Governor Edwards says he is concerned about the state’s growth in COVID numbers and asks the public to take the pandemic as seriously as they did when we first flattened the curve…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A generic steroid using dexamethasone appears to cut risk of death for COVID-19 patients on ventilators by a third. Kevin Barnhart spoke with a local doctor who has used it on patients.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A football player suspended for one year lawyers up against LSU. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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The House unanimously approves legislation sending a 250 dollar check to some essential workers who worked the early days of the pandemic. To qualify workers must earn under 50,000 a year.

A prior version had the limit at 70,000 a year but bill author Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says that just wasn’t fiscally feasible.

Cut 4 (10) “stores”

The legislation targets health care workers, first responders, childcare workers, grocery store employees, and more.

Ponchatoula Representative Bill Wheat ultimately supported the legislation but says it’s disappointing that the income limit was lowered.

Cut 5 (11) “…for.”

Up to 50 million dollars in checks can be disbursed, with the potential for another 50 million if the need arises. Federal coronavirus relied aid will fund the program. 25-million dollars from a small business grant fund and another 25-million from a pot of money that’s set to go to local governments.

Eunice Representative Phillip Devillier says his constituents have been begging the state for some help.

Cut 6 (12) “direction.”

The bill passed to light cheers from House members and is headed to the Senate.

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State officials call the recent rise in COVID-19 case numbers “alarming” as we near next week’s announcement on potentially moving into Phase Three.

Neighboring states are starting to see record COVID cases, and Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says if current trends hold we won’t be far behind.

Cut 7 (08) “…act”

Billioux says they are seeing an increase in cases in central Louisiana and southwest Louisiana, including the Acadiana area.

Governor Edwards says these numbers should be a gut check for Louisianans to reevaluate if they have been slacking on their social distancing and mask-wearing. He says the threat has not passed.

Cut 8 (09) “…first wave.”

Since June 10^th the state has reported 4,200 new positive tests when adjusting for backlogged cases from previous weeks. The state also did not report new numbers Thursday.

Billioux says 91% of the new cases are not nursing home related and most of those are being linked to social gatherings or households, but not to protests.

Cut 9 (11) “…do both.”

Billioux says the risk for transmission is low if protestors all wear masks and try to keep their distance.

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Medical experts in the United Kingdom indicate that a steroid treatment has provided a glimmer of hope in treatment of COVID-19. Dexamethasone appears to cut the risk of death for ventilator patients by a third. Tulane Medical Center pulmonary care Dr. Joshua Denson says he has used this therapy to treat a handful of COVID patients.

Cut 10 (08) “…most severe patients.”

The steroid also appears to cut the risk of death for patients on oxygen by a fifth.

Denson has his reservations and believes it should not become standard of care until experts are able to fully vet and review a full manuscript presenting the data and undergoes peer review in an organized fashion.

Cut 11 (10) “…that with dexamethasone.”

Denson feels overall hospitals are getting better at figuring out how to manage patients and says that could be because they aren’t seeing the onslaught of patients coming through the door they once did.

Cut 12 (10) “…making some progress.”

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A suspended LSU football player files a federal Title IX complaint accusing the university he was unjustly suspend on an accusation he had non-consensual sex with another student.  The unnamed player’s attorney Susan Stone says their client was not given access to evidence until after being determined guilty by LSU.

Cut 13 (11) “…that includes cross-examination.” 

The player is remaining anonymous. In court documents he’s referred to as “John Doe” and is a resident of Alabama. He was suspended in February and it’s a year-long suspension. Stone says he cannon attend school, he’s lost his scholarship and she says this could have a long-lasting impact on the player’s life.

Cut 14 (11) “…would be recruiters.”

Kristina Supler is another attorney working on the case and she says the school’s actions are a due process violation and the message is clear: be fair.

Cut 15 (07) “…in the school.”

The player’s legal team hopes LSU will vacate their decision, restore his scholarship and allow him to return to the football team in good academic standing. LSU says they do not comment on pending litigation.

A United Way survey breaks down Louisiana residents’ top concerns during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A Senate-approved resolution that seeks to create a task force to study police law enforcement policies and make recommendations on how to improve receives unanimous support from a House committee. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

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A survey from the Louisiana Association of United Ways finds that two-thirds of Louisiana residents need help in paying everyday bills during this COVID-19 pandemic. President of the non-profit Sarah Berthelot says households with annual incomes less than $35,000 face the most setbacks and challenges.

Cut 3 (10) ”…on low-income workers”  

Berthelot says another major finding in the study is that 47-percent of residents say their child care situation changed after the stay at home order.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…of work hours”

Berthelot says when it comes to the top concerns, 8% say it’s paying bills, 10% say it’s children’s issues, 12% say it’s housing, 20% says it’s their community and at 32%, the top concern is avoiding the coronavirus.

Cut 5 (12)  “…was contracting COVID-19.”

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Governor Edwards signs three gun rights bills, one dealing with concealed carry in churches, another targeting local gun restriction ordinances, and the last addressing rights during a public emergency.

Edwards says the first bill rewrites Louisiana law to specify that conceal carry is permissible in houses of worship if it is approved by that facility’s administrator.

Cut 6 (03) “…have it”

That bill was opposed by the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana and other church representatives testified against it in committee.

The mayors of Baton Rouge, New Orleans, and the Louisiana Municipal Association objected to another bill that would prohibit local governments from establishing gun-free zones in parks, playground and other public areas. Edwards doesn’t see the legislation to be controversial…

Cut 7 (10) “…issue”

The final bill outlaws state and local restrictions on the sale of guns and ammo during public emergencies. The bill sponsor says it was inspired by actions taken by the City of New Orleans during Katrina and other emergencies.

Edwards says his support for these bills should come as no surprise to anyone.

Cut 8 (10) “…moderate side”

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A House committee approves a proposal to create a Police Training, Screening, and De-escalation Task Force. The panel will study police department policies and make recommendations on how they can be improved. Law enforcement supports the resolution and Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle took note of that…

Cut 9 (08) “…the nation”

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is the author of the resolution and he says recent research shows black men are three times more likely than white men to be killed by police intervention. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala is a retired deputy and made a statement that caused a brief uproar

Cut 10 (12) “…State Capitol.”

Bacala says he supports the resolution and believes the state needs to put a stop to police brutality…

Cut 11 (12) “…force.”

The Senate approved measure heads to the House floor for more discussion.

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A Calhoun man is in the Ouachita Parish correctional center charged with 400 counts of child porn and 100 counts of sexual abuse of an animal.  Trooper Brent Hardy says the investigation of 40-year-old Keith Taylor began in April when the Special Victims Unit received information that Taylor in possession of, and possibly distributing, inappropriate content online.

Cut 12 (08) “…children and animals.”

The investigation was conducted with the help of multiple agencies including the FBI, the Louisiana AG’s office, and the Ouachita Parish Sheriff’s office.  Hardy says the allegations have likely shaken the community.

Cut 13 (07) “…knows Mr. Taylor.”  

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28-year-old Cordale Richard was arrested today in the shooting deaths of 21-year-old Aliza Gabriel and 20-year-old Tanasa Francis at a large party in Raceland Sunday.

Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Brennan Matherne says Richard was involved in a fight at the party, and once the police arrived he allegedly began firing indiscriminately into a crowd.

Cut 14 (09) “…the scene.”

Francis and Gabriel are believed to have been uninvolved bystanders.

Matherne says Richard admitted to the shootings after police tracked him to his home and arrested him without incident.

Cut 15 (11)“ shooting” 

Richard faces two counts of First Degree Murder along with several other charges.