Voting by mail has been a very popular option so far in the early voting period of the 2020 presidential primary set for July 11th. JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says 44 percent of early voting has come by mail this year, and he forecasts 17 percent of all primary ballots will be mail-in by the time the primary ends. Extrapolating that for the general election…

Cut 5 (10)  “…votes.”

Another Louisiana staple announces a cancellation, The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia is the largest tourism event for the parish and Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says the annual October event is a large undertaking and they waited as long as possible to make a decision about the event.

Cut 12 (08) “…this year.”

Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 has surpassed one-thousand as the state health department reports another 61 hospitalized today because of the coronavirus. The number of total cases rose by 19-hundred and deaths increased by 23 to 3,211.

Both Democratic and Republican Presidential Primaries are basically decided but Louisiana voters are still highly engaged in the upcoming July 11^th election. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how? Kevin Barnhart talks to an expert for the answers.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says we’ve seen unusually high early voting turnout for the upcoming July 11^th Presidential Primary election.

Couvillon says both primaries have already been decided, and with turnout still high that likely portends a high turnout November election.

Cut 3 (12)  “…newsworthy.”  

JMC estimates this year we could see turnout at 70 percent in the general election.

Black Democrats make up about 37 percent of the early voting turnout so far, which is much higher than normal. Couvillon says that won’t change any races here, but will have an impact in swing states…

Cut 4 (07)_ “…trump.”

44 percent of early voting has come by mail this year, and Couvillon says he forecasts 17 percent of all primary ballots will be mail-in by the time the primary ends. Extrapolating that for the general election…

Cut 5 (10)  “…votes.”

In-person voting has ended, but mail-in ballots can still be submitted for the primary.

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With all the economic uncertainty in the world today, can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how?  UNO Professor of Finance Mark Rosa says it is possible, but you need to consider a few things first about your company such as the pandemic’s impact on the business.

Cut 6 (11) “…could go through.”

Rosa says even if your employer has been hit hard with furloughs and layoffs, it is still possible to ask for a pay bump if you are picking up the extra work left in the absence of former coworkers.

Cut 7 (07) “…money my way”

Some companies may have a salary freeze in place, so asking for a bonus might be the path to extra money.  But if you absolutely can’t get more money, Rosa recommends asking for perks such as more paid time off.

Cut 8 (13) “…their cash reserves.”

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Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence discover a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever.  The findings are now published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.  Senior Author Dr. Nicolas Bazan says this drug could be used as a non-addictive substitute for opioids.

Cut 9 (06) “…and so on.”

But addiction isn’t the only problem this drugs can tackle.  Bazan says other painkillers when used above a certain level are toxic to the liver.

Cut 10 (09) “…to the kidney.”

Bazan says the intellectual property behind these new technologies have been licensed from LSU Health New Orleans to the life science start-up South Rampart Pharma and development is continuing inot late pre-clinical stages.

Cut 11 (07) “…new drug.”

_________________________________________________________

Another Louisiana staple announces a cancellation, The 2020 World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia is the largest tourism event for the parish and Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk-Gonzales says the annual October event is a large undertaking and they waited as long as possible to make a decision about the event.

Cut 12 (08) “…this year.”

Instead, they are entertaining virtual options. Faulk-Gonzales admits it’s hard to conceptualize a virtual food event, but in planning for alternatives this year she’s heard some creative ideas.

Cut 13 (06) “…about that.” 

Because more people are cooking at home due to the pandemic Faulk-Gonzales hopes they will look to the 2020 Virtual Gumbo Event for guidance.

Cut 14 (11) “…gumbo in the world”

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Cut 15 (10) “…stadium” 

Cut 16 (11) “ light bills” 

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says Democratic participation in early voting for the 2020 Presidential Primary is way up from 2016, even with the race already having been decided and Joe Biden a lock to take on President Trump in the primary. Black Democrats make up about 37 percent of the early voting turnout so far, which is much higher than normal. Couvillon says that won’t change any races here, but is not a good sign for the President’s reelection effort…

Cut 4 (07)_ “…trump.”

Another Louisiana staple announces a cancellation for 2020, the World Championship Gumbo Cookoff in New Iberia waited as long as possible, marinating on options but decided to postpone due to the resurgence of COVID-19.  Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce CEO Janet Faulk Gonzales says instead of holding it in person they are looking at a virtual event.

Cut 12 (08) “…like yet.”

With all the economic uncertainty in the world today, can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how?  UNO Professor of Finance Mark Rosa says it is possible, but you need to consider a few things first about your company such as the pandemic’s impact on the business.

Cut 6 (11) “…could go through.”

Some companies may have a salary freeze in place, so asking for a bonus might be the path to extra money. 

Researchers at LSU Health New Orleans Neuroscience Center of Excellence discover a new class of pipeline drugs to relieve pain and reduce fever.  The findings are now published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.  Senior Author Dr. Nicolas Bazan says this drug could be used as a non-addictive substitute for opioids.

Cut 9 (06) “…and so on.”

JMC Analytics publisher John Couvillon says we’ve seen an unusually high early voting turnout for the upcoming July 11^th Presidential Primary election.

Couvillon says both primaries have already been decided, and with turnout still high that likely foreshadows a high turnout November election.

Cut 3 (12)  “…newsworthy.”  

JMC estimates this year we could see turnout at 70 percent in the general election.

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields is asking Louisiana’s public schools to cancel athletic activities for the fall semester out of an abundance of caution due to the pandemic. Fields is the chairman of the state Senate’s education committee and made the statement ahead of next week’s state school board meeting. Fields sent letters to the heads of the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Louisiana School Boards Association.

