Today NOAA unveils its initial outlook for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.  Brooke Thorington has a preview of what to expect.

Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

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 The budget for the next fiscal year is up for debate today in House Appropriations. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Governor Edwards applauds citizens for crossing milestones in COVID-19 fight.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Today NOAA announces its initial outlook for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season that starts June 1.  State climatologist Barry Keim anticipates a forecast that leans towards an above normal season with the primary factor being the sea surface temps in the Atlantic.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…for the storms.”

Keim says sea surface temps will be main factor because of the expectations of ENSO-neutral conditions, where it is expected there is neither an El Nino nor La Nina.

Cut 5 (11)  “…does the opposite.”

A normal season is twelve named storms.  Keim anticipates NOAA will call for a wide range of 10 to 16 named storms.

2020 has already seen the formation of Tropical Storm Arthur that has stayed offshore.

Cut 6 (09) “…already had one.”

Colorado State University’s most recent forecast calls for 16 named storms with eight hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

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House Appropriations is set to take its first crack at the budget for the fiscal year starting July 1st this morning.

There are less than two weeks left in the regular session and political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes it is a safe bet that a special session will need to be called.

Cut 7 (10) “…budget.

The regular session ends June 1^st and a budget must be passed before July 1^st.

Pinsonat says many Republicans are quietly supportive of a special session. He says it would give them a chance to override potential vetoes on tort reform and coastal lawsuits.

Cut 8 (09) “…apple”

Tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates and legislation ending local government lawsuits against the oil and gas companies are likely targets for a potential veto override in the special session.

Pinsonat says the newly inaugurated, more fiscally conservative legislature is also likely to want more time to put their fingerprints on the budget.

Cut 9 (05) “…cut.”

Between federal funding and the use of rainy day funds, the budget deficit for the next fiscal year has shrunk to only 80 million dollars. That number could rise or fall after the fall Revenue Estimating Conference forecast.

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Governor John Bel Edwards highlights a milestone in the state’s fight against COVID-19 as hospitalizations have dropped below 1000 for the first time since March 28^th.  Edwards says this is a significant improvement from a time when the state faced the possibility of running out of ventilators and hospital bed space.

Cut 10 (11) “…to go down.”

As of Wednesday’s Department of Health report, there are 931 COVID-19 hospitalizations.  110 patients are on ventilators, down from a peak of 571 on April 4^th.

Edwards credits citizens for their handling of spread mitigation efforts for being the reason behind the progress made over the last two months.

Cut 11 (10) “…turned that around.”

The state has been in phase one of the economic reopening for less than a week and Edwards says more time is needed to gather data on how spread mitigation efforts are going before entering the conversation about moving into phase two.

Cut 12 (13) “…get the data.”

Edwards anticipates being able to make an announcement about moving into the next phase on June 1.

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A bill significantly expanding medical marijuana access is nearing final passage.

Under the legislation any condition a doctor considers “debilitating to an individual patient” would be eligible to receive medical marijuana. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the current limitations are too strict.

Cut 13 (06) “…not me” 

Mills authored the first medical marijuana bill.

The legislation lifts the requirement that a doctor is specifically licensed to prescribe medical marijuana. Mills says that has severely limited access.

Cut 14 (12) “…issue”

The doctor must be in good standing to authorize the treatment.

Bill author Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley says the legislation was brought due to popular demand.

Cut 15 (08)“…access”

The bill easily passed the full House 77-15, and cleared a Senate committee 5-1. It moves to the full Senate for final passage.

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Following closure since mid-March, casino guests are excited to get back on the gaming floor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Louisiana scores 190 million dollars from the feds to significantly expanding COVID-19 testing capacity. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak that’s infected about 100 people at three Acadiana crawfish farms.

The outbreaks are centered on dormitory housing for migrant workers. Crawfish Promotion Board Chairman David Savoy says these farm outbreaks are unlikely to spread into the local community.

Cut 3 (11)  “…together.”  

The outbreak was discovered as part of the state’s efforts to expand testing in congregate housing settings.

Savoy says the outbreak occurred at the end of the season and likely will not impact overall production.

Cut 4 (05)_ “…too great.”

Savoy says the workers live in communal spaces where social distancing is not possible and does not believe the industry could have done anything differently to avoid the outbreaks.

Cut 5 (09)  “…cost.”

