The state reports over 1,700 new cases of COVID-19 today, out of just under 17,000 tests.  That translates to 10.3% of those tested were positive.  The World Health Organization set 10% positive testing results as the dividing line for containment.  43% of the cases are 18 to 29-year-olds.

For the 4^th of July Governor Edwards is begging residents not to do a repeat of Memorial Day and further spike our growing number of COVID cases.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

2K Sports has unveiled Pelicans forward Zion Williamson as the cover athlete for NBA 2K21 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.  Zion lands the cover after only 19 games in the league, but he’ll be getting more playtime when the NBA starts back later this month in Orlando.  Zion says he’s been training every day during the pandemic, but very privately.

Cut 12 (12) “…my stepfather.”

The late Kobe Bryant and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard were also selected as cover athletes this year.

As more people are staying home due to COVID-19 backyards with pools are extremely attractive this summer. Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says there’s no data available so far that says the virus spreads in the water.

Cut 3 (12)  “…properly maintained.”  

The state’s case count is rapidly growing and Governor Edwards says we cannot afford to have a holiday weekend like we did during Memorial Day. Edwards calls on residents to stay home for the holiday, and if you must go out to avoid walking into any crowds.

Cut 10 (08) “…the same”

New data from a study of residents in Jefferson and Orleans Parish indicates the virus is more deadly than previously thought, and that asymptomatic carrier of COVID are more infectious than previously thought.

If you do buy some fireworks for home use Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue asks you to spray down and deposit any spent fireworks away from your home.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

Zion’s legendary 19 game tear to start his career wins him the honor of gracing the front of the next-gen console edition of 2k21. But the sensation will get a chance to continue his rookie legacy in Orlando July 30^th with a restart of the season against the Jazz. Zion says he feels fortunate to be able to not see his rookie season come to an abrupt end due to COVID-19 and feels confident in the NBA’s handling of the situation.

Cut 14 (11) “…from certain situations.”

Home pool installation is getting popular as folks seek to socially distance and avoid community pools. Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says the good news about a home pool is that chlorine kills coronavirus, so it can’t spread through water, but there are germs that can be spread in the water if the chlorine is not properly maintained.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…killing power.”

Governor Edwards requests everyone stay away from crowds, socially distance, and wear masks for July 4^th if they’re going out of the house. Edwards says Memorial Day helped spur the present-day spike.

Cut 9 (09) “…Memorial Day”

Many people are planning to shoot off their own fireworks with many public displays canceled this year. Brooke Thorington has some safety tips from the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

Pels rookie sensation Zion Williamson says the NBA “bubble” experience in Orlando when teams take the court later this month to restart the regular season is almost unimaginable. Zion says he loves the fans in New Orleans and admits playing without them in a closed-off environment will be a different experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…we’ll be fine.” 

As more people are staying home due to COVID-19 backyards with pools are extremely attractive this summer, and that’s leading to a large number of first time pool owners. Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says Always keep an eye on children at the pool. She adds drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in children ages one to four and never swim when you are sick.

Cut 5 (13)  “…have diarrhea”

Zion may only have 19 pro games to his name but his short tenure was impressive enough to win him the front cover of one of this year’s editions of NBA 2k21, the long-running basketball video game. The late Kobe Bryant and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard were also selected as cover athletes this year.  Zion will grace the next-gen consoles’ covers.

The Phenom says it’s a dream come true, but he’s not letting it distract him from their July 30^th restart of the season against the Jazz. It’s going to be a new experience for the players but Zion is just glad he can get back out on the court…

Cut 14 (06) “…from certain situations.”

Zion says he loves the fans in New Orleans and admits playing without them in a closed-off environment will be a different experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…we’ll be fine.” 

ESPN reports the NFL will play “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing”, a song considered the Black national anthem, directly before the national anthem when the regular season kicks off in week one in all stadiums. The NFL says they will also be highlighting the issue of police brutality in a number of other ways throughout the season.

FedEx has sent an official request to the Washington Redskins to change their name. FedEx owns the naming rights to Washington’s stadium, and as issues of racial justice become more prevalent the team’s name, which some consider racist, is once again receiving calls to be changed. Pepsi and Nike also are joining the calls after the three companies received a letter by dozens of investment firms and shareholders calling for divestment from the controversial team. Owner Daniel Snyder has long resisted the name change effort.

Newly minted Pats QB Cam Newton is happy in his new New England digs. The QB says his incentive-laden contract is a sign of respect, and not about the money.

