10:30 LRN Newscast May 6

LSU has released a survey that shows how residents are handling the COVID-19 pandemic…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today a House committee will debate a resolution that seeks to prevent Governor Edwards from extending the current stay at home order beyond May 15th. Erath Representative Blake Miguez…
cut 5 (07) “…earlier”
Edwards has said ending the COVID-19 emergency would be grossly irresponsible.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would give voters the opportunity to decide in November whether sports betting should be legal. A similar proposal failed last year after heated debate. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry.
Cut 8 (11) “…works for Louisiana.”
Henry says if voters in a parish approve the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted, which would take place next year.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission announces they’ve passed the one-billion dollar mark in unemployment benefits paid to some 404-thousand Louisianans. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says in the next 30 days they’ll once again require unemployed workers to provide work search documentation to continue receiving benefits, but they understand not everyone can work right now….
cut 16 (06) “…play”

9:30 LRN newscast May 6

The House Governmental Affairs committee hears a resolution this afternoon that seeks to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency as it relates to the coronavirus. House Republican Caucus chairman and Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the objective is to put local leaders in control of reopening the economy.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…time.”
Republicans would rather see parish leaders determine if certain businesses should re-open. Governor Edwards has labeled the effort “misguided” and does not believe the House and Senate will pass it…
Cut 7 (08) “…America”
Edwards says he extended the stay-at-home order through May 15th because some regions in the state continue to show increased hospitalizations and an increase in new cases.

Since March 22nd over 404,000 Louisianans have received unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the highest number ever recorded…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

An LSU Public Policy Lab survey of one-thousand Louisiana adults finds that 50-percent of them say they have followed the stay at home order. Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says those age 65 and older were most strict about staying home, with nearly 60% compliance.
Cut 11 (09) “…are not aloud.”

8:30 LRN newscast May 6

A House committee is set to hear a resolution today that seeks to end the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

New Orleans has approved the demolition of three buildings near the partially collapsed Hard Hard Hotel. City officials say the demolition will provide space for the large cranes that are needed to tear down the hotel structure that partially fell last October, killing three workers. The bodies of two of the victims have yet to be recovered.

An LSU survey finds that 50-percent of residents are complying with the state’s stay at home order which asks residents not to attend any large social or religious gatherings. LSU Public Policy Lab Director Michael Henderson says the survey of one-thousand Louisiana adults also found that 56-percent of respondents say they attempt to stay six feet away from others, but most residents choose not to wear a mask in public…
cut 12 (10) “….leave the house”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid over a billion dollars in unemployment payments since March 22nd. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says the money went to 404-thousand Louisianans.
Cut 14 (11) “…87.”
LWC paid out 151 million dollars to 103,000 claimants in all of 2019.

7:30 LRN Newscast

LSU has released a survey that shows how residents are handling the COVID-19 pandemic…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Today a House committee will debate a resolution that seeks to prevent Governor Edwards from extending the current stay at home order beyond May 15th. Erath Representative Blake Miguez…
cut 5 (07) “…earlier”
Edwards has said ending the COVID-19 emergency would be grossly irresponsible.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has announced that over one-billion dollars in unemployment benefits have been distributed to over 404-thousand Louisianans. L-W-C Secretary Ava Dejoie says the rate of new claims is declining and some businesses could re-open later this month. Dejoie says if you return to work with reduced hours, report your earnings at the end of the week…
cut 15 (10) “…due”
Dejoie says if you return to work to your normal schedule, discontinue filing for benefits.

A Senate committee has approved a bill that would give voters a chance in November to vote on whether they want to legalize sports betting. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if a majority of voters in a parish vote for the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted…
Cut 10 (10) “…next session”
The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

6:45 LRN Sportscast May 6

This week LSU has received a commitment from four-star quarterback Garrett Nussmeier out of Flower Mound, Texas and the Tigers are also recruiting the nation’s number one dual-threat Q-B, Caleb Williams out of Washington D-C. LSU, Oklahoma and Maryland are Williams’ three top choices. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says LSU’s coaches are glad they got the commitment from Nussmeier and they’ll take Williams too…
cut 30 (18) “…open arms”

The Monroe News-Star is reporting Grambling and Northwestern State have agreed to play each other in football on September 10th, 2022. The game will be played at Independence Stadium in Shreveport.

A Senate committee approves legislation that would give voters the opportunity to decide in November whether sports betting should be legal in Louisiana. A similar proposal failed last year after heated debate. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says it’s time to put this issue before the voters.
Cut 8 (11) “…works for Louisiana.”
Henry says if a majority of voters in a parish vote for the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted…
Cut 10 (10) “…next session”
Henry says the legislation also puts the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in charge of regulating sports betting. The measure heads to the Senate floor for more discussion.

