Louisiana is up to 136 positive COVID-19 cases, and is now reporting it’s third death, a victim at a New Orleans area nursing home. One of those new cases was the first in the Capital Region, found in Ascension Parish.

Governor Edwards has also issued a new series of business restrictions, calling for the closure of gyms and bars, along with the closure of dining rooms for restaurants.

Restaurants will be confined to providing curbside pickup take out options until April 13^th, with a 13 day extension possible. All gatherings of 50 or more people are banned by the state, while are gatherings of ten or more are no recommended by the CDC.

The Senate has also agreed to a House resolution to suspend the 2020 legislative session until March 31^st. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s the right call

Cut 9 (11) “…contact″

Casinos in Louisiana will be ceasing gaming operations tonight at midnight for at least the next two weeks as the coronavirus continues to impact Louisiana.  Chairman of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board Ronnie Jones says the decision comes after discussions with the Governor’s staff throughout the weekend.

Cut 6 (11) “…public health standpoint.”

Jones estimates the lost state revenue will be about $1.6 million each day of the closure.

The Louisiana Department of Education will continue serving meals during the statewide school shutdown.  Assistant State Superintendent Catherine Pozniak says the food service is made possible by waivers from the federal government, adding that more schools are working out the details of exactly how to best serve food.

Cut 13 (12) “…to four days.”

Louisiana now has 132 cases of positive tested COVID-19, per capita one of the highest rates in the nation. That growing threat has led to the temporary adjournment of the 2020 legislative session until March 31^st, and Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the compressed schedule is likely going to result in non-essential legislation being abandoned. However a budget will still need to be passed by July 1^st, but…

Cut 11 (08) “budget.”

The Louisiana Department of Education will continue serving meals during the statewide school shutdown. Assistant State Superintendent Catherine Pozniak says the meals at designated sites are open to all children, regardless of where they are enrolled in school.

Cut 14 (11) “…age of 22.”

Schools will remain closed until April 13^th.

For the first time in the state’s history, gaming operations for all 20 casinos in Louisiana will be closed for at least two weeks.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Ag Commissioner Mike Strain is asking Louisianans not to abandon their pets during the COVID-19 crisis and if you do get infected, to hand them over to friends or family. Strain says unless you absolutely cannot care for your pet, don’t turn it over to the state, or set it loose because shelters are beginning to fill up, and if you receive a pet from an infected family member, Strain says you need to disinfect it.

At this time last week, Louisiana did not have a single known case of COVID-19.  In the time since, the Governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and canceled k-12 school through April 13^th.  This morning, state health officials announced the number of presumptive positive coronavirus cases in Louisiana has grown to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 cases in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish.
With this past week’s announcement that the French Quarter Fest has been moved to October, a similar announcement is expected for the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.  The Advocate newspaper is reporting an announcement of the festival’s plans is likely to come early this week.  If canceled or rescheduled, it would be a first in the festival’s 51-year history.  AEG, the festival’s co-producer, has already moved two of its other major events, California’s Coachella and Stagecoach, to October as well.  Jazz Fest is currently on the schedule for the last weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces a delay to the upcoming election in light of the coronavirus. Brooke Thorington has more.

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering.  LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says one way to tell if you have COVID-19 or just the regular seasonal flu is…

Cut 12 (12) “COVID.”

Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine.

The number of presumptive positive coronavirus case in Louisiana has grown from 36 to 51. A majority of the cases are in the greater New Orleans area with 36 case in Orleans Parish and 7 cases in Jefferson Parish. Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson, has pledged to cover the wages for Smoothie King Center employees who have lost out on paychecks because the NBA’s suspension for the next 30 days. Williamson made the announcement of the commitment on his Instagram. The nearly-18,000 capacity arena could be vacant for quite some time as the governor has banned gatherings of 250 people or more and cancelled k-12 school through April 13^th.
COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th.Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

The National Federation of Independent Business says a majority of small businesses are reporting being impacted by the coronavirus.  Don Molino has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Don Molino” 

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announces in light of the current events, the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result the April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th. Ardoin says the state has 3-million registered voters that vote at more than two-thousand polling locations across the state.
Cut 9 (12) “…population.″
Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…are slightly concerned.”

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine. Lopez says symptoms come on about five days after exposure, and there’s really three symptoms that stand out in a clear majority of COVID-19 infections.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

While everyone’s attention is focused on COVID-19, a suspected Capitol City arsonist is believed to have targeted four buildings last night, resulting in the complete destruction of a lawyer’s office.

Baton Rouge Fire Department spokesperson Curt Monte says they do believe the cases were related.

Cut 6 (09) “…related.”

Two vacant houses, an office building, and the attorney’s office were targeted.

K-12 schools in Louisiana will be shut down until April 13^th as the state registers three more presumptive positive tests for COVID-19, putting the total at 36.

The pandemic has shuttered nearly every professional and college sport in America, putting thousands of jobs at risk. In response, Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson has volunteered to cover the salaries of all Smoothie King Center employees for the next 30 days.

The April 4^th primary election has been postponed until June 20^th. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin met with the Governor’s Office, Unified Command Group and Health officials and a consensus was reached that delaying the Presidential Primary elections is in the best interest of public safety.

Cut 10 (10) “…is conducted.”

If officials feel that June 20th is not ideal they will revisit the decision.

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. LSU Health New Orleans Infectious Disease Expert Dr. Fred Lopez says one way to tell if you have COVID-19 or just the regular seasonal flu is…

Cut 12 (12) “COVID.”

Lopez says the flu is still prevalent and it’s not too late to get a vaccine.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says of those that are seeing disruption, 46% are reporting slowed sales.

Cut 3 (09)  “…supply chain disruption.”  

Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

COVID-19 is leading to the postponement of nearly every major professional sport in the US and Europe. The NBA, NHL, MLB, English Premier League, and now the Masters have been postponed due to the epidemic.

But locally, not all sports are being put on hold. Jeff Palermo has the story on the state high school boy’s basketball tournament…

Cut 30…

The fears over the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. No March Madness and no College World Series or Women’s College World Series. The decision to cancel the College World Series caught many people in the college baseball world by surprise.

The SEC and many other leagues have already canceled all sporting events through March 30th, but LSU announced it will cancel all on and off campus activities through May 30^th, effectively signaling that it is unlikely there will be a baseball season.

The NCAA announces students who lost their spring seasons due to COVID cancellations will be provided with an additional year of eligibility, but the mechanics of that have yet to be worked out, and the decision could be difficult to reconcile with professional leagues.

The Major League Baseball has halted spring training and Opening Day which was scheduled for March 26th has been halted for at least two weeks.

It’s unlikely a new CBA will be reached between the NFL and players, which would trigger salary cap provisions that could deal a hefty blow to the Saints.

Three new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in New Orleans, bringing the total up to 36. 26 are currently in Orleans Parish, three in Jefferson Parish, two in St. Tammany, and one in St. Bernard and St. Charles Parish. Eight of the cases involve those living at Lambeth House, a nursing home in New Orleans.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced this morning in light of the current events the upcoming elections in the state will be postponed, and as a result, the  April 4^th election will be moved to June 20^th. Ardoin says the state has 3-million registered voters that vote at more than two-thousand polling locations across the state.

Cut 9 (12) “…population.″

All K-12 schools in the state are closing until April 13^th, and LSU is canceling all on and off-campus activities until May 30^th.

The National Federation of Independent Business says 74% of businesses are reporting they are not currently being impacted by the coronavirus outbreak, and NFIB state director Dawn Starns applauds Governor Edwards’ handling of the pandemic.

Cut 5 (13)  “…will be mitigated.”

Starns says about 18% of small business owners are not concerned about the pandemic at all.

COVID-19 may be on everyone’s minds, but seasonal viruses and problems are still lingering. Dr. Fred Lopez with LSU Health New Orleans says COVID-19 won’t present like those typical seasonal illnesses.

Cut 13 (10) “…severe.”

COVID-19 is leading to the postponement of nearly every major professional sport in the US and Europe. The NBA, NHL, MLB, English Premier League, and now the Masters have been postponed due to the epidemic.

But locally, not all sports are being put on hold. Jeff Palermo has the story on the state high school boy’s basketball tournament…

Cut 30…

The fears over the coronavirus have resulted in the cancellation of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s basketball tournament. No March Madness and no College World Series or Women’s College World Series. The decision to cancel the College World Series caught many people in the college baseball world by surprise.

The SEC and many other leagues have already canceled all sporting events through March 30th, but LSU announced it will cancel all on and off campus activities through May 30^th, effectively signaling that it is unlikely there will be a baseball season.

The NCAA announces students who lost their spring seasons due to COVID cancellations will be provided with an additional year of eligibility, but the mechanics of that have yet to be worked out, and the decision could be difficult to reconcile with professional leagues.

The Major League Baseball has halted spring training and Opening Day which was scheduled for March 26th has been halted for at least two weeks.

It’s unlikely a new CBA will be reached between the NFL and players, which would trigger salary cap provisions that could deal a hefty blow to the Saints.