A Police Chief says the mother of a controversial suburban Baton Rouge pastor has organized a campaign to flood his department’s phone line with calls to get her son out of house arrest…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle.” 

Legislative leaders announce that the legislative session resumes Monday. Most of the bills filed will not be heard. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the focus will be on passing a budget, COVID-related bills, and legislation that could help the economy. The session is set to conclude on June 1^st, but if a budget is not passed by that time, a special session could be needed.

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry offered Edwards a draft set of guidelines and says the Governor needs to issue guidance for houses of worship just like he would for other portions of society.
Cut 11 (11) “…very responsible manner.”

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy believes the only way to recover economically is to get the economy opened back up in a smart and safe way.

Cut 8 (13) “…and smart about it.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry wants Governor Edwards to issue guidance to allow for the reopening of churches. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Governor Edwards responded at his briefing today that churches could hold services outside as long as they practice social distancing and wear masks but does not plan to lift the order to allow indoor gatherings of more than 10 people until after May 15^th

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the areas of the state that don’t have a lot of cases should be allowed to open tomorrow. He says the petition is based on three considerations.

Cut 13 (06) “…constitution”

Petition supporters appear to be all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision. She says she’s been in frequent meetings with health officials and says the data shows reopening tomorrow wouldn’t be a good idea.

Cut 15 (10)“…order”

Governor Edwards sites significant increases in COVID-19 cases for extending the stay at home order. He noted a 22 percent increase in just one week in cases in Ouachita Parish alone, also increases in East Baton Rouge and St Tammany Parishes.

Supporters of a legislative petition that would overturn the Governor’s stay at home order say they have over half of the signatures needed for passage. Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says the petition is popular with his constituents.

Cut 12 (10) “…but them”

Edwards recently extended the stay at home order to May 15^th.

Petition supporters appear to be are all Republicans but not everyone in the GOP is on board. Baton Rouge Representative Barbara Freiburg supports the Governor’s decision.

Cut 14 (10) “…the feds”

Louisiana reports 60 new COVID fatalities today. But continues the decline in total hospitalizations. 341 new positive tests were reported as well putting the total above 28,000.

Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the parents of Pastor Tony Spell have launched a harassment campaign at the department aimed at getting their son out of house arrest. Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to run over a protestor, and for holding multiple services in violation of the stay at home order. Spell says they can’t transition to social media services like most other religious organizations have, but Corcoran says this campaign disproves that claim.

Cut 5 (08)  “…clearly.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.   Landry says the timing is right for the move as Louisiana appears to be beyond the peak of new cases.

Cut 10 (09) “…practicing their faith.”

Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging Governor Edwards to allow the reopening of churches.  Landry says there is becoming some social unrest and one of the first steps to helping is to allow churches to reunite their congregations.

Cut 9 (08) “…with their lives.″

In a letter to the Governor, Landry highlights that religious liberty is a bedrock principled right from which freedom flows.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy believes there are cost savings that can be done in chopping nonessential spending of government.

Cut 7 (12) “…any proposed cuts.”

The newest COVID-19 numbers from the Department of Health showcase numbers are up by 341 to 28,001 and an increase in fatalities by 60 to 1862.

Customers will be allowed to eat takeout meals outside of restaurants starting tomorrow but the Louisiana Restaurant Association says only about four percent of restaurants currently have patio dining…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

New Orleans is excluded from outside dining that will be allowed in the Phase One Measure beginning on Friday.

The newest COVID-19 numbers from the Department of Health show an increase in fatalities by 60 to 1862 and case numbers are up by 341 to 28,001. Hospitalizations are down by 28 to 1601 and ventilator usage is down by 13 to 231.

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell. Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to hit a protestor with a church bus and violating the ban on mass gatherings. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says the parents are apparently trying to leverage the harassment campaign of jamming the phone lines into getting their son set free.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…our call.”

The Chief adds the ankle bracelet was ordered by a local judge.

Senator John Kennedy says he’s not in favor of rubber-stamping federal legislation to help state and local level governments cover expenses without seeing some indication as to how much revenue is expected to be lost.  Kennedy thinks some mayors and governors will see spending money that they don’t have as being the new normal.

Cut 6 (10) “…do revenue projections.”

The regular legislative session is set to resume next week and the big priority for lawmakers once they return to Baton Rouge is passing a budget for next fiscal year. The session is set to end June 1st. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says they need the Revenue Estimating Conference to provide them with a dollar figure on how much they can spend next fiscal year…
cut 12 (10) “…have time”
Zeringue says he’s been told to expect at least a 500-million dollar drop in revenues.

