The state allows live music to return during Phase 2 but guidelines must be met before approval is granted. Brooke Thorington explains.
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Lower paying employers can now report employees for refusing to come back to work because unemployment benefits pay better. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
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Governor Edwards tells a caller on his monthly talk show that if they go to a business and find it isn’t following social distancing and mask guidelines that they shouldn’t spend money there…
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”
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Live music will be allowed in state bars, clubs, and restaurants for the first time, since mid-March when pandemic closures began. However, business owners must apply for approval with the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Louisiana Department of Public Health before the band plays. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says to gain approval businesses must meet certain criteria.
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Browning says the State Fire Marshall’s office will collect data from businesses applying for permission for live entertainment, but the final decision is made by the Department of Health.
Cut 5 (12) “…not be allowed.”
Recent numbers indicate an uptick in daily coronavirus case numbers which could be a factor in the Department of Health’s approval process. Browning says the State’s Fire Marshal’s role is to offer guidance for businesses.
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Criteria include that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system must exchange the air at a minimum of six times an hour, 12 feet separation of performers from the audience, temperature checks, and management must provide face masks to attendees.
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The Louisiana Workforce Commission releases a tool to help report employees who are refusing to come back to work while still claiming unemployment benefits. Assistant Secretary with LWC Robert Wooley says it is a simple process, just head to LAworks.net and there will be a link on the front page.
Cut 7 (09) “…at this claim.”
Typically, someone would only be eligible for $247 in unemployment benefits each week, but an extra $600 in federal money makes it hard for some employers to compete, creating issues in luring staff back. Wooley says once a report is filed, the commission has to adjudicate each one of those claims.
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PUA, or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, may be available if a worker fits the criteria of eligibility.
Wooley says they’ve already received several hundred reports.
Cut 9 (06) “…have gotten some.”
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Governor Edwards recommends boycotting businesses that do not enforce social distancing and mask recommendations.
Edwards told a caller to his monthly talk show Ask the Governor that the government can’t mandate mask use and social distancing, but the market can…
Cut 10 (10) “…buisiness.”
Edwards made the comments in light of recent jumps in positive COVID cases. He says the good news is the increased case numbers are likely the result of increased testing capacity.
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Hospitalizations are also up on average over the past four days. Edwards says despite that increase Louisiana is still nowhere close to where it was in early April according to the data and…
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Edwards did also note that recent spikes in cases for neighboring states indicate the virus will not be slowed by hot weather.
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A House Committee defeats a proposal that would have stripped Louisiana police officers of their legal protection from civil lawsuits over alleged civil rights violations like excessive force or wrongful death.
Baton Rouge Representative Edmond Jordan brought the bill. He says “qualified immunity” makes cops unaccountable for their accounts.
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Louisiana ACLU Advocacy Director Chris Kaiser says removing “qualified immunity” would disincentivize bad police behavior.
Cut 14 (11) “deterrence”
St. Charles Parish Sheriff Greg Champagne spoke against it. He says the bill would have made officers think twice before intervening in the middle of active criminal behavior out of fear of being sued.
Cut 15 (12) “…actions.”
Louisiana Sheriff’s Association Legislative Liaison Shannon Dirmann also spoke in opposition. She says the LSA is open to some police reforms, but they need new officers to be able to implement them and…
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The vote was 9-7