A CDC investigation into an incident in Missouri shows the effectiveness of masks. Health officials say two hairstylists tested positive for the coronavirus, but none of their 136 customers and co-workers got the virus, because everyone involved wore a mask. Louisiana Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…masks.”
The two COVID positive workers, who were asymptomatic, were working while awaiting their test results.

Discussions will continue on Capitol Hill this week on whether Congress should approve another coronavirus relief bill. There’s still a lot up in the air as to the details of the next package. Senator John Kennedy says he is confident the one House Democrats crafted, the three trillion dollar HEROES Act, will not hit the President’s desk.
Cut 9 (07) “…virus”

White House Guidelines call for gyms to be closed down in high coronavirus transmission states like Louisiana. Brooke Thorington on how to transition your workout to the home if gyms close again.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Governor Edwards is asking Louisianians to participate in three days of fasting and prayer during lunchtime starting today. Edwards says he wants everyone to use this time to pray for the sick, the caretakers and the families of those who are grieving over the deaths of loved ones. The state has surpassed 91-thousand cases and 34-hundred deaths.

Republican and Democratic Congressional leaders are expected to discuss this week a 5th coronavirus relief funding bill. Senator John Kennedy says it’s unclear what this round of aid may look like, but he doubts it will be as broad as past COVID stimulus bills.
Cut 7 (08) “…bills.”
Kennedy says he’s concerned about the rate of spending on COVID economic bills and he says the only way for the economy to survive is for Americans to get back to work.

Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says a CDC investigation in Missouri involving two hairstylists who tested positive shows the effectiveness of masks in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Billioux says the hairstylists wore masks and none of their 136 customers and co-workers they were in close contact with ended up testing positive…
cut 5 (04) “…evidence”

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says the tort reform bill signed by Governor John Bel Edwards will help begin the process of rebuilding Louisiana’s insurance markets. Waguespack says Louisiana has had one of the highest auto insurance rates in the country long enough…
cut 15 (07) “…will change that”
Supporters say the tort reform bill will change the state’s civil litigation system and result in fewer lawsuits filed because of car accidents and reduce the damages awarded.

White House Coronavirus guidelines call for gyms to be closed in high transmission coronavirus states like Louisiana. Governor Edwards has yet to make that decision, but if gyms are ordered closed again, LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Exercise Physiologist Dr. Melinda Southern says there are exercises you can do at home to continue to do to stay in shape.
Cut 10 (08) “stability exercises.”

The governor’s office has announced the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program is temporarily suspended due to overwhelming response. Over 40-thousand renters filled out applications in less than four days and there’s currently only 24-million in federal dollars available, which is only enough to assist about 10-thousand tenants.

Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux points to a CDC investigation out of Missouri that shows the effectiveness of masks. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Congress returns to work today and lawmakers will begin discussing another round of coronavirus aid. Louisiana Republican Senator John Kennedy is concerned about the rate of spending on COVID economic bills and he says the only way for the economy to survive is for Americans to get back to work.
Cut 8 (11) “…careful.”

There are many individuals who are self quarantining for two weeks after they were exposed to someone with COVID-19 or have tested positive and are asymptomatic and still looking to keep their regular workout routine, without going to the gym. LSU Health New Orleans Clinical Exercise Physiologist Doctor Melinda Southern says if you don’t have gym equipment at home, use basic furniture…
cut 12 (10) “….the wall”

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says Governor Edwards’ mask mandate and the order that closed bars is likely unconstitutional and unenforceable. Landry is in self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. Edwards says Landry might have issued a different legal opinion if he attended Tuesday’s meeting with the members of the White House’s coronavirus task force…
cut 9 (07) “….here”

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris projects that 20-to-25-percent of the state’s restaurants will close as a result of capacity restrictions. Harris says this will lead to more unemployed workers, which is why Congress needs to extend enhanced unemployment benefits before they run out at the end of the month…
cut 12 (09) “….happen”

The longest-serving executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party is stepping down…
cut 3 (27) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The National Retail Federation is expecting a record amount of money spent on back-to-school shopping this year as families and students prepare for the possibility of online learning because of the coronavirus pandemic. N-R-F spokesperson Katerine Cullen…
cut 6 (12) “…54-percent”
Cullen says back to school spending could eclipse 100-billion dollars for the first time.

