The loan program set up by the federal government to help small businesses pay employees during the COVID-19 crisis has run out of money. Congressman Steve Scalise of Metairie says the Paycheck Protection Program has already helped out thousands of Louisiana businesses…
cut 9 (11) “…out of money”
President Trump has asked for additional 251-billion dollars for the program and Scalise is hopeful Congress can approve the additional funding in the next few days.

Governor Edwards announced today who will serve on his Resilient Louisiana Commission. Edwards says this panel will make recommendations on how the state can grow its economy again. The governor is looking at loosing some of the rules of his stay at home order and this panel will receive input from business leaders…
cut 8 (11) “…stand up”

State officials say students will continue education via remote learning for the remainder of the school year as the governor has closed K-12 public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 13 of the top 20 auto insurers doing business in Louisiana are providing premium reductions and rebates to policyholders since people are driving less. He says the rebate programs are resulting in 187-million dollars back into the hands of consumers.

Governor Edwards says it’s too early to say what kind of impact the coronavirus pandemic will have on football in the fall. Edwards speculates that if there are football games, the stadiums will not be full…
cut 12 (11) “…checked”
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell is recommending no large events in the Crescent City for the rest of 2020, but a Saints spokesperson says it’s planning for games to be played and added it’s too important for the city.

State Police say they’ve seen an uptick in fatal wrecks, even though fewer vehicles are on the highways. Lt. Nick Manale says just because you have more room to operate your vehicle, you can’t neglect basic driver safety…
cut 15 (10) “…seat belt”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to attend college. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says 13 of the top 20 auto insurers doing business in Louisiana are providing premium reductions and rebates to policyholders since people are driving less. He says the rebate programs are resulting in 187-million dollars back into the hands of consumers.

Some states are mandating their residents to wear masks in certain public areas, like grocery stores. Governor John Bel Edwards is not certain at this point if he’ll issue a similar mandate. His staff continues to look at what restrictions will be in place in May and one of the provisions could be that masks are required for some workers…
cut 11 (09) “…mask on”
Edwards is expected to announce the members of his economic resilience task force today.

State Police say they have seen a noticeable decrease in drivers on the roads, but there’s been an increase in careless and distracted driving and that’s led to an increase in fatal wrecks compared to this time last year. Lt. Nick Manale…
cut 14 (10) “…travel for”

State officials say students will continue education via remote learning for the remainder of the school year as the governor has closed K-12 public schools. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

President Trump is expected to announce new social distancing guidelines today in an effort to re-open the country. Louisiana Senator John Kennedy says we need to trust Americans to reopen the economy in the right places, at the right time. He says if we don’t, the economy will collapse. Some say more coronavirus testing needs to be in place first.

New Orleans Mayor Latoya Cantrell files a proclamation to extend the city’s “Stay at Home” order until May 16th. Governor Edwards says that declaration does not guarantee he will extend the statewide order past April 30th. He says it’s clear some regions are still more heavily impacted by the coronavirus than others.
Cut 10 (09) “same thing”
About 50 percent of the state’s confirmed positive cases have been found in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

State Police says they have seen a slight increase in fatal accidents despite the fact roads are a lot less traveled these days. Lt. Nick Manale says this is not a good time for you to get into a wreck and have to visit a hospital.
Cut 13 (11) “…actions.”
Manale says while there is a decrease in vehicles on state highways, there is an increase in careless or distracted driving.

Louisiana schools are closed for the rest of the academic year, but the state says students will continue to receive an education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent of Education Beth Scioneaux says a lack of widespread technological infrastructure is creating hurdles to online learning, but that can be overcome with a mix of high-tech and low-tech distance learning….
cut 8 (11) “…regards to technology”
Scioneaux says they will provide guidance to local school districts when it comes to determining how schools decide if a student advances to the next grade.

For high school seniors, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is encourgaing them to complete their FAFSA forms that can result in financial assistance to attend college…
cut 6 (10) “….member of society”
That’s LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says they can offer seniors and parents assistance in filling out the forms at MyLOSFA-dot-LA-dot-gov.

Governor Edwards says more and more planning is being put into what the state might look like once restrictions are loosened with the stay at home order…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

And New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has extended the city’s stay at home order until May 16th. Governor Edwards posted on social media last night that the state has received a social distancing grade of C minus and the state can do better.

Governor John Bel Edwards has signed an order that keeps K-12 public schools closed for the remainder of the school year. However, students will continue education via remote learning. Acting State Superintendent Beth Scioneaux says local districts will be tasked with developing the criteria that will determine a student’s advancement in grade level.
Cut 7 (12) “…to move forward.”

The Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance is urging the class of 2020 to complete applications for federal student aid to secure money for college. LOSFA spokesperson Tyana Daquano says completing the FAFSA form can feel like a daunting task, but they are offering virtual assistance
Cut 4 (08)_ “…for my education.”
The assistance tool can be found at MyLOSFA.LA.gov.

The number of people who have died after testing positive for COVID-19 in Louisiana rose by another 90 today to 1,103. 16 of the victims lived at a Veterans Home in St. John the Baptist Parish. Deputy Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Julie Baxter-Payer says 26 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 and those who’ve been infected are all in the high-risk group…
cut 7 (09) “….seeing”

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the state is working on a set of guidelines to potentially get restaurants and other service industry businesses open in May. Nungesser says if it is safe to lift the stay at home order in May, restaurants could come back under strict guidelines…
Cut 12 (09) “mask”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin laid out his plans for how the state should handle the presidential primary that was scheduled for this month, but is now being pushed back to July. There’s a lot of concern about people going to the polls, but Ardoin opposes a universal vote by mail system…
cut 4 (13) “…under my watch”
But Senate Republicans are asking Ardoin to come back with a different proposal, because they believe it’s too broad and allows anyone over 18 to vote by mail.

Governor Edwards has said he plans to issue an order that will keep public schools closed for the remainder of the academic year, but the state has not released details on how educators should measure a student’s performance. Edwards says he’s not canceling school, just keeping the campuses closed…
cut 15 (06) “….should”
The governor is expected to release more information at his 4 PM press conference.