Governor Edwards could announce today a loosening of restrictions on residents and businesses once the current stay at home order ends on April 30^th. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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A team from LSU develops a smartphone app to help track medical equipment and supplies that are in transit around the state. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Louisiana’s ban on elective surgeries ends today, which means after a month-long hiatus, doctors can go back to performing non-emergency medical and surgical procedures…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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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.”

Scott says childcare social distancing guidelines and the availability of such services may create hurdles for parents that have a chance to return to work.

Cut 5 (11)  “…go to work.”

Many businesses are eager to re-open. But Scott says there is an underestimated problem in getting commerce and industry going again and that is the potential legal liabilities against a business if an employee or customer gets COVID-19…

Cut 6 (10) “…a major issue.”

______________________________

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.”

Mitchell says almost all of the development for the application was done by LSU students and says with classes being out, it allowed them to have extra time to dedicate to the building process which would normally take about six months.

Cut 8 (06) “…about five weeks.”

While the app will be compatible with the two major smartphones, it won’t be available to everyone in the App Store.  The app could help tackle issues related to supply chains.  Mitchell says the app is customizable to add items in the future that may not have been thought of yet.

Cut 9 (10) “…on the mission.

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

____________________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy says the feds are looking at investments that could allow economies to become close to fully functional even before a coronavirus vaccine is available.

The 1,200 dollar stimulus checks helped float many through the first month of the shutdown, and Cassidy says if we can expand testing enough we won’t need a second round.

Cut 10 (09) “reopening”

Cassidy says aggressive, preemptive testing in hotspots will need to be funded. He says the key to reopening the economy safely is tracking transition rates and adjusting reopenings accordingly.

Cut 11 (10) “…data”

Cassidy says the reopening of the economy should also be tied to the ability to contact trace. He says the federal government should provide hotels and meals to those who are ordered to quarantine.

Cut 12 (10) “economy”

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For the first time in a month, many elective medical surgeries are set to proceed in Louisiana.

State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says emergency procedures have been happening, but medical centers will now be allowed to catch up on much need time-sensitive, but less pressing surgeries.

Cut 13 (10) “…carefully.”

Your trip to the doctor will not be the same as it once was. Guidry says medical facilities have strict social distancing guidelines to follow.

Cut 14 (11) “…conditions.”

Waiting room space will either be limited or not available during this time.

Governor Edwards says now that cases have plateaued we have to resume normal medical care.

Cut 15 (11)“…from.”

The Governor also adds these elective procedures are the economic lifeblood of hospitals that have taken a huge financial hit over the last month.

______________________

The Saints 2020 draft class consists of just four players, but the franchise believes it will be a successful class. In the first round New Orleans drafted Cesar Ruiz, a center from Michigan and then traded multiple picks to select two players in the third round, Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun and Dayton tight end Adam Trautman. G-M Mickey Loomis says it’s about the quality of the picks, not how many you made…

Cut 16  (25)  “…find there” 

These rookies will not have the benefit of an offseason conditioning program or O-T-As. But Saints coach Sean Payton doesn’t believe they will be too far behind when training camp starts

cut 17  (15) “…Saint players” 

The Saints sent their fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh-round draft picks to Minnesota to take Trautman with the 105th pick. The F-C-S tight end had 70 catches for 916 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Trautman was a quarterback in high school but switched to tight end when he got on Dayton’s campus

Cut 18  (15) “…obviously now”   

The Saints made a trade with the Texans to get a seventh round pick and used that select Mississippi State quarterback Tommy Stevens. He has a lot of athleticism for someone who is six-foot-five and could play a Taysom Hill role for the Black and Gold.

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.” 

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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” 

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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”  

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”

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.”

_________________________________________________

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.  Mayo read a letter from the donor.

Cut 7 (13) “…and rebuilding lives.”

The money will be used at a local food bank.  Mayo says the he was deeply touched by the letter from a total stranger wanting to help.

Cut 8 (05) “…wanting to help.”
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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 Governor says to meet the 200,000 test objective 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, 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.

_______________________________

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”

Warford was abused in the Saints season-ending round one playoff exit against Minnesota. Detillier expects Ruiz will play center, while last year’s 2^nd round pick Eric McCoy replaces Warford at guard.

