Louisiana will enter Phase Two on Friday and that means more businesses can open to 50-percent capacity…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The National Hurricane Center says a Tropical Depression in the Bay of Campeche will develop into Tropical Storm Cristobal later today. Forecasters say the system will move northward across the Gulf of Mexico later this week, but it’s too soon to specify the location and timing of any potential impacts along the Gulf Coast.

In the final hour of the regular session, lawmakers approved legislation that seeks to lower auto insurance rates by making significant changes to the state’s legal system. Opponents of the measure say it will make difficult for those involved in a car accident from getting money and it does not require auto insurance companies to lower rates. Amite Representative Robby Carter…
cut 15 (04) “…pig”
Governor Edwards could veto it.

Today is the first full day of the special session, as lawmakers still need to pass a budget. Republican legislators will also use this time to pass tax breaks to help businesses impacted by the COVID shutdown. Chairman of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force Jason Decuir says despite our current budget woes the cost of inaction will create bigger problems…
cut 5 (12) “….coffers”

Louisiana will begin phase two of reopening of the economy on Friday that means restaurants, churches, funerals, barbers and casinos and many other businesses can operate at 50-percent capacity. Assistant health secretary Dr. Alex Billioux says several businesses can also re-open for the first time since March…
cut 9 (06) “….swimming”
Bars can also operate at 25-percent capacity beginning Friday, but New Orleans is holding off on moving to phase two.

LSU plans to test 10-to-16 percent of the population on their campuses as part of their plan to have students back in the classrooms for the fall semester. Interim president Thomas Galligan on what happens if someone tests positive…
cut 11 (10) “….tracing protocol”
Anti-body testing will also be offered to employees. LSU also hopes to launch a mobile app that would include a symptom checker for users and a contact tracing function.

The regular session ended last night with lawmakers approving a bill that would set up a 300-million dollar small business grant program. The money would come from 811-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid that the governor intended to use to help local governments. Also passing, a tort reform bill that supporters say will lead to lower auto insurance rates, opponents are skeptical that will happen.

Now the special session is underway. Matt Doyle reports legislators will discuss proposals to help businesses cripppled by the COVid shutodown..
voicer 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Starting Friday restaurants can operate at 50-percent capacity and bars can open in a limited fashion as the state enters Phase Two. Assistant Health Secretary Doctor Alex Billioux says the 50 percent capacity in restaurants still requires groups to be seated six feet apart.
Cut 7 (07) “…resturant.”
He notes “high risk” individuals should continue to isolate themselves.

Legislation aimed at lowering auto insurance rates by enacting lawsuit reform is headed to the Governor’s desk. River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot says his bill brings our legal climate in line with other states. He pointed to an exchange he had with Nationwide as evidence…
Cut 13 (10) “…model”
The bill extends the prescriptive period for filing suits and lowers the jury trial threshold from 50,000 to 10,000 dollars. It faces a possible veto from the governor as there’s a concern the legislation will not lower rates.

The regular session ended last night and a 30-day special session is underway. The call for the special session contains 41 items and Chairman of the Louisiana Economic Recovery Task Force Jason Decuir says many of the proposals aim to help businesses closed due to COVID-19…
cut 6 (09) “…rolling”

LSU outlines a roadmap to the return to physical class settings this fall. Kevin Barnhart has the story.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

Louisiana will enter Phase Two on Friday and that means more businesses can open to 50-percent capacity…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The regular session concluded last night with lawmakers approving a bill that makes changes to the state’s legal system in an effort to reduce auto insurance rates by at least 10-percent. Monroe Senator Katrina Jackson voted against it
cut 14 (07) “…decrease”
There’s a chance the governor will veto the legislation.

LSU outlines a roadmap to the return to physical class settings this fall. Cleaning, handwashing, and physical distancing will see a continued emphasis. LSU Interim President Thomas Galligan expects the CDC will also still recommend face coverings, so the university will contribute to that need.
Cut 10 (11) “…additional face coverings.”
LSU also plans to test 10 to 16 percent of the population of the campuses statewide for the virus this fall, with voluntary participants selected at random.

LSU announces they’ll finally play Southern in football in 2022 and host Grambling State the following year. The Tigers have never played the historically black colleges on the gridiron.

The regular session is complete and the highlight legislation passes both chambers in the waning minutes Monday.

Tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates will head to the governor’s desk without a veto-proof majority of support in the House, raising the possibility that the Governor could veto the legislation that he’s long criticized, saying the bill does not do anything to lower rates but does undermine victim’s ability to get a fair settlement.

Bill sponsor River Ridge Senator Kirk Talbot pushed back on that claim. Talbot says the bill brings our legal climate in line with other states. He pointed to an exchange he had with Nationwide as evidence of how badly the bill was needed…

Cut 13 (10) “…model” 

Amite Representative Robby Carter says the GOP lawmakers refused to compromise…

Cut 15 (05) “pig”

A bill allocating 300 million dollars to create a grant program for state small businesses also passes. The bill was controversial for drawing the funds from money set aside to help local governments salvage their budgets in the face of COVID-related revenue loss.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state-licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley says the measure has the opportunity to combat the opioid crisis.

Cut 11 (10) “…were telling me.”

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.

Cut 12 (08) “this year

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several key metrics…
Cut 15 (10)“      the state” 
Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can reopen for the first time since March.

