Drivers are staying home, and that’s saving auto insurance companies a lot of money. Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon spoke with Matt Doyle about getting those saving passed on to customers…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association projects over 23-thousand jobs are at immediate risk if oil prices remain low and no immediate action from federal and state governments. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

_____________________________

State health officials are encouraged to see the number of COVID-19 patients who require ventilation has gone down, four days in a row. Assistant Secretary of the Office of Public Health Alex Billioux credits I-C-U doctors who are learning better methods in treating the virus.

Cut 3 (10)  “…Bi-pap”  

A Bipap pushes air into a person’s lungs and works much like a C-Pap machine.

Billioux credits social distancing and an uptick in good hygiene habits as a major contributing factor.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…next coming days.”

Billioux says we are seeing now the results of public behaviors that started two weeks ago and while the trend is promising…

Cut 5 (10)  “…we have already.”

490  COVID-19 patients are on ventilators today, down from 519 yesterday.

__________________________________________

Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon expects other car insurers in Louisiana to follow Allstate’s lead and offer rebates for premiums paid during the stay at home order. Allstate is paying back customers in the state 13 million dollars in rebates. Donelon says its because the company is saving a lot of money right now.

Cut 6 (10) “America”

Donelon says the company is paying back roughly 600 million dollars to policyholders in the US and is a rebate for the months of April and May. 

The Commissioner also noted a few other changes to statewide insurance policy, including…

Cut 7 (13) “…11th.”

Donelon says Allstate has added another perk besides just rebates.

Cut 8 (09) “accsess.”

____________________________________________________

The LSU AgCenter and the Louisiana Farm Bureau are surveying crawfish producers to determine the economic damage caused by the coronavirus outbreak. LSU AgCenter economist Kurt Guidry says the information collected will be turned over to the U-S-D-A in an effort to get assistance for the industry

Cut 9 (12) “…economic impact.″

Crawfish producers have been hurt by a glut of crawfish because restaurants can only offer carryout or delivery service. Guidry says they are hoping to get responses from crawfish farmers by the end of the week…

Cut 10 (11) “…are made”

Guidry is asking crawfish farmers to turn in their completed surveys to him or call his cell phone at (225) 281-5948

Cut 11 (13) “…through USDA”

________________________________________________

A Louisiana Oil and Gas Association survey projects more than 23-thousand jobs in the industry are at immediate risk. LOGA President Gifford Briggs says the coronavirus pandemic and an oil glut has dropped the price of oil 66-percent since January first

Cut 12 (10) “…through the industry”

Briggs says there are over 33-thousand oil and gas wells operating in the state and half of those could be shut-in. He says prices need to recover about 40-dollars a barrel for oil by June first or we will see massive job losses…

Cut 13 (08) “…global economy”

What can be done to help the oil and gas industry? Briggs calls for the suspension of state severance tax collections for one year, oil and gas storage capacity expanded and legislation to end government-led coastal lawsuits

Cut 14 (08) “…or investment”

Could your pets get sick from COVID-19 exposure? Brooke Thorington has the details.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

_____________________________________

Governor Edwards says new data appears to show the state’s stay at home order is working to flatten the curve, but now is no time for residents to get complacent…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

School systems are doing their best to keep students engaged while outside of the classroom setting.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”  

____________________________________________

With the recent news that a tiger in the Bronx Zoo has tested positive for COVID-19, concern about transmitting the virus from humans to pets has grown.  State public health veterinarian Dr. Gary Balsamo says it’s a rare occurrence, but sometimes animals can get sick from exposure.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…the animal directly.”

Balsamo says the virus survives best on smooth surfaces such as stainless steel, so it is a relatively low threat for animals to carry the virus in their fur.

Cut 5 (09)  “…they’re porous surfaces.”

Balsamo says there are steps to reduce the risk of pets becoming ill from exposure.

Cut 6 (08) “… a lot.”

____________________________________________

It’s been just over two weeks since the state’s stay at home order was implemented and Governor Edwards says it appears the order has resulted in a recent flattening of the curve.

At Tuesday’s press conference the Governor hinted at the fact that the order may have been even more effective at slowing the spread than they planned for, and that’s great news for the state.

Cut 7 (09) “curve”

Tuesday saw the state’s highest reported death total at 70, but Edwards noted that ventilator use is down, and the number of new hospitalizations is slowing.

