Governor Edwards will announce at 2:30 whether Louisiana will begin phase one of reopening of the economy on Saturday. Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Edwards claiming certain regions meet the criteria for reopening. Congressman Garret Graves says a uniform standard across the state is a flawed approach.
Cut 7 (10) “…other regional jurisdictions.”
Edwards opposes a regional or parish-by-parish reopening.

Coming up at noon today, the Revenue Estimating Conference will attempt to project how much the state will have available to spend next fiscal year. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the state is bracing for a 500-million to one-point-five billion dollar revenue shortfall…
cut 11 (12) “….the parish level”

Louisiana is ramping up its contact tracing workforce from 70 to 250, with the goal of eventually hiring up to 700 people to track down residents who may have been infected with the coronavirus. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 203 new positive coronavirus cases today and 19 additional COVID-19 deaths. Those are the lowest numbers the state has reported since late March. The state’s death toll has reached 2,154 and one of the latest coronavirus-related deaths is a child under the age of 10. Governor Edwards says the victim had a compromised immune system.

The Louisiana Restaurant Association is expecting a busy Mother’s Day…
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

There was a passionate debate at the state Capitol over a bill that would prevent parishes from pursuing lawsuits that seek money from oil and gas companies because of damage to the coast. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed, one has been tentatively settled. Freeport McMoRan has agreed to pay 100-million dollars. St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis can’t believe that the state now wants to take that money away
Cut 8 (11) “…my mind”
The bill heads to the Senate floor. Proponents say the state should be the one handling the lawsuit.

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is upset Louisiana only received 15-million in federal relief dollars for the fisheries industry. Graves says Louisiana is the second-largest seafood supplier in the nation and 15-million dollars is not adequate enough…
cut 15 (09) “….Louisiana”

Mother’s Day is typically one of the busiest days for the restaurant industry and the Louisiana Restaurant Association says they expect take out business to be booming Sunday…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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A proposal to end lawsuits filed by local governments seeking damages for coastal damage done by oil and gas companies is heading to the Senate floor. Jeff Palermo has more on this controversial legislation…

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The Louisiana Restaurant Association expects a busy Mother’s Day for members despite coronavirus restrictions.

LRA President Stan Harris says this is one of, if not the biggest day for the industry, and while you can’t eat in, you can certainly take out…

Cut 3 (11)  “experience”  

Outdoor eating with no service is allowed and Harris says while only four percent of restaurants are permitted for patio dining many parishes have allowed non-permitted businesses to set out some tables.

Harris recommends if you are ordering take out for Mother’s Day, place your order now.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…afternoon”

If you are picking up, or having food delivered but aren’t immediately serving it Harris says make sure you can keep everything at the proper temperature to maintain quality.

Cut 5 (11)  “…little bit.”

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A bill is heading to the Senate floor that would prevent local governments from pursuing coastal land loss lawsuits against oil and gas companies. Abbeville Senator Bob Hensgens his legislation clarifies who has the authority to pursue such litigation and that’s the governor and attorney general…

Cut 6 (09) “…coastal lawsuit.”

There are dozens of lawsuits in the court system from local governments seeking money for coastal damages done by oil and gas companies. Several local leaders testified against the legislation. Jefferson Parish council member Scott Walker…

Cut 7 (07) “.gas responsible”

Out of all of the lawsuits that have been filed, only one has been tentatively settled. Freeport McMoRan has agreed to pay 100-million dollars to repair coastal damages. St. Bernard Parish President Guy McInnis can’t believe that the state now wants to take that money away

Cut 8 (11) “…my mind”

The controversial legislation received approval from the Senate Natural Resources Committee on a four-three vote. Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt has pushed for local control when it comes to reopening the economy, but in this case, she says it’s appropriate for the state to manage the coast…

Cut 9 (10) “…not right”

Opponents of the legislation argue the state doesn’t have financial resources to go after oil and gas companies for damaging the coast.

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The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana establishes a web tool that tracks COVID-19 data among the state’s different regions.  PAR Louisiana President Robert Travis Scott says the data leads to public confidence and restored hope in combatting the virus.

Cut 10 (09) “…and economic outcome.”

The metrics include reports of COVID-like symptoms, new positive cases, hospitalizations, and testing.  Scott says looking at the past two weeks of data, the state as a whole appears to have plateaued metrics, but one region continues to see growth.

Cut 11 (11) “…seen an increase.”

Scott says having the data presented in plain language helps citizens set expectations of what the Governor may do in the next phase.

Cut 12 (07) “…he might make.”

The web portal for tracking the data can be found at PARLouisiana.org. On Monday, the governor is expected to announce whether the state can enter phase one of opening the economy on May 16th.

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Congressman Garret Graves calls a 15 million dollar federal relief payment for Louisiana fisheries insulting.

