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.”

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 reductions will allow pharmacies to sell the product at the average price for the nation’s more mature markets.

Cut 6 (11) “…is.”

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. 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.

The Acadiana region is outpacing other regions of the state in new COVID-19 cases. The region’s case count of Tuesday was the highest on record and Dr. Tina Stefanski, regional medical director of the Office of Public Health in Acadiana, believes the area is late in seeing their share of the first wave.
Cut 9 (09) “…experiencing such increases.”
On Tuesday, 354 cases came from the region, making up more than a quarter of the state’s total case count, nearly double the share of the next highest region.

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. Legal analyst Franz Borghardt says the evidence has to be clear that the attack occurred because White is gay…
Cut 3 (09) ”…problematic”  
White is in intensive care, but his family says his condition is improving.
Governor John Bel Edwards expects K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities will reopen with students in August. But Edwards admits the latest COVID-19 metrics concerning young people are concerning.
Cut 11 (11) “…do so safely.”
Young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 is the leading age group for positive COVID-19 cases.

A Tuesday morning crash in Zachary claimed the life of an 11-year-old and resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Charles was on US Hwy 61 in a box truck when she struck a disabled vehicle in the roadway.
Cut 14 (07) “…killed upon impact.”
The deceased child has been identified as Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge, while Charles is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

A Senate committee will take up the budget this afternoon. Matt Doyle has the status of the state’s spending plan for the fiscal year that begins a week from today…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards remains optimistic a new school year will begin in August with kids in the classroom. But Edwards says the school experience will be different, as steps will be taken to make sure children do not gather in large groups…
cut 12 (04) “….having school assemblies”

State Fire Marshal deputies will perform random courtesy visits to businesses in an effort to help owners better comply with COVID spread mitigation restrictions. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says the goal is to increase compliance.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…they’re not”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant.

An eleven-year-old child died yesterday morning in a crash on U-S Highway 61 near Zachary. State Trooper Taylor Scrantz says 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales was driving a box truck when he struck the rear of a disabled vehicle. Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge was in that disabled vehicle and died. Scrantz says they’ve charged Charles with negligent homicide and careless operation. He says it’s heartbreaking to see a child die in a wreck
cut 15 (09) “…family member”

State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says his deputies will perform random checks on businesses making sure they are complying with coronavirus restrictions and answer any questions business owners may have. Browning says they are not looking to penalize businesses. He says the goal is to help them correct any mistakes…
cut 5 (05) “…employees”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack agrees and says owners want to limit COVID spread because it’s good for business.
Cut 6 (08) “…customers”
Yesterday, the state health department reported its largest-one day surge in coronavirus cases since April 7, 1,356 positive tests.

Even though we are seeing a spike in coronavirus cases, Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic schools will reopen in August with students inside the classrooms. Edwards says school assemblies may be prohibited, students might be required to eat lunch in the classroom and other changes could be needed…
cut 13 (11) “….and contengencies”

The Senate Finance Committee meets this afternoon and they are expected to approve a 34-billion dollar budget plan for the fiscal year that begins a week from today. Lapolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford says crafting the budget is tricky because total revenue could change if a series of COVID relief tax breaks are passed.
Cut 8 (11) “…to walk.”
The special session is set to end next Tuesday.

Governor John Bel Edwards expects K-12 schools as well as colleges and universities will reopen with students in August. But Edwards admits the latest COVID-19 metrics concerning young people are concerning.
Cut 11 (11) “…do so safely.”
Young adults between the ages of 18 to 29 is the leading age group for positive COVID-19 cases.

Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack says business owners are looking for clear guidance from health officials on wearing masks…
cut 7 (11) “…at times”
The State Fire Marshal’s office plans to perform courtesy visits at several businesses to answer any questions business owners may have when it comes to complying with COVID restrictions.

The special session is set to end next Tuesday and this afternoon the Senate Finance committee is expected to vote on a proposed budget for next fiscal year. Thanks to federal coronavirus relief funding, the state will avoid major budget cuts, but La-politics-dot-com publisher Jeremy Alford says promises made earlier this year for increased early childhood funding and teacher pay had to be abandoned…
cut 9 (07) “…as well”
The House has approved their version of the budget, so the spending plan is on track for final legislative approval before the session ends.

The driver of a box truck, 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales, is facing a negligent homicide charge after slamming into a disabled vehicle on U-S Highway 61 near Zachary yesterday killing an eleven-year-old child. State Police Trooper Taylor Scrantz says impairment is not suspected, but Charles was also cited for careless operation…
cut 16 (06) “…District Attorney’s office

State Fire marshal deputies will perform courtesy visits to businesses across the state to help increase COVID compliance. Matt Doyle has more…
cut 1 (29) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 1,356 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, the largest single-day increase since April 7th. The number of COVID patients hospitalized also increased by another 16 to 646. The state’s death toll is up to 3,021.