6:30 LRN Newscast

LSU surveyed one-thousand adults and found 50-percent of them have not attended social or religious gatherings that are inconsistent with the state’s stay at home order. Also, 74-percent of the respondents believe the U-S and Louisiana should continue orders that are designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Director of LSU’s Public Policy Research Lab Michael Henderson says the survey was taken during the last two weeks of April…
cut 13 (11) “….continue those policies”

Today a House committee hears a resolution that would suspend Governor Edwards’ stay at home order. Conservative Republican lawmakers also started a petition that takes similar action but House Republican Delegation Chairman Blake Miguez says his resolution doesn’t…
cut 6 (03) “…funds”
But the Edwards administration says the resolution would shut down the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Since March 22nd over 400,000 Louisianans have received unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the highest number ever recorded. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

LRN AM Newscall May 6

A House committee is set to hear a resolution today that seeks to end the Governor’s stay at home order. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

An LSU survey showcases how residents are handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Since March 22nd over 400,000 Louisianans have received unemployment assistance from the Louisiana Workforce Commission, the highest number ever recorded. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

____________________________________________

The House Governmental Affairs committee hears a resolution today that seeks to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency as it relates to the coronavirus. House Republican Caucus chairman and  Erath Representative Blake Miguez says the objective is to put local leaders in control of reopening the economy.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…time.”

Miguez says he’s disappointed Governor Edwards extended the stay at home order to May 15th. He says the resolution will pressure Edwards to implement Phase One after the order ends.

Cut 5 (07)  “…earlier.”

A legislative petition is circling that would also end the public health emergency, but many fear it would result in a substantial loss of federal funds. Miguez says this is different…

Cut 6 (03) “…funds”

Governor Edwards has labeled the effort “misguided” and does not believe the House and Senate will pass it…

Cut 7 (08) “…America”

_______________________________________

A Senate committee approves legislation that would give voters the opportunity to decide in November whether sports betting should be legal in Louisiana. A similar proposal failed last year after heated debate. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says it’s time to put this issue before the voters.

Cut 8 (11) “…works for Louisiana.”

The measure heads to the Senate floor for more consideration. If it receives legislative approval the proposition would appear on the November 3rd ballot. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns…

Cut 9 (08) “…vote it down”

Henry says if a majority of voters in a parish vote for the proposition, then sports wagering could be permitted in that parish only after state laws regarding regulation and taxation are enacted…

Cut 10 (10) “…next session”

____________________________________

An LSU Public Policy Lab survey indicates half of respondents say they have never left their home during the outbreak for social gatherings, religious services or other reasons not in line with the stay at home order. Lab Director Dr. Michael Henderson says those age 65 and older were most strict about staying home, with nearly 60% compliance.

Cut 11 (09) “…are not aloud.”

Overall, 30% say they have left home once a week or less.

56% of the respondents say they attempt to stay six 6 feet away from others, but most residents choose not to wear a mask in public.

Cut 12 (10) “…leave the house.”

77% report anxiety related to health concerns and 76% report anxiety related to economic anxiety. Roughly three-quarters of respondents believe mitigation efforts should continue, but Henderson says that is likely to change as time progresses.

Cut 13 (11) “…continue those policies.”

____________________________________

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid over a billion dollars in unemployment payments since March 22nd. LWC Secretary Ava Dejoie says they’ve issued over 250 million dollars in state unemployment and over 840 million in federal dollars from the CARES Act to 400,000 Louisianans.

Cut 14 (11) “…87.”

LWC paid out 151 million dollars to 103,000 claimants in all of 2019.

The rate of new claims is declining and some businesses could re-open later this month. Dejoie says if you transition back to work from unemployment…

Cut 15 (10)“…due.”

If you’ve returned to your normal work schedule, discontinue filing for benefits.

Dejoie says in the next 30 days they’ll once again require unemployed workers to provide work search documentation to continue receiving benefits, but they understand not everyone can work right now…

 Cut 16 (06) “play”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

LSU Football receives a verbal pledge from one of the top pro-style quarterbacks in the country as Garrett Nussmeier has announced his commitment to the Tigers. The four-star recruit from Flower Mound, Texas is the son of former Saints Quarterback Doug Nussmeier. 24-7 sports recruiting analyst Shea Dixon says LSU’s coaching staff began recruiting Garrett before his sophomore season…
cut 30 (34) “,…stuck with him”

The N-F-L will unveil its 2020 schedule on Thursday night. The Saints could have several prime-time games. There’s the home-and-home against Tom Brady and the Buccaneers. The Saints will also host the Chiefs and 49ers and they have road games at Philadelphia, Denver, and Las Vegas.

The Monroe News-Star is reporting Grambling State and Northwestern State have agreed to play each other in football on September 10th, 2022. The game between two north Louisiana schools will be played at Independence Stadium in Shreveport. It will be the sixth meeting on the gridiron between the two schools. Grambling leads the series three to two.

