Governor John Bel Edwards could announce today new restrictions on residents and businesses that will go into effect on May 1st. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says a big question is whether Louisiana’s coronavirus testing capacity can stay ahead of the epidemic

Cut 4 (11)_ “…stage of reopening.”

The Governor’s press conference is at 4PM.

Ouachita Parish Sheriff deputies arrest a West Monroe man for allegedly firing shots at the home of Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson. O-P-S-O spokesperson Glenn Springfield says 38-year-old Daniel King Jr. is charged with aggravated assault for the drive-by shooting that happened Friday afternoon.

Cut 3 (09)  “…did the shooting”   

Springfield says they are not releasing details about a possible motive, but no one was injured in the shooting.

A WalletHub survey of 350 Americans finds that 84-percent want another stimulus check. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is not sure if that will happen. Cassidy says it depends on how well the economy recovers…
Cut 10 (09) “reopening”

The 1,200 dollar stimulus checks helped float many through the first month of the shutdown.

A team from LSU develops a smartphone app to help track medical equipment and supplies that are in transit around the state.  LSU Stephenson Disaster Management Institute director Brant Mitchell says ComTrac 2.0 was developed to follow the same idea of tracking resources after a hurricane.

Cut 7 (12) “…those particular assets.”

ComTrac 2.0 will be available to the National Guard this week.

Louisiana added 61 new deaths from COVID-19 today but the state remains on a slow downward trajectory of viral spread and Governor Edwards says he’s looking at relaxing a few restrictions after the stay at home order ends April 30^th. To do that, Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May. Edwards says currently the biggest challenge to meeting that mark is not lab capacity.

Cut 9 (08) “…specimen″

The Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria will need to be rebuilt after taking direct hit from a tornado on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith says the mega-shelter that the state uses during hurricanes also took a direct hit

Cut 4 (07)_ “…fairly unharmed”

The NFL held the first round of it’s “Virtual Draft” last night and the Saints grabbed a highly regarded interior lineman, while a school-record five LSU Tigers were drafted in the 1^st round. At 24 the Saints grabbed Michigan big man Caesar Ruiz. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier liked the pick because…

Cut 12 (09) “…contract”

Detillier expects Ruiz will play center, while last year’s 2^nd round pick Eric McCoy replaces Warford at guard.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says the city has been blessed by many charitable acts since the easter tornado hit. A Monroe, New Jersey resident anonymously mailed the city a $100 donation after hearing of the tornado’s impact on the town.  Mayo read a letter from the donor.

Cut 7 (13) “…and rebuilding lives.”

Governor Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May.  Edwards says currently the biggest challenge to meeting that mark is not lab capacity.

Cut 9 (08) “…specimen″

Louisiana is second in the nation for per capita testing behind Rhode Island.

The NFL held the first round of it’s “Virtual Draft” last night and continues tonight with rounds two and three.  NFL Analyst Mike Detillier expects three LSU tigers to go off the board pretty early tonight in Grant Delpit, Kristian Fulton, and Lloyd Cushenberry.  Detillier says you may see UL Lafayette’s Robert Hunt and Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson find new homes.

Cut 14 (10) “…play.”

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says the Easter Sunday tornado that swept through the city carried paperwork from the Masur Museum in Monroe into a Mississippi town 138 miles away.  Mayo says someone found it and mailed it back.

Cut 6 (12) “…into the trash.”

Mayo says that wasn’t the only act of kindness as a Monroe, New Jersey resident anonymously mailed the city a $100 donation after hearing of the tornado’s impact on the town.  That money will be used by a local food bank.

The Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria will need to be rebuilt after taking direct hit from a tornado on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith says the damage will impact the research and extension programs

Cut 3 (11)  “…the station”  

61 additional COVID-19 deaths are reported in Louisiana today bringing the total number of fatalities from the disease to 1,601. Total confirmed cases are now over 26,000, but nearly 15,000 state residents who have tested positive have recovered and are no longer infectious.

