The state has activated a new website called open-safely-dot-la-dot-gov. It provides guidance to businesses and churches on how they can get back on their feet as Louisiana moves towards re-opening more of the economy. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning…
Cut 7 (11) “…commerce”
Governor Edwards could announce next week that the state is moving into phase one of re-opening of the economy.

It’s Cinco De Mayo, traditionally a big day for Mexican restaurants. Edwards is reminding people that social distancing still needs to be observed as restaurants are able to have outdoor dining. The governor is pleased with how restaurants and customers responded last weekend…
cut 6 (08) “…that was safe”

A Senate committee will consider several proposals this afternoon that would allow voters to decide if sports betting should be legal at the state’s casinos and race tracks. Brooke Thorington has more…
Cut 2 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington”

LSU has announced it will hold a virtual graduation ceremony online starting at 10 AM on May 15th. After the ceremony, the names of the graduating class will be displayed in Tiger Stadium. A university spokesperson says a physical graduation ceremony is still planned for the 2020 class, but a date on when that might occur is unknown.

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says a new survey finds just over half of its members believe bankruptcy is likely because of low oil prices. LOGA spokesperson Kati Hyer says a price war and significant drop in demand have driven oil prices through the floor.
Cut 13 (13) “…and local governments.”
Hyer says their members have already been forced to lay off 23-percent of their workforce.

Louisiana is approaching 30-thousand coronavirus cases and two-thousand deaths from COVID-19. Governor Edwards says Louisiana is seventh in the nation in per capita infections…
cut 5 (10) “….being number two”

The governor’s office is asking businesses and churches to register with a new website called Open Safely Dot-Gov. The site provides detailed guidelines for re-opening. State Fire Marshal Butch Browning says those that sign up will be put on a list for in-person compliance checks, but you don’t have to wait for that inspection to open, once the state moves into the different phases of re-opening…
cut 8 (11) “….provided”
It’s possible Governor Edwards will announce next week that the state is moving into phase one of re-opening the economy.

At the state capitol today, a Senate committee will hear several bills that seek to put a question on the November ballot that asks voters do they support legalizing sports betting. Lake Charles Senator Ronnie Johns knows there is support for the proposal…
cut 12 (10) “…that time”

Governor Edwards says the state’s fight against the spread of COVID-19 is seeing encouraging numbers. Edwards says over the last three days, the deaths reported have been the lowest seen in over a month. He says residents are taking mitigation efforts seriously.
Cut 4 (10)_ “…out and about.”
The state reported 22 deaths on Monday, after reporting 19 on Sunday and 23 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says 78-percent of oil producers have already begun taking steps to shut-in production. LOGA spokesperson Kati Hyer says shuttering is happening at an alarming rate…
cut 14 (08) “….if they shut-in”
The State Fire Marshal encourages business owners to sign up for reopening updates at Open-Safely-Dot-LA-Dot-Gov. Matt Doyle has more…
Cut 1 (29) “I’m Matt Doyle”

The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee to expect a big drop in available revenues for next fiscal year’s budget. Greg Albrecht says all you have to do is look at the price of oil.
Cut 23 (09) “…etcetera.”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says an oil glut along with the global COVID-19 pandemic has 78-percent of operators taking steps to shut-in production …
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association is seeking relief from the state legislature, calling on the passage of House Bill 506 which would reduce the severance tax rate by half a percent each year for the next eight years. The House Ways and Means committee approved the bill yesterday and it heads to the House floor for more discussion.

A Senate Committee will hear several sports gambling-related bills today. Lake Charles Republican Ronnie Johns has a proposal that calls for a proposition election on sports wagering to be held in every parish in November. Johns says sports betting is already happening illegally…
Cut 10 (09) “…legal industry.”
If parishes were to legalize sports gambling, the activity could not begin until the Legislature approves the tax structure during next year’s fiscal session.

It’s Cinco De Mayo, which is traditionally a big day for Mexican restaurants. Governor John Bel Edwards is reminding people that social distancing still needs to be observed as restaurants are able to have outdoor dining. Edwards says he’s pleased with how restaurants and their customers responded this past weekend…
cut 6 (08) “…that was safe”

The 2020 regular legislative session started up again Monday after a month-long COVID hiatus with 78 of the House’s 104 members in attendance. The Legislative Black Caucus had called for a postponement of legislative work until the 15^th, but House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says they can’t wait any longer

Cut 3 (10)  “…work to do”   

The Lower Chamber will be missing one member for the rest of the session: freshman Representative Reggie Bagala of Lafourche Parish died from COVID-19. 

The Legislature’s chief economist warns members that revenue is likely to take a significant hit due to oil prices and the COVID Crisis.

Cut 12 (11) “…like this”

The Legislature has until July 1^st to pass a budget.

A Senate Committee will hear several sports gambling-related bills Tuesday. Lake Charles Republican Ronnie Johns has a proposal that calls for a proposition election on sports wagering to be held in every parish in November. Johns says sports betting is already happening illegally…

Cut 10 (09) “…legal industry.”

If parishes were to legalize sports gambling, the activity could not begin until the Legislature approves the tax structure during next year’s fiscal session.

