If Louisiana is still in Phase Two when schools reopen in August then students who rely on a bus for transportation could be in a bind, because bus occupancy will be limited to 50 percent. State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says school districts are working on solutions and reaching out to parents…
Cut 10 (10) “…school bus”
If the state can move into Phase Three then capacity can increase to 75-percent.

Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel, and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the first few weeks of the pandemic
Cut 13 (08) “…this is about.”
The legislation needs House approval on Senate changes before it heads to the governor’s desk. Front line or essential workers will be eligible for this 250-dollar check if they make less than 50-thousand dollars a year.

An analysis by housing advocates warns that up to 130-thousand households across Louisiana are at risk of evictions. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards is demanding businesses comply with coronavirus restrictions as the state reported another 13-hundred cases yesterday. Edwards says the state office of public health, A-T-C, and state fire marshal deputies will conduct robust compliance checks on businesses when they get complaints they are not following Phase two restrictions…
Cut 5 (11) “…a whole”
Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says in order to stop the surge in cases, Louisiana residents should wear masks in the public and maintain social distancing…
Cut 14 (07) “…neighbors safe.”
Due to a planned power outage at an L-D-H office in New Orleans, the state will not update its coronavirus cases today.

Legislation that would provide grocery store workers, bus drivers, law enforcement personnel and healthcare workers with a 250-dollar check from the state is nearing final legislative passage. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says these individuals put their health at risk by showing up to work during the few weeks of the pandemic…
cut 13 (08) “…this is about”

A common childhood vaccine might help prevent severe lung inflammation and sepsis if a person is infected with COVID-19. LSU Health New Orleans researcher Dr. Paul Fidel suggests that live attenuated vaccines such as MMR can help boost an adult’s immune system to mount a more effective defense.
Cut 4 (09)_ “…the severe complications.”
Fidel says they plan to give the MMR vaccination to adult primates to see if it can prevent severe complications of COVID-19.

Governor Edwards plans to increase enforcement efforts on non-compliant businesses as coronavirus cases continue to surge. Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The C-D-C now says pregnant women may be more at risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19 than those who are not expecting. This news comes on the heels of a Baton Rouge mother who gave berth to a premature baby but died from COVID-19 complications. The newborn girl is fighting for her life in intensive care.

The University of Louisiana System is anticipating a five percent loss of revenue by the end of the 2021 fiscal year. President Jim Henderson says part of the revenue loss can be attributed to a drop in enrollment. Henderson says his pitch to students uncertain of returning is still the same, a 14-percent annual rate of return on their degree from a U-L system school.
Cut 8 (08) “…investment”
For the current fiscal year that ends Tuesday, the UL System is set to suffer a 28 million dollar loss.

The famous Mr. Mardi Gras, Blaine Kern Sr. has died at the age of 93. Kern founded Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern had the ability to engage and captivate people like few others and made Mardi Gras what it is.
Cut 11 (07) “…quite a promoter.”

Governor Edwards is demanding businesses comply with coronavirus restrictions as the state reported another 13-hundred cases yesterday. Earlier this month, the governor loosened capacity restrictions on businesses and re-opened bars. The governor says that decision is not why we are seeing a spike in cases…
Cut 3 (10) ”…a mask”
Businesses who have employees that come in contact with customers are required to wear masks. And Edwards says the public should be wearing a mask, maintaining social distancing, and washing hands frequently.

Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the vast majority of new cases is coming from community spread. Billioux says the percentage of tests that are positive is eight-percent, the federal goal is to keep it below 10-percent.
Cut 13 (09) “…increases there”

The University of Louisiana System is bracing for a 28 million dollar net hit to revenue this fiscal year, and is planning for a five percent total drop in revenue for the fiscal year starting Wednesday. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LSU has set its fall academic calendar. Classes will begin August 24th. The fall holiday in October has been canceled and students will not return to campus to finish the fall semester after the Thanksgiving holiday. The final few classes and finals will be held online.

Louisiana logged another 1,300 new COVID cases yesterday, putting the state close to the 55-thousand total case mark. Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the vast majority of new cases are coming from community spread. He says more people are showing up to emergency room departments with COVID-19 symptoms
Cut 12 (12) “…epidemic”
The percentage of tests that are positive is eight-percent, the federal goal is to keep it below 10-percent.

