Plans are now in place for students to be in the classroom this fall throughout the University of Louisiana System. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Casinos in the state will be allowed to reopen Monday but with new rules and regulations as part of the Phase One reopening plan. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie James says gaming venues will only be able to operate at 25-percent capacity and they will have to incorporate screening guidelines of patrons to enter their facility.

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the legislative measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez believes protests, letter-writing campaigns, social media posts, and his resolution pressured Edwards into loosening restrictions.

Cut 13 (12) “legislators”  

Edwards says he moved the state into Phase One only after the numbers, and his medical experts, indicated it was safe to do so.

One person is dead after fleeing from law enforcement following the discovery of apparent street racing activity in Shreveport.  Trooper Brent Hardy says around 2am Monday, State Police showed up to disperse the crowd and a pursuit ensued with a Chrysler 300 driven by 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal.

Cut 9 (09) “…struck a tree.”

O’Neal was pronounced dead at the scene and the vehicle’s five other passengers, ages 16 to 20, sustained a range of moderate to serious injuries and were sent to local hospitals.

The newest COVID-19 numbers released from the state show an increase in case numbers by 235 for a total of 32,050 and fatalities increased by 39 to 2,281. Hospitalizations increased by 10 from the previous day to 1,320 and vent usage decreased by 11 to 146.

Louisiana’s business lobbyists are cautiously optimistic about moving into phase one of economic reopening but believes more needs to be done. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall. A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each of the nine-member institutions will have the ability to optimize safety measures for their individual campus. UL System President Jim Henderson expects there will be modifications for incorporating mitigation efforts into the college setting.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…pinpoint our interventions.”

A resolution ending the Governor’s stay at home order was shelved upon news the state will enter Phase One Friday. House GOP Chairman Blake Miguez says his instrument isn’t going away and he will revive the effort if the Governor does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan.

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.”

The resolution had cleared a House Committee as was headed to the House floor.

Governor Edwards announces the stay at home order will end Friday and the state will move into Phase One allowing for 25 percent capacity at businesses like restaurants, churches, and more.  Edwards says hair salons, nail salons, gyms, casinos, and movie theaters can also re-open…

Cut 14 (10) “…move forward”

The Revenue Estimating conference informed lawmakers Monday to expect a billion-dollar revenue shortfall for the next fiscal year’s budget. Tax collections have taken a significant hit as many businesses have been shuttered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says our condition may not improve soon either.

Cut 11 (15) “…one here.”

The state budget may be facing a historic cliff but some lawmakers believe Louisiana must implement hundreds of millions of dollars in severance tax suspensions to save the oil industry or things could get much worse. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says giving the industry a year of severance suspensions could save it in the long term, even as the budget faces calamity.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says we can’t afford that kind of break, and asked if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The industry has been hammered by a combination of the ongoing price war and COVID economic shutdowns.

The House Transportation committee approves a ban on hold handheld devices while driving, similar to a Senate effort that has moved to the Upper Chamber floor.

Governor Edwards made the major announcement that the state can begin reopening on Friday and that Louisiana meets the criteria laid out by the White House for phase one reopening. He also expects many of the businesses allowed to reopen will put protective measures in place for the safety of their customers and employees…

Cut 15 (07)“statewide.”

Edwards says businesses and churches can go to open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov to find out how the new order will impact them.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1^st. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says not only are tax collections down, but 310-thousand people have filed for unemployment and a recent study found that one out of every four people are out of work in New Orleans…

Cut 12 (11) “…has claimed.”

A resolution is headed to the full House that would suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes on the oil industry for one year. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The University of Louisiana system announces plans for the nine-member institutions to resume in-person instruction this fall. UL System President and CEO Jim Henderson says “The University Experience is more than just attending class and we are optimistic with the right safeguards in place and following the guidance of health experts they we will be able to safely return to campus in August.”

Governor John Bel Edwards is lifting the stay at home order and that means Phase one of reopening of the economy will begin on Friday and last for at least 21 days. Edwards says that means restaurants, coffee shops, and cafes can re-open to the public for indoor table service at 25-percent of their capacity

Cut 13 (08) “…between tables”  

The Revenue Estimating Conference agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, by at least a billion dollars in state spending next fiscal year. Tax collections have taken a significant hit. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says there are no signs for economic recovery anytime soon in Louisiana…

Cut 11 (12) “…one here.”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. State Treasurer John Schroder says this paints a dismal picture of the economic situation, adding that next month will be worse.

Cut 3 (09)  “…in pretty bad.”  

Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

Governor Edward did announce that he’s lifting the stay at home order this Friday which will allow some businesses to reopen but they will be limited.

The Revenue Estimating Conference has agreed to dramatically lower the revenue forecast for the fiscal year that begins July 1st, which will mean at least a billion-dollar reduction in state spending next fiscal year. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says what is happening to the state’s budget outlook is unprecedented

Cut 10 (06) “…will last”

Albrecht says he doesn’t see us recovering from this economic downturn anytime soon.

Those numbers are backed up by a report from the State Department of Revenue that indicates tax and fee collections for April were down 494 million dollars compared to last year. This has many legislators scrambling to figure out how to close the dire revenue drop off. Treasurer John Schroder believes raising taxes would make things harder on businesses…

Cut 5 (11)  “…attention to that.”

This hour Governor Edwards will announced whether the stay at home order will be extended.

