COVID-19 was the talk of the Capitol as the Senate Health and Welfare Committee took the lead in questioning the Louisiana Department of Health’s State Health Officer crucial questions that need to be answered as the number of coronavirus infections in Louisiana continues to rise.

The committee raised concerns about the state’s upcoming festival season that’s jam packed with big gatherings in public spaces.  State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says there’s one festival in particular that may be problematic.

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Other health officials at the meeting begged business owners to prepare work-from-home options, and to not pressure workers into coming in sick.  Guidry says know that your workforce is likely to shrink…

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COVID fears aside Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat expects the legislature will have a bitter fight this session over the right for local governments to sue oil and gas companies for damage to their coastlines. The oil lobby is pushing hard for the change. Pinsonat says it would likely result in fewer suits filed against the industry.

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Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says the clock is ticking to comply with the federal legislation.

Cut 6 (10) “…law is presently.”

The federal law holds retailers responsible for underage sales, and applies to vape sales as well.

The NCAA says March Madness games, including the women’s Final Four in New Orleans, will be played without spectators in attendance.
Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser addressed concerns that COVID-19 could cause a significant disruption in the state’s tourism industry. Nungesser says he doesn’t see a need to announce any festival cancellations unless the feds or Governor call for cancellations. He says we owe it to the industry not to disrupt tourism unless necessary.
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State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six. The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle the virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home.
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Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says he could foresee some pushback in getting the law pass.

Cut 8 (12) “…it into law.”

The law would apply to vape related products as well.

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in a case that fueled the global me-too movement and encouraged women to speak out against sexual assault and harassment. Weinstein was sentenced 20 years for first-degree criminal sexual act and three years for third-degree rape. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says today’s sentencing sends a message.

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The World Health Organization has declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic. In Louisiana, there have been six presumptive cases of COVID-19 and Governor Edwards told the Baton Rouge Rotary Club that we expect to see more

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Edwards urges residents to wash their hands frequently and practice social distancing, which includes not shaking hands.

Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says the objective is keeping tobacco out of kid’s hands.

Cut 7 (13) “…welfare of people.”

The Lt. Governor disagrees with New Orleans Mayor Layota Cantrell’s decision to cancel many city events in the face of a growing number of COVID-19 cases…

cut  2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana Nursing Home Association is recommending it’s members restrict access to facilities to avoid spreading COVID-19 to those most vulnerable to the virus. The statement from the LNHA asks the public not to visit a nursing home until further notice. Nursing homes in Louisiana will be expected to update their infection control procedures, and implement an extensive screening process for employees and visitors.

State Health officials briefed the Senate health and welfare committee this morning on important questions related to COVID-19.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

State Police say 36-year-old Edward Young III of Lutcher was wounded late Tuesday in a shootout with sheriff’s deputies. Police say St. James Parish sheriff’s deputies encountered Young during an investigation shortly before midnight in Lutcher. Police didn’t say who shot first or what may have prompted the shooting.

Parks Senator Fred Mills files legislation to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21, which would align state law with the federal law that was enacted in December 2019.  Mills says the clock is ticking to comply with the federal legislation.

Cut 6 (10) “…law is presently.”

Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 23 years in prison today in a case that fueled the global me-too movement. Kelli Knight, an outreach coordinator with Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault says on average one out of five women have been raped or sexually assaulted. Not every woman chooses to come forward or come forward immediately. Knight says the general public doesn’t understand the trauma of the situation.

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State health officials went before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to give a COVID-19 update as the number of cases in Louisiana rises to six. The virus is shuttering schools around the world, but State Health Officer Jimmy Guidry says kids seem to handle to virus well, and there’s risks in sending them home…

Cut 3 (09)  “…older person”  

Guidry says unless teachers begin to fall ill, or large numbers of students are infected, schools should maybe stay open.

While the focus of many may be on coronavirus, Louisiana is still dealing with an intense flu season. Assistant state health officer Dr. Joseph Kanter says the seasonal flu should still not be taken lightly as it can be devastating for both younger and older people.

