Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has issued two apologies, one handwritten, the other video, for the controversial comments regarding players protesting the anthem. Brees says his words lacked awareness and compassion and were hurtful for black people to hear…

Cut 3 (10)  “…my attention”  

Brees said on Wednesday in an interview with Yahoo Finance that he would never agree with kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest. Many in the black community called the comment insulting.

Thousands of protestors marched through New Orleans last night a day after police used tear gas to disperse a protest. The march was ultimately peaceful but began with an ultimatum from organizers that future actions could turn violent if the city did not meet their demands to defund New Orleans police and increase funding for social programs.

Cut 10 (09) “…for”

The state moves into Phase Two of the economic reopening today. The change means establishments that previously were allowed to operate at 25% occupancy will now see that increased to 50% capacity. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says businesses where a service is rendered to a client with a long amount of time in close contact will also open with some guidance on virus spread mitigation.

Cut 6 (12) “…give business owners.”

Phase Two will last at least 21 days.

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of Louisiana’s welcome centers under Phase Two guidelines today as the state is ready to start accommodating travelers.  Nungesser says there will be a strict cap on the occupancy of the lobbies at any one time, along with more frequent cleanings.

Cut 13 (08) “…times a day.” 

Welcome centers have been closed since March 16^th.

Louisiana, except for New Orleans, enters Phase Two of the economic reopening today. Some businesses reopen for the first time since March, while occupancy increases for others.
Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has posted a second apology to his Instagram page after saying on Wednesday he would never agree with kneeling during the national anthem as a form of protest. Brees says his comments were insensitive and completely missed the mark.

Thousands of protesters marched last night in New Orleans from City Hall through a black working-class neighborhood before ending at the Orleans Parish Courthouse. Chants of “say his name, George Floyd” rang out, along with “black lives matter” and…
cut 12 (07) “….I can’t breathe”
The event was peaceful and another march is expected tonight.

The Colorado State University hurricane forecast team has increased its forecast from an above-average season to very active for 2020. CSU forecaster Jhordanne Jones says they are predicting 19 named storms, up from 16, along with now nine hurricanes, up from eight.
Cut 7 (11) “…forecast.”
And the National Hurricane Center forecasts Cristobal will make landfall in Louisiana late Sunday night or early Monday morning as a tropical storm.

The number of George Floyd protestors in New Orleans swelled last night after tear-gas was used the night before on demonstrators near the Crescent City Connection. Matt Doyle was there…
Cut 3 (45) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Louisiana moves into Phase Two of the White House plan for reopening the economy today. That means restaurants, churches, gyms, shopping malls, barbershops and salons can increase capacity to 50-percent, while bars without food permits can reopen at 25-percent capacity. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says there are still restrictions on live entertainment…
cut 5 (12) “….a restaurant situation”

Colorado State University hurricane researchers have increased their forecast and now call for 19 named storms this year The forecast also predicts nine hurricanes and four reaching major strength. CSU forecaster Jhordanne Jones says the lack of an El Nino will result in an active season…
cut 8 (11) “…developing”

As we watch Tropical Depression Cristobal, Colorado State University forecasters are now calling for a very active 2020 hurricane season…
cut 2 (30) “….I’m Matt Doyle”

A large non-violent protest took place night in New Orleans. One speaker says George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis Police should be a wakeup call to those who’ve ignored previous pleas for racial justice.
Cut 11 (07) “…get up.”
And Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has now issued two apologies on Instagram for his comments about kneeling during the National Anthem.

Governor Edwards has signed the executive order that allows the state to move into phase two of the coronavirus pandemic restrictions. Starting today, most businesses can allow up to 50-percent of its maximum capacity. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says bars without a food permit and many other businesses reopen for the first time since March…
cut 6 (12) “….give business owners”

Since the state moved into phase one, Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser says the number of visitors to State Parks is up. Nungesser says a promotional deal for overnight stays at state parks has been so popular with locals, the offer is up for grabs to out of state visitors.
Cut 15 (10) “…code welcome back.”
That code can be used at louisianastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

Thousands of George Floyd protestors marched through New Orleans last night a day after police used tear gas to disperse a large crowd. Last night’s march was peaceful but began with an ultimatum from organizers that future actions could turn violent if the city did not meet their demands to defund New Orleans police and increase funding for social programs…
cut 10 (09) “…for”

Colorado State University hurricane researchers are now calling for a very active hurricane season with 19 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes. C-S-U forecaster Johordanne Jones says the report also includes the probability of major hurricanes making landfall…
cut 9 (11) “…Louisiana”
The National Hurricane Center continues to forecast that Tropical Depression Cristobal will strengthen back to a Tropical Storm tomorrow and make landfall in Louisiana as a tropical storm early Monday morning.

