The session’s major lawsuit and auto insurance reform effort passed out of House and Senate Committees last night after lengthy debates. The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold from 50,000 to 5,000 dollars, and House bill sponsor, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says auto insurers have promised rate reductions if it passes.
Cut 10 (05) “…this bill.”
Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon said if the legislation is approved it will result in a 25-percent savings in auto insurance rates for Louisiana’s three-million drivers. Lawyer and former Congressman Don Cazayoux spoke in opposition. He says the changes will pressure victims into settling for less than they deserve by requiring lengthy jury trials…
cut 12 (12) “….amount”

Louisiana’s casinos and video parlors will wait until Monday to reopen, instead of Friday. The extra couple of days gives the gambling halls a chance to get their plans for preventing the spread of COVID-19 approved by State Police and the Gaming Control Board. The maximum occupancy is 25-percent at these establishments and only 25-percent of gaming positions can be in operation. Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie Jones says casino operators are not sure if a lot of their players are ready to return…
cut 9 (12) “….wait while”

The session’s major lawsuit and insurance reform omnibus bill is headed to the House Floor. The legislation lowers the jury trial threshold and bill sponsor, Chalmette Representative Ray Garofalo says auto insurers have promised rate reductions if it passes.

Cut 10 (05) “…this bill.”

Lawyer and former Congressman Don Cazayoux says the changes will pressure victims into settling for less than they deserve by requiring lengthy jury trials.

Cut 12 (12) “…amount”

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the legislative measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez warns if the Governor delays in continuing to reopening the economy he may revive the effort…

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.” PM

The state faces a billion-dollar deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1^st with the possibility that deficit could rise if the economy continues to deteriorate. Governor Edwards says that unpredictability makes it likely any budget passed this session would have to be changed in the fall.

Cut 6 (10) “year.”

The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a 316 million dollar loss in sales tax, a 351 million dollar decline in severance taxes, and 172 million dollars in gaming revenue losses due to COVID-19.

Senator Bill Cassidy is pushing to address some of Louisiana’s, and other states’, COVID-related deficits by directing 500 billion dollars to state and local governments over the next two years.

Cut 4 (7)_ “…tremendously”

The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a billion dollar decline in state revenues for the next fiscal year. That means state lawmakers will have to make significant reductions in state spending. Legislators will try to complete that task before the regular session ends on June 1st. Governor Edwards believes it can be done…
Cut 7 (08) “.budget”
There’s hope that federal dollars can help plug the budget deficit.

A resolution ending the Governor’s stay at home order was shelved upon news the state will enter Phase One Friday. House GOP Chairman Blake Miguez says his instrument isn’t going away and he will revive the effort if the Governor does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan.

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.”

The resolution had cleared a House Committee as was headed to the House floor.

The University of Louisiana System says they are planning to have students on campus this fall. Nine schools make up the U-L system and President Jim Henderson talked about what it might look like on campuses…
Cut 3 (10)  “…and responsibly get.”  
Henderson says there will be temperature checks, increased testing and a heightened focus on sanitation on their campus.

One person is dead after fleeing from law enforcement following the discovery of apparent street racing activity in Shreveport.  Trooper Brent Hardy says around 2am Monday, State Police showed up to disperse the crowd and a pursuit ensued with a Chrysler 300 driven by 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal.

Cut 9 (09) “…struck a tree.”

O’Neal was pronounced dead at the scene and the vehicle’s five other passengers, ages 16 to 20, sustained a range of moderate to serious injuries and were sent to local hospitals.

Based on projections of economists the state is facing a billion-dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st because of the coronavirus outbreak. Governor John Bel Edwards warns we really don’t know the full extent of the shortfall…
Cut 6 (10) “year.”

Despite the uncertainty, Edwards does not believe a special session will be necessary to pass a budget.

The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall. A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each of the nine-member institutions will have the ability to optimize safety measures for their individual campus. UL System President Jim Henderson expects there will be modifications for incorporating mitigation efforts into the college setting.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…pinpoint our interventions.”

As the state moves towards a phase one reopening of the economy, the state health department reports a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized. The number increased by ten to 1,320. The state also reported 235 additional coronavirus cases and 39 more deaths.

A legislative attempt to prevent the governor from enforcing his stay at home order is halted after the announcement that Louisiana will move to Phase One…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The University of Louisiana System plans to resume in-person instruction this fall at all nine member institutions.  UL System President Jim Henderson says there are hurdles obtaining resources for temperature checks, increased testing, and a heightened focus on sanitation.

Cut 5 (07)  “…are in place.”

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez says he’ll only revive the effort if Governor Edwards does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan and if it does lead to a spike in cases it should not result in the entire state being put back on lockdown.

Cut 14 (10) “…Phase Two”

Edwards said if a strict stay at home order is needed again, he’ll use a regional approach, instead of statewide.

The state faces a billion-dollar deficit for the fiscal year starting July 1^st with the possibility that deficit could rise if the economy continues to deteriorate. Governor Edwards says the unpredictability makes it likely any budget passed this session could be changed in the fall. But Edwards says if the feds bail out state and local governments it’s possible the deficit could shrink significantly…

Cut 8 (10) “…to it”

Senator Bill Cassidy is spearheading a federal effort to get 500 billion dollars sent to local and state governments.

State Police is investigating the death of a 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal, who died during a police chase early Monday morning. L-S-P spokesperson Brent Hardy says the chase in Shreveport started after police were called to investigate reports of a street race…Hardy says street racing is a problem on the national level and is never a good idea.

Cut 11 (05) “…safe.”

