Governor Edwards asks the public to please answer their phones if they get a call from state COVID contact tracers. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Eight out of the last 11 days the state is averaging a daily increase of 400-plus COVID-19 cases. Today the increase is 442 from yesterday. Hospitalizations increased by 4 for a total of 553 and vent usage up by 5 from the previous day for a total of 77.  Fatalities increased by 19.

The Middleton Library on LSU’s campus will have a new name. The building has been named after General Troy Middleton, a war hero, who served as LSU’s president from 1951 to 1962. Middleton is also known as a segregationist. Blackout LSU organizer Gideon Adeyemo is delighted with the news…

Cut 3 (09)  “…as possible”  

There’s no word on a possible new name for the library.

According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, many drivers are partaking in dangerous activities, despite knowing better. AAA spokesperson Don Redman recommends drivers slowing down, staying alert, and putting away your phone while driving, as many on the roads are shaking off the rust from reduced driving during the pandemic.

Cut 8 (10) “…have right now.”

Governor Edwards says since May 15th the COVID contact tracing program has had success but has run into problems of people not answering their phones. The Governor says if you’re exposed you will likely be asked to self-quarantine. It’s not mandatory, but…

Cut 10 (06) “…to do.”

Most recent COVID-19 numbers for the state today show an increase in cases by 442, eight out of the last 11 days the state has shown an average daily increase in cases of 400 plus.

Research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety shows many drivers are partaking in dangerous activities, even though they know better. AAA spokesperson Don Redman says 96% of drivers admitted that driving while texting is extremely or very dangerous, but do it anyway

Cut 6 (11) “…running red lights.”

The Middleton Library on LSU’s campus will have a new name. The building has been named after General Troy Middleton, a war hero, who served as LSU’s president from 1951 to 1962. The name change comes after several meetings that black student leaders have had with LSU’s administration since a video from a social media post emerged of an incoming LSU student yelling a racist slur. LSU Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Mary Werner expects the Board will approve a motion to rename the library…

Cut 5 (12)  “…listening.”

Governor Edwards says since May 15th the COVID contact tracing program has reached out to nearly every person with a positive confirmed case to ask them who they may have infected, but…

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Edwards asks you to answer your phone if you get a call from 877-766-2130, and if you miss the call to please call back.

LSU’s Middleton Library, named after WW2 general and segregationist Troy Middleton, will be renamed. LSU NAACP chapter president Cam Crier says it should’ve been changed long ago…

Cut 4 (08)_ “…the making”

When Middleton served as LSU’s President he sent a letter to the University of Texas that said LSU does not support whites and blacks participating together on athletic teams and the school keeps black students separate from whites.

Lawmakers approve a 34 billion dollar budget that uses federal money to avoid having to make any budget cuts despite the decline in state revenue. The budget was stitched together with those federal funds, so if the state were to see a mid-year revenue shortfall could that be remedied with another round of help from D.C.? House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue…

Cut 12 (10) “…unlikely”

For now the budget heads to the Senate for more debate.

LSU’s student-athletes are wanting their voices to be heard at the ballot box.  LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry says what has happened across the country in recent weeks has inspired the athletes to be more involved in the voting process.

Cut 13 (09) “…to do anyway” 

Student-athletes from any sport can schedule a time to stop by the football office to register to vote. 

LSU expects all its football players will be registered to vote by tomorrow.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The first round of Pandemic EBT cards are set to arrive in mailboxes this week but they will be in plain white envelopes, so the state is warning recipients to be on the lookout so they won’t be accidentally tossed out. The original filing deadline for the cards was June 8th and it is been extended to the 15^th for recipients of free or reduced-price lunches at schools. The benefits amount to $285 per child.

State health officials are concerned about rising COVID numbers in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions. Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux says there’s evidence that a worrying level of community spread is occurring in those three regions, and it’s backed up by data from their contact tracing program…

Cut 6 (09) “…card games.”

In the Lake Charles region, Billioux notes the number of new COVID hospitalizations in many hospitals has jumped from just a few to roughly 20 new cases as of last week.

A Greater New Orleans Foundation study indicates nearly three-quarters of nonprofits throughout southeast Louisiana have suffered a financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. G-N-O-F CEO Andy Kopplin says most nonprofits have been hurt financially by canceled fundraisers and fee-for-service programs.

Cut 7 (10) “…extraordinary financial challenges.”

Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says they are seeing rising COVID cases in Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe. Billioux says most of these new cases could be coming from nursing homes…
cut 5 (08) “…settings”
Billioux says in the Lake Charles region they’ve seen an increase in hospitalizations.

A Greater New Orleans Foundation survey finds about three-quarters of the nonprofits in southeast Louisiana are dealing with financial issues and 23-percent of the organizations may partner with another non-profit. G-N-O-F President Andy Kopplin says the potential mergers are a testament to how concerned they are with the financial impacts…
cut 9 (07) “….quality staff members”
Kopplin says the start of COVID-19, GNOF has awarded over two million dollars in grants to individuals and nonprofits battling the pandemic.

The Middleton Library on LSU’s campus will have a new name. The building has been named after General Troy Middleton who served as LSU’s president from 1951 to 1962. There’s evidence Middleton promoted segregation, keeping black and white students separate. Blackout LSU organizer Gideon Adeyemo is delighted with the news…
cut 3 (09) “…as possible”
The LSU Board of Supervisors will have to approve the name change.

By tomorrow, LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry expects every member of the football team will be registered to vote. Ausberry says it’s something the players wanted to do in response to the recent events in our country, but he says the school will not influence the decisions the student-athletes make….
cut 15 (06) “…to vote for”

The state has seen declining COVID-19 hospitalization numbers statewide, but health officials are concerned about rising numbers in the Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria regions. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Orleans Parish Coroner’s office has determined that 17-year-old Jaquan Anderson died from severe heart inflammation triggered by COVID-19. Anderson tested positive for COVID-19 before he died March 22nd, but the coroner’s office needed to conduct more tests to determine a cause of death. Researchers say COVID-19 can cause deadly heart complications, in children, but it’s very rare.

LSU’s student-athletes are wanting their voices to be heard at the ballot box. LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry says what has happened across the country in recent weeks has inspired the athletes to be more involved in the voting process.
Cut 13 (09) “…to do anyway”
Ausberry anticipates that every football player eligible to vote will be registered by tomorrow.

The full House has unanimously approved a 34-billion dollar budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st. Coronavirus relief funds were put into the spending plan to prevent deep cuts to state services, despite a dip in revenues collected. Erath Representative Blake Miguez is still concerned cuts will be needed in a few months…
cut 11 (07) “….shortfall”
Miguez says businesses need tax cuts to make sure the economic recovery is quick. The spending bill heads to the Senate for more discussion.

The Louisiana House has approved a 34- billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The current budget is 30-billion dollars. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the increase is due to an influx of federal coronavirus relief dollars, so the state will not have this money to spend next year……
Cut 10 (10) “…expenses.”
The budget heads to the Senate for more debate.

A Greater New Orleans Foundation study finds that about three-quarters of nonprofits in southeast Louisiana are facing financial difficulties due to the COVID-19 pandemic. G-N-O-F CEO Andy Kopplin says many of these organizations, like food banks, are seeing an increase in demand, but have fewer dollars to carry on operations…
cut 8 (08) “…lose their job”
Kopplin says 23-percent of organizations surveyed say they are looking at merging with other nonprofits because of financial issues.

LSU announces it’s changing the name of the Middleton Library. Since 1979 the building has been named after former university president Troy Middleton, who supported segregation. Middleton wrote a letter to the University of Texas in 1961 that said LSU still kept black students in a given area. Black student leaders pushed for the name change that needs board approval.

LSU expects all of its football players will be registered to vote by tomorrow. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

State health officials are concerned about rising COVID numbers in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says while the state as a whole is seeing consistently declining numbers of COVID hospitalizations those areas have seen a steady uptick. That being said…
Cut 4 (08) “…capacity.”
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized statewide continues to fall, it’s at 549.

LSU is helping all of its student-athletes register to vote. LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry expects every football player eligible to vote will be registered by Friday, even those who do not live in Louisiana…
cut 14 (08) “….their absentee ballot”
But Ausberry says the school will not influence their student-athletes on who they should vote for.

A study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has put financial pressures on nearly three-quarters of the nonprofits in southeast Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The state has seen declining COVID-19 hospitalization numbers but health officials are concerned about rising numbers in the Lake Charles, Monroe, and Alexandria regions. Matt Doyle has more…

Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

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A study shows the COVID-19 pandemic has put financial pressures on nearly three-quarters of the nonprofits in  southeast Louisiana. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

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LSU expects all of its football players will be registered to vote by tomorrow.  Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

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State health officials are concerned about rising COVID numbers in the Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe regions. Assistant Health Secretary Alex Billioux says while the state as a whole is seeing consistently declining numbers of COVID hospitalizations those areas have seen a steady uptick. That being said…

Cut 4 (08) “…capacity.”