Despite the recent surge in cases, Governor John Bel Edwards remains optimistic schools will start on time in August with kids in the classroom. But Edwards says the school experience will be different, as steps will be taken to make sure children do not gather in large groups…
cut 12 (04) “….having school assemblies”
More information on the upcoming school year will be released tomorrow at six o’ clock PM when new Education Superintendent Cade Brumley speaks to the Senate Education Committee.

A Tuesday morning crash in Zachary claimed the life of an 11-year-old and resulted in the arrest of 27-year-old Treasure Charles of Gonzales. Trooper Taylor Scrantz says Charles was on US Hwy 61 in a box truck when she struck a disabled vehicle in the roadway.
Cut 14 (07) “…killed upon impact.”
The deceased child has been identified as Wayne Ford of Baton Rouge, while Charles is facing several charges including negligent homicide.

State Fire Marshal deputies will perform random courtesy visits to businesses in an effort to help owners better comply with COVID spread mitigation restrictions. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says they will visit various businesses with the goal of increasing compliance.
Cut 4 (11)_ “…they’re not”
Browning says most businesses are doing their best to be compliant. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry President Stephen Waguespack agrees and says owners want to limit COVID spread because it’s good for business….
cut 6 (08) “….customers”
The state health department reported its largest-one day surge in coronavirus cases yesterday since April 7, as 1,356 positive tests were recorded.

Governor Edwards expects the upcoming school year to start on time, with kids back in the classroom. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Tomorrow night at 6 o’clock, Superintendent of Education Dr. Cade Brumley will tell the Senate Education Committee his plan for reopening K-12 schools.

We’re a week away from the end of the special session and lawmakers still have a lot on their plate including passing a budget for the fiscal year starting July 1^st. The budget’s next steps will continue today in the Senate Finance Committee, where more specifics in the 34 billion dollar spending plan will be ironed out. Lapolitics.com Publisher Jeremy Alford expects the committee will approve it for full Senate consideration, but notes crafting a budget isn’t easy right now with so many potentially substantial COVID relief tax breaks still in consideration. But at least…

Cut 8 (11) “…to walk.”

Several of the larger tax break bills headed to the Senate floor have been redirected back to Senate Finance for further review after winning approval in another committee.

Federal relief dollars plugged most of the, at one point, billion-dollar shortfall, but some cuts in healthcare and higher ed are still planned. Alford says early year promises for more early childhood education funding and teacher pay raises had to be abandoned as well.

Cut 9 (07) “…dollars.”

A sweeping majority of the House approves a bill that would block public and private schools from civil suits based on COVID exposure to students and staff. The legislation is retroactive to March 11^th and will come into play soon as Governor Edwards expects the upcoming school year will start on time.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state continues its troubling trend in new COVID cases, posting the highest single-day increase in new cases since April 7^th with 1,356 new positive tests. The increased numbers suggest community spread is accelerating due to another day of increased hospitalizations of COVID patients, and the over seven percent positive rate for tests conducted. Ventilator use also increased by 14.

The state is monitoring an alarming trend of COVID-19 case numbers increasing among 18 to 29-year-olds in the state. Brooke Thorington explains

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed. Cassidy says the unemployed must not be allowed to collect more in unemployment benefits than they made at their last job.

Cut 12 (06) “…society”

Cassidy says one of his constituents says the unemployment benefits are making it difficult to staff their business as the economy begins to reopen.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the purchase of a license will not break the bank and can be done at one of the LDWF’s approved vendors or online at WLF.LA.gov.

Cut 11 (05) “…your actual license.”

Young people ages 18 to 29 lead the state in positive COVID-19 cases for a total of just under nine thousand. That’s approximately 19-hundred more than those 60 and older. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billoux says the increase among 18 to 29-year-olds is concerning because of the impact they can have on their families.

Cut 4 (08)_ “…across our state”

Five people are dead following a crash on LA Highway 29 in Avoyelles Parish. State Police Trooper Casey Wallace says it started when a Ford pickup driven by 21-year-old Derrick Kyle, Jr., of Cottonport crossed the centerline, striking an oncoming van.

Cut 6 (12) “…could have happened.”

Kyle and one of his passengers were killed in the crash. Three of the seven people in the van also did not survive.

Senator Bill Cassidy says Congress is working on another round of federal economic relief but feels the 600 dollar a week federal unemployment benefit must be changed. Cassidy says instead of pushing for additional federal benefits he’d like to see unemployed workers moved into job openings that are becoming available.

Cut 14 (10) “…employed”

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries reports a third straight month of over-the-year increases in fishing license sales. LDWF Undersecretary Bryan McClinton says the uptick began in the days following the Governor’s stay at home order in March.

Cut 9 (10) “…engaging in fishing.”

Over 51,000 fishing licenses were sold in May 2020 compared to over 38,000 in May 2019. June is currently on track to continue the sales trend.