For the 4^th of July Governor Edwards is begging residents not to do a repeat of Memorial Day and further spike our growing number of COVID cases.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Should you chose to do some fireworks with your immediate family tomorrow Fire Marshal’s spokesperson Ashely Rodrigue says you should only light fireworks on cement and away from structures.

Cut 7 (07) “…at a time”

2K Sports has unveiled Pelicans forward Zion Williamson as the cover athlete for NBA 2K21 for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X.  Zion lands the cover after only 19 games in the league, but he’ll be getting more playtime when the NBA starts back later this month in Orlando.  Zion says he’s been training every day during the pandemic, but very privately.

Cut 12 (12) “…my stepfather.”

The late Kobe Bryant and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard were also selected as cover athletes this year.

As more people are staying home due to COVID-19 backyards with pools are extremely attractive this summer. Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says there’s no data available so far that says the virus spreads in the water.

Cut 3 (12)  “…properly maintained.”  

Governor Edwards continues to stress the importance of wearing masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and says government officials are stepping up enforcement of mask use and other mitigation efforts at businesses but calls on the public to do their part in not going to those businesses.

Cut 14 (12) “…whatever is required.”

Edwards says mask usage is vital to moving Louisiana forward

The Louisiana Dept. of Health reported 1,383 more COVID-19 cases today, this is the third day in a row reported cases are over a thousand.  17 more deaths and 41 more hospitalizations were added to the state’s total today. There were 15-thousand more tests reported to the state Thursday and out of those tests approximately 9-percent were positive.

Looking back on the special session, House Republican Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez feels there are plenty of accomplishments to be proud of.  Miguez says they are proud of the use of CARES Act funding and that the proper first steps have been taken in lowering auto insurance rates.

Cut 3 (11) ”…we did that.”  

TV viewers who use the antenna in certain parts of the state will need to rescan their television sets so they will we able to receive local channels. FCC Chair Jean Kiddo explains why.

Cut 10 (10) “…consumers.”

TV consumers who use the antenna in Shreveport and Monroe will need to rescan their TV sets so they can receive all their local channels. If you have cable or satellite you do not have to do anything.

The Pels are prepping for their first game back on the court in months, a July 30^th game in the Orlando Bubble against the Jazz. Their 3.5 games out of the 8^th seed with 8 games to catch up, and rookie sensation Zion Williamson says he’s itching to get back on the court, especially after wrapping up the acclaimed ESPN documentary The Last Dance, a show about Michael Jordan…

30

The Pelicans are a long shot to actually make the playoffs but were gifted the easiest eight-game schedule in the end of the regular season Orlando circuit.

Four-star prospect Naquan Brown from Virginia Beach, Virginia is the latest player to commit to LSU as he joins the Tigers 2021 recruiting class. Brown is a six-foot-three, 205 pound outside linebacker-slash-defensive end. Tennessee, Michigan, Penn State and TCU are some of the other teams who offered Brown.

Louisiana Tech football coach Skip Holtz is grieving over the loss of his mother. Beth Holtz, the wife of hall of fame coach Luo Holtz, has died at the age of 83 after a long battle with throat cancer.

And ESPN reports it will cost over 150-million dollars for the league to complete the season and hold the playoffs at the Walt Disney Resort. The league projects a one-billion-dollar revenue loss because of the coronavirus.

LSU pitcher Ben McDonald, second baseman Todd Walker and shortstop Alex Bregman have been named to the ESPN Greatest All-time College Baseball Team. LSU leads the nation with three players on the team. All three players were two-time All-Americans.

The Governor of Texas orders masks to be worn across most of the state as their COVID case count continues to explode. Yesterday Governor Edwards says he has no such plans to order mandatory mask wearing across the state, instead relying on local governments to make the call…

Cut 13 (12) “…the situations dictate.” 

Louisiana tallied nearly 1,400 new cases today, along with 41 additional hospitalizations.

An Ochsner COVID-19 study of 25,000 Jefferson and Orleans Parish residents finds an estimated seven percent had coronavirus antibodies in mid-May. The work also studied how likely people were to die if they were to be infected. Research scientist Dr. Amy Feehan says the infection fatality rate was 1.63 percent.

Cut 7 (11) “…the flu.”

The test was conducted from May 11^th to May 15^th.

The special session is in the rearview mirror, but what do lawmakers feel were the highlights?

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Campaign finance reports show Senator Bill Cassidy has used more than 5,500 dollars in money raised for his campaigns to pay for membership dues at exclusive social clubs dating back to 2014. Most of the funds went to the Penn Club of New York, a private club for those affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania, and the other for the Petroleum club of Morgan City, a social club for businessmen looking to network with the oil and gas industry.