Governor John Bel Edwards says the state is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to the state’s battle versus COVID-19. Lousiana has reported over 22-hundred new cases over the past two days and the governor says Louisiana has moved from number ten in per capita cases to number seven this week. Edwards is once again making a plea for residents to mask up…
cut 9 (07) “…need to do it”
State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says it’s a myth that masks are not effective…
cut 10 (11) “….an important part”
Guidry says a cloth mask limits the spread of droplets that transmit COVID-19 and for it to have maximum effect, it needs to cover the nose, not just the mouth like another myth would lead some to believe.

A resolution that would set up a task force to review police policies and the use of excessive force by Louisiana law enforcement turned heated on the House floor. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala, a former sheriff’s deputy, made the point that a police officer is far more likely to be killed in the line of duty than African Americans are to be killed by police…
cut 14 (07) “…about” (2x)
Representative Ted James, a black lawmaker from Baton Rouge, responded by saying many police officers are not held accountable when they use excessive force against African Americans.
cut 22 (13) “…tax funded vacation”
The House unanimously approved the resolution and it heads back to the Senate to see if they agree to House changes.

Governor John Bel Edwards will issue a new proclamation today extending the Phase Two reopening for another 28 days. Edwards says the alarming number of new cases reported the last two days, makes it crystal clear the state is not ready to move to Phase 3. He says Louisiana is now ranked seventh per capita in COVID-19 cases down three spots from its previous best ranking.
Cut 7 (08) “…doing more testing.”
Edwards says more than 245-thousands tests have been conducted this month.

State Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says studies have shown that if we all wear masks properly, COVID-19 cases would plummet. Guidry says social distancing is also an important component…
cut 12 (06) “…large crowds”

A resolution calling for a task force on policing policy creates a heated disagreement on the House floor. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The U-S Supreme Court could issue a ruling today on an abortion law passed in Louisiana in 2014. The law requires doctors at abortion clincis have admitting privildges at a nearby hospital in case there is an emergency. If the law went into effect, that would close two abortion clinics, leaving just one in the state.

State Health Officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says wearing a cloth mask will limit the spread of droplets that transmit COVID-19. He says that why it’s important for people to wear masks in public, especially if you are aysmptomatic…
cut 11 (08) “….that’s a fact”

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces the city will enforce the use of face masks, due to the uptick of coronavirus cases. Brooke Thorington has more.
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Brooke Thorington”

The Louisiana House unanimously passes a resolution to create a task force to study policing policy after removing language mentioning the killing of George Floyd. Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala backed the effort but expressed frustration that there isn’t adequate appreciation for the dangers of police work. Bacala says since 2017…
Cut 13 (07) “…duty”
Baton Rouge Representative Ted James responded, saying people who murder cops get arrested, while cops who murder black men get taxpayer-funded vacations and rarely suffer consequences.
Cut 15 (09) “…action.”
James was animated because he says there was an agreement between Republican leaders and the Black Caucus to pass the resolution with no big floor speeches about policing. But James believes Bacala went back on that agreement.

The state reported 882 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. 18-percent of all cases are 18 to 29 year olds. Governor Edwards says while younger people think they may not get too sick from the coronavirus, there’s a lot about this virus we don’t know.
Cut 8 (07) “…may last forever.”

There are many Louisiana residents who refuse to wear masks, but with rising COVID-19 numbers, health officials are getting the word out on how masks can slow the spread.
Cut 2 (24) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

As coronavirus hospitalizations increase in some states the American Psychiatric Nurses Association says they are seeing significant mental health impacts on healthcare providers that work on the frontlines. APNA President Tari Dilks says because patients are having to die alone to mitigate the spread of the virus, nurses are having to offer the comfort that family members would normally provide.
Cut 4 (12)_ “…family members”
Dilks encourages those with family members and loved ones working on the frontlines to be supportive of the situation.

Heated moment Wednesday afternoon in the House as lawmakers took up a resolution to create a task force dedicated to studying policing policy. Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says the Black Caucus and Republican leaders struck a deal to pass the resolution in exchange for stripping it of any mention of George Floyd and agreeing not to hold floor speeches on policing.

But after amendments passed stripping the bill of its George Floyd reference, Prairieville Representative Tony Bacala spoke saying cops are more likely to be killed in the line of duty than black men are to be killed by cops. He says since 2017…

Cut 13, 7 seconds, duty

James was incensed and for five minutes held the floor with an impassioned speech…

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The resolution passed unanimously and goes to the Senate.

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they got COVID on school grounds. Amite Representative Robby Carter says a school board superintendent told him this bill was vital to actually having students back in classrooms come fall.

Cut 12 (11) “…learning”

The vote was 82-17.

A bill that places an eight-percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports contests is heading to the governor’s desk after it received final legislative approval. The money would generate about 375-thousand dollars a year. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says all of the money will go towards funding early childhood education

cut 29 (02) “…committed to do that”

In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting. Residents in parishes who voted for it have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component.

A proposal that will result in many of Louisiana’s essential workers receiving a 250-dollar check from the state continues to make its way through the legislative process. New Orleans Senator Troy Carter complimented Shreveport Rep Sam Jenkins on the legislation.