The Central Police Department warns their phone lines are clogged with out of state callers protesting the house arrest of Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell. Spell’s mother admits to organizing the campaign on Facebook. Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s a dangerous stunt.

Cut 3, 10 seconds, help

Spell was arrested last week for allegedly trying to hit an anti-Spell protestor with a church bus and violating the ban on mass gatherings.

Some analysts believe the state government could face a five percent drop in revenue next fiscal year due to the oil crisis and COVID shutdown. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says that could be an issue in crafting a new budget, but some federal assistance may soften the blow.

Cut 11 (12) “…weather”

Shopping malls face a major hurdle in resurgence following the coronavirus pandemic.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Attorney General Jeff Landry sends a letter to the Governor urging him to allow for the reopening of churches and other houses of worship currently closed under the stay at home order. Landry wrote “As other states begin reopening and unrest in the Legislature continues, I believe many faith-based congregations will begin to meet with or without guidance,” and offered a set of guidelines for reopening those facilities.

Early estimates show the state budget for the next fiscal year will likely have a hefty shortfall due to the COVID shutdown and the collapse of oil prices. House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue says that equates to about a 500 million dollar budget shortfall, but at least this year’s budget shouldn’t be impacted.

Cut 10 (10) “revenue”

The Revenue Estimating Conference is scheduled to meet in mid-May which will direct lawmakers on how much they’ll need to cut to pass a balanced budget for the fiscal year that begins to July.
The road to recovery for Baton Rouge Police Cpl. Derrick Maglone continues. Maglone was wounded in a shootout over the weekend that left another officer dead.  Former State Police Superintendent Mike Edmonson is Maglone’s uncle and says Maglone is able speak in short sentences.

Cut 13 (08) “…bits and pieces.”

Governor Edwards is expected to provide additional guidance today ahead of tomorrow’s order allowing customers to eat take out outside of restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says this hasn’t been the most cohesive launch of guidelines he’s seen, and some important questions still need to be answered.
Cut 7 (10) “…food.”
Harris says most of the communication on this order his members have had so far has been with local officials.

Shopping malls have already had a tough time competing with e-commerce, but following the pandemic, the challenge of retaining a customer base will likely grow even more.  LSU marketing professor Dan Rice says the challenges faced by malls depends on the variety of mall structures, with enclosed malls being the most at-risk for permanent closure.

Cut 5 (10)  “…restrictions are lifted.”

Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office.  It was six months ago when the President made several trips to Louisiana urging Republican voters to vote Edwards out of office. But both men are on the same page now and feel good about the direction Louisiana is heading
Cut 13 (13) “…the best”
Not all Republicans are happy with Governor Edwards and his extension of the stay at home order until May 15th and are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh believes they can get 53 lawmakers in the House to sign the petition since there are 69 Republicans in the lower chamber. He says Edwards could not veto and the petition can prevent the governor from issuing an even more restrictive order for the next 60 days.

Cut 10 (07) “…be over”

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves predicts many of the restaurant industry changes made due to the coronavirus outbreak will stick around long after the virus fades. Graves says the industry is notorious for having workers come in even when sick, and that’s unlikely to be the case going forward. He also pointed to additions like sneeze guards in drive-throughs…

Cut 3 (06)  “…members”   

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

According to the personal finance website WalletHub, 43 percent of shoppers are participating in comfort buying during the pandemic. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

Governor Edwards met with President Donald Trump today in the Oval Office and afterwards praised the federal government’s commitment to supply Louisiana with enough test kits so that it can test at least 200,000 individuals a month for the coronavirus.  Edwards says that’s a critical piece in their COVID-19 response efforts

Cut 12 (06) “…the economy”

Edwards is hopeful the state can begin a phase one reopening of the economy on May 16th.

Not all Republicans are happy with Governor Edwards and his extention of the stay at home order until May 15th and are looking at overriding the emergency declaration. Shreveport Representative Alan Seabaugh says state law allows lawmakers to revoke a governor’s disaster order if a majority of the House or Senate agree to a written petition

Cut 9 (09) “…do this.″

Raising Cane’s CEO Todd Graves says after an initial 30 percent hit to his company’s sales due to the COVID shutdown they’ve bounced back to even, but most local restaurants aren’t so lucky. He says do to expanded carry out options many have been able to hit 50 percent of their expected sales and hope to survive long enough to make it to the economic reopening. Even after that though, the biggest fear is…

Cut 5 (07)  “…recession.”

Graves made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

About 58 million Americans are spending more money now than before social distancing according to the personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub analyst Jill Gonzales says people are staying in and ordering more online, but deliveries are causing anxiety for shoppers.

Cut 8 (11) “…this time too.”