The state sees its biggest single-day increase in COVID hospitalizations since April as 41 additional Hospitalizations are reported. We’ve also added 461 total new COVID positive tests to the rolls crossing us over the 50,000 total positive tests mark, along with 11 new deaths which brings total fatalities to over 3,000. These numbers are likely to weigh heavily on Governor Edwards’ and his 230 PM announcement on whether the state will move on into Phase Three.

At least 100 of the new cases added in recent days have been tied to a super spreading event in Tigerland, a cluster of bars in Baton Rouge popular with LSU students. A Sports Illustrated report says at least 30 LSU football players have been isolated after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive, with some of the players admitting they went to Tigerland recently. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says players have to stay away from large crowds…

Cut 4 (06)_ “….inexcusable really”

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says the hotline model is one that has proven to be an effective resource for those with mental health disorders. Calls received range from those having a tough day to those self-identifying the warning signs of mental or emotional changes.

Cut 7 (07) “…to the caller.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says their protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus in the place where it is most likely to do damage.

Cut 12 (06) “…cells”

They hope to have human trials in fall.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three this afternoon. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Laine Hardy, the Livingston Parish singer and songwriter who won American Idol last year, announces he has contracted COVID-19. The 19-year-old says the symptoms are mild and he is now at home recovering in quarantine.

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic.

Cut 6 (12) “…or co-occurring disorders.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Anyone who is at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, caring for a high-risk person, or experiencing COVID symptoms, can also request an absentee ballot. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says more than 116-thousand absentee ballots have been requested…

Cut 10 (08) “…July 10th.”

Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will move into Phase Three this afternoon at his 230 press conference. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says this will be a tough call for Edwards because the state is now facing a notable uptick in the number of new cases being reported in the last ten days, along with a super spreading event in a cluster of Baton Rouge bars, and what appears to be a public who is slacking on their spread mitigation behavior…

Cut 14 (10) “…relaxing.”

And we now know that super spreading event at the Tigerland bars in Baton Rouge is likely responsible in part for the quarantining of about 30 LSU football players. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Coach O might have to fully ban any players from entering bars now…

Cut 5 (11)  “ keep you safe” 

A survey of southerners shows opinions are beginning to change on the root nature of why African Americans suffer disproportionately worse economic, health, and educational outcomes. GBAO Strategies Pollster Jim Gerstein says for the first time in a major survey a majority of respondents feel that blacks suffer worse economic outcomes due to historical racial policy rather than poor personal choices.

Cut 8 (09) “…groups”

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be counted as part of the 2020 census. Edwards says you need to get to filling out your form so that your area is not undercounted when it comes time for redistricting…

Cut 12 (10) “…information back in.”

Due to COVID-19, the deadline to fill out the census has been extended until October 31^st and can be done at My2020Census.gov.

Early voting for Louisiana’s presidential primary began this morning. Jeff Palermo reports election officials are taking extra precautions because of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

State health officials confirm a coronavirus outbreak at several Tigerland bars near the LSU campus. The department says they’ve received reports of more than 100 patrons and bar employees testing positive. Health officials urge those who visited the Tigerland area to self-quarantine and get tested.

Governor Edwards is highly encouraging residents to fill out their 2020 census if you haven’t already.  The census only happens once every ten years, so Edwards stresses the importance of getting it right. He says the census means more than just a headcount of the population as the data is used to determine the allocation of federal dollars for various programs.

Cut 11 (11) “…you name it.”

So far approximately 56 percent of residents have filled out their census compared to the average of 64 percent for the nation. Edwards says Louisiana is dead last among responses compared to other Deep South states.

Collected data also feeds into the redistricting that takes place once every ten years.

Cut 12 (10) “…information back in.”

Visit My2020Census.gov.

Early voting in the state is underway Saturday for the presidential primary election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says only registered Republicans can vote in the GOP primary and even though Joe Biden is expected to accept the nomination in August, registered Democrats can select between the 14 candidates up for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Cut 15 (05) “…from the race.” 

Early voting has been extended to 13 days in hopes of reducing large congregations at the polls due to COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be counted as part of the 2020 census. There are three ways to participate: online, by phone, or by mail. Edwards says the state’s response rate is lagging.

Cut 10 (11) “…the deep south.”

For more information visit My2020Census.gov

The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approves a resolution to remove Troy Middleton’s name from the school’s library due to the namesake’s vocal support for segregation. The name was removed from the outside of the library by workers on Friday afternoon. Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on behalf of the Middleton family, who opposes the decision. Jenkins called Middleton an American World War One and Two war hero.

Cut 7 (12) “…Bastogne”

But Governor Edwards, a former Army paratrooper, says that is no excuse for Middleton’s views on race.

Cut 8 (11) “…beliefs” (2x)

The library was named for Middleton in 1978 after his death.

Early voting in Louisiana is underway for the presidential primary election and in 24 parishes local items are also on the ballot. This election has been delayed twice due to COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this early voting day period is longer to reduce the risk of large crowds congregating at polling places.