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Casinos are experiencing a promising start to reopening after being closed since mid-March.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says players are showing up and are not pushing back against virus spread mitigation efforts of wearing masks and social distancing.
Cut 6 (09) “ …the virus hit.”

Jones adds that people were lined up at the doors waiting on the casinos to reopen on Monday.

Jones says out of town guests are showing up since a majority of the state’s gaming tourism does not rely on air travel.

Cut 7 (11) “…some Louisiana folks.”

Properties are limited to 25% occupancy and can operate half of their gaming positions.  Before guests are allowed on the gaming floor, they go through a temperature check, sanitize their hands, are given masks, and encouraged to wear them.

Two Boyd Gaming properties are set to reopen today, bringing the grand total to 13 casinos back in business.  Jones says there is still a chance that Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier City, which had previously announced a permanent closure, may still reopen.

Cut 8 (08) “…back in business.”

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The feds award Louisiana 190 million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing.

Early on in the pandemic, it could be hard to get a test even if you thought you were exposed, but Congressman Garret Graves says once this funding is applied that will no longer be the case.

Cut 9 (09) “…tested.”

The money will also be used to establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure.

Governor Edwards has expressed optimism the state will move into Phase Two in June. Graves says this funding ensures we have the testing capacity to meet the federal benchmarks to do so.

Cut 10 (11) “…program”

The money came to the state through legation passed by Congress three weeks ago that also refilled the Payroll Protection Program fund.

Graves says the level of testing this funding provides is vital to returning to some sense of normalcy before a vaccine is made.

Cut 11 (11) “…reemergence”

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The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. Brumley will fill the position once occupied by John White. The Sabine native was one of 21 applicants and during his interview, he described a team effort to improve public education

Cut 12 (11) “…those things”

Brumley has led Jefferson Parish Schools since 2018. Before that he spent six years as the superintendent of the DeSoto Parish School System which became an A-rated district under his watch.

Dr. Brumley says early childhood education is very important to him…

Cut 13 (13) “early brain”  

Dr. Brumley on what he would like to see from teachers in the classroom…

Cut 14 (14) “…child faces”

BESE will now work to finalize a contract with Dr. Brumley.

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans is slowly ramping up production again after an extended closure due to the pandemic. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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Senator Bill Cassidy introduces federal legislation aiming to deliver $500 billion in emergency funding to states and communities with the SMART Act. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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 A legislative effort to allow all registered voters in the state to vote by mail fails to get out of a House Committee. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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More workers are returning to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to continue building rockets for the Artemis Program, which aims to put the first woman on the moon by 2024.

Michoud Director Robert Champion says some technicians returned Monday after a long hiatus.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…project.”

Champion says they’ll still be under 25 percent of their full production capacity as they enter NASA’s Stage 3 Return to On-site Work.

Cut 5 (11)  “…where needed”

Stage 3 of NASA’s plan roughly coincides with the federal government’s Phase One.

Michoud will still have engineers who can work from home continue to do so, but Champion says they’ve found creative ways to make that work…

Cut 6 (10) “ attitude.”

The decision to return more technicians to the facility was made after NASA officials observed a decrease in COVID numbers across the New Orleans region over a 14-day period.

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Senator Bill Cassidy is one of two lawmakers introducing bipartisan federal legislation aiming to deliver $500 billion in emergency funding to states and communities with the State and Municipality Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act.  Cassidy says a state’s share of funding in a series of payments is based upon three factors.

Cut 7 (12) “…the financial impact.”

The first payment could go out immediately, the second would go out at the end of June, and the third at the end of the year.

Cassidy says estimates indicate the state’s tax revenue has taken a hit in the range of 42-46% and points to the state’s reliance on tourism as a big contributing element of the revenue shortfall.

Cut 8 (11) “…in Lafayette, etc.”

Cassidy says the President has indicated support for the measure, but there are other hurdles in getting the bill to his desk, adding that the faster the money gets into local and state governments, the better.

Cut 9 (09) “…have to do.”

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A House committee shoots down a proposal allowing all registered voters in Louisiana to vote by mail.

Vote by mail advocate and recent LSU grad Catherine McKinney says vote by mail is already an option for Louisiana college students…

Cut 10 (11) “…plan”

The legislation would have allowed all voters to request the Secretary of State’s office mail them a ballot. Voters would have to submit their license to file their vote.

