7:30 LRN Newscast

President Trump has approved a major disaster declaration for Louisiana as the state reports nearly 14-hundred coronavirus cases and 46 deaths. Governor Edwards is urging Louisiana residents that we need to flatten the curve in order to prevent medical facilities from being overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients. His statewide “stay at home” order began Monday night and he’s encouraged by how serious the public has taken his call…
cut 15 (12) “…to comply”

To comply with the order many are eating at home and only leaving the house for a trip to the grocery store. LSU AgCenter dietitian Sandra May says choose healthful foods so your immune system is as its strongest…
cut 6 (07) “….feel easy about”

Fair housing advocates are concerned we could see a tsunami of evictions when the courts open up as tenants are struggling to pay rent with no money coming in. Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center spokesperson Maxwell Ciardullo hopes landlords will work with tenants…
cut 12 (11) “…as possible’
Ciardullo is hoping the stimulus bill that Congress is set to pass will provide emergency rental assistance.

Financial pressures can result in an uptick in anxiety or depression. Clinical psychologist Doctor Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans offers some suggestions on how to cope with the current crisis…
cut 8 (120 “….that’s happening”

6:45 LRN Sportscast

The NFL’s general manager subcommittee unanimously voted to push back the NFL draft which is scheduled for April 23rd to the 25th. G-Ms are concerned there’s not enough time to do essential pre-draft tasks, such as conducting player physicals. But NFL leadership is moving forward with holding the draft in late April.

The Tokyo Olympics has been officially postponed until 2021. But an official start date for the summer games has not been agreed upon. They will still be called the 2020 Olympics. The Olympics has been canceled before, but that was because of World War One and World War Two.

The Advocate reports that LSU Basketball Coach Will Wade has been keeping busy by getting his non-conference schedule finalized for next season. The Tigers will host ULM, V-C-U, and U-S-C at the Maravich Center, play Louisiana Tech in Shreveport on November 24th. They also have neutral site games planned in Atlanta and one in New York City against Syracuse.

Quarterback Cam Newton is officially a free agent as the Panthers have released the former NFL MVP after a nine-year run in Charlotte. Newton posted on his Instagram account that he’s hungrier now because he is unemployed.

Minnesota Timberwolves star Karl-Anthony Towns released an emotional video on his Instagram late last night about his mother, who is in a medically induced coma showing COVID-19 symptoms. Towns says he’s sharing his story so that everyone takes this virus seriously and stay at home.

The NCAA will allow Clemson Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and his girlfriend to have a Go Fund Me page designed to raise funds for coronavirus victims.

6:30 LRN Newscast March 25

President Donald Trump has approved Louisiana’s request for a Major Disaster Declaration, which opens the door for more federal cash and resources to flow into Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has more…
voicer 3 (31) “….I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana is the fourth state to receive the disaster designation. In the governor’s letter to the President, he warned that hospitalizations from the COVID-19 epidemic could exceed capacity at New Orleans area hospitals beginning on April fourth.

Louisiana residents are used to hunkering down for floods and hurricanes, but staying at home through April 13th because of a pandemic is a daunting task for most. LSU AgCenter registered dietitian Sandra May says it is important to stock up on nonperishables, but you may have to think outside the box for other items…
Cut 4 (13)_ “…from the shelves.”

COVID-19 is also having an impact on mental health as we try to cope with stress and anxiety from the pandemic. Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michelle Moore with LSU Health New Orleans says whenever we are told to do something out of the norm we can react with a greater degree of anxiety or depression.
Cut 7 (09) “…also intensify.”
Moore says don’t ignore a change in behavior and seek professional help if you have trouble coping on your own.

4:45 LRN Sportscast

The Saints have reportedly restructured the contract of cornerback Janoris Jenkins. It results in the Black and Gold getting more salary-cap relief and Jenkins getting an opportunity to become a free agent after this season.

