According to Gas Buddy the average price of gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon today and in some areas of the state it’s getting close to a dollar a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan predicts prices could drop another twenty to forty cents a gallon in Louisiana.

Cut 10 (07) “…the country.”

There have been some prices as low as $1.05 a gallon already in New Orleans.

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July and August elections clears key Legislative committees. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more. Houma Representative Tanner McGee says it is not perfect, but AG Jeff Landry backs the plan.

Cut 6 (08) “…process”

According to the department of health the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 from the previous day. And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68 from Tuesday.

Of the fatalities reported 32-percent are from nursing homes and adult residential facilities in the state.

A U-L Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation is receiving national attention. Kevin Barnhart has more on Sewing with Savoy

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

The latest numbers from the state are in and currently, the state has recorded 25,258 positive cases of COVID-19. Up 404 from the previous day. And is now reporting 1,473 fatalities up 68 from Tuesday.

Current hospitalizations are 1747, a reduction of 51 and vent usage is also down by 10 to 287.

The markets remain volatile and the price of oil continues to plummet. According to Gas Buddy the average price of gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon today. Head of Petroleum Analysis at Gas Buddy Patrick DeHaan says the average price is down about a nickel from last week.

Cut 9 :09 selling pressure

DeHaan says there have been some prices as low as $1.05 a gallon in New Orleans.

Louisiana saw small crowds of protesters at the Capitol over the weekend calling for the state to end its stay at home order, with more protests apparently set for this weekend. Governor Edwards says those complaints about the shutdown won’t shake him from the position that the stay at home order will hold until April 30^th.

Cut 10 (11) “safety”

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoy founder Christine Savoy says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC now recommending face masks and she says she’s got a tight-knit group of friends helping to contribute to the assembly of hundreds of masks.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…a small group.”

A proposal for expanded mail-in ballot voting in the July elections clears the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee. The legislation expands voting options, doubles the early voting period, and more. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says it’ll cost just over four million dollars, and provides…
Cut 6 (08) “…process”
The bill also moves voting booths out of nursing homes and funds some preventative measures to limit viral spread at voting locations.

A UL Lafayette student’s face mask sewing operation receives the national spotlight from CBS.  Sewing with Savoie founder Christine Savoie says requests for masks have picked up with the CDC now recommending wearing a face covering when in public.

Cut 3 (12)  “…to feel protected.”  

The group so far has assembled nearly 600 masks.

The U-S Senate has approved a $483 billion dollar coronavirus aid package. 331-billion dollars will replenish funding for a small business loan program that ran out of money.  Senator John Kennedy blames House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay.

Cut 13 (09) “…were not emergencies.”

Kennedy says the one-week delay in replenishing the funding will cost the nation thousands of small businesses and calls Pelosi’s actions wildly irresponsible.

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions.  Researcher Leanne Redman says a 15-minute online survey includes questions about work changes, physical activity, diet, sleep, and well-being.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…neighborhoods in general.”

The Pastor of a suburban Baton Rouge church that’s made national news for defying the Governor’s ban on large gatherings was arrested earlier today for allegedly backing his church bus towards a protestor. Tony Spell’s attorney Joe Long says that’s not stopping him from holding 7:30 mass tonight, and Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says it’s been frustrating dealing with the pastor.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Congress agrees to pass a 450 billion dollar aid package aimed at refilling the recently depleted payroll protection program that funneled forgivable SBA loans to small businesses. Congressman Garret Graves says the program is remarkable, and one of the most efficient he’s ever seen…

Cut 10 (12) “…day.”

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money, and LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.

Cut 14 (10) “…pay for that.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.

Cut 3 (10)  “…workers”  

A report indicates child care providers have already experienced a 1.7 million dollar loss in revenue since the shutdown began.

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants.

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. The normal crawfish production season starts near the end of December and will go through the middle of June, but LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says some producers have already pulled the plug on their season or will end it by the first week of May because of prices falling below their breakeven point.

Cut 13 (11) “…of market outlet.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. One-third of providers say they’ll have to close permanently if the state remains shutdown, and Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says we can’t afford to lose them.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses maintain payroll. Graves says the program has bipartisan support but it’s being held up by politicians who want to tie it to pet projects.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

Graves says if the program isn’t replenished by the end of the month then everyone in Congress should be thrown out.