The proposal ran into opposition from Republicans like Denham Springs Representative Valarie Hodges who says vote by mail is more prone to fraud than showing up at a booth.

Cut 11 (08) “…integrity”

But McKinney countered that actual voter fraud is incredibly rare under all voting systems in the state.

Cut 12 (10) “…by mail.”

Voters in high-risk groups have expressed fear that polling locations could infect them with COVID, but Hodges says she is confident safety protocols can be written to prevent that.

Cut 13 (09) “…to vote” 

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Cal-Maine Foods, based out of Pine Grove, donates nearly 600,000 eggs to food banks in Louisiana.

Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain says Cal-Maine had an excess and wanted to donate it, so they rolled in with two tractor-trailer trucks with 1,560 cases of eggs each in tow…

Cut 14 (03) “…people”

Strain says that’s 23,400 dozen cartons of eggs.

Cal-Maine General Manager Corey Davis explains how his company came into having so many excess eggs on hand…

Cut 15 (13)“…customers”

Cal-Maine has roughly 40 egg-producing plants nationwide.

Davis says they look forward to distributing the eggs to food banks later this month

Cut 16 (10) “with them”

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Other than whether there is a season, the big question for the LSU football Tigers is can Myles Brennan lead the Bayou Bengals to another successful season. Offensive Coordinator Steve Ensminger says he’s seen enough from Brennan to have a lot of confidence in him…

Cut 17  (19) “…let’s go” 

Brennan will have two proven receivers to target in the passing game, Ja’Marr Chase and Terrace Marshall Junior. Ensminger says he thinks Racey McMath can have a break out season in 2020 and he likes the speed that a lot of the young receivers have shown…

Cut 18  (26) “…double team Ja’Marr”   

LSU will have to rebuild its offensive line as Lloyd Cushenberry, Damien Lewis and Sahdiq Charles were drafted. But Ensminger they have several guys coming back that saw a lot of snaps last year…

cut 19 (25) “…enough talent”  

LSU is returning the Pete Maravich Assembly Center to normal after using it to produce personal protection equipment.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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If your child received free or reduced-price meals at school, you could receive an EBT card to make up for those lost meals due to school closures. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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The Senate passes the Omnibus Tort Reform bill on a near party-line 29-8 vote. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The Louisiana Department of Health has made public a list of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities where residents and or staff have tested positive for COVID-19. Governor Edwards says you can find the 12-page document on LDH’s coronavirus webpage and click on the tab that says nursing homes

Cut 4 (11)_ “…deaths.”

Louisiana is reporting 4,084 total resident cases in nursing homes along with 987 resident fatalities and 1,737 staff cases. 

LDH has also issued formal guidance to all adult residential facilities on prevention measures going forward…

Cut 5 (12)  “…so forth.”

And the Acadiana region is reporting an uptick in COVID cases. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says around 100 people at three crawfish farms have tested positive…

Cut 6 (09) “ settings.”

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The Pete Maravich Assembly Center at LSU has hosted a PPE production facility for about the last month and now the operation is wrapping up.  Director of Economic Development at LSU Greg Trahan says during that time, they made a big impact on the PPE needs of the state’s healthcare workers.

Cut 7 (06) “…10,000 face shields.”

Over one million square feet of billboard vinyl was used to make gowns and roughly 100 employees assisted in the project.  Trahan says the project showcased LSU’s ability to bring together different departments to tackle a project and do so in a highly productive manner.

Cut 8 (08) “…challenges like that.”

The project also produced over 2,000 gallons of hand sanitizer.  Trahan anticipates the project will have a long-lasting legacy at LSU.

Cut 9 (12) “…direct this energy.”

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Louisiana public school students who received free or reduced-priced meals at school can now receive 285-dollars per child to offset the loss of those meals due to COVID-19 school closures. Louisiana has been approved by the USDA to issue Pandemic EBT cards to help feed approximately 600-thousand students. State Department of Education spokesperson Syndi Dunn

Cut 10 (08) “…debit card.”

The application is available online at the LDE website in a P-EBT portal or you can call 1-888-524-3578.

Dunn says families will receive up to $285 for each eligible child.

Cut 11 (09) “…SNAP program”

Dunn says the state expects to begin mailing EBT cards as early as May 26.

Cut 12 (09) “…your card.”

Dunn says benefits on the cards will expire in 365 days and you can now register now online for benefits until June 7^th.

