Despite a high number of compliance checks, the State Fire Marshal’s office has not cited or shut down a single business for not following COVID mitigation requirements. Why is that?

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

AG Jeff Landry pens an open letter asking BESE not to require students to wear masks once classes resume next month. In the letter he calls masks a tremendous distraction and a potential mandate crossing the line on liberty. Mask requirements so far appear to be being made on a district by district basis.

A Caddo District Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the City’s implementation of a mandate requiring masks to be worn inside businesses. New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish have also issued similar mandates. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino believes they do have the authority to do so.

Cut 6 (13) “…basis.”

If the mandate were to be implemented non-compliant businesses could potentially be shut down while the state remained in Phase Two.

It will be a hot weekend as heat index values will reach 110, maybe even 115 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this stretch of hot weather will continue into early next week and it will be quite warm for outdoor activities in the morning…

Cut 4 (11)_ “    low 70s” 

The State Fire Marshal reports that no businesses have been penalized as a result of COVID compliance checks because so far they haven’t had any repeat offenders once state workers advise companies on how to come into compliance. Butch Browning says if that does happen, after a third check, if there are businesses that are blatantly defying the rules, that’s when further action will be taken…

Cut 11 (07) “…exceeded our expectations.”

Between June 26 and July 5 3,100 checks were made.

A Caddo District Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the City’s implementation of a mandate requiring masks to be worn inside businesses. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the law is on the city’s side in this dispute…

Cut 8 (10) “…box”

The coronavirus pandemic may have put a dent into many sectors of the economy, but the Louisiana Lottery says they’ve just finished their second-best fiscal year ever that ended on June 30th.  Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says that’s in large part due to an uptick in scratch-off sales from April through June.

Cut 12 (05) “…in our history.”

Multi-state jackpots such Powerball and Mega Millions ended the year down by about $66 million due to a 12-month drought of jackpots exceeding $400 million.

It will be a hot weekend as heat index values will reach 110, maybe even 115 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says rains chances are also pretty low this weekend…

Cut 5 (10)  “…miss it”

This stretch of hot weather will continue into early next week.

The state sees the largest single-day increase in coronavirus cases since the pandemic began with 2,642 new cases, bringing the state’s total to 74,636. Hospitalizations saw a significant jump, increasing by 75 to 1,117. Fatalities increase by 25.

The State Fire Marshal’s office has conducted around 3,100 coronavirus spread mitigation compliance checks between June 26 and July 5, yet there hasn’t been any penalization of the rule-breakers.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s because businesses are correcting shortcomings after the first visit, adding the lack of citations or shutdowns is a strong indicator that businesses care enough about their customers and employees to come into compliance.

Cut 10 (07) “…everything goes bad”

A local judge has issued a temporary restraining order against Shreveport’s mask mandate. Matt Doyle asked a legal expert if cities have the legal authority to issue these mandates…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

It will be a hot weekend as heat index values will reach 110, maybe even 115 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says this stretch of hot weather will continue into early next week and it will be quite warm for outdoor activities in the morning…

Cut 4 (11)_ “    low 70s” 

The State Fire Marshal’s office has conducted around 3,100 coronavirus spread mitigation compliance checks between June 26 and July 5, yet there hasn’t been any penalization of the rule-breakers.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s because businesses are correcting shortcomings after the first visit.

Cut 9 (10) “…consider penalizing somebody.”

Northwest Louisiana Congressman Mike Johnson is suing the City of Shreveport in an attempt to stop the city’s mask mandate. Johnson believes the city does not have the authority to force people to wear masks inside businesses, but Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino says yes, they do have that authority.

Cut 6, 13 seconds, basis

It will be a hot weekend as heat index values will reach 110, maybe even 115 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high-pressure system in the northern Gulf of Mexico will limit cloudiness and thunderstorms

Cut 3 (11)  “…lots of humidity”  

Keim says this stretch of hot weather will continue into early next week.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage while on school campuses, instead of the current policy of recommending their use. If the state refuses to mandate facemask usage in schools could we see teachers participate in an organized walkout? LFT President Larry Carter says that’s not being considered right now.

Cut 12 (09) “…discussions

Carter says Teachers did rank health issues as their number one concern heading into the school year in a recent survey.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage while on school campuses, and if the state refuses, could we see teachers participate in an organized walkout? LFT President Larry Carter says that’s not being considered right now.

