Essential workers could receive a one-time 250-dollar payment from the state as a result of the legislation heading to the House floor. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

COVID-19 hospitalizations are down again today following a three day streak of double-digit increases. Total hospitalizations are at 579, down 11. Total cases 48,634… up 928, with 129 of those coming from a backlog of tests from April. Fatalities increase by 20 to 2,950. Vent usage increases by 6 to 83.

A measure that would provide the gaming industry with an 83-million dollar tax break over the next five years is awaiting debate on the Senate floor after a Senate Committee approved the bill. The legislation allows each casino to distribute five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay taxes. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says the state will make that money up.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…using it today”

The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million.  Overall, the feeling is the turnout is better than expected, but Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty feels a clearer picture of the pandemic’s impact on the industry will be revealed with June numbers.

Cut 14 (09) “…about getting out.”

June’s numbers will also reflect the reopening of New Orleans casinos which did not see an opening during May.

A measure that would provide the gaming industry with an 83-million-dollar tax break over the next five years is awaiting debate on the Senate floor after a Senate Committee approved the bill. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says his proposal is to help an industry that’s been hit hard by the COVID-19 economic shutdown

Cut 3 (08) ” their heels”  

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic began. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says his legislation covers grocery store workers, first responders, health and childcare workers…

Cut 6 (05) “…with the public”

Jenkins expects the program will cost the state $50-million.

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns our economic recovery from the COVID recession could drag well into 2022. Gary Wagner says the COVID Recession will cost the state about a billion dollars in revenue compared to projections before the pandemic began.

Cut 11 (07) “…people.”

The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million.  It is down from the nearly $218 million at the same time last year, however Casinos partially reopened in mid-May and revenues are down only 13% compared to the same two weeks last year.  Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says returning players have been very cooperative with spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (09) “…within their expectations.”  

The Louisiana Department of Health reports a total of 928 additional cases of COVID-19 but officials note that 129 cases are related to test backlogs. That backlog is from April 1 and April 9. Today’s count is the largest single-day increase in non-backlogged coronavirus cases since April 10, which was the tail end of the peak in the state.

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns the COVID Recession will hit Louisiana harder than the recent Great Recession. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The numbers are out regarding casino revenue in the month of May and the grand total is $70 million.  While that’s down from the nearly $218 million at the same time last year, Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says the numbers are a positive indicator for the state’s gaming industry, considering all of the hurdles they faced.

Cut 12 (10) “…a downward trend.”

Casinos partially reopened in mid-May and revenues are down only 13% compared to the same two weeks last year.

Louisiana colleges and universities are refunding students approximately $24 million due to the coronavirus interruption of the academic school year.  LSU tops the list, returning $4.4 million. Most of the refunds cover charges for housing, which students had to vacate about two months before the scheduled end of the school year. Colleges and universities received $147 million from the $2.2 trillion federal rescue bill.

A UL Lafayette economics professor says his projections show the COVID Recession will hit Louisiana harder than Hurricane Katrina or the recent Great Recession. Gary Wagner says we are in a particularly vulnerable position due to our oil and tourism economy, plus the fact that our growth pre-COVID was flat. That all led to…

Cut 10 (06) “…month.”

Wagner notes there are some rosier projections based around the potential to rapidly regain those lost jobs.

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who worked the early days of the pandemic. Crowley Representative John Stefanski objects though to using money from a newly created small business grant program.

Cut 8 (13) “…as well”

A study from Scripps Research Institute indicates mutations in the strain of coronavirus circulating the United States may be much more infectious than the Wuhan predecessor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana reports 928 new COVID positive tests today, 129 of them from previous backlogs. 20 additional fatalities from the disease are in as well, bringing the state overall total to 2,950, but in some good news hospitalizations decreased today after three straight days of increases.

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to some front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic hit Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins expects the program will cost 50-million dollars. Jenkins says front line workers first responders, healthcare, and child care workers who earn less than 50-thousand dollars a year will be eligible and the cash will help stimulate local economies.

Cut 7 (07) “…bills and expenses”

A UL Lafayette economics professor warns our economic recovery from the COVID recession could drag well into 2022.   Gary Wagner says if the pandemic had not hit it is likely we would have experienced a minor economic slowdown, but because of COVID-19, we’re now looking at historic long-term job losses.

Cut 9 (10) “…pandemic.”

The report shows the economic damage will be especially severe in Acadiana, Houma, and New Orleans due to the collapse of oil prices and the tourism industry.

A Lake Charles attorney is pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument at the Calcasieu courthouse.  Attorney Todd Clemons says when you are black and entering the courthouse, the monument sends a message that you don’t have equal rights, producing a chilling and intimidating effect.

Cut 10 (07) “…to be removed.”

Louisiana has now seen three straight days of increased COVID-19 hospitalizations, the metric used by health officials to track the actual rate of community spread.  Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says the recent upward trend here, and the record spikes in neighboring states are important reminders that the pandemic is not over and we need to continue wearing masks and social distancing.

Cut 15 (06) “…or two.”