With all the economic uncertainty in the world today, should you ask for a raise? And if so, how?  UNO Professor of Finance Mark Rosa says some companies may have a salary freeze, so asking for a bonus might be the path to extra money.  But if you absolutely can’t get more money, Rosa recommends asking for perks such as more paid time off.

Cut 8 (13) “…their cash reserves.”

Baton Rouge Family Practice Attorney Nancy Sue Grégoire says the courts have seen and increase in divorce filings but now instead of going to a courtroom they have to use ZOOM for court proceedings due to the virus, and Grégoire believes for some they don’t understand the reality of the situation.

Cut 9 (11) “…going to do it”

With all the economic uncertainty in the world today, can you ask for a raise during the coronavirus pandemic?  And if so, how?  UNO Professor of Finance Mark Rosa says it is possible, but you need to consider a few things first about your company such as the pandemic’s impact on the business.
Cut 6 (11) “…could go through.”
Rosa says even if your employer has been hit hard with furloughs and layoffs, it is still possible to ask for a pay bump if you are picking up the extra work left in the absence of former coworkers.

State Farm auto insurance policyholders can expect nearly a 10% decrease in their rates.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the drop is not linked to recent tort reform.

Cut 10 (09) “…by State Farm.”

State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the state, with a million policyholders.

There was little action on police reform in the recent special session but reform advocates say that is not going to be the case in the fall or 2021 session. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James they will revive an effort to revoke qualified immunity for officers. He says the effort to allow cops to be held liable for misbehavior in civil court will be a major part of reform discussions. He says right now…
Cut 4 (10)_ “…liability.”

Legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature that would allow electric co-ops to create their own hi-speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell (My-Zell) says the pandemic has put a spotlight on the serious problems her rural constituents face with their current non-broadband services.

Cut 13 (07) “…speed.”

State Farm auto insurance policyholders can expect nearly a 10% decrease in their rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the state, with a million policyholders. He says the rate decrease can be attributed to people staying at home and off the roads during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.
Cut 11 (07) “…at home orders.”

Legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature that would allow electric co-ops to create their own hi-speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access.
If signed into law co-ops would be able to make broadband companies under separate entities from their current power companies so that utility funds were not used for internet service.
The FCC has committed to spending over 20 billion dollars on expanding rural broadband.
Franklinton Representative Beth Mizell (My-Zell) says after that commitment her effort gained a lot of support.
Cut 14 (07) “…ago”
Mizell made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

———————————————————————————————————————
The coronavirus is putting extra stress on relationships and many are calling it quits. In addition to family practice lawyers seeing an increase in business, the pandemic is also having another effect on divorces. Baton Rouge Attorney Nancy Sue Grégoire says
Grégoire says the pandemic has caused many to lose their employment and healthcare and it is making the process of divorce even more difficult.
Grégoire believes the use of ZOOM in court proceedings due to the Corona skews the reality of the situation.
Cut 9 (11) “…going to do it”

The East Feliciana parish police jury rejected a proposal to remove a century old statue of a Confederate soldier from in front of parish’s antebellum courthouse. The 5-3 vote rejected the move of the piece to a cemetery.

The coronavirus is putting extra stress on relationships and many are calling it quits. In addition to family practice lawyers seeing an increase in business, the pandemic is also having another effect on divorces. Baton Rouge Attorney Nancy Sue Grégoire says the pandemic has caused many to lose their employment and healthcare and it is making the process of divorce even more difficult. She has advice for those who are in the middle of ending their relationship.
Cut 8 (09) “…temporary.”

There was little action on police reform in the recent special session, but reform advocates say that is not going to be the case in the fall or 2021 session.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says they’ll also be pushing to build on current laws that stop bad cops from department hopping after they get in trouble. Right now, a cop who is convicted of excessive force can’t get rehired in Louisiana, however…
Cut 5 (12) “…of force”

The largest auto insurer in Louisiana is giving drivers a decrease, but it has nothing to do with recent tort reform legislation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

New Orleans Mardi Gras Krewe’s are getting ready for next years celebration…despite the mayor saying cancelling mardi gras was “on the table.” Members of Babylon, Bacchus, Endymion, Excalibur, Hermes, Isis, Muses, Rex and Zulu all say they are rolling if they get city and state permits.

Police reform sat on the backburner while tort reform dominated the recent special session but a Baton Rouge lawmaker says that will not be the case next time the next time lawmakers head to the Capitol…
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The East Feliciana parish police jury rejected a proposal to remove a century old statue of a Confederate soldier from in front of parish’s antebellum courthouse. The 5-3 vote rejected the move of the piece to a cemetery.

The coronavirus is putting extra stress on relationships and many are calling it quits. In addition to family practice lawyers seeing an increase in business, the pandemic is also having another effect on divorces. Baton Rouge Attorney Nancy Sue Grégoire says those who were already in the process of a divorce before the pandemic began are having even more complications.
Cut 7 (08) “…get along”

Legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature that would allow electric co-ops to create their own hi-speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access.
Franklinton Representative Beth Mizell (My-Zell) says the pandemic has put a spotlight on the serious problems her rural constituents face with their current non-broadband services.
Cut 13 (07) “…speed.”

There was little action on police reform in the recent special session but reform advocates say that is not going to be the case in the fall or 2021 session.
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James they will revive an effort to revoke qualified immunity for officers. He says the effort to allow cops to be held liable for misbehavior in civil court will be a major part of reform discussions. He says right now…
Cut 4 (10)_ “…liability.”

State Farm auto insurance policyholders can expect nearly a 10% decrease in their rates. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the drop is not linked to recent tort reform.
Cut 10 (09) “…by State Farm.”

COVID is not only detrimental to people’s health but it’s also testing relationships. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

Pig guts