How will the state enforce its new mask mandate? Kevin Barnhart has the details…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley provides the House Education Committee with the guidelines on reopening schools safely. Jeff Palermo has more…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Governor Edwards’ statewide mask mandate is now in effect.  The new order comes following the state reporting some of the highest new daily case counts of the pandemic.  Edwards says the timing of when mask-wearing is required is clear.

Cut 3 (05)  “…distant from others..”  

The order comes with a few exemptions from wearing a mask, including people with certain medical conditions. Edwards says he is relying on businesses to help with encouraging individuals to mask up.

Cut 4 (07)_ “…they are trespassing.”

Edwards says he knows that the mask mandate will be controversial, but adds that he believes in the people of Louisiana to be resilient.

Cut 5 (12)  “…me, criticize me.”

Only three parishes are exempt from the mandate due to the per capita infection rate, but mask-wearing is still very much encouraged.  Grant, Red River, and West Feliciana parishes have fewer than 100 cases per 100,000 people.

______________________

Opponents of the Governor’s statewide mask mandate say Governor Edwards should not have the authority to make decisions like this by himself.

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick is a signee of a Legislative effort to suspend the Governor’s public health emergency declaration. He says Edwards’ order is an attack on liberty.

Cut 6 (10) “…rights”

McCormick says the Governor should not have the authority to make such an important decision unilaterally.

Cut 7 (08) “people.”

McCormick says lawmakers have tried to discuss their concerns with the Governor, but he won’t talk with them and doesn’t give them a heads up to lawmakers when decisions are made.

Cut 8 (08) “…Governor”

_______________________

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley tells the House Education Committee that reopening schools next month during a pandemic will be a monumental task, but they’ve provided local school systems with guidance on how it can be done. Brumley says it all starts with good hygiene

Cut 9 (10) “…possible”

Brumley says they are also recommending face masks for students in grades three through 12. Students in lower grades will be with one teacher throughout the day and kids will not be allowed to sit together on a bus. Brumley says one positive coronavirus case will not shut down a school, but several cases could lead to a temporary closure

Cut 10 (07) “   through this” 

Schools have been closed to in-classroom instruction since Governor Edwards shut down campuses last March. Brumley admits the long time away from the classroom has produced some level of learning loss

Cut 11 (11) “…and math.”

_________________________________________________________

The Lake Charles region has fewer than two dozen ICU beds available as the area has been slammed by rising COVID-19 cases. Region Five Regional Public Health Medical Director Lacey Cavanaugh says 67 of their 89 ICU beds are in use…

Cut 12 (11) “…shortages.”

Lake Charles, Jefferson Davis, and Cameron Parish all have a COVID incident rate of over 240 per 100,000, some of the highest in the state. Cavanaugh says that’s causing hospitalizations to pile up.

Cut 13 (09) “…closely.” 

These numbers are behind only the Acadiana region for the highest rate in the state.

For most of the state, this dramatic rise in new cases began around mid to late June, but Cavanaugh says their issues began earlier than that.

Cut 14 (10) “…Memorial Day”

The House Education Committee will discuss plans on schools reopening in August during a 10 o’clock meeting at the state capitol today. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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As the number of coronavirus cases continues to grow, is herd immunity a possible answer? Matt Doyle reports the state health department says no…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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A mask is now required for individuals when they are inside a business or outdoors and unable to keep a distance from others. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Jeff Palermo.”  

______________________________

Starting today, Lousiana residents eight years old and up are required to wear a mask when indoors and outdoors and you cannot be physically distant from others. Governor John Bel Edwards says many might not agree with this order, but he says research shows face masks can slow the spread of COVID-19…

Cut 4 (12)_ “will happen”

Businesses will be required to tell people they must have a mask on while inside their location. Edwards says the order exempts people with certain medical conditions from wearing a mask, but he says if that’s the case you shouldn’t be near people outside of your household anyways…

Cut 5 (07)  “…under any circumstances”

The governor has also ordered all bars closed as the state has moved to third in the country for per capita cases. He says based on contact tracing at least 36 outbreaks started in bars and the number is likely more than that…

Cut 6 (11) “…to hear them.”