The Pastor of Life Tabernacle Church who continues to hold large church services was arrested at the Central Police Department after he allegedly tried to run over a protestor Sunday. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

Louisiana’s COVID-19 death toll increases by 77 in the latest report, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331. Hospitalizations increases to 1,798, up by 4.

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10 million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian says it’s a vital injection of funds.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

The money comes courtesy of the congressionally passed CARES Act.
A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.

Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

The survey findings are being used to showcase the pandemic’s impact on the industry to the US Department of Agriculture and Louisiana congressional delegation.

Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell was arrested for aggravated assault, this morning. Police allege Spell backed a bus in the direction of a protester in front of his suburban Baton Rouge church Sunday. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell wanted to be arrested at his church with a press conference, but that wasn’t going to happen.

Cut 6 (11) “…to here”

Spell has posted bond and plans to hold services tonight.

The Louisiana Department of Education will award nearly 10-million dollars to childcare providers who are hurting for cash during the coronavirus shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Jessica Baghian (Bog-eh-ohn) says only about 30 percent of childcare centers are still open, and even the ones still open are bleeding cash.

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Congressman Garret Graves is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses. The 350-billion-dollar program ran out of money after 13 days. It offers forgivable loans to companies with fewer than 500 employees who spend 75 percent of their loan allotment on payroll. Graves says it was highly popular.

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says producers who hired foreign labor to bring in the catch are still on the hook to pay those workers for a guaranteed amount of a full season’s work due to contractual obligations.

Cut 14 (07) “…pay for that.”

After his arrest, this morning in Central for allegedly backing a church bus in the direction of a protester Sunday, Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell has posted bond. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran was questioned if he thought today’s arrest would deter Spell from holding large services in the future.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the church will hold services tonight as usual.

A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.

Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

The survey findings are being used to showcase the pandemic’s impact on the industry to the US Department of Agriculture and Louisiana congressional delegation.

The Louisiana Department of Education is asking childcare providers impacted by the economic shutdown to apply for a piece of a 10-million-dollar federal award. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

According to the latest numbers the state’s death toll increases by 77 from COVID-19, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331. Hospitalizations increased by 4 to 1,798.

Defiant Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested in Central for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protestor Sunday. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.
Cut 7 (12) “drove off”
Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants. Long says the church plans to hold services tonight as usual.
A survey of crawfish producers shows the decreased demand for their crop has pummeled the industry at a time when producers usually make their most money. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says a dip in demand has resulted in lost income of about $500 per acre.
Cut 12 (07) “…farm gate value.”

Governor Edwards gives the go-ahead for some time-sensitive elective medical procedures that have been canceled under the stay at home order to resume next Monday. The relaxed restrictions are a result of lessening pressure on hospitals due to a flattening of the curve. National reports show a growing problem of people canceling vital treatments that are needed for chronic issues. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says this order helps encourage those folks to get back to a doctor.

Cut 16  (11)  “…corona” 

Louisiana’s COVID-19 death toll increases by 77 in the latest report, rising to 1,405. Total cases: 24,854… up by 331.

Life Tabernacle Church Pastor Tony Spell is arrested for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants. Police allege Spell backed a bus in the direction of a protester in front of his suburban Baton Rouge church Sunday. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell wanted to be arrested at his church this morning with a press conference, but that wasn’t going to happen.

Cut 6 (11) “…to here”

Congressman Garret Grave is optimistic Congress will approve additional funding for a program designed to help small businesses maintain payroll. The 350 billion dollar program ran out of cash just 13 days after it began dispersing money earlier this month, and Graves says now many businesses can’t access the funds.

Cut 9, 12 seconds, delay

Some elective medical procedures will be allowed to proceed starting Monday. State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says the state is allowing time sensitive medical surgeries to be conducted, which includes abortion.

Cut 15 (08)“…or not”

It’s the first relaxing of the statewide stay at home order to be announced, with other relaxed restrictions likely to be announced after the order ends April 30^th.

Nasal swabs for COVID-19 testing are now being 3-D printed at LSU Health Shreveport. The swabs, which are a crucial part or the testing kit, have been in short supply.  Molecular and cellular physiology professor Dr. Steven Alexander hopes the extra swab availability will lead to an expansion of testing eligibility.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…with the COVID-19.”

Alexander says they hope to produce nearly 1,000 swabs daily.