Governor John Bel Edwards says we are seeing more cases within the community because there are some businesses not practicing social distancing and not following capacity requirements…
Cut 4 (12)_ “…these mandates.”
Edwards says he’ll shut a business down before placing tighter restrictions on all businesses.

In New Orleans, they are mourning the death of Blaine Kern, Sr., who was known as Mr. Mardi Gras. Kern was the founder of Blaine Kern Artists, which designs, builds, and stages most of the region’s largest carnival parades. Mardi Gras expert Arthur Hardy says Kern’s energy and creativity did not slow down in the later years of his life.
Cut 10 (10) “…just didn’t stop.”
Kern built his first Mardi Gras float on the back of a mule-drawn wagon with his father in 1932 and is credited for turning Mardi Gras float building into a multi-million dollar business. He was 93-years-old.

The Louisiana Farm Bureau has a new president for the first time in 31 years as Jim Harper from Rapides Parish has been elected to replace Ronnie Anderson. Harper is a crawfish, sugarcane and soybean farmer, who previously served as vice president.

The state department of education’s plan for reopening schools in August requires that students from third grade and above wear masks even in the classroom. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says student health will be closely monitored throughout the day…
cut 5 (09) “…check”
Brumley says hand washing must take place every two hours and students who get sick will be quarantied on campus until they can be removed.

The Lafayette Police Department confirms the F-B-I is assisting in the investigation into the stabbing of 18-year-old Holden White. The family says the stabbing of the gay teeenager from Kaplan was a hate crime. But authorities have only charged the suspect with attempted second-degree murder. Lafayette P-D says if they find evidence of a hate crime, additional charges could be filed against 19-year-old Chance Seneca.

Louisiana’s first harvested batch of industrial hemp gets the green light to move forward with processing….
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Air Quality alerts are up for Lake Charles, Lafayette, Houma, Baton Rouge and New Orleans as a plume of Saharan dust moves into Louisiana, increasing particle concentration, which could exasperate breathing issues for those who suffer from asthma or allergies. DEQ Air planning administrator Jason Myers says there is some good news associated with the dust plume…
cut 9 (07) “…sunset”

The State Department of Education is requiring face masks for students third grade and above as part of its plan for reopening public schools in August. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says if a student or teacher tests positive the Department of Health will consult with the district on whether the school needs to close. Brumley says that means…
Cut 6 (07) “closed”
Schools that are ordered closed may stayed closed for three to five days for a deep clean.

The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality warns residents with breathing issues to remain indoors as a Saharan Dust Plume begins impacting the Gulf Coast today. LDEQ Air Planning Administrator Jason Myers says the dust can exasperate existing respiratory conditions.
Cut 7 (07) “…inside.”
Air quality alerts are up for Lake Charles, Lafayette, Houma, New Orleans and Baton Rouge.

AAA indicates COVID-19 is having a significant impact on summer travel plans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

At the state capitol, lawmakers have approved a resolution that creates a task force to study police training and what can be done to remove officers from the force who are considered bad apples. The 25-member task force will meet next month and provide recommendations to the state legislature by February first.

State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley outlines COVID safety guidelines for the upcoming school year, including the mandatory use of face coverings. Brumley says school districts will have to answer to the Louisiana Department of Health if there is non-compliance.
Cut 4 (10)_ “building”
The face mask requirement is for students third grade and above. Brumley is also encouraging school districts to make online learning available for students who do not want to return to the classroom.

Air quality alerts are up for much of southeast Louisiana, Lafayette and Lake Charles because of particle pollution from the Saharan dust cloud. If you have respiratory issues, DEQ Administrator Jason Myers recommends wearing an N95 mask while outside…
cut 8 (10) “…now”

COVID-19 is impacting summer travel. The AAA travel forecast shows Americans will take 700-million trips, down nearly 15% compared to last July through September. AAA spokesperson Don Redman most people will drive to their destinations, while other transportation methods will see a sharp decline.
Cut 10 (09) “…are the cruises.”
Most cruise lines ahve suspended all deparatures until at least August 1st.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says the first batch of hemp grown in Louisiana and tested by their laboratory is in compliance. Strain says the next step is for the hemp that was grown in southwest Louisiana to be dried out and that can happen at a processing facility…
cut 14 (09) “….extract CBD products”