Bars will remain closed and the mask mandate will remain in place until at least July 24th.

__________________

Lousiana’s education and health leaders along with the head of the LHSAA will speak today at a House Education Committee meeting about reopening schools and getting kids back on the athletic fields. House Education Chairman Ray Garofalo encourages parents to watch the 10 AM meeting on the state’s legislative website.

Cut 7 (11) “…reopen.”

You can watch live at legis.la.gov. If you miss the live broadcast you and find the meeting in the legislative video archives.

Garofalo says they’ll get school officials to lay out exactly what a potential “hybrid model” of education would look like, and how much off-campus learning would be required.

Cut 8 (05) “…classroom”

A number of school districts have already released their preliminary back to school plans.

Garofalo says athletics is an important part of the high school experience and he plans on asking LHSAA Executive Director Eddie Bonine how they plan to make it possible.

Cut 9 (08) “…health.”

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields, who chairs the Senate Education Committee, sparked controversy recently when he sent a letter to BESE requesting all K-12 sports be canceled for fall.

_______________

Louisiana is reporting nearly 80-thousand coronavirus cases. The state has four-point-six million people, which means two-percent of the state’s residents have tested positive. Regional public health director for Acadiana, Doctor Tina Stefanski, says if you think herd immunity is the answer for this virus, we are not close…

Cut 10 (10) “…have recovered”

Stefanski says scientific evidence has shown the best way to beat the virus without closing businesses back down again is by wearing masks

Cut 11 (11) “…level of transmission”

Assistant State Health Officer, Doctor Joe Kanter, says persons between the age of 18 to 29 continues to be the age group with the most new cases and there’s evidence they are spreading the virus to older, sicker people

Cut 12 (07)      increase in deaths” 

The state is reporting over 33-hundred deaths.

___________________________________

A recent study shows 73% of people say they are concerned about returning to work and spending time away from their pets and 59% are worried their dog or cat may suffer from separation anxiety.  LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says now is the time to prep your pets for that transition.

Cut 13 (08) “…then come back.” 

Welborn says it is important to shake up the daily routine of leaving the house as pets, especially dogs, can pick up on the patterns that indicate when someone is leaving.

Cut 14 (11) “…the night before.”

Welborn adds using a different door to exit your home if possible as well as staggering the times that you leave can throw off triggers.

Welborn says it will help to give your pet something to play with to help take their mind off the fact that you are leaving.

Cut 15 (11) “…of different options.” 

____________________________

The Pelicans are getting used to life inside the NBA’s bubble in Orlando, Florida. The team is staying at Disney’s Yacht Club Resort and veteran shooting guard J-J Redick says he has no complaints

Cut 16 (24) “…it’s fine” 

Guard Josh Hart has a nice wine cellar at his New Orleans area home, but in Orlando he’s had to settle for a 15-bottle wine fridge in his room

Cut 17  (23) “…works out” 

The Pelicans had their first practice last Friday and their first scrimmage game against another opponent is a week from Wednesday. Head Coach Alvin Gentry says the goal is pick up where they left off when the season was suspended in March

Cut 18  (23) “…high level”   

A local judge has issued a temporary restraining order against Shreveport’s mask mandate. Matt Doyle asked a legal expert if cities have the legal authority to issue these mandates…

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Despite a high number of compliance checks, the State Fire Marshal’s office has not cited or shut down a single business for not following COVID mitigation requirements. Why is that? Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

_____________________________

It will be a hot weekend as heat index values will reach 110, maybe even 115 degrees. State Climatologist Barry Keim says a high pressure system in the northern Gulf of Mexico will limit cloudiness and thunderstorms

Cut 3 (11)  “…lots of humidity”  

This stretch of hot weather will continue into early next week and Keim says it will be quite warm for outdoor activities in the morning…

Cut 4 (11)_ “    low 70s” 

Keim says rain chances are low this weekend…

Cut 5 (10)  “…miss it”
______________________

A Caddo District Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order blocking the City’s implementation of a mandate requiring masks to be worn inside businesses.

