Tropical Storm Cristobal forms near the southern Gulf. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The health department releases new covid-19 numbers for the state; hospitalization rates continue to decline. A decrease of 22 from the previous day with 639 now recorded. Vent usage also decreased down by 3 with 83 on record and fatalities increased by 34 for a total of 2,724. Case numbers increased by 405.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards is going to veto legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform. The legislation is a few votes shy of a supermajority needed to override a veto. Pinsonat says some of the lost support came from compromise changes made over the weekend.

Cut 10 (09) “…similar.”

Pinsonat says tort reform supporter’s inability to pass the legislation with veto-proof majorities may have doomed their effort, despite a mandate from voters to lower auto insurance rates.

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets.” The President has been criticized for using inflammatory language to describe the protests, but Senator Bill Cassidy says Trump’s focus right now is on restoring order.

Cut 4 (09)_ “together”

Tropical Storm Cristobal forms in the Bay of Campeche. The system started off as Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific, but as it crossed over Central America it weakened and ended up in the Bay of Campeche and has been renamed as an Atlantic storm. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the current forecast calls for the storm to move to about 200 miles south of Morgan City on Sunday morning and track northward.

Cut 7 (10) “…surrounding the storm.”

This is the earliest date for an Atlantic third named storm formation on record.

Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes Governor Edwards will veto legislation headed to his desk aimed at lowering auto insurance rates through lawsuit reform. Pinsonat says GOP lawmakers scrambled to pass the bill in the last minutes of the session, failing to make their case effectively to the public.

Cut 9 (11) “…voted on it.”

President Trump calls on governors to deploy the National Guard in sufficient numbers to “dominate the streets” in the wake of lawlessness following nationwide police brutality protests. Senator Bill Cassidy says the President’s statements were in response to protests that the Senator says have been infiltrated by anti-government elements.

Cut 5 (10)  “community”.

The health department releases new COVID-19 numbers; hospitalization rates continue to decline. A decrease of 22 from the previous day with 639 now recorded. Vent usage also decreased down by 3 and fatalities increased by 34.

Starting Friday restaurants can operate at 50 percent capacity and bars can open in a limited fashion as the state enters Phase Two. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux notes normal bar settings are high risk for COVID transmission so they’ll only be allowed to open at 25 percent capacity with a six-foot separation between groups.
Cut 8 (08) “…seated.”
Bars with LDH food permits will be allowed to operate as restaurants. The state will remain in Phase Two at least until June 26^th.
LSU outlines a roadmap to the return to physical class settings this fall.  The current plans would see the fall semester starting on schedule.  LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan says they are exploring the idea of holding physical classes on campus through Thanksgiving, then after the holiday, using online courses to finish the semester.
Cut 12 (10) “…risk of exposure.”

The special session has begun and lawmakers are set to tangle over proposals aimed at rebooting the state’s economy. Chairman of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force Jason Decuir says first up is codifying relief passed by executive order during the early days of the pandemic, and then things like…

Cut 4 (09)_ “their own”

Legislators will also consider a temporary, and possibly permanent repeal of the franchise tax.

The regular session concluded last night with lawmakers approving a bill that makes changes to the state’s legal system in an effort to reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson voted against it
Cut 14 (07) “…decrease”

There’s a chance the governor will veto the legislation.

The regular session is complete and the highlight legislation passes both chambers in the waning minutes Monday.

Tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates will head to the governor’s desk without a veto-proof majority of support in the House, raising the possibility that the Governor could veto the legislation that he’s long criticized, saying the bill does not do anything to lower rates but does undermine victim’s ability to get a fair settlement.

Bill sponsor River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot pushed back on that claim. Talbot says the bill brings our legal climate in line with other states. He pointed to an exchange he had with Nationwide as evidence of how badly the bill was needed…

Cut 13 (10) “…model” 

Amite Representative Robby Carter says the GOP lawmakers refused to compromise…

Cut 15 (05) “pig”

A bill allocating 300 million dollars to create a grant program for state small businesses also passes. The bill was controversial for drawing the funds from money set aside to help local governments salvage their budgets in the face of COVID-related revenue loss.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state-licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley says the measure has the opportunity to combat the opioid crisis.