Edwards says current measures are working, but if people take this news as a sign that they can start slacking on social distancing it’ll all be for naught.

Cut 8 (12) “…we were.”

The Governor noted in a previous press conference that other countries have experienced “waves” of infection where a relaxing of mitigation measures prematurely led to a spike in new cases.

Edwards thanked healthcare workers for developing more efficient treatments and credited the state’s aggressive testing policy for bending the curve.

Cut 9 (08) “…tests″

He noted that the New Orleans region is now no longer projected to run out of ventilator capacity or hospital beds.

____________________________________

Questions still remain about how the remainder of the school year will be handled, but much of the determination is left in the hands of each district.  Executive Director for the Louisiana Association of School Superintendents Michael Faulk says some districts are making the effort to engage students through technology.

Cut 10 (13) “…the state standards.”

Faulk says rural broadband availability has been a hurdle for some districts, so they have resorted to other methods of getting educational content to students.

Cut 11 (12) “…students the packets.”

Faulk says having a personal interaction with teachers inside a classroom setting it is an important element to a child’s educational experience and districts.

Cut 12 (13) “…to the teachers.”

_________________________________________

The LA Wallet app, Louisiana’s digital driver’s license, now allows you to renew your driver’s license in the app itself and have an updated digital result in just 24 hours.

The app was designed by Envoc and President Calvin Fabre (fay-bree) says the next time you log into the app you’ll notice a new button that says “check for renewal” that checks your renewal eligibility.

Cut 13 (07) “…address.”

He adds you do need to make sure your app is up to date first.

Fabre says if you renew through the app you’ll have your up to date license available for use at participating vendors in less than a day.

Cut 14 (07) “license.”

App users will not be charged any additional fees that wouldn’t be charged to those using the standard online renewal process.

OMV offices are closed as long as the stay at home order is in effect so Fabre says now is a good time to try the app, especially considering it is free.

Cut 15 (05)“…right now.”

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but knowing your legal protections from retaliation is important.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

70 percent of those killed by COVID-19 in Louisiana are African Americans, who only make up 32 percent of the population. Matt Doyle asked a medical expert why that is…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

_____________________________

Landlords may not be able to legally evict tenants due to Louisiana’s stay-at-home order through April 30th, but that does not excuse someone from paying rent.  Staff attorney at Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Hannah Adams says tenants have legal protection from a landlord’s retaliation for not paying rent.

Cut 3 (11)  “…from the home.”  

A landlord might threaten to call police to have a tenant removed, but Adams says that is not within police jurisdiction.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…they can handle.”

Adams says it is important to have some sort of documentation on hand, whether it is a lease, a utility bill, or a piece of mail showing that you reside at the address in the event that you are accused of not being a tenant.

Cut 5 (12)  “…you live there.”

On the federal level, the CARES Act prevents landlords from evicting tenants and/or charging late fees through July 25th for tenants with Section 8 vouchers, Rural Development vouchers, or if a landlord has a HUD, USDA, VA, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac mortgage.

__________________________________________

70 percent of the people in Louisiana who have died from COVID-19 were African Americans, a group that only makes up about 32 percent of the state’s population.

LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Dr. Jim Diaz says there are three likely reasons for that. The first is that the virus is most prevalent in the New Orleans area.

Cut 6 (08) “pandemic”

African Americans make up 60 percent of the city’s population per Census estimates.

Diaz says the second reason is that COVID-19 is particularly dangerous for patients who have co-morbidities.

Cut 7 (12) “…conditions.”

Diaz says the third reason why African Americans are more likely to die of COVID than other groups is that relative to other groups they are underinsured.

Cut 8 (10) “…health insurance.”

____________________________________________________

Real Reform Louisiana praises Allstate Insurance for offering “Shelter in Place Paybacks” for their car insurance customers due to the number of reduced drivers on the roads. Real Reform Louisiana Executive Director Eric Holl explains what Allstate customers can expect.

Cut 9 (11) “…last month.″

Holl says tech companies are showing data that driving is down an average of 55-percent across the state and in some of the more populated areas like New Orleans driving is down as much as 75-percent, Holl says fewer cars means fewer accidents.

Cut 10 (12) “…go down”

Holl says Allstate is setting the example and he’s asking Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon to encourage other insurance companies to do the same because now is not the time to be overcharging customers for car insurance they aren’t using.