The money came from a 300 million dollar pot established to help offset the economic impact of the pandemic on fisheries funding. Graves says it’s a lowball payment for the Sportsman’s Paradise…

Cut 13 (09) “…numbers” 

Louisiana’s fishing economy has seen collapses in prices of crawfish, shrimp, and other water-based foods.

Graves says the value of our fisheries dwarfs that of other states who received substantially bigger payouts under the CARES Act.

Cut 14 (13) “…insult”

Washington received 50 million, California 18 million, and Florida 23 million. Graves says Louisiana’s fisheries are worth 50 percent to three times more than any of those states.

Graves says they’re requesting an investigation into what he calls the “bogus” payments to states that didn’t need them, and hopefully, we can be compensated through other ways.

Cut 15 (09)“Louisiana.”

Governor Edwards is expected to give more information this afternoon about the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing procedures. Edwards says the state is hiring 700 workers to help with contact tracing, which is the process of figuring out who a coronavirus patient may have exposed
Cut 7 (12) “…close contact with.”
The contact tracers will work under the supervision of epidemiologists at call centers.

Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says casinos hope to re-open by the end of the month. Jones says casino operators are ready to practice social distancing at slot machines and table games…
cut 14 (12) “…have six people”
Casino operations ceased on March 16th.

With fewer cars on the road, the state transportation department is uping its efforts to remove litter and clear vegetation…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

It’s Mother’s day weekend, but many moms and grandmas are in the high-risk category of coming down with severe COVID-19 symptoms. L-D-H Captital Area Medical Director Doctor Dawn Marcelle says if your loved one falls into that category consider an alternative way to meet…
cut 11 (09) “….table”

Health experts say contact tracing is a key in minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and Governor Edwards is expected to release more details today on the state’s plans to reach out to individuals who may have been in contact with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19…
cut 9 (09) “…and contact tracing”
Edwards has already said the state is hiring 700 workers to assist in the contact tracing efforts.

Meanwhile, casinos are waiting for the word on when they will reopen. Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says casinos would like the chance to operate at 25 to 50-percent of normal capacity…
cut 15 (10) “….to be permitted”

This Mother’s Day will be difficult for many because of current COVID health recommendations. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

DOTD is taking advantage of a lower traffic volume caused by the COVID 19 shutdown to clean up our roadways. Spokesperson Rodney Mallet says for the next two weeks they will dedicate extra crews to remove litter, remove tree limbs and vegetation that block line of sight.
Cut 4 (08)_ “…safe.”

As part of COVID-19 spread mitigation efforts, the state’s casino operations were put on hold on March 16th, but what will casinos look like when they reopen? Kevin Barnhart has the story…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association won a legislative battle last night when the Senate Natural Resources Committee approved legislation that would not allow local governments to sue oil and gas companies over coastal land loss. The measure heads to the Senate floor.

Louisiana is hiring 700 new workers to help with contact tracing. Governor Edwards says these workers will work at a call center, reaching out to individuals who may have been in contact with a person who recently tested positive for COVID-19…
cut 8 (10) “…days by yourself”
Edwards is expected to talk more about the state’s contact tracing plans at his 3 Pm press conference today.

The state transportation department is using this time when there are fewer vehicles on the highways to clean up litter along the roadway and clear vegetation. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett says you may notice more work zones as part of this beautification effort…
cut 6 (08) “….possible”
Law enforcement has reported an increase in fatal accidents last month, despite a decrease in overall traffic volume.

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower when compared to April 2019. State Treasurer John Schroder says when you look at the numbers its surreal and the May report will be nasty.

This Mother’s Day will be difficult for many under current COVID health recommendations. Matt Doyle has the story.
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The gaming experience will be different next time players step into a Louisiana casino. That’s according to Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones who says temperature checks, mandatory hand sanitizing, and a series of screening questions will be asked before setting foot on the gaming floor.
Cut 13 (09) “…wear that mask.”
Jones hopes casinos will re-open by the end of the month.

State transportation work crews are using this time of fewer cars on the roads to pick up litter along state highways that are problem spots. DOTD spokesperson Rodney Mallett hopes the public appreciates the newly cleaned areas by not covering them up with more litter…
cut 5 (110 “….as much”
Mallett says litter cleanup costs the state millions of dollars annually.

Governor John Bel Edwards is expected to give a more in-depth look into the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing procedures this afternoon. Edwards says the state is hiring 700 workers to help with contact tracing, which is process of figuring out who a coronavirus patient may have exposed
Cut 7 (12) “…close contact with.”
The contact tracers will work under the supervision of epidemiologists at three different call centers.

This Sunday is Mother’s Day and Capital Area Regional Medical Director Doctor Dawn Marcelle says if you plan to send flowers to mom, make sure the delivery person doesn’t have contact with mom
Cut 10 (07) “…porch”

With fewer cars on the road, the state transportation department is using this time to remove litter and clear vegetation. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle.”

Storms are likely today. There are already reports of power outages in northwest Louisiana.