9:30 LRN Newscast April 3

Governor Edwards has officially extended the state’s stay at home order until April 30th. Edwards says it is absolutely critical for each Louisianan to take this order seriously. He says federal modeling shows 1,834 Louisianans will die of COVID-19 by August…
Cut 4 (08)_ “…76.”
Currently, 310 people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and new numbers will come out at noon.

The Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are required to pay child support during this time, but Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says they are not taking any action against deadbeat parents. Scales if you have questions call I-888-L-A-Help-U…
cut 15 (12) “…right direction”

The state department of education is not requiring high school seniors to take standardized tests, so it will be up local school systems to decide on whether a senior graduates. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart”

Former state legislator Marty Chabert says Lockport Representative Reggie Bagala has been put on a ventilator as he battles the coronavirus. The 54-year-old is the second member of the House to test positive for COVID-19. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has also tested positive and was hospitalized with pneumonia. James has been released but will quarantine until fully recovered.

8:30 LRN Newscast April 3rd

Governor Edwards has extended Louisiana’s Stay at home order to April 30th. The number of reported coronavirus cases has surpassed 91-hundred and 310 people have died…
cut 6 (10) “…to happen”
Edwards says federal modeling data shows that Louisiana could see more than 18-hundred deaths by August.

High School seniors are expected to graduate next month, but schools will remain closed through April. Assistant State Superintendent of Education Ken Bradford says local school systems will determine if students have met the requirements to graduate. He says for classes taken this semester students could receive a pass-or-fail grade instead of a letter grade…
cut 11 (10) “…impact their GPA”
All requirements to receive TOPS have remained the same and seniors are still encouraged to complete financial aid planning.

If you owe child support, the Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing on payments during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state treasure’s office is mailing over 45-hundred checks worth four-million dollars to Louisiana residents. State Treasurer John Schroder says it’s money from the unclaimed property fund and they used data from the department of revenue to find people who are owed this money…
cut 8 (08) “….week”

7:30 LRN Newscast April 3rd

Louisiana’s stay at home order has been extended through April. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 1 (30) “…Matt Doyle”

State Treasurer John Schroder says his office is mailing four-million dollars worth of unclaimed property checks to Louisiana residents…
cut 9 (05) “…average”
Unclaimed property funds include payroll checks, old bank accounts, royalties, utility deposits, and interest payments.

The state education department is leaving up to local systems to decide if high school seniors have met course requirements in order to graduate. Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says seniors do not have to take standardized tests, but local school systems will decide how to award course credits…
Cut 10 (08) “…high school credit.”
Bradford says the school system can determine if the student should receive a letter grade for the class he was taking or a simple pass-fail grade.

The Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing child support payments due to the pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says non-custodial parents are still on the hook for money owed despite their employment status, but no enforcement actions will be taken.

6:45 LRN Sportscast April 3rd

National columnist Nancy Armour wrote it’s dumb and dangerous for the Saints to have their draft headquarters at Dixie Brewery in New Orleans East. But Coach Sean Payton wrote a harsh response to Armour and said she only had eight-percent of her facts correct with the piece.

NFL’s chief medical officer, Doctor Allen Sills, says widespread testing for the coronavirus will need to occur in order for the regular season to begin in September. Sills says the restrictions on gatherings will also have to be eased.

Veteran cornerback P-J Williams has signed a one-year deal to return to the Saints. Former New Orleans cornerback Eli Apple remains a free agent after a deal fell through with the Raiders.

One of the top graduate linebackers available is heading to LSU as North Dakota State’s Jabril Cox has committed to the Tigers. The two-time first-team All-American had 258 tackles and 14 sacks during his career with the F-C-S power.

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is not sure what his roster will look like in 2021. Mainieri says senior pitchers Matthew Beck and Aaron George can return because the NCAA is giving them another year of eligibility. But he does not know how many players or recruits he’ll lose to the draft, because Major League Baseball has yet to decide how many rounds the draft will be…
Cut 16 (18) “…definitive answers”

And the coronavirus has claimed the life of a legendary high school football coach in Louisiana. McDonogh 35 coach Wayne Reese Senior has passed away at the age of 74. He was a head coach for over 40 years and won 255 games. He coached NFL Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk.

