The state has seen declining COVID-19 hospitalization numbers statewide, but health officials are concerned about rising numbers in the Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria regions. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s office has determined that 17-year-old Jaquan Anderson died from severe heart inflammation triggered by COVID-19. Anderson tested positive for COVID-19 before he died March 22nd, but the coroner’s office needed to conduct more tests to determine a cause of death. Researchers say COVID-19 can cause deadly heart complications, in children, but it’s very rare.

LSU’s student-athletes are wanting their voices to be heard at the ballot box. LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry says what has happened across the country in recent weeks has inspired the athletes to be more involved in the voting process.
Cut 13 (09) “…to do anyway”
Ausberry anticipates that every football player eligible to vote will be registered by tomorrow.

The full House has unanimously approved a 34-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st. Coronavirus relief funds were put into the spending plan to prevent deep cuts to state services, despite a dip in revenues collected. Erath Representative Blake Miguez is still concerned cuts will be needed in a few months…
cut 11 (07) “….shortfall”
Miguez says businesses need tax cuts to make sure the economic recovery is quick. The spending bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana House has approved a 34- billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The current budget is 30-billion dollars. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the increase is due to an influx of federal coronavirus relief dollars, so the state will not have this money to spend next year……
Cut 10 (10) “…expenses.”
The budget heads to the Senate for more debate.

A Greater New Orleans Foundation study finds that about three-quarters of nonprofits in southeast Louisiana are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. G-N-O-F CEO Andy Kopplin says many of these organizations, like food banks, are seeing an increase in demand, but have fewer dollars to carry on operations…
cut 8 (08) “…lose their job”
Kopplin says 23-percent of organizations surveyed say they are looking at merging with other nonprofits because of financial issues.

LSU announces it’s changing the name of the Middleton Library. Since 1979 the building has been named after former university president Troy Middleton, who supported segregation. Middleton wrote a letter to the University of Texas in 1961 that said LSU still kept black students in a given area. Black student leaders pushed for the name change that needs board approval.

LSU expects all of its football players will be registered to vote by tomorrow. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State health officials are concerned about rising COVID numbers in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says while the state as a whole is seeing consistently declining numbers of COVID hospitalizations those areas have seen a steady uptick. That being said…
Cut 4 (08) “…capacity.”
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide continues to fall, it’s at 549.

LSU is helping all of its student-athletes register to vote. LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry expects every football player eligible to vote will be registered by Friday, even those who do not live in Louisiana…
cut 14 (08) “….their absentee ballot”
But Ausberry says the school will not influence their student-athletes on who they should vote for.

A study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has put financial pressures on nearly three-quarters of the nonprofits in southeast Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state has seen declining COVID-19 hospitalization numbers but health officials are concerned about rising numbers in the Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria regions. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has put financial pressures on nearly three-quarters of the nonprofits in  southeast Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU expects all of its football players will be registered to vote by tomorrow.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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State health officials are concerned about rising COVID numbers in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions. Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux says while the state as a whole is seeing consistently declining numbers of COVID hospitalizations those areas have seen a steady uptick. That being said…

Cut 4 (08) “…capacity.”

Billioux says they track real COVID transmission growth by hospitalizations and not raw cases because case numbers can be influenced by increased testing. He says a substantial portion of these new cases could be coming from nursing homes in those regions…

Cut 5 (08) “…settings.”

Congregate settings aside Billioux says there is still evidence that a worrying level of community spread is occurring in those three regions, and that’s backed up by data from their contact tracing program…

Cut 6 (09) “…card games.”

In the Lake Charles region, Billioux notes the number of new COVID hospitalizations in many hospitals has jumped from just a few to roughly 20 new cases as of last week.

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A Greater New Orleans Foundation study indicates nearly three-quarters of nonprofits throughout southeast Louisiana have suffered a financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. G-N-O-F CEO Andy Kopplin says most nonprofits have been hurt financially by canceled fundraisers and fee-for-service programs.

Cut 7 (10) “…extraordinary financial challenges.”

With a 20% unemployment rate, Kopplin says organizations such as food banks are seeing an increased demand, but fewer dollars to carry on operations, adding to the financial pressures.

Cut 8 (08) “…lose their job.”

About 23% of organizations have indicated interest in potentially merging or partnering with other nonprofits, which Kopplin says is a testament to how concerned they are with the financial impacts.

Cut 9 (07) “…quality staff members.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a 34- billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The current budget is 30-billion dollars. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the increase is due to an influx of federal coronavirus relief dollars, so the state will not have this money to spend next year…

Cut 10 (10) “…expenses.”

Harris says 13 months from now, if current spending levels hold, the state will face a 731-million dollar deficit.