The House Appropriations, Ways and Means, and Transportation Committees are set to meet Tuesday starting at 9 AM. Appropriations will be taking up a few, preliminary budgetary procedures. Throughout the day Senate Judiciary A, B, and C will meet. Along with the gaming bills they’re scheduled to tackle video poker, alcohol delivery, fantasy sports, and a proposal that would bar seizure of federal COVID relief money by an individual’s debtors. Senate Ag will also convene.

Seventy-eight of the 104 House members were present when the Louisiana House gaveled in this morning to resume the 2020 legislative session. Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons says he’s recovered from COVID-19 and asked legislators to wear a mask when talking with others…
Cut 5 (08) “…doing so”
The House Appropriations Committee heard a bleak outlook when it comes to state revenues from the legislature’s chief economist. Greg Albrecht says mineral revenue, sales, and income tax collections will be down for the foreseeable future and it will take a long time for tourism to bounce back…
cut 14 (12) “…people are seeing”
An official revenue projection will be made next Monday when the Revenue Estimating Conference meets. Albrecht is a member of that panel.

The Louisiana Department of Education distributes 260 million dollars in federal funding to school districts, with guidance on how to properly use the funds…
Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle”

Nearly two-hundred employees at the Georgia-Pacific lumber facility in DeQuincy will be out of a job soon. That’s because Georgia-Pacific says it’s ceasing operations at that facility.

Carnival Cruise Lines has canceled all North American cruises through July. A date has not been given on when Carnival will re-start operations at the Port of New Orleans.

The state is reporting an additional 333 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 29,673 and a total number of those presumed recovered 20,316.

The Governor says numbers are encouraging today because the death tolls reported for the last three days have been the lowest in a month.

The Legislature’s chief economist Greg Albrecht warned state lawmakers to expect a slow recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends.

Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Jeff Palermo” 

Louisiana school systems receive a 260-million-dollar coronavirus relief grant from the feds, with guidance on how to use the funds coming from The Louisiana Department of Education. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says with this funding districts can develop a plan for the upcoming school year to ensure every student hears from an educator every day.

Cut 8 (08) “…minds”

The Louisiana Lottery has come up with a way for players to redeem cash prizes between $5,000 and $600 since lottery offices are closed. Spokesperson Kim Chopin says send photocopies of the winning ticket, along with a completed prize claim form and a picture of your ID to lottery headquarters. Chopin says if you have a winning Powerball or Mega Millions ticket, or your Louisiana Lottery prize ticket is over $5000…

Cut 11 (08) “…CDC guidelines.”

The 2020 legislative resumed when the Louisiana House convened this morning. 78 out of the 104 House members were present for roll call. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the state faces significant health and economic challenges as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, but as a legislative body they are up to the task

Cut 4 (09)_ “in our way.”

The Legislative Black Caucus urged legislative leaders to reconvene on May 15th instead of today.

The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee not to expect a quick economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Greg Albrecht anticipates a significant loss in state revenues for the fiscal year that begins in July.  He says all you have to do is look at the price of oil.

Cut 13 (09) “…etcetera.”

Louisiana school systems receive a 260-million-dollar coronavirus relief grant from the feds, with guidance on how to use the funds coming from The Louisiana Department of Education. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says the funds will make sure every kid has a computer and access to the internet if school campuses remain closed.

Cut 6 (10) “…happen.”

The Louisiana Lottery has come up with a way for players to redeem cash prizes between $5,000 and $600 since lottery offices are closed. Spokesperson Kim Chopin says send photocopies of the winning ticket, along with a completed prize claim form and a picture of your driver’s license to lottery headquarters. Chopin says to be sure to take clear photos and….

Cut 10 (08) “…that ticket.”

The Louisiana Department of Education disperses 260 million dollars in federal funding to school districts, with guidance on how to properly use the funds…

Cut 1 (29) “…I’m Matt Doyle” 

The house returned to the capitol today the first since mid-march due to the pandemic and Harvey Representative Rodney Lyons who has recovered from COVID-19 asked legislators to wear a mask when talking to each other…

Cut 5 (08)  “…doing so”

The Legislature’s chief economist tells the House Appropriations Committee not to expect a quick economic recovery once the coronavirus pandemic ends. Greg Albrecht says Louisiana will not be able to recover until the national and world economy recovers…

Cut 12 (11) “…like this”

The Louisiana Lottery has come up with a way for players to redeem cash prizes between $5,000 and $600 since lottery offices are closed. Spokesperson Kim Chopin says send photocopies of the winning ticket, along with a completed prize claim form and a picture of your driver’s license to lottery headquarters…

Cut 9 (05) “…present to us.”

A Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim form can be found on their website.

Louisiana reports 333 new confirmed positive COVID-19 cases, but only 22 new deaths were reported today. That marks three days in a row at under 25 new reported deaths, but weekend and Monday numbers tend to be much lower due to reporting logjams.

The House is back in action after a month-long COVID hiatus, with the Senate set to follow at 2 pm. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says the state faces significant health and economic challenges, but…

Cut 4 (10)_ “our way.”

And the state scores a 260 million dollar federal grant for school districts aimed at helping them get students back up to speed. Assistant Superintendent Jessica Baghian says districts can use the funds to provide time for extra instruction if a student has fallen behind…

Cut 7 (11) “…might have.”

For those that are looking to get their hands on farm-fresh foods and support the state’s ag industry, the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry introduces a new online tool that can help…

Cut 2 (29) “…I’m Kevin Barnhart”