The latest attempt at lawsuit reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates clears the Senate and is headed to the House, this time with far less reaching reforms than previous attempts that passed but lacked the votes to override a veto. The bill lowers the jury trial threshold to 10,000 dollars, prevents insurance company’s names from being mentioned in court, and removes a gag order on whether a crash victim was wearing a seat belt.  Bossier City Senator Barrow Peacock says it’s not as strong as past efforts, but…

Cut 13 (04) “…triple” 

Democrats fumed over the legislation’s lack of any wording requiring auto insurance rates to go down if the bill were to pass. Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau says it does nothing for drivers…

Cut 14 (08) “…support it”

The vote was 29-9 and the bill will now return to the House for a final vote.

Legislation signed into law by Governor Edwards authorizing a 300 million dollar small business grant program funded by federal relief dollars is getting closer to reality. The program is expected to be online sometime next month, but has limited funds so State Treasurer John Schroder encourages businesses to apply the moment applications start being accepted because it’s first come first served…

Cut 6 (08) “…money”

For the first 21 days, only businesses with one to forty-nine employees as of March 1^st that have received no federal aid can apply.

A big tax break for the casino industry clears House Ways and Means and is headed for final passage on the House floor. The 83-million dollar five-year package would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says that’ll get warm bodies back into casino seats, generating revenue for the state…

Cut 4 (08)_ “…we’re doing” PM

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Cut 15 (13) “…be hospitalized.” 

Louisiana saw its biggest single-day hospitalization increase since April today.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says this treatment is not cost-effective enough to replace a vaccine, but…

Cut 13 (10) “…candidates.”  

Data from the study indicates patients would receive a dose of the antibody every one to two weeks to maintain immunity.

A Senate-approved bill that would provide an 83-million dollar tax break over five years for the state’s casinos and race tracks moved closer to final passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approved it today. Crowley Representative John Stefanski voiced his support for the bill and the gaming industry

Cut 3 (11) ”…good idea”  

The legislation would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts.

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic.

Cut 6 (12) “…or co-occurring disorders.”

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards made the announcement on the day Louisiana surpassed 50-thousand COVID-19 cases and three-thousand deaths

Cut 16 (10) “…COVID-19”

Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says their protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus in the place where it is most likely to do damage.

Cut 12 (06) “…cells”

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

A Senate-approved bill that would provide an 83-million dollar tax break over five years for the state’s casinos and race tracks moved closer to final passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approved it today. There are some lawmakers who oppose tax breaks for businesses because the state is experiencing a decline in revenues. But bill author Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns says providing a tax break on promotional play wagers will help the gaming industry bounce back from the COVID shutdown.

Cut 5 (10)  “…state revenue”

Governor Edwards announces the state will not move into Phase 3 of reopening its economy and it will remain in Phase 2 for another 28 days. Edwards says Louisiana is one of 23 states experiencing an increase in cases and hospitalizations are also on the rise…

Cut 15 (13) “…be hospitalized.” 

Louisiana saw its biggest single-day hospitalization increase since April today.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says the hope is to get this treatment into human trials sometime in the fall, which is impressive considering they started work on MDR504 in March…

Cut 14 (08) “…project”

Kolls says their antibody protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus.

The Department of Health launches the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic, and that those working the line are also equipped with the general information about COVID-19.

Cut 8 (06) “…lack of information.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state is heading into Phase Three this hour at his press conference, but Baton Rouge media is now reporting that his answer is likely to be that we will not be advancing to the next stage of economic reopening due to a recent spike in cases. That spike has led to today’s increase of 41 hospitalizations, the largest single-day increase since April.

The state also passed two major COVID milestones today, crossing the 50,000 total positive case line and going over 3,000 total COVID fatalities…

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

A House committee backs an 83 million dollar, five-year casino industry tax break that’s already cleared the Senate. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns’ legislation would allow each casino to give customers five-million dollars in free promotional play wagers without having to pay state taxes on those amounts. Johns says such a move will help attract people back to casinos, which would lead to more tax revenue from the gaming industry

Cut 4 (08)_ “…we’re doing”

The measure heads to the full House for more discussion.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says this treatment is not cost-effective enough to replace a vaccine, but…

Cut 13 (10) “…candidates.”  

Data from the study indicates patients would receive a dose of the antibody every one to two weeks to maintain immunity.

The state announces 41 new COVID-19 hospitalizations today, the largest jump in since April, bringing the total to 630. The total case count surpasses 50,000 and total deaths surpass 3,000. Governor Edwards will address whether the state can move into Phase 3, today at 2:30.

