A reworked budget proposal from the Edwards Administration gets its first hearing before the House Appropriations Committee this morning. But with less than two weeks left in the regular session, political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says it’s a safe bet a special session will be needed.
Cut 7 (10) “…budget.
The Edwards administration is proposing to use federal recovery dollars and rainy day money to avoid deep budget cuts.

A bill that would allow doctors to prescribe medical marijuana for any reason they see necessary is close to final legislative passage. Senate Health and Welfare Chairman Fred Mills says the measure would also allow any doctor in good standing to authorize the treatment…
cut 14 (12) “… issue”
The measure has already passed the House and is awaiting final legislative approval on the Senate floor.

Today NOAA unveils its initial outlook for the 2020 Atlantic hurricane season. Brooke Thorington has a preview.
Cut 1 (31) “I’m Brooke Thorington.”

Sabine Parish native Cade Brumley has been named as the state’s new superintendent of education. The 39-year-old currently leads the Jefferson Parish school system. Before that he was the superintendent for the DeSoto Parish Schools

With less than two weeks remaining in the regular session the budget for next fiscal year is finally set to be taken up Thursday morning in House Appropriations. Between federal funding and the use of rainy day funds, the budget deficit for the next fiscal year has shrunk to only 80 million dollars from an initial projection of nearly a billion.

Despite that easier to handle fiscal situation political analyst Bernie Pinsonat believes it is a safe bet that a special session will need to be called.

Cut 7 (10) “…budget.

The regular session ends June 1^st and a budget must be passed before July 1^st.

An attempt to lower the state’s 247 dollar a week unemployment benefit is shelved after Louisiana Workforce Commission Executive Director Ava Dejoie testifies against the move…

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Representative Gerald Beaullieu admitted to not consulting with LWC before filing the legislation.

And a bill significantly expanding medical marijuana access is nearing final passage.

Under the legislation any condition a doctor considers “debilitating to an individual patient” would be eligible to receive medical marijuana. New Iberia Senator Fred Mills says the current limitations are too strict.

Cut 13 (06) “…not me” 

The legislation lifts the requirement that a doctor is specifically licensed to prescribe medical marijuana. 

Cut 14 (12) “…issue”

Two State Police Troopers are injured after being dispatched to assist Hammond Police with a pursuit around 2:15 this morning. A tire deflation device was deployed, disabling the suspect’s vehicle, and upon the troopers’ retrieval of the device, they were struck by a Hammond Police unit involved in the pursuit. One trooper has been treated and released, the other, identified as Trooper George Baker, is in critical condition. Troopers are asking for blood donations at the North Oaks Diagnostic Center in Hammond.
The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Dr. Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. Brumley will fill the position once occupied by John White. The Sabine native was one of 21 applicants and during his interview, he described a team effort to improve public education
Cut 12 (11) “…those things”

Brumley has led Jefferson Parish Schools since 2018

The feds award Louisiana 190 million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing and establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure. Governor Edwards has expressed optimism the state will move into Phase Two in June. Congressman Garret Graves says this funding ensures we have the testing capacity to meet the federal benchmarks to do so.

Cut 10 (11) “…program”

Casinos are experiencing a promising start to reopening after being closed since mid-March.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says players are showing up and are not pushing back against virus spread mitigation efforts of wearing masks and social distancing.
Cut 6 (09) “ …the virus hit.”

Jones adds that people were lined up at the doors waiting on the casinos to reopen on Monday.

The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. He will replace John White as the new superintendent. Dr. Brumley on what he would like to see from teachers in the classroom…

Cut 14 (14) “…child faces”

Louisiana has been awarded 190 million dollars from the federal government to expand COVID-19 testing. Early on in the pandemic, it could be hard to get a test even if you thought you were exposed, but Congressman Garret Graves says once this funding is applied that will no longer be the case.

Cut 9 (09) “…tested.”

The money will also be used to establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure.

The number of COVID-19 patients in Louisiana hospitals has dropped below 1,000 for the first time since late March. On his monthly call in radio show today Governor John Bel Edwards noted that just over a month ago the state recorded 2,134 individuals were hospitalized for COVID-19 and today the number is 931. Vent usages is also down by two to 110, the lowest since March 25^th.

Following closures since mid-March, casino guests are excited to get back on the gaming floor. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. Brumley has led Jefferson Parish Schools since 2018. Dr. Brumley says early childhood education is very important to him…

Cut 13 (13) “early brain”  

The Department of Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak that’s infected about 100 people at three Acadiana crawfish farms. Crawfish Promotion Board Chairman David Savoy says the migrant workers live in communal spaces where social distancing is not possible, and he does not believe the industry could have done anything differently to avoid the outbreaks.

Cut 5 (09)  “…cost.”

Louisiana reports 27 new COVID fatalities and 278 new confirmed cases but drops below a thousand hospitalizations for the first time since March 28^th, continuing the general declining curve of coronavirus spread.  Current hospitalizations are at 931 and those on vents are down two at 110.

Louisiana scores 190-million dollars from the feds to significantly expand COVID-19 testing capacity. Matt Doyle has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

For the first time since March 28^th the state is reporting less than thousand COVID-19 hospitalizations. The Health Department released numbers today and currently, 931 patients are hospitalized with the coronavirus, down 73 from the previous day. Vent usage also declined by two to 110.