Joe Burrow, K’Lavon Chaisson, Justin Jefferson, Patrick Queen, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire made for a record-setting LSU class. Detillier says he’s particularly excited about Edwards-Helaire’s fit in Kansas City.

Cut 13 (07) “…chiefs.”

Detillier says he expects three tigers to go off the board pretty early tonight in Grant Delpit, Kristian Fulton, and Lloyd Cushenberry.

The draft continues tonight with rounds two and three. Detillier says you may see UL Lafayette’s Robert Hunt and Louisiana Tech’s Amik Robertson find new homes.

Cut 14 (10) “…play.”

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

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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The SPCA is asking folks not to request COVID-19 tests for their pets. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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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”  

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Few department stores are likely to survive following the coronavirus pandemic, according to retail experts at Columbia University’s Business School.  New Orleans consultant of real estate valuations Wade Ragas says department stores have already had a tough enough time keeping up with e-commerce in recent years.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…with this country.”

Ragas says social distancing potentially creates overwhelming hurdles for the current business model of department stores.

Cut 5 (11)  “…into the store.”

Ragas says even if the brick and mortar stores begin to disappear, it is possible to shift familiar brands into the e-commerce space.  As far as which shopping brands have done the best in the pandemic…

Cut 6 (09) “…of this, Costco.”
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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 Louisiana learned from Katrina and Rita…

Cut 7 (08) “…hurricanes”

Mid-March was an unlucky time for anyone to get locked up but Meche says DAs and sheriffs have made an effort to release low-risk detainees who are awaiting trial.

Cut 8 (08) “running”

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.

CEO Anna Zorrilla says right now we want to make sure COVID testing is focused on humans, who have a more critical need.

Cut 10 (09) “infected”

Two cats tested positive in New York City, but the CDC reports there is no evidence cats can transmit the virus back to humans.

If your pet is suffering from what appears to be COVID-like symptoms Zorrilla says talk to your vet before doing anything else.

Cut 11 (09) “…care”

Cats can qualify for a COVID test if they meet three strict criteria: direct explore to a known case, evidence of respiratory symptoms, and they’ve received a respiratory diagnostic from a vet.

While cats can catch the virus, Zorrilla says the SPCA recommends people suffering from mild or moderate cases of COVID-19 still keep them 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.

___________________________

Slidell Senator Sharon Hewitt starts a petition urging Governor Edwards to allow parishes to make their own decisions on when and how they reopen their economies.

Hewitt says the Governor’s preference to issue stay at home orders on a statewide basis is not working for areas of the state with low case counts.

Cut 13 (10) “…guidelines.”

The stay at home order is set to end April 30^th, but New Orleans has already extended the order locally until May 16^th.

Hewitt says the petition at Open-LA-Now-Dot-Com allows state residents to tell Edwards they want to see Louisiana implement President Trump’s plan for reopening locally.

Cut 14 (08) “…heard.”

Edwards says he does not plan on allowing local parishes to open before the stay at home order ends, or to allow parishes to relax restrictions more than others.

Cut 15 (09)“…phase one.”

Edwards says as of now it appears some restrictions will be lifted statewide after April 30^th, but he wants everyone to have their expectations properly set for what it will look like.

Cut 16  (09)  “…before” 

_______________________________

As expected the Cincinnati Bengals select quarterback Joe Burrow with the number one pick in the 2020 NFL draft. Burrow becomes the third LSU Tiger to be picked number, JaMarcus Russell and Billy Cannon are the other two. The Heisman Trophy winner says he’s ready to go to work in the Queen City…

cut 17  (10) “…this city” 

Burrow was the first pick in the virtual draft. Commissioner Roger Goodell, general managers, coaches and the players were all at their own homes, instead of Las Vegas where the draft was supposed to be held. Burrow says he didn’t mind hanging out at his home in Athens, Ohio…

Cut 18  (23) “…acquintances”   

Burrow will have to compete with veteran Andy Dalton in order to be the starting quarterback. The 23-year-old looks forward to the competition…

cut 19 (30)  focused on”  

The Legislative Economic Recovery Task Force began the difficult assignment today of providing the state legislature with ideas on how to jump-start the economy. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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A Rapides Parish woman was killed by a suspected tornado and a DeSoto Parish man died in a flash flood yesterday as severe weather battered the state again. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The coronavirus pandemic could result in an unemployment rate above 20-percent in Louisiana. Economist Loren Scott estimates 349-thousand unemployment claims for the month of April, because of the economic shutdown…

Cut 3 (07)  “…22-percent”  

The Tax Foundation estimates about 16-percent of the workforce has applied or is receiving unemployment benefits in Louisiana. 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.