The extra federal dollars means the state does not have to make any deep cuts. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez is still concerned cuts will be needed a few months from now…

Cut 11 (07) “…shortfall.”

The budget was stitched together with those federal funds, so if the state were to see a mid-year revenue shortfall, could that be remedied with another round of help from D.C.? House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue…

Cut 12 (10) “…unlikely”

Zeringue says it’s likely the state will need another special session in the fall because of the revenue unpredictability. For now the budget heads to the Senate for more debate.

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LSU’s student-athletes are wanting their voices to be heard at the ballot box.  LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry says what has happened across the country in recent weeks has inspired the athletes to be more involved in the voting process.

Cut 13 (09) “…to do anyway” 

Student-athletes from any sport can schedule a time to stop by the football office to register to vote.  Ausberry anticipates that every football player eligible to vote will be registered by Friday, even those that don’t live in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (08) “…their absentee ballot.”

Ausberry says while the university is doing its part to help them vote, they will not influence the decisions they make.

Cut 15 (06) “…to vote for.”

An attorney for the family of Tommy McGlothen, a black man who died while in the custody of Shreveport police believes the officers involved should be fired and charged with murder.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

U-L Monroe says two faculty members are on administrative leave after posting racial slurs on their personal social media pages. The school says a termination letter was sent to Biology professor Dennis Bell and they are in the process of firing Nursing instructor Mary Holmes.

A resolution seeking to create a study group to examine policing policies drew the ire of Republican lawmakers on the House Government Affairs Committee because the measure referenced the death of George Floyd. But New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says Floyd’s death is the impetus behind a nationwide interest in policing policy…
cut 13 (10) “….protests”
The resolution was approved, but any reference of Floyd was removed from the text of the measure.

New Orleans will move to phase two coronavirus restrictions, which means restaurants can serve more customers inside and bars without a food permit can finally reopen. But New Orleans and Company CEO Mark Romig says a New Orleans staple will have to wait a little longer…
cut 8 (06) “…concert halls”
Harrah’s Casino in New Orleans will also reopen.

The House Governmental Affairs Committee argued today over a resolution to create a 19-member panel to study policing policies. The legislation referenced the killing of George Floyd as a reason for establishing the study group. Pineville Representative Mike Johnson took issue with that…
Cut 12 (08) “Louisiana”
The House committee approved the measure, but it was amended removing Floyd’s death from the text of the resolution.

An attorney for Thomas McGlothen, a black man who died in April while in the custody of Shreveport police disagrees with a coroner’s report that said the 44-year-old died from excited delirium. Lawyer James Carter calls that junk science…
cut 10 (06) “….all that is”
Carter points to a newly released video that shows officers beating McGlothen shortly before he died.

During the regular session, lawmakers passed criminal justice reform measures that advocates say will cut down on recidivism. One bill allows parolees to check in with their officers virtually. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says this saves parolees from taking off from work to meet their parole officer.
Cut 3 (08) “…work.”
That’s House Bill authored by Eunice Representative Patrick Devillier.

New Orleans will join the rest of the state on Saturday and move into phase two of reopening economy. That means bars on Bourbon Street can finally reopen. CEO of New Orleans and Company Mark Romig….
cut 7 (08) “….in the city”
But just like the rest of the state, live music is still not allowed. But Phase 2 allows for the reopening of Harrah’s New Orleans casino.

Legislation that provides businesses with tax breaks has advanced out of the House Ways and Means Committee. The proposals do not have the full support of the Edwards Administration, because it will result in less revenue for state services. Revenue Secretary Kimberly Robinson…
cut 14 (10) “….session”
Supporters say the legislation is needed to help businesses struggling after the COVID shutdown.

During the regular session, lawmakers passed criminal justice reforms advocates say will cut down on recidivism. One of the bills allows parolees to check in with their officers virtually. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says this saves parolees from having to take off from work to meet their parole officer.
Cut 3 (08) “…work.”
That’s House Bill authored by Eunice Representative Patrick Devillier.

He can’t do it in this special session, but Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is looking at filing legislation for an upcoming session that would require certain policy changes for Louisiana police officers. Fields says a duty to intervene among officers is one proposed policy change…
cut 30 (08) “….or procedures”
Fields says he’ll also file a bill that would ban the use of chokeholds by Louisiana law enforcement.

LSU professors are testing wastewater from various areas in East Baton Rouge parish as a way to track COVID-19 cases. LSU Civil and Environmental Engineering Professor John Pardue says they can do this because COVID-19 patients shed the virus in fecal matter. He says sewer epidemiology is not a new science and is used to track other metrics…
cut 9 (12) “….are doing that”
Houston, Oregon, and Michigan are doing similar tests.