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has released a legal opinion that says Governor Edwards’ statewide mask mandate and bar closure order is likely unconstitutional. Edwards responded during his call-in radio show and said Landry’s opinion is an about-face from what he said when the pandemic started…
cut 8 (12) “….directives”
Landry says in March, the state’s medical capacity was at a breaking point, but that is not the case now.

You’ve seen a lot of restaurants closing since the pandemic started. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says despite some federal aid, many restaurant owners will not be able to hold on…
cut 10 (10) “….statewide”

The National Retail Federation says we could see record-breaking back to school shopping this year because many students need laptops and computer accessories in anticipation of more online learning. For the elementary to high school age kids, families are spending an average of $789, an increase of nearly $100 from last year. NRF spokesperson Katerine Cullen says it’s a similar story for college students…
cut 5 (11) “….record 977 dollars”
Cullen says more than half of K-12 shoppers say they will buy their back to school supplies online.

Stephen Handwerk is stepping down from his leadership position with the Louisiana Democratic Party. Handwerk is the longest-serving executive director for the party…
cut 13 (09) “….done my time”
Handwerk will depart at the end of August.

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry says Governor Edwards’ mask mandate and the order that closed bars except for curbside pickup is likely unconstitutional and unenforceable. Landry is in self-quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19. Edwards says Landry might have issued a different legal opinion if he attended Tuesday’s meeting with the members of the White House’s coronavirus task force…
cut 9 (07) “….here”
Landry issued the legal opinion at the behest of eight Republican legislators who asked the A-G to weigh in on the governor’s latest executive order.

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the COVID restrictions on restaurants will result in 40-percent of them in the New Orleans area closing and 20-to-25-percent closing statewide. Harris says traditional sit-down restaurants are impacted the most…
cut 11 (10) “…business”

The National Retail Federation says we could see consumers spend a record amount on back to school shopping this year. N-R-F spokesperson Katherine Cullen says parents and students are preparing for more online learning because of the coronavirus pandemic…
cut 4 (06) “….home this year”
For the elementary to high school age kids, families are spending an average of $789, an increase of nearly $100 from last year. College student spending is expected to total 68-billion dollars, up from 55-billion last year.

Stephen Handwerk is leaving his position as the executive director of the Louisiana Democratic party next month. Handwerk is proud of the party’s accomplishments during his time in a leadership position. He says the highlight is the election of Democrat John Bel Edwards in a red state…
cut 14 (08) “….proud of that”
The state legislature has seen more Republicans elected into their body, but Handwerk says the mayors of the state’s largest cities are Democrats.

Attorney General Jeff Landry says Governor Edwards’ executive order that requires masks, limits the size of gatherings, and the closure of bars is likely unconstitutional. Matt Doyle has more
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards has signed into law several different tax break bills for businesses, including casinos. Edwards has signed into law a measure that allows casinos to give gamblers promotional play wagers without having to pay taxes on it.

Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris projects that 40-percent of the restaurants in the New Orleans area will close and 20-to-25-percent will close statewide as a result of capacity restrictions that have been placed on restaurants. Harris says this will lead to more unemployed workers, which is why Congress needs to extend enhanced unemployment benefits before they run out at the end of the month…
cut 12 (09) “….happen”
Harris made the comments on the governor’s monthly call-in show.

Stephen Handwerk says his eight-year run as executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party will come to an end next month. Handwerk says it’s time to pursue new challenges, but he’s proud of what the party accomplished during his time at the helm…
cut 15 (12) “….of a role”
The Louisiana Democratic Party also needs to elect a new chairperson as Karen Carter Peterson is not seeking re-election.