Chairman Jason DeCuir says the regular legislative session is expected to resume next month and lawmakers are looking for immediate triage ideas by May 7th…

Cut 5 (10)  “…immediately.”

Decuir says a special session dealing with the economic recovery issues is expected later this year, so the task force will also have a chance to develop long-term solutions.

House Speaker Clay Schexnayder has confidence in the group of private-sector business leaders they have on this task force…

Cut 6 (11) “…the economy back ”

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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 they are certainly impacted by the stay at home order…

Cut 7 (09) “…more than that.”

Green says implementing social distancing guidelines means they are moving the transactions from the showroom to the internet. He says car buyers can test drive a vehicle and not even go to the dealer.

Cut 8 (08) “…get your vehicle.”

Green says car shoppers should be able to find great deals…

Cut 9 (08) “…vehicle than now.″

______________________________________

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…

Cut 10 (10) “…too strong”

The current reportedly carried the man about 50 yards before his body was recovered.

Sheriff Jayson Richardson told local media that the flooding was “water like I’ve never seen in many, many years if ever”. Pierce says rains just hammered the region.

Cut 11 (10) “…rain”

In Rapides Parish 67-year-old Becky Roberts was killed by a potential tornado in Lecompte. National Weather Service forecaster Seth Warthen says the suspected supercell was highly unusual for the area.

Cut 12 (08) “…assesment.”

There were reports of two potential tornadoes in the area.

Warthen says the potential tornadoes were part of a long track supercell that appeared to have traveled a long distance.

Cut 13 (10) “…Parish.”

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The state has surpassed 15-hundred COVID-19 deaths as the Louisiana Department of Health reported 67 additional fatalities bringing the death toll to 1,540. Governor John Bel Edwards

Cut 14 (12) “…Hurricane Katrina.”

Edwards says the state continues to flatten the curve. Louisiana reported 481 new cases and the number of patients hospitalized and on ventilators continues to decline.

During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Governor Edwards was asked if there will be high school football this year. The governor says he remains optimistic…

Cut 15 (07)“…to be”

Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette will be shifting to a virtual festival format this weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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 Tulane will conduct a clinical trial to see whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to prevent COVID-19 cases. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Governor Edwards says face masks will be the new normal in public places…

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Festival International de Louisiane in Lafayette is one of the many events canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of trying to push back to the fall, a virtual music festival will happen instead. Festival spokesperson Carly Viator says they will stream musical performances starting tomorrow through Sunday.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…some surprise collaborations.”

Virtual festival participants are encouraged to dress up just as they would for the physical event and prepare something interesting to eat.

Viator says due to popular demand, the famous festival punch will be available at several locations.

Cut 5 (09)  “…their souvenir cups.”

Pins, posters, and flags will be available to purchase at these locations, or you can snag yours online.

Viator says there will also be a virtual 5k for those who need an excuse to get out of the house and run.

Cut 6 (09) “…to run with.”

This would have been the 34^th year for the festival and the live stream takes place on the event’s Facebook page.

______________________________

Tulane is set to study whether hydroxychloroquine can be used to help prevent people who’ve been exposed to coronavirus from developing COVID-19.

Tulane School of Medicine Infectious Disease Epidemiologist Dr. Patricia Kissinger says the treatment has shown promise, but it needs to be proven in a human clinical trial.

Cut 7 (10) “…cells”

Kissinger says if you’ve been in close contact with a confirmed case, and you’re interested, they’ll have you do a telemedicine conference, then…

Cut 8 (08) “day 28.”

Tulane hopes to enroll 500 local participants.

Kissinger says the treatment is much like prophylactics given to those exposed to HIV, and it could be a vital tool once contact tracing becomes more widespread.

Cut 9 (10) “…infection.″

The trial is part of a nationwide effort with other sites in Baltimore, Washington, New York City, Boston, and LA.

