Governor John Bel Edwards holds a press conference at 2:30 today, where he is expected to announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three, which will reduce restrictions on businesses even more. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott says Edwards has a lot to consider given our new upward trajectory of case growth…
Cut 13 (12) “…making.”
A majority of the state’s health regions are seeing a growth in new cases.

Several LSU football players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 and at least 30 of them have been asked to isolate themselves. Three Ragin Cajuns athletes have also tested positive. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says this will not stop schools from trying to start the football season in September…
Cut 6 (06) “…I don’t know” (2x)
LSU says the players who have tested positive are showing minor symptoms or no symptoms at all.

An E Pluribus Unum survey shows a majority of southern whites do not believe blacks have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.
Cut 1 (28) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Today at the state capitol, the full Senate will debate a tort reform bill that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates by making changes to the state’s civil litigation system. Governor Edwards rejected a similar proposal passed in the regular session, the bill that’s been advancing in the special session has been tweaked and lawmakers will look to pass it with a veto-proof majority.

Governor John Bel Edwards will hold a press conference at 2:30 this afternoon and he’s expected to announce whether the state will move into Phase Three of the economic recovery. On Saturday the state reported more than 800 new COVID-19 cases and on Sunday the number was below 400 and only one new death.

The governor is urging residents to participate in the 2020 US Census. Kevin Barnhart has more.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Sports Illustrated reports several members of the LSU football team have tested positive for COVID-19 and at least 30 members have been asked to quarantine. Some of the cases are apparently connected to a cluster of cases tied to several bars just off-campus. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says LSU worked hard to provide a safe environment for players and Coach Ed Orgeron might be forced to prohibit his players from entering bars…
cut 5 (11) “…keep you safe”
None of the players who tested positive have been hospitalized.

E Pluribus Unum paid for an 18-hundred person survey that found a majority of white respondents, 51-percent now attribute poverty to a lack of opportunity rather than poor life choices. Pollster Jim Gerstein says this appears to be the first time a majority of whites have expressed that opinion.

The Phase Two reopening order expires Friday and this afternoon Governor Edwards will announce whether or not the state will move into Phase Three. Brooke Thorington has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

The LSU football team’s voluntary workout program continues, even though Sports Illustrated reports at least 30 players are self quarantining after they either tested positive for COVID-19 or had contact with players who tested positive. Some of the cases are tied to a cluster of cases linked from people who visited Tigerland bars.

A survey of southerners shows over 75-percent of white respondents have heard from the media that blacks are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, but the majority don’t believe it. GBAO Strategies Pollster Jim Gerstein…
Cut 7 (08) “…true”
In Louisiana, 53 percent of COVID deaths have been African Americans, who make up just 32 percent of the population.

Governor Edwards says only 56-percent of Louisiana households have participated in the census, the lowest percentage in the Deep South. Edwards says the census is used to determine the allocation of federal dollars for various programs…
cut 11 (11) “…name it”
The deadline to complete the census is October 31st and it can be done at my-20-20-census-dot-gov.

Early voting for Louisiana’s presidential primary began this morning. Jeff Palermo reports election officials are taking extra precautions because of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

State health officials confirm a coronavirus outbreak at several Tigerland bars near the LSU campus. The department says they’ve received reports of more than 100 patrons and bar employees testing positive. Health officials urge those who visited the Tigerland area to self-quarantine and get tested.

Governor Edwards is highly encouraging residents to fill out their 2020 census if you haven’t already.  The census only happens once every ten years, so Edwards stresses the importance of getting it right. He says the census means more than just a headcount of the population as the data is used to determine the allocation of federal dollars for various programs.

Cut 11 (11) “…you name it.”

So far approximately 56 percent of residents have filled out their census compared to the average of 64 percent for the nation. Edwards says Louisiana is dead last among responses compared to other Deep South states.

Collected data also feeds into the redistricting that takes place once every ten years.

Cut 12 (10) “…information back in.”

Visit My2020Census.gov.

Early voting in the state is underway Saturday for the presidential primary election. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says only registered Republicans can vote in the GOP primary and even though Joe Biden is expected to accept the nomination in August, registered Democrats can select between the 14 candidates up for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Cut 15 (05) “…from the race.” 

Early voting has been extended to 13 days in hopes of reducing large congregations at the polls due to COVID-19.

Governor John Bel Edwards is encouraging Louisiana residents to be counted as part of the 2020 census. There are three ways to participate: online, by phone, or by mail. Edwards says the state’s response rate is lagging.

Cut 10 (11) “…the deep south.”

For more information visit My2020Census.gov

The LSU Board of Supervisors unanimously approves a resolution to remove Troy Middleton’s name from the school’s library due to the namesake’s vocal support for segregation. The name was removed from the outside of the library by workers on Friday afternoon. Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on behalf of the Middleton family, who opposes the decision. Jenkins called Middleton an American World War One and Two war hero.

Cut 7 (12) “…Bastogne”

But Governor Edwards, a former Army paratrooper, says that is no excuse for Middleton’s views on race.

Cut 8 (11) “…beliefs” (2x)

The library was named for Middleton in 1978 after his death.

Early voting in Louisiana is underway for the presidential primary election and in 24 parishes local items are also on the ballot. This election has been delayed twice due to COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this early voting day period is longer to reduce the risk of large crowds congregating at polling places.

Cut 14 (08) “…and early vote.”

