Louisiana will remain in phase two until late July as officials are concerned with a rising number of cases and hospitalizations. Governor Edwards says the public needs to do a better job practicing social distancing and he says there are some businesses that are not operating responsibly. Edwards says the state has not shutdown or revoked any permits, but…
cut 9 (11) “….option for

State Treasurer John Schroder tells lawmakers he hopes grants of up to 15-thousand dollars could be in the hands of some small businesses next month. Schroder says there are an estimated 450-thousand businesses eligible and the state has 300-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to spend. But Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt wonders if there’s enough money to go around…
cut 5 (09) “….business”

The Senate has passed a watered-down lawsuit reform bill that supporters believe may help lower auto insurance rates. The measure lowers the jury trial threshold to 10,000 dollars, prevents insurance company’s names from being mentioned in court, and removes a gag order on whether a crash victim was wearing a seat belt. Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says it’s not as strong as past efforts, but…
Cut 13 (04) “…triple”
The measure still needs House approval.

A cloud of Saharahan dust could start impacting Louisiana’s air quality starting tomorrow. The head of environmental sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, Doctor James Diaz, says this is not good news for those who suffer from asthma or allergy suffers…
cut 11 (10) “….a dust particle”
Diaz is concerned the Saharahan dust can increase the transmission of COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards says Louisiana will remain in Phase 2 of the state’s reopening of the economy because of a spike in coronavirus cases and hospitalizations. Edwards says they anticipated an increase in cases with more testing and more businesses opening up, but there’s a percentage of the public who are not doing their part as well…
cut 7 (10) “….today”
Edwards says the state will continue to stay in Phase 2 until at least July 24.

State Treasurer John Schroder tells lawmakers he’s looking to distribute grants of up to 15-thousand dollars to small businesses by December. The money is coming from federal coronavirus relief aid and Schroder says there are an estimated 450-thousand small businesses who could be eligible…
cut 4 (06) “….happens”
This small business grant program is the result of legislation approved in the regular session.

A cloud of Saharan dust is crossing the Atlantic and is set to arrive in Louisiana by Wednesday bringing with it more COVID-19 concerns. The dust consists of tiny mineral rock particles from Africa. While it can produce vivid sunsets, the head of environmental sciences at LSU Health New Orleans, Dr. James Diaz, says it poses a risk to those with underlying health conditions.
Cut 10 (10) “…of getting COVID-19.”
Those with asthma, COPD, chronic bronchitis, and heart conditions should be most cautious.

State Police say five people were killed and six injured in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish yesterday.  Investigators say the incident began when a 21-year-old driver crossed the center line and hit another vehicle head-on. A Toyota Corolla then slammed into one of the vehicles. The ages of the fatal crash victims range from 20-years-old to 60-years-old.

Governor John Bel Edwards has scheduled a 2:30 press conference today to announce whether the state can move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 in the reopening of the economy following the COVID-19 shutdown. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says based on the White House guidelines, Phase 3 would loosen capacity restrictions even more and allow for larger gatherings…
cut 15 (10) “…Phase Two”

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to fill out the 2020 census form. Edwards says the state’s response rate is lagging.
Cut 10 (11) “…the deep south.”
The deadline to fill out the census has been extended until October 31st and can be done at My2020Census.gov.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot
Cut 9 (11)_ “…to self-quarantine.”
Pollster John Couvillon says the 48-thousand mail-in votes is the highest first-day mail in volume dating back to 2008.

A Sports Illustrated report says at least 30 LSU football players have been isolated after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive. Some of the quarantined players admitted they visited nightclubs near LSU’s campus, which has been the source for over 100 new cases. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says players have to stay away from large crowds…
Cut 4 (06)_ “….inexcusable really”
LSU says none of the players who tested positive for COVID-19 have been hospitalized.

Governor John Bel Edwards holds a press conference at 2:30 today, where he is expected to announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three, which will reduce restrictions on businesses even more. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Edwards has a lot to consider given our new upward trajectory of case growth…
Cut 13 (12) “…making.”
A majority of the state’s health regions are seeing a growth in new cases.

Several LSU football players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and at least 30 of them have been asked to isolate themselves. Three Ragin Cajuns athletes have also tested positive. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says this will not stop schools from trying to start the football season in September…
Cut 6 (06) “…I don’t know” (2x)
LSU says the players who have tested positive are showing minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.

An E Pluribus Unum survey shows a majority of southern whites do not believe blacks have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today at the state capitol, the full Senate will debate a tort reform bill that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates by making changes to the state’s civil litigation system. Governor Edwards rejected a similar proposal passed in the regular session, the bill that’s been advancing in the special session has been tweaked and lawmakers will look to pass it with a veto-proof majority.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 2:30 this afternoon and he’s expected to announce whether the state will move into Phase Three of the economic recovery. On Saturday the state reported more than 800 new COVID-19 cases and on Sunday the number was below 400 and only one new death.

The governor is urging residents to participate in the 2020 US Census. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Sports Illustrated reports several members of the LSU football team have tested positive for COVID-19 and at least 30 members have been asked to quarantine. Some of the cases are apparently connected to a cluster of cases tied to several bars just off-campus. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU worked hard to provide a safe environment for players and Coach Ed Orgeron might be forced to prohibit his players from entering bars…
cut 5 (11) “…keep you safe”
None of the players who tested positive have been hospitalized.

E Pluribus Unum paid for an 18-hundred person survey that found a majority of white respondents, 51-percent now attribute poverty to a lack of opportunity rather than poor life choices. Pollster Jim Gerstein says this appears to be the first time a majority of whites have expressed that opinion.

The Phase Two reopening order expires Friday and this afternoon Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The LSU football team’s voluntary workout program continues, even though Sports Illustrated reports at least 30 players are self quarantining after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive. Some of the cases are tied to a cluster of cases linked from people who visited Tigerland bars.

A survey of southerners shows over 75-percent of white respondents have heard from the media that blacks are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, but the majority don’t believe it. GBAO Strategies Pollster Jim Gerstein…
Cut 7 (08) “…true”
In Louisiana, 53 percent of COVID deaths have been African Americans, who make up just 32 percent of the population.

Governor Edwards says only 56-percent of Louisiana households have participated in the census, the lowest percentage in the Deep South. Edwards says the census is used to determine the allocation of federal dollars for various programs…
cut 11 (11) “…name it”
The deadline to complete the census is October 31st and it can be done at my-20-20-census-dot-gov.