Today marks the official start of the 2020 hurricane season and the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness wants you to get prepared for a projected busy season. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says the state is actively preparing to have to respond to a severe weather event in the midst of a pandemic.
Cut 3 (08)  “…support”  

Tropical Depression 3 has formed in the Bay of Campeche. The system could enter the gulf as tropical storm on Saturday afternoon.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley has previously voted against the use of medical pot, but says now that it’s legal, it should be an option for more people.

Cut 9 (08) “…pretty easy jump.”

With a 74-16 vote, the bill heads next to the Governor’s desk, who is expected to sign it.

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk.

Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.

Cut 12 (08) “this year

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy, beginning on Friday. Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Edwards reminds the public the state’s fight against COVID-19 is not over.
Cut 16 (12) “…contact tracing”
Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can open for the first time since March.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana from any state licensed doctor is headed to the governor’s desk, where he’s expected to sign it. The bill’s author Stonewall Rep. Larry Bagley says the bill’s removal of the need for doctors to register with and receive authorization from the State Board of Medical Examiners to recommend cannabis to patients will open up a patient’s access to a doctor who can make that decision.

Cut 10 (07) “…than your doctor.”

Tropical Depression 3 forms in the Bay of Campeche. The system is expected to strengthen and bring heavy rainfall to portions of Mexico. As of the 4PM advisory from the National Weather Service, the system is moving WNW at 7 miles per hour with max sustained winds at 30 miles per hour. The system could enter the gulf as tropical storm on Saturday afternoon.

The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness recommends adjusting your hurricane season prep to the new normal of dealing with COVID-19. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Governor Edwards announces the state will move into phase two of reopening of the economy beginning on Friday. Edwards says he made the decision after analyzing several key metrics…
cut 15 (10) “…the state”
Phase two means bars can reopen at 25-percent capacity, while restaurants and other businesses can increase capacity from 25 to 50-percent. Pool halls, bowling alleys, tattoo parlors, recreational pools and spas can reopen for the first time since March.

The National Hurricane Center says an area of disturbed weather near the Yucatan Peninsula is becoming better organized and there’s a high chance it will form into a tropical storm tonight or tomorrow. GOHSEP spokesperson Mike Steele says Louisiana residents should monitor…
cut 5 (08) “…threat”

A small plane crashed shortly after takeoff in Pineville yesterday, claiming the lives of two men from Alexandria and leaving a 7-year-old in the ICU. President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says the deaths of twin brothers Ben and Blake Cooper is devastating news…
Cut 6 (11) “ …in the community.”
Blake Cooper was the director of the Central Louisiana Regional Port Authority and Ben Cooper was an administrator at Oceans Behavioral Hospital in Alexandria.

State lawmakers have approved the regulatory framework so residents in 47 parishes can participate in online fantasy sports contests. In a special session that starts tonight, legislators will figure out how it should be taxed. Fairness for Fantasy sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says the tax bill will be more contentious than this regulatory bill…
cut 13 (07) “…debate”

The regular session comes ends at 6 PM and lawmakers are looking to pass several bills in the final hours. Still needing final approval, a tort reform measure that supporters say will lower auto insurance rates by 10-percent. And Republican legislative leaders are looking to pass a measure that would use 300-million dollars in federal coronavirus relief aid to set up a small business grant program.

Legislation allowing any patient with a debilitating condition to receive medical marijuana is headed to the governor’s desk. Jeff Palermo.
Cut 2 (28) “…I’m Jeff Palermo”

Final legislative approval has been given to a bill that sets up the regulatory framework so residents in 47 parishes can compete in online fantasy sports contests for money. Legislators still need to figure out how it will be taxed. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says that will be discussed during a special session that begins at 6:01 tonight. He asks fantasy sports players to get involved in the debate..
cut 14 (09) “….package”

Today is the first day of the 2020 hurricane season. Spokesperson for the governor’s office of homeland security and emergency preparedness Mike Steele says get your hurricane prep kit together now and consider using COVID-related items like masks, wipes, and sanitizer, along with the standard items…
cut 4 (07) “….kit”
He says to get ready go to get-a-game-plan-dot-org.

Governor Edwards will announce at 2:30 this afternoon whether the state is ready to move into Phase two of reopening of the economy. That means bars and summer camps can re-open and non-essential travel can resume, but the state will continue to work to limit the spread of COVID-19…
cut 30 (10) “…it remains deadly”
The state reported just four new deaths today, bringing the state’s total to 2,690.

Many people in central Louisiana are grieving over the deaths of Ben and Blake Cooper. The two businessmen from Alexanderia were killed in a small plane crash in Pineville yesterday. But President of the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce Deborah Randolph says Blake’s seven-year-old son survived the crash but is in bad shape…
cut 8 (09) “…to live”
The N-T-S-B is investigating the cause of the crash.

A bill that sets up the regulations so Louisiana residents can participate in online fantasy sports contests for cash prizes is headed to the governor’s desk. Fairness for Fantasy Sports spokesperson Ryan Berni says they’re confident Governor Edwards will sign the legislation and hopefully lawmakers will approve the taxation in the June special session.
Cut 12 (08) “this year
The special session is set to begin one minute after the regular session ends at 6:00 tonight.

Another bill heading to the governor’s desk is a measure that eases the restrictions on who can be recommended to use medical marijuana. The state currently has a specific list of diseases and conditions, but Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley’s bill opens it up to anyone who is suffering from a debilitating condition…
cut 11 (10) “…were telling me”
The governor is expected to sign the bill.