Through contact tracing, the state has identified the settings where they’ve seen the most coronavirus outbreaks. Bars lead the way with 36 outbreaks that’s produced at least 393 cases. Assistant health secretary, Doctor Alex Billioux, says the bar setting presents a lot of challenges to manage.
Cut 3 (11)  “…other speak”  
The state has also identified eleven outbreaks at food processing plants and 16 outbreaks at industrial settings.
The surge in demand for COVID testing is leading to long delays on results for many, sometimes as long as a week or more. Governor Edwards says early in the pandemic the problem was getting enough test kits. These days they’ve got the kits, but not the reagents to test samples collected at testing sites.
Cut 9 (10) “…receiving”
Edwards says the delays make it even more paramount that you
self-isolate for 14 days if exposed to the virus.

People aren’t the only ones packing on the pounds during the pandemic as 33% of pet owners say their pet has gained weight during quarantine, according to a study out of the state of Washington.  LSU Vet School Assistant Professor of Community Practice Nancy Welborn says pets are receiving extra TLC from their owners.

Cut 6 (10) “…of how often.”

Welborn recommends knowing the appropriate daily caloric intake for your pet, then take a quarter portion of that in kibble and feed it to them throughout the day.

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

Cut 13 (12) “…doing the same.” 

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

Governor Edwards says over the last eight days Louisiana has tested over 100-thousand people creating a back log at the testing labs. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says if you are waiting on your results and were exposed to someone who has COVID-19, stay home for 14 days
Cut 11 (10) “…not going out”
Concern is growing high school sports will be canceled in the fall. But Over 60 lawmakers have co-signed a letter sent to the state’s public school education leaders requesting that students return to the classroom and student athletes return to the playing field in the fall. Houma Representative Tanner Magee says sports helps students stay in school and keeps kids in shape…
cut 8 (07) “…maintain their balance”

A recent poll shows post-pandemic snacking is on the rise for Americans and that’s leading to people packing on the pounds. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Matt Doyle”

A report out of Ohio says the LIbby Glass plant in Shreveport will cease operations soon, which would result in the loss of 450 jobs. Last month Libbey Incorporated declared bankruptcy. They are one of the largest table glass and stemware manufactures in the world, but COVID-19 has resulted in less demand for their product.

Louisiana crossed the 70,000 COVID-19 case mark yesterday as Governor Edwards announces we’re number five in the nation in per capita new positive tests. Despite the recent spike and a string of local governments issuing mandatory mask-wearing orders Edwards says he’s still not backing a statewide mandate. Mandates aside though he says it is still the right thing to do…

Cut 10 (09) “…important”

This recent spike in cases prompted a letter by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields to BESE President Sandy Holloway asking for fall K-12 sports activities to be canceled. That letter provoked a backlash from many, including Houma Representative Tanner Magee who sent his own letter to Holloway sayings Fields doesn’t speak for the entire legislature.

Cut 7 (07) “…the legislature felt.”

Governor Edwards told reporters yesterday it’s too early to make that kind of call.

A OnePoll survey of Americans finds two-thirds of Americans admit to gaining weight since the pandemic began with most saying its due to snacking. This despite data suggesting COVID impacts those who are overweight more. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Melinda Sothern says the trend isn’t surprising due to the amount of upheaval people have faced since March.

Cut 4 (08)_“…for you”

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

Hard Seltzer sales were up 73% between spring and fall last year, and those numbers have inspired the Louisiana craft brewers to hop on the trend with locally inspired offerings. Founder of Acadiana-based Bayou Teche Brewing Karlos Knott says the growth in popularity and the sustained market share indicate that hard seltzers in the craft beer industry are not just another fad.

Cut 15 (10) “…quite a bit.” 

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Field’s letter to BESE requesting they cancel K-12 fall sports has created quite a stir, and some pushback. Houma Representative Tanner Magee joined that pushback, sending a counter letter to BESE President Sandy Holloway asking her to reject that request for a number of reasons, one being that canceling sports could become an obstacle in seeing kids continue their education following high school.

Cut 9 (09) “…far more detrimental.”

Governor Edwards was asked about the controversy at a Wednesday press conference where he announced Louisiana is now fifth in the nation in new per-capita COVID cases. Edwards says he understands the concern, but it’s too early to make that kind of decision.

Cut 12 (12) “…more”

The LHSAA says they are fully committed to the safe return of high school sports in the fall.

A OnePoll survey shows two-thirds of Americans have added weight since the pandemic began due to their schedules being disrupted, and boredom leading to more snacking. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Melinda Sothern says we’ve got to fight that trend, especially since COVID hits the overweight harder, and the best way to beat the munchies is to avoid keeping snacks in your house or to replace them with healthy alternatives. Also, learn to tell the difference between when you want and need something.

Cut 6 (11) “…hungry”

Acadiana based Bayou Teche Brewing is joining the growing number of craft brewers hopping on the hard seltzer trend. Founder Carlos Knott says data suggests the hard seltzers are here to stay so they’re adding blackberry lemonade, tangerine, mango peach, and some seasonals…

Cut 14 (11) “…really good beer.”

Louisiana is now fifth in the nation in per capita COVID-19 cases and over one-thousand people are in the hospital battling the virus…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Houma Representative Tanner Magee asks BESE to reject a request by Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields to cancel K-12 athletics through December. Magee says canceling sports would impact public health…

Cut 8 (07) “…maintain that balance.”

Two-thirds of Americans admit to packing on the pounds since the pandemic began according to a recent OnePoll survey. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Melinda Sothern says that’s largely due to the disruption of their normal routine, but we’ve got to begin breaking that cycle because COVID tends to be worse in people who are overweight.

Cut 5 (09)  “…inflammation”

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

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

Cut 13 (12) “…doing the same.” 