____________________________________

Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on Louisiana residents to “mask up” which means wearing a face mask in public places. Edwards says wearing a mask reduces the chances of asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic people unknowingly transmitting the virus to others.

Cut 10 (06) “for them”

Guidelines still call for anyone feeling sick to self-quarantine, even if they have a mask.

Edwards says if you don’t have a mask then you need to get one or make one ASAP.

Cut 11 (08) “…covering.”

Edwards says while masks are recommended for the public, gloves are not. He says they can cause more harm than good.

Cut 12 (12) “their face”

The Governor says the state is currently around day seven of a 14 day period of a measured decline in case growth he would need to see in order to partially reopen the economy on May 1st.

___________________________

Since March 27th, the Louisiana Workforce Commission has paid out more than $561 million in unemployment benefits to 302,000 claimants.  LWC executive director Ava Dejoie says when putting it into perspective with last year, it showcases just how much the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the state’s workforce.

Cut 13 (09) “…short of mindblowing.”

Last year, there were only 103,000 claimants.

Dejoie says beginning Sunday, the LWC will allow individuals to file their weekly certifications based on the last digit of their social security number.

Cut 14 (12) “…accept all numbers.”

Dejoie says they are currently in the process of adding an additional server to its network to be able to handle more online volume.

Cut 15 (07)“…that we can.”

Dejoie says all individuals will get the payments they are entitled to retroactive to April 4 and for any other time period related to COVID-19 events.

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At least four members of the 2019 national champion LSU football team will be selected in the first round of tonight’s NFL draft. Football analyst Mike Detillier says Joe Burrow will be the first pick and Justin Jefferson, K’Lavon Chaisson and Patrick Queen will also go in the first round. Detillier says safety Grant Delpit could also be a first-round pick, even though his production fell off last seasons…

Cut 16  (16)  “…hurt Grant” 

Detillier says the Saints could use the 24th overall pick to take former LSU linebacker Patrick Queen. He says the Black and Gold could also take one of the talented wide receivers in this draft class…

cut 17  (14) “…select em” 

____________________________________________

Saints General Manager Mickey Loomis, head coach Sean Payton and the team’s top scouts will communication with the league office and each other from their own homes. Loomis says he’s planned for internet and power outages

Cut 18  (22) “…the league”   

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the Saints did not bring in any players for personal workouts. Loomis says some of the virtual pro days that players put together are useful…

cut 19 (25) big picture”  

The Saints will not have an offseason conditioning program or virtual OTAs. Coach Sean Payton has asked the current players to show up in July for training camp in the best shape of their lives. Loomis says they understand many of their rookies might not make a huge impact in 2020, because of this unusual offseason…

cut 20 (22) “  ordinarillyl”  

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

Cut 1 (28) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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Legislative committes approve a plan to allow expanded use of mail in ballots for the July and August elections. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________________

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.”  

Savoie 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.”

Savoie set up a Facebook page for the operation to help in distributing sewing patterns, take requests, and donations of resources.  Savoie says it has been rewarding seeing the pictures of people wearing some of the different masks she has made.

Cut 5 (12)  “…some thin mints.”
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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’s not perfect but AG Jeff Landry backs the plan.

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 and will cost about four million dollars.

Passage wasn’t unanimous. In House Governmental Affairs, state representative Rodney Schamerhorn of Vernon Parish says his constituents oppose any election rule changes.

Cut 7 (08) “determined”

The vote passed the House committee 11-5.

Democrat Royce Duplessis, a state representative from New Orleans,  ultimately backed the plan but raised concerns to Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin about requiring residents to disclose health conditions to get mail-in ballots, and…

Cut 8 (10) “…manner”

The proposal will go before the entire House and Senate for approval by mail-in ballot.

___________________________________________________

According to Gas Buddy, the average price of regular gasoline in Louisiana is $1.64 a gallon and some service stations are selling gas for close to a dollar a gallon. Senior Petroleum Analyst Patrick DeHaan says the average price is down about a nickel from last week.

Cut 9 (09) “selling pressure.″

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

DeHaan predicts prices could drop another twenty to forty cents a gallon.

Cut 10 (07) “…the country.”

As some states start to lift their stay at home orders and the demand for gas slowly increases, DeHaan says he doesn’t expect to see a big jump in pump prices.