6:30 LRN Newscast

310 people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor Edwards says modeling done by the University of Washington predicts the state will see 18-hundred COVID-19 deaths even if mitigation efforts are in place through May 30th. Currently, over five-hundred people are on ventilators in Louisiana and Edwards says finding more vents is difficult…
cut 5 (11) “….ago”
Edwards says his office has reported cases of price gouging to the Department of Justice.

The price of crude oil surged 25-percent after President Donald Trump posted on Twitter that he expects Russia and Saudi Arabia will step down from their price-cutting war. Also, Senators John Kennedy and Bill Cassidy are asking the president for royalty relief to save Louisiana oil and gas jobs.

The state Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors.
Cut 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart ”

The Department of Children and Family Services says non-custodial parents are still required to pay child support during the coronavirus pandemic. Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales if a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, call a child support worker…
cut 14 (08) “…had been doing”

4:45 LRN Sportscast

It’s unique times and that’s no different for the Saints who are preparing for this month’s NFL draft with a small group of coaches and front office personnel at the Dixie Brewery in New Orleans East. Coach Sean Payton says they are practicing social distancing in their draft war room…
cut 18 (19) “….six or seven”
Payton says he feels good after testing positive last month from the coronavirus. He says he never had the respiratory issues that many patients suffer from.

And the Saints have announced they’ve re-signed cornerback P-J Williams. 44 tackles and one interception for the veterans with the Black and Gold.

Court records show LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron filed for divorce from his wife Kelly on February 26th after 23 years of marriage. In the filing, Coach O is living at the former couple’s home in Baton Rouge, while Kelly has been granted exclusive use and occupancy of their Mandeville home.

The family for former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey says the 73-year-old is receiving hospice care. Dempsey is one of several residents at the Lambeth House Senior living center in Uptown New Orleans to test positive for coronavirus. According to Dempsey’s daughter, her father’s fever has gone away, but his oxygen levels are low and he’s lost his appetite.

Legendary Peabody high school basketball coach Charles Smith has been named the Class Four-A Boys Basketball Coach of the Year after leading the Warhorses to a state championship for an eighth time. One of his talented seniors. Melvion Flanagan was named player of the year. He averaged close to 22 points a game this past season.

LRN PM Newscall April 2nd

A New Orleans East Hospital nurse, Larrice Anderson, becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

Colorado State University researchers predict we will see an active 2020 hurricane season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Ochsner Health chief Warner Thomas says they continue to increase the number of intensive care beds to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 patients. Thomas says adding to the strain is that COVID-19 patients spend over a week in the I-C-U

Cut 3 (12)  “…14 days.”  

Thomas says 85-percent of their COVID patients in the ICU are on ventilators. He believes they are in a decent position when it comes to personal protective equipment

Cut  4 (12)_ “…world.”

Thomas says their biggest need is staffing and they are working to hire more nurses as they expand the number of beds…

Cut 5 (11)  “…welcome relief”

__________________________________________

A nurse at New Orleans East Hospital becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die after testing positive for COVID-19.  Larrice Anderson passed away on Wednesday.  Executive Director of the Louisiana State Nurse’s Association Thea Ducrow says the death sends a shockwave through the nursing community.

Cut 6 (13) “…what can happen.”

Ducrow says the rapidly developing situation has resulted in changes protective measures from the more strict airborne transmission protocol to the relaxed droplet protocol that requires the use of less PPE.  Ducrow says nurses are concerned about these changes.

Cut 7 (10) “…rather than science.”

Ducrow says the needs of healthcare workers are clear.

Cut 8 (11) “…what is needed.”

Anderson’s employer released a statement remembering the fallen nurse as “a mother, friend, and a caring nurse.”

____________________________________________________

If life wasn’t already difficult enough, Colorado State University Hurricane researchers predict an active 2020 hurricane season. C-S-U forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the likely absence of an El Nino is a primary factor

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″

Jones says the tropical Atlantic is also somewhat warmer than normal right now…

Cut 10 (10) “…the air”

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But Jones says their forecast calls for 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes

Cut 11 (10) “…happening.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana sees a 42 percent increase in confirmed coronavirus cases as of the noon report, but Governor Edwards cautions that number is a reflection of a backlog of test results that were just reported.