As the state moves towards a phase one reopening of the economy, the state health department reports a slight increase in the number of COVID-19 patients who are hospitalized. The number increased by ten to 1,320. The state also reported 235 additional coronavirus cases and 39 more deaths.

A legislative attempt to prevent the governor from enforcing his stay at home order is halted after the announcement that Louisiana will move to Phase One…
Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

The Revenue Estimating Conference projects a billion dollar decline in state revenues for the next fiscal year. That means state lawmakers will have to make significant reductions in state spending. Legislators will try to complete that task before the regular session ends on June 1st. Governor Edwards believes it can be done…
cut 7 (08) “…a budget”
There’s hope that federal dollars can help plug the budget deficit.

State Police is investigating the death of a 19-year-old, who died during a police chase early Monday morning. L-S-P spokesperson Brent Hardy says the chase started at the fairgrounds in Shreveport after law enforcement was called to investigate reports of a street race…
cut 10 (12) “…impairment was involved”
Lakendrick O’ Neal died at the scene, while five other passengers in his vehicle were injured.

Plans are now in place for students to be in the classroom this fall throughout the University of Louisiana System. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

Casinos in the state will be allowed to reopen Monday but with new rules and regulations as part of the Phase One reopening plan. Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chairman Ronnie James says gaming venues will only be able to operate at 25-percent capacity and they will have to incorporate screening guidelines of patrons to enter their facility.

The author of a House resolution aimed at stopping the governor from enforcing the stay at home order will not move forward with the legislative measure. House GOP Caucus Chairman Blake Miguez believes protests, letter-writing campaigns, social media posts, and his resolution pressured Edwards into loosening restrictions.

Cut 13 (12) “legislators”  

Edwards says he moved the state into Phase One only after the numbers, and his medical experts, indicated it was safe to do so.

One person is dead after fleeing from law enforcement following the discovery of apparent street racing activity in Shreveport.  Trooper Brent Hardy says around 2am Monday, State Police showed up to disperse the crowd and a pursuit ensued with a Chrysler 300 driven by 19-year-old Lakendrick O’Neal.

Cut 9 (09) “…struck a tree.”

O’Neal was pronounced dead at the scene and the vehicle’s five other passengers, ages 16 to 20, sustained a range of moderate to serious injuries and were sent to local hospitals.

The newest COVID-19 numbers released from the state show an increase in case numbers by 235 for a total of 32,050 and fatalities increased by 39 to 2,281. Hospitalizations increased by 10 from the previous day to 1,320 and vent usage decreased by 11 to 146.

Louisiana’s business lobbyists are cautiously optimistic about moving into phase one of economic reopening but believes more needs to be done. Kevin Barnhart has the story.

Cut 3 (28)  “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”  

The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall. A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each of the nine-member institutions will have the ability to optimize safety measures for their individual campus. UL System President Jim Henderson expects there will be modifications for incorporating mitigation efforts into the college setting.

Cut 4 (10)_ “…pinpoint our interventions.”

A resolution ending the Governor’s stay at home order was shelved upon news the state will enter Phase One Friday. House GOP Chairman Blake Miguez says his instrument isn’t going away and he will revive the effort if the Governor does not swiftly move the state through the federal reopening plan.

Cut 12 (10) “…his job.”

The resolution had cleared a House Committee as was headed to the House floor.

The University of Louisiana System announces plans to resume in-person instruction this fall at all nine member institutions. UL System President Jim Henderson expects things to look much different from what students and faculty have been accustomed to in the past.
Cut 3 (10) “…and responsibly get.”
A system-wide framework will be put in place, but each institution will have the ability to optimize safety measures to work best for each community.

Based on projections of economists the state is facing a billion-dollar shortfall for the fiscal year that begins on July 1st because of the coronavirus outbreak. Governor John Bel Edwards warns we really don’t know the full extent of the shortfall…
cut 6 (10) “…year”

Restaurants, churches, gyms, casinos, hair salons and other nonessential businesses closed by the stay at home order will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity starting on Friday. Massage parlors, spas, and tattoo parlors will remain closed. National Federation of Independent Business State Director Dawn Starns says why can casinos re-open, but not spas…
cut 14 (11) “…winners and losers”
The governor will wait until June 1st before deciding if the state can move into phase two.

Louisana Attorney General Jeff Landry has joined an 18-state effort that’s asking Congress to investigate China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic…
cut 12 (11) “…at the time”

Restaurants, churches, gyms, casinos, hair salons and other nonessential businesses closed by the stay at home order will be allowed to reopen at 25 percent capacity starting on Friday. Governor Edwards says Louisiana has done well in slowing down the spread of COVID–19, so it’s safe to loosen restrictions…
Cut 7 (07) “…protocols.”
Employees will be required to wear face masks when dealing with the public. Louisiana Association of Industry and Business president Stephen Waguespack says businesses are okay with adapting to guidelines amined at mitigating the spread…
cut 16 (11) “…places like that”
Edwards made the decision to loosen restrictions after seeing a decline in new virus cases and hospitalization rates for COVID-19 patients.

Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has signed his name to a letter that involves state officials from 18 other states that urge Congress to Investigate China’s roll in the COVID-19 pandemic. Landry says the U-S House has not problem investigating the actions of President Trump…
cut 11 (12) “….letter is about”

Many grocery stores are struggling to keep up with consumer demand of certain foods. LSU Ag Center Professor of Nutrition and Food Science Louise Wicker says before the pandemic, an average of 13-percent of our food dollar was spent at the grocery store and that percentage is significantly higher. Wicker says you’ll notice that packaging might look different for certain foods…
cut 5 (10) “…use now”