Louisiana will remain in Phase Two and the mask mandate and bar closure order will remain in effect for at least another three weeks. Governor Edwards says the White House coronavirus task force recommends that the state keeps its mitigation measures in place. But he says there is encouraging news, the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital is on the decline

Cut 13 (11) “…seven days” 

There are currently 1,487 COVID-19 patients in the hospital statewide.

Legendary coach D-D Breaux announced today she’s retiring after 43 years as the leader of LSU women’s gymnastics program. Breaux is not completely leaving LSU as she’s been named as an ambassador for LSU, so she plans to be involved in a lot of different community service projects…

Cut 8 (10) “do that”

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley is confident in the protocols for spread mitigation as schools begin to re-open.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

About ten thousand small businesses have finished applications for Main Street Recovery grants but State Treasurer John Schroder says that number could increase if more business owners realize that any business with fewer than 50 employees can apply, even if you received some federal aid, and you are not minority owned.

Cut 11 (04) “…everybody.”

Governor John Bel Edwards announces Louisiana will remain in phase two for another three weeks until August 28th as he plans to officially extend the state’s coronavirus restrictions on Thursday. Edwards says this means the mask mandate and bar closure order will stay in place…
cut 12 (10) “…for ourselves”
Edwards says they are seeing evidence of progress, as the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital is slowly declining.

A very unique school year is set to begin and some school systems have made the decision to provide virtual instruction full time or a hybrid model of in-person and online learning. Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley says the state will soon provide school districts with more guidance on virtual education…
cut 4 (10) “…of vetting that”

State Treasurer John Schroder said on Talk Louisiana today that 10,000 Louisiana small businesses have completed applications for Main Street grant progam and he estimates there’s enough cash to offer another 20,000 businesses a no-strings-attached 15-thousand dollar grant. Schroder advises interested businesses to apply on their desktop computer and not their phone…
Cut 10 (08) “…application”
He says 65% of applicants have tried on a phone.

The longest tenured coach in SEC history, LSU’s D-D Breaux announced her retirement today after leading the Tigers gymnastics program for 43 years. LSU has finished as national runner-ups three times since 2016. The Donaldsonville native says after building the gymnastics program into a powerhouse, she looks forward to more time with her grandkids…
Cut 7 (10) “…right time’” (2x)
Jay Clark, who was the co-head coach, will take over Breaux.

Kids will be back in class in seven school systems across the state later this week, but State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says many schools are using a hybrid model, a split between virtual and in-person learning. Virtual instruction has reportedly had mixed results but Brumley says they’ve used 300 million in federal cash to bolster their efforts.

Cut 3 (10)  “…for teachers”  

Nearly 10,000 small businesses have completed applications for Main Street Recovery grants, but State Treasure John Schroder says some business owners are having difficulty completing the process because they  haven’t filed annual reports with the Secretary of State, haven’t filed their taxes, or…

Cut 9 (08) “…bookkeeping.”

Those who qualify can receive up to 15,000 dollars in no-strings-attached cash to help offset COVID related costs and interruptions. Applicants must have fewer than 50 employees to be eligible.

Legendary coach D-D Breaux announced today she’s retiring after 43 years as the leader of LSU women’s gymnastics program. Co-head coach Jay Clark will take over. The 67-year-old Breaux admits the past year has been difficult with the death of her mother and then the coronavirus pandemic

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re in”

Breaux is leaving on top as the Tigers are three-time defending SEC champions and fans have been packing the PMAC to watch their meets.

An LSU Health New Orleans oncologist helps author a study showing 13 to 16 percent of cancer patients with a confirmed case of COVID-19 will die within 30 days of diagnosis. That’s far higher than the general 1.63 percent rate that was thought to be the case in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes back in May when an infection mortality rate study was conducted for the area by Ochsner.

The state sees another day of declining numbers of people in the hospital with COVID-19.

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says classes begun this week for seven different school systems. Brumley says many schools are using a hybrid model, a split between virtual and in-person learning and adds the guidance from the state level does leave room for local autonomy in how a school system handles its mix of virtual and classroom instruction.
Cut 5 (10)  “…decide to use.”
State Treasurer John Schroder estimates about 10,000 small businesses have completed an application for Main Street Recovery grants, but they’re running into some issues and misconceptions from applicants. The Treasurer says there’s also been misunderstanding about who can apply. One, you can apply if you received federal aid and two, the program is not just for minorities.
Cut 11 (04) “…everybody.”
Schroder says about 70 percent of applicants are classified as minorities.
LSU’s D-D Breaux announces she’s retiring after 43 years as head coach of the Tigers gymnastics program. Jeff Palermo has the story…

cut 2 (31) “I’m Jeff Palermo”  

Louisiana reports over 3,600 additional COVID-19 cases today, but says about 1,700 come from a testing backlog. The state is on a five day streak of hospitalization decreases, down today by 9 to 1,487. Fatalities increase by 27 to 3,937.

10,000 Louisiana small businesses have completed applications for Main Street grants since the program launched, with State Treasurer John Schroder estimating they have the cash to offer about another 20,000 businesses the no-strings-attached, up to 15,000 dollar grants. Schroder advises interested businesses to apply on their desktop computer, and not their phone…

Cut 10 (08) “…application”

He says 65% of applicants have tried on a phone.

LSU’s legendary gymnastics coach DD Breaux is calling it a career after 43 years heading the program. The 67-year-old though says she’s not quitting the school though as she’s been named an ambassador for LSU, so she plans to be involved in a lot of different community service projects…

Cut 8 (10) “do that”

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley feels confident in the state’s protocols for spread mitigation in schools.