Only registered democrats or republicans can vote in their respective primaries.

Health officials in New Orleans have identified new clusters of COVID-19, tracing them to a graduation party and a large gathering at outside of an Orleans Parish bar. A number of how many are affected was not released. And in Baton Rouge an outbreak of more than 100 cases is linked to Tigerland bars and restaurants near the LSU campus. Officials encourage those who were in contact with the outbreaks to get tested and self-quarantine.

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says facilities who fail to follow the state’s testing guidelines could be hit with sanctions…

Cut 3 (08) ”…withholding payment”  

Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility.

A special will air on CBS Sunday night featuring New Orleans native singer and actor Harry Connick Jr. Connick along with his filmmaker daughter Georgia Connick embarked on a pandemic roadtrip to interview essential workers who are putting their lives at risk.  “United We Sing: A Grammy Tribute to the Unsung Heroes,” also features celebrity friends of Connick and performances by Branford and Wynton Marsails and Irma Thomas. The 7pm special will also raise funds for a variety of carries.

Early voting begins today for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages voters to practice social distancing while at the polls, adding the state will be offering extra spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (08) “…gloves as well.”  

After not reporting any new coronavirus cases on Thursday so numbers could be reviewed the state health department says the official count is 760 new cases for June 18th and 787 new cases for the 19th. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says the virus has shown it’s not slowing down in the summer…

Cut 5 (11)  “…not worse.”

The state’s new total is 48, 515 as 1,666 cases were because they were either duplicates or out of state residents.

LSU’s Troy Middleton Library will be renamed after a unanimous decision by the Board of Supervisors. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

State health officials confirm a coronavirus outbreak at several Tigerland bars near the LSU campus. They are urging those who visited to self-quarantine.  The department says they’ve received reports of more than 100 patrons and bar employees testing positive. Some restaurants and bars have closed temporarily due to the outbreak. There are reports some employees are worried about conditions and transmitting the virus to their parents this Father’s Day weekend.

Early voting for Louisiana’s presidential primary begins on Saturday. Jeff Palermo reports election officials are taking extra precautions because of COVID-19…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”  

In the first update in two days, Louisiana reports the removal of 1,666 duplicate cases from the state’s total case count, bring the total down to 48,515. Total fatalities… 2,972, up by 22. Hospitalizations… 561, down by 18 with ventilator usage falling to 75, down by 8.

Today is Juneteenth, a commemoration of a milestone in the ending of slavery in the United States.  The date is getting more recognition this year.  LSU Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris says today is a celebration of the final group of enslaved African Americans learning of their emancipation.

Cut 10 (10) “…rejoicing and celebration.”

While it is not a federally recognized holiday, Rovaris feels that may not be far off.

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says facilities who fail to follow the state’s testing guidelines could be hit with sanctions…

Cut 3 (08) ”…withholding payment”  

Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all of their residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility.

Troy Middleton’s name has been removed from the LSU campus library following a unanimous decision by the board of supervisors. Middleton was a decorated World War Two general and LSU President who opposed efforts to allow blacks to attend the state’s flagship school during his tenure, and according to one board member allegedly did nothing to stop the beatings and harassment of school’s first black PhD student by white students.

Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on behalf of the Middleton family, saying despite his views on race Middleton was a man students should be proud of.

Cut 7 (12) “…Bastogne”

But Governor Edwards, a former Army paratrooper, says that’s no excuse for Middleton’s views on race.

Cut 8 (11) “…beliefs” (2x)

Louisiana health officials say about a third of the nursing homes in the state are not regularly testing their staff and residents. State health officer Doctor Jimmy Guidry says they are asking nursing homes to conduct weekly tests on all of their residents and staff if there are known COVID cases in the facility. He says it’s critical we stay on top of the virus and testing is a critical step in protecting people who are vulnerable to this disease…

Cut 4 (06)_ “…answer the question”

Early voting begins Saturday for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says this early voting day period will be longer in an effort to reduce the risk of large crowds congregating at polling places.

Cut 14 (08) “…and early vote.”

Voters in 24 parishes have local items on the ballot and Democrats and Republicans have their presidential primaries.

LSU has taken Troy Middleton’s name off of the campus library following a unanimous Board of Supervisors’ decision. Middleton was an accomplished World War 2 general and former LSU President who actively fought to maintain LSU’s segregated status during his tenure.

The Middleton family opposed the decision citing his military record and later evolution on race issues. Former lawmaker Woody Jenkins spoke on their behalf.

Cut 9 (09) “…career”

But Governor Edwards says there’s no way that name could stand…

Cut 6 (09) “…worthy”

During the meeting, a board member read a letter written by Middleton in 1956 where he said “I do not want negro students in LSU, I believe in the segregation of the races, and no matter what may come I shall not associate with negros.”

Early voting begins Saturday for the presidential primary election. The voting experience will be different because of COVID-19. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin encourages voters to practice social distancing while at the polls, adding the state will be offering extra spread mitigation efforts.

Cut 13 (08) “…gloves as well.”  

Voters will be deciding on local races in 24 parishes along with the Democratic and Republican party primaries, both of which have been functionally been wrapped up.

Today is Juneteenth, a commemoration of a milestone in the ending of slavery in the United States.  The date is getting more recognition this year due to an intensified focus on historical racial injustice and LSU Chief Diversity Officer Dereck Rovaris says it may not be long until it is a federal holiday.

Cut 11 (12) “…for the employees.”