Cut 11 (08) “…to this”

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The Resilient Louisiana Commission began its work today in coming up with recommendations on how the state can jump-start its shuttered economy. Governor Edwards says great ideas are needed from this 18-member panel…

Cut 12 (11) “…what you do.”

Edwards says some businesses could re-open on May 1st, if the state sees a downward trajectory in COVID-19 cases, reported flu-like symptoms and hospitalizations. But the governor says life will not return to pre-COVID right away

Cut 13 (12) “…economy too.”

Edwards says he plans to announce early next week what restrictions will be in place starting on May 1st.

The commission will examine 15 different sectors of Louisiana’s economy that include energy, manufacturing, health care, tourism, and education and provide the governor with strategies on how they can be more resilient. Edwards gave the panel words of encouragement…

Cut 14 (06) “…innovation.”

LSU’s Pennington Biomedical Research Center is studying lifestyle changes as a result of social distancing and COVID-19 restrictions through an online survey.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards says he’s not letting any protests change his mind about keeping the stay at home order in place until April 30th. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Senator John Kennedy blames Speaker Nancy Pelosi for the delay in replenishing funding for the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

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.”

Redman says the goal is to get one million responses to the survey and so far they’ve received 6,000 from participants from all over the world.

Cut 5 (06)  “…Norway and Germany.”

Redman hopes the survey will be able to hone in on some of the nuances of the social distancing and stay at home orders that maybe have not been realized before.

Cut 6 (08) “…working at home.”

Redman says anyone over the age of 18 can participate in the survey, just go to pbrc.edu/covid19andyou.

______________________________

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing for a 500 billion dollar relief package in Congress aimed at aiding local and state governments who are facing coronavirus related fiscal cliffs.

Lafayette is expecting to lose 35 percent of its expected revenue for the year, and Monroe and New Orleans are facing one million and 150 million dollar deficits respectively. Cassidy says…

Cut 7 (08) “…that you want.”

The City of Crowley is expecting a 1.3-1.6 million dollar shortfall and announced the layoffs of 15 employees and reduction of hours for remaining city employees via a four-day workweek.

Cassidy says essential services must be propped up at a local level not just to save lives, but to make sure businesses have reliable foundations to reopen under.

Cut 8 (12 ) “…to be controlled.”

The proposal is being pitched with the help of  New Jersey Democratic Senator Bob Menedez.

Cassidy says the money would be distributed based on how severely a locality has been hit by both the virus and the economic impacts of virus-related shutdowns.

Cut 9 (09) “…for lost revenue.″

Localities with populations over 50,000 would be given the money directly to manage without having to go through state government.

____________________________________

Louisiana saw small crowds of protesters in the Capital 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”

But he says if he were a betting man he’d bet a dollar that the statewide restrictions come May 1^st will not be the same they are today.

Edwards says the criteria for reopening remain firm: A measured 14 day period of declining cases, increased hospital capacity…

Cut 11 (06) “…illness.”

Edwards made the statements at his daily afternoon press conference. He also announced Popeye’s was donating one million meals to a New Orleans foodbank. He says he called their CEO…

Cut 12 (10) “chicken.”

___________________________

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.

Cut 14 (08) “…my rear end.”

Kennedy says the funding is just a small part of keeping America afloat but adds that if the nation does not kick back into gear soon, it will eventually collapse the state and national economy.

Cut 15 (08)“…so can poverty.”

____________________________________________

The Bengals are expected to select former LSU Q-B Joe Burrow with the number one pick in tomorrow night’s N-F-L draft. If that’s the case, Burrow will play for a franchise that has not won a playoff game since 1991. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says Burrow will look forward to the challenge in making Cincinnati a winner

Cut 16  (25)  “…at Cincinnati” 

JaMarcus Russell was the last LSU quarterback to be picked number one. The Raiders selected him number one in 2007 and the Alabama native turned out to be one of the biggest flops in NFL history. Oregon expects Burrow to have an outstanding career

cut 17  (14) “…great player” 

Orgeron says he’s tired of watching television and is ready to get back to work. He’s optimistic the Tigers will be back on the practice field in August and says his projected starting quarterback, Myles Brennan, is doing what he can to stay ready

Cut 18  (22) “…is here”   

