State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state moving into Phase Three likely means more in-person education for K-12 students. Brumley says one of the biggest differences in Phase Three is relaxed school bus capacity limits.

Cut 6 (09) “…campus.”

Group sizes also can increase to 50 and choir and band is allowed once again.

There are two tropical waves that will impact Louisiana’s weather over the next few days. State Climatologist Barry Keim says an area of low pressure over the north-central Gulf of Mexico has a low chance of development, but it will still help bring rain to the Bayou State over the weekend…

Cut 3 (11)  “…five days”  

The National Hurricane Center is currently tracking six disturbances across the Atlantic and the Gulf of Mexico.

The restaurant industry welcomes today’s transition into Phase Three of economic reopening. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Eight of the state’s 28 Laura-related deaths have come as a result of excessive heat. Governor Edwards says the heat is a serious problem right now especially for those in southwest Louisiana areas that still don’t have power. He asks you to pace yourself if you’re out working to clean up your home…

Cut 13 (06) “…get in to.”

In Lake Charles temperatures will get into the low 90s this afternoon.

The state’s move into Phase 3 means relaxed occupancy restrictions on restaurants.  Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says the expected increase from 50% to an anticipated 75% capacity is a welcomed change. Harris says the industry still faces hurdles in rebuilding the trust with patrons and workers that the dine-in atmosphere is a safe place to be.

Cut 5 (11)  “…that work there.”

Further details about what Phase Three will look like, such as the status of bars, will be provided during a press conference this afternoon.

Louisiana patients who enrolled in a Pennington Biomedical weight loss study tailored to low-income residents maintained at least a five percent decrease in body weight over a two year period. Lead researcher, Dr. Peter Katzmarzyk, says health coaches had weekly sessions with 452 patients on solving their biggest barriers to weight loss.

Cut 7 (11) “…issues”

Senator Bill Cassidy defends President Trump after an audio recording from March was released of the President saying he wanted to “play down” the coronavirus. Audio has the President privately acknowledging how deadly the virus was at a time when he was publicly comparing it to the flu. Cassidy says the President tends to speak a little loosely and in ways he sometimes regrets, but he doesn’t regret the way the nation responded.

Cut 11 (11) “…unprecedented.”

So far 6000 homeowners who had their dwelling damaged by the storm have registered to get a blue roof from the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA.  Governor Edwards says anyone who is in need of the temporary patch job in the parishes of Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis, and Vernon needs to act fast on signing up.

Cut 14 (10) “…cover damaged rooves.” 

Governor John Bel Edwards will provide details at 2 PM on what coronavirus restrictions will be in effect when Phase three begins later today. Edwards says the statewide mask mandate will remain in place, but we don’t know what the maximum occupancy will be for businesses. New Orleans is remaining in phase two.

President Trump has come under fire for audio recordings of him in March privately acknowledging the danger of coronavirus at a time when he was publicly downplaying the threat. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle.”

The Pennington Biomedical Center in Baton Rouge says 452 low-income patients lost five percent of their body weight while participating in a two-year program that was tailored towards underserved residents. Researcher Doctor Peter Katzmarzyk says they had health coaches show the patients that eating healthy doesn’t have to be expensive…
cut 9 (09) “….store”
The coaches also worked with patients on coping with stress and increasing physical activity.

We are two weeks away since Hurricane Laura’s landfall and the state reports that nearly 13-thousand residents are being sheltered at 42 hotels, 36 of them in New Orleans. Governor Edwards says that number is growing slightly every day…
cut 15 (09) “…4,800 Louisinans”

At two o’clock today, Governor Edwards will provide more details on what Phase three of reopening the economy will mean for businesses. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says they hope it means restaurants can go from 50-percent of maximum occupancy to 75-percent but he’s not sure if the bar closure order will be lifted
cut 6 (13) “….said not now”

Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy is defending the President after an audio recording from March was released that has Donald Trump saying he wanted to downplay the seriousness of COVID-19. Cassidy says Americans should pay more attention to the President’s actions.
Cut 10 (09) “phase.”

An LSU Pennington Biomedical Research Center two-year weight loss program aimed at helping low-income residents finds great success. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

A free COVID-19 testing site will start Monday at the Argent Pavilion on the Louisiana Tech campus. Walk-up and drive-through testing will be conducted from 9 AM to 4 PM Monday to Friday for two weeks. You can pre-register online at Do-I-Need-A-COVID-19-Test-dot-com. Testing will be conducted by a self-administered, non-invasive nasal swab.

The restaurant industry welcomes today’s transition into Phase Three of economic reopening. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (26) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

As Kevin mentioned, Governor Edwards will provide Phase 3 details at a 2 PM press conference today. He has said that the statewide mask mandate will remain in place. And the governor was asked about the recall petition that was filed against him with the Secretary of State’s office last week. Edwards says he’s not worried…
cut 29 (03) “…one of em”
The petition will need 600-thousand signatures to force a recall election.

Low-income Louisiana patients who enrolled in a Pennington Biomedical Research Center obesity intervention program lost more weight than their counterparts who received usual care. Researcher Doctor Peter Katzmarzyk says 452 individuals took part in an intensive lifestyle intervention with a health coach and this group lost five percent of their body weight…
cut 8 (08) “…lived in”
Health officials say a weight loss of three to five percent can generate significant health benefits.

Operation Blue Roof is underway in the hurricane-damaged areas of the state as U-S Army Corps of Engineers with the help of FEMA is installing blue tarps over homes who suffered severe roof damage. Governor Edwards says so far six-thousand homeowners have registered and he’s encouraging others to sign up…
cut 14 (10) “…coveraged damaged roofs”

Governor John Bel Edwards has announced the state will move to Phase 3 for the reopening of the economy and that should mean relaxed occupancy restrictions on restaurants. Louisiana Restaurant Association President Stan Harris says they are expecting an increase from 50% to 75% capacity.
Cut 4 (09)“ …more work hours.”
Edwards will provide more details about Phase 3 which will go into effect later today at a 2 PM press conference.

