The state is reporting 37 additional COVID-19 deaths today and over 27-hundred new cases. The death toll is up to 310 and Governor John Bel Edwards says 9,150 total cases should be a wakeup call for anyone still doubting the pandemic’s severity…
cut 13 (10) “…states’
Over 16-hundred COVID patients are hospitalized, with 507 on ventilators, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

If life wasn’t already difficult enough, Colorado State University Hurricane researchers predict an active 2020 hurricane season. C-S-U forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the likely absence of an El Nino is a primary factor
Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″
An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But Jones says their forecast calls for 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes.

A New Orleans East Hospital nurse, Larrice Anderson, becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Three inmates have died from the coronavirus at the Oakdale federal prison in Allen Parish. There are nearly one-thousand male offenders at Oakdale and at last report eleven of them have tested positive, 19 others are in the hospital suspected of having the virus.

Governor John Bel Edwards told a New Orleans radio station this morning that we’ll see another large spike in cases when new numbers come out at noon. As of this morning, the state is reporting 62-hundred positive cases and 273 deaths. He says people should prepare themselves mentally that it will be a long time before we’re back to normal, based on what they’re seeing in other countries…
cut 14 (08) “…here”

Ochsner Health chief Warner Thomas says they continue to increase the number of intensive care beds to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 patients. Thomas says adding to the strain is that COVID-19 patients spend over a week in the I-C-U…
cut 3 (12) “….12 to 14 days’
Thomas says 85-percent of their COVID patients in the ICU are on ventilators.

The U-S Treasury secretary says Social Security recipients will automatically receive a stimulus payment, even if they are not required to file a tax return, so they don’t need to take action. Senior tax manager at Hannis T Bourgeois, Brad Tate, says if you believe the I-R-S has outdated info of where to send your money, be on the lookout for an I-R-S media blitz…
cut 9 (12) “…quicker”

State Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Renee LeBreton says social media posts that claim you can’t fish or hunt as a result of the governor’s stay at home order is fake news. In fact, LeBreton says now is great time to take up fishing as a hobby in this time of social distancing…
cut 11 (09) “…offer”

Governor Edwards warns Louisianans to start mentally preparing for a traumatic month ahead due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (46) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning folks not to fall for fake news about bans on fishing or other outdoor activities during the coronavirus shutdown. LDWF spokesperson Renee LeBreton says outside of the seizure of three state parks as isolation areas for COVID patients, nothing has changed when it comes to what you can do outdoors.
Cut 10 (11) “…fake.”
LeBreton says LDWF is encouraging people to explore nature, by fishing or hunting during this time of social distancing.

Since restaurants have reduced their seafood purchases the LSU AgCenter and Louisiana Sea Grant are helping fishermen find alternative buyers. It’s through a website called Louisiana-Direct-Seafood-dot-com. AgCenter coastal agent Rusty Gaude says consumers can go to that website and purchase fresh seafood during this uncertain time for fishermen…
cut 6 (06) “….this hard time”

Louisiana is reporting 6,424 coronavirus cases and 273 deaths. Current projections have the New Orleans region running out of ventilators by April 6th. Governor John Bel Edwards says after that date new patients who need one will be put on non-ICU standard equipment.
Cut 15 (11)“…ventilator”
Nearly 15-hundred COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized and 490 of those require ventilation.

The federal government will send economic stimulus payments to most Americans over the next few weeks. Senior tax manager at Hannis T- Bourgeois Brad Tate says the I-R-S will use the most recent info on file to get recipients their money….
cut 8 (11) “…into your bank account”
The I-R-S says people who typically do not file a return will need to file a simple tax return to receive an economic impact payment.

The Louisiana Direct Seafood marketing program is helping fishermen sell their catch at a time when they’ve lost revenue from restaurants. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Court records show LSU Football Coach Ed Orgeron filed for divorce from his wife Kelly on February 26th after 23 years of marriage. In the filing, Coach O says he’ll live at the former couple’s home in Baton Rouge, while Kelly has been granted exclusive use and occupancy of their Mandeville home.