Edwards says some of the over 2,700 new cases reported today were just recently discovered, but…

Cut 12 (10) “…ago”

About 51,000 COVID tests have been conducted in Louisiana between state and private labs, 47,000 of which were in private labs.

The state reported 37 new deaths as well, bringing our total to 310 COVID fatalities. Edwards says the 9,150 total cases should be a wakeup call for anyone still doubting the pandemic’s severity.

Cut 13 (10) “…states”

1,639 COVID patients are hospitalized, with 507 on ventilators, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

The Governor says the recent spike in cases is not evidence that the shelter in place order is failing. He says it will likely take until sometime next week to see our curve flatten as a result of the decision.

Cut 14 (07) “…April”

1:30 LRN Newscast April 2nd

The state is reporting 37 additional COVID-19 deaths today and over 27-hundred new cases. The death toll is up to 310 and Governor John Bel Edwards says 9,150 total cases should be a wakeup call for anyone still doubting the pandemic’s severity…
cut 13 (10) “…states’
Over 16-hundred COVID patients are hospitalized, with 507 on ventilators, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

If life wasn’t already difficult enough, Colorado State University Hurricane researchers predict an active 2020 hurricane season. C-S-U forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the likely absence of an El Nino is a primary factor
Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″
An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But Jones says their forecast calls for 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.

A New Orleans East Hospital nurse, Larrice Anderson, becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Three inmates have died from the coronavirus at the Oakdale federal prison in Allen Parish. There are nearly one-thousand male offenders at Oakdale and at last report eleven of them have tested positive, 19 others are in the hospital suspected of having the virus.

11:40 LRN Sportscast

The Saints are preparing for the NFL draft at Dixie Brewery in New Orleans east, an establishment owned by Gayle Benson. Teams are forced to find alternative locations for their draft war rooms, because they are not allowed in their own facilities. Coach Sean Payton says since they are not allowed to bring draft prospects in or go visit them, it will impact their decisions on who they pick…
cut 17 (30) “…looking for”

Payton says he feels good after testing positive last month from the coronavirus.

Court records show LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron filed for divorce from his wife Kelly on February 26th after 23 years of marriage. In the filing, Coach O says he’ll live at the former couple’s home in Baton Rouge, while Kelly has been granted exclusive use and occupancy of their Mandeville home.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning folks not to fall for fake news about bans on fishing or other outdoor activities during the coronavirus shutdown. LDWF spokesperson Renee LeBreton says outside of the seizure of three state parks as isolation areas for COVID-19 patients, nothing has changed when it comes to what you can do outdoors.
Cut 10 (11) “…fake.”
LeBreton says LDWF is encouraging people to explore nature, by fishing or hunting during this time of social distancing.

Golf Digest is reporting the 2020 Open Championship scheduled at Royal St. George’s in July will be canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic.

10:30 LRN Newscast April 2nd

Governor John Bel Edwards told a New Orleans radio station this morning that we’ll see another large spike in cases when new numbers come out at noon. As of this morning, the state is reporting 62-hundred positive cases and 273 deaths. He says people should prepare themselves mentally that it will be a long time before we’re back to normal, based on what they’re seeing in other countries…
cut 14 (08) “…here”

Ochsner Health chief Warner Thomas says they continue to increase the number of intensive care beds to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 patients. Thomas says adding to the strain is that COVID-19 patients spend over a week in the I-C-U…
cut 3 (12) “….12 to 14 days’
Thomas says 85-percent of their COVID patients in the ICU are on ventilators.

The U-S Treasury secretary says Social Security recipients will automatically receive a stimulus payment, even if they are not required to file a tax return, so they don’t need to take action. Senior tax manager at Hannis T Bourgeois, Brad Tate, says if you believe the I-R-S has outdated info of where to send your money, be on the lookout for an I-R-S media blitz…
cut 9 (12) “…quicker”

State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Renee LeBreton says social media posts that claim you can’t fish or hunt as a result of the governor’s stay at home order is fake news. In fact, LeBreton says now is great time to take up fishing as a hobby in this time of social distancing…
cut 11 (09) “…offer”