The state reported 27 new fatalities bringing the total to 2,485.

The state’s top school board selects Jefferson Parish Schools superintendent Cade Brumley as the state’s new education superintendent. Brumley will fill the position once occupied by John White. The Sabine native was one of 21 applicants and during his interview, he described a team effort to improve public education

Cut 12 (11) “…those things”

Brumley has led Jefferson Parish Schools since 2018.

The feds award Louisiana 190-million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing and establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure. Congressman Garret Graves says the level of testing this funding provides is vital to returning to some sense of normalcy before a vaccine is made.

Cut 11 (11) “…reemergence”

Governor Edwards has expressed optimism the state will move into Phase Two in June.

Casinos are off a promising start reopening after being closed since mid-March and Two properties are set to reopen today. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says there is still a chance that Diamond Jack Casino in Bossier City, which had previously announced a permanent closure, may still reopen.

Cut 8 (08) “…back in business.”

The feds award Louisiana 190 million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing and establish antibody testing in the future once the FDA approves a procedure. Governor Edwards has expressed optimism the state will move into Phase Two in June. Congressman Garret Graves says this funding ensures we have the testing capacity to meet the federal benchmarks to do so.

Cut 10 (11) “…program”

The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak that’s infected about 100 people at three Acadiana crawfish farms. Crawfish Promotion Board Chairman David Savoy says the outbreak occurred at the end of the season and likely will not impact overall production.

Cut 4 (05)_ “…too great.”

Savoy says the workers live in communal spaces where social distancing is not possible.

Casinos are experiencing a promising start to reopening after being closed since mid-March.  Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says out of town guests are showing up since a majority of the state’s gaming tourism does not rely on air travel.

Cut 7 (11) “…some Louisiana folks.”

Properties are limited to 25% occupancy and can operate half of their gaming positions.  Before guests are allowed on the gaming floor, they go through a temperature check, sanitize their hands, are given masks, and are encouraged to wear them.

Louisiana reports 27 new COVID fatalities and 278 new confirmed cases but drops below a thousand hospitalizations for the first time since March 28^th, continuing the general decline of coronavirus spread. Current hospitalizations are at 931 and those on vents are down two at 110.

Louisiana reports 27 new COVID fatalities and 278 new confirmed cases but drops below a thousand hospitalizations for the first time since March 28^th, continuing the general declining curve of coronavirus spread.

The feds award Louisiana 190 million dollars to expand COVID-19 testing. Early on in the pandemic, it could be hard to get a test even if you thought you were exposed, but Congressman Garret Graves says once this funding is applied that will no longer be the case.

Cut 9, 9 seconds, tested

The Louisiana Department of Health is investigating a COVID-19 outbreak that’s infected about 100 people at three Acadiana crawfish farms. The outbreaks are centered on dormitory housing for migrant workers. Crawfish Promotion Board Chairman David Savoy says these farm outbreaks are unlikely to spread into the local community.

Cut 3 (11)  “…together.”  

Senator Bill Cassidy introduces legislation that would deliver $500 billion in emergency funding to states and local governments. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart” 

Jefferson Parish schools superintendent Cade Brumley is named the next Superintendent of Education in Louisiana. He replaces former Superintendent John White.

Casinos are experiencing a promising start to reopening. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says players are showing up and are not pushing back against virus spread mitigation efforts of wearing masks and social distancing.
Cut 6 (09) “ …the virus hit.”

The House Governmental Affairs Committee has rejected a bill that would allow all registered voters in Louisiana to vote by mail. Republican legislators express concerns that mail ballot voting would lead to an increase in voter fraud, but St. Francisville resident Catherine McKinney testified it will not…
cut 12 (10) “…by mail
Despite this argument, the measure died on a nine-five vote.

NASA’s Michoud Assembly Center in New Orleans is slowly ramping up production again after an extended closure due to the pandemic. Matt Doyle has the story.
Cut 1 (30) “I’m Matt Doyle”

Cal-Maine Foods in St. Helena Parish is donating nearly 600-thousand eggs to five food banks. General Manager Corey Davis says they had an excess of eggs because schools and restaurants have been closed…
cut 16 (10) “…with them”

A legislative effort to allow all registered voters in the state to vote by mail fails to get out of a House Committee. Matt Doyle has more.

Cut 3 (30)  “…I’m Matt Doyle”  

Two State Police Troopers are injured after being dispatched to assist Hammond Police with a pursuit around 2:15 this morning. A tire deflation device was deployed, disabling the suspect’s vehicle, and upon the troopers retrieval of the device, they were struck by a Hammond Police unit involved in the pursuit. One trooper has been treated and released, the other is in critical condition.

More workers are returning to NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans to continue building rockets for the Artemis Program, which aims to put the first woman on the moon by 2024. Michoud Director Robert Champion says they’ll still be under 25 percent of their full production capacity as they enter NASA’s Stage 3 Return to On-site Work.

Cut 5 (11)  “…where needed”

Stage 3 of NASA’s plan roughly coincides with the federal government’s Phase One.

Senator Bill Cassidy has introduced bipartisan legislation that would deliver $500 billion in emergency funding to states and communities through what’s called the State and Municipality Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) Act.  Cassidy says a state’s share of funding would be based on three factors.

Cut 7 (12) “…the financial impact.”