The Rapides Parish Sheriff’s office says a possible tornado destroyed homes in the Woodworth area and one woman was killed. DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson says a man drowned when he was swept up by fast-moving floodwaters near a drainage ditch as he attempted to retrieve his garbage can. Several homes were also flooded in Mansfield.

Governor Edwards says face masks will be the new normal in public places…
Cut 3 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Workforce Commission says they’ve paid 561-million dollars in benefits to over 302-thousand Louisiana residents who have filed for unemployment because of the coronavirus pandemic. Once a person qualifies for unemployment, they are asked to certify weekly and L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are asking unemployed workers to certify online on a specific day based on the last digit of their social security number…
cut 14 (12) “…accept all numbers”

Tulane is seeking participants for a study that’s looking into whether hydroxychloroquine can prevent a person from getting COVID-19 after being exposed. Epidemiologist Doctor Patricia Kissinger says this treatment could be a vital tool once contact tracing becomes more widespread…
cut 9 (10) “….infection”

Governor John Bel Edwards says he’ll likely make an announcement early next week on what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th. Edwards says as we get ready for a new normal, residents should get used to wearing masks in public places…
cut 11 (08) “…covering”
Edwards says the state is halfway through a 14-day period of a downward trajectory of new cases which is needed to partially reopen the economy.

Since March 27th, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid $561 million in unemployment benefits to 302,000 claimants. LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says when you compare the numbers to last year, it shows the massive impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the state’s workforce.
Cut 13 (09) “…short of mindblowing.”

We are receiving reports about storm-related deaths in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. We’ll have more on this in future newscasts.

Tulane University is launching a study to see if hydroxychloroquine can prevent transmission in people exposed to COVID-19. Tulane School of Medicine Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Doctor Patricia Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case and you’re interested, they’ll have you do a telemedicine conference, then…
cut 8 (08) “…day 28”
Tulane hopes to enroll 500 local participants.

There is no Festival International in downtown Lafayette this weekend, but a three-day virtual music festival will begin tomorrow night. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says their famous festival punch will also be available…
cut 5 (09) “…souvenir cups”

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana residents to “mask up” which means wearing a face mask in public places. Edwards says wearing a mask reduces the chances of asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic people unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.
Cut 10 (06) “for them”
Edwards has also indicated that early next week he’ll announce what restrictions will be lifted when the current stay-at-home order expires on April 30th.

The Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid out 561-million dollars in total benefits to 302-thousand Louisianans whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. Many have found it difficult to file claims or receive their benefits on a timely basis, but L-W-C executive director Ava Dejoie says they are adding an additional server to its network…
cut 15 (07) “…we can”

Tulane will conduct a clinical trial to see whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to prevent COVID-19 cases. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Tonight is the night for former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be selected with the number one pick in the NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for a 500 billion dollar relief package in Congress aimed at aiding local and state governments facing coronavirus related fiscal cliffs. News outlets are reporting Lafayette is 18-million dollars over budget and Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says his city is one-million dollars in the red. Cassidy says these cities need help….
cut 7 (08) “….that you want”
The City of Crowley is expecting a one-million-dollar plus shortfall and announced the layoffs of 15 employees.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy this funding could have been approved a week earlier if it was not for not House Speaker Nancy Pelosi…
Cut 14 (08) “…rear end”
Pelosi told P-B-S they needed to do more and adjust for those who were underserved by the previous relief package.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is using an online survey to study lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.

There’s an enhanced risk of severe weather this afternoon and into tonight for the northern half of the state. Forecasters are concerned about damaging winds, large hail, isolated tornadoes, and localized flash flooding. A flash flood watch is in effect for cities north of Alexandria from two o’clock today until tomorrow morning.

House and Senate Governmental Affairs committees meet today as Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin brings forward another plan that will increase mail-in voting options for the summer elections. Republican lawmakers rejected the first plan, but reportedly support this new proposal.

Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay in replenishing funding for the Paycheck Protection Program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is seeking public input on how the stay at home order has affected their physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being. Doctor Leanne Redman says it’s possible the stay at home order has actually improved a person’s health…
cut 6 (08) “…working at home”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

Popeyes is donating over one-million meals to a New Orleans food bank. Governor John Bel Edwards says he spoke to the C-E-O of the fried chicken restaurant chain…
cut 12 (10) “…fried chicken”
But Edwards also admitted that he’s not been exercising as much since the COVID-19 crisis started.

Governor John Bel Edwards Resilient Louisiana Commission meets for the first time today. The governor formed the task force to assist him in rebuilding the economy once restrictions are lifted on the stay at home order. Edwards says the criteria for reopening remain firm, a measured 14-day period of declining cases, and increased hospital capacity…
cut 11 (06) “….illness”
The governor remains hopeful that restrictions will be loosened on May first.

The U-S Senate has approved a 483-billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will fund the Paycheck Protection Program. The small business loan program ran out of money last week. Senator John Kennedy says until businesses re-open, they can’t spend enough to save the economy…
cut 15 (07) “….so can poverty”
The U-S House is expected to vote tomorrow on this latest coronavirus aid package.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for 500-billion dollars in federal aid for state and local governments who are battling the coronavirus and also seeing tax revenues dwindle because of the extended economic shutdown…
CUT 9 (09) “….for lost revenue”
New Orleans, Monroe, Lafayette, and Crowley are among the cities reporting financial difficulties.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of the COVID-19 restrictions. Researcher Leanne Redman says they are encouraging the public to take their 15-minute online survey that asks participants about work changes, physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…neighborhoods in general.”
Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.