New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, and East Baton Rouge Parish have also issued similar mandates. Loyola Law Professor Dane Ciolino believes they do have the authority to do so.

Cut 6 (13) “…basis.”

If the mandate were to be implemented non-compliant businesses could potentially be shut down while the state remained in Phase Two.

Ciolino says governments are afforded a lot of leeways when it comes to this kind of policy.

Cut 7 (09) “…health.”

Governor Edwards has often said that he is not, and has not considered a statewide mask mandate.

Ciolino says mask mandate opponents will have a hard time arguing against the mandates in potential court proceedings.

Cut 8 (10) “…box”

Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins has until July 16^th to respond, and the five businesses suing to stop the mandate have until July 17^th to reply.

_______________________

The State Fire Marshal’s office has conducted around 3,100 coronavirus spread mitigation compliance checks between June 26 and July 5, yet there hasn’t been any penalization of the rule breakers.  State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says that’s because businesses are correcting shortcomings after the first visit.

Cut 9 (10) “…consider penalizing somebody.”

Browning says the lack of citations or shutdowns is a strong indicator that businesses care enough about their customers and employees to come into compliance.

Cut 10 (07) “…everything goes bad”

Browning says after a third check, if there are businesses that are blatantly defying the rules, that’s when further action will be taken, but says it has yet to come to that.

Cut 11 (07) “…exceeded our expectations.”

_________________________________________________________

The coronavirus pandemic may have put a dent into many sectors of the economy, but the Louisiana Lottery says they’ve just finished their second-best fiscal year ever that ended on June 30th.  Lottery spokesperson Kim Chopin says that’s in large part due to an uptick in scratch-off sales from April through June.

Cut 12 (05) “…in our history.”

Multi-state jackpots such Powerball and Mega Millions ended the year down by about $66 million due to a 12-month drought of jackpots exceeding $400 million.

Many lottery retailers such as grocery and convenience stores were deemed essential and stayed open, which Chopin says was vital in maintaining player activity.

Cut 13 (08) “…have become inaccessible.” 

Chopin says the ability to avoid interrupting player’s routines while other aspects of life were on hold also contributed to captivating their audience.

Cut 14 (07) “…do for entertainment.”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans by gauging calorie consumption. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

 A Louisiana teachers union calls on the state to mandate that everyone must wear a facemask while on school grounds. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Primary. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is developing a smartphone app aiming to make it easier for consumers to stick to their diet plans by gauging calorie consumption.  Co-principal investigator Dr. Corby Martin says the PortionSize app helps tackle a critical problem in weight management, getting people an idea of what they are actually eating.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…during that meal.”

Martin has been working about the app with his co-principal investigator, Dr. John Apolzan for about a year and a half and says they’ve still got more work to do.  The study will recruit around 150 participants to throughout the study of the app.

Cut 5 (12)  “…like we hope.”

Martin says as soon as they have data that suggests that the app is accurate, it will be available to researchers and clinicians.  How long it will be before it ends up in the hands of the public is still to be determined.

Cut 6 (08) “…on the App Store.”

__________________

The number of people hospitalized as result of COVID-19 has nearly doubled over the last month. According to the state department of health, there are just over 40 ICU beds available at each of these three regions, central Louisiana, the River Parishes and Acadiana. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 7 (10) “…hospitalizations.”

As of yesterday, the number of ICU beds available in southwest Louisiana was down to 27. Edwards says some hospitals also report a low supply of Remdesivir, which is an approved therapeutic drug for severely ill COVID patients

Cut 8 (12) “…on that”

Edwards says hospital leaders have also told him staffing has become a problem

Cut 9 (09) “…are positive.”