Governor Edwards is warning residents in the areas impacted by Hurricane Laura to be cautious with the heat. The state reports 28 storm-related deaths and many of those are linked to the intense temps. Edwards says those working in the sweltering conditions need to pace themselves.
Cut 13 (06) “…get in to.”

Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward’s new book “Rage” gives an inside look at President Trump’s handling of the coronavirus during the early stages of the pandemic. The book details how Mr. Trump knew of the seriousness of COVID-19, but told Americans it’s no worse than the seasonal flu. Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy doesn’t think the book will hurt the President’s re-election chances…
cut 12 (11) “…loud”
Cassidy says the President has shown that he has taken the spread of coronavirus seriously by funding efforts to find a vaccine, shutting down the economy, and implementing a travel ban.

Louisiana will move to Phase Three tomorrow. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

The state reports 499 new COVID-19 cases today out of 10,557 new tests. The state has also surpassed more than 2 million total tests. Total fatalities: 4991, up by 21. Hospitalizations dip by 20 to 762… the lowest level since June.

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring six different tropical disturbances today. There are two named storms in the middle of the Atlantic, a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico and another tropical wave could enter the gulf next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says to have six have systems at one time is rare…

Cut 12 (09) “…right now”

Keim says the good news is that none of the tropical disturbances are a major threat to the U-S coastline…

Entergy has successfully restarted one of its power plants in Calcasieu Parish.  Entergy spokesperson David Freese says crews brought the plant online by repairing a  transmission line damaged by Hurricane Laura. While it is possible storm restoration workers may have wrapped up work near a location still without power, there is more work that is needed to get power restored.

Cut 7 (06) “…is a rebuild.”

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is ready to move into the next phase of reopening and will do so tomorrow. Edwards says just because we’re moving into Phase Three doesn’t mean we’ve moved out of the public health emergency.

Cut 4 (11)“ …capita.” 

Further details about what Phase Three will look like, such as the status of bars, will be provided during a Friday afternoon news conference.

Entergy has successfully restarted one of its power plants in Calcasieu Parish.  Entergy spokesperson David Freese says crews brought the plant online by repairing a transmission line damaged by Hurricane Laura.

Cut 6 (11) “…couple thousands initially.”

Hurricane Laura propelled swarms of mosquitos into pastures, leading to scores of dead cows and horses across southwest Louisiana. Brooke Thorington has more…

cut 2 (30) “I’m Brooke Thorington”  

60-year-old Louisiana singer Archie Williams is in the finals of the NBC show America’s Got Talent. Williams was wrongfully convicted on rape and attempted murder charges and was incarcerated at Angola for 37 years. The Innocence Project aided in his exoneration and release in 2019.

Louisiana will enter the next phase of economic reopening tomorrow. Governor John Bel Edwards made the call earlier today saying that the state met the gating criteria to enter Phase Three and allow fewer restrictions on business occupancy and group sizes…

Cut 3 (10)  “…tomorrow.”  

Further details about what Phase Three will look like, such as the status of bars, will be provided during a Friday afternoon news conference.

The tropics are getting active with the National Hurricane Center currently monitoring six different disturbances today. State Climatologist Barry Keim says it’s not a surprise the tropics are super active…

Cut 14 (10) “…ridiculous” 

A tropical wave in the Gulf currently is being given low chances of development.

Entergy spokesperson David Freese says the company has restored power to nearly all of their customers outside of southwest Louisiana…

Cut 8 (13) “…can Cameron Parishes.”

The Louisiana Public Service Commission estimates 122-thousand customers are still without power two weeks after the storm. Over 87-percent of the customers in Calcasieu Parish are still without electricity.

Swarms of mosquitos terrorized livestock in southwest Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Laura, causing the deaths of horses, deer, and cows. Evangeline Parish Veterinarian Craig Fontenot says they’ve lost 40 to 60 head in their parish as a result, and the losses are expected to continue as the cows recover from the deadly horde…

Cut 11 (05) “…calves.”

In recent days parish governments have begun running mosquito planes over affected areas, making the problem less severe.

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is ready to move into the next phase of reopening. Moving from Phase 2 to Phase 3 means there will be fewer restrictions on the number of people that can gather and occupancy at businesses. But Edwards says the mask mandate will stay in effect in phase 3.

Cut 5 (12)  “…wear masks”

Further details about what Phase Three will look like, such as the status of bars, will be provided during a Friday afternoon news conference.

Entergy restarts one of its power plants in Calcasieu Parish.  Entergy spokesperson David Freese estimates around 13,000 storm restoration workers are on the ground.  While it is possible they have wrapped up work near a location still without power, there is more work that is needed to get power restored.

Cut 7 (06) “…is a rebuild.”

The National Hurricane Center is monitoring six different tropical disturbances today. There are two named storms in the middle of the Atlantic, a tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico and another tropical wave could enter the gulf next week. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the good news is that none of the tropical disturbances are a major threat to the U-S coastline…

Cut 13 (11) “…wrenching”

The NHC gives the tropical wave in the Gulf of Mexico a low chance of development.

Swarms of mosquitos terrorized livestock in southwest Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Laura, causing the deaths of horses, deer, and cows.  Reports indicate a large part of the swarm was pushed out of the marsh by Hurricane Laura. Evangeline Parish Veterinarian Craig Fontenot says that plus the rains that came after made a tough situation worse.

Cut 10 (10) “…we had.”