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

Baton Rouge Senator Cleo Fields’ call for K-12 athletic activities to be suspended due to COVID-19 has created a stir with some folks in the athletic community pushing back against the suggestion, saying it is too early to make that call. Houma Representative Tanner Magee is backing those opinions and sent a letter to BESE President Sandy Holloway requesting that the board does not consider that recommendation, saying it was important to offer a counterbalance to a recent initiative scrap sports through December. 

Cut 7 (07) “…the legislature felt.” 

Magee says among the reasons to continue moving forward with sports is to motivate many of students to stay in school.  

Governor Edwards weighed in on the hot topic, saying he feels it is too early to make a decision like that.  

Cut 12 (12) “…more” 

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

____________________ 

Pelicans Coach Alvin Gentry was officially cleared to join the Pelicans in the Orlando Bubble yesterday and boarded the flight with the team heading over. Gentry was filmed moments before getting on the plane, having a bit of fun with the rumors that he would not be able to attend due to his age… 

Cut 30, 12 seconds,  

Gentry, who is 65 was deemed fit but Pels defensive guru and assistant head coach Jeff Bzdelick, who is 67, will not be joining the team due to non-age related factors.  

The Pels will enter a multi-day quarantine upon landing. They’ll be staying at Disney’s Yacht Club resort hotel for the duration, which, if they manage to snag a playoff spot, could be over two months. The season restarts July 30th against the Jazz.  

Ohio State and North Carolina are shutting down offseason workouts due to reported clusters of COVID cases. This temporary pause impacts all sports at both schools. The Ivy League has also decided to shutdown their fall season for 2020.  

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

Cut 10 (09) “…important” 

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

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

Cut 7 (07) “…the legislature felt.” 

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

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

Cut 3 (32)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”   

(Commodities, or) 

A OnePoll survey of Americans finds two-thirds of people admit to gaining weight since the pandemic began with most saying its due to snacking. LSU Health New Orleans Professor of Public Health Melinda Sothern says that’s not surprising… 

Cut 4 (08)_“…for you” 

Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is heading in the wrong direction in its battle to stop the spread of COVID-19, but he is not contemplating a statewide mask mandate. But Edwards says you should wear a mask when interacting with others outside of your home
Cut 10 (09) “…important”
The state health department reports over 70-thousand coronavirus cases since the pandemic started and one-thousand COVID patients are hospitalized.

Shreveport now has a mask mandate in place, which prompted Oil City Representative Danny McCormick to post a Facebook video criticizing government ordered mask requirements. McCormick equates the mask mandates to the Holocaust…
cut 5 (07) “…in Nazi Germany”
Edwards called McCormick’s analogy nonsense and sad.

Authorities say a West Monroe man wanted for shooting at a State Trooper during an attempted traffic stop was killed early this morning during a gun battle with law enforcement at a motel in Monroe. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says they’ve been looking for 31-year-old Erroll Johnson since the first shooting incident on Sunday…
cut 7 (12) “…shot”
No troopers were injured during the exchange of gunfire.

Hurricane researchers at Colorado State have increased their projected storm total for this year from 19 to 20 as we’ve already seen five named storms this year. Jhordanne Jones says sea surface temperatures are above normal and there’s no El Nino to suppress storm development…
cut 14 (09) “…hurricane activity”

Does a mask mandate have any parallels to Nazi Germany? One Louisiana lawmaker releases a video that is raising eyebrows. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart.”

Governor John Bel Edwards said today that the state is heading in the wrong direction in its battle to stop the spread of the coronavirus. The state has surpassed 70-thousand cases and the number of people hospitalized is now over one-thousand. Edwards continues to ask businesses and the public to follow spread mitigation restrictions.

31-year-old Erroll Johnson was shot dead in Monroe early this morning by State Police troopers. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says they have looking for Johnson since Sunday when he allegedly fired shots at Trooper during a traffic stop near Calhoun…
Cut 6 (09) “…that time.”
Reichardt says they learned Johnson was staying at a Monroe motel and he was gunned down in an exchange of gunfire.

Colorado State University has increased its predicted storm total for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season, increasing the number of named storms from 19 to 20. CSU forecaster Jhordanne Jones says while we’ve seen smaller storms pop up so far, the season’s peak may pack a bigger punch.
Cut 12 (09) “…August to October.”

Oil City Representative Danny McCormick says in a video on Facebook that requiring a person to wear a mask is an assault on liberty. McCormick also adds a mask mandate is a gateway to other government efforts of overreach…
Cut 4 (10)_ “…take the mark.”
McCormick published the post as Shreveport’s mask mandate for people inside a business begins today.

A man wanted for shooting at State Trooper on Sunday was fatally shot during a gun fight with police at a Monroe motel early this morning. Master Trooper Michael Reichardt says troopers attempted to convince 31-year-old Erroll Johnson to surrender peacefully…
cut 8 (08) “…work”
Reichardt says they’ve been searching for Johnson since he shot at a trooper during a traffic stop near Calhoun on Sunday.

The hurricane forecast team at Colorado State increased their forecast total for the current hurricane season from 19 to 20. Researcher Jhordanne Jones says the bumped up forecast comes as a result of several factors, including above average sea surfaces temps in the north Atlantic…
cut 13 (05) “….of the US”
The CSU team is also calling for nine hurricanes and four major hurricanes.

The 2019 LSU football team has received their championship rings and they got three of them. One for winning the SEC Championship, one for winning the college football playoffs and another for winning a national championship. Coach Ed Orgeron’s assistant, Derek Ponamsky, says on the inside of the national championship ring is the LSU standard of performance…
cut 10 (08) “…yourself”
For the players and coaches who are no longer with the program, they had their rings shipped to them.