Edwards says hospital officials also say they are seeing more white males hospitalized as a result of COVID-19.

_______________

The Louisiana Federation of Teachers is asking the state mandate facemask usage while on school campuses, instead of the current policy of recommending their use.

LFT President Larry Carter says they’ve polled nearly 13,000 of their members and one issue stuck out like a sore thumb…

Cut 10 (08) “…teachers”

Some localities and parishes have adopted mandatory face mask usage while in businesses and public buildings, but most have not.

Carter says they’re serious about their facemask policy request and have been putting their money where their mouth is to make it happen…

Cut 11 (09) “…give out”

The LFT is also calling on members of the Louisiana Congressional Delegation to support the House Democrat created HEROES Act that would fund additional safety measures in schools.

If the state refuses to mandate facemask usage in schools could we see teachers participate in an organized walkout? Carter says that’s not being considered right now.

Cut 12 (09) “…discussions

___________________________________

Saturday is Election Day for the Presidential Preference Primary.  The voting process will look a little different than other elections.  Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says there will be spread mitigation efforts in place and they’ve recruited poll workers that are less susceptible to poor outcomes from COVID-19 exposure.

Cut 13 (09) “…on Election Day.” 

Only registered Republicans can vote in the GOP primary and, even though Joe Biden is anticipated to accept the nomination, registered Democrats can select between the 14 candidates up for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Louisiana’s presidential primary is not the only item on the ballot for the July 11th. There are also local races in 24 parishes and party committee positions.

Cut 14 (07) “…the ballots locally.”

If you are hoping to get your hands on the state’s famous “I Voted” stickers, Ardoin says you are out of luck with this election.

Cut 15 (03) “…COVID through stickers.” 

____________________________

The Big 10 Conference has decided its schools will only play 10 college football games this season and only conference games. Other conferences may do the same. Sports Illustrated writer Ross Dellenger says optimism for an on-time kickoff has turned to doubt among college football powerbrokers

Cut 16 (09) “…it all” 

Dellenger doesn’t expect the SEC to make a decision on what might happen with its football season for another few weeks…

Cut 17  (20) “…nationally” 

Dellenger says another option for college football is to delay the start of the season until late September or early October. Or they could wait even longer…

Cut 18  (06) “…spring season”   

A recent poll shows post-pandemic snacking is on the rise for Americans and that’s leading to people packing on the pounds. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is now fifth in the nation in per capita COVID-19 cases and over one-thousand people are in the hospital battling the virus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________________________

Louisiana’s craft beer industry is branching out into the hard seltzer business. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

A OnePoll survey of Americans finds two-thirds of people admit to gaining weight since the pandemic began with most saying its due to snacking.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Melinda Sothern says that’s not surprising because there’s a lot of scientific literature explaining why we’re snacking more often now.

Cut 4 (08)_“…for you”

69 percent of respondents said the increased snacking was due to boredom.

Sothern says this is a really bad time to be packing on the extra pounds as COVID tends to be worse in people who are overweight.

Cut 5 (09)  “…inflammation”

20 percent of Louisiana COVID fatalities were obese, 37 percent had diabetes, and 62 percent had hypertension.

Sothern says the best way to beat the munchies is to avoid keeping snacks in your house or to replace them with healthy alternatives. Also, learn to tell the difference between when you want and need something.

Cut 6 (11) “…hungry”

Sothern adds that disruptions in your sleep schedule can also lead to increased eating.

__________________

Houma Representative Tanner Magee submits a letter to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education President Sandy Holloway requesting that the board does not consider a recommendation to cancel high school sports at this time.  Magee says it was important to offer a counter balance to a recent initiative scrap sports through December.

Cut 7 (07) “…the legislature felt.”

Senate Education Chairman Cleo Fields of Baton Rouge had asked BESE to suspend fall sports for K-12 schools because of COVID-19.