Louisiana has now seen three straight days of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the metric used by health officials to track the actual rate of community spread. Neighboring Texas and Arkansas have seen record-breaking increases in the last week. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says that could be foreshadowing.
Cut 14 (09) “them.”
The growth in cases has been largest in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions.

A study from Scripps Research Institute indicates the strain of coronavirus in the US appears to show mutations making the virus more infectious than the original strain from China.  With every new infection comes a slight imperfection between the source virus and the new virus protein. LSU Health New Orleans molecular geneticist Dr. Lucio Miele says one of the drugs being used for treatment right now, remdesivir works by cause more mistakes in the repetition of the virus.
Cut 9 (10) “…a double-edged sword.”

A House committee has approved a bill that would result in the state sending 250-dollar checks to front-line employees who were required to work when the coronavirus pandemic hit Louisiana. Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins says his legislation covers first responders as well as health care and child care workers
Cut 6 (05) “…with the public”
Jenkins expects the program will cost 50-million dollars. The money will come from coronavirus relief aid the state received from the federal government.
A Lake Charles attorney is pushing for the removal of a Confederate monument at the Calcasieu courthouse.  Attorney Todd Clemons says he was surprised to see the support from a judge. Clemmons says his frustration has grown over the years after seeing confederate monuments come down in other areas, but he didn’t see that same energy come up in Lake Charles.
Cut 11 (13) “…that’s on you.”

Starting in July, Louisiana small businesses can apply for a state grant worth up to 15,000 dollars to help offset COVID related losses. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes a bill that would have provided companies impacted by COVID-19 a rebate for hiring or rehiring employees. Businesses would be eligible if they hired at least five people and added 40-thousand dollars in total payroll, but in the governor’s veto letter, Edwards said the program would create a large pool of eligible businesses and the potential cost to the state could be substantial.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs a bill that greatly expands access to medical marijuana. Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives lobbyist Danny Ford says this measure allows any doctor in good standing to recommend medical cannabis to a patient suffering from a debilitating condition…

Cut 13 (11) “…could help”  

Under current law, medical marijuana is only available to a patient suffering from a specific condition or disease.

Governor Edwards signs legislation barring residents from suing a restaurant, claiming they got the coronavirus from their business. Covington Senator Patrick McMath says it’s tough to prove where someone contracted COVID-19, but that wouldn’t stop someone from trying…

Cut 5 (10)  “…jobs”

But McMath notes that if restaurants refuse to follow COVID guidelines like mandatory mask wearing for employees they could still get sued.

Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes legislation that would have provided a tax rebate to companies hiring or rehiring employees right now citing the cost and current revenue situation of state government. The bill had widespread support in the Legislature and Covington Representative Mark Wright disagrees with Edwards’ claim…

Cut 4 (11)_ “…to it”

The State Treasury Department will launch a 300-million dollar small business COVID relief grant program in July as a result of legislation signed by the governor. Treasurer John Schroder says they’ve also dedicated a portion of the funds so certain business owners can take advantage.

Cut 8 (08) “…buisinesses.”

To qualify your business must have fewer than 50 employees and can demonstrate COVID-19 related losses.

Governor John Bel Edwards signs a bill that greatly expands access to medical marijuana. Under current law, medical marijuana is only available to a patient suffering from a specific condition or disease, and now that’s been expanded to anyone with a debilitating condition. Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives lobbyist Danny Ford says the requirement that a doctor must have a special license in order to recommend the treatment has also been removed…

Cut 14 (05) “…is necessary”

Personal finance website WalletHub finds a strong majority, 67 percent, of Americans think people who do not want to return to the office and would rather work from home should not see pushback from employers. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says those that disagree tend to want direct action from employers against those workers.

Cut 12 (10) “…paid on unemployment.”

About a third of respondents also believe businesses should be held responsible for employees getting sick.

Come August 1^st Louisiana will significantly expand its medical marijuana laws, allowing any licensed doctor to prescribe the treatment to a patient suffering from a “debilitating condition”. Louisiana Association of Therapeutic Alternatives lobbyist Danny Ford says this expansion will undoubtedly strain the state’s limited supply of treatment at first, but it should improve as LSU is the state’s only licensed grower, and…

Cut 15 (11)“ very soon” 

The State Treasury Department will launch a 300-million dollar small business COVID relief grant program in July as a result of legislation signed by the governor. Treasurer John Schroder says businesses with under 50 employees can be eligible for up to 15,000 dollars if they have documented proof of COVID related losses.

Cut 9 (10) “…Louisiana.”

New research from personal finance website WalletHub indicates 6 in 10 Americans think COVID-19 has changed the way we work for the better.  But WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says most workers are happy about the work culture changes, parents aren’t…

Cut 11 (09) “…being more productive.”

Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a bill that would have provided companies impacted by COVID-19 a rebate for hiring or rehiring employees. Covington Representative Mark Wright says businesses would be eligible for the program if they hired at least five people and added 40-thousand dollars in total payroll

Cut 3 (07)  “…sticking it out”  

The legislation received overwhelming support in the legislature and it could be brought up again in a potential veto session. Edwards vetoed citing the cost.