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Legislation that seeks to reduce auto insurance rates by changing the state’s legal system clears the upper chamber on a veto proof 29-8 vote. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his measure would result in more jury trials and other reforms that aim to limit damage claims against insurance companies and other businesses. Talbot says these reforms will lead to at least a 10-percent savings more motorists…

Cut 13 (10) “…accordingly” 

Talbot says Louisiana has some of the highest auto insurance rates in the country and these changes put Louisiana in line with other state’s tort policy. He says the legislation will also result in more companies writing auto insurance policies in Louisiana

Cut 14 (05) “…go down”

Tort reform is a major priority of Republican lawmakers and business lobbying groups. Many freshmen members made supporting tort reform a central message of their campaigns.

Democratic Senator Jay Luneau of Alexandria opposes the bill. He says it has been written with loopholes that allow insurers to skip out on passing along tort related savings.

Cut 15 (10)“…rates.”

In committee, opponents testified that passage of the bill would lead to lower settlements for victims of corporate or personal negligence.

Luneau also targeted the legislation for undermining critical funding sources for local courts and says it fails to address the real reasons behind rising auto insurance rates.

Cut 16 (07) “…of us”

The legislation is pending House introduction.

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Pelicans executive vice president David Griffin says seven players worked out at the team’s training complex in Metairie yesterday on the first day it’s been open since March 20th. Griffin says they could have had more, but the NBA has put a lot of stringent restrictions in place when it comes to what players can do inside team facilities

Cut 17  (26) “…their own” 

Players can work out with one staff member, but not with the head coach or an assistant. And the staff member who is working with the player must wear gloves if that person is rebounding for the player.

Play was halted with 18 games left in the regular season and the Pels 3.5 games back of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Griffin says when the season resumes, the schedule will likely look different

Cut 18  (26) “…schedule”   

It’s been reported the NBA is looking at resuming the season by holding games in Las Vegas and Orlando. But Griffin says there’s a chance games could be played in the Smoothie King Center, without fans…

cut 19 (18) “…something different”  

Oil prices rose to a two month high today at over 30 dollars a barrel on rising optimism about the world economy. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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13 people are wounded following a shooting in Bogalusa at a memorial for a recent murder victim.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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A 27-year-old woman is dead and nine others are being treated at a hospital from severe weather that hit a rural area in northeast Acadia Parish last night. The one fatality took place on Prudence Highway north of Church Point.  Sheriff KP Gibson says a suspected tornado damaged several homes.

Cut 3 (09)  “with moderate damage.”  

Gibson says the loss of life could have been much worse as many residents were unprepared for the impact of the severe weather.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…everybody off guard.”

Gibson says the community response in the aftermath has been tremendous.

Cut 5 (07)  “…on their feet.”

Damage has also been reported in Evangeline Parish.

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The price of oil has rebounded to over 30 dollars a barrel after sinking to negative numbers just a month ago.

LSU Center for Energy Studies Executive Director David Dismukes explains why…

Cut 6 (10) “activity”

Dismukes says today’s notable spike was the result of new positive news related to vaccine development.

Oil started the year over 60 dollars a barrel, and while that is unlikely to return this year Dismukes says the industry can sustain at these prices.

Cut 7 (08) “track”

An industry survey indicated producers were bracing for massive layoffs, but Dismukes says if prices stay over 35 a barrel we should only lose 5,000 of the state’s 35,000 oil workers.

Cut 8 (06) “…labor force”

Today’s prices in the low 30s represent a two month high for oil.

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The search continues for the gunmen involved in a mass shooting that wounded 13 people in Bogalusa on Saturday night. Major Wendell O’ Berry says between 500 to 800 people gathered at an intersection to remember the life of Dominique James, who was recently murdered. O’ Berry says as the crowd grew shots were fired…

Cut 9 (11) “…wounded.”

O’ Berry says 12 of the 13 victims were male and some are critically wounded.

Washington Parish Sheriff Randy Seal is calling on those that have information about shooting to come forward and talk to police, saying it is much more effective that marching in protest of the violence.

Cut 10 (10) “…our community back.”

Seal says various factors contribute to the city’s crime problem that produced the mass shooting.