Magee says among the reasons to continue moving forward with sports is to motivate many of students to stay in school and to combat the health concerns of those struggling with adolescent obesity.

Cut 8 (07) “…maintain that balance.”

Magee says canceling sports may also become an obstacle in seeing kids continue their education following high school.

Cut 9 (09) “…far more detrimental.”

_______________

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is heading in the wrong direction in its battle to stop the spread of COVID-19, but he is not contemplating a statewide mask mandate. But Edwards says you should wear a mask when interacting with others outside of your home

Cut 10 (09) “…important”

The state health department reports over 70-thousand coronavirus cases since the pandemic started and one-thousand COVID patients are hospitalized.

The governor says over the last eight days Louisiana has tested over 100-thousand people, but that’s also created a back log in people getting their test results back. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says if you are waiting on your results and were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 14 days

Cut 11 (10) “…not going out”

Concern is growing that the statewide coronavirus pandemic may result in fall high school sports being canceled. Edwards says it’s too early to say…

Cut 12 (12) “…more”

The LHSAA released a statement late Wednesday afternoon that said they are fully committed to the safe return of high school sports in the fall.

___________________________________

Hard seltzers have made an impact on the alcohol industry and some local craft brewers have hopped on board the trend.  Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott …

Cut 13 (12) “…doing the same.” 

The boozy sparkling water saw a sales growth of 73% between spring and fall last year.

At Bayou Teche, Knott says they have been putting out several flavors including blackberry lemonade, tangerine, mango peach, and kiwi key lime that are produced throughout the year with some seasonal variations.

Cut 14 (11) “…really good beer.”

Knott says the growth in popularity and the sustained market share indicate that hard seltzers in the craft beer industry are not just another fad.

Cut 15 (10) “…quite a bit.” 

Does a mask mandate have any parallels to Nazi Germany? One Louisiana lawmaker releases a video that is raising eyebrows. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________

The 2019 national champion LSU Tigers have their rings. Jeff Palermo reports each player, coach and staff member received three rings for their role in the perfect season…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

_____________________________

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick denounces masking mandates in a video posted to Facebook.  In the clip, McCormick compares mask-wearing to Nazi Germany, the mark of the beast, eludes to the possibility of implanted tracking chips in the future, and brandishes a chainsaw,

Cut 3 (11)  “…***chainsaw sfx***.”  

Shreveport becomes the latest municipality to enact a mask mandate where anyone inside of a business needs to be wearing a face covering.  McCormick says a mask mandate is a gateway to other government efforts of overreach.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…take the mark.”

McCormick says the video is a call to action and now is the time to push back before it is too late.

Cut 5 (07)  “…in Nazi Germany.”
______________________

31-year-old Erroll Johnson was shot dead in Monroe this morning by State Police troopers trying to apprehend him after allegedly firing at officers on two different occasions in the past few days.

State Police Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says the first incident occurred Sunday when officers attempted to pull over Johnson, leading to a car chase.

Cut 6 (09) “…that time.”

Reichardt says troopers and local law enforcement later tracked Johnson to a motel in Monroe around 1 AM this morning.

Cut 7 (12) “…shot

Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene.

Reichardt says troopers attempted to convince Johnson to surrender peacefully before the shooting started.

Cut 8 (08)“…work.”

No troopers or other law enforcement were injured during either Sunday’s or this morning’s incidents.

_______________________

The 2019 LSU national championship football team is supporting new bling as they’ve received their rings for completing a perfect season. Special assistant to head coach Ed Orgeron, Derek Ponamsky, says each player and member of the staff received three rings to commemorate an historic season

Cut 9 (11) “…playoff tournament”

On the rings you can see the slogans “Hold That Tiger,” “One team, one heartbeat” and Ponamsky says on the inside of the national championship ring is the LSU standard of performance…

Cut 10 (09) “…to the kidney.”

Ponamsky says the team received the rings during a team meeting where they saw a video message from the players on LSU’s three previous national title teams and then Coach O told the guys look under your seat

Cut 11 (07) “…new drug.”