Tulane researchers develop a potential synthetic antibody treatment that could provide COVID immunity for one to two weeks at a time. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

A Senate-approved bill that would provide an 83-million dollar tax break over five years for the state’s casinos and race tracks moved closer to final passage as the House Ways and Means Committee approved it today. Crowley Representative John Stefanski voiced his support for the bill and the gaming industry.
Cut 3 (11) ”…good idea”  
Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Anyone who is at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, caring for a high-risk person, or experiencing COVID symptoms, can also request an absentee ballot. Louisiana’s presidential primary is not the only item on the ballot for the July 11th. There are also local races in 24 parishes and party committee positions. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says more than 116-thousand absentee ballots have been requested and adds returning your ballot is simple…
Cut 11 (04) “…voters office.”

The state sees its biggest single-day increase in COVID hospitalizations since April as 41 additional Hospitalizations are reported. We’ve also added 461 total new COVID positive tests to the rolls crossing us over the 50,000 total positive tests mark, along with 11 new deaths which brings total fatalities to over 3,000. These numbers are likely to weigh heavily on Governor Edwards’ and his 230 PM announcement on whether the state will move on into Phase Three.

At least 100 of the new cases added in recent days have been tied to a super spreading event in Tigerland, a cluster of bars in Baton Rouge popular with LSU students. A Sports Illustrated report says at least 30 LSU football players have been isolated after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive, with some of the players admitting they went to Tigerland recently. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says players have to stay away from large crowds…

Cut 4 (06)_ “….inexcusable really”

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says the hotline model is one that has proven to be an effective resource for those with mental health disorders. Calls received range from those having a tough day to those self-identifying the warning signs of mental or emotional changes.

Cut 7 (07) “…to the caller.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Tulane researchers develop a synthetic antibody treatment for COVID-19 that’s shown promising results in lab mice. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says their protein, MDR504, is able to get into the lungs and neutralize coronavirus in the place where it is most likely to do damage.

Cut 12 (06) “…cells”

They hope to have human trials in fall.

Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three this afternoon. Brooke Thorington has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Brooke Thorington”  

Laine Hardy, the Livingston Parish singer and songwriter who won American Idol last year, announces he has contracted COVID-19. The 19-year-old says the symptoms are mild and he is now at home recovering in quarantine.

The Department of Health is aiming to prevent crisis situations with the launch of the Behavioral Health Recovery Outreach Line. Assistant secretary of the Office of Behavioral Health Karen Stubbs says this line is aimed at relapse prevention in those struggling with stress during the pandemic.

Cut 6 (12) “…or co-occurring disorders.”

The phone number is 1-833-333-1132.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Anyone who is at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, caring for a high-risk person, or experiencing COVID symptoms, can also request an absentee ballot. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says more than 116-thousand absentee ballots have been requested…

Cut 10 (08) “…July 10th.”

Governor Edwards will announce whether the state will move into Phase Three this afternoon at his 230 press conference. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says this will be a tough call for Edwards because the state is now facing a notable uptick in the number of new cases being reported in the last ten days, along with a super spreading event in a cluster of Baton Rouge bars, and what appears to be a public who is slacking on their spread mitigation behavior…

Cut 14 (10) “…relaxing.”

And we now know that super spreading event at the Tigerland bars in Baton Rouge is likely responsible in part for the quarantining of about 30 LSU football players. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Coach O might have to fully ban any players from entering bars now…

Cut 5 (11)  “ keep you safe” 

A survey of southerners shows opinions are beginning to change on the root nature of why African Americans suffer disproportionately worse economic, health, and educational outcomes. GBAO Strategies Pollster Jim Gerstein says for the first time in a major survey a majority of respondents feel that blacks suffer worse economic outcomes due to historical racial policy rather than poor personal choices.

Cut 8 (09) “…groups”

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be counted as part of the 2020 census. Edwards says you need to get to filling out your form so that your area is not undercounted when it comes time for redistricting…

Cut 12 (10) “…information back in.”

Due to COVID-19, the deadline to fill out the census has been extended until October 31^st and can be done at My2020Census.gov.

Governor John Bel Edwards has scheduled a 2:30 press conference today to announce whether the state can move from Phase 2 to Phase 3 in the reopening of the economy following the COVID-19 shutdown. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says based on the White House guidelines, Phase 3 would loosen capacity restrictions even more and allow for larger gatherings…
cut 15 (10) “…Phase Two”

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to fill out the 2020 census form. Edwards says the state’s response rate is lagging.
Cut 10 (11) “…the deep south.”
The deadline to fill out the census has been extended until October 31st and can be done at My2020Census.gov.

Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48-thousand mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot
Cut 9 (11)_ “…to self-quarantine.”
Pollster John Couvillon says the 48-thousand mail-in votes is the highest first-day mail in volume dating back to 2008.

A Sports Illustrated report says at least 30 LSU football players have been isolated after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive. Some of the quarantined players admitted they visited nightclubs near LSU’s campus, which has been the source for over 100 new cases. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says players have to stay away from large crowds…
Cut 4 (06)_ “….inexcusable really”
LSU says none of the players who tested positive for COVID-19 have been hospitalized.