Cut 11 (11) “…not driving”

The Louisiana Department of Insurance is expected to issue a statement soon. 

________________________________________________

A survey from Public Policy Polling shows 68 percent of Louisianans approve of Governor Edwards’ handling of the coronavirus crisis and 66 percent now approve of his job performance overall.

UL Lafayette Poli Sci Professor Pearson Cross says the splits show a surprising 56 to 25 percent approval/disapproval from state Republicans when asked how he’s handling the crisis.

Cut 12 (07) “…as well.”

Edwards’ overall approval sits at 82 percent among Democrats, 64 percent among Independents, and 49 percent among Republicans.

It’s a remarkable jump from his approval numbers last year, but Cross says you can pin a lot of it on the “rally around the flag” polling effect of a public emergency.

Cut 13 (12) “…that point”

1,023 Louisiana’s were surveyed April 3^rd and 4^th for the poll.

When asked if Governor Edwards or President Trump is doing a better job Edwards lead 46-41 percent. Cross says that’s because the question led to a generic partisan split.

Cut 14 (09) “…support”

90 percent of state Republicans approve of Trump’s job while 23 percent of Democrats and 50 percent of Independents do.

LSU Health Shreveport is testing the impact of using inhaled nitric oxide on COVID-19 patients with severely damaged lungs.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

Following the deaths of five prisoners, the ACLU is suing Oakdale Federal Prison for the release of inmates that are most at-risk for COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

___________________________________________

Governor Edwards says new data shows potentially good news for Louisiana…

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle  

____________________________________________

LSU Health Shreveport is testing the impact of using inhaled nitric oxide on COVID-19 patients with severely damaged lungs.  Professor of Pediatrics, Surgery & Medicine Dr. Keith Scott says treatment with the gas could potentially kill coronavirus in the lungs and improve oxygen delivery to injured tissue.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…anti-viral activity.”

The study is a collaboration with two other institutions in the US and sites in Europe.  Scott says the clinical testing will be done with patients that are bad off.

Cut 5 (09)  “…to try this.”

Scott says if the testing shows effective against COVID-19, using nitric oxide has already been FDA-approved for therapy with other types of respiratory failure and most hospitals already have the treatment readily available.

Cut 6 (10) “the real goal.”

Research from LSU Health Shreveport has shown that nitric oxide is a strong protector against tissue hypoxia.

____________________________________________

Attorney Jeff Landry announces Louisiana is receiving 8,000 packs of azithromycin, and 75,000 hydroxychloroquine tablets, a treatment that some speculate could help treat COVID-19.

The treatment doesn’t have FDA backing yet, but Landry says many doctors have chosen to prescribe these drugs to their COVID patients.

Cut 7 (07) “hospitalization”

When asked about the treatment Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Dr. Anthony Fauci said “The data is at best suggestive. I don’t think we could definitively say it works.”

The President has strongly advocated for the treatment, but Landry says…

Cut 8 (06) “…wand.”

Hydroxychloroquine is an anti-malarial that is now used to treat other conditions such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis. There’s fear those patients could find the drugs in short supply, but…

Cut 9 (12) “…hydroxycloroquine″

The drugs were procured from Teva Pharmaceuticals.

______________________________________________

The ACLU is suing Oakdale Federal Prison for the release of inmates that are most at-risk for COVID-19.  The facility has already seen five inmates die from the virus and others become critically ill.  ACLU of Louisiana executive director Alanah Odoms Hebert says they aren’t asking for the release of all prisoners.

Cut 10 (11) “…to be released.”

Hebert says in order for the facility to be compliant with the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, the prison needs to be relieved of some of the 1,800 inmates.  US Attorney General William Barr issued a directive last week to reduce prison populations, but the ACLU feels the procedure of doing so is going too slow.

Cut 11 (12) “…de-densify that facility.”

Hebert says in the case of Oakdale, leadership needs to be seen from the federal level to expedite the process, but as it pertains to state-run facilities, action is needed from Governor Edwards.

Cut 12 (13) “…to see that.”

The Federal Bureau of Prisons has responded saying they do not comment on pending litigation.

_________________________________________

New federal projections have cut Louisiana’s estimation of total COVID-19 deaths by over 50%, and Governor Edwards says it appears Louisiana may have begun to flatten the curve.