Cut 11 (13) “…lets talk.”
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Governor Edwards is recommending to legislative leaders to use federal money to close a one-billion-dollar budget hole that’s been caused by the coronavirus pandemic. Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne says a portion of the rainy day fund can be used as well, leaving just 80-million dollars in cuts

Cut 12 (09) “…budget”

Dardenne says most of the projected cuts would occur within the Louisiana Department of Health’s budget. He says many other agencies are taking a two-percent cut, including higher education and there’s also a possibility more cuts will be needed later this year if the economy doesn’t rebound

Cut 13 (08) “be spent”  

Dardenne says their proposal to lawmakers is to keep TOPS fully funded and they are not recommending a reduction in public school funding. Lawmakers have until July 1st to pass a budget, and it may take a June special session to get it done.

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A woman is dead and two juveniles were taken to the hospital after a train collided with their stalled out vehicle in Webster Parish.

State Police Trooper Brent Hardy says 51-year-old Rebecca Woodard of Minden and one juvenile were attempting to push the vehicle when the train came into view.

Cut 14 (13) “…vehcile”

Woodard was transported to the hospital where she later died. The juvenile in the vehicle sustained moderate injuries.

Hardy says Woodard and the juvenile had not managed to get the vehicle very far when the impact occurred.

Cut 15 (08)“ vehcile.”

Hardy says if your vehicle ever becomes stranded on the track, immediate exit and get all other passengers away from the vehicle, then call the number on the nearby white and blue sign.

Cut 16 (10) “…crossing.”

The crash occurred on LA Highway 163 south of LA Highway 164.

Today is the first day casinos can open since a state ordered closure in mid-March. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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Movie theaters can reopen under Phase One guidelines, but most stay closed. Brooke Thorington explains.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Brooke Thorington” 

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Ochsner  says its treating three children in Louisiana for an illness the CDC believes is linked to COVID-19 infection. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Today is the first day casinos and video poker parlors can open since the governor ordered them closed in mid-March. State Police had to approve each casino’s spread mitigation procedures and operators are looking at whether they can still break even with occupancy limits in place. Casino Association of Louisiana executive director Wade Duty says not every casino will open today.

Cut 4 (06)_ “…them to open.”

Diamond Jacks Casino and Hotel in Bossier City has announced a permanent closure due to market conditions from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, the casino brings in $7.5 million to the state and $1.5 million to Bossier City in tax revenue. More than 300 will be without a job.

Duty says getting fully staffed is tricky.

Cut 5 (12)  “…taken other positions.”

Casinos are allowed to open with 50% of their gaming positions in operation, but an over occupancy limit of 25-percent. Duty says they are optimistic players will visit Louisiana casinos and they should get out of state visitors too.

Cut 6 (09) “ …first to benefit.”

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Movies theaters are allowed to welcome customers back under the Governor’s Phase One reopening plan, however, most of the marquees remain dark. President of the Tristate Independent Theatre Association, Adam Holland says theatres didn’t know when Phase One would actually go into effect until the announcement on May 11^th and they also have to coordinate with studios for product.

Cut 7 (08) “…mid-July.”

Due to a lack of new releases to show and business procedures that must be implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, Holland says most theaters will open next month.

Cut 8 (12) “…this virus”

Holland says when theaters do reopen, you’ll see some changes like sneeze guards at the concession stand and more ushers.

Cut 9 (10) “…by the orders.”__

Holland is confident the industry will survive because many people still like to watch movies in a theaters.

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The CDC warns physicians to be on the lookout for a possibly COVID-linked illness that has impacted over a hundred children across the country.

Ochsner Lafayette Pediatric Cardiologist Dr. Katherine Lindle says the symptoms do not look like COVID-19 in adults.

Cut 10 (10) “…breathing.”

Lindle says other symptoms include rrashes and inflamed tongues that look like strawberries.

Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome appears to take hold in many patients after their initial COVID-19 infection has passed. Lindle says sometimes it’s several weeks later.

Cut 11 (07) “…symptoms”

Ochsner reports having treated three such cases in Louisiana, and Lindle says fatal outcomes for children afflicted by the disease are rare.

Cut 12 (09) “…aware.”

More than half of the reported cases have been found in New York.

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The full Senate is scheduled to tackle two major bills today, one being tort reform aimed at reducing auto insurance rates and the other revoking local governments’ ability to sue oil companies for coastal damages. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says there are enough votes in the upper chamber to pass tort reform…

Cut 13 (12) “…states” 

Opponents of the tort reform bill say it would not lower auto insurance rates and would make it harder for victims of negligence to be properly compensated.