Billioux says they track real COVID transmission growth by hospitalizations and not raw cases because case numbers can be influenced by increased testing. He says a substantial portion of these new cases could be coming from nursing homes in those regions…

Cut 5 (08) “…settings.”

Congregate settings aside Billioux says there is still evidence that a worrying level of community spread is occurring in those three regions, and that’s backed up by data from their contact tracing program…

Cut 6 (09) “…card games.”

In the Lake Charles region, Billioux notes the number of new COVID hospitalizations in many hospitals has jumped from just a few to roughly 20 new cases as of last week.

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A Greater New Orleans Foundation study indicates nearly three-quarters of nonprofits throughout southeast Louisiana have suffered a financial impact from the COVID-19 pandemic. G-N-O-F CEO Andy Kopplin says most nonprofits have been hurt financially by canceled fundraisers and fee-for-service programs.

Cut 7 (10) “…extraordinary financial challenges.”

With a 20% unemployment rate, Kopplin says organizations such as food banks are seeing an increased demand, but fewer dollars to carry on operations, adding to the financial pressures.

Cut 8 (08) “…lose their job.”

About 23% of organizations have indicated interest in potentially merging or partnering with other nonprofits, which Kopplin says is a testament to how concerned they are with the financial impacts.

Cut 9 (07) “…quality staff members.”

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The Louisiana House has approved a 34- billion dollar spending plan for the fiscal year that begins July 1st. The current budget is 30-billion dollars. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says the increase is due to an influx of federal coronavirus relief dollars, so the state will not have this money to spend next year…

Cut 10 (10) “…expenses.”

Harris says 13 months from now, if current spending levels hold, the state will face a 731-million dollar deficit.

The extra federal dollars means the state does not have to make any deep cuts. But Erath Representative Blake Miguez is still concerned cuts will be needed a few months from now…

Cut 11 (07) “…shortfall.”

The budget was stitched together with those federal funds, so if the state were to see a mid-year revenue shortfall, could that be remedied with another round of help from D.C.? House Appropriations Chairman Jerome Zeringue…

Cut 12 (10) “…unlikely”

Zeringue says it’s likely the state will need another special session in the fall because of the revenue unpredictability. For now the budget heads to the Senate for more debate.

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LSU’s student-athletes are wanting their voices to be heard at the ballot box.  LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry says what has happened across the country in recent weeks has inspired the athletes to be more involved in the voting process.

Cut 13 (09) “…to do anyway” 

Student-athletes from any sport can schedule a time to stop by the football office to register to vote.  Ausberry anticipates that every football player eligible to vote will be registered by Friday, even those that don’t live in Louisiana.

Cut 14 (08) “…their absentee ballot.”

Ausberry says while the university is doing its part to help them vote, they will not influence the decisions they make.

Cut 15 (06) “…to vote for.”

There will be no concrete action taken in this special session to address policing reforms in Louisiana, but advocates have begun laying the groundwork to tackle the issue in a potential fall special session or next year’s regular session.

One of those efforts came today in a House committee where a resolution was introduced seeking to create a study group to analyze policing policy in Louisiana. The resolution sparked a fiery debate amongst members of the committee due to it including language mentioning George Floyd and the killing of black men by white police officers. Haughton Representative Dodie Horton called it offensive…

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But resolution sponsor Baton Rouge Representative Ted James says people should instead be insulted by ongoing issues of police brutality.

Cut 15 (06)“  actions” 

The resolution passed after members agreed to remove language mentioning George Floyd. A similar resolution also passed in a Senate committee.

The House approves a 34 billion dollar budget for the fiscal year starting July 1st.

Alexandria Representative Lance Harris says it’s a four billion dollar total means of finance increase, and part of the increase is due to an influx of federal dollars from the CARES Act…

Cut 10 (10) “…expenses.”

Harris says 13 months from now the state will, if current spending levels hold, be faced with a 731 million dollar deficit.

During the regular session, lawmakers passed criminal justice reform measures that advocates say will cut down on recidivism. One bill allows parolees to check in with their officers virtually. Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer says this saves parolees from taking off from work to meet their parole officer.

Cut 3 (08)  “…work.”  

Another bill celebrated that passed required the Department of Corrections to issue ID cards with work certifications to those leaving prison.