Edwards says social distancing rules have played a big role, but so have healthcare workers. He says they’ve managed to reduce the average amount of time patients stay on ventilators.

Cut 13 (07) “…good thing.”

Initial federal projections said 1,800 Louisianans would die of the disease. The current model estimates 800 fatalities.

But Edwards says now is no time to get complacent.

Cut 14 (12) “answer.”

The projection is also based on the state maintaining its current level of social distancing through May.

Edwards says restricted travel is playing a big part in lowering transmission rates, which is why he isn’t faulting Texas’s governor for screening some drivers who cross state lines.

Cut 15 (12)“…just not.”

Texas is asking anyone from Louisiana who plans on staying in Texas to quarantine themselves for 14 days.

The projections may look better but the new data wasn’t all good news. Edwards says it shows some alarming numbers of racial disparities.

Cut 16  (11)  “…state” 

An East Baton Rouge Parish mother loses her baby after her COVID-19 symptoms resulted in the child’s premature birth. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

____________________________

Saints legendary kicker Tom Dempsey has died from complications of the coronavirus. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Normally. flu activity goes down at this time of the year.   However, State Immunization Director Dr. Frank Welch says the state has not yet seen that dip as one in ten visits to a doctor is for flu-like symptoms.

Cut 3 (13)  “…to slow down.”  

Both coronavirus and flu have similar symptoms.  Welch says with the high rates of testing for COVID-19, the math paints a picture of flu activity being much higher than normal.

Cut 4 (12)_ “… fact the flu.”

Many of the spread mitigation efforts of coronavirus run parallel to combatting the flu as well.  Welch says the one big difference maker is having a vaccine for the flu.  While it doesn’t guarantee someone won’t get the flu, it will reduce the severity of the illness and reduce the chance of hospitalization.

Cut 5 (08)  “…want to avoid.”

__________________________________________

A one day old infant in East Baton Rouge Parish dies after being prematurely born due to complications stemming from her mother’s COVID-19 case.

EBR Coroner Beau Clark says the child’s death is being counted in the parish’s total COVID fatalities, because…

Cut 6 (10) “labor”

He adds this is the first such case in Louisiana, but similar incidents have been reported nationwide.

The baby will be tested for coronavirus, but Clark says it’s not clear yet whether the virus is vertically transmissible.

Cut 7 (09) “…child.”

Clark says the CDC is in contact with the hospital where this occurred to collect data on whether the child itself was infected.

Pregnant women are considered a COVID-19 high-risk group. Clark explains why…

Cut 8 (14) “…situation.”

____________________________________________________

Former Saints kicker Tom Dempsey, who once held the NFL record for the longest made field goal, has died from complications of the coronavirus. He was 73. Demspey kicked 159 field goals in eleven NFL season, even though he was born without toes on his right foot. His former teammate and ex-Saints Q-B Billy Kilmer…

Cut 9 (11) “…he was.″

In 1970 at old Tulane Stadium, Dempsey booted a 63-yard field goal as the Saints beat the Detroit Lions on the record-breaking kick. NFL analyst Mike Detillier says Dempsey told him he never saw the ball go through the uprights

Cut 10 (13) “…the field”

Dempsey’s record stood for more than four decades. Matt Prater broke the record in 2013 with a 64-yard field goal in Denver. Dempsey only played for two seasons with the Saints. Detillier remembers the two appeared together at a public event in 2011 and fans stood in a long line to get Dempsey’s autograph

Cut 11 (05) “…still remembered”

________________________________________________

Dr. Ray Authement, who served as the president of UL Lafayette for 34 years, has died.  Upon his retirement in 2008, he was the longest-serving public university president in the United States.  Current UL Lafayette President Joe Savoie says Authement’s impact on the campus can still be seen today.

Cut 12 (10) “…changed the place.”

During Authement’s administration, the school’s name changed from USL to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.  Savoie says it was Autement’s own time in college that guided his handling of a student’s experience.

Cut 13 (12) “…could be successful.”

Savoie says Authement started at the school as a math professor.  Upon his retirement, he came back to the University to teach math again.

Cut 14 (12) “…to the university.”

Authement died Sunday at the age of 91.

92% of small businesses are feeling the negative impacts of COVID-19, according to the National Federation of Independent Business.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

National media outlets are reporting the CDC is set to recommend Americans wear a facemask when out in public to slow down the spread of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

92% of small businesses are reporting a negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic according to a nationwide survey conducted by the National Federation of Independent Business.  NFIB state director Dawn Starns says small businesses can only last for so long before throwing in the towel.