The coastal land loss lawsuit legislation had strong GOP support, but Pinsonat says local leaders are pushing coastal Republicans away from the bill.

Cut 14 (09) “…debt”

Pinsonat says it is possible the bill will be shelved today due to a lack of votes. He says the governor does not support both of these proposals…

Cut 15 (11)“…weaken it.”

The Senate will convene today at 2 PM.

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With the return of Bo Pelini as LSU’s defensive coordinator, the Tigers will also move to a four-three defensive front. During the Tiger Athletic Foundation’s Virtual Coaches tour, Pelini said there are enough talented defensive ends on the roster to make the switch

Cut 16 (23) “…be special”

Pelini says they will have some schemes that are the same ones used by former defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, but there will be some new packages as well

Cut 17  (25) “…any offense” 

Pelini is excited to have Jacoby Stevens back in the defensive secondary

Cut 18  (20) “…of guy”   

A real estate expert predicts the COVID Crisis will have a lasting impact on the way office spaces are laid out. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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The Lt Governor says saving the state’s tourism economy starts with getting more Louisianans to take in-state road trips. Jeff Palermo has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Parts of southeast Louisiana are drying out today after over a foot of rain fell in an area north of Lake Ponchartrain. Phil Grigsby with the National Weather Service in Slidell says their highest rainfall total was 15 inches

Cut 3 (11)  “ten inches”  

Grigsby says up to ten inches of rain fell in St. Charles Parish. Officials say floodwaters entered over 120 homes in the Destrehan area.

Rivers continue to rise and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff deputies were still conducting water rescues on Friday morning.

Grigsby says the Tchefuncte River, which starts in Tangiaphoa Parish and drains into Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany will crest at major flood stage level. He says water has flowed into some homes

Cut 4 (11)_ “…St. Charles Parish.”

A handful of people had to be rescued from their homes last night as the water kept rising. High water has also closed some roads and there are also power outages.
Grigsby says heavy rain bands from a low-pressure system produced the flooding and more rain is in the forecast…

Cut 5 (09)  “…last evening.”

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Many of Louisiana’s 450,000 small businesses are struggling to make rent amid the COVID-driven economic crisis.

Beau Box Commercial Real Estate New Orleans VP Cress Gardner says the divide between which sectors are and are not having trouble paying rent is significant.

Cut 6 (09) “ 50/50”

Gardner says if your business is struggling to make rent reach out to your landlord with detailed accounting demonstrating how your business will bounce back after the crisis cools.

Cut 7 (11) “.accsessed”

Gardner says if you’ve been a reliable tenant than it’s unlikely your landlord will want to let you go over a few months of delinquency.

Gardner also expects when workers are cleared to return to office spaces those environments will reflect the New Normal.

Cut 8 (09) “…Thursday”

Gardner also expects the future of office spaces will be a return to less dense spacing with more personal offices.

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The National Federation of Independent Business indicates optimism as Louisiana begins phase one of the economic reopening.  But NFIB state director Dawn Starns says there are still challenges, such as limiting businesses to 25-percent capacity.

Cut 9 (09) “…past few months.”

Starns says the phase one proclamation creates winners and lowers. She says bowling alleys are still closed, while movie theatres can reopen.

Cut 10 (10) “…up and running.”

Spas, massage and tattoo parlors are not allowed to open under phase one guidelines. Starns says bars that do not serve food also remain shuttered…

Cut 11 (12) “…challenges with it.”

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Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser calls on Louisianans to kick start the tourism economy by making 2020 the “Year of the Louisiana Road Trip”. South Louisianans are missing their spring festivals but Nungesser says you can still have some quality time with the family and social distance by loading up the car and heading north…

Cut 12 (12) “…meat pie”

Nungesser says you can extend your north Louisiana excursion by wrapping up your trip at Poverty Point World Heritage Site in West Carrol Parish.

And while south Louisiana’s iconic festivals have been canceled, Nungesser says you can still enjoy the coast’s natural offerings.

Cut 13 (11) “Basin”  

Nungesser says tourism dollars saved every Louisianan 1,100 dollars in taxes last year, and if Louisianans can prove you can safety tour the state more out of state visitors will return.

Cut 14 (08) “…Louisiana”

You can built an itenerary at LouisianaTravel.com/RoadTrip.