_________________________________________________________

Alabama-based Radiance Technologies has agreed to be the title sponsor of the Independence Bowl for the next five years, giving the bowl game in Shreveport stability for the first half of this decade. Independence Bowl Foundation Chairman Frank Auer says Radiance is a technology solutions provider of the highest caliber

cut 19 (22) Radiance Technologies”  

Over the next five years, the Independence Bowl will have games featuring BYU or Army against teams from the PAC-12, American Athletic Conference or Conference USA. The 2020 game will pit Army against a Pac-12 school. Radiance Technologies CEO Bill Bailey says they’ve been looking for the right opportunity to increase their brand awareness nationally and they found it with this partnership

cut 20 (22) “  Independence Bowl”  

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 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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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” 

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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 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

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

Applicants must complete an assistance form by Thursday, and the money is expected to be disbursed in early May. Baghian says it’s a vital injection of funds.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

One-third of providers say they’ll have to close permanently if the state remains shutdown, and 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.

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Defiant Pastor Tony Spell was arrested today for allegedly backing a church bus into the direction of a protester on Sunday. Central Police Chief Roger Corcoran says Spell wanted to be arrested at his church this morning following a press conference, but he was handcuffed at the Central Police Department instead.

Cut 6 (11) “…to here”

Spell was booked in the East Baton Rouge Parish Prison for aggravated assault, improper backing, plus two outstanding bench warrants. He was released a short time later on bond. Spell’s attorney Joe Long says the pastor was only going to confront the protestor not run him over.

Cut 7 (12) “drove off”

When questioned if today’s arrest would deter Spell from holding large services as opposed to live stream, Corcoran wasn’t sure.

Cut 8 (09) “…President’s order”

Long says the Life Tabernacle Church plans to hold services tonight as usual. Police say the number of people attending the services has declined lately. Spell already faces six misdemeanor counts for violating the governor’s order regarding crowd sizes.

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Congressman Garret Graves 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 (08) “trials.″

The program 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.”

Qualifying businesses received a loan worth 2.5 times their average monthly payroll from 2019.

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.

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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 normal crawfish production season starts near the end of December and will go through the middle of June, but 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.”

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.”

A total of 67 producers responded to the survey, representing more than 10% of the acres in the state.

3-D printing is proving to be a useful tool in creating important COVID-19 testing supplies.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

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 Beginning April 27th time-sensitive elective medical procedures will be permitted under the state’s coronavirus social distancing guidelines. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Louisiana House GOP Leader and Governor disagree on just how the state should begin to reopen in May. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (31)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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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 have obtained the swab design printing files to produce the resin polymer nasal swabs and hope to be producing nearly 1,000 swabs daily.

Cut 5 (06)  “…324 per day.”

Alexander says the light-activated printing technique can produce medical devices which are chemically inert, sterile, and compatible with accurate testing procedures.

Cut 6 (07) “…to existing swabs.”

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The Department of Education releases a survey showing all 69 school districts are offering some level of distance education in public schools while campuses are closed.  Department spokesperson Sydni Dunn says the survey looked at both traditional and charter schools handling of the pandemic.

Cut 7 (08) “…in the future.”

32% of school systems are connecting with students every day.  One in four students are not receiving feedback on their learning.  Dunn says the methods used in continuous education varies greatly by school system depending on the unique needs of their students.

Cut 8 (12 ) “…other online platforms.”

28% of students do not have access to a school-issued or personal tablet or computer and only 66% have home internet access.

Dunn says the survey asked what districts needed to be more successful with distance learning, and many said more professional development was needed for teachers.

Cut 9 (09) “…to be successful.″

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Louisiana House GOP Leader Blake Miguez says Louisiana needs to reopen its economy on a parish by parish basis, but Governor Edwards disagrees.

Miguez wrote a letter to the Governor calling on him to implement Phase One of the federal reopening plan after the stay-at-home order ends April 30^th.

Cut 10 (10) “owners”

Phase One allows for limited reopening like dine-in restaurants while calling for sustained social distancing and use of public PPE.

But Edwards says he’s leaning towards issuing any guidance at a state level. He says for those getting anxious under the current stay at home order…

Cut 11 (09) “…stay home.”

Phase One guidelines advise reopenings can be handled at a parish level.

