Plans are now in place for students to be in the classroom this fall throughout the University of Louisiana System. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”
____________________________
A legislative attempt to prevent the governor from enforcing his statewide stay at home order is halted after the annoucement that Louisiana will move to Phase One starting Friday. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
_____________________________
The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall at all nine member institutions. UL System President Jim Henderson expects things to look much different from what students and faculty have been accustomed to in the past.
Cut 3 (10) “…and responsibly get.”
A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each institution will have the ability to optimize safety measures to work best for each community.
Henderson says exact plans are not set in stone, indicating as more information becomes available, there will be modifications made to incorporating mitigation efforts into the college setting.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…pinpoint our interventions.”
Henderson says there are hurdles in the logistics of obtaining resources for temperature checks, increased testing, and a heightened focus on sanitation.
Cut 5 (07) “…are in place.”
_________________________________________________
The state faces a billion-dollar deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1st with the possibility that deficit could rise if the economy continues to deteriorate.
Governor Edwards says that unpredictability makes it likely any budget passed this session would have to be changed in the fall.
Cut 6 (10) “year.”
The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a 316 million dollar loss in sales tax, a 351 million dollar decline in severance taxes, and 172 million dollars in gaming revenue losses due to COVID-19. Another 150 million in lost taxes and fees are also expected.
Despite the uncertainty, Edwards does not believe a special session will be necessary to pass a budget, because we won’t have a much clearer picture in June than we have now.
Cut 7 (08) “.budget”
But Edwards says if the feds bail out state and local governments it’s possible the deficit could shrink significantly by fall…
Cut 8 (10) “…to it”
Senator Bill Cassidy is spearheading a federal effort to get 500 billion dollars sent to local and state governments.
_______________________
One person is dead after fleeing from law enforcement following the discovery of apparent street racing activity in Shreveport. Trooper Brent Hardy says around 2am Monday, State Police showed up to disperse the crowd and a pursuit ensued with a Chrysler 300 driven by 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal.
Cut 9 (09) “…struck a tree.”
O’Neal was pronounced dead at the scene and the vehicle’s five other passengers, ages 16 to 20, sustained a range of moderate to serious injuries and were sent to local hospitals.
Hardy says the search for answers continues as the investigation is ongoing.
Cut 10 (12) “…impairment was involved.”
It is unknown if the driver or passengers were buckled up. Hardy says street racing is a problem on the national level and is never a good idea.
Cut 11 (11) “…a safe idea.”
_____________________________
The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the legislative measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says he will only revive the effort if Governor Edwards does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan.
Cut 12 (10) “…his job.”
The resolution cleared a House committee last week and was scheduled for full House debate on Wednesday.
Miguez believes protests, letter-writing campaigns, social media posts, and his resolution pressured Edwards into loosening restrictions.
Cut 13 (12) “legislators”
Edwards says he moved the state into Phase One only after the numbers, and his medical experts, indicated it was safe to do so.
Miguez says if the reopening does lead to a spike in cases it should not result in the entire state being put back on lockdown.
Cut 14 (10) “…Phase Two”
Governor Edwards said if a strict stay at home order is needed again, he’ll use a regional approach, instead of statewide.