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Governor Edwards says if you get a call from a number that reads 877-766-2130, it’s a contact tracer. Edwards says it’s important you answer the contact tracer’s questions because they will inform you that a person you’ve been in contact with has tested positive for the coronavirus. He says it’s been used in Louisiana before…

Cut 15 (07)“ hepatitis A.”

The state previously had 70 contact tracers employed, but they’ve just trained about 300 more.

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This is the first weekend of loosened restrictions on businesses since the coronavirus pandemic began. Governor Edwards thinks the state can do this and still keep cases down and manageable…

Cut 16 (15) “…their opportunity.”

The state reported 348 new cases on Friday and 31 more COVID-19 deaths. But hospitalizations dropped by 102 to less than eleven-hundred.

As of last week, 325,000 Louisianans qualified for unemployment insurance placing a heavy burden on the Louisiana Workforce Commission…

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

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Governor Edwards says as the state begins to reopen its economy, it’s important to remember we are still battling a public health crisis. Jeff Palermo has the story…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

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Louisiana sees 40,000 new unemployment insurance claims last week and the House Labor Committee tells Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie her department is handling the crush of claims well.

Natchitoches Representative Kenny Cox is impressed…

Cut 3 (07)  “appropriately.”  

The increase of 40,000 new claimants is lower than the previous week’s increase of 50,000 new claimants.

Alexandria Representative Ed Larvadain passed along his constituent’s thanks…

Cut 4 (10)_ “…appriciate it.”

Today the US reported three million unemployed workers, bringing to national total to 36.5 million.

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton thanked LWC for agreeing to implement work search requirements in the coming weeks…

Cut 5 (11)  “…balance.”

As of last week, 325,000 qualified for unemployment insurance benefits in Louisiana.

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Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene

Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”

Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus. He says if too many people go beyond what the CDC and state health department recommends, we will be back to square one

Cut 7 (10) “.would”

The COVID-19 death toll in Louisiana has reached 23-hundred and the state is reporting over 33-thousand cases as the state prepares to reopen a portion of its economy. Edwards says the rate of transmission in some parts of the state is lower than one and he hopes to keep it that way

Cut 8 (09) “…do that”

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The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.

Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__

Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.

McMath says he has spent a significant amount of time drafting the legislation to make it less burdensome on drivers when it comes to being able to still utilize the phone in the vehicle.

Cut 10 (10) “…all that stuff.”

McMath says Louisiana’s current law prohibiting texting and driving is impossible to enforce because if the police pull someone over for texting and driving, a driver can say they were using the phone for some other function.

McMath says there is language in the bill to prevent a cell phone violation from leading to a violation of constitutional rights.

Cut 11 (09) “…in this bill.”

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LSU executive deputy athletics director Verge Ausberry says it will not be the NCAA who will determine if the Tigers will kick off their football season in September. Ausberry says that decision will be made by the SEC and university leaders. He says they are planning for numerous scenarios

Cut 12 (11) “…on that”

Ausberry says it’s also too soon to decide if fans will be allowed inside Tiger Stadium for games

Cut 13 (10) “of things”  

Ausberry hopes student-athletes can get back on campus in June. He says the football coaches returned to their offices about two weeks ago

Cut 14 (10) “…back in shape”

The Louisiana Senate votes 31-5 to ban the hand-held usage of cell phones while behind the wheel and the bill is heading to the House for further discussion.  Bill sponsor Covington Sen. Patrick McMath says measure contributes to this session’s focus on lower auto insurance rates.
Cut 9 (10) “…premiums as well.”__
Similar measures have failed to make it to the Governor’s desk in the past.
Governor Edwards releases a proclamation today that will officially loosen restrictions on restaurants and churches starting tomorrow. Gyms, movie theaters, nail, and hair salons can reopen. Edwards says the proclamation spells out that residents should continue to wear masks, social distance and practice good hygiene
Cut 6 (08) “ wrong direction”
Edwards says moving to phase one doesn’t mean life returns to pre-coronavirus.

Not every buisiness will be open for buisiness Friday when the stay at home order lifts. Matt Doyle has more on why places like bars will remain closed…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says the park rangers and attendants will be on the job as visitors come to the parks.

Cut 15 (11)“…back to Louisiana.”