The state moves into Phase Two of the economic reopening today. The change means establishments that previously were allowed to operate at 25% occupancy will now see that increased to 50% capacity. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says things will look a bit different at restaurants and churches.
Cut 4 (11) “…numbers in Louisiana.”
Movie theatres, gyms, shopping malls, museums, barbershops and salons will all be able to increase capacity to 50% with social distancing. Casinos and video poker establishments can increase to 50% capacity, limited to 75% of their gaming positions.
Bars without food permits are opening at 25% capacity, but no live entertainment or dancing inside or outside.

Phase Two of the economic reopening starts today. Some businesses reopen for the first time since March, while occupancy increases for others. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (33) “I’m Kevin Barnhart”

_____________________________________

Colorado State University forecasters have upgraded the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season from above-average expected activity to very active. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

___________________________________________

The number of George Floyd protestors in New Orleans swelled last night after Wednesday’s tear-gassing of an allegedly violent crowd near the Crescent City Connection. Matt Doyle was there…

Cut 3 (45)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”   (WARNING: several sound bites include bleeped out expletives)

_______________________________________________

The state moves into Phase Two of the economic reopening today. The change means establishments that previously were allowed to operate at 25% occupancy will now see that increased to 50% capacity. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says things will look a bit different at restaurants and churches.

Cut 4 (11) “…numbers in Louisiana.”

Movie theatres, gyms, shopping malls, museums, barbershops and salons will all be able to increase capacity to 50% with social distancing. Casinos and video poker establishments can increase to 50% capacity, limited to 75% of their gaming positions.

Bars without food permits are opening at 25% capacity, but Browning says there are still going to be restrictions on live entertainment.

Cut 5 (12) “…a restaurant situation.”

Browning says businesses where a service is rendered to a client with a long amount of time in close contact will also open with some guidance on virus spread mitigation.

Cut 6 (12) “…give business owners.”

Phase Two will last at least 21 days.

______________________________________________________

Colorado State University ups its projections for the 2020 Atlantic Hurricane Season from above-average to very active.

CSU forecaster Jhordanne Jones says they now expect 19 named storms before the season closes, up from 16, along with now nine hurricanes, up from eight.

Cut 7 (11) “…forecast.”

Expected major hurricanes remained at four.

Jones says this season is still being driven by the lack of an influential El Nino, and it appears that will be the case for this season.

Cut 8 (11) “…developing”

The Gulf Coast and East Coast of the US combined now have a 70 percent chance of suffering a major hurricane. When looking at just the Gulf Coast…

Cut 9 (11) “…Louisiana.”

________________________________________

Thousands of protestors marched through New Orleans last night a day after police used tear gas to disperse a protest Wednesday.

The march was ultimately peaceful but began with an ultimatum from organizers that future actions could turn violent if the city did not meet their demands to defund New Orleans police and increase funding for social programs.

Cut 10 (09) “…for”

The march was noticeably larger than Wednesday’s, and organizers often worked commentary about income inequality, the military, and capitalism into their speeches about police brutality.

One speaker says George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis Police should be a wakeup call to those who’ve ignored previous pleas for racial justice.

Cut 11 (07) “…get up.”

Law enforcement kept a good distance away from the protestors who often broke into chants of f— the police, and occasionally f— Drew Brees.

The march worked its way from City Hall through a black working-class neighborhood before ending at the Orleans Parish Criminal Court. Chants of “say his name, George Floyd” rang out, along with…

Cut 12 (07) “*I can’t Breath*x5.”

Organizers vowed to return with another march tonight.

______________________________

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser announces the reopening of Louisiana’s welcome centers under Phase Two guidelines today as the state is ready to start accommodating travelers.  Nungesser says there will be a strict cap on the occupancy of the lobbies at any one time, along with more frequent cleanings.

Cut 13 (08) “…times a day.” 

Welcome centers have been closed since March 16^th.

Nungesser says welcome center staff will be equipped with masks.

Cut 14 (07) “…here in Louisiana.”

Overnight facilities at Chicot State Park in Ville Platte, Lake Bistineau in Doyline, and Bayou Segnette in Westwego will remain closed.  Nungesser says a promotional deal for overnight stays at state parks was so popular with locals, the offer will now be up for grabs for out of state visitors.

Cut 15 (10) “…code welcome back.”

That code can be used at louisianastateparks.reserveamerica.com.

____________________________________________

The NBA season will resume on July 31st with 22 teams playing in Orlando at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex. The Pelicans are one of the 22 teams. Before the playoffs start, each team will play eight regular-season games. Jake Madison the publisher of the Locked on Pelicans Podcast says by playing a few regular season games, the league can recoup some of the money it lost when the  season was halted in March

Cut 16 (16)  of  the league” 

Training camp for the 22 teams who will resume play will begin on June 30th and they’ll leave on July seventh for Orlando. The regular season resumes July 31st. Madison says this will give players plenty of time to get back in game shape

Cut 17  (17) “…could see” 

The goal for the Pelicans is to get in the 16-team playoff. They need to make up ground on the Grizzlies who occupy the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Madison expects New Orleans to play Memphis twice during the final eight games…

Cut 18  (20) “…Pelicans schedule”   

New Orleans Police fired tear gas into a large group of George Floyd protestors last night after the crowd allegedly began planning to assault a line of officers. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson says they have video evidence of an effort by some in the crowd to break through the police line guarding the Crescent City Connection and get onto the bridge. Ferguson says after rolling one tear gas canister and firing another from a launcher the crowd began dispersing.