The Saints have announced the signing of cornerback Deatrick (DEE-trick) Nichols. Nichols played for the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks this spring and led the league with three interceptions. The Miami native played his college ball at South Florida and signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cardinals following the 2018 draft. In 2018, he played in two games with Arizona.

The Carolina Panthers have cut ties with quarterback Cam Newton giving the 2015 NFL MVP a chance to sign with any team. Newton has battled injuries since his MVP season and ESPN reports he passed a physical in Atlanta on Monday as his shoulder and foot checked out well.

The decision has been made to postpone the Summer Olympics in Japan by one year to 2021

LRN Newscast 2:30

The number of Coronavirus cases rose sharply today to nearly 14-hundred and the death toll is up to 46.

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit…
Cut 12 (12) “…rural areas”

Many Lousiana residents are at home obeying the governor’s stay at home order. Office of Public Health Medical Director Doctor Jim Hussey says stay away from consuming large amounts of alcohol…
cut 8 (09) “…health”

Some breweries have begun producing hand sanitizer that will be given to local doctors and retirement homes.…
Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau of Louisiana is warning residents not to respond to emails that say you are receiving a government check…
cut 5 (10) “…in there”
Albert says fraud schemes are running rampant with the COVID-19 outbreak.

LRN PM Newscall March 24

Scam artists are taking advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic, how can you protect yourself? Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

____________________________

Some breweries have begun producing hand sanitizer that will be given to local doctors and retirement homes. Kevin Barnhart has more…

Cut 2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says con artists are using the phone, email and fake internet ads to sell all kinds of false goods.

Cut 3 (12)  “…in the mail.”  

Albert says if you have ordered something in the mail already, and it does show up she urges you not to use it because it could be extremely harmful to your health.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…they are.”

Another scam Albert warns of is a phishing email that says you are receiving a government check immediately requesting your bank account information.

Cut 5 (10)  “…in there.”

To report a fraud or scam related to COVID-19 call the National Center for Disaster Fraud at 1-866-720-5721 or email disaster@leo.gov. You can also check the Better Business Bureau’s website at bbb.org/scamtracker.

__________________________________________

It’s the first full day of Governor John Bel Edwards stay at home order. But Edwards says that doesn’t mean you lock yourself in your house, you can spend time outside in the year and playing with the kids

Cut 6 (05) “…encouraged”

Office of Public Health Medical Director Dr. Jim Hussey says to help stay sane and healthy during this period you should make a daily schedule, and keep to it.

Cut 7 (11) “…additional support.”

If you’ve had addiction issues, Hussey says now would definitely not be the time to restart old bad habits. He says if you’ve stopped smoking, don’t restart, and…

Cut 8 (09) “…health.”

____________________________________________________

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some local breweries and distilleries producing disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the greenlight from the feds and started making it today.

Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″

The brewery is purchasing spirits from a local distillery and chemicals from local suppliers.  Knott says the hand sanitizer isn’t for sale though.

Cut 10 (11) “…things like that.”

The initial batch will be 55 gallons.  Knott says the only thing standing in the way of making more is a slowdown in the supply chain.

Cut 11 (09) “…quite a bit more”

The brewery is known for making unique craft beers with Boudin.  Knott says once they get the product to all the first responders, they may look into making boutique hand sanitizers.

_________________________________

State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon issues an emergency rule designed to expand access to telehealth services during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Donelon says the rule means that insurance agencies must cover a telemedicine visit as they would for an in-person visit…

Cut 12 (12) “…rural areas”

Donelon says the emergency also requires insurers to cover mental health services via telemedicine to the extent they would cover in-person visits.

Cut 13 (12) “…psychiatrist”

Donelon says the order also waives restrictions requiring patients to only conduct telemedicine visits with providers in the insurer’s existing telemedicine network…

Cut 14 (09) “…telemedicine networks.”

Donelon says a patient will stay be required to pay a co-pay as they would for an in-person visit.