150 ventilators have arrived from the federal government, but the New Orleans region is still projected to run out of the equipment early next week. Governor John Bel Edwards says once they run out of ventilators, they will try to assist patients with breathing machines that are normally not used in intensive care units…
cut 16 (11) “….need them”
273 people have died from COVID-19 in Louisiana nearly 200 of those fatalities are from the Orleans and Jefferson Parishes. St. John the Baptist Parish is reporting 13 deaths.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries says social media posts that say fishing or other outdoor activities have been banned is fake news. L-D-W-F spokesperson Renee LeBreton urges the public to trust state government to tell you what is and is not allowed right now…
cut 12 (08) “…there”

The Treasury Department and IRS announce the distribution of the economic impact payments will be sent out in the next three weeks. Senior tax manager at Hannis T. Bourgeois Brad Tate says an income of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples will be the dividing line between getting a full $1,200 or a smaller payment.
Cut 7 (09) “…married filing jointly.”
The I-R-S says Social Security recipients who do not normally send in a tax return will have to file a “simple” tax return, which will be available soon.

A website called Louisiana-Direct-Seafood-Dot-com is trying to help fishermen sell their harvest as sales are down. LSU AgCenter coastal agent Rusty Gaude says the website posts from harvesters detail on what they’ve caught, prioritizing the post order by the freshest catch…
cut 5 (09) “….messages get buried”

Governor Edwards paints a grim picture of just how long, and how severe the coronavirus epidemic could get in Louisiana as the nation braces for an estimated 100,000-240,000 COVID deaths. The governor plans to keep the state’s stay at home order through April 30th, but Edwards says life will not return to normal for a long time.
Cut 13 (09) “…vaccine”
Louisiana saw another big jump in deaths and coronavirus cases yesterday with 34 more fatalities and 11-hundred more positive cases. The total death toll is up to 273.

Louisiana has lost its first healthcare worker to the virus. Larrice Anderson worked as a nurse at New Orleans East Hospital. She passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.

The IRS will soon allocate money from the $2.2 trillion emergency relief bill into the bank accounts of Americans…
Cut 2 (33) “…Kevin Barnhart ”

If you are looking to purchase a large amount of seafood, you can do so directly from a fishermen by using to Louisiana-Direct-Seafood-dot-com. LSU AgCenter coastal agent Rusty Gaude (GO-TAY)…
cut 4 (11) “….with that catch”

Louisiana reported its biggest increase in COVID-19 cases and related deaths in a 24 hour period yesterday, evidence the state has yet to begin flattening the curve. 1,212 new positive tests were reported and 54 deaths. Governor John Bel Edwards says for those who haven’t been socially distancing…
Cut 7 (07) “…right now”
Edwards hopes the dramatic increase was just a logjam of tests coming in.

Rev Tony Spell of Life Tabernacle Church in Central was issued a summons Tuesday on six counts of violating the governor’s order banning large gatherings. East Baton Rouge District Attorney Hillar Moore…
Cut 10 (08) “…calls for.”
The summons didn’t stop Spell from having another service last night that featured a large gathering.

A new COVID-19 test can give the results in four hours. The new test kit created by L-C-M-C Health and its partners will be available to patients at Tulane Medical Center and at the University Medical Center in New Orleans. Tulane Medical Director Byron Crawford says finding out who has the coronavirus and who doesn’t it, is vital in the fight against the virus…
cut 14 (11) “…equipment”
Crawford says he’s confident this kind of technology will be widely available to other medical centers soon.

In a non-COVID-19 story, a 17-year-old in Caddo Parish has been charged in a fatal hit-and-run. The victim, 38-year-old Joshua Parrish was found at the end of a driveway on Monday night. Authorities say the unidentified teen turned himself in yesterday morning and told detectives he though he hit a sign, but did not stop to investigate.