Edwards says he will be using hard benchmarks for deciding if the state will implement Phase One after April 30^th, one being that Louisiana has the capacity to test 140-150,000 people a month.

Cut 12 (10) “in place.”

The Governor says he plans to announce what restrictions the state will keep days before the current stay at home order expires on April 30^th.

Miguez says testing capacity is important, and so are the other benchmarks, but if they are not met the state still needs to consider allowing some businesses to start back up.

Cut 13 (09) “…detrimental”

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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, but State Health Officer Dr. Jimmy Guidry says not every procedure will be deemed necessary.

Cut 14 (10) “…decision.”

There’s been an ongoing challenge as to whether or not abortions count as essential procedures, but Guidry says under the relaxed order some abortions may proceed.

Cut 15 (08)“…or not”

National reports show a growing problem of people canceling vital treatments that are needed for chronic issues. Guidry says this order helps encourage those folks to get back to a doctor.

Cut 16  (11)  “…corona” 

Crude oil traded in negative territory today. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A survey of Louisiana small businesses finds nearly 60-percent of them are at the risk of closing over the next five months as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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For the first time ever, West Texas Intermediate oil futures traded in the negative today.  Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Gifford Briggs says the energy industry is on the verge of collapse…

Cut 3 (08)  “…and it happens.”  

Briggs says the industry is facing a crisis, with many Louisiana wells planning to shut in 100% of their production due to storage constraints as companies are being told they can’t take delivery in May.

Cut 4 (12)_ “…have to take.”

Briggs believes the biggest element to stabilizing the industry is to get the economy rolling again and says there are relief efforts such as broad-scale royalty relief in the Gulf of Mexico.

Cut 5 (11)  “…of making payroll.”

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Ten years ago today the BP Oil Spill killed 11 rig workers and coated much of the state’s coastline in tar.

Congressman Garrett Graves was the head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority at the time. He says his first thoughts upon seeing the news were about the lives lost, and the work that had been undone.

Cut 6 (10) “…made”

The Deepwater Horizon well sat about 41 miles off the Louisiana coast drilling in the Macondo Prospect.

The cleanup job was immense, but Graves remembers it was expedited by a one of its kind agreement cut with BP to get projects off the ground in record time…

Cut 7 (10) “down payment”

Along with its financial penalties, BP also plead guilty to 11 counts of manslaughter and felony lying to Congress.

Louisiana received just over eight billion dollars in settlement funds to help restore the coast and billions more in economic damages as a result.

Cut 8 (09) “…states”

The spill pumped 4.9 million barrels of oil into the Gulf.

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The US Supreme Court rules all felony trials must be decided by a unanimous jury verdict, a decision likely to result in dozens of retrials in Louisiana.

In 2018, Louisiana passed a constitutional amendment ending its practice of allowing non-unanimous verdicts, but Loyola University Law Professor Dane Ciolino says the amendment was not retroactive…

Cut 9 (08) “trials.″

After the amendment passed Oregon remained the only state not to require unanimous jury verdicts.

There are likely hundreds of people incarcerated in Louisiana due to non-unanimous verdicts whose cases are decided and whose appeals are done. Ciolino says for them…

Cut 10 (05) “…day.”

The decision will likely result in some high-profile retrials. Ciolino says one of those will likely be for Ronald Glasser who was convicted of murdering NFL running back Joe McKnight in 2016.

Cut 11 (09) “…new trial”

The 6-3 ruling came as a result of an appeal by Evangelisto Ramos, who was found guilty of killing a woman in New Orleans in 2014 on a 10-2 vote that he appealed on constitutional grounds.

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A Main Street America survey shows nearly 60-percent of small businesses in the state are in danger of closing permanently due to COVID-19 in the next six months. Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser is a co-chairman of the Resilient Louisiana Commission which will make recommendations on how to reopen the state’s economy…

Cut 12 (11) “…shops, etc”

Nungesser says while the Mayor of New Orleans has extended its stay at home order to May 16th, but he’s optimistic the rest of the state can reopen businesses sooner and that even Mayor Cantrell might reconsider the extension.

Cut 13 (09) “…make it”

Nungesser encourages Louisianans to have a staycation when they can venture out again and to visit a part of the state they’ve never been to and support the local economy.

Cut 14 (08) “…local restaurant.”