Cut 3 (07)  “…three to six months.”  

Starns says the leading factor is slower sales as reported by 80% of small businesses.

Cut  4 (13)_ “…started the survey.”

Starns says some businesses are choosing to forego the use of loans from government programs because they don’t want to get tangled in the extra paperwork or debt.

Cut 5 (11)  “…plenty who do.”

__________________________________________

The White House is reportedly set to recommend Americans wear a facemask while out in public to halt the spread of coronavirus.

Governor Edwards says the state is awaiting official federal recommendations before calling for public face mask usage in Louisiana, but…

Cut 6 (12) “…that.”

Many Asian countries, which have had far more success than western countries in slowing COVID cases, practice widespread use of public mask-wearing during viral scares.

There’s been a rash of articles and tutorials in recent days about how to make your own facemask at home, and Edwards is asking folks to use those, and not N95s.

Cut 7 (08) “…enough.”

Most online tutorials say you only need some cloth, like handkerchiefs, and elastic bands to make the most basic DIY mask.

Edwards says if the CDC does call for masks it likely would not be an order.

Cut 8 (12) “…right now.”

The decision would be a sharp reversal in federal messaging. In March the US Surgeon General told Americans to stop buying masks because they don’t stop coronavirus transmission.

____________________________________________________

The Army Corps of Engineers began opening the Bonnet Carre Spillway today to protect New Orleans levees from the rising Mississippi River. For the first time ever, it’s the third straight year the flood structure has been utilized. Colonel Stephen Murphy says opening bays on the spillway diverts part of the river’s flow away from New Orleans

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″

Murphy says it’s been another tough year for the River. To date, they’ve been in a phase one flood fight for 87 of the 93 days this calendar year.

Cut 10 (09) “…days”

COVID-19 may have many workers staying home, but Murphy says levee workers are essential.

Cut 11 (10) “…COVID-19.”

________________________________________________

Businesses with under 500 employees can now apply to receive a Small Business Administration loan from the feds to help cover payroll, and some other expenses for the next two months.

CPA Ben Vance says businesses who qualify get a loan amount that is determined by the SBA.

Cut 12 (09) “…2.5”

Vance is the Postlethwaite and Netterville Consulting Director.

The funds can only be used for payroll, rent, utilities, and some interest costs, but Vance says it’s really intended to keep your workers employed.

Cut 13 (08) “…forgiven”

The loans come in two forms, a disaster loan, and a payroll loan, but Vance says the emphasis is on payroll loans at the moment.

Vance recommends interested small business owners “get in line” to apply for the loans now because there’s a lot of interest.

Cut 14 (13) “…apply”

The CPA also warns that this is only a temporary fix and buisiness owners should be preparing for what will happen once the two month period ends.

Louisiana’s stay at home order has been extended through April. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

_____________________________________

Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (28) “…Kevin Barnhart ” 

___________________________________________

 If you owe child support, the Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing on payments during the pandemic.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

____________________________________________

Governor Edwards officially extends the state’s stay at home order through at least April, and says a model used by the White House predicts 1,834 Louisianans will die of COVID-19.

The Governor says the model is predicated on the idea that we continue mitigation measures through May, instead of the current reopening date of May 1^st.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…76.”

310 people have died in Louisiana from COVID-19.

Edwards says to limit the death toll the state has already distributed 450 ventilators to hospitals since the start of the COVID crisis, but finding new ones at the moment is difficult.

Cut 5 (11)  “…ago.”

507 Louisiana COVID patients are currently on ventilators.

Edwards says we’re not seeing the kind of shelter in place compliance we would like in areas outside the big cities. He says if those rural areas don’t take this seriously now…

Cut 6 (10) “…happen”

____________________________________________

The State Treasurer is shipping out four million dollars’ worth of unclaimed property checks to Louisianans this week. John Schroder says by working with the Department of Revenue they’ve identified tens of thousands of recipients who are owed money they can use right now.

Cut 7 (06) “…week”

Schroder says about one in six Louisianans is owed unclaimed property by the state, and you can speed up the process of getting it to you by visiting latreasury.com

So keep your eyes on your mailbox over the next week, and don’t throw out any mail until you know what it is.