Former Virginia Tech safety Khalil Ladler has announced on Twitter that he’s transferring to Louisiana Tech. The Bulldogs need help in the secondary next season as they’ve lost both of their starting cornerbacks and safety L’Jarius Sneed, who was drafted by Kansas City. In four seasons at Va Tech, Ladler had 96 tackles but didn’t make a start last year.

LRN PM Newscall May 5

After setting a new record for visitors in Louisiana last year the tourism industry is bracing for a bleak 2020. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

Barbershops and hair salons would open up ASAP if AG Jeff Landry had his way. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

_____________________________

After ruling all non-unanimous jury verdicts unconstitutional the US Supreme Court will now decide whether that decision applies retroactively.

The case involves a Baton Rouge man serving multiple life sentences, but the jury hearing the case did not deliver a unanimous verdict in 2006. His attorney Andre Belanger explains the objective

Cut 3 (11)  “…petition”   

Belanger’s client, Thedrick Edwards, was convicted on multiple counts including kidnapping and rape near LSU with most of the non-unanimous convictions being decided along racial lines.

Belanger says Edwards’ case should be overturned because the US Supreme Court has already decided non-unanimous verdicts were wrongly decided.

Cut 4 (08)_ “injustice.”

One estimate pins the number of potential cases impacted by this decision at around 1,800. Belanger says it could be life-changing.

Cut 5 (08)  “…hope

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry opposes overturning past non-unanimous convictions, and Baton Rouge DA Hillar Moore opposes overturning Edwards’ verdict, calling him a “bad dude”.

_________________________________________________

After a record breaking 53.2 million people visited Louisiana in 2019 the state is scrambling to save the tourism industry.

The future of tourism is murky but Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says this isn’t the first time we’ve weathered a storm and rebounded to set new records.

Cut 6 (11) “…bounced back.”

The 53.2 million was a four percent increase over 2018.

Nungesser says he hopes Louisiana can begin phase one of re-opening the economy on May 15th and phase two a couple of weeks later. He says that’s when they can try to bring tourists back. He says the department of tourism is reaching out to groups that canceled their events in Louisiana…

Cut 7 (08) “…musician .”

By the end of 2019, an estimated 242,000 people worked in Louisiana tourism. Nungesser says it is the fourth largest industry in the state.

Cities and parishes are cash strapped and Nungesser says to save major event tourism the Legislature needs to authorize more tourism assistance to local governments.

Cut 8 (11) “…struggling”

______________________________

Attorney General Jeff Landry is pushing for the Governor to greenlight the reopening of barbershops and hair salons.  Landry says it is a step in the right direction of getting the economy running and stresses the importance of haircuts as a matter of personal hygiene and mental well-being.

Cut 9 (07) “…cut their hair”

Landry is calling on the move to be made as soon as possible and says the reopening would be a part of the restoration of people’s liberty.

Cut 10 (09) “…open back up.”

Landry encourages the Governor to issue guidance for the reopening and says spread mitigation techniques can implemented into the haircut process.

Cut 11 (11) “…should be optional.”

______________________________

The University of Louisiana System announces a special tuition rate for adults wanting to return to school to finish their degree at one of their nine campuses through the Compete LA program.  UL System President Jim Henderson says the new rate provides an average discount of $450 per course.

Cut 12 (12) “…the adult learner.”

The UL System launched Compete LA last fall and has enrolled more than 2,000 returning students.  Henderson says the process of finding the right path to a degree doesn’t get much more convenient.

Cut 13 (11) “…the market today.”

Henderson says the program gives employers a bigger talent pool to hire from and will enhance the revenue for the state of Louisiana.

Cut 14 (08) “…state of Louisiana.”

1:30 LRN Newscast May 5

Lousiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has sent a letter to the governor urging him to allow barber shops and hair salons to reopen. Landry says even with social distancing guidelines in place, there are ways a person can get their hair cut or nails done safely…
cut 11 (11) “….should be optional”
Governor Edwards has indicated barbers and nail salons will re-open when phase one of reopening the economy begins, which could be May 15th.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state sent another record in 2019 for visitors, with 53-million tourists last year. Nungesser looks forward to the day when big events return and he wants the state to help out…
cut 8 (11) “…struggling”

The University of Louisiana System announces a special tuition rate for adults wanting to return to school to finish their degree at one of their nine campuses through the Compete LA program. UL System President Jim Henderson says the new rate provides an average discount of $450 per course.
Cut 12 (12) “…the adult learner.”
The UL System launched Compete LA last fall and has enrolled more than 2,000 returning students.

The U-S Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of a Baton Rouge man serving a life sentence on rape and kidnapping charges, but the jury did not come to a unanimous decision. His attorney, Andre Belanger, says his client Thedrick Edwards, should have his conviction thrown out since the nation’s highest court recently ruled non-unanimous jury verdicts are unconstitutional…
cut 5 (08) “…hope”
District Attorney Hillar Moore opposes overturning Edwards’ conviction, calling him a “bad dude”