Cut 14 (08) “…and early vote.”

Only registered democrats or republicans can vote in their respective primaries.

Health officials in New Orleans have identified new clusters of COVID-19, tracing them to a graduation party and a large gathering at outside of an Orleans Parish bar. A number of how many are affected was not released. And in Baton Rouge an outbreak of more than 100 cases is linked to Tigerland bars and restaurants near the LSU campus. Officials encourage those who were in contact with the outbreaks to get tested and self-quarantine.

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says facilities who fail to follow the state’s testing guidelines could be hit with sanctions…

Cut 3 (08) ”…withholding payment”  

Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility.

A special will air on CBS Sunday night featuring New Orleans native singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. Connick along with his filmmaker daughter Georgia Connick embarked on a pandemic roadtrip to interview essential workers who are putting their lives at risk.  “United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes,” also features celebrity friends of Connick and performances by Branford and Wynton Marsails and Irma Thomas. The 7pm special will also raise funds for a variety of carries.

Early voting begins today for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages voters to practice social distancing while at the polls, adding the state will be offering extra spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (08) “…gloves as well.”  

After not reporting any new coronavirus cases on Thursday so numbers could be reviewed the state health department says the official count is 760 new cases for June 18th and 787 new cases for the 19th. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says the virus has shown it’s not slowing down in the summer…

Cut 5 (11)  “…not worse.”

The state’s new total is 48, 515 as 1,666 cases were because they were either duplicates or out of state residents.

LSU’s Troy Middleton Library will be renamed after a unanimous decision by the Board of Supervisors. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

State health officials confirm a coronavirus outbreak at several Tigerland bars near the LSU campus. They are urging those who visited to self-quarantine.  The department says they’ve received reports of more than 100 patrons and bar employees testing positive. Some restaurants and bars have closed temporarily due to the outbreak. There are reports some employees are worried about conditions and transmitting the virus to their parents this Father’s Day weekend.

Early voting for Louisiana’s presidential primary begins on Saturday. Jeff Palermo reports election officials are taking extra precautions because of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In the first update in two days, Louisiana reports the removal of 1,666 duplicate cases from the state’s total case count, bring the total down to 48,515. Total fatalities… 2,972, up by 22. Hospitalizations… 561, down by 18 with ventilator usage falling to 75, down by 8.

Today is Juneteenth, a commemoration of a milestone in the ending of slavery in the United States.  The date is getting more recognition this year.  LSU Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris says today is a celebration of the final group of enslaved African Americans learning of their emancipation.

Cut 10 (10) “…rejoicing and celebration.”

While it is not a federally recognized holiday, Rovaris feels that may not be far off.

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says facilities who fail to follow the state’s testing guidelines could be hit with sanctions…

Cut 3 (08) ”…withholding payment”  

Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all of their residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility.

Troy Middleton’s name has been removed from the LSU campus library following a unanimous decision by the board of supervisors. Middleton was a decorated World War Two general and LSU President who opposed efforts to allow blacks to attend the state’s flagship school during his tenure, and according to one board member allegedly did nothing to stop the beatings and harassment of school’s first black PhD student by white students.

Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on behalf of the Middleton family, saying despite his views on race Middleton was a man students should be proud of.

Cut 7 (12) “…Bastogne”

But Governor Edwards, a former Army paratrooper, says that’s no excuse for Middleton’s views on race.

Cut 8 (11) “…beliefs” (2x)

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all of their residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility. He says it’s critical we stay on top of the virus and testing is a critical step in protecting people who are vulnerable to this disease…

Cut 4 (06)_ “…answer the question”

Early voting begins Saturday for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this early voting day period will be longer in an effort to reduce the risk of large crowds congregating at polling places.

Cut 14 (08) “…and early vote.”

Voters in 24 parishes have local items on the ballot and Democrats and Republicans have their presidential primaries.

LSU has taken Troy Middleton’s name off of the campus library following a unanimous Board of Supervisors’ decision. Middleton was an accomplished World War 2 general and former LSU President who actively fought to maintain LSU’s segregated status during his tenure.

The Middleton family opposed the decision citing his military record and later evolution on race issues. Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on their behalf.

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

But Governor Edwards says there’s no way that name could stand…

Cut 6 (09) “…worthy”

During the meeting, a board member read a letter written by Middleton in 1956 where he said “I do not want negro students in LSU, I believe in the segregation of the races, and no matter what may come I shall not associate with negros.”

Early voting begins Saturday for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages voters to practice social distancing while at the polls, adding the state will be offering extra spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (08) “…gloves as well.”  

Voters will be deciding on local races in 24 parishes along with the Democratic and Republican party primaries, both of which have been functionally been wrapped up.

Today is Juneteenth, a commemoration of a milestone in the ending of slavery in the United States.  The date is getting more recognition this year due to an intensified focus on historical racial injustice and LSU Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris says it may not be long until it is a federal holiday.

Cut 11 (12) “…for the employees.”