Cut 8 (08) “…week.”

Unclaimed property can be everything from payroll checks to old bank accounts, royalties, deposits, interest payments, and more.

Schroder says the average check is no small fortune, but it is worth about nine hundred dollars.

Cut 9 (05) “…average″

Schroder estimates 14 million dollars in checks will be shipped next month.
______________________________________________

Department of Education issues guidance for school districts on how to handle the impending graduating class of high school seniors. Assistant Superintendent Ken Bradford says seniors won’t have to worry about taking the usual standardized tests graduation, but districts will have to make a call on how to handle course credits and other graduation requirements.

Cut 10 (08) “…high school credit.”

Bradford says students may elect to receive a pass/fail credit over a traditional letter grade for classes this semester, but it will not be factored into a GPA.

Cut 11 (10) “…impact their GPA”

All requirements to receive TOPS have remained the same.

Bradford says the Board of Regents is moving forward with options for dual-enrollment students.  They can either remain in the course and complete the coursework on time or they can do what is called an “in progress” …

Cut 12 (13) “…of the course.”

_________________________________________

The Department of Children and Family Services is not relaxing child support payments due to the pandemic.  Child Support Enforcement Director Lydia Scales says non-custodial parents will still be on the hook for money owed despite their employment status, but no enforcement actions will be taken.

Cut 13 (12) “…those enforcement techniques.”

If a parent loses a job and can’t make a payment, Scales recommends they call their child support worker and let them know that their circumstances have changed.

Cut 14 (08) “had been doing.”

Scales says the large number of layoffs and furloughs attached to the pandemic are a major area of concern that is compounded by the fact that they do not have any sort of remedy for the growing problem.

Cut 15 (11)“…this is nationwide.”

_________________________________________________

LSU baseball coach Paul Mainieri is still not exactly sure what his roster might look like in 2021. Mainieri says senior pitchers Matthew Beck and Aaron George will be able to return, because the NCAA is giving them another year of eligibility. But he’s not sure how many players or recruits he’ll lose to the draft, because Major League Baseball has yet to decide how many round the draft will be…

Cut 16  (18)  “…definitive answers” 

Current NCAA rules, only allow college baseball programs to hand out 11.7 scholarships among 27 players. Mainieri says with seniors coming back for another year and fewer players getting drafted, he’s hoping for some roster flexibility….

cut 17  (20) “…couple years” 

A New Orleans East Hospital nurse, Larrice Anderson, becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die of COVID-19. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

____________________________

Colorado State University researchers predict we will see an active 2020 hurricane season. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

___________________________

Ochsner Health chief Warner Thomas says they continue to increase the number of intensive care beds to keep up with the surge in COVID-19 patients. Thomas says adding to the strain is that COVID-19 patients spend over a week in the I-C-U

Cut 3 (12)  “…14 days.”  

Thomas says 85-percent of their COVID patients in the ICU are on ventilators. He believes they are in a decent position when it comes to personal protective equipment

Cut  4 (12)_ “…world.”

Thomas says their biggest need is staffing and they are working to hire more nurses as they expand the number of beds…

Cut 5 (11)  “…welcome relief”

__________________________________________

A nurse at New Orleans East Hospital becomes the state’s first healthcare worker to die after testing positive for COVID-19.  Larrice Anderson passed away on Wednesday.  Executive Director of the Louisiana State Nurse’s Association Thea Ducrow says the death sends a shockwave through the nursing community.

Cut 6 (13) “…what can happen.”

Ducrow says the rapidly developing situation has resulted in changes protective measures from the more strict airborne transmission protocol to the relaxed droplet protocol that requires the use of less PPE.  Ducrow says nurses are concerned about these changes.

Cut 7 (10) “…rather than science.”

Ducrow says the needs of healthcare workers are clear.

Cut 8 (11) “…what is needed.”

Anderson’s employer released a statement remembering the fallen nurse as “a mother, friend, and a caring nurse.”

____________________________________________________

If life wasn’t already difficult enough, Colorado State University Hurricane researchers predict an active 2020 hurricane season. C-S-U forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the likely absence of an El Nino is a primary factor

Cut 9 (08) “…hurricane activity.″

Jones says the tropical Atlantic is also somewhat warmer than normal right now…

Cut 10 (10) “…the air”

An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. But Jones says their forecast calls for 16 named storms, eight hurricanes, and four major hurricanes

Cut 11 (10) “…happening.”