Cut 7 (11) “…individuals”

Tracks for Cristobal still have the entire state still in the cone of uncertainty for an estimated early Monday morning landfall. That’s prompted officials to issue a flash flood watch for all of southeast Louisiana until Tuesday morning. State Climatologist Barry Keim says the forecast calls for up to ten inches of rain in the watch area…

Cut 10 (04) “…watch on”

There are no flood watches posted for southwest Louisiana.

The state reported 429 new coronavirus cases today to bring Louisiana’s total 41,562. Assistant health secretary Alex Billioux says seeing more cases is not enough for them to be concerned that the spread of the disease is getting out of hand

Cut 13 (11) “…nursing homes”  
The state is reporting 613 people are hospitalized. That’s a decline of 134 since May 25th.

Senator Bill Cassidy believes a coronavirus vaccination will be ready by October.   Cassidy says he’s been in talks with one of the companies working on a vaccine and feels confident that a product could help resume events with large gatherings this fall.

Cut 3 (09)  “…than anybody thought.”  

Cristobal has been downgraded to a tropical depression as the system has moved into southern Mexico. But State Climatologist Barry Keim says the National Hurricane still predicts Cristobal will move back into the Gulf of Mexico tomorrow night and then it will head towards Louisiana’s coast
Cut 9 (04) “…Monday morning”
A flash flood watch is in effect for all of southeast Louisiana until Tuesday morning.

New Orleans Police fired tear gas into protestors last night after the crowd allegedly began planning to assault a line of officers. NOPD Chief Shaun Ferguson says social media videos back up their claim that some elements were organizing an effort to break through police lines and get onto the Crescent City Connection bridge.
Cut 6 (09) “…officers.”
Ferguson also disputed claims that officers fired pellets or other projectiles into the crowd.

The state reported 429 new coronavirus cases today to bring Louisiana’s total 41,562. The Bayou State has been reporting around 400 cases every day this month. Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says we continue to see hundreds of new cases every day because of an increase in testing…

Cut 12 (10) “more cases”

On Thursday, Louisiana recorded nine-thousand new tests and nearly five percent came back positive.

Senator Bill Cassidy believes a coronavirus vaccination will be ready by October.   Cassidy says he spoke with one of the companies working on a vaccine and is confident one of them could be available by November.Cassidy says if studies indicate the product is effective and it receives the green light from regulators, there will be an ample supply ready. If not, he feels confident that other manufacturers will find a solution.

Cut 5 (08)  …Hepatitis B vaccine.”

Could a coronavirus vaccine be ready this fall? Senator Bill Cassidy says after talking with one drug company, he thinks so. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees has a lengthy apology on his Instagram page account for the comments he made yesterday regarding national anthem protests. Brees received quite a bit of backlash from current and former teammates and others. Today he says he completely missed the mark.

New Orleans police had to use tear gas last night on a large group of protestors last night that were trying to gain access to the Crescent City Bridge. NOPD Superintendent Shaun Ferguson says he is disappointed last night’s protest turned violent. He says up until then New Orleans demonstrations had been a model.
Cut 8 (12) “…that.”
Ferguson says tear gas was needed as they saw a group of people planning to assaul a line of officers. The state reported 429 new coronavirus cases today to bring Louisiana’s total 41,562. Assistant health secretary Alex Billioux says seeing more cases is not enough for them to be concerned that the spread of the disease is getting out of hand

Cut 13 (11) “…nursing homes”
The state is reporting 613 people are hospitalized. That’s a decline of 134 since May 25th.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees has issued a lengthy apology on his Instagram page. Brees found himself on the receiving end of a ton of criticism yesterday after he said he couldn’t support players who took a knee during the national anthem. Brees says the Q-B says he stands with the black community in the fight against systemic racial injustice and police brutality.

New Orleans Police officers had to use tear gas on a large group of protesters near the Crescent City Connection bridge last night. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The state reported 429 new coronavirus cases today to bring Louisiana’s total to 41,562. The Bayou State has been reporting around 400 cases every day this month. Assistant health secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says we continue to see hundreds of new cases every day because of an increase in testing…
cut 12 (10) “….more cases”
On Thursday, Louisiana recorded nine-thousand new tests and nearly five percent came back positive.

The National Hurricane Center downgraded Cristobal to a Tropical Depression as it has weakened because the center of the storm has moved over land in Mexico. But State Climatalogist Barry Keim says the models still show a second landfall near Morgan City Sunday night, early Monday morning. He says southeast Louisiana is under a flash flood watch
cut 11 (09) “…different conditions”