Louisiana continues to report slowly declining numbers of new COVID deaths and cases compared to this time a month ago. Total cases are up 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

Lawmakers are fighting over how to address both the expected budget shortfall, and the rapid collapse of the Louisiana oil and gas industry. One legislator, Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop, has a resolution on it’s way to the full House that would suspend oil and gas severance taxes for a year, a plan that could cost several hundred million dollars. Bishop says we don’t have much of a choice.

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says his constituents do not believe the state can afford such a hefty tax cut right now…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

The state Department of Revenue reports tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 1 (25) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Governor Edwards announces plans to hire up to 700 Louisianans to expand the state’s contact tracing program. Edwards says for those interested in the job…

Cut 13 (11) “…privacy” 

You can email ContactTracing@LA.gov.

State numbers released for COVID-19 show an increase in case numbers by 215 to 31,815 and fatalities up 29 to 2,242.

The state budget is facing a potentially massive revenue hit due to the COVID shutdown, and some lawmakers in the house are calling to suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman and resolution sponsor Stewart Bishop says we can’t afford to let the industry disappear.

Cut 8 (07) “…to work”

A recent survey of Louisiana oil and gas companies indicates massive layoffs and production shut-ins are also imminent due to the oil price war.

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes opposed the resolution and asking if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…

Cut 9 (09) “…would not”

The vote was 11 to five in favor and now moves to the House floor.

The Revenue Estimating Conference is meeting now to attempt to project how much the state will have available to spend next fiscal year. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the state is bracing for a 500-million to one-point-five billion dollar revenue shortfall…
cut 11 (12) “….the parish level”

A report from the state Department of Revenue finds that tax and fee collections for the month of April were 494-million dollars lower than the previous April. Governor John Bel Edwards’ stay at home order went into effect March 23, which closed many businesses. That’s led to a decline in income and sales tax collections. State Treasurer John Schroder expects tax collection numbers to remain low for several months…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…any of that.”

The House Ways and Means Committee approves a resolution that would suspend severance taxes for the oil and gas industry for one year. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says this substantial tax cut would save one of the state’s biggest industries…

Cut 6 (11) “…come back.”

New Orleans Representative Jason Hughs has received hundreds of emails in opposition from his constituents…

Cut 7 (08) “.devastating”

In a normal year, the suspension would cost the state 514 million dollars, but with the current oil price collapse, that number would likely be lower this year.

LSU-Shreveport is one of five sites in the world to conduct a nitric oxide clinical trial in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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A significant drop off is expected in how much money the state will have available to spend next fiscal year. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana is ramping up its contact tracing workforce from 70 to 250, with the goal of eventually hiring up to 700 people to track down residents who may have been infected with coronavirus…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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LSU-Shreveport is one of five sites in the world to conduct a nitric oxide clinical trial in the treatment of mild to moderate cases of COVID-19. Principal Investigator Dr. Keith Scott says patients will inhale very high doses of nitric oxide twice a day.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…a ventilator.”

LSU-Shreveport is already participating in a clinical trial using nitric oxide for severe COVID patients. While Dr. Scott is hopeful for positive results, he says it will be months before researchers know the best possible treatment.

Cut 5 (10)  “…not worked.”

Dr. Scott says the data still must be compiled and analyzed for treating the virus, but they do know that nitric oxide already provides benefits for the lungs.

Cut 6 (06) “…virus also.”

Dr. Scott says they are extremely pleased so far with the results but must do their due diligence with the study.
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Governor John Bel Edwards will announce later today whether Louisiana will begin phase one of reopening of the economy on Saturday. Republicans say it’s time to do so. Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Edwards claiming certain regions meet the crtieria for reopening.  Congressman Garret Graves says a uniform standard across the state is a flawed approach.

Cut 7 (12) “…other regional jurisdictions.”

Edwards opposes a regional or parish-by-parish reopening.  Graves believes the Governor is not fully taking into consideration the economic consequences of the current plans, adding that there is a way to minimize virus transmission and open businesses to some degree.

Cut 8 (08) “…the adverse implications.”

Edwards has stated he is hopeful Louisiana can enter the first phase of economic reopening this week.

Graves says the economic damage will translate into adverse health effects outside of COVID-19.

Cut 9 (12) “…can be prevented.”__

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The Revenue Estimating Conference meets today to discuss how much money the state will have available to spend next fiscal year and the drop off is expected to be significant. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says every facet of state government will be paying attention to this meeting that begins at noon.

Cut 10 (13) “…are so high.”

Pinsonat says officials have been tight-lipped about what is in the cards, but speculation indicates the shortfall could be anywhere from $500 million to $1.5 billion.

Cut 11 (12) “…the parish level.”

Pinsonat says the economic shutdown will impact the state’s budget for more than a year. He says federal dollars can possibly fill some of the budget holes, but the money from Washington D-C comes with strings attached,..

Cut 12 (12) “…quesiton marks”

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Governor Edwards announces plans to hire up to 700 Louisianans to expand the state’s contact tracing program.

The program will be calling people who tested positive for COVID-19 and asking them to detail anyone who may have been infected by them. Edwards says for those interested in the job…

Cut 13 (11) “…privacy” 

Those interested in the job should email ContactTracing@LA.gocv.

If you are identified as a close contact of a positive case, contact tracers may ask you to self-quarantine for 14 days. Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says that’s the key part of contact tracing.

Cut 14 (10) “…at home”

In the short term, the contact tracing team is being expanded from 70 to 250 members.

Billioux says the program puts privacy at the forefront, and if you are called and asked to quarantine due to COVID exposure…

Cut 15 (10)“…COVID-19.”

Initial call center locations will be based in Lafayette and New Orleans and workers will be trained by LSU’s Stephenson Disaster Management Institute.

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