Cut 11 (10) “…were telling me.”

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.

Cut 12 (08) “this year

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several key metrics…
Cut 15 (10)“      the state” 
Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can reopen for the first time since March.

Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.
Cut 3 (08)  “…support”  

Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Bay of Campeche. The system could enter the gulf as tropical storm on Saturday afternoon.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.

Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”

With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk, who is expected to sign it.

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk.

Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.

Cut 12 (08) “this year

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy, beginning on Friday. Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Edwards reminds the public the state’s fight against COVID-19 is not over.
Cut 16 (12) “…contact tracing”
Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can open for the first time since March.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley says the bill’s removal of the need for doctors to register with and receive authorization from the State Board of Medical Examiners to recommend cannabis to patients will open up a patient’s access to a doctor who can make that decision.

Cut 10 (07) “…than your doctor.”

Tropical Depression 3 forms in the Bay of Campeche. The system is expected to strengthen and bring heavy rainfall to portions of Mexico. As of the 4PM advisory from the National Weather Service, the system is moving WNW at 7 miles per hour with max sustained winds at 30 miles per hour. The system could enter the gulf as tropical storm on Saturday afternoon.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The House gives final passage to legislation removing most restrictions on which patients can receive medical marijuana from doctors to include any condition a doctor considers debilitating to an individual patient.  Bill author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.

Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”

With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk.

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two highly respected men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the Tioga High grads were very active in the community.

Cut 7 (10) “…in the future”

Louisiana surpasses 40,000 COVID-19 cases today, with four new fatalities, bringing the death toll to 2690.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.

Cut 3 (08)  “…support”  

Steele says to start preparing for the season head over to https://www.getagameplan.org/

There’s a possibility we could see a tropical disturbance in the Gulf of Mexico later this week. National Weather Service Forecaster Stephen Carboni, says what was Tropical Storm Amanda in the Pacific is moving over Central America and

Cut 15 (10) “southern gulf”

A Sunday afternoon plane crash in Pineville kills two men and leaves a 7-year-old in the ICU.  The small aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff.  The two men have been identified as twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper.  President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph knew the two men.

Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”

Blake Cooper was the executive director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.  Randolph says the brothers were very active in the community.

Families of children who receive free or reduced-price meals are eligible for Pandemic EBT cards to help offset those meals lost when schools closed early, but they need to act fast. Syndi Dunn, Louisiana Department of Education spokesperson says applications must be completed by June 8^th.

Cut 7 (11) “…$285 per child.”

Newly drafted LSU Quarterback Joe Burrow calls for all Americans to show support for the black community in the wake of George Floyd’s death. In his Twitter post Friday, he says “The black community needs our help. They have been unheard for far too long. Open your ears, listen and speak. This isn’t politics. This is human rights.”  The tweet has over 400-thousand likes.

There will be several changes when college students return to campus in the Fall due to COVID-19. University of Louisiana System President Jim Henderson says it’s all designed to protect the students, staff, and faculty. For example, changing the calendar so students will complete the semester before Thanksgiving.

Cut 6 (12) “ …after Thanksgiving”

The population of dorm rooms could change on campus, for example, a communal space that was reversed for four students before could be now be limited to two.

Tort reform legislation that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates is approved by the House and appears likely to gain final passage in one form or another Monday. The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold from 50-thousand to five-thousand dollars. But Baton Rouge Representative Denise Marcelle says this will actually hurt an injured person’s ability to recover damages.

Cut 15 (09)“ court system”

Legislation allowing delivery services that use contract workers to deliver alcohol is headed to the Governor. Bill sponsor Franklin Senator Bret Allain says it is timely legislation.

Cut 3 (11)  “…crazy”  

Restaurants are still limited to delivering sealed beer or wine, and grocery stores may deliver any type of packaged alcohol.