________________________________________________

Louisiana sees a 42 percent increase in confirmed coronavirus cases as of the noon report, but Governor Edwards cautions that number is a reflection of a backlog of test results that were just reported.

Edwards says some of the over 2,700 new cases reported today were just recently discovered, but…

Cut 12 (10) “…ago”

About 51,000 COVID tests have been conducted in Louisiana between state and private labs, 47,000 of which were in private labs.

The state reported 37 new deaths as well, bringing our total to 310 COVID fatalities. Edwards says the 9,150 total cases should be a wakeup call for anyone still doubting the pandemic’s severity.

Cut 13 (10) “…states”

1,639 COVID patients are hospitalized, with 507 on ventilators, an increase of 17 from yesterday.

The Governor says the recent spike in cases is not evidence that the shelter in place order is failing. He says it will likely take until sometime next week to see our curve flatten as a result of the decision.

Cut 14 (07) “…April”

The Louisiana Direct Seafood marketing program is helping fishermen sell their catch at a time when they’ve lost revenue from restaurants. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (32) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

Over the next three weeks, the IRS will be dropping money from the $2.2 trillion emergency relief bill into the bank accounts of Americans. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (33) “…Kevin Barnhart ” 

___________________________________________

Governor Edwards warns Louisianans to start mentally preparing for a traumatic month ahead due to COVID-19 . Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 ()  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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 The state’s seafood industry is hurting with restaurant business taking a dive because of COVID-19.  Now, they are getting help in offloading their catch direct to consumers with the help of the marketing tool LouisianaDirectSeafood.com.  LSU AgCenter coastal agent Rusty Gaude (GO-TAY) says they’ve set up the website to connect the fishermen with those looking buy the catch.

Cut 4 (11)_ “…with that catch.”

Gaude says the website posts from harvesters detail what they’ve caught, prioritizing the post order by the freshest catch.

Cut 5 (09)  “…messages get buried.”

With the pipeline to restaurants being in a state of uncertainty, Gaude says this is a vital lifeline for the seafood industry.

Cut 6 (06) “…this hard time.”

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The Treasury Department and IRS announce the distribution of the economic impact payments will be sent out in the next three weeks.  Senior tax manager at Hannis T. Borgeois Brad Tate says an income of $75,000 for individuals and $150,000 for married couples will be the dividing line between getting a full $1,200 rebate or a smaller payment.

Cut 7 (09) “…married filing jointly.”

Tate says the IRS will be using the most recent info on file to get recipients their money.

Cut 8 (11) “…into your bank account.”

Tate says if you believe the IRS has outdated info of where to send your money, be on the lookout for an IRS media blitz.

Cut 9 (12) “…rebate check quicker.″
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The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is warning folks not to fall for fake news about bans on fishing or other outdoor activities during the coronavirus shutdown.

LDWF spokesperson Renee LeBreton says outside of the seizure of a few state parks for COVID patients, nothing has changed when it comes to what you can do outdoors.

Cut 10 (11) “…fake.”

LeBreton says in fact LDWF is encouraging people to go exploring nature, maybe catch some fish, or go hunting. He says it’s a great way to stay away from other people.

Cut 11 (09) “…offer”

LeBreton says instead of trusting some random person on Facebook, trust the professionals to tell you what is and is not allowed right now.

Cut 12 (08) “…there”

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Governor Edwards paints a grim picture of just how long, and how severe the coronavirus epidemic could get in Louisiana as the nation braces for an estimated 100,000-250,000 COVID deaths.

The state is tentatively set to lift the shelter in place order April 30^th, but Edwards says it’s likely that life will not return to normal for quite a long time.

Cut 13 (09) “…vaccine”

And he adds it depends on when we can begin testing people to see if they have anti-coronavirus antibodies that will give them natural immunity.

Edwards warns even if the statewide stay at home order is lifted in the near future, other countries have shown there’s no guarantee it won’t be needed again.

Cut 14 (08) “here”

Current projections have the New Orleans region running out of ventilators by April 6^th. Edwards says after that date new patients who need one will be put on non-ICU standard equipment.

Cut 15 (11)“…ventilator”

About a third of all patients who will be admitted to hospitals with COVID-19 are expected to need a ventilator.