Cut 12 (09) “…discussions

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has nearly doubled over the last month. According to the state department of health, there are just over 40 ICU beds available at each of these three regions, central Louisiana, the River Parishes and Acadiana. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 7 (10) “…hospitalizations.”

Edwards says hospital officials also say they are seeing more white males hospitalized as a result of COVID-19.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans by gauging calorie consumption. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Primary and things are different due to the pandemic and if you are hoping to get your hands on the state’s famous “I Voted” stickers, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says you are out of luck this election.

Cut 15 (03) “…COVID through stickers.” 

A Louisiana teachers union calls on the state to mandate that everyone must wear a facemask while on school grounds. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Hospitalizations from COVID-19 has nearly doubled over the last month and Governor Edwards says hospital leaders have also told him staffing is a problem

Cut 9 (09) “…are positive.”

Saturday is Election Day and Louisiana’s presidential primary is not the only item on the ballot. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says there are also local races in 24 parishes and party committee positions.

Cut 14 (07) “…the ballots locally.”

Ardoin says they are also using mitigation efforts such as hand sanitizers and the spacing of voting machines.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Corby Martin

says as soon as they have data that suggests that the app is accurate, it will be available to researchers and clinicians.  How long it will be before it ends up in the hands of the public is still to be determined.

Cut 6 (08) “…on the App Store.”

It helps consumers gauge calorie consumption.

Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Preference Primary.  The voting process will look a little different than other elections.  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says there will be spread mitigation efforts in place and they’ve recruited poll workers that are less susceptible to poor outcomes from COVID-19 exposure.

Cut 13 (09) “…on Election Day.” 

As of yesterday, the number of ICU beds available in southwest Louisiana was down to 27. Governor Edwards says some hospitals also report a low supply of Remdesivir, which is an approved therapeutic drug for severely ill COVID patients.

Cut 8 (12) “…on that”

Hospitalizations as a result of COVID-19 have nearly doubled over the last month.

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage on school campuses, instead of recommending their use. LFT President Larry Carter after a survey of their members they’re serious about their facemask policy request and have been putting their money where their mouth is to make it happen…

Cut 11 (09) “…give out”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans by gauging calorie consumption.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Corby Martin says the PortionSize app helps tackle a critical problem in weight management, giving people an idea of what they are actually eating.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…during that meal.”

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has nearly doubled over the last month. According to the state department of health, there are just over 40 ICU beds available at each of these three regions, central Louisiana, the River Parishes and Acadiana. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 7 (10) “…hospitalizations.”

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage while on school campuses, instead of the current policy of recommending their use. LFT President Larry Carter says they’ve polled nearly 13,000 of their members and one issue stuck out like a sore thumb…

Cut 10 (08) “…teachers”

Some localities and parishes have adopted mandatory face mask usage while in businesses and public buildings, but most have not.

Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Primary. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson is stepping down as chairwoman of the Louisiana Democratic Party. She’s led the party for the last eight years.

Governor Edwards says he’s been told some people are having to wait more than ten days to get their COVID test results as demand surges across the state. The Governor says the problem this time is not the testing kits, because they’ve got plenty. The issue is the country is running low on reagents needed to analyze samples collected at testing sites…

Cut 9 (10) “…receiving”

Edwards reiterated the fact that if you think you’ve been exposed you need to self-quarantine and remain in quarantine even if you get results back that show you are negative.

33 percent of pet owners say their pets have been packing on pounds alongside them. LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says pet obesity is a serious issue, and to counter it you should know the appropriate daily caloric intake for your pet and take a quarter portion of that in kibble and feed it to them throughout the day.

Cut 8 (06) “…makes them happy.”

Ohio State and North Carolina have suspended their voluntary workouts because of positive COVID-19 cases, but LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says the virus is under control among his players…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Several Republican lawmakers have now spoken against Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ request for K-12 athletics to be cancelled in the fall. When asked about the letter sent by the Baton Rouge Democrat to BESE, Governor Edwards agreed with detractors in saying that it is too early to make that call. The LHSAA also chimed in, saying they are fully committed to having a safe return of high school athletics when school returns.