For the players and coaches who are no longer with the program, they had their rings shipped to them.

_________________________________________________________

Colorado State University updates their 2020 Atlantic hurricane season forecast, increasing the predicted number of this season’s named storms from 19 to 20.  CSU forecaster Jhordanne Jones says while we’ve seen smaller storms pop up so far, the season’s peak may pack a bigger punch.

Cut 12 (09) “…August to October.”

So far there have been five named storms and there’s a potential a sixth named storm will form off the coast of the Carolinas.

Jones says the bumped up forecast comes as the result of several factors, including above average sea surface temps in the north Atlantic.

Cut 13 (05) “…of the US.” 

Jones says there has also been no development of an El Nino that would suppress hurricane activity.

Cut 14 (09) “…for hurricane activity.”

The CSU team is also calling for nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

Police reform sat on the backburner while tort reform dominated the recent special session but a Baton Rouge lawmaker says that will not be the case next time the next time lawmakers head to the Capitol…

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

COVID is not only detrimental to people’s health but it’s also testing relationships. Brooke Thorington has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

The largest auto insurer in Louisiana is giving drivers a decrease, but it has nothing to do with recent tort reform legislation. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

______________________________

There was little action on police reform in the recent special session but reform advocates say that is not going to be the case in the fall or 2021 session.

Baton Rouge Representative Ted James they will revive an effort to revoke qualified immunity for officers. He says the effort to allow cops to be held liable for misbehavior in civil court will be a major part of reform discussions. He says right now…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…liability.”

A push to end qualified immunity did not get out of committee in the recent session.

James says they’ll also be pushing to build on current laws that stop bad cops from department hopping after they get in trouble. Right now a cop who is convicted of excessive force can’t get rehired in Louisiana, but…

Cut 5 (12)  “…of force”

The one police reform-related item that passed was a resolution creating a 20+ member study group to study policing policy.

The special session took place as George Floyd protests began. Discussions of the issues at the heart of those protests, like police brutality, were restrained, but James says they won’t be next time.

Cut 6 (10) “…police”

__________________

The coronavirus is putting stress extra on relationships and many are calling it quits. In addition to family practice lawyers seeing an increase in business, the pandemic is also having another effect on divorces. Baton Rouge Attorney Nancy Sue Grégoire says those who were already in the process of a divorce before the pandemic began are having even more complications.

Cut 7 (08) “…get along”

Grégoire says the pandemic has caused many to lose their employment and healthcare and it is making the process of divorce even more difficult.  She has advice for those who are in the middle of ending their relationship.

Cut 8 (09) “…temporary.”

Instead of going to a courtroom and using ZOOM for court proceedings, Grégoire believes for some they don’t understand the reality of the situation.

Cut 9 (11) “…going to do it”

_______________

State Farm auto insurance policyholders can expect nearly a 10% decrease in their rates.  Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says the drop is not linked to recent tort reform.

Cut 10 (09) “…by State Farm.”

State Farm is the largest auto insurer in the state, with a million policyholders.  Donelon says the rate decrease can be attributed to people staying at home and off the roads during the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Cut 11 (07) “…at home orders.”

Donelon says this decrease, combined with three other rate decreases in the last couple of years has resulted in a 23% total rate decrease.  If history is any indication, Donelon anticipates other insurers will be following State Farm’s lead.

Cut 12 (07) “…driven by competition.”

The effective date of State Farm’s current reduction is August 24.
___________________________________

Legislation is awaiting the Governor’s signature that would allow electric co-ops to create their own hi-speed internet networks in rural areas that lack broadband access.

Franklinton Representative Beth Mizell (My-Zell) says the pandemic has put a spotlight on the serious problems her rural constituents face with their current non-broadband services.

Cut 13 (07) “…speed.”

If signed into law co-ops would be able to make broadband companies under separate entities from their current power companies so that utility funds were not used for internet service.