A backlog of haircut needs and social distancing may result in the need to set a hair appointment. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

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 Not every buisiness will be open for buisiness Friday when the stay at home order lifts. Matt Doyle has more on why places like bars will remain closed…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

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Some of Louisiana’s state parks are reopening exclusively to residents just in time for the weekend. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (29)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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Barbershops and hair salons will partially reopen Friday and the experience is expected to be drastically different. Setting hair appoints may become necessary. Director of the State Board of Cosmetology Steve Young says social distancing will be paramount and it’ll impact the convenience of a quick snip.

Cut 4 (09)_ “…the appointed time.”

Capacity limits will likely mean that waiting inside the business will not be an option, so waiting in the car will be the next best thing.

Barbershops and salons have been closed since March, so the backlog of those in need of a haircut may create the need for extended business hours. Young says that should not be an issue.
Cut 5 (09)  “…sure many will.”

Young says mask-wearing and other spread mitigation efforts will be mandated during a hair appointment.

Cut 6 (09) “…to be sanitized.”

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Congressman Ralph Abraham pens a letter to Tesla founder Elon Musk inviting the tycoon to relocate his California based company to north Louisiana.

Musk reopened his Tesla production facility in spite of California’s statewide stay a home order shuttering all non-essential businesses and is facing potential legal action.

Cut 7 (11) “…What’s right.”

Abraham says a 1,400-acre site called Franklin Farm in his home parish of Richland would be perfect for the electric car manufacturer.

Cut 8 (11) “…business”

The Franklin Farm property is currently state-owned.

Abraham says the I-20 corridor is ripe for a tech boom given the nearby technical schools and recent high tech investments.

Cut 9 (10) “…here”__

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Some business advocates are frustrated that tattoo parlors, bars, and spas will not be allowed to open for business Friday.

But Louisiana Department of Health Assistant Secretary Alex Billioux says it’s just not safe to open those sectors yet, and cited White House guidelines recommending places like bars remain closed.

Cut 10 (12) “…the state.”

Billioux says they have three criteria for when, and how businesses can open: The number of potential COVID contacts in a facility, how long you would have contact with a COVID case, and whether the business model could be adapted to limit contact.

Cut 11 (10) “…together”

Billioux says the Phase One reopening still calls for extensive social distancing and only focuses on businesses deemed “low risk”.

Billioux says some establishments, like restaurants, lend themselves well to adapting to social distancing guidelines, and some business models just could not make it work.

Cut 12 (11) “…that setting”

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Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of 18 of the state’s historical sites, and 18 of the 21 state parks this Friday.  Nungesser says state parks have lots of cancellations, so there has never been a better time for locals to enjoy what state parks have to offer.

Cut 13 (09) “…by Louisiana residents.” 

Nungesser says state parks are incentivizing residents to staycation and check out all the trails, the fishing, and more.

Cut 14 (12) “…4^th night free (x2).”

Three state parks, Chico State Park, Lake Bistineau State Park, Bayou Segnette State Park, will remain closed as they are quarantining COVID-19 positive patients.

Nungesser says the park rangers and attendants will be on the job as visitors come to the parks.

Cut 15 (11)“…back to Louisiana.”

On Saturday, the state’s nine museums will also reopen at 25% capacity.  Welcome centers will reopen in phase two.

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The full Senate has approved a bill giving voters a chance to decide if they want sports betting legalized in their parish. Metairie Senator Cameron Henry says if his proposal gets full legislative approval, the proposition will appear on the November third ballot

Cut 16 (13) “…moving forward.”

The proposal passed on a 29-to-8 vote. An effort to legalize sports wagering last year failed as conservative lawmakers were concerned about expanding gambling. Henry says if residents in a parish vote for this proposition, then the legislature will decide how it will be taxed and regulated during the 2021 fiscal session…

Cut 17  (14) “…you on it” 

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During the Tiger Athletic Foundation’s virtual coaches caravan, LSU athletics director Scott Woodward could not provide an answer on whether fans will be allowed in Tiger Stadium this season. Woodward says they still have several weeks before they make a decision…

Cut 18  (29) “…proper fashion.”   

LSU’s season opener is September fifth when they host U-T San Antonio. Woodward says they are doing everything in their control to open the season that day and play 12 regular season games.

LSU is hoping the players can return to campus in June. Coach Ed Orgeron is looking forward to Myles Brennan leading the offense. The coach admits Brennan has big shoes to fill…

cut 19 (18) “…pressure on him”