Governor John Bel Edwards will release new coronavirus pandemic restrictions this afternoon as the state is moving into Phase 3. Edwards is expected to announce the 50-percent maximum occupancy for most businesses will increase to 75-percent as long as they continue to social distance. The mask mandate will stay in place and we’ll have to see if bars will remain closed.

Phase Three will provide public school students with more opportunities for in-person education. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center is now giving a tropical wave off the coast of South Florida an 80-percent of developing into at least a tropical depression as it begins to move past Florida and into the Gulf of Mexico. State Climatologist Barry Keim…
cut 4 (09) “…affect us”
The disturbance is expected to track over the northeastern Gulf of Mexico this weekend and early next week as it moves toward Louisiana.

Cleco reports that it has restored power to 99-percent of the 140-thousand customers that lost power as a result of Hurricane Laura. At the peak, over 4,000 restoration workers were on the ground. Cleco spokesperson Jennifer Cahill…
Cut 10 (06) “…history of Cleco.”
In Calcasieu Parish, there are over 900 Cleco customers still without power.

Governor John Bel Edwards will provide details at 2 PM on what coronavirus restrictions will be in effect when Phase three begins later today. Edwards says the statewide mask mandate will remain in place, but we don’t know what the maximum occupancy will be for businesses. New Orleans is remaining in phase two.

President Trump has come under fire for audio recordings of him in March privately acknowledging the danger of coronavirus at a time when he was publicly downplaying the threat. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Pennington Biomedical Center in Baton Rouge says 452 low-income patients lost five percent of their body weight while participating in a two-year program that was tailored towards underserved residents. Researcher Doctor Peter Katzmarzyk says they had health coaches show the patients that eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive…
cut 9 (09) “….store”
The coaches also worked with patients on coping with stress and increasing physical activity.

We are two weeks away since Hurricane Laura’s landfall and the state reports that nearly 13-thousand residents are being sheltered at 42 hotels, 36 of them in New Orleans. Governor Edwards says that number is growing slightly every day…
cut 15 (09) “…4,800 Louisinans”

At two o’clock today, Governor Edwards will provide more details on what Phase three of reopening the economy will mean for businesses. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says they hope it means restaurants can go from 50-percent of maximum occupancy to 75-percent but he’s not sure if the bar closure order will be lifted
cut 6 (13) “….said not now”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is defending the President after an audio recording from March was released that has Donald Trump saying he wanted to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19. Cassidy says Americans should pay more attention to the President’s actions.
Cut 10 (09) “phase.”

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center two-year weight loss program aimed at helping low-income residents finds great success. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A free COVID-19 testing site will start Monday at the Argent Pavilion on the Louisiana Tech campus. Walk-up and drive-through testing will be conducted from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday for two weeks. You can pre-register online at Do-I-Need-A-COVID-19-Test-dot-com. Testing will be conducted by a self-administered, non-invasive nasal swab.

The restaurant industry welcomes today’s transition into Phase Three of economic reopening. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

As Kevin mentioned, Governor Edwards will provide Phase 3 details at a 2 PM press conference today. He has said that the statewide mask mandate will remain in place. And the governor was asked about the recall petition that was filed against him with the Secretary of State’s office last week. Edwards says he’s not worried…
cut 29 (03) “…one of em”
The petition will need 600-thousand signatures to force a recall election.

Low-income Louisiana patients who enrolled in a Pennington Biomedical Research Center obesity intervention program lost more weight than their counterparts who received usual care. Researcher Doctor Peter Katzmarzyk says 452 individuals took part in an intensive lifestyle intervention with a health coach and this group lost five percent of their body weight…
cut 8 (08) “…lived in”
Health officials say a weight loss of three to five percent can generate significant health benefits.

Operation Blue Roof is underway in the hurricane-damaged areas of the state as U-S Army Corps of Engineers with the help of FEMA is installing blue tarps over homes who suffered severe roof damage. Governor Edwards says so far six-thousand homeowners have registered and he’s encouraging others to sign up…
cut 14 (10) “…coveraged damaged roofs”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the state will move to Phase 3 for the reopening of the economy and that should mean relaxed occupancy restrictions on restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says they are expecting an increase from 50% to 75% capacity.
Cut 4 (09)“ …more work hours.”
Edwards will provide more details about Phase 3 which will go into effect later today at a 2 PM press conference.

Governor Edwards is warning residents in the areas impacted by Hurricane Laura to be cautious with the heat. The state reports 28 storm-related deaths and many of those are linked to the intense temps. Edwards says those working in the sweltering conditions need to pace themselves.
Cut 13 (06) “…get in to.”

Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward’s new book “Rage” gives an inside look at President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus during the early stages of the pandemic. The book details how Mr. Trump knew of the seriousness of COVID-19, but told Americans it’s no worse than the seasonal flu. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy doesn’t think the book will hurt the President’s re-election chances…
cut 12 (11) “…loud”
Cassidy says the President has shown that he has taken the spread of coronavirus seriously by funding efforts to find a vaccine, shutting down the economy, and implementing a travel ban.