Cut 1 (31) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Louisiana reports about 1,900 new COVID cases today, and an additional 1,700 being reported from a testing backlog. 

State Education Superintendent Cade Brumley says classes begun this week for seven different school systems. Brumley says many schools are using a hybrid model, a split between virtual and in-person learning. Brumley says they’ve allocated over 300-million dollars in federal money to improve virtual instruction

Cut 3 (10)  “…for teachers”  

Legendary coach D-D Breaux announced today she’s retiring after 43 years as the leader of LSU women’s gymnastics program. Co-head coach Jay Clark will take over. The 67-year-old Breaux admits the past year has been difficult with the death of her mother and then the coronavirus pandemic

Cut 6 (10) “…we’re in”

Breaux is leaving on top as the Tigers are three-time defending SEC champions.

___________________________________

State Treasurer John Schroder estimates about 10,000 small businesses have completed an application for Main Street Recovery grants, but they are running into a few issues though with applicants. He says some haven’t filed annual reports with the Secretary of State, many others haven’t filed their taxes, and…

Cut 9, 8 seconds, bookkeeping

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment has shown signs in animal trials that it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says lab mice that received a protein called  MDR 504 were far less likely to see the virus replicate once infected.

Cut 10 (11) “…percent.”

Some animal toxicology studies will need to be completed before they can move to human trials.

Tulane researchers say an animal model trial for a promising COVID-19 drug is showing strong results as a preventative treatment. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Governor Edwards holds another coronavirus briefing at 2:30 today. The current phase two order ends Friday, but the governor is expected to extend it, despite a decline in the daily total of new cases and a slight drop in COVID-19 hospital patients.

Louisiana has released coronavirus safety guidelines so that motion picture production can resume. The regulations call for a COVID-19 compliance officer on set, testing of workers and everyone wearing masks except performers. Louisiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly expects production to ramp up over the next two months…
cut 6 (12) “….communities”

Louisiana Lottery has increased the starting jackpot for its lotto game from 250-to-500-thousand dollars. Louisiana Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says the game matrix is also changing as players will pick six numbers out of 42, instead of 40…
cut 8 (10) “…a change”
And the change should lead to more jackpots over one million dollars.

The state has announced new safety guidelines for the restart of motion picture production. Louisiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly says the guidelines are similar to other workplaces. Wear a mask, social distance while on set, limit access to the studio, and…
Cut 4 (11)_ “…reset”
Stelly says a few productions are making preparations to resume filming and additional production activity is expected to ramp up in a few weeks.

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment for COVID-19 has produced positive results in studies on lab mice. It’s a synthetic protein called MDR 504 and its engineered to neutralize the virus once it enters a person’s body. Tulane Internal Medicne Chair Doctor Jay Kolls says the drug could be fantastic for nurses who are regularly exposed to the virus, but it’s not cheap to produce…
cut 11 (09) “….thing”
A human trial for the treatment is still needed.

Senator John Kennedy says a proposed coronavirus relief bill would let states determine how to pay extended unemployment benefits funded by the feds. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (26) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Murder charges have been dropped for one of two teenagers arrested last week in Franklin Parish after a State Trooper found a dead body in the trunk of their vehicle. Authorities say 18-year-old Michael Mitchell has admitted to fatally shooting 23-year-old Michael Robinson Junior of Monroe and the passneger in the vehicle 19-year-old Cameron Powe had nothing to do with the crime. So Powe’s charges have been dropped.

Discussions continue in Washington D-C on extending expanded federal unemployment benefits. The 600-dollar per week pandemic jobless benefit expired last week. Senator John Kennedy says there’s been discussion on giving states a choice as to how to go about paying the benefits…
cut 13 (12) “….your prior wages”
Congressional Democrats want to extend unemployment benefits through at least January 31st, while Kennedy says they should extend through the end of October.

The state has released a best practices plan so that film production can resume. Among the guidelines, a COVID-19 compliance officer, face coverings for everyone except performers, limit access to production areas and digital scripts and call sheets. Lousiana Entertainment Director Chris Stelly says there were 14 film productions in Louisiana when the pandemic hit, not all of them may return…
cut 5 (08) “….go forward” (2x)

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment used on lab mice showed it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. It’s a protein called MDR 504, but Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Doctor Jay Kolls says it will be at least six months before this treatment could be available for humans…
cut 12 (11) “…2021”

The starting jackpot for Louisiana Lottery’s flagship game, Lotto, has been upgraded from 250-thousand dollars to 500-thousand dollars. Lottery spokesperson Dustin Annison says this will help create larger jackpots..
Cut 7 (10) “…throughout the year.”
The change marks only the fourth time the game has been altered in its 28-year history.

Tulane researchers say an antibody treatment has shown signs in animal trials that it can be effective at preventing coronavirus from multiplying once it infects you. Tulane Internal Medicine Chair Dr. Jay Kolls says lab mice that received a protein called MDR 504 were far less likely to see the virus replicate once infected.
Cut 10 (11) “…percent.”
Kolls says animal toxicology studies are still needed before they can move to human trials.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are making very little progress on passing another coronavirus relief bill that would extend jobless benefits. Democrats believe the country should continue with the 600-dollar-per-week jobless benefits, but Republicans are offering different alternatives. But Senator John Kennedy says Democrats are not willing to vote for other options…
cut 14 (06) “…to oppose it”
Discussions will continue throughout the week.

Later this month, the first film/TV project since the pandemic began is set to begin production in Louisiana under a set of new industry guidelines. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”