actually features very little new spending.
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A separate 160 billion dollar companion bill was also introduced that would include funding for state and local governments suffering from lost revenue. That bill only seems possible if an agreement can be reached on a COVID liability shield for businesses.
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Small businesses in Louisiana continue to struggle with the pandemic. NFIB State Director Dawn Starns says they’ve performed 14 surveys and consistently one in four respondents say if the economy doesn’t improve soon, they will have to close their doors. Starns says it’s imperative they receive relief as soon as possible.
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Starns says while several small business owners took advantage of Paycheck Protection Program as the pandemic enters its ninth month the PPP loan hasn’t been sustainable.
Cut 13 (11)“…hoped.”
The most recent survey indicates 47-percent of small business owners don’t anticipate business conditions to return to pre-pandemic levels until next year and 36-percent fear it will be 2022 before they rebound.
Starns says 56-percent of small business owners plan to be vaccinated for COVID.
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Starns says however 36-percent of business owners say they will encourage their employees to be vaccinated but not require it.