Edwards says even in best case projections many Louisianans will die because they can’t get the care they need, because even with the use of non-standard equipment…

Cut 16  (11)  “…need them” 

Louisiana already is home to 4 of the top 6 parishes/counties in per capita COVID deaths.

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The Saints are preparing for the NFL draft at Dixie Brewery in New Orleans east, an establishment owned by Gayle Benson. Teams are forced to find alternative locations for their draft war rooms, because teams are not allowed in their own facilities. Payton says since they are not allowed to bring draft prospects in or go visit them, it will impact their decisions on who they pick…

cut 17  (30) “…looking for” 

Payton says he feels good after testing positive last month from the coronavirus. He says he never had the respiratory issues that many patients suffer from. The coach says they are practicing social distancing in the draft war room and they are using a lot of video teleconferencing

Cut 18  (19) “…six or seven”   

And Payton has clarified his comments he made to ESPN about his quarterback Drew Brees. The coach says he didn’t mean to indicate that 2020 would be his final season, in face he really doesn’t know…

cut 19 (20) mentally”  

Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves urges small businesses to start filling out the application for the Payroll Protection Act.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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The oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia and the coronavirus pandemic has brought the state’s oil and gas industy to its knees. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Baton Rouge Congressman Garret Graves is encouraging small businesses to get a jump on filling out applications for the Payroll Protection Act. Small businesses can apply to receive low-interest loans, with money that is used for payroll being forgiven. Graves says applications will be accepted starting April 3.

Cut 3 (10)  “…applications are accepted.”  

The program is part of the $2.2 trillion emergency relief legislation, but this particular allocation is subject to a funding cap, adding to the urgency of filing quickly.

Money used to fund other aspects of compensation like benefits such as healthcare and retirement will also be forgivable. Graves says the funds will help keep businesses from making layoffs and firings.

Cut  4 (07)_ “…families above water.”

Graves says the funding is not intended to float the payrolls of small businesses for the rest of the year.

Cut 5 (08)  “…4 month period.”

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As oil prices continue to drop the outlook for Louisiana workers in the industry continues to look bleak. Oil is trading in the low twenties and President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association Gifford Briggs says the situation is dire and two weeks ago when he surveyed members the predictions were extreme.

Cut 6 (11) “…90 days.”

Briggs says local companies are taking a huge hit in profits not only from the virus but also from Saudi Arabia and Russia ramping up production. Briggs says the two factors have resulted in a 90-percent reduction in prices for Louisiana Light Sweet Crude Oil since January.

Cut 7 (07) “…three months.”

Briggs says if prices do not recover by June first, storage facilities for oil will reach capacity and that’s when the industry will most definitely see a reduction in workers.

Cut 8 (10) “…everywhere else.”

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The New Orleans region could run out of ventilators for COVID-19 patients sometime this weekend. Governor Edwards says they’re scouring the medical community trying to figure out where they might have ventilators that are not in need, even if they aren’t high-powered ICU models.

Cut 9 (10) “…at all.″

490 COVID-19 patients are on ventilators in Louisiana as of the noon update.

The state received 150 ventilators from the feds today, but that number has already been factored into models warning of a shortage this weekend. At least…

Cut 10 (09) “…ICU”

When you combine requests to the feds and private companies, Louisiana has requested 14,000 ventilators total, but Edwards says that doesn’t mean 14,000 people are projected to need them.

Cut 11 (11) “…time.”

New Orleans is projected to run out of hospital bed space around Tuesday of next week.

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LSU’s DeepDrug team is using artificial intelligence to analyze anti-viral drugs, or drug combinations that could be used to treat COVID-19 patients.

LSU Computer Science Professor Supratik Mukhopadhyay (Moo-co-pod-a) says drugs like hydroxychloroquine appear promising, but cardiac patients shouldn’t take the anti-malarial…

Cut 12 (07) “…patients”

Before turning its attention to the coronavirus, DeepDrug was used to analyze potential antibiotic and antimicrobial treatments.

The FDA has approved about 90 antiviral treatments for general use, and Mukhopadyay says each will be simulated to see how it would treat COVID patients.

Cut 13 (07) “…them”

Once the ten to fifteen possibilities are discovered, Mukhopadyay says LSU will move to test them in more traditional clinical and lab settings.

Cut 14 (08) “…week”

DeepDrug is a current semifinalist for the IBM Watson AI X-PRIZE.

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