The FCC has committed to spending over 20 billion dollars on expanding rural broadband. Mizell says after that commitment her effort gained a lot of support.

Cut 14 (07) “…ago”

Mizell made the comments on Talk Louisiana.

Mizell says many of her lower-income constituents could benefit greatly from broadband in ways they might not expect.

Cut 15 (10) “…money”

Mizell says she has received assurances that Edwards will sign this legislation into law.

Many people are planning to shoot off their own fireworks with many public displays canceled this year. Brooke Thorington has some safety tips from the State Fire Marshal’s office.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

_____________________________________

For the 4^th of July Governor Edwards is begging residents not to do a repeat of Memorial Day and further spike our growing number of COVID cases. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

___________________________________________

As more people are staying home due to COVID-19 backyards with pools are extremely attractive this summer. Chief of the CDC’s Healthy Swimming Programming Michele Hlavsa (Waav saa) says there’s no data available so far that says the virus spreads in the water.

Cut 3 (12)  “…properly maintained.”  

Hlavsa says however there are germs that can be spread in the water if the chlorine is not properly maintained.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…killing power.”

Always keep an eye on children at the pool. Hlavsa says drowning is the leading cause of injury-related deaths in children ages one to four and never swim when you are sick.

Cut 5 (13)  “…have diarrhea”

________________________

Usually, the State Fire Marshal encourages families to enjoy public fireworks displays versus creating their own, but most are canceled due to COVID-19. SFM Spokesperson Ashley Rodrigue says fireworks are not legal in all jurisdictions and can be extremely dangerous if not done correctly and should only be handled by adults.

Cut 6 (12) “…reach of children”

Rodrigue says you should also only light fireworks on cement and away from structures.

Cut 7 (07) “…at a time”

Once you are finished with your celebration Rodrigue says to be sure to wet down fireworks after use and if you do place them in a garbage can put that receptacle away from your home.

Cut 8 (10) “…as well.”

Rodrigue also suggests you have a fire extinguisher or water nearby in case of an accident while setting off fireworks.

__________________________________

Governor Edwards says our current escalation in COVID cases began almost exactly two weeks after Memorial Day and he wants residents to avoid a repeat for the 4^th of July.

Edwards says the additional, unmindful, unmasked contact people made on Memorial Day helped spur the present-day spike.

Cut 9 (09) “…Memorial Day”

The state has seen sustained growth in the total number of cases and hospitalizations over the past half month, with our positivity rate now hovering right at the 10 percent level.

Edwards says avoid any large gatherings for the holiday, and absolutely do not walk into any crowds.

Cut 10 (08) “…the same”

New data from a study of residents in Jefferson and Orleans Parish indicates the virus is more deadly than previously thought, and that asymptomatic carrier of COVID are more infectious than previously thought.

Edwards advises against fireworks displays this year. He says if you attend one of the few public displays still happening do some from your car, but better yet…

Cut 11 (07) “virtually.”

___________________________________

2K Sports has unveiled Pelicans forward Zion Williamson as the cover athlete for NBA 2K21 for Playstation 5 and Xbox Series X.  Zion lands the cover after only 19 games in the league, but he’ll be getting more playtime when the NBA starts back later this month in Orlando.  Zion says he’s been training every day during the pandemic, but very privately.

Cut 12 (12) “…my stepfather.”

The late Kobe Bryant and Portland Trailblazers guard Damian Lillard were also selected as cover athletes this year.  Bryant for the Mamba Forever Edition packaging and Lillard for the Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, and PS4 versions of the game.

Zion says he loves the fans in New Orleans and admits playing without them in a closed-off environment will be a different experience.

Cut 13 (09) “…we’ll be fine.” 

Zion says he feels fortunate to be able to not see his rookie season come to an abrupt end due to COVID-19 and feels confident in the NBA’s handling of the situation.

Cut 14 (11) “…from certain situations.”

NBA 2K21 is available for preorder now and will be released later this year.