Cut 16 (12) “ won’t allow that…

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. Police have arrested 19-year-old Chance Seneca and charged him with attempted second-degree murder, but no hate crime charges have been added. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says police officers and prosecutors sometimes do not want to pursue hate crime charges, because it makes the case more complicated

Cut 4 (11)_ “…discrimination”

White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.

Medical marijuana patients will soon enjoy cheaper treatments. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell announces the city will enforce the use of face masks, due to the uptick of coronavirus cases. Health officials report the increase in cases is a result of community spread. Cantrell says Police officers will be provided masks to hand out to those in need of one. The mayor also says the city will also be shutting down any businesses that are out of compliance with current guidelines.

The Saints announce offensive guard Jhari Evans and safety Roman Harper will be inducted in the team’s hall of fame later this year. In 2006, Evans was drafted in the fourth round out of Bloomsburg University in Pennsylvania. He went on to play eleven seasons in New Orleans. From 2009 to 2012 he was named first-team All Pro four straight years. Evans is appreciative of the honor…
cut 18 (19) “….great season”
Harper was a Pro Bowl selection in 2009 and 2010 and he’s also a member of the Saints All-50th team which was announced in 2016.

NFL owners will reportedly hold a zoom meeting tomorrow to discuss social justice programs, workplace diversity and preparations for the 2020 season.

The LSU football program received a vebal pledge today from four-star offensive tackle Garrett Dellenger, who chose the Tigers over Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan. Dellenger, who also has a 3.7 GPA is rated as the 12th best offensive tackle in the class of 2021. He’s six-foot-six, 290 pounds and recruiting experts say he could play guard or tackle in college.

A bill that places an eight-percent tax on net revenue from online fantasy sports contests is heading to the governor’s desk after it received final legislative approval. The money would generate about 375-thousand dollars a year. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says all of the money will go towards funding early childhood education…
cut 29 (02) “…committed to do that”
In 2018, voters in 47 of the 64 parishes legalized fantasy sports betting. Residents in parishes who voted for it have been waiting for lawmakers to pass the tax component in order to win cash prizes with fan duel and draft kings. Supporters say if the governor signs the bill, Louisiana residents would be able to play online fantasy sports contests this football season.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases. On Tuesday’s case report, of the tests taken in the region, 11.1% came back positive, higher than the federal recommendations in moving forward in economic reopening. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, says the age groups that are the most problematic are the younger demographics.

Cut 10 (10) “…then 30 to 39.”

A proposal that will result in many of Louisiana’s essential workers receiving a 250-dollar check from the state continues to make its way through the legislative process. The Senate Revenue Fiscal Affairs committee approved the bill Shreveport Representative Sam Jenkins

Cut 15 (08) “…eligible” 

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they contracted COVID on school grounds. Bill sponsor, Denham Springs Representative Buddy Mincey stresses the law is needed because it’s impossible to prove exactly where students or teachers got their COVID infections.

Cut 14 (10) “…there”

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of a new law that greatly expands access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the price reductions will allow pharmacies to sell the product at the average price for the nation’s more mature markets.

Cut 6 (11) “…is.”

The law expanding access goes into effect on August 1^st.

The state reported 882 more coronavirus cases today, one day after Louisiana reported over 13-hundred new cases. Jeff Palermo has more…

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In Homer, a confederate monument that was once prominent at the Claiborne Parish courthouse lawn has been removed. The Claiborne Parish Police Jury voted unanimously last week to have the 9-foot-tall, eight-thousand-pound monument removed. The monument had been on the courthouse lawn since 1940

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of a new law that greatly expands access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the soon-to-be law makes up to three million adults potential customers.

Cut 8 (12) “…patients”

The law expanding access goes into effect on August 1^st.

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they got COVID on school grounds. But New Orleans Representative Gary Carter feels the legislation would allow schools to violate COVID health regulations and be shielded from repercussions.

Cut 13 (11) “…support it”  

Supporters of the bill say it still allows for suits in cases of demonstrable gross negligence.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases, with younger demographics being the most problematic age group. Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, hopes that young adults will begin to heed the advice of health officials, as it will help protect those most at risk for poor outcomes.

Cut 11 (12) “…maintain a distance.”

Today’s statewide total case count increases by 882 to 52,477.

The state’s only current medical marijuana grower announces it will lower its prices as a result of the Governor’s signing of a bill greatly expanding access to the treatment. Wellcana CEO John Davis says the price reduction will hit their bottom line, but they believe by lowering the price they can significantly expand the market.
Cut 7 (11) “…count.”

The family of a gay teenager stabbed in the neck and wrists believes 18-year-old Holden White of Kaplan is the victim of a hate crime. But Lafayette Police is not pursuing hate crime charges. Lafayette Police say the evidence shows there are other motives on why the attack occurred. White reportedly met 19-year-old Chance Seneca on a gay dating app and police say the two got into an argument which led to Seneca stabbing White. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says a hate crime is a very serious charge…

Cut 5 (06)  “…stiff penalty”

White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.

The House approves legislation protecting public and private schools from civil suits by students or teachers who say they got COVID on school grounds. Amite Representative Robby Carter says a school board superintendent told him this bill was vital to actually having students back in classrooms come fall.

Cut 12 (11) “…learning”