The Louisiana Department of Education disperses 260 million dollars in federal funding to school districts, with guidance on how to properly use the funds…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht warned state lawmakers to expect a slow recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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The 2020 legislative resumed this morning when the Louisiana House convened this morning. 78 out of the 104 House members were present for roll call. The Legislative Black Caucus urged legislative leaders to reconvene on May 15th instead. But House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says they can’t wait any longer

Cut 3 (10)  “…work to do”   

Schexnayder says the state faces significant health and economic challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but as a legislative body they are up to the task

Cut 4 (09)_ “our way.”

The Louisiana House is a member short. Representative Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish died from COVID-19. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James has said he will not be at the capitol after COVID-19 and sent him to the hospital.

Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says he’s recovered from COVID-19 and asked legislators to wear a mask when talking with others…

Cut 5 (08)  “…doing so”

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Louisiana school systems receive a 260 million dollar coronavirus relief grant from the feds, with guidance on how to use the funds coming from The Louisiana Department of Education.

Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says the funds will make sure every kid has a computer and access to the internet if school campuses remain closed.

Cut 6 (10) “…happen.”

The money is being disbursed to schools by LDE based on the number of low-income children served in each district.

Bahgian says the funds will also be used to make a plan for every student based on their academic progress and, if needed, provide extra time to help some catch up to their classmates, so…

Cut 7 (11) “…might have.”

Louisiana received an additional 27 million from the feds that will be set aside for grant opportunities and support for critical systems.

Baghian says with this funding districts can develop a plan for the 2020-2021 school year to ensure every student hears from an educator every day.

Cut 8 (08) “…minds”

LDE also encourages school districts to use the money to craft flexible scheduling for the next school year.

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The Louisiana Lottery has come up with a way for players to redeem cash prizes between $5,000 and $600 since lottery offices are closed. Spokesperson Kim Chopin says send photocopies of the winning ticket, along with a completed prize claim form and a picture of your driver’s license to lottery headquarters…

Cut 9 (05) “…present to us.”

A Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim form can be found on their website.

When you send photos of your winning ticket Chopin says to be sure to take clear photos and….

Cut 10 (08) “…that ticket.”

Chopin also advises you to hold onto the original ticket incase your prize gets lost in the mail.

Chopin says if you have a winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket, or your Louisiana Lottery winning ticket is over $5000 they are providing an option to claim that prize

Cut 11 (08) “…CDC guidelines.”

To set up a prize payment appointment, email prizepayments@louisianalottery.com

The emergency prize claim extension remains in effect until claim offices are deemed fully functional.  Tickets set to expire March 24 – May 25 are extended until August 15th. Prize tickets of less than $600 can be redeemed at any Lottery retailer.

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The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee not to expect a quick economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Greg Albrecht says Louisiana will not be able to recover, until the national and world economy recovers…

Cut 12 (11) “…like this”

Albrecht anticipates a significant loss in state revenues for the fiscal year that begins in July.  He says all you have to do is look at the price of oil.

Cut 13 (09) “…etcetera.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference meets on Monday and they’ll give a projection on how money the state will have available for next fiscal year.

The Louisiana Office of Tourism says tourism is Louisiana’s fourth-largest employer, but Albrecht says it will take a while for that part of our economy to bounce back…

Cut 14 (12) “…people are seeing.”

Safety is on the mind of legislators as they return for the resumption of the 2020 legislative session. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

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For those that are looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods and support the state’s ag industry, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry introduces a new online tool that can help…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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 A Lafayette company is set to start offering a rapid result coronavirus antibody test. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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State lawmakers return to Baton Rouge today for the resumption of the 2020 legislative session. Legislators have been away from the State Capitol since mid-March because of the coronavirus pandemic and safety concerns still exist. But House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says it’s time to get back to work

Cut 4 (07)_ “…care of”

The biggest issues on the table are the budget, COVID-19 related bills and legislation to help the economy. Before the coronavirus pandemic, auto insurance rate reform was the big topic. Senate President Page Cortez still expects the tort reform bills to be heard

Cut 5 (10)  “…question.”

Cortez says they do not plan on discussing a proposed budget until after May 11th. The Revenue Estimating Conference will meet that day to give legislators a projection on how much money is available for next fiscal year. Cortez says they anticipate it will be less than this fiscal year, but they don’t how much

Cut 6 (11) “…out months”

The session must end at 6 PM on June 1st. If a budget is not approved, a special session will be called.

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The state House gavels in at 9 AM this morning. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James will not be present.  James was hospitalized with COVID-19 and pneumonia a month ago and says the House chamber is not a safe environment.

Cut 7 (11) “…challenge”

James has since recovered but noted there’s no confirmation currently that those who’ve caught the virus once can’t be reinfected.

Legislative leaders say there’s important work to get done over the next month and the Governor calls lawmakers essential workers but James disagrees.

Cut 8 (09) “…out there”

The regular session ends June 1^st and lawmakers have until July 1^st to pass a budget.

James says if the session must go on legislative leaders need to ensure the only items seeing daylight are the budget, COVID-related bills, or essential business.

Cut 9 (08) “…danger”

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The Louisiana Department of Agriculture introduces a new online tool for those looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods.  It’s called the Louisiana Farm Food Map and Directory.  Manager of the Louisiana Farm to School Program Johannah Frelier says it is a great way to support the state’s ag industry.

Cut 10 (09) “…to those farms.”

Frelier says the tool can be found in the coronavirus information center section of the Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s website and can help shoppers find fruits, vegetables, meats, dairy, seafood and more.

Cut 11 (05) “…they are selling.”

Frelier says there has never been a more vital time for the immune system to get the nutrient product that farmers offer.

Cut 12 (12) “…nutrient filled food.”

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A Lafayette drug testing company reaches a deal with suppliers to provide a test that will show patients within ten minutes whether they have coronavirus antibodies.

Global Data Fusion Founder and CEO Ed Roy says the test process is easy and only requires participants to give a small prick of blood from their fingertip.

Cut 13 (07) “…minutes.”

Roy says the test is highly accurate and provides patients two important pieces of information.

Cut 14 (08) “…past.”

Data from Baton Rouge General showed of 432 anti-body tests conducted 4.4 percent were positive.

Having anti-bodies may indicate you are now immune to the virus but the FDA says that’s yet to be proven. Roy says if it’s true his supplier is prepared to mass-produce the tests.

Cut 15 (11)“…tested”

Global Data Fusion is set to offer the test to hospitals and other companies and is not offering individual tests to the public. The tests, from a Chinese producer, will be shipped to Lafayette sometime this week.