11:30 LRN Newscast March 24

Governor John Bel Edwards is requesting that the White House declare a major disaster area in his state so that additional federal aid can be made available. In his letter to the president, Edwards says the coronavirus outbreak could result in the New Orleans area running out of hospital beds in early April. The governor says the state has also provided a significant amount of resources in the form of personal protective equipment…
cut 15 (06) “…do it” ‘
The White House has already granted similar federal disaster declarations for California, Washington, and New York.

The governor’s stay at home order lasts until April 12th. Louisiana Public Health Assistant Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the state’s rate of case increase is remarkably high and even with containment measures that may not change in the next few days…
cut 14 (08) “….virus”

In times of crisis, scam artists will prey on your emotions and your wallet and the COVID-19 pandemic is no different. Cynthia Albert with the Better Business Bureau says con artists are using the phone, email and fake ads on the internet and selling all kinds of false goods.
Cut 3 (12) “…in the mail.”

A shortage of hand sanitizers has some craft beer breweries and distilleries producing the disinfectant. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says they just received the green light from the feds and they’ve started making it today.
Cut 9 (08) “…ready to go″
Knott says once the sanitizer bottles are produced, they’ll be donated in the area to local doctors and retirement homes.

8:30 LRN newscast March 24

Louisiana is like many other states, struggling to get much-needed safety equipment for doctors and nurses who are on the frontline of treating Coronavirus-19 cases. Governor John Bel Edwards…
cut 15 (06) “…it”
Louisiana has 1,172 positive cases. As of Sunday, the department of health says 28-percent of known COVID patients had to be hospitalized.

State Police and other law enforcement agencies have been inundated with phone calls pertaining to rumors of road closures related to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Lt. Nick Manale says while there may be road closures, it’s not because of some of the far-fetched rumors found on social media.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…that information post..”
Manale insists that the public get information from trusted, reliable sources.

Today is the first full day of the governor’s stay at home order. But Louisiana’s chemical plants are still in operation after being deemed essential…
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart ”

The governor’s stay at home order lasts until April 12th. Louisiana Public Health Assistant Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the state’s rate of case increase is remarkably high and even with containment measures that may not change in the next few days…
cut 14 (08) “….virus”

7:30 LRN Newscast March 24

There are over 11-hundred known coronavirus cases in Louisiana and 34 deaths. There are many more who have the symptoms of the virus but are unable to get tested and are self-quarantining for 14 days. Our Lady of the Lake Infectious Disease Specialist Doctor Catherine O’ Neal says new research has some good news for those infected…
cut 16 (10) “….anymore”

Doctors and nurses are needed to treat those who are hospitalized with COVID-19, so that’s why the Department of Education is offering subsidized child care so they don’t have to stay home with young children…
cut 9 (09) “…cared for”
Assistant State Superintendent of Education Jessica Baghian says other essential workers can also apply for this assistance and for more information go to Louisiana-believes-dot-com.

Louisiana State Police want the public to know the interstates are not closed as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Brooke Thorington has the story…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Frustration has been mounting in the U-S Senate as lawmakers try to pass a two-trillion dollar economic rescue package. Republicans, like Senator John Kennedy, claim Democrats are trying to fund unrelated policies…
cut 30 (07) “…in America”
Democrats say the coronavirus relief bill is tilted to benefit corporations and doesn’t do enough to help workers who are now out of a job.

6:45 LRN Sportscast

One of the nation’s top high school quarterback prospects lists LSU among his top five final choices. Caleb Williams from Gonzaga High School in Washington D-C says he’s whittled his list of potential college destinations to LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State, and Maryland. But 24-7 sports reports that Oklahoma is the likely destination for Williams.

Also, John Ehret Safety Kaine Williams has LSU listed in his top three. Williams is ranked as the fifth-best prospect in the state and is also considering Texas A-and-M and Alabama.

In NFL news, ESPN reports the Saints and cornerback Janoris Jenkins have agreed to a restructured contract in order to reduce his hit to the 2020 salary cap. The adjusted deal allows Jenkins to become a free agent after this season. And the Saints are bringing back defensive end Noah Spence who they signed in December, after playing in seven games with the Redskins.