New C-D-C coronavirus guidelines call for the cancellation of events with 50 or more people. Governor John Bel Edwards agrees with the social distancing approach…
cut 14 (14) “…precautions”
Most of the state’s 100-plus cases are in the New Orleans area. New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says the Crescent City has been chosen for a pilot program by the federal government for drive-thru coronavirus testing…
cut 4 (12) “….our city”
City officials expect the program will be up my mid-week and first responders will be prioritized, followed by high-risk groups.

Schools are closed across the state today, but several school districts are offering lunches and breakfasts for pickup. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children age 18 and younger regardless of their location and income.

LSU Health New Orleans Doctor Benjamin Springgate says be leary of companies looking to cash in on the epidemic by offering vitamins that claim to boost your immune system to protect against the coronavirus…
cut 9 (12) “…really a benefit”

President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says mudbug sales are down as a result of the pandemic. He says people are fearful of getting together for a crawfish boil…
cut 11 (12) “….yet to be seen”

Over the weekend, the state reported its first two deaths from the coronavirus. The two victims from New Orleans were in their 50s and had underlying health conditions. Governor John Bel Edwards says this underscores the fact that those with underlying health issues are most at risk…
cut 15 (12) “…pronounced”
The Louisiana Department of Health is reporting 103 coronavirus cases, we’ll get another update next hour.

So how is the coronavirus outbreak impacting the crawfish industry? President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says the harvest is bountiful and prices are low, but demand is off because many events have been canceled. Savoy doesn’t expect the price dropping much further…
cut 12 (12) “…you a farmer”

State and local leaders are preaching social distancing, but bars were packed in New Orleans for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Matt Doyle reports New Orleans Police had to break up several large gatherings…
cut 1 (31) “…Matt Doyle”

Mayor LaToya Cantrell is ordering restaurants to close at 9 PM and bars must shut down by midnight. Bars and nightclubs must limit their capacity to up to 50-percent of posted patron limit. Restaurants also being asked to reduce seating by up to 50-percent, so that may meaning removing tables and chairs.

The state is up to 103 coronavirus cases and Governor John Bel Edwards says that’s disproportionally high relative to our population. Matt Doyle has the story…
voicer 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Public access into the building will be limited. Authorized personnel will check everyone’s temperature and if you have a fever, you will not be allowed in. There will be limitations on how many people can be in the committee rooms and the House and Senate chambers.

As the COVID-19 cases continue to add up, health experts recommend preparing the immune system to fend off the ailment. Chief of community and population medicine at LSU Health New Orleans Dr. Benjamin Springgate says in addition to good hygiene, the body’s intake is key to being as healthy as possible.
Cut 7 (08) “…you’re taking in.”

The coronavirus is impacting the crawfish industry too. President of the Crawfish Research and Promotion Board David Savoy says people are not congregating for crawfish boils because of the pandemic …
Cut 10 (11) “…are not there.”
Savoy says the smaller communities are staying on par with normal rates of sales, but it’s the bigger cities where the sales are hurting most.

Two people have died from the coronavirus in Louisiana and Governor John Bel Edwards says data shows per capita the state has one of the highest rates of infections in the nation. Edwards says his proclamation that bans gatherings of more than 250 people is serious, and is being done to flatten the curve.
Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”
The state is reporting 103 cases of coronavirus. Most of them are in the New Orleans area. The ballooning number of NOLA based cases didn’t keep people from packing into bars on St. Patrick’s Day. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson begged residents to observe social distancing…
Cut 6 (11) “…weaker system.”
If businesses refuse to participate in the ban on large gatherings, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell threatened to revoke their liquor licenses.

Health experts say there are plenty of companies hoping to cash in on the COVID-19 pandemic with super-cures and immune-boosters, regardless of effectiveness. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State lawmakers return to the capitol today for the second week of the legislative session. Ten committee hearings are set set for today. The three-month long session will end June 1st. But because of the spread of the coronavirus, there’s a chance the session could end early, so lawmakers are putting more of an emphasis on bills that must be passed.

Public access into the building will be limited. Fewer people will be allowed in the committee rooms and in the House and Senate chambers. Also, social distancing will be practiced.

Also individuals entering the capitol will have their temperature checked. If a person has a fever, they will not be allowed in. People who pass the fever test, will receive a special sticker for the day

Legislative desks, podiums, committee rooms and all flat surfaces will be wiped down with disinfectants.

Republican legislative leaders say after consulting with medical professionals, they’re taking the necessary CDC precautions so the Legislature can continue to function, so they can meet their constitutional responsibilities.

So what are lawmakers taking up today, House Appropriations will hear from the department of transportation and the office of public services and corrections.

At 9:30, House Commerce will consider the bills to adopt daylight saving time as the standard time.

All public schools are closed today through April 13th. The state department of education has secured a waiver from the federal government that enables schools to serve meals to all children 18 and younger regardless of their location and income during the school closure period. A parish-by-parish list of school meal sties can be found at Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

The state saw it’s first two deaths from the virus over the weekend, and Governor Edwards says we expect the total number of cases to continue rising…

Cut 13 (12) “…healthcare.”

The Southeastern Conference has shut down all sports, including spring practices for the national champion LSU football team through April 15th. Athletic Director Scott Woodward said there’s nothing more important than the health and well-being of their student-athletes, staff and community. He says it’s an extraordinary measure, but necessary for the greater good.

That means LSU’s Spring game for April 13th is canceled as well as LSU’s Pro Day on April 3rd. The NFL is also prohibiting all in-person pre-draft visits involving prospects, because of the coronavirus concerns. Teams can only talk with players by phone or video conferences.

The NCAA’s Council Coordination Committee has reportedly agreed to grant an extra year of eligibility for players who had their seasons cut short in spring sports this season. A decision is pending on whether an extra year will be given to players in winter sports.

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There were games played in Louisiana yesterday as the LHSAA went ahead with its state basketball championships, but no fans were in the arena. In Lake Charles, Alexandria won its first state title beating Bonnabel 38-37. Port Allen also won its first state tile as the Pelicans knocked off two-time Two-A champion Rayville 78-74. And Pleasant Hill also won the Class C title, defeating Hicks HIgh 71-58.

On the select side. St. Thomas More defeated U-High 57-56 to win its third straight championship.

There are four more championship games to be held today in Lake Charles, starting at two o’ clock with the Class 3A campionship as Bossier will face Wossman.

And Kudos to Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, the number one pick has pledged to cover the wages for Smoothie King Center employees who have lost out on paychecks because the NBA’s suspension for the next 30 days.