States need to meet certain COVID testing benchmarks before they can implement federal Phase One reopening guidelines, but Governor Edwards says Louisiana is setting a higher bar…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The NFL held the first round of it’s “Virtual Draft” last night and the Saints grabbed a highly regarded interior lineman, while a school-record five LSU Tigers were drafted in the 1^st round. Joe Burrow, K’Lavon Chaisson, Justin Jefferson, Patrick Queen, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire made for a record-setting LSU class. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says he’s particularly excited about Edwards-Helaire’s fit in Kansas City.

Cut 13 (07) “…chiefs.”

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo highlights an act of kindness as a Monroe, New Jersey resident anonymously mailed the city a $100 donation after hearing on the national news of the Easter Sunday tornado’s impact on the community.  Mayo says the he was deeply touched by the letter from a total stranger wanting to help.

Cut 8 (05) “…wanting to help.”

The money will be used at a local food bank.

61 additional COVID-19 deaths are reported in Louisiana today bringing the total number of fatalities from the disease to 1,601. Total confirmed cases are now over 26,000, but nearly 15,000 state residents who have tested positive have recovered and are no longer infectious.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says debris from the Easter tornado may have traveled far, acts of kindness have traveled in from much further.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.” 

The Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria will need to be rebuilt after taking direct hit from a tornado on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith says buildings east of Highway 71 suffered significant damage, some are a total loss. The wheat plots for research will also have to be re-built, but their cattle herd is safe. She says they working with other units in the Ag Center community to gain access to equipment so research continues

Cut 5 (06)  “…immediately.”

Governor Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May. Edwards says the minimum testing capacity needed to enter Phase One of reopening the economy is 140-150,000 tests a month, and the state performed over 140,000 tests over the last six weeks.

Cut 11 (09) “…everyday”

Less than five percent of all tests completed in Louisiana have been done in state labs, but Edwards says they’re looking to improve that number.

Governor Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May. The Governor says to meet that number, the state is trying not to have to rely so much on importing testing supplies.

Cut 10 (10) “…so forth”

Edwards says the minimum testing capacity needed to enter Phase One of reopening the economy is 140-150,000 tests a month.

The NFL held the first round of it’s “Virtual Draft” last night and the Saints grabbed a highly regarded interior lineman, while a school-record five LSU Tigers were drafted in the 1^st round. At 24 the Saints grabbed Michigan big man Caesar Ruiz. NFL Analyst Mike Detillier says linebacker was a more pressing need, but the center was the best interior lineman in the draft.

Cut 12 (09) “…contract”

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says the Easter Sunday tornado that swept through the city carried paperwork from the Masur Museum in Monroe into a Mississippi town 138 miles away.  Mayo says someone found it and mailed it back.Mayo says that wasn’t the only act of kindness as a Monroe, New Jersey resident anonymously mailed the city a $100 donation after hearing of the tornado’s impact on the town.  Mayo read a letter from the donor.

Cut 7 (13) “…and rebuilding lives.”

The money will be used at a local food bank.

The Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria will need to be rebuilt after taking direct hit from a tornado on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith says thankfully the LSU-Alexandria campus did not suffer any major damage and no injuries were reported. She says the mega-shelter that the state uses during hurricanes also took a direct hit

Cut 4 (07)_ “…fairly unharmed”

61 additional COVID-19 deaths are reported in Louisiana today bringing the total number of fatalities from the disease to 1,601. Total confirmed cases are now over 26,000, but nearly 15,000 state residents who have tested positive have recovered and are no longer infectious. This means nearly 60 percent of all confirmed cases in Louisiana have recovered.

The state remains on a slow downward trajectory of viral spread and Governor Edwards says he’s looking at relaxing a few restrictions after the stay at home order ends April 30^th. To do that, Edwards says the state is ramping up COVID testing capacity with the goal of being able to perform 200,000 tests in a month by May.

Edwards says currently the biggest challenge to meeting that mark is not lab capacity.

Cut 9 (08) “…specimen″

The coronavirus pandemic may result in the demise of many department stores according to retail experts at Columbia University’s Business School.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

The Dean Lee Research Center in Alexandria will need to be rebuilt after taking direct hit from a tornado on Wednesday night. LSU AgCenter Central Region Director Tara Smith…

Cut 3 (11)  “…the station”  

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt starts an online petition to give Louisiana residents a chance to urge Governor John Bel Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when and how they reopen their economies. Hewitt says a statewide stay at home order is not working for areas of the state with low case counts.
Cut 13 (10) “…guidelines.”
The online petition can be found at open-L-A-now-dot-com. Edwards is planning to lift some restrictions after April 30th, but he wants everyone to have their expectations properly set for what it will look like.
Cut 16 (09) “…before”
The governor is expected to provide more details early next week.

Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo says the Easter Sunday tornado that swept through the city carried paperwork from the Masur Museum in Monroe into a Mississippi town 138 miles away.  Mayo says someone found it and mailed it back.

Cut 6 (12) “…into the trash.”

Mayo says that wasn’t the only act of kindness as a Monroe, New Jersey resident anonymously mailed the city a $100 donation after hearing of the tornado’s impact on the town.

While there is limited evidence cats can suffer from COVID-19, the Louisiana SPCA is asking owners not to seek tests for their pets.  If your pet is suffering from what appears to be COVID-like symptoms Louisiana SPCA CEO Anna Zorrilla says talk to your vet before doing anything else.

Cut 11 (09) “…care”

If you are positive, Zorrilla says you should practice extra caution when interacting with your pet.

A school-record five LSU Tigers were selected in the first round of the NFL draft. Joe Burrow went number one overall to the Cincinnati Bengals. And the first round ended with the Super Bowl champion Chiefs selecting Clyde-Edwards Helaire. The Saints took Michigan center Cesar Ruiz.

A petition is circulating urging Governor Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when, and how to lift the stay at home order and implement the federal phase one reopening…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The Louisiana Supreme Court extends an order delaying all jury trials until June 30^th. The order was initially filed April 6^th and there’s some fear that a three-month delay in cases will create a nightmare of a trial backlog, but Legal Analyst Tim Meche says it’s unlikely the extended delay will result in any legal or constitutional challenges that would impact the court once trials resume.

Cut 9 (09) “…that occur.

While there is limited evidence cats can suffer from COVID-19, the Louisiana SPCA is asking owners not to seek tests for their pets. While cats can catch the virus, CEO Anna Zorrilla says the SPCA recommends people suffering from mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 still keep their pets with them.

Cut 12 (12) “at the time”

If you are positive, Zorrilla says you should practice extra caution when interacting with your pet.

The state reported 67 more COVID-19 deaths today, bringing the death toll to 1,540. During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Edwards was asked if there will be high school football this year. The governor says he’s optimistic…
Cut 15 (07)“…to be”

The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. The Tax Foundation estimates about 16-percent of the workforce has applied or is receiving unemployment benefits in Louisiana. Economist Loren Scott says low oil prices will prevent Louisiana from bouncing back as fast as other states…

Cut 4 (06)_ “…Lafayette”

Scott made the comments during the first meeting of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Taskforce which legislative leaders formed in an effort to provide the Legislature with policy recommendations on how to jump-start the economy.

Deadly storms slammed central and north Louisiana yesterday, killing two in DeSoto and Rapides Parishes. In DeSoto, rains sparked flash floods that claimed the life of an unidentified Mansfield man.  Sherriff’s spokesperson Mark Pierce says the heavy rainfall produced a strong current in a drainage ditch. Pierce says rains just hammered the region.

Cut 11 (10) “…rain”

Car dealerships are seeing slow sales and not as much work for their service departments as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Louisiana Automobile Dealers Association President Will Green says car shoppers should be able to find great deals…

Cut 9 (08) “…vehicle than now.″

Green adds that implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet and car buyers can have a vehicle delivered to their home for a test drive.