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Some of the biggest festivals in the nation are getting canceled or postponed due to the coronavirus.  The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival which, takes place over the course of ten days and welcomes around 400,000 visitors each year is still on.  State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says COVID-19 is not going to spread well in an open-air environment, but…

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Houma Representative Beryl Amedee files a series of vaccine-related bills as the Capitol copes with the coronavirus. One of the bills requires healthcare workers to explain the side effects of vaccines and another would prevent employers from requiring vaccines.  Amedee says she is not sure whether or not the spread of COVID-19 will help or hurt her cause, but…

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The state has seen six coronavirus cases so far, all in the New Orleans area.

Coronavirus fears have many lawmakers at the Capitol avoiding the customary hugs and glad-handing.  Many lawmakers were business as usual before Monday’s news of the state’s first case broke. New Orleans Representative Royce Duplessis says he shook a lot of hands earlier in the morning…

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Governor Edwards announced this afternoon two more presumptive cases of coronavirus, bringing the grand total to three in Louisiana.  All are in the New Orleans area.
Six people have been arrested in a human trafficking sting executed by north Louisiana law enforcement.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at an area hotel.

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Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.

Washington Parish Sheriff’s deputies make an arrest in the shooting death of 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor.  Taylor was shot in the head three times in January and his body was found in a wooded area near the town of Angie.  Chief Deputy Mike Haley says their suspect is the victim’s cousin, 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson. Haley says the family expected the suspect would be someone Taylor knew.
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Bond is set at $800,000.
A New Iberia woman is dead and her boyfriend, 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez is charged with second degree murder. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.
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The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley.

The state added two new presumptive cases of coronavirus today, and lawmakers are mentally preparing to put aside their natural inclination to glad hand and kiss babies for the next few months as they hunker down in Baton Rouge for the 2020 session. Before giving his opening address to the Legislature the Governor avoided handing out his customary handshakes. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris noticed that, but says he won’t be deterred by COVID-19…

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Several other lawmakers interviewed said they would begin refraining from their usual handshakes. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says she’s keeping Purell and Lysol on her at all times, and wants there to be a universally agreed upon contact policy at the Capitol…

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COVID-19 won’t be keeping Governor Edwards from pursuing his agenda this year…

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A series of bills has been filed by Houma Rep Beryl Amedee that would require doctors disclose more information to patients about vaccines, and bar employers from requiring employees be vaccinated. Amedee says current events are likely to raise the bill’s profiles….

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Louisiana’s two newest presumptive coronavirus patients are being treated at two New Orleans area hospitals, Touro and University Medical Center. That brings the state’s total up to three, with all cases being centered on the New Orleans area.

Authorities have arrested a suspect in the January shooting death of a Washington Parish teen and it’s the victim’s cousin.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

cut  2 (32) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

A human trafficking bust in Bossier Parish leads to six arrests and the seizures of drugs and weapons.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says the arrests took place at area hotels, and those arrested could be looking at more charges as the investigation continues.

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A woman is dead and her boyfriend has been arrested in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says witnesses told investigators the couple had been fighting all day long, off and on before the 10PM Saturday night killing at the camper trailer they both lived in.

Cut 10 (11) “…apprehend Mr. Valdez.”

The manner of death has not been released and the victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley of New Iberia. The suspect has been identified as 59-year-old Luis D. Valdez.

Louisiana has two new presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state’s total up to three. All cases so far have been found in the New Orleans area. The spread in cases has the Capitol on alert with the start of the session bringing lawmakers in from around the state yesterday. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson says she’s keeping Purell on her at all times…

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The cousin of an LGBTQ teen found shot dead in the woods outside of Angie has been arrested in connection with the murder. 17-year-old Ja’Quarius Taylor was found in January, and Washington Parish Chief Deputy Mike Haley isn’t sure why 20-year-old Jo’Andre Dawson did it…

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Washington Parish criminal records do not show Dawson had any prior criminal history in the parish.

A woman is dead and her boyfriend has been arrested in Iberia Parish. Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Col. Wendell Raborn says deputies were dispatched to the scene in reference to a possible homicide just before 10 PM Saturday night.

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The victim has been identified as 38-year-old Stephanie Worley of New Iberia.

A human trafficking bust in Bossier Parish Friday night leads to six arrests, and a number of drug seizures. Three of those arrested were also hit with drug charges.  Authorities recovered marijuana, meth, ecstasy, a firearm, and a vehicle.  Bossier Parish Sheriff’s Lt. Bill Davis says over the years the area has seen various arrests linked to prostitution, but